After 25 years without a bike I found a nice C50 on Craigslist 5 years ago. I wanted shaft drive, water cooled bike thats been around a while. Heck, they're still making the same bike. If it ain't broke don't fix it, and rarely does it need fixing. Everything I had done is just preventive maintenance. I really just ride it like a big moped 45 to 55mph and backroads 40ish mph. I like to enjoy the machine, the ride and scenery. Not a white knuckle rider. Used to be 800cc was considered big. I looked at bigger bikes but just one ride and my C50 realize it does everything I want. Long live the C50.
My favourite version of this is the 05-09 without the front cowl with the elevated speedometer. Looking at trading my 2019 z650 for a 2007 boulevard m50
In Brazil VZ800 Marauder finish ended production in 2005, the suzuki representative in Brazil is called J.Toledo, she definitively ended the Marauder giving way to boulevard M800 for being equipped with electronic injection and cardan shaft. The marauder in Brazil was equipped with chain drive and double carburetion.
Well spoken and I agree in all points made. I have the first model, VZ800 Marauder and it is a very reliable bike. I put a 14 toothed sprocket in the front as opposed to the 16 toothed one that was in it and even though ot loses about 10 km/h top speed it now keeps up with much bigger bikes on acceleration right up to 150 km/h. Greetings from Germany. Ride safe and stay healthy ;-)
I enjoyed watching this having just bought a 2000 Marauder 800... but I beg to differ comparing it to a Z1 900. I had a 1974 Z1. That was 50 years ago the last time I had a bike. I was 22 now I'm 72. Though I love this Suzuki it is better for an old man... why? It handles better on curves but let me tell you it doesn't have anywhere near the performance of a Z1 I took that down to Baja California and if I can believe my speedometer I was doing 115mph.... I took the Suzuki out on the highway recently cuz I usually just use it on back roads and curves.... in 5th gear it was struggling at 80...... I can get there in second gear on the Z1.... I miss that bike but I'm 50 lbs lighter and 50 years older and I couldn't possibly use what it had to offer
Thanks for posting this video. I just picked up a used 2015 Suzuki M50 this week. I love it! I wanted to learn more about them and found your video. Your info is super helpful to me.🌟
Very interesting about the Marauder which became Intruder which before that was a chopper and so on. I ride the Suzuki VZ800 Marauder 1999, and I love it. Long bike, 35% rake, fast and stable and good looking. I subscribed, and am looking forward to your future broadcasts 🙂
Great review..thanks.im in UK and looking at buying a carburettor model vz800 with 14k miles so thanks for letting me know about the bike generally and seems like a good solid machine with easy maintenance..Ride safe
Hey Alex I recently bought a 1999 Suzuki Marauder VZ800 And everything about it was fine until I had to synchronize the carburetors because the guy I bought it from had recently did a rebuilt kit on the carburetors and didn't have them synchronized so I thought I could do it but it is giving me nothing but a difficult time.
Don't forget the VX800, It is a "Naked bike" version of the VZ800, it is nearly identical, only the back part of the frame is changed and the exterior looks ofcourse. You can see why they weren't popular (ugly as hell), but giving one a second chance as a cafe-cruiser right now!
I bought a '98 VZ800 shortly after this video came out. Mostly to try the cruiser style, since i never ridden one. No regrets. Great bike, easy to ride and work on (except for parts being sometimes a bitch to find, but you'll usually find what you're looking for if you look hard enough). Im gonna upgreade to some larger cruiser soon, but there's no way im selling this thing.
@@fidenciotovar9743 There were a few. Exhaust was the most problematic. Difficult to get in my country. My old one was rusted, burned out and with welding marks, producing almost 115dB. I wanted a custom but street legal exhaust (to meet noice level limit) - forget it. I gave up on finding model specific or even new original, and just bought custom mufflers for Dragstar 1100. They fit, if you make a adapter bracket to install them. Choke cable was next. I had to order a new one from Suzuki, of course they didnt have them in stock and had to ship them from Japan. It took almost 2 months to deliver. As for now, the bike doesn't start anymore. First time i had an issue with the starter relay. And again, i had to order it from a 3rd party supplier abroad. Then it was the ignition switch (luckly, disassembling the key housing and cleaning the contacts helped). Now its stuck for the 3rd time. I know the relay itself is good (i tested it), same goes for all the buttons and switches - they all get power and they all work. I can fire up the bike by shortening the relay - it purrs like a kitten and everything works smoothly. I suspect the mysterious "starter relay control" module but i just cant find them new anywhere. And when i called Suzuki and ask about it they didn't even know what i was talking about (so much for "professional" and official supplier lol). I guess ill just have to keep starting it with a screwdriver for now haha.
