Is the 800 gone? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Sgt Mike · 06-21-2007, 07:42 PM

According to Twigg Cycles sales manager the dealers will find out next week end at the 2008 Suzuki bike show if the C, M and S 800cc bikes will be dropped for 2008. He says the Kawaski 900 is outselling the 800s. In his opinion he doesn't believe that Suzuki will drop the 800 platform but increase the CCs to make it competitive with the 900 and also drop the shaft drive in favor of belt drive. What say you?

Rockhead · 06-21-2007, 07:53 PM

I tell you what, if Suzuki put a belt drive and a sixth gear with the EFI id be a happy camper.

Ext1jdh · 06-21-2007, 07:57 PM

Suzuki dropping the entire 800 cc engine? If they raise the middleweight line to 900 and flip to a belt, I might go for it but the price would have to stay the same.

hndrx1223 · 06-21-2007, 08:38 PM

To be honest with you all I actually like the shaft driven. I do agree 900cc would be nice BUT I rather take the 6th gear over anything.
Anyway, since this is my 1st bike (06' c50) not really sure I driven a belt driven bike. I rode a chain driven and I was not too excited about the lube job that comes with it. Shaft driven seems more hassle free and it's very quite.

Is there any real advantage to the belt driven? Because the torque put out in the shaft drive works really well.

Anyhow that’s my take on the rumor mill going around about Suzuki mods.

BudTheGrey · 06-21-2007, 08:51 PM

There's no doubt the Kawasaki 900 is a great deal. For me, the shaft vs. belt thing is mostly a wash, unless you ride a lot of gravel roads. I don't feel the need to get a bigger motor -- the Suzuki 800 has plenty of power, and it's a proven platform. I'd like to see a 6th gear added as well. And make the C50C's cast wheels stock on all C50's.

raycogxxx · 06-21-2007, 10:07 PM

I really like my M, but 900cc, a belt drive (greater availability of after market wheels and lower un-sprung weight) and 6 gears, all else kept basically the same including price-I'd have to seriously consider a trade.

Hipster Doofus · 06-21-2007, 10:25 PM

I must be crazy. I'll stick with 5 gears. I rarely go over 70mph.......only when overtaking.

Duckonin · 06-22-2007, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hipster Doofus

I must be crazy. I'll stick with 5 gears. I rarely go over 70mph.......only when overtaking.

Yep I shall go along with that, C50T has plenty of power for me and my wife and all our gear, more power more gas.!!

Ruddyduck · 06-22-2007, 08:10 AM

It would seem silly that Suzuki would drop thier 800's when they have been voted top of what is considered mid sized cruisers for like the last 3-4 years when the complete package was considered.
There isn't a bike offered that couldn't be tweeked in one way or another to satisy someones preferences. The bottom line is throwing your leg over it and taking a seat.
I used to ride a HD then got away from riding for along time. Decided to start again did alot of looking and research and settled on a C50. IMHO a whole lot of machine for the $6399 that the dealer was selling it for.

DrBob · 06-22-2007, 10:34 AM

The rumor I have heard is that the aging S50 and S83 will go away, to be replaced by a single completely new model. I doubt the C50 and M50 will go away, as the C50 is Suzuki's best selling cruiser and the M50 is one of the newest cruiser models and shares many major componants with the C50. But I would not be surprised if the C50 and M50 got a bump in displacement (and thus they would need a name change to C57 and M57 to match the 900cc displacement). I seriously doubt Suzuki would get away from the shaft drive, as the newest cruisers, the M109r and the soon to be released C109, both were designed with shaft drive. This shows that like Honda, Suzuki is committed to shaft drive cruisers.

Sgt Mike · 06-22-2007, 10:38 AM

I have to agree with all of you. My C50 is great just the way it is

. I got it blinged up the way I want it

, plenty of power, easy to ride, looks great, etc.
Dollar for dollar it's one of the best value that can be had on two wheels

.

robertc729 · 06-22-2007, 03:49 PM

Wouldn't mind a 6th gear myself. Other than riding my wife's S40 home from the dealership, I have no experience on anything but a shaft driven bike, so I can't comment on the differences between belt and shaft drive.

