Table of contents

• Japanese cruisers in used advice Nippon cruiser
• Lower prices and reliable technology
• Honda VT 750 S.
• Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter
• Suzuki VZ 800 Marauder
• Yamaha XVS 1100 Drag Star Classic
• Honda VTX 1300 S.
• Honda VT 1300 CX
• Yamaha XVS 1300 A
• Suzuki Intruder M 1500
• Kawasaki VN 1600 Mean Streak
• Kawasaki VN 1700 Voyager Custom

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15th pictures

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1/15
Yamaha XVS 1100 Drag Star Classic.

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2/15
Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter.

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3/15

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4/15
Kawasaki VN 1700 Voyager Custom: from 9900 euros.

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5/15
Kawasaki VN 1600 Mean Streak: from 5500 euros.

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Suzuki Intruder M 1500: from 6500 euros.

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Yamaha XVS 1300 A: from 5500 euros.

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8/15
Honda VT 1300 CX: from 8000 euros.

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Honda VTX 1300 S: from 5000 euros.

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Yamaha XVS 1100 Drag Star Classic: from 3500 euros.

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11/15
Suzuki VZ 800 Marauder: from 2500 euros.

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Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter: from 3500 euros.

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Honda VT 750 S: from 4000 euros.

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From the variety of Japanese models, MOTORRAD made a selection of used cruisers that you only discover at second glance
and which also offer excellent value for money.

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15/15
Kawasaki VN 1600 Mean Streak.

counselor

Used purchase

Second hand advice on Japanese cruisers

Japanese cruisers in used advice
Nippon cruiser

Often scolded as copies of Harley or Indian, Japanese cruisers have their own charm. From the variety of Japanese models, MOTORRAD made a selection of used cruisers that offer excellent value.

Thorsten Dentges

23/10/2014

Eternally long asphalt strip, the gaze directed at the rock formations on the horizon colored red by the sunset, warm airflow caresses the skin, the V2 bubbles under you. Welcome to Cruiserlandia – dreams are expressly allowed at this point. Whether it is imaginary landscapes, tours through these dream worlds or dream machines with which one would like to experience what has just been described. By the way, ideal conditions for dignified cruising can be found everywhere. It doesn’t necessarily have to be Monument Valley in the USA, a leisurely tour through the Munsterland on a mild summer evening can also offer a delightful ambience.

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Nippon cruiser

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And which machine is best to use to find personal cruiser happiness? Here, too, the answer: The right one doesn’t always have to come from the USA. There is no doubt that American motorcycle manufacturers deserve the historical recognition of having laid the foundations with their machines for the way of riding a motorcycle that we nowadays call “cruising”. First and foremost Harley-Davidson, but also traditional manufacturers such as Indian or young brands such as Victory have cruisers in their range with which you can celebrate the lifestyle of relaxed driving.

Lower prices and reliable technology

But that also works very well with cruisers from Japan. In the 1980s, Honda, Kawasaki, and Suzuki entered Yamaha the German market with soft choppers, in the 1990s they literally flooded the motorcycle world with models: from mini choppers à la Virago to fat cruisers like the Wild Star with 1600 cubic meters. Since then, dozens of new Japanese brands have established themselves, and the used market in this segment has turned into a model jungle. Originally, the machines sold for lower prices and reliable technology, but for a long time they had the nimbus of being soulless copies of the US originals.

The Harley community is still firmly committed, but for one or the other that’s too much of a good thing. Japan cruiserists also have a lively fan life, organize themselves on the Internet, and meetings are often very familiar. Acquiring a machine is priced and often more attractive in terms of the variety on offer. For genre fans there are enough reasons to saddle up on a Japan cruiser. Bestsellers like Kawasaki VN 800/900 or Suzuki VL 1500 Intruder do not require any further explanation.

Other Nippon models, on the other hand, are often overlooked as inconspicuous sisters or due to the very short construction time. Or the concept of some machines was too daring at the time and was therefore not accepted by new vehicle buyers. Another reason: They were simply offered too expensive. But viewing habits are changing, and second-hand demand determines supply and thus prices. Buyers of used goods will definitely find first-class offers in every displacement and price class within an enormous selection of Japanese cruisers.

Honda VT 750 S.

manufacturer

Honda VT 750 S..

Honda wanted to score points with beginners on the German market in 2010 with the 750. Nice attempt, but it didn’t really ignite. Although the slightly chopped, not too heavy retro machine with foolproof handling and a low new price of 7,000 euros was quite attractive. In 2012 it left the market again, but as a used one it is a good tip. Driving and braking performance – only 44 hp, no ABS – are not a revelation, and the passenger comfort is modest.

You can’t go for thick pants with the petite bike either. Many cruiser fans may miss this, but they should take a test drive. Because the puristic, pretty Honda with 19 inches at the front and 16 at the rear, as well as delicious wire spokes, can be moved playfully and relaxed. Brushed aluminum and finely cast metal fittings as well as extremely successful ergonomics contribute to the special coolness of this motorcycle.

Plus: Well made, very reliable and technically fully developed; powerful at low speeds; low fuel consumption; comparatively low weight for cruisers, easy handling.