@@matt379 I’m looking to buy one with 17K miles on it. He already replaced the clutch plates. Huge issue that the bike is tagged with. Struggling to find parts but I wanted to know which one, also I heard the rear brakes are no good. Is that true with yours?
@@fidenciotovar9743 I suspect yours will give you less problems because of milage. Mine is 1998 model with almost 40k miles, it had something like 24k when i bought it. Btw, i bought it with a faulty relay. I had to replace clutch plates on mine as well but it was relatively easy and cheap. Rear brakes are not the greatest but you cant expect much from drums. I had to refurbish mine , because they were "sticky", and what i mean by that is that brake pedal was not returning. Changed the springs, cleaned the cable and the tubes it goes through and its much better now. I tend to wrench on my bikes by myself, but installing the rear wheel on this bike is much, much easier if you have someone to help you. When it comes to reliability, its difficult to say. I have no experience with this model other than my bike since i don't personally know anyone who has or had one so your experience may vary. I had to replace some parts, sure, but the engine, fuel system or the transmission (other than clutch plates) never gave my any real troubles. Only the electrical system, but hey, the bike is 24 years old at this point.. If you would like a list of things i fixed during the 3 years of ownership, than here it is: start relay, voltage regulator, start motor brushes, brakes, clutch, carbs refurbish, choke wire, exhaust. Only things mentioned in previous comments were really annoying/difficult to repair. The rest was easy. The problem with parts here in Europe is probably due to it being kinda forgotten, never being really that popular, and the production and sale ended long ago.
I have a 2010 M50. I'm in Canada. That said, I'm very interested in a point you made regarding the new revision 2010 not being available in North America. I am having a hard time finding any accessories or bolt on parts for this bike. I run into things like the 2010 vz800/M50 just not being included in any drop down lists for parts suppliers. Would there be some way for me to verify if my bike is one of these "not available in North America " models? And if it is one, does that make it more valuable somehow? Thanks! And thanks for the video, its the most detailed info I've been able to find!
Good knowledge you gave I bought vz800 suzuki intruder nd it's beautiful to look nd amazing to ride Could you please let me know these bike do we need to replace kam chain or belt on it ?
Alex, thanks for the content. I watch a lot of your vids. I‘ve noticed a decent amount of Honda Nighthawks available out there. How do you think the equivalent Intruder 750 compares? I’m looking to buy my first motorcycle. Hope you have the time. Thanks
Between those two I would probably go with the Nighthawk personally! Long manufactured and time proven platform, plus Honda made a lot more of them so parts will likely always be easier to come by, and there is a LOT of aftermarket support for them from over the years. I have only ever seen and ridden one of those 750 Intruders, and they were a 1985-1991 bike, so I am sure they are great but I would go Nighthawk between them. On another note the Suzuki S50 was an 800cc bike similar to the Intruder 750, which was more available and I think a better option. But can't go wrong with a Nighthawk.
@@Pain-bf8mr I ended up buying a 2020 SV 650. By the time I scraped up money, there were no available nighthawk 750s available in my area so I ended up paying more for a newer bike but I love it
Hey Alex, I am hoping to see you back on youtube soon. I am curious what is the longest ride you have taken on your RE 650. How did you feel after that?
Does anyone know if Intruder m800 2005 have problems with timming chains ? I saw many pages where they say that cam chains are Done in 40-50 k kilometers .
Can you show me which way the gas lines all go I cannot get my gas lines right and does my gas pump supposed to come when you turned on it doesn't do nothing
Nice same as mine.Does yours have a little gear noise right as the decel lash happens kinda like a gear chirp.Im a little worried about it? Happens more noticeable in the higher gears.
After 25 years without a bike I found a nice C50 on Craigslist 5 years ago. I wanted shaft drive, water cooled bike thats been around a while. Heck, they're still making the same bike. If it ain't broke don't fix it, and rarely does it need fixing. Everything I had done is just preventive maintenance.
I really just ride it like a big moped 45 to 55mph and backroads 40ish mph.
I like to enjoy the machine, the ride and scenery. Not a white knuckle rider.
Used to be 800cc was considered big.
I looked at bigger bikes but just one ride and my C50 realize it does everything I want. Long live the C50.
i have theone i bought new in 97. still rocks!
My favourite version of this is the 05-09 without the front cowl with the elevated speedometer. Looking at trading my 2019 z650 for a 2007 boulevard m50
Il l sell ya mine :)
In Brazil VZ800 Marauder finish ended production in 2005, the suzuki representative in Brazil is called J.Toledo, she definitively ended the Marauder giving way to boulevard M800 for being equipped with electronic injection and cardan shaft. The marauder in Brazil was equipped with chain drive and double carburetion.