BudTheGrey · 06-23-2007, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hipster Doofus

I must be crazy. I'll stick with 5 gears. I rarely go over 70mph.......only when overtaking.

I'm thinking of the 6th gear as kind of an over-drive. I don't want to go faster, I want to reduce engine RPM at road speed. I think the C50 has enough power to cruise @ 65mph at about 2/3 the RPM. I don't need gobs of top-gear roll-on acceleration; I'll just poke it down one.

tlwisner · 06-27-2007, 01:23 PM

My dealer sells both Kawasaki and Suzuki, and he sells zillions of C/M 50s and few Vulcan 900s. It seems that with the bikes sitting next to each other, the price difference is bigger than the bike difference for most buyers.

I would be shocked if the C/M 50s went away in 08. I've read that the C50 is Suzuki's biggest seller - and they certainly have put in the marketing effort too.

bajaraider · 06-27-2007, 02:49 PM

I would not mind to 900 or belt as well. The M50 corner like a dream for a cruiser, and lessening the unsprung weight with a belt would help a lot as well. a 6th gear would simply get me in too much trouble, but i would not mind. Better gas milage too.

geoffsimpson · 06-27-2007, 04:24 PM

Don't care about the CC's but shoot me a 6th gear and a belt drive and I'm on it like a fat kid on a smartie

SNAFU · 06-27-2007, 07:21 PM

But would you eat the Red one last?

geoffsimpson · 06-29-2007, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNAFU

But would you eat the Red one last?

Didn't the tornadoes get you yet?

snowman671 · 06-29-2007, 12:42 PM

Sgt. Mike

You in the Twiggs rider club.? Check out my site i keep a list of all the rides in the area (I live in Waynesboro right up from ya)...

Dave

http;//www.snowmanrides.com

BTW 6 gears and belt drive.. I'm in for that..... ! Just dont make it as heavy as the KAWA 900

DaveMc · 06-29-2007, 03:19 PM

A belt drive gives less of jolt when you throttle down, because the belt stretches and absorbs some of the load; I think I read somewhere that the shaft drive delivers more torque to rear wheel (?).

the C50 engine is made to run revved up (more than a Harley, at least), so running a 6th gear overdrive would not be exactly what the engine would like.

I personally do not like the looks of the Kawasaki 900; something not right about it to my tastes.

I'll keep my C50T; it has everything I need.

06-21-2007, 07:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sgt Mike Banned Joined: Feb 2006 Bike: 2006 Suzuki C50 Location: Hagerstown, Maryland Posts: 709	Is the 800 gone? According to Twigg Cycles sales manager the dealers will find out next week end at the 2008 Suzuki bike show if the C, M and S 800cc bikes will be dropped for 2008. He says the Kawaski 900 is outselling the 800s. In his opinion he doesn't believe that Suzuki will drop the 800 platform but increase the CCs to make it competitive with the 900 and also drop the shaft drive in favor of belt drive. What say you?

06-21-2007, 07:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
Rockhead M-J.Com Master Poster Joined: Jan 2006 Bike: M50 Location: 1060 West Addison, Chicago Posts: 3,759	I tell you what, if Suzuki put a belt drive and a sixth gear with the EFI id be a happy camper. __________________ Greg Biffle #16

06-21-2007, 07:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ext1jdh Top Gear ! Full Throttle! Joined: Apr 2005 Bike: Sold Location: Elgin, IL, US Posts: 5,252	Suzuki dropping the entire 800 cc engine? If they raise the middleweight line to 900 and flip to a belt, I might go for it but the price would have to stay the same. __________________ I am lurking. I am likely to be eaten by a grue.

