Suzuki VX800- any good?

MuD · Nova Slayer Joined: 31 Mar 2003 Karma :

Hi, I have a friend who is thinking of selling his old Kwak and getting a VX800 instead.

But that particular bike seems to be quite rare anywhere in Europe let alone where I live so apart from a couple of pics we've seen on the net we know next to nothing about it.

If anyone has any experience with the VX800 I would be very thankful for some insight (engine, suspension, handling, maintenance costs etc.)!

Thx! Smile

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Woof!

Demonic69 · The Pink Rhino Joined: 31 May 2002 Karma :

Robby has one, he thinks it's great but he is a bit odd.
They seem like well solid bikes though. Look crap with the front half-fairing
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Back on a Blade. Just feels so right.

zaknafien · Joined: 25 Mar 2002 Karma :

Phoenix · Twisted Firestarter Joined: 01 Aug 2002 Karma :

Bit of an old man's bike really, but better than a Divvy so....

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

Fantastic bike, quite rare but very reliable and generally solid. Big torque, low revs, shaft drive. Looks arse with the half fairing, front end looks like a bandit with the round headlamp.

We have a european owners club of sorts as well, which is very, very useful.

good bike. Better than any kawasaki you may care to mention.

As for the technical bit, the engines are strong to 70k, or 100k with a good maintenance schedule. Oil needs doing every 4 or 5k miles, i do it every 3 because i'm like that, fuel economy is between 40 and 50mpg, depending how its ridden, cheap tyres are fine.
Steering head bearings do go notchy after about 35k, not a hard job to fix and easy to treat if you get one with low miles. Fork seals go at about 40k, again can be different depending how its ridden.

We also get 10% off parts through the owners club.

EuropeanNC30R... · Gay Hairdresser Joined: 20 Jun 2002 Karma :

When I saw this thread title I thought it was a piss-take Very Happy

MuD · Nova Slayer Joined: 31 Mar 2003 Karma :

Thanks a lot 4 the answer(s)! Wink

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Milo · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Feb 2002 Karma :

I've just done a search to find some pics. looks like a nice bike and a good sized v-twin without going up to the firestorm insurance group!
Shaft drive too, which is a good thing in my opinion.

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G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Errr, it's not really Firestorm territory, more a mix between a cruiser and a dullville Smile

Milo · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Feb 2002 Karma :

yeah, i think i noticed that from the pic!
i was just saying it's a good sized v-twin but without such a temptation to kill yourself.
SV650's sound too quiet and haven't got much power behing them. the dullville is too slow to be of any use. fu<k using that fully loaded to go camping with a pillion!

Phoenix · Twisted Firestarter Joined: 01 Aug 2002 Karma :

You could have a litre V-twin that isn't tuned to produce much HP, big V-twin doesn't mean wheelie machine. Plus the VX's rather significant wheelbase won't make it much of a unicycle.

Milo · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Feb 2002 Karma :

yeah, but there aren't any! well, any that i know of.
My XJ900's got a huge wheelbase too...and it's heavy... so no wheelie's off the throttle there, though the front does pop up when changing gear if i'm gunning it.
off the clutch-easy Smile

lukenukem84 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 14 Aug 2003 Karma :

What's so wrong with a Divvy?
Ok, so not very fast (especially at 33bhp), but it's cheap and, well, cheap!. hmm. ok.
it's still a good bike!

(did i mention cheap?)
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Old Bike: '97 NSR125RR

Milo · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Feb 2002 Karma :

i'm assuming you're talking about the 600?
i can't imagine my XJ900 (the one before before the divvy) at 33 brake. that's less than 1/3 the power i've got at the mo!

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