Re: Which bike do you want reviewed
Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 8:02 pm
First I heard, then again, so few sold over here yet that I have yet to hear of when being dropped.
Suzuki Boulevard 800.
Yamaha Raider
Total Motorcycle Community Forums
26 Years. 430 Million Readers. 54 years of Motorcycle Guides ∙ Reviews ∙ The friendliest motorcycle community on the internet!
https://www.totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/
Which bike do you want reviewed
Page 4 of 5
Re: Which bike do you want reviewed
Posted: Fri May 07, 2010 10:39 am
Re: Which bike do you want reviewed
Posted: Sun May 09, 2010 8:31 pm
Hi Blues
I have been a fan of the Boulevard 800 for a long time. I remember first riding it 3 years ago on the Kyalami track and getting into serious trouble when The Goose got on the back. I came out of the pit lane drifted wide right and then dropped into the left hander at the very last second. This of course was at a fair amount of lean and the pegs were scraping showering the riders behind me with sparks and making a fair amount of noise. The Goose was smacking my helmet and we slowed a bit on the straights, until we got to the next corner. The I did it all again. Just as well The Goose has a sense of humour.
Why tell you this. The 800 is not a powerhouse like your big Yank bikes. The power delivery is way different, less aggressive, smoother, better managed. The steering is light but very positive, there is no lag between input and action. Seating is comfortable and many owners here go for the foot down kits. The overall bike is much sportier than bigger CC machines due to it's lower weight and you can actually take it onto a track and have fun. It's one of those bikes where I have yet to see it ridden at it's full limit. I have not checked the figures but I suspect the tyre lean is far more than the footpeg lean.
Great bike to ride, lots of modern technology and inexpensive in comparison to the American models. Loads of bling to be had too, if you like to dress up a little.
I have been a fan of the Boulevard 800 for a long time. I remember first riding it 3 years ago on the Kyalami track and getting into serious trouble when The Goose got on the back. I came out of the pit lane drifted wide right and then dropped into the left hander at the very last second. This of course was at a fair amount of lean and the pegs were scraping showering the riders behind me with sparks and making a fair amount of noise. The Goose was smacking my helmet and we slowed a bit on the straights, until we got to the next corner. The I did it all again. Just as well The Goose has a sense of humour.
Why tell you this. The 800 is not a powerhouse like your big Yank bikes. The power delivery is way different, less aggressive, smoother, better managed. The steering is light but very positive, there is no lag between input and action. Seating is comfortable and many owners here go for the foot down kits. The overall bike is much sportier than bigger CC machines due to it's lower weight and you can actually take it onto a track and have fun. It's one of those bikes where I have yet to see it ridden at it's full limit. I have not checked the figures but I suspect the tyre lean is far more than the footpeg lean.
Great bike to ride, lots of modern technology and inexpensive in comparison to the American models. Loads of bling to be had too, if you like to dress up a little.
Re: Which bike do you want reviewed
Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 3:14 pm
I can confirm that. My tires still had pretty decent chicken strips left when I had all but worn away the feeler bolts on my pegs... That thing moves for sure.sapaul wrote: I have not checked the figures but I suspect the tyre lean is far more than the footpeg lean.
Re: Which bike do you want reviewed
Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 3:25 pm
Thank you. I am seriously considering it for my next bike. I went for a demo ride and really liked it. It would be a step up from 650 V-Star.
Re: Which bike do you want reviewed
Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 9:23 pm
can't see you being sorry, loads more power managed well from a competent trouble free electrical system. Typical japanese brakes and plenty of tyre choice. Good luck, hope you come right.blues2cruise wrote:Thank you. I am seriously considering it for my next bike. I went for a demo ride and really liked it. It would be a step up from 650 V-Star.
Re: Which bike do you want reviewed
Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 2:15 pm
love mine - tho it's a bit rough when cold... and needs some choke to start in any weather below 70. (i'm perfectly aware that this may be true of ALL bikes and that i am an unmitigated noob... that being said, i still love my vl800)
Re: Which bike do you want reviewed
Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 4:55 pm
And don't forget, you're riding the version that still has a carb and footpegs versus the fuel injection and the floorboards she's looking at.
Re: Which bike do you want reviewed
Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 6:15 pm
stop wrider - i'm having a hard enough time NOT LOOKING at newer versions of my 02.Wrider wrote:And don't forget, you're riding the version that still has a carb and footpegs versus the fuel injection and the floorboards she's looking at.
Re: Which bike do you want reviewed
Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 1:41 pm
You can go look for something new after you put on as many miles on yours as I put on mine.zeligman wrote:stop wrider - i'm having a hard enough time NOT LOOKING at newer versions of my 02.Wrider wrote:And don't forget, you're riding the version that still has a carb and footpegs versus the fuel injection and the floorboards she's looking at.
