Suzuki VL 800 VOLUSIA 2001 — Specifications

Do you remember that era when all Japanese cruisers were trying to emulate Harleys, with varying degrees of success? The Suzuki VL 800 Volusia, which arrived at the beginning of the 2000s, fits perfectly into this context. It follows the Marauder, but with a clearer ambition: to offer a credible and accessible low rider silhouette, drawing freely from the catalog of the larger Intruder 1500. The result is a motorcycle that doesn't revolutionize anything, but which assumes its role of placid custom with a certain class.

Visually, it’s solid, almost heavy. The large headlight, the imposing 41 mm fork, the fleshy fenders, and the well-placed chrome accents create a harmonious line, typical of the American East Coast. You can feel the influence of Florida, from which it takes its name. But the devil is in the details, or rather under the motorcycle: this swingarm whose lower part is in black plastic comes to spoil the picture with a clumsy brushstroke. For a machine costing nearly 8400 euros at the time, it’s a little light on the finish. That said, a used Suzuki VL 800 Volusia, whether it's a 2003 or 2004 model, allows access to this style for a song today, and this defect then becomes much more forgivable.

The mechanics, on the other hand, are a known player. Suzuki recycles the 805 cm3 V-twin from the Marauder, a liquid-cooled engine but dressed as an air-cooled, which delivers 52 horsepower at 6000 rpm and a torque of 64.7 Nm from 3500 rpm. The curve is smooth, the flexibility exemplary, and the shaft drive adds to the overall tranquility. But let's admit it, faced with some competitors of the time, it lacks punch. These 52 hp seem a little tight to move 267 kg fully fueled. That's where the shoe pinches: the chassis, with its double cradle frame, is rather well made and deserved a slightly more powerful engine to really have fun.

But let's be honest, that's not its role. The Volusia was born to cruise, and in that area, it excels. The low 700 mm seat, the relaxed riding position, the rare smooth five-speed gearbox, and the effective suspension create real riding comfort. You ride relaxed, without stress, enjoying the scenery. The braking, with a disc at the front and a drum at the rear, does the job without brilliance. It's an easy, reassuring motorcycle, ideal for the novice who wants a custom without mechanical hassles or the relaxed traveler. On a Suzuki VL 800 Volusia forum, you will find this community of users satisfied with its robustness and low maintenance cost.

Ultimately, the Suzuki VL 800 Volusia is not a motorcycle that will mark the minds with its audacity. It's an honest, well-built, and pretty cruiser overall, but which suffers from a lack of character and small savings on the finish. However, it constitutes an excellent entry point into the world of customs, a reliable and pleasant machine whose used condition represents today an excellent value for money for those looking for a beautiful, unassuming touring motorcycle.