VX800 - what were they thinking? [Archive]

View Full Version : VX800 - what were they thinking?

rogson

11th April 2006, 15:25

nudemetalz

11th April 2006, 15:34

Wasn't the motor basically an over-bored Intruder one.

I always thought they were a bike Suzuki could have developed further but didn't.

Colapop

11th April 2006, 15:36

Is the one shown - brown, seriously??!!??

nudemetalz

11th April 2006, 15:39

From memory, they were a burgundy colour.

rogson

11th April 2006, 15:41

Yes, its the Intruder motor - the same one thats currently used in the M50, S50, etc. Except, I think they are now fuel injected.

imdying

11th April 2006, 16:01

One of the bike hire places in town runs them iirc.

Drum

11th April 2006, 16:06

A cruiser mated with a naked sports bike?

nudemetalz

11th April 2006, 16:08

A cruiser mated with a naked sports bike?

Like what Yamaha did with the MT-01.

Paul in NZ

11th April 2006, 16:17

Everyone I talked to that actually owned one like it.

VERY popular in Europe

Motu

11th April 2006, 16:20

I like them,if I ever get another road bike they are close to the top of my list.I'm sure there was an earlier model....silver and orange?? dunno,I could be wrong.

vifferman

11th April 2006, 16:24

Like what Yamaha did with the MT-01.
Had a sit on one of those at lunchtime. It's kinda like Yamaha's version of a Buell.

nudemetalz

11th April 2006, 16:25

I like them,if I ever get another road bike they are close to the top of my list.I'm sure there was an earlier model....silver and orange?? dunno,I could be wrong.

Like this one..

Ixion

11th April 2006, 18:39

It just makes so much sense!. All the manufacturers have these nice torquey simple big V twin motors in their cruisers.

But, people like me don't want a crusier (nothing against them each to his own, but I want normal controls etc). But I love the motors. Big, low revving, simple (comparatively) .

So, why don't they ALL put the motors into a nice sports touring frame (not a sprotsbike , cos then everybody would go nah nah nah not enough horsepower).

It looks very nice and expremely sensible. Maybe though the fuel tank looks a bit on the small size. When, oh when , are manufacturers going to start giving us decent size fuel tanbks. I want at least 10 gallons.

zadok

11th April 2006, 18:57

They were around when I bought my Honda NTV650 Revere. Similar bike. Should be a fun bike.

rogson

11th April 2006, 20:02

A cruiser mated with a naked sports bike?

Yep, good description.

It has a standard/sportbike frame but raked-out forks. The wheelbase is 1560mm, which is approaching cruiser dimensions but it doesn't feel that way when riding it. It also has shaft drive, so weight saving was not a priority.

Why didn't they make a proper sportbike version? There is no technical reason not to. Apparently one of the boutique european manufacturers (Sachs?), sold a sport version with the original headstock replaced with a steeper one.

All the same I like it - looooong and narrrrrow, and the 45 degree V-twin motor is a gem - lots of character.

Motu

11th April 2006, 20:56

Apparently one of the boutique european manufacturers (Sachs?), sold a sport version with the original headstock replaced with a steeper one.

All the same I like it - looooong and narrrrrow, and the 45 degree V-twin motor is a gem - lots of character.

Thanks rogson,as well as an earlier version I was going to add Sachs did a similar one using the same motor.But I did a google search and came up with nothing about Sachs V twin....thought I had a senior moment there.So maybe I was right about the earlier version...it impressed me back then,I sat on it and thought the seating position suited me better than this newer one - but really,a change of bars is all they need for me....and tyres.

Dunno about 45 deg,I have something about their balance at work,I'll look it out tomorrow.I love the front facing exhausts and rear carbs - now that's a real V twin.

nudemetalz

11th April 2006, 21:13

The 45 degree cylinder angle was compensated by crank-pins offset at 45 degrees to (technically) give perfect primary balance. They are supposed to be quite a smooth free-revving motor, if not a powerhouse.

rogson

12th April 2006, 07:05

Dunno about 45 deg,I have something about their balance at work,I'll look it out tomorrow.I love the front facing exhausts and rear carbs - now that's a real V twin.

