Vx800

[Guest]

I know this is not in the correct forum, but as I frequent this forum more than the others I wanted to get the opinion of the GS collective on the VX800 as a 2nd bike while the GS gets some much needed attention. I can not even begin to think what I would do if I could not ride when the urge strikes.

[GS1150Pilot]

I really like them. A little long and lanky, but cool v-twin characteristics in a unique package. Great roll-on power, too.

[earlfor]

I've heard nothing but good comments and happy riders for the VX. I think Bringer has had one for a while and he's happy with it.

[barnbiketom]

had the VS700 and sold it recently.. great bike.. girl getter for sure, not like the old GSs. It attracted soo many women, thats why i had to get rid of it hahahha.
seriously i hated v twins till I rode a suzuki, now i like 'em!!

[UK-GT]

I went to look at it tonight, started first time, boy does it pull, the V-Twin has a fair bit of low end grunt (unlike my GS650GT). Bike was tidy but the exhaust is shot, the link pipe is rotten and the downpipes are pitted. A new Suzuki exhaust is about $900, its not worth it. No one seems to make an after market exhaust for it as not many bikes were sold. So I do not think I will get it.

[jabcb]

Check eBay. Might be able to get what you need for reasonable $$$.

[GS1150Pilot]

It would be very easy to just get a set of headpipes off eBay and then ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsx6CtPRQX8

[bwringer]

I've owned two VX800s. Sold them both, mainly because they overlapped with my GS850's "mission profile".

Very nice bikes. Gorgeous, I think. Most people thought it was a new current model Suzuki -- they had no idea it was an early '90s model because it didn't have the standard graffiti or prison tattoo graphics of the era.

The stock seat is a threat to your fertility. Rework the seat and you're ready to go anywhere. Great handling once the Suzuki-standard squishy springs and shocks were upgraded. The single rotor front brake was only OK, but worked fine as long as you installed a stainless line and decent pads.

They're very rare in the states, but the engine was the same as that used on the popular 800cc Intruder and C50 cruisers, so I didn't have too many problems getting mechanical and maintenance parts. Other bits were fairly rare on fleaBay.

The dual-carb dual-airbox system worked well in stock form, but was a bit difficult to understand and sync correctly. I finally got it exactly right on the very morning I sold my second VX800. If someone's mucked with the carbs and/or airboxes, make sure you test-ride thoroughly to make sure they didn't screw it up irretrievably.

In the US (not sure about Yurp) the early VX800 got a craptastic leaky manual petcock that led to gas in the crankcase and many bent connecting rods and engine failures. There was a recall to install the vacuum petcock it should have had all along.