Review and technical specifications of the Suzuki Marauder 800

Qualitative indicators

The two-cylinder V-twin engine is reliable and has good performance. Each cylinder has four valves. Good acceleration dynamics provoke fast riding, but the motorcycle is not entirely designed for this. The gearbox works quite clearly, but it is characterized by some sluggishness.

The chassis promotes a comfortable ride. All irregularities are smoothed out perfectly. The front fork is an inverted telescopic type. The rear suspension is a pendulum with two shock absorbers. The combined braking system is somewhat inadequate for the heavy weight. The front uses discs and the rear has a drum brake. You should carefully monitor the rear brake, because at the slightest over-braking, the rear wheel of the Suzuki Marauder starts to skid.

Review of the Suzuki VZ 800 Desperado (Marauder) motorcycle

I’ve been dreaming about Japanomoto for a long time, but somehow it didn’t work out, at first I couldn’t save up, then the child was born (it seems like it’s time to settle down). But since I’ve been a fan of all kinds of motorcycle technology for a long time, of course I looked at ad sites, to be honest, just to drool. this year my wife brought good news WE ARE WAITING FOR THE SECOND!!! Before this, we bought a dog six months ago, the family is growing and growing stronger. Yes, I must say that I never felt much love for choppers and secretly dreamed of a classic, but as they say, you can’t order your heart. a month ago I accidentally walked into a motorcycle dealership, a friend asked me to look at a scooter for him, learned all about “stools,” and somehow the seller and I smoothly switched to motorcycles. Well, you rub and knead, is it possible to order, which ones are better, which ones are worse, well, in general, as usual. I told about my dream of a classic, to which I was offered a DESPERADO standing to the side, I was somehow taken aback at first by its size, to which I was told that the weight in general was not great, some 200 or so. I didn’t believe it, the seller offered to try it on, I sat down and realized that appearances were deceptive and I was holding it calmly, I shook it a little to the sides without tearing it. the impressions intensified, large, but lifting, black, all in chrome, you can’t fault it in appearance. Seeing that I was swimming, the seller brought the keys and started it…. and I realized that I was dead, it was something with something, they woke up a man, angry and healthy))) I left, suffered for two days, searched the entire Internet, did not find any bad reviews and returned. left a deposit, collected money (at the same time, no one, neither his wife nor his friends, knew anything until he brought him to work). Well, our reunion with him took place, I can’t convey my feelings when I overtook him, after Izhi’s arrival, it was just an explosion of emotions. it explodes like a beast, you have to be careful with the throttle, I liked the brakes (I didn’t even use the rear ones, the front one is enough) the seat is comfortable, almost classic landing, the suspension is soft, in general, after a couple of hundred meters we already understood each other, as if we had been together for a long time . after a couple of days, consciousness began to return and I was attacked by anxiety that something had gone too smoothly, I started it up and began listening to all its uterine sounds, almost touching my ear, the engine purred without any clanging, no extraneous noise (our motorcycles don’t work like that) , he just purred like a cat, the anxiety went away. Yes, I forgot to say, having lived to the age of 33, I still haven’t acquired category A, I’m urgently taking my exams))) so wait for me soon on the high road, there are no flutes in Glushak, so you can hear me far away))). Desper is waiting in the wings, standing polished, his sides sparkling. I'll add something else soon.

Mots, in fact, is like a cruiser, very successful and comfortable, average speed is about 120 +/- 10 km, the engine is fiery, as they say (always ready), and it doesn’t have enough energy for overtaking, and it doesn’t have enough vibrations, the only vibration that appears is very nasty at 4.600-4.800 in 5th gear, of course, maybe this is a feature of my moto? But at these speeds the speed is something like 130-135, and all the time, at least I don’t drive like that... The rear shock absorbers are adjustable, you should have a special key in the kit, adjust it for yourself and go ahead, of course, if with luggage, then make it harder , I have a chandelier, the near one is rather weak, so I lowered the light of the chandelier lower. It’s worth thinking about the platforms, your legs were numb after 400-500 km, but again the rear footrests (like in sports) saved you so as not to eat flies and all kinds of insects, there’s a windshield (very useful thing), what else? A! Fuel consumption directly depends on driving style, at 120, you will need to refuel after 220-240 km, CHECK THE OIL REGULARLY!!!! there are only 1.7-1.8 liters in the crankcase and, in my opinion, it’s better to be overprotected than underprotected. I don’t know about you, but I added oil only after 2-3 thousand, and then only if I was going at high speed. The chain can and should be lubricated after 600-800 km, but better after 500, I lubricated it after one gas station. So what else is there?