The US models had a different crank-pin offset to the rest of the world. The Americans complained it didn't vibrate enough (not Harley enough), so their version had vibration deliberately designed into it.

Motu

12th April 2006, 08:21

Sounds like you've done your homework on this one rogson,if I ever want to know anything about a VX800 I'll ask you.

The website I had has disapeared - but it had several engine layouts as a moving picture and showing balance patterns.The Suzuki V twin was shown as being out of balance,the Honda's in balance - I always wondered why they did that when it would be so easy to give it perfect primary balance.

Bonez

12th April 2006, 17:19

The US models had a different crank-pin offset to the rest of the world. The Americans complained it didn't vibrate enough (not Harley enough), so their version had vibration deliberately designed into it.They also got lower rated CB900s Bol d'ors compared to the rest of the world too. Wonder why that was?

eliot-ness

12th April 2006, 19:36

Thanks rogson,as well as an earlier version I was going to add Sachs did a similar one using the same motor.But I did a google search and came up with nothing about Sachs V twin....thought I had a senior moment there.So maybe I was right about the earlier version...it impressed me back then,I sat on it and thought the seating position suited me better than this newer one - but really,a change of bars is all they need for me....and tyres.

Dunno about 45 deg,I have something about their balance at work,I'll look it out tomorrow.I love the front facing exhausts and rear carbs - now that's a real V twin.

You could be right about the Sachs Motu. Just looked up a UK site and found two v twin 800 models both limited edition but not in the latest brochure. Nice looking bikes

FROSTY

12th April 2006, 19:43

Rog---bloody nice bike --I've owned two of em.
to improve em I mucked around with fork springs and fork oil--waaay too soft in the front and got mr Bruin to stiffen up the rear shock a tadd.
I think I slid the forks quite a long way through the front clamps too -up like 12mm.
I hung the factory muffler on the wall and fitted one for a duke 900 (dunno which one) that gave it a bit of a bark

Bonez

12th April 2006, 21:46

You could be right about the Sachs Motu. Just looked up a UK site and found two v twin 800 models both limited edition but not in the latest brochure. Nice looking bikesSuzukis offer looks more polished-
http://bikez.com/motorcycles/sachs_roadster_800_2003.php

rogson

13th April 2006, 07:21

Rog---bloody nice bike --I've owned two of em.
to improve em ...........

I hear you on the soft forks, also quickening-up the steering. The raked-out front-end sure is odd - some designer's wet dream?

moko

14th April 2006, 23:46

Apparently one of the boutique european manufacturers (Sachs?), sold a sport version with the original headstock replaced with a steeper one..

The Sachs is still for sale,pretty much bombed in the UK but I like them and they`re currently going for the same price as a Bandit 650.
http://www.motocyclemania.co.uk/Sales/New/Sachs/b805/b805.htm
The VX itself wasn`t popular here either but for too long outright speed has been all too many people in Britain have rated bikes on and many popular machines on the European mainland have nose-dived here sales-wise.VXs we got were mainly dark blue or black,again I liked them but they were dropped pretty soon,Intruders are still sold though.

kro

15th April 2006, 09:36

very capable bike, with a good amount of power, the bike mags were quite complimentary of them when they came out.

FROSTY

15th April 2006, 09:58

yea --nuffing loosing a couple of degrees of rake wont fix. --um actually seriously

Superweetard

13th July 2006, 14:18

Mine had a hinge in the middle

vroom

13th July 2006, 18:52

Sachs Roadster is no longer available, may be some old stock in the UK but not new from factory.

rogson

16th October 2006, 14:02

I now have two VX800s - Roughy and Smoothy.

