VLX 600 no more.... Now I bought an ACE 750

[scottpA_GS]

 Hey...

Think I got a line on a nice.. 99 or so VLX600... Anyone have any stories or things to look for on that bike? I wanted a larger Cruiser but for the price, this may have to be the one for now.

Let me know your thoughts 

[The Buddha]

Yea POS.
Its got that lean low and long looks as well as a fat ass rear tar ... but in most respects its a POS, try getting to the front cyl (or maybe its the rear - not sure) spark plug. How about oil filter ...
The seat on and off is another nightmare, many things are PITA on it.
BTW it revs and revs and does not go ...
Cool.
Buddha.

[scottpA_GS]

Hmm.. that sucs.. I did find its an 2002 not 99... any better news there or some ole crap? Its such a deal, I need a good newer year cruiser and dont have more than 3K to spend.

[The Buddha]

Meee ... VLX 02, 88, 2009 ... same crap.
Small cruisers - well, vulcan 500 feels like a sport bike, very revvy and quite powerful.
VLX - under powered and horrible to work on but good looking.
Virago 535 - better running and relatively easier to work on, but looks pityfully un proportionate ...
and the winner is ... ding ding ding ...

Suzuki savage ... Powerful, light, looks alright, and easy to fix.
Older models tend to rust.
06 and later had drag bars, 86-06 needs risers and drag bars, I can hook you up wih those for 100 bucks or less.

Belt drive and simplicity as well as choppery good looks make it the winner IMHO.

Hold off for one, you will be glad you did. VLX is heavy too ... savage is super light without being cheap and chintzy.
Cool.
Buddha.

[cafeboy]

I have to say 
I have an 05 and love it.
Plugs are easy and the seat can be off in like one minute so 
Oh and it will go, and go, and go some more.
I LOVE IT.

[blooton]

My personal experience:
Have had more than 30 motorcycles, before I got my GS early this year. Last spring, for the first time I bought a cruiser style, 2003 Honda Shadow Spirit 750.
Pros
-I felt mean on it, all the chrome and black
-Decent wind protection with a Memphis Shades windshield
-Willing engine, more than enough power to keep up with traffic
-With proper wrist management, you could get it to backfire on demand when decel'ing, which causes no end of amusement to drivers with their windows open
-It was very comfortable to ride

Cons
-I ran and hid, or sat moping around the house at the slightest hint of rain-it took hours to polish the bike
-You no longer impressed the young crowd riding sportbikes with your driving skill honed after so many miles experience
-It was very uncomfortable to ride

The comfort issue was the reason I sold it. I was fine for a 20 minute jaunt around town, but the first time I took a trip of two hours I realized I would not be happy. With the feet forward position, I was perched right on my tailbone, and there was no way to move to relieve the pressure. I could not stand up straight when I reached my destination, and it was really, really painful.
Bear in mind, I have had seven bike collisions, pins in and grafts on various parts of my body so this may be just my experience and yours could differ.
My advice would be to try and go for a ride with a buddy, and see how you hold up.

[The Buddha]

I have to say 
I have an 05 and love it.
Plugs are easy and the seat can be off in like one minute so 
Oh and it will go, and go, and go some more.
I LOVE IT.

How long does it take to get the seat back on ...
And that idiotic plastic monstrousity that is fender, seat fairing etc etc in 1 ... yuck.
It will go ... and go ... and go ... but it will take forever ...
Cool.
Buddha.

[cafeboy]

Oh, don't be mad Buddha.
It only take a minute to put the seat back on too.
I may not be as fast as my Vulcan was but it is way cooler and alot more comfy. 




Oh and it's a Honda so it will run forever. 

[jserio]

i sat on one last summer at a local dealership. seemed fairly lightweight. (not a complaint, just an observation).  i used to work with a lady who said her and her husband have one. seemed to do okay with them 2 up. my only complaint is carbs. maybe i've just been spoiled with FI in my cars but you know.     

[cafeboy]

Mine only has one carb 
Like a HD 

[scottpA_GS]

Well,

Now I found a 98 Suzuki Marauder 800... Whats everyones thoughts on that one?

[cafeboy]

Get the VLX 

[scottpA_GS]

Yea... but the Honda is 1K more and I really dont have 1K more... I could get it but I have never gone in debt to buy a vehicle 

[cafeboy]

  It's all your call.
All I can say is I love mine.
I didn't winterize it and it sat for 3 months I just went out, fliped the swith and bang we're busten gas.
I mean you gotta love that.

[gearman]

The Marauder weighs slightly more than the Honda but has 50hp compared to the VLX's 39. The VX800 would be far better than both, but unfortunately they're a bit more expensive (if you can find one).

[cafeboy]

And I get close to 70 mpg on the VLX 

[The Buddha]

The Marauder weighs slightly more than the Honda but has 50hp compared to the VLX's 39. The VX800 would be far better than both, but unfortunately they're a bit more expensive (if you can find one).

VX800  - yup, GS500 on steroids. Fun.
Cool.
Buddha.

[scottpA_GS]

Yea, Im just hoping that the guy keeps to his word, he wont be in town for about 2 weeks for me to get the bike so... again we will see if I get screwed again 

[werase643]

i got one sitting in my back yard
been there for about 1.5 yrs
it kinda sucks riding on the old logging trails
The SV was a much better woods bike

[The Buddha]

Some bikes should never have been made.
Some bikes that should have been made, makes you scratch your butt why they haven't been made.
Case in point - gladius - why, naked SV was great ... why make a ghey ass steel version of that.
And example of the second ... a cruiser with the bandit 600 and 1200 motor, heck make a true naked and a cruiser.

I dunno, there isn't a proper step up from a GS ... a true naked bandit will ahve gotten that part.

650 R ninja is a true step up from a GS, but its really shitty quality body just puts me off.

Anyway ... vlx should have been built a little differently I think.
Cool.
Buddha.