MARAUDER 1600

[nicestax]

HelloAll,

Does anyone own the marauder 1600???

If you do what can you tell me about it???

Any info on the 2005 model versus the 2004.

Thanks for all the help.

Marc

[DrBob]

The Marauder 1600 is just a Kawasaki Mean Streak 1600 with a different rear fender, a blacked out engine, and a couple other minor styling differences. As the Suzuki version is built by Kawasaki, and Kawasaki has not yet decided the fate of the Mean Streak, it is not clear if the Susuki version will be back for 2005 or not. But as of now it is not listed in the Suzuki 2005 line up. Suzuki has already announced a new, 1750+cc 'power cruiser' for 2006, so the Marauder 1600 is clearly considered a failure. If it does happed to come back for 2005, it will be renamed the Boulevard M93, as the Marauder name has been discontinued and the Marauder 800 cancelled in favor of a totally new model.

Both 1600 versions are mechanically identical, and are very fast in a straight line, and offer great brakes to match. Handling is not a strong point, as you can't lay either over very far without dragging something. Neither version has sold well, and both are rated below the Yamaha Road Warrior, and the extra cc's over the previous 1500 Mean Streak are barely noticable. This would explain why there is a very real chance that the design will disappear from both the Suzuki and Kawasaki lineups after just one year.

[Kawazukirider]

Where DO you get your information?

The 1600 Maruder engine IS NOT blacked out. Lotsa chrome on mine.

How is it that YOU know Kawasaki hasn't decided the fate of the MeanStreak? Because they are not listed on the web site for '05? There are a lot of bikes not listed yet. Are they all in deep weeds?

Because Suzuki has announced a 1700 for some future date, doesn't make the 1600 Marauder a clear failure. Does that make the 2004 "anything" a failure because they are improving or replacing it for 2006? That's called marketing. Keep them wanting more.

You say handling is not a strong point. Have you ridden either one. Every article I have read on the handling of the MeanStreak has remarked how well the bike handles. Because you can't lay it on it's side in a corner doesn't make it bad. IT'S A CRUSIER.

Yes, a Warrior will probably beat it in a run down the strip.

I don't know about not selling well. I went to one of the biggest Kawasaki dealers in Arizona and they can't keep MeanStreak's in stock. Same goes for 1600 Marauders at the Suzuki dealer.

Disappear from Kawasaki's and Suzuki's line up after one year?

MeanStreak's have been around since 2002. My guess is unless Kawasaki pulls the plug on Suzuki to met their own demand, the 1600 Marauder will be back until that 2006/7 bike comes along. Which might just be a pumped up MeanStreak.

[syobwoc]

Bought it in June 2004. It handles great but does drag a peg if you really lean it over and may be due to the skeg on the bottom of the peg which extends down about an inch. I thought about replacing the pegs but is not that big of a problem unless you really corner hard. There is a 2005 model and looks to be the same as 2004. Kawasaki and Suzuki are in a joint venture so look for more of the GM/Chevy type of thing. The bike has a black engine with the ends of the fins bright al. polished. It has 73.5 HP and pulls strong. Yes the Warrior will beat it by a hair and has a few more HP than the 1600. I like the choice of the style difference with a choice of Kawa or Suzuki and like the Suzuki best. Not a lot of choice of accessories out there yet. Look hard and you can find some though. Not many available in SE Texas and had to go over 100 miles just to get a price cut. Everyone I know and I mean everyone who has seen it loves the look. The one trusted friend I let ride it loves it more that before if that tells you anything. I have added a chrome radiator from Ebay(nice SS Chrome'S' logo) , Samson street sweepers (LOUD) and no baffles,don't even come with them. I love the sound, it's bad. Also, chrome horn cover , custom license plate bracket and a nice tool pouch under the headlight. Have a few more things to get and the Hypercharger is next. I'll be lookin for that Warrior then and we'll see. Love this bike and will only let it go when I can make my move to the New Harley V-Rod that just came out, love it! Hey if you have a Mean Streak or Marauder 1600 drop me a line. Oh yea , I get my info personally or from the internet or local shop. Pic of my bike with new pipes...>>>>

[axel_2078]

I have a Marauder 800 and I love it. I wish it was fuel-injected because those long warm ups can really suck, but other than that I can't complain. I don't consider the Marauders to be a failure at all just because Suzuki is improving on the models (even changing the names). That's like calling a 2002 gixxer a failure because the 2003 model had 4 more horsepower.

[c50tiger]

In re: Marauder a failure. Obviously it sells better some places than others. Here, my friend who owns the Suzu/saki dealership couldn't get enough Volusias, but only sold one Marauder of any size in the '04 model year. He's about selling C50's and C90's as fast as he can get them in, but told me he probably wouldn't even order an M50 unless someone came in and put cash down up front.

Personally, I think it's a great looking bike, if that's the style you want. I prefered the C.

[Pinhy]

yes the M50 is a B-E-A-utiful bike (see below).

I was at the dealer today and now hear it is more like March that it is coming out ive been doing some research all evening looking for something i like that is already out. i found the Yamaha Road Warrior, but to the tune of $12k...figures.

Not sure i am going to wait till march to get a bike.