Anyone have a VX800? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

MrvanH · 06-16-2007, 02:19 PM

I was out hitting the garage sales with the gf today and came across a 1990 VX800. I'd never seen one before and ended up talking to the owner about a half an hour about bikes. He let me sit on it and it seemed just what I had been looking for. I have wanted to get a standard bike with an upright riding position and mid-mounted controls. I really liked the looks and the and the lines of the bike.

Any one have one or have any experience with one?

DrBob · 06-16-2007, 03:13 PM

I test drove one back when they were new, and again a couple years ago looking at a used one. They have an excellent motor, same one that is in the Intruder 800/ S50. The rest of the bike is just "OK", with the handling, braking, and ride quality being nothing bad but nothing to write home about either. A set of Progressive shocks, Progressive fork springs, some decent tires, and some aftermarket brake pads give the bike a lot more personality.
Mechanically, the shaft drive has proven to be the weak spot, so a lot of owners swap in one from an Intruder 800 when the original fails about 35-45K. Engine parts are still available, but the bike was a very short lived design that sold poorly, so replacement sheet metal, seats, and other parts can be hard to find. But there is a cult following for these bikes, so apparently a lot of people love them.

MrvanH · 06-16-2007, 05:21 PM

Thanks DrBob!

fivepointnine · 06-30-2007, 10:49 PM

yeah I have one, just got it, it was smashed on the front! so I have a new front wheel, forks, headlight and superbike bars coming, repainting the entire bike flat black with a satin clear, gonna have a custome exhaust made too, its gonna be a 2-1 with a medium sized two brothers racing can, eliminate the rear fender, flush mounts, progressive fork springs and rear shocks, should work pretty good I hope. she runs like a champ, even though shes all messed up, hadnt been started since the guy wrecked it, we bent the bars out of the way and she fired right up! 48k on the clock and runs like a new bike.

bostonjim · 07-01-2007, 01:26 PM

I had one about 10 yrs ago and I had a blast on it. Never gave me a bit of problems. I gave it to a friend and he still has it, but is in pieces. I keep nagging him to put it back together so I can take another ride on it.

Jim

Smurf · 07-02-2007, 09:46 AM

Had a friend that owned one way back when, rode it a couple of times........Lots of Torque.

I have spotted two of them in Marietta Georgia at a place called WOW Motorcycles.

06-16-2007, 02:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
MrvanH In Training Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: Grey M50 Location: Kettering,OH Posts: 120	Anyone have a VX800? I was out hitting the garage sales with the gf today and came across a 1990 VX800. I'd never seen one before and ended up talking to the owner about a half an hour about bikes. He let me sit on it and it seemed just what I had been looking for. I have wanted to get a standard bike with an upright riding position and mid-mounted controls. I really liked the looks and the and the lines of the bike. Any one have one or have any experience with one? __________________ 06 Grey M50, Alley Cat Shield, Floorboards, Lowered 2", Corbin Dual Tour, BlazinBlue's Light Mod, Tornado Air Kit, Jardine 2:1, Cobra FI2000R,Forward Controls "Hey, Watch This!"

06-16-2007, 03:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
DrBob In The Zone Joined: May 2004 Bike: several Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 2,704	I test drove one back when they were new, and again a couple years ago looking at a used one. They have an excellent motor, same one that is in the Intruder 800/ S50. The rest of the bike is just "OK", with the handling, braking, and ride quality being nothing bad but nothing to write home about either. A set of Progressive shocks, Progressive fork springs, some decent tires, and some aftermarket brake pads give the bike a lot more personality. Mechanically, the shaft drive has proven to be the weak spot, so a lot of owners swap in one from an Intruder 800 when the original fails about 35-45K. Engine parts are still available, but the bike was a very short lived design that sold poorly, so replacement sheet metal, seats, and other parts can be hard to find. But there is a cult following for these bikes, so apparently a lot of people love them. __________________ Dream like you'll live forever, live like you'll die tomorrow. You MUST obey the pug dog!

06-16-2007, 05:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
MrvanH In Training Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: Grey M50 Location: Kettering,OH Posts: 120	Thanks DrBob! __________________ 06 Grey M50, Alley Cat Shield, Floorboards, Lowered 2", Corbin Dual Tour, BlazinBlue's Light Mod, Tornado Air Kit, Jardine 2:1, Cobra FI2000R,Forward Controls "Hey, Watch This!"

07-01-2007, 01:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
bostonjim In Training Joined: May 2006 Bike: Suzuki S83 Location: just south of boston ma. Posts: 148	I had one about 10 yrs ago and I had a blast on it. Never gave me a bit of problems. I gave it to a friend and he still has it, but is in pieces. I keep nagging him to put it back together so I can take another ride on it. Jim __________________ Some days it's not worth chewing through the restraints!!!

07-02-2007, 09:46 AM	#6 (permalink)
Smurf Quiche' King Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: 2005 Red Flamed M-50 Location: McDonough Georgia Posts: 4,287	Had a friend that owned one way back when, rode it a couple of times........Lots of Torque. I have spotted two of them in Marietta Georgia at a place called WOW Motorcycles. __________________ "I would rather be lucky than good!"

06-30-2007, 10:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
fivepointnine Newbie Joined: Jun 2007 Bike: 1991 Suzuki VX800, 2000 KTM 400SXC, 2001 Honda CR80R Location: Oxnard, Ca Posts: 18	yeah I have one, just got it, it was smashed on the front! so I have a new front wheel, forks, headlight and superbike bars coming, repainting the entire bike flat black with a satin clear, gonna have a custome exhaust made too, its gonna be a 2-1 with a medium sized two brothers racing can, eliminate the rear fender, flush mounts, progressive fork springs and rear shocks, should work pretty good I hope. she runs like a champ, even though shes all messed up, hadnt been started since the guy wrecked it, we bent the bars out of the way and she fired right up! 48k on the clock and runs like a new bike.

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