Roughy - my first one - is a Japanese import. It has the version of engine that was made for the US market - vibration deliberately engineered into it to appeal to Harley riders. The Jap imports are restricted but can be easily returned to unrestricted standard trim (which I have done).

Smoothy is a 1992 NZ new bike - has the less vibey version engine. I've been told there were less than ten sold NZ new, and as a result they are much harder to find (in NZ). KBer XF650 found it, checked it out, arranged the purchase, got it to his place, and looked after it for me until I could get to the SI to pick it up. He even helped me prep it for the ride home and kept me company as far as Kaikoura (What can I say!!!!!!). Smoothy is an example of the "rest-of-the-world" (or, if you prefer non US & Japan) model and is noticeably smoother, but power/performance wise they are the very similar. Smoothy (i.e. my one) also has some aftermarket suspension mods that make it handle better than Roughy's standard set-up.

From what I can tell the only difference - apart from the engine that is - between the models (i.e. in standard trim) is the seat. Smoothy's is noticeably better padded/more comfortable.

So, which one do I ride today. Ummm..........not sure, but I'm beginning to prefer Roughy around town (feel the vibes man), and Smoothy on the highway.

crazybigal

11th November 2006, 18:00

did you get it on trademe? i saw a black one in wellington about a year ago, i love the look, i hear they are a bit gutless?
anyway cool bike!

I just bought one. Don't know why really - one odd-ball deserves another perhaps?

Not many in NZ - less than 10 sold new plus a few used imports.

It sure is different - hard to categorize.

Having a ball with it though.

Shazz

11th November 2006, 18:03

:scooter: nice as, has two wheels , :yes: :yes:

rogson

14th November 2006, 19:39

.... i hear they are a bit gutless?

Gutless? - well yes they don't have the top-end of most bikes of similar capacity but they have a very strong (for the engine size) low-to-mid range torque which makes them fund to ride.

Also, as I said earlier most of the VX800s in NZ are Japanese imports - and they are restricted. Derestricting them significantly improves the upper end performance.

My import struggled to get above 140km/hr originally - but now it is derestricted I can easily get to 160km/hr.

Motu

14th November 2006, 20:22

Thanks for the ride a couple of months ago Roger,interesting that my impressions are the same as everyone elses - that front end! What were they thinking indeed,the raked out forks just don't seem to fit with the purpose of the bike.It felt soft and heavy,definatly needed throttle to settle it in corners...I wonder if stiffening it up like Frosty says would help? Have you got used to it completely?

Compared to the XLV750 the VX800 probably had more stomp and definatly longer legs,the XLV750 just wanted to rev,if I rode by ear I would hit the limiter,and that was 1250rpm over max hp revs.The VX800 was maybe more what you would expect a 800cc V twin to be like,a very strong bottom end and seamless power all the way,the XLV750 was like a monstrous XR200,asking to be canned to death.

If I have that much to spend the VX800 is a with the only small handful of bikes on my list.

rogson

15th November 2006, 20:08

....the raked out forks just don't seem to fit with the purpose of the bike.It felt soft and heavy,definatly needed throttle to settle it in corners...I wonder if stiffening it up like Frosty says would help? Have you got used to it completely?

The VX you rode (Roughy) has standard forks. I raised them 20mm through the triple clamps which cured the worst of the low speed handling quirks - but as you say they are still soft and slow steering.

My other VX (Smoothy) came with a set of Progressive forks springs - made specifically for the VX. They sharpen-up the steering and reduce the front end dive considerably. From owners reports/comments I have read they are a very popular (bordering on mandatory) modification for the VX - and I can understand why.
I am so impressed with them that I have ordered a set for Roughy.
I'll bring it over for you to try again once I have installed them.

Phils Motorcycles

21st November 2006, 15:52

Anyone want to buy a VX800 let me know. We've got one sitting here.