Well spoken and I agree in all points made. I have the first model, VZ800 Marauder and it is a very reliable bike. I put a 14 toothed sprocket in the front as opposed to the 16 toothed one that was in it and even though ot loses about 10 km/h top speed it now keeps up with much bigger bikes on acceleration right up to 150 km/h. Greetings from Germany. Ride safe and stay healthy ;-)
I have a 2010 M50. The dealer in Hawaii brought it in directly from Japan. Love it.
Just bought a 97 vz800. First bike ever and so far loving it. Just need to get out more often on it.
We all need to get more and ride haha, enjoy my friend!
I enjoyed watching this having just bought a 2000 Marauder 800... but I beg to differ comparing it to a Z1 900. I had a 1974 Z1. That was 50 years ago the last time I had a bike. I was 22 now I'm 72. Though I love this Suzuki it is better for an old man... why? It handles better on curves but let me tell you it doesn't have anywhere near the performance of a Z1 I took that down to Baja California and if I can believe my speedometer I was doing 115mph.... I took the Suzuki out on the highway recently cuz I usually just use it on back roads and curves.... in 5th gear it was struggling at 80...... I can get there in second gear on the Z1.... I miss that bike but I'm 50 lbs lighter and 50 years older and I couldn't possibly use what it had to offer
Thanks for posting this video. I just picked up a used 2015 Suzuki M50 this week. I love it! I wanted to learn more about them and found your video. Your info is super helpful to me.🌟
funny when you said , "Do you hate me?" chances are if someone watched this video to that point they don't hate you. LOL
Hahaha, good point! Just trying to be equal opportunity here :-)
I had VX800 and it was a nice naked version of Intruder as long as it started to have motor issues 😅 It was an old bike though, almost hit 100 000km
Very interesting about the Marauder which became Intruder which before that was a chopper and so on.
I ride the Suzuki VZ800 Marauder 1999, and I love it. Long bike, 35% rake, fast and stable and good looking.
I subscribed, and am looking forward to your future broadcasts 🙂
I have a 97. Realy nice.
And nice name man 💪🏻
@@ckarlsson87 I like your name too! :-)
Great review..thanks.im in UK and looking at buying a carburettor model vz800 with 14k miles so thanks for letting me know about the bike generally and seems like a good solid machine with easy maintenance..Ride safe
Hey Alex I recently bought a 1999 Suzuki Marauder VZ800 And everything about it was fine until I had to synchronize the carburetors because the guy I bought it from had recently did a rebuilt kit on the carburetors and didn't have them synchronized so I thought I could do it but it is giving me nothing but a difficult time.
Don't forget the VX800, It is a "Naked bike" version of the VZ800, it is nearly identical, only the back part of the frame is changed and the exterior looks ofcourse. You can see why they weren't popular (ugly as hell), but giving one a second chance as a cafe-cruiser right now!
I bought a '98 VZ800 shortly after this video came out. Mostly to try the cruiser style, since i never ridden one. No regrets. Great bike, easy to ride and work on (except for parts being sometimes a bitch to find, but you'll usually find what you're looking for if you look hard enough). Im gonna upgreade to some larger cruiser soon, but there's no way im selling this thing.
What parts are you have trouble finding?
@@fidenciotovar9743 There were a few. Exhaust was the most problematic. Difficult to get in my country. My old one was rusted, burned out and with welding marks, producing almost 115dB. I wanted a custom but street legal exhaust (to meet noice level limit) - forget it. I gave up on finding model specific or even new original, and just bought custom mufflers for Dragstar 1100. They fit, if you make a adapter bracket to install them. Choke cable was next. I had to order a new one from Suzuki, of course they didnt have them in stock and had to ship them from Japan. It took almost 2 months to deliver.
As for now, the bike doesn't start anymore. First time i had an issue with the starter relay. And again, i had to order it from a 3rd party supplier abroad.
Then it was the ignition switch (luckly, disassembling the key housing and cleaning the contacts helped).
Now its stuck for the 3rd time. I know the relay itself is good (i tested it), same goes for all the buttons and switches - they all get power and they all work. I can fire up the bike by shortening the relay - it purrs like a kitten and everything works smoothly. I suspect the mysterious "starter relay control" module but i just cant find them new anywhere. And when i called Suzuki and ask about it they didn't even know what i was talking about (so much for "professional" and official supplier lol). I guess ill just have to keep starting it with a screwdriver for now haha.
@@matt379 what a headache. How many miles are you at?
@@matt379 I’m looking to buy one with 17K miles on it. He already replaced the clutch plates. Huge issue that the bike is tagged with. Struggling to find parts but I wanted to know which one, also I heard the rear brakes are no good. Is that true with yours?