06-21-2007, 08:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
BudTheGrey Third gear and cruising Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2005 Suzuki C50 LE Location: Keeseville NY Posts: 476	There's no doubt the Kawasaki 900 is a great deal. For me, the shaft vs. belt thing is mostly a wash, unless you ride a lot of gravel roads. I don't feel the need to get a bigger motor -- the Suzuki 800 has plenty of power, and it's a proven platform. I'd like to see a 6th gear added as well. And make the C50C's cast wheels stock on all C50's. __________________ If you can't stand behind our folks in the military, feel free to stand in front of them

06-21-2007, 10:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
raycogxxx Sprocket Pilot Joined: Feb 2007 Bike: 2006 M50-Blue Location: Ft Worth, Texas Posts: 845	I really like my M, but 900cc, a belt drive (greater availability of after market wheels and lower un-sprung weight) and 6 gears, all else kept basically the same including price-I'd have to seriously consider a trade. __________________ "So long as they don't get violent, I want to let everyone say what they wish, for I myself have always said exactly what pleased me." -- Albert Einstein 2006 M50 Blue, Jardine Slash Cuts w/custom baffles (courtesy of BlueM50Chick), Saddleman Profiler Seat, Memphis Shades Poptop shield, Tour Master saddle and fork bags, Küryakyn Dually ISO-Pegs, Stebel Airhorn.

06-21-2007, 08:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
hndrx1223 Seat Tester Joined: Jun 2007 Bike: 06' Boulevard c50 Location: So. Cal. aka "the Valley" Posts: 50	To be honest with you all I actually like the shaft driven. I do agree 900cc would be nice BUT I rather take the 6th gear over anything. Anyway, since this is my 1st bike (06' c50) not really sure I driven a belt driven bike. I rode a chain driven and I was not too excited about the lube job that comes with it. Shaft driven seems more hassle free and it's very quite. Is there any real advantage to the belt driven? Because the torque put out in the shaft drive works really well. Anyhow that’s my take on the rumor mill going around about Suzuki mods.

06-21-2007, 10:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
Hipster Doofus Where Am I ? Joined: Jul 2006 Bike: 06 Boulevard C50 Blue/Gray Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 32	I must be crazy. I'll stick with 5 gears. I rarely go over 70mph.......only when overtaking. __________________ I hate the countdown!

06-22-2007, 08:10 AM	#9 (permalink)
Ruddyduck Newbie Joined: Jun 2007 Bike: C50 Location: OKC Ok. Posts: 16	It would seem silly that Suzuki would drop thier 800's when they have been voted top of what is considered mid sized cruisers for like the last 3-4 years when the complete package was considered. There isn't a bike offered that couldn't be tweeked in one way or another to satisy someones preferences. The bottom line is throwing your leg over it and taking a seat. I used to ride a HD then got away from riding for along time. Decided to start again did alot of looking and research and settled on a C50. IMHO a whole lot of machine for the $6399 that the dealer was selling it for.

06-22-2007, 10:34 AM	#10 (permalink)
DrBob In The Zone Joined: May 2004 Bike: several Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 2,703	The rumor I have heard is that the aging S50 and S83 will go away, to be replaced by a single completely new model. I doubt the C50 and M50 will go away, as the C50 is Suzuki's best selling cruiser and the M50 is one of the newest cruiser models and shares many major componants with the C50. But I would not be surprised if the C50 and M50 got a bump in displacement (and thus they would need a name change to C57 and M57 to match the 900cc displacement). I seriously doubt Suzuki would get away from the shaft drive, as the newest cruisers, the M109r and the soon to be released C109, both were designed with shaft drive. This shows that like Honda, Suzuki is committed to shaft drive cruisers. __________________ Dream like you'll live forever, live like you'll die tomorrow. You MUST obey the pug dog!

06-22-2007, 10:38 AM	#11 (permalink)
Sgt Mike Banned Joined: Feb 2006 Bike: 2006 Suzuki C50 Location: Hagerstown, Maryland Posts: 709	I have to agree with all of you. My C50 is great just the way it is. I got it blinged up the way I want it, plenty of power, easy to ride, looks great, etc. Dollar for dollar it's one of the best value that can be had on two wheels.