TerminalAddict

21st November 2006, 16:13

my mate has just bought one .. hoping for a ride this weekend :)

TerminalAddict

21st November 2006, 20:22

how much?
10 chars

outlaw

14th June 2007, 10:29

Hi, all i was reading this in a earley post and wondering what you have to do? ( My import struggled to get above 140km/hr originally - but now it is derestricted I can easily get to 160km/hr.:gob: )as mine is standard jap model, it is a 1992 with 26300 kph, i have only had it for a few weeks as it has spent the last 3 years, in the last owners front room,i have changed the rear shocks for hagons, the Progressive forks springs do work:yes: they have the same part number as a 1985/1992 vmax,( that was the last bike i had) and if you want a second disk set up for the front, look for a ( suzuki 400 bandit next on my list) as the forks are 41mm, slide your old ones out and slide your new set in, john

young1

14th June 2007, 11:29

Have I missed something here, this is the Adventure / Dual Purpose thread, VX800 - are they good in gravel or something?

Freebird

14th June 2007, 12:28

Even stranger bike was the Sach 800 with the same motor but twin disc's and USD forks at the front end and drum and twin coil over shocks at the rear WTF :gob:

Crisis management

14th June 2007, 18:55

Outlaw, PM Rogson, he's the local expert on these things......you'll find his posts earlier in this thread.

Nilo

22nd June 2007, 23:26

I have a 1992 jap import VX, i ride it every day to work, and really enjoy it. If anyone can advise on how to derestrict it, i would be grateful.

rogson

23rd June 2007, 09:01

rogson

6th September 2007, 18:40

I note http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-116782418.htm?p=1 is using this thread as a selling tool.
VXs shouldn't need reconditioning after 48,000km. One of mine has done 130,000km and runs like a top.

Perhaps the next buyer should make sure he can get his money back like the previous one did.

merv

6th September 2007, 18:47

You see VXRider has joined our forum http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=56214

VXRider

9th September 2007, 20:28

You see VXRider has joined our forum http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=56214

I have had my VX for several years now and done over 60,000 kms on it. It was a Jap import bought, now done over 100,000 kms, and "retired". Modded the suspension and fitted s/steel braide front line early on, and that's about it. Heavier springs on the rear (Konis), because we tour two up on it with a Krauser luggage system. Progressive springs and heavier oil up front. I have a new front disc to fit at some stage. The bike has always run well, tops out at about 180, although it takesa while from 160. Runs like a Swiss watch all day long at 5000 RPM.

I have a w/shop manual and parts manual on I can burn to CD, if anyone wants/needs one....just send me a private email.

shafty

9th September 2007, 23:57

Boy, they're coming out of the wood work now! I too had one - an immaculate black NZ new one which I purchased off a Ulyssian near Palmerston North. Came with Staintune pipes - fabulous sounding, plus heated grips, Givi mini screen, grip protectors, sheepskin seat cover etc

Sold it to a Guy from Otago I seem to recall. I loved it - watercooled, shaft, V twin, grouse sound. I read (and may still have) a mag comparo between the VX and the Harley Sporty, which the Suzy won hands down.:wari:

rogson

10th September 2007, 10:25

Yep, great bikes - a unique combination of character and performance.

You don't need to buy high$ aftermarket pipes to get that nice sound - just drill 5 or 6 small holes in the end of the tailpipe.

I imagine a mint NZ model would be hard to find.

mctshirt

2nd December 2008, 17:36

I wasn't an instant convert but the guy selling the bike insisted we go for a spin out into the countryside and back...sitting on it rolling along through the back roads in a relaxed manner I got the point of owning a VX800 - done deal :)

VXRider

3rd December 2008, 11:28

....I got the point of owning a VX800 - done deal :)

Great stuff..I've had mine for 8 years..It's now done over 103,000 kms & no problems with it. Don't think I'll ever get rid it...I have a w/shop manual on CD which I can copy if you want one...just flick me an address to post it to.. happy riding

Armitage Shanks

3rd December 2008, 18:17

rogson

4th December 2008, 14:45

Rogson, The VX800's used to be rented out in the early nineties...often seen by said renter going round the track's at Ruapuna on track days...magic haha...though not sure how many chequred flags they saw.:Punk:

"Smoothy", my NZ new VX is an ex rental from Christchurch. Maybe its been around Ruapuna?

