Is the 2003 Suzuki Marauder VZ800 the same as a Volusia? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

gunslinger92557 · 10-13-2005, 07:29 PM

Hi is the 2003 Suzuki Marauder VZ800 the same as a Volusia? I saw one in the local paper for a good price and I was wondering if it was the same as a Volusia and if it used the same add ons and bling as a Volusia.

**Trapper** · 10-13-2005, 07:35 PM

No! The Marauder is sexier. Styling would be like comparing a C50 to an M50.

Volusia

Marauder

DrBob · 10-13-2005, 08:46 PM

Tha marauder is totally different from the Volusia. The only thing they have in common is that they both happen to be 800cc, even though they use a different motor. The Volusia is shaft drive, the Marauder chain, the frames are different, the rear suspensions radically different...heck, the number of parts that interchange between the two is very, very small.
There are plenty of accessories available for the marauder...windshields, bags, chrome, bars, exhaust, seats, jet kits, wide tire kits, even conversion kits to make it a belt drive.

gunslinger92557 · 10-13-2005, 11:45 PM

So is it a pain in the butt to have to deal with a chain drive? If I get a chance to look at this bike is there anything I should be looking for that would give me a hint that it has problems? What is a fair price on a 2003 with about 8000 miles on it?

axel_2078 · 10-13-2005, 11:50 PM

A chain drive isn't a pain at all as long as you keep it lubed and have it checked at each scheduled maintenance. I have an '03 Marauder 800 and I love it. As far as things to look at, check the fork to make sure it isn't bent anywhere. Also check the chain to see if it is very loose or rusted and check the sprockets for badly worn teeth. Make sure all the lights work the way they are intended to. I've seen several posts on here about guys buying used bikes from someone else who installed some new-fangled turn signals and did their own wiring, only to find out later that their lights weren't working correctly. Look at the tires too. Those tires aren't cheap to replace, so if they look badly worn, make sure he comes down on the price.

**Trapper** · 10-14-2005, 06:49 AM

WRT the chain. The biggest pain is cleaning and lubing. Takes about twenty minutes tops. Tightening is a five minute job.

There is one in Wash. for $4900 / 1400 miles
in NYC for $4500 / 3000 miles
MSRP in 2003 was $5999

**Trapper** · 10-14-2005, 06:51 AM

Oh yeah, cast wheels, no spokes!!

DrBob · 10-14-2005, 08:35 AM

Kelly blue book lists the 2003 Marauder as having a retail of $4095. But this assumes you are buying it from a dealer who has the bike in top shape and will stand behind it. For a private sale the price should be less, by about 10-15%.

Pinhy · 10-14-2005, 09:14 AM

go with the C and get the shaft drive, Fuel injection and liquid cooled. or if you really want sexy, get the M50!

.

stp1971 · 10-14-2005, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinhy

go with the C and get the shaft drive, Fuel injection and liquid cooled. or if you really want sexy, get the M50!

.

Hey man,,,he is looking at a used bike.....

. HA...LOL!!!!!!

Pinhy · 10-14-2005, 11:52 AM

but his avatar info says "soon a C50"......

.

suzuki joe · 10-14-2005, 12:09 PM

C50

Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated.

stp1971 · 10-14-2005, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinhy

but his avatar info says "soon a C50"......

.

yea,, I know,, I was just screwing with ya,,, quit trying to spread ZD Doug!!!

**Trapper** · 10-14-2005, 01:22 PM

What's the price, Gunslinger?

MagnumForce · 10-14-2005, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stp1971

Hey man,,,he is looking at a used bike.....

. HA...LOL!!!!!!

You can find used C's and M's. I say go for the M.

gunslinger92557 · 10-14-2005, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trappercase

What's the price, Gunslinger?

It is actually on eBay but the guy is local to me. The opening bid is $3,250.00, and the buy it now is $3,850.00.

Pinhy · 10-15-2005, 09:27 AM

according to DrBob that is right at KBB....so they have done some homework it appears

PerrydaSavage · 10-16-2005, 09:01 AM

scootworks.com market a belt-drive conversion kit for the Marauder that is supposed to be very good ... replaces the chain & front and rear sprockets with a kevlar belt and front & rear pulleys ...

Pinhy · 10-16-2005, 11:00 AM

sounds cool, but after the $$ for the kit, the $$ for the install...then no warranty anymore...

.

PerrydaSavage · 10-16-2005, 04:18 PM

Well Bike warranties are only usually good for a year after purchase of a new model ... and since last year was the last for the VZ800 Marauder (replaced by the shaft driven M50 for 2005) then the swap of chain for a belt drive kit on a Marauder ain't gonna void any warranty ...

10-13-2005, 07:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
gunslinger92557 Found second gear by accident Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 1982 GS650G ------- soon a cruiser Location: California Posts: 325	Is the 2003 Suzuki Marauder VZ800 the same as a Volusia? Hi is the 2003 Suzuki Marauder VZ800 the same as a Volusia? I saw one in the local paper for a good price and I was wondering if it was the same as a Volusia and if it used the same add ons and bling as a Volusia.

