Suzuki Marauder reviews

Just got an '04 (leftover) VZ1600 in Dark Metallic Gray...The only thing I've added to it at this time are saddlebags from rakaposhiusa (off of eBay)...Great bags at a great price. I will evetually add a Corbin Dual Tour Seat (or a Rumbleseat...the jury is still out), and a set of Highway Hawk forward controls (I am, after all, 6'5" tall!) The bike is great, though I do notice some of the "high-pitched chirping noise" that others have complained about. I think it's valve chatter, but if you a) turn the key on and wait 30 seconds before starting it, and b) let it idle for two minutes before taking off to "circulate the oil" as the manual states, it pretty much disappears. Great bike, lousy passenger accomodations, but that will be fixed soon... Show less

Because of reviews like MotorcycleCruiser magazine and the reviews here I decided on the Marauder. They were right! The breaks are great, handles as good or better than any other cruiser, and has smooth power. It is tuned lean but that can be fixed with fuel management and a different filter. No pipes yet but I have heard some others that sound good. The pegs and bars are in a comfortable position. Most parts for the Mean Streak will fit this bike and I have even seen a piston/cam kit. Show less

I purchased my '99 VZ800X in April'05 with only 1900 kms,(yes,1900)so it was basically still brand new. Since completing a motorcycle course ,6 weeks ago I've racked up 1800 kms(that's about 1100 miles for our friends in the U.S.) and I'm still going strong. I read some reviews from other Marauder owners, and most of what was said is true. Foot controls are too close, and the seat becomes very uncomfortable after about an hour or so, of steady riding. At 6'3" I realize that maybe I should have been looking at bigger bikes, but the looks and styling of the Marauder made it hard to walk away. I catch people checking the bike out whenever I'm at a stop in traffic, and the occassional "nice bike" comments are a bonus too. I love the way this bike rides on the back roads and highways, but I often find myself looking for that extra gear. This bike is deffinately not a corner carver but it makes up for this with its acceleration on the straightaways. No immediate plans for upgrades this summer but over the winter I plan to put on custom foot pegs and possibly a new seat(Mustang ?) to raise the comfort level a little. I can't see myself trading in this bike for anything else anytime soon. Show less

I don't enjoy riding for pleasure but I love going to work each day. I'm short but the Marauder sits low and is very easy to handle. I previously had a 1979 Honda 750, what a tank. The Marauder is light - 456lbs. It's 805cc engine is great for around town and the 5th gear makes riding smooth. Although, if I were to cruise interstates, the 1200cc model would be the better choice. The look of this bike is very cool. Several have asked me, before they looked closer, if it was a Harley. I like its look better than a Harley. It has a lot of chrome that comes standard. It's deffinately worth its less than $6000 price tag. Show less

Well it's been about a year since my first review and my VZ1600 is still great and going strong. I had ordered a couple different windshields from Memphis Shades but had no luck with either the Big Shot nor the Memphis Fats. I got severe wind buffeting from both. And had discovered from other riders and advise from dealers that this type of bike is really not meant to have a shield due to the fact that the bike is so long that the wind circulates around ANY shield and hits the rider anyway. No biggie though. Eating bugs is just some extra protien in my diet! Anyway love the bike, great decision!! Show less

Man the 1st time I saw this bike I wanted it. The guys at Hindes Performance Motorsports were really cool to work with. It was my 1st bike ever owning and what a ride. I've always ridden other friend's bikes once in a while. Now I have my own which makes me and my friends happy. Show less

Man I have not ridden in a long time (20 years). I stopped by a dealership and had no intention of buying a bike that day. After looking a sales guy came over and we talked. As I explained to him if I was going to buy a bike it had to be a cruiser and look good. He stated that he had the perfect bike for me. As soon as I saw it I told him to wrap it up. I was sold on this bike just by the look. I picked it up the following day, rode it a few times and what a joy! I am too busy to ride all the time, but when I do, it's such a great feeling. Great bike and nice to look at too. Show less

This is my second bike, my first bike was the 800. It was a great bike, but the 1600 is a better one. I've had it for 7 months. It is a joy to ride. I'm looking forward to going on a trip this year and all the short weekend rides we do. Show less

I hadn't rode in about 20 years, after riding a few scooters in Florida with my daughter the bug bit me. I went to my Suzuki dealer and started to buy a 250cc Suzuki. While the dealer filled out the paperwork I sat on the 800 Marauder, that was it, I told my dealer to tear up the paperwork for the 250cc bike, I wanted this 800cc Motorcycle. It's been great ever since. I purchased my Marauder the end of July 2004 and put 4500 miles on it in 3 months. I've changed the exhaust to Vance and Hines Cruzers and added a small windshield, backrest, and zip-on saddlebags. I've been cruising with other bikes, most people think it's a Harley. Once me and a guy on a Harley stopped at a restaurant and somebody said I could tell it was a Harley because of the rumbling sound. That rumbling was my bike. His Harley is real quiet. I love the paint job on my bike when it sits in the bright sunlight you can see the blue metalflake in the black... nice. I'm really happy with my bike. Show less

I tested a VTX 1800 and the VZ1600. I will have to say this bike rolls over the VTX. However it is lacking the aftermarket products. On the other hand VTX has too many. When testing the VTX it was heavy and not as smooth of a ride. It lacked power over a broad range of gears. PLUS THEY ARE OVER PRICED. Honda finance would not finance me at all. I have good credit. I went to a dealership in Ohio and I was able to walk in, test drive the bike, and walk out within 2 hours with my Suzuki Marauder. I have purchased other bikes from them and they were very helpful with all my needs. The bike was there and waiting for daddy to ride her home. I added a Vance and Hines exhaust, Hypercharger, Fuel management system. The bike SCREAMED after all the mods. It was fast, light, and very well balanced. It has a large fuel tank and was able to ride around 300 miles on 5 gallons of gas. I was not stiff or tired after the ride. THIS BIKE RULES. I have outrun sport bikes, 600CC, I had it at 143 mph and it was very smooth. Show less