It has done 130,000km and still runs strong.

portokiwi

4th December 2008, 14:50

Like what Yamaha did with the MT-01.

and the FZX750

NZPilot

6th April 2009, 19:11

The Japanese market models have their top-end reduced by restricting the breathing. As a result their peak power is down over 10% from "standard" full-power models.

To derestrict them:
Cut out the blanked-off portion of the rubber intake nozzles that attach to the upstream side of the air-filters.
Replace the original air-filters with OEM filters for NZ new (i.e. standard) model bikes (available from your Suzuki dealer) - or get a set of Hiflofiltro filters (part# HFA 3801) for about half the price.
Rejet the carbs to standard jetting - replace main jets with 122.5 front, 135 rear - check the needle heights (clips should be on third groove from the top). Don't mix-up the needles - front and rear are different. Jets are available through any bike shop (front is "Mikuni small round", rear is "Mikuni large round").
Reset the mixture screws for best idle - should be around 2 1/4 turns out front, 3 turns out rear.

I also drilled-out the air-holes in the carb slides to 2mm to get better throttle response - but this is optional.

Just wanted to say what a great improvement this makes to the VX800's mid/top end. After giving the air filters a clean out I remembered reading this post a few weeks ago. I promptly did the cut out of the intakes along with a few other lubricating jobs and reassembled thinking I would get back to doing the jets another time! Big mistake!! The bike would not rev past about 5-6000 rpm on the front cylinder and was very flat on the rear cylinder. Worst part was i could not figure out what would cause this problem! (i temporarily forgot about doing the cut outs) My thoughts were that i had got a bit of dirt/debris in the carb. After many carb removals/jet cleans it was off to the bike shop. They were just as puzzled and after trying several things including independent fuel supply, spark plugs... I remembered the cut outs and called them. Sure enough, blocking the front intake a bit brought back that smooth clean revving motor! Oh well, red faces all around and onto ordering and fitting the new jets. A good learning curve and even better performance from a great motor.
Thanks again for the post Rogson.
Cheers.

FJRider

6th April 2009, 19:22

I have never known a VX800 pilot/owner that didn't like it...

tigertim20

6th April 2009, 21:31

Looks like a later model version of the XZ 400 and XZ 550

z3eed

8th June 2015, 07:23

"Smoothy", my NZ new VX is an ex rental from Christchurch. Maybe its been around Ruapuna?

It has done 130,000km and still runs strong.

Hi rogson ... I really would like to get in touch with you.
I am a new owner of an old VX800 -92.
It is an European version and it is restricted.
Would you possible know how it is restricted?

I am searching all over to find out in what way?
I have had people telling me it is only the air filters, it is the silencers and some telling me it is a restricting plug in the carb intake...

Before I put the whole bike in pieces I was thinking I better ask someone that know for sure :)

Please send me a message or answer to this thread.

eldog

18th July 2015, 13:25

FJRider

18th July 2015, 14:45

wondering if they ever did get around to completely converting it to a sports type arrangement
chain drive
more rake at front for quick cornering
twin front disks
etc

with the Vee Twin motor

sports cruiser sort of mold

or did some other model appear

Chain drive ... NO

More rake ... NO

Twin front disc ... NO

Other models ... http://www.suzukicycles.org/VX-series/VX800.shtml

chasio

19th July 2015, 14:20

Hi rogson ... I really would like to get in touch with you.
I am a new owner of an old VX800 -92.
It is an European version and it is restricted.
Would you possible know how it is restricted?

I am searching all over to find out in what way?
I have had people telling me it is only the air filters, it is the silencers and some telling me it is a restricting plug in the carb intake...