Well, that's probably all? But... By the way, it happens that you run into a hole or a bump, but you don’t have time to dodge, there’s no point in braking... Better give a little gas, unload the front wheel, it’s 130, it forgives such pranks. Just keep the steering wheel and engine straight. The result of the trip was 4,600 kilometers. The largest continuous 1400... + on the highway after Kharkov, the muffler was welded, it fell off the pants, but this is a problem with stock mufflers, if you have forward flow, they are light, nothing will happen.

Super cool, I skated on it for a season and was very pleased. 800 cubic meters in the city is enough for the eyes, on the highway there are no special problems either, about 160 km per hour... Well, this is already getting too excited, the chassis is not designed for such a speed, with a windshield it is comfortable to drive within 120 (it holds it easily). It’s also good in the city, it’s not wide, it’s very convenient to wander around in traffic jams, + spare parts are everywhere and in stock. The downside is the chain, but to each his own, I lubricated it regularly so it didn’t create any problems. The upside-down fork is quite rigid, but with the rear swingarm... Of course, it could have been made more powerful, it wiggles in corners. But this is more of a nitpick. The front wheel is 130, which is actually very good, holds the road perfectly, forgives non-critical mistakes and still brakes better than with a thin one, although the brakes are not great, the information content suffers. Right now, I’m selling it, it’s even a pity to part with it...

Disadvantages of the model

1. An elevated center of gravity leads to poor handling of the motorcycle at low speeds.

This is especially true when driving with a passenger.

2. The speedometer has small numbers, which impairs the readability of the indicators.
3. The lack of wind protection makes itself felt when driving at high speed.
4. The braking system is rather weak for a weight of 200 kg.

Custom suzuki marauder vz 800 is of interest to many specialists. American style is perfectly combined with Japanese precision, reliability and comfort. The identified shortcomings are easily offset by the advantages of the bike. The motorcycle has acceleration dynamics that are unusual for a chopper, which provokes aggressive riding. However, you have to be careful with this because the braking system and the heavy weight are a bit mismatched, so it will be quite difficult to stop the angry bike.

The Suzuki VZ 800 Desperado was produced for only four years, from 1996 to 1999. In the American market, this model was called the VZ800 Marauder and was no different from the Desperado except for the speedometer markings and some fasteners. In addition, the Marauder (English: “Marauder”) was produced until 2004, when it was finally discontinued due to the merger of several lines of Suzuki cruisers into one. Well, the motorcycle turned out to be really interesting.

Built on the same base as its younger brother, the Suzuki Desperado 400, the VZ 800 differs from it mainly in the CPG and gas tank. The dimensions of the “eight hundred” are identical to the dimensions of the “four hundred”, but it is worth considering that among the 400 cc cruisers, the Desperado is one of the largest, along with the Yamaha XVS 400. The engine is the same - a V-twin liquid-cooled, gearbox-5, chain rear wheel drive. The motor produces 50 hp. and 65 nM of torque, which is an excellent indicator for its cubic capacity. The VZ 800's top speed is around 170 km/h and it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in around 5.5 seconds. Its low-end torque is impressive by class standards, although its power peaks around 5,500 rpm.

Externally, it looks like a cross between a dragster and a cruiser, the Suzuki Desperado 800 looks very good. There are not so many plastic parts on the motorcycle, and the chrome is in excellent condition even on older motorcycles, unless, of course, the owners stored them in a snowdrift in winter. The seating position is also quite comfortable, although the standard steering wheel seems a little low, and the travel of the clutch levers and front brake is large. Otherwise, the VZ 800 is a typical motorcycle classic - chrome, iron and nothing more. Just a little bit of plastic.

