2004 Suzuki Marauder™ 800

Bought this bike used with 20K on it. Wanted a bike for back and forth to work, a lil light cruising thru the countryside. I got a lot of compliments on the bike, it was blue, and other than some small saddle bags and a backrest, was stock. It felt like a bigger bike, not so much in handling, which ... was smooth as silk, just in how you rode the bike. It did need a bit more room on top gear, or another gear altogether. Zipping along with Interstate traffic, you were "Buzzing" pretty much, and didnt have much punch left if you had to pass someone at 70 mph.

I loved the seating position, the handlebars were perfect, and a stock seat was still pretty comfy. Stopping would be better with a second disc upfront ( drum outback ), but wasnt horrible. Made a difference when I put on new Hi Po front brake pads.

This is a good size for someone new, for a small gal who doesnt want to be intimidated, or you want a nice looking cruiser, without the size and price tag of a full fledged cruiser, for just around the town or close country-side riding.

I bought it brand new as my first bike. It is as basic a motorcycle as there is on the market, a great learning bike, with plenty of "grunt" to it. Just make sure you have oil, water and gas in it, service it at the manufactures recomended intervals, lube the chain. It's prety much bullet proof. ... Mine has provided me excellent service in the four years that I have owned it. The only thing I've had to replace is the battery and oil of course. Excelent gas mileage 45mpg city and if I'm easy on the throtle 50-52mpg highway, even with a passenger. I find it great for city cruising, with that sweet spot around 45-50mph. Highway speeds you will need ear protection and it's a little "Buzzy" at 70-80mph, and you still have plenty of throtle left to get you out of trouble if needed.

Now for the cons, I find on cold mornings below 50 degress she is a bear to start, cold natured. Must be a Suzuki thing because my Suzuki sedan is the same way. Here in the South you don't really need to "winterize" the bike but I do recomend getting a battery tender. The seat becomes your worst enemy after two hours of riding time, replace the stock seat as soon as you can. Finnaly the plastic fenders pick up a lot of dings and scratches, I guess Suzuki had to cut costs some where. The only other complaint I have is the signal lights are non self-cancelling.

If you are looking for a good bike to commute on, you simply can't go wrong with the Maruder. It has a stable ride, it's economical especialy if you are not afraid to wrench it your self.