Before I put the whole bike in pieces I was thinking I better ask someone that know for sure :)

Please send me a message or answer to this thread.

The method is quoted in post #55. Just scroll up 3 posts up from yours!

smmudd83_1999

22nd July 2015, 17:17

I just bought one. Don't know why really - one odd-ball deserves another perhaps?

Not many in NZ - less than 10 sold new plus a few used imports.

It sure is different - hard to categorize.

Having a ball with it though.

Not many people here seem to have any intimate knowledge of the VX. So pull up a chair, my friend.

I owned one from 2002 until 2010 and put some 35,000 miles on it and sold it with 48,000 miles.
It was my first big bike, stepping up from a CG125 (I am currently on a Guzzi which is bike number 9). I'll be honest with you - the engine is a peach. Grunty low down yet nicely revvy. And it sounded the mutts nuts. Gearbox was decent. Build quality was really good (clean your calipers now and again, though). Especially when you consider this was a cheap machine in the day. I think I replaced the UJ in the final drive once, which given the mileage of the bike was OK (77k kms). And the engine is really well proven - it's been in the intruder, marauder, boulevard 800s. And remember the Sachs B805? Yup, Suzook VX800 engine. Great machine - I'm beginning to miss it just writing this... until I remember the CONS...
1) rubbish brakes. I made my own dural adaptor plate and fitted a caliper from an R6 with braided lines. This improved performance...but ultimately its a heavy bike that needs a twin brake front end. In the end, I junked the front end entirely and fitted a 400 Bandit front end (forks, wheel, discs, calipers). Sounds crazy but worked really well. Also solved problem 2)
2) rubbish forks. I put in aftermarket progressive springs. Better. Then heavier fork oil. Slightly better again. But it's quite a long fork and softly sprung. And quite a large rake angle - almost cruiser geometry in a street/road bike package without the low centre of gravity benefit. It handles like crap. The above mod from 1) solved it. Mostly.
3) the shocks leaked quite early. Replaced with Hagons which improved things.
4) despite the above mods there's no easy way to lower the centre of gravity, sharpen the rake angle or shorten the swingarm. You could maybe drop the forks an inch in the yokes or something, but that's about it. It is not a great chassis design.
5) It's sort of an allrounder - bit of a cruiser engine, in a naked/roadster looking chassis (don't let that fool you), with a shaftie that hints at distance riding capability. But it isn't THAT comfy so not great for touring, it isn't a cruiser, it isn't as capable as, say, a Bandit as an all round bike. Some bikes are a jack of all trades and a master of none - the VX is a jack of no trades and way off the mark in all of them.

The PROS
having said that...
I loved it. Only made about 60-ish bhp. I stuck a set of custom stainless Norton Fastback style exhausts with k&N filter (with carb adjustments - K&N had to make the filter to suit, they don't do an off the shelf item which was $$$s) and annoyed the neighbours every morning before work for 8 years. Yes, that silly willy was me. I crashed it through a hedge once - bad handling, coupled with a single lane North Yorkshire road spread with muck from the fields at harvest time. Just picked it up and rode on. Rode it every winter (proper winters) which involved some slides on ice. Oh well. And it took it all in its stride. Rare, exact numbers are hard to find - maybe 400-odd produced from 1990-1997 (ish). So don't know how many are left. I think they still look good. I turned mine into a NorVin tribute, cafe racers were the rage 10 years ago.
But the winner, for me is the torquey yet strangely rev hungry engine. And the sound. Don't get me wrong, it's still a shit bike but in the same time-frame I had a VLX600 Shadow, a Guzzi California and a VFR750 come and go. I only sold it to emigrate out here. So it must have resonated with me on some level.

Some bikes will do that though. Shit or otherwise. Another review I could have written would extol that VFR750 - but then again that wasn't a bike you fell in love with. So,...is it any good? No. It's shit don't buy it. I love 'em, though.