10-13-2005, 07:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
Trapper Dogs Best Friend(admin) Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: SOLD Location: Moncton NB Canada Posts: 9,192	No! The Marauder is sexier. Styling would be like comparing a C50 to an M50. Volusia Marauder __________________ PointFlushRetrieve.com - Bird Dog Blog Motorcycle-Journal.com Blog

10-13-2005, 08:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
DrBob In The Zone Joined: May 2004 Bike: several Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 2,765	Tha marauder is totally different from the Volusia. The only thing they have in common is that they both happen to be 800cc, even though they use a different motor. The Volusia is shaft drive, the Marauder chain, the frames are different, the rear suspensions radically different...heck, the number of parts that interchange between the two is very, very small. There are plenty of accessories available for the marauder...windshields, bags, chrome, bars, exhaust, seats, jet kits, wide tire kits, even conversion kits to make it a belt drive. __________________ Dream like you'll live forever, live like you'll die tomorrow. You MUST obey the pug dog!

10-13-2005, 11:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
gunslinger92557 Found second gear by accident Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 1982 GS650G ------- soon a cruiser Location: California Posts: 325	So is it a pain in the butt to have to deal with a chain drive? So is it a pain in the butt to have to deal with a chain drive? If I get a chance to look at this bike is there anything I should be looking for that would give me a hint that it has problems? What is a fair price on a 2003 with about 8000 miles on it?

10-13-2005, 11:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
axel_2078 Sit speling cheker Joined: May 2004 Bike: 2003 Marauder 800 Location: Fairview Heights, IL Posts: 1,668	A chain drive isn't a pain at all as long as you keep it lubed and have it checked at each scheduled maintenance. I have an '03 Marauder 800 and I love it. As far as things to look at, check the fork to make sure it isn't bent anywhere. Also check the chain to see if it is very loose or rusted and check the sprockets for badly worn teeth. Make sure all the lights work the way they are intended to. I've seen several posts on here about guys buying used bikes from someone else who installed some new-fangled turn signals and did their own wiring, only to find out later that their lights weren't working correctly. Look at the tires too. Those tires aren't cheap to replace, so if they look badly worn, make sure he comes down on the price. __________________ "Rome didn't win wars by holding meetings. They did it by crushing those who opposed them." - unknown Everyone has a dark side. Mine's just a little closer to the surface. Last edited by axel_2078; 10-13-2005 at 11:56 PM.

10-14-2005, 06:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
Trapper Dogs Best Friend(admin) Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: SOLD Location: Moncton NB Canada Posts: 9,192	WRT the chain. The biggest pain is cleaning and lubing. Takes about twenty minutes tops. Tightening is a five minute job. There is one in Wash. for $4900 / 1400 miles in NYC for $4500 / 3000 miles MSRP in 2003 was $5999 __________________ PointFlushRetrieve.com - Bird Dog Blog Motorcycle-Journal.com Blog

10-14-2005, 06:51 AM	#7 (permalink)
Trapper Dogs Best Friend(admin) Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: SOLD Location: Moncton NB Canada Posts: 9,192	Oh yeah, cast wheels, no spokes!! __________________ PointFlushRetrieve.com - Bird Dog Blog Motorcycle-Journal.com Blog

10-14-2005, 08:35 AM	#8 (permalink)
DrBob In The Zone Joined: May 2004 Bike: several Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 2,765	Kelly blue book lists the 2003 Marauder as having a retail of $4095. But this assumes you are buying it from a dealer who has the bike in top shape and will stand behind it. For a private sale the price should be less, by about 10-15%. __________________ Dream like you'll live forever, live like you'll die tomorrow. You MUST obey the pug dog!

10-14-2005, 09:14 AM	#9 (permalink)
Pinhy Doesn't think you're funny Joined: Dec 2004 Bike: 05 Boulevard M50 Black Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 5,210	go with the C and get the shaft drive, Fuel injection and liquid cooled. or if you really want sexy, get the M50! .

10-14-2005, 11:52 AM	#11 (permalink)
Pinhy Doesn't think you're funny Joined: Dec 2004 Bike: 05 Boulevard M50 Black Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 5,210	but his avatar info says "soon a C50"...... .

10-14-2005, 12:09 PM	#12 (permalink)
suzuki joe Seat Tester Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 2006 C50 Location: Waxahachie, TX Posts: 63	C50 Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated.

10-14-2005, 01:22 PM	#14 (permalink)
Trapper Dogs Best Friend(admin) Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: SOLD Location: Moncton NB Canada Posts: 9,192	What's the price, Gunslinger? __________________ PointFlushRetrieve.com - Bird Dog Blog Motorcycle-Journal.com Blog

10-15-2005, 09:27 AM	#17 (permalink)
Pinhy Doesn't think you're funny Joined: Dec 2004 Bike: 05 Boulevard M50 Black Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 5,210	according to DrBob that is right at KBB....so they have done some homework it appears

10-16-2005, 09:01 AM	#18 (permalink)
PerrydaSavage Where Am I ? Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 45	scootworks.com market a belt-drive conversion kit for the Marauder that is supposed to be very good ... replaces the chain & front and rear sprockets with a kevlar belt and front & rear pulleys ... __________________ Keep On Thumpin'!

10-16-2005, 11:00 AM	#19 (permalink)
Pinhy Doesn't think you're funny Joined: Dec 2004 Bike: 05 Boulevard M50 Black Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 5,210	sounds cool, but after the $$ for the kit, the $$ for the install...then no warranty anymore... .

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10-16-2005, 04:18 PM	#20 (permalink)
PerrydaSavage Where Am I ? Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 45	Well Bike warranties are only usually good for a year after purchase of a new model ... and since last year was the last for the VZ800 Marauder (replaced by the shaft driven M50 for 2005) then the swap of chain for a belt drive kit on a Marauder ain't gonna void any warranty ... __________________ Keep On Thumpin'!

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