2004 Suzuki reviews

Nice starter bike, very forgiving. Seat could be better, after a few hundred miles it gets hard as a rock. Bad part is Suzuki treats it like it's a nothing bike. No accessories to speak of. I don't regret one minute getting the gs500f for getting back into biking. Show less

These things rock, they are very quick and powerful. Small in size but big in power. I know they're powerful, I ride one. I'm 150lbs and 5ft,9in it still pulls wheelies and jumps with me on it. They're really fast also. My dad does wheelies on it too and hes 200lbs 6ft,3in. I love this thing. NOT FOR BEGINNERS. Show less

I did a little research before I bought this bike. I read that it was good for novices and more experienced riders alike. I learned that it has a reliable engine, a light weight aluminum truss-style frame, and is easily maneuverable. Something I read also stated that it will brake faster than almost anything that's traveling behind it, so an SV rider should be mindful in traffic. All these things seem to be very true. I also read that when it first came out in 1999, that it had the highest specs in the middle budget class (Super Bikes, Alan Dowd, 2002), with fuel injection and a new faring being the biggest changes in 2003. As far as maintaining the highest specs in its class, the stakes have been raised, probably more so with the new Kawasaki's (2009), which seems to be constantly compared with the SV and the Gladius. Still, in 2004, the SV ruled in its class, and maybe, it still does, especially for the price! I previously owned a 1999 1200 Bandit, so I was used to a bike with great power and lots of torque. While the SV is not anywhere near the performance of the Bandit, it still has plenty of muscle for me. Also, the fuel injection on the SV reduces warm up time. I enjoy how the SV handles, which has saved my skin from inconsiderate motorists on more than one occasion. Lastly, this thing looks great! I have had several positive comments on how it looks, and personally, I love how the aluminum truss frame is visible, revealing a high quality Suzuki frame, you know, that high spec thing! I do have three complaints. The seat, for me at least, is not that comfortable, when I have been riding for a while. Sometimes, my rear end feels like I have been riding a horse. Secondly, the riding position seems to be a little hard on my hands and wrists. However, this is a small sacrifice for having a sporty bike. Honestly, my Bandit did me the same way, even though it had an upright riding position. Lastly, the tank is supposed to hold 4.5 gallons of gas (according to PNS), which should result in at least 200 miles to a tank of gas. When I fill up my tank, after the low fuel light comes on, it only holds about three gallons of gas. As a result, I can only go about 150 miles on a tank of gas (50 MPG), before that light activates. Does anyone know how far can you go after the fuel light comes on? Despite a few small problems for me, I love this bike. I always enjoy its power, handling, and yes, the way it looks. I mean no offense to the owners of other bike manufacturers, but I've always had the best luck with Suzuki bikes in terms of performance and reliability. They are the best! Unless you are a tall/large person, have a preference for cruisers, or simply need light speed on your scoot, you really cannot go wrong with this bike. Show less

I bought the bike and went to Maryland to get it in 2005. It was a '04 with 14 miles. I rode it back to Houston, Texas with storms and rain all the way. I have ridden it to Yellowstone five times and Sturgis four times. I put a Honda Gold Wing rear end on it in '08 (with the help of some friends) because I wanted the luggage space for a trip to Alaska. This is the absolute best bike that I have ever owned and I have had many since 1954. It has never had any kind of shop time. It still runs great. I am thinking about buying another with low mileage to mothball, just in case. Show less

I have owned 16 different bikes since 1989--mostly large touring models, both Japanese and American. My previous ride was a 08 Harley Street Glide. This is my first automatic motorcycle as well as first Suzuki. The fit and finish are top-notch but it's the ride quality that stands out. At 56 years of age I was ready for something different and this Burgman 650 fits the bill. The handling is superb, the brakes are fantastic and pick-up is wonderful too. It has plenty of under-seat storage and three separate dash cubbies, the largest one lockable. Getting used to not shifting is the biggie here, but once you get over the urge to pull the clutch and move your left foot, it's so easy to ride. It totally put the fun back into riding for me after 20 years in the saddle. Show less

I'm 66 years old and have been riding all my adult life. I usually maxed out at 1000 CCs because of my height and weight being concerns in my ability to handle a bigger, heavier bike. I had a Marauder 1400 but I wasn't thrilled about the styling and spoke wheels, so one day at my dealer I saw a '04 1600 Marauder with 9k miles, Hypercharger Pro, Power Commander and pipes. I guess my bucket list kicked in and I never looked back. The handle bars are a bit of a stretch for my short arms and the Hypercharger does hit my knee, but other than that I still rate the bike as 5-star. Suzuki didn't make the Hypercharger. If you get the chance jump on one of these before they're only a fond memory. Show less

I just traded for the DRZ400S and couldn't believe that you could have this much fun on the street. I had a Suzuki Intruder but have always been a dirt bike man at heart. This bike eats up the bumps and jumps you'll find on Oklahoma roads and handles way better than I thought a dirt bike would on the street. It has plenty of power for the highway and rides as well at 100 mph as it does at 50 mph. With some better tires I'd bet it would hang with my RM on the trails. If you want to ride the trails and then ride your bike home or to work - GET THIS BIKE! Show less

The 1600 Marauder is one of the best all around bikes I've ever owned. From the power to the breaks to the handling to the comfort to the styling and the value; this bike is in a class of its own. I know that the Mean Streak is the same bike and I'm sure the owners of the M.S. feel the same. I bought the Marauder for the slight style change, and the idea that this is one of the rarest bikes on the road does not hurt. The only thing that I would have changed is the quick to wear out tires from the factory. Having owned a 1500 Vulcan, the noise from the engine was not a surprise, and does not shorten the life of this bike. The stock seat is the most comfortable I've ridden and the ability to change positions in the saddle makes a 600 mile day painless. Finally I found a bike that I love as much as my wife! Show less

I grew up riding off road motorcycles and ATVs my whole life, but once I rode my bike home for the first time I was in complete love with it. To be honest even though I have had this bike over 3 years I believe that I will ride this bike until the wheels fall off because I could not ask for a better bike for myself. Show less

This is the first bike I have ever owned and ridden. It is now the only bike I will ever ride. I love it. It has a lot of power and is scary fast. Most people say you can't trail on 2 strokes but I beg to differ. I ride mine on all kinds of trails. It goes through mud, up steep hills, and anything you want to go through. I have had it for a year and haven't fouled a plug yet. I highly recommend this bike to anyone looking for a fun bike! Show less