06-22-2007, 03:49 PM	#12 (permalink)
robertc729 Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: 05 Boulevard C50 LE, 06 S40 (wife's bike) Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 4,041	Wouldn't mind a 6th gear myself. Other than riding my wife's S40 home from the dealership, I have no experience on anything but a shaft driven bike, so I can't comment on the differences between belt and shaft drive.

06-27-2007, 01:23 PM	#14 (permalink)
tlwisner Throttle Jockey Joined: Apr 2004 Bike: '05 Boulevard C50 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 3,208	My dealer sells both Kawasaki and Suzuki, and he sells zillions of C/M 50s and few Vulcan 900s. It seems that with the bikes sitting next to each other, the price difference is bigger than the bike difference for most buyers. I would be shocked if the C/M 50s went away in 08. I've read that the C50 is Suzuki's biggest seller - and they certainly have put in the marketing effort too. __________________ Tim Wisner AMA, SCRC Happiness is something we create

06-27-2007, 02:49 PM	#15 (permalink)
bajaraider U.B's LoveChild Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 2005 M50, 1970 TC120 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 1,030	I would not mind to 900 or belt as well. The M50 corner like a dream for a cruiser, and lessening the unsprung weight with a belt would help a lot as well. a 6th gear would simply get me in too much trouble, but i would not mind. Better gas milage too. __________________ RED M50 - 2005 "only a motorcycle rider understands why a dog hangs its head out the window" My Toys

06-27-2007, 04:24 PM	#16 (permalink)
geoffsimpson Throttle Jockey Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: Grey, not silver, GREY 2006 Suzuki Boulevard M50 * 1983 GS750E Cafe Racer project Location: Prince George BC Posts: 3,111	Don't care about the CC's but shoot me a 6th gear and a belt drive and I'm on it like a fat kid on a smartie __________________ Please Note: All opinions contained herein are worth exactly what you paid for them. It's true that every time you hear a bell ring, an angel gets its wings... But what they don't tell you is that every time you hear a mouse trap "snap", and Angel gets set on fire... Grey * De-badged * V & H Straightshots w/ Thunder-Monster Baffles and Billet Hot-Tips * POWAH COMMANDAH!! * Kury Wide Style Levers * Kury Zombie Pegs (what's left of them) * Johnskit Forward Controls * Johnskit 2.5" Lowering Kit * Carbon Fibre-esque Trim kit * your mom * Memphis Shades HellCat windshield * Passenger Backrest * Baddass MO-FO behind the bars * Metz 880's w/ lettering * Flamed Thunder MFG Teardrop Intake *

06-27-2007, 07:21 PM	#17 (permalink)
SNAFU Leaned over, knee down Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: '06 M50 Black Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 4,876	But would you eat the Red one last? __________________

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06-29-2007, 12:42 PM	#19 (permalink)
snowman671 In Training Joined: Aug 2006 Bike: 2006 Blue M50 Location: PA Posts: 119	Sgt. Mike You in the Twiggs rider club.? Check out my site i keep a list of all the rides in the area (I live in Waynesboro right up from ya)... Dave http;//www.snowmanrides.com BTW 6 gears and belt drive.. I'm in for that..... ! Just dont make it as heavy as the KAWA 900 Last edited by snowman671; 06-29-2007 at 12:45 PM.

06-29-2007, 03:19 PM	#20 (permalink)
DaveMc Seat Tester Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: Suzuki C50T Location: Tampa FL Posts: 90	belt vs. shaft drive A belt drive gives less of jolt when you throttle down, because the belt stretches and absorbs some of the load; I think I read somewhere that the shaft drive delivers more torque to rear wheel (?). the C50 engine is made to run revved up (more than a Harley, at least), so running a 6th gear overdrive would not be exactly what the engine would like. I personally do not like the looks of the Kawasaki 900; something not right about it to my tastes. I'll keep my C50T; it has everything I need. __________________ C50T: E-Z brackets, Show Chrome classic risers, OEM front fender rail, Mustang seat, MCE engine guard, MCE luggage rack, OEM pasenger floorboards