@@fidenciotovar9743 I suspect yours will give you less problems because of milage. Mine is 1998 model with almost 40k miles, it had something like 24k when i bought it. Btw, i bought it with a faulty relay.
I had to replace clutch plates on mine as well but it was relatively easy and cheap. Rear brakes are not the greatest but you cant expect much from drums. I had to refurbish mine , because they were "sticky", and what i mean by that is that brake pedal was not returning. Changed the springs, cleaned the cable and the tubes it goes through and its much better now. I tend to wrench on my bikes by myself, but installing the rear wheel on this bike is much, much easier if you have someone to help you.
When it comes to reliability, its difficult to say. I have no experience with this model other than my bike since i don't personally know anyone who has or had one so your experience may vary. I had to replace some parts, sure, but the engine, fuel system or the transmission (other than clutch plates) never gave my any real troubles. Only the electrical system, but hey, the bike is 24 years old at this point.. If you would like a list of things i fixed during the 3 years of ownership, than here it is: start relay, voltage regulator, start motor brushes, brakes, clutch, carbs refurbish, choke wire, exhaust. Only things mentioned in previous comments were really annoying/difficult to repair. The rest was easy.
The problem with parts here in Europe is probably due to it being kinda forgotten, never being really that popular, and the production and sale ended long ago.
I have a 2010 M50. I'm in Canada. That said, I'm very interested in a point you made regarding the new revision 2010 not being available in North America. I am having a hard time finding any accessories or bolt on parts for this bike. I run into things like the 2010 vz800/M50 just not being included in any drop down lists for parts suppliers.
Would there be some way for me to verify if my bike is one of these "not available in North America " models? And if it is one, does that make it more valuable somehow?
Thanks! And thanks for the video, its the most detailed info I've been able to find!
Good knowledge you gave
I bought vz800 suzuki intruder nd it's beautiful to look nd amazing to ride
Could you please let me know these bike do we need to replace kam chain or belt on it ?
Thanks for the good info. Looking at picking on of the two up c50 or the vz800. I could figure out the difference between the two.
Why does the Mississippi Suzuki Marauder have problem with the front head gasket could you tell me
Alex, thanks for the content. I watch a lot of your vids. I‘ve noticed a decent amount of Honda Nighthawks available out there. How do you think the equivalent Intruder 750 compares? I’m looking to buy my first motorcycle. Hope you have the time. Thanks
Between those two I would probably go with the Nighthawk personally! Long manufactured and time proven platform, plus Honda made a lot more of them so parts will likely always be easier to come by, and there is a LOT of aftermarket support for them from over the years. I have only ever seen and ridden one of those 750 Intruders, and they were a 1985-1991 bike, so I am sure they are great but I would go Nighthawk between them.
On another note the Suzuki S50 was an 800cc bike similar to the Intruder 750, which was more available and I think a better option. But can't go wrong with a Nighthawk.
Thanks👍🏽
What are you riding right now
@@Pain-bf8mr I ended up buying a 2020 SV 650. By the time I scraped up money, there were no available nighthawk 750s available in my area so I ended up paying more for a newer bike but I love it
Hey Alex, I am hoping to see you back on youtube soon. I am curious what is the longest ride you have taken on your RE 650. How did you feel after that?
Does anyone know if Intruder m800 2005 have problems with timming chains ? I saw many pages where they say that cam chains are Done in 40-50 k kilometers .
Can you show me which way the gas lines all go I cannot get my gas lines right and does my gas pump supposed to come when you turned on it doesn't do nothing
Many thanks 🙏🙏
I have an '85 VS800 Intruder.
So i have a 07 zv800 marauder m50 is that the same thing as the intruder and the boulevard?
I own a 2011 M800. Absolute pain when looking for parts or even diy videos. Beautiful to ride though
Liked .... & ... Subscribed
I have an 04 vz800 and it’s chain drive
I thought the Intruder name was just on the older models and not just a North American Vs other parts type thing . Learn something everyday lol
I have a 2004 vz 800 with 10k miles on it
Please talk about Intruder 1400.
But what parts are interchangeable with the VZ800 lol
Mine is a 2007 VZ 800/ Z Intruder.....😅
Nice same as mine.Does yours have a little gear noise right as the decel lash happens kinda like a gear chirp.Im a little worried about it?
Happens more noticeable in the higher gears.
Didn't these also come with chain drive?
yep. but i put a belt drive on mine. go to my thumbnail at left and see it.
Do any other Suzuki tanks fit the vz800
1999
I have a 97 and cant find any aftermarket parts besides custom parts
👍
Thanks David :-)
I have one bobber
NO B.S., THANK YOU!
Hahaha thanks Edward!
Oh yea🤠🇺🇸 1:52