The motorcycle got good suspension. The highlight of the model is the inverted fork, the same as that installed on the VZ400. At the rear there are two classic shock absorbers with preload adjustment. The seats are nothing special, they don’t catch the stars from the sky, but they don’t make you want to immediately replace them either. But the exhaust is located somewhat low - when turning sharply to the right, it sometimes catches on the asphalt. But I was pleased that the tank on the Desperado/Marauder 800 is larger than on its “younger” version - 19 liters versus 13. Considering the consumption of about 5.5 liters on the highway, it has a solid power reserve.

From a number of other cruisers of comparable capacity, such as the Honda Shadow 750 or its own successors in the form of the Suzuki M50 and C50, the Desperado 800 stands out for its impressive dynamics. No, this is, of course, not a rocket or a power cruiser, but for its cubic capacity the motorcycle takes off in a way you don’t expect. And that’s why we can’t praise the braking system of this model at all - one brake disc with a 2-piston caliper on the front wheel is clearly not enough for aggressive riding, given the dynamics of the bike, and we’ll tactfully keep silent about the rear drum brake on the rear wheel.

Among other cruisers of comparable price and similar characteristics, the VZ 800 takes its rightful place. Inferior to larger and more powerful models, its dynamic characteristics are noticeably superior to most of its “classmates”, favorably distinguished by its low weight (the dry weight of the Desperado 800 is about 205 kg) and excellent handling, and at the same time, the disposition of this motorcycle is quite calm so that it can be purchased as a first bike.

Similar articles:

• Review of Suzuki VZ 400 Desperado
• Suzuki M50 review
• Suzuki Boulevard 400 review
• Suzuki GZ250 Marauder review
• Suzuki Intruder: a road legend
• Suzuki VS 800 Intruder review

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Fuel consumption

The official declared fuel consumption for the Suzuki VZ 800 Desperado (Marauder) is 6.19 liters per 100 km. The exact value depends on your riding style.

Suzuki VZ 800 Marauder - photo 1

Suzuki VZ 800 Marauder - photo 2

Suzuki VZ 800 Marauder - photo 3

Suzuki VZ 800 Marauder - photo 4

Suzuki VZ 800 Marauder - photo 5

Brief history of the model

1996 - start of production and sales of Suzuki VZ 800 Desperado.

1997 - appearance of the export version of the Suzuki VZ 800 Marauder. Model: Suzuki Desperado 800 (Japan), Suzuki Marauder 800 (Europe, North America). Factory designation: VZ800V.

1998 - no significant changes. Model: Suzuki Desperado 800 (Japan), Suzuki Marauder 800 (Europe, North America). Factory designation: VZ800W.

1999 - The Japanese version of the Suzuki VZ 800 Desperado is officially discontinued; the Suzuki VZ 800 Marauder version receives a new shaped exhaust system (cigar-shaped). Model: Suzuki Desperado 800 (Japan), Suzuki Marauder 800 (Europe, North America). Factory designation: VZ800X.

2000 - export version of Suzuki VZ 800 Marauder produces 53 hp. power (instead of the old 50 hp). Model: Suzuki Marauder 800 (Europe, North America). Factory designation: VZ800Y.

2001 - no significant changes. Model: Suzuki Marauder 800 (Europe, North America). Factory designation: VZ800K1.

2002 - no significant changes. Model: Suzuki Marauder 800 (Europe, North America). Factory designation: VZ800K2.

2003 - no significant changes. Model: Suzuki Marauder 800 (Europe, North America). Factory designation: VZ800K3.

2004 is the last year of production of the Suzuki VZ 800 Marauder. It is being replaced by the Suzuki Intruder M800 (for the European market) and the Suzuki Boulevard M50 (for the American market). Model: Suzuki Marauder 800 (Europe, North America). Factory designation: VZ800K4.