Minus: Maintenance-intensive chain secondary drive; from 100 km / h very tough acceleration; low tank capacity.

Data (model year 2010): Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 52-degree V-engine, 745 cm³, 32.2 kW (44 PS) at 5500 rpm, weight 234 kg, tank capacity 10.7 liters, seat height 755 mm, top speed 153 km / h, acceleration 0–100 km / h 7.1 seconds, consumption 3.8 l / 100 km

Price: from 4000 euros

Used Honda VT 750 S

Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter

Retro-Indian – this is how the Kawasaki was widely dubbed when it debuted in 1999. Motorcyclists who weren’t really bad could come along
Hardly anything to do with this attribute and were primarily amazed at the strange deep-drawn fenders (made of plastic), which didn’t really fit into the image of a mainstream cruiser. Shouldn’t these reminiscences of the 1940s either, after all, the Drifter wanted to clearly distinguish itself from its extremely popular sister VN 800 Classic in appearance.

The motorcycle was in the Kawasaki range until 2003, but has only sold around 1,500 times, so it is rarely available as a used one. You should invest around 4500 euros for a well-maintained copy. A proud price for its age – the decline in value is then almost zero.

Plus: Exemplary performance development; firm, yet comfortable chassis, handy; good sound; Engine extremely reliable, mileage well over 50,000 kilometers with proper maintenance no problem.

Minus: Front brake relatively slack; quite high gasoline consumption at accelerated pace.

Data (model year 2002): Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 55 degree V engine, 805 cm³, 42 kW (57 PS) at 7500 rpm, weight 275 kg, tank capacity 15 liters, seat height 770 mm, top speed 163 km / h, acceleration 0-100 km / h 6.0 sec, consumption 6.0 l / 100 km

Price: from 3500 euros

Used Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter

Suzuki VZ 800 Marauder

manufacturer

Suzuki VZ 800 Marauder.

It’s funny: in the construction period from 1997 to 2003, this mid-range cruiser found over 10,000 new buyers. Although it rattled through almost every comparison test because it had been confirmed to have major weaknesses, especially on the chassis side. And the many plastic parts that simulate metal surfaces don’t come across as really sexy.

Well then, success is right. Was it the unusual lines, the lively, thermally healthy engine or was it just the cheap new price of just 6000 euros? Does not matter. Even today, the Marauder is one of the unconventional cruisers and appeals to individualists. Second-hand, provided that it is well looked after and maintained, the solid 800 is a tip for low-budget buyers.

Plus: Very good power output in the lower speed range, relatively powerful (60–100 km / h in 6.2 seconds); high payload (over 200 kg); good used offer.

Minus: Unbalanced steering geometry, modest suspension elements, low ground clearance; uncomfortable sitting position; Rear brake with poor performance and dosage.

Data (model year 1999): Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 45-degree V-engine, 805 cm³, 39 kW (53 PS) at 6500 rpm, weight 219 kg, tank capacity 13 liters, seat height 720 mm, top speed 163 km / h, acceleration 0-100 km / h 5.4 sec, consumption 4.7 l / 100 km

Price: from 2500 euros

Used Suzuki Marauder 800

Yamaha XVS 1100 Drag Star Classic

manufacturer

Yamaha XVS 1100 Drag Star Classic.

Running boards, small 16-inch front wheel with fat 130 mm tires and pulled-down fenders – the Yamaha serves what most cruiser fans want. At the turn of the millennium, the Classic came as the big sister of the very successful mid-range model XVS 650 and remained in the range until 2007. A very pleasing machine, which nowadays with its 1100 cubic meters would hardly be called “really fat”. This leaves the radar of many interested parties who are more interested in displacement giants over one and a half liters. This is exactly why you should keep an eye on the extremely reliable XVS 1100.

With its respectable 61 hp, the V2 exudes a pleasant nonchalance when strolling, pulls brawny from idle and also accepts high speeds without complaint. The driver sits extremely comfortably, has a clear view of the chrome-plated headlight housing, the handlebars pull in a wide arc from hand to hand. The bottom line: cruising without side effects at fair prices.

Plus: Robust engine, good for six-figure mileage; very effective brakes; decent chassis; low-maintenance cardan drive; large selection of reasonable second-hand offers.

Minus: Modest pillion comfort, upholstery too hard in the long run; Sound rather mediocre.

Data (model year 2001): Air-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 75-degree V-engine, 1063 cm³, 45 kW (61 PS) at 5800 rpm, weight 277 kg, tank capacity 17 liters, seat height 680 mm, top speed 170 km / h, acceleration, 0-100 km / h 6.1 seconds, consumption 6.3 l / 100 km

Price: from 3500 euros

Used Yamaha XVS 1100 Drag Star Classic

Honda VTX 1300 S.

manufacturer

Honda VTX 1300 S..

Torque – a figure that cruiser drivers like to mention. The greater the force on the crankshaft, the wider the grin. In 2001, Honda was the boss in the ring with the 100 hp VTX 1800. Over 160 Newton meters, but also over 16,000 euros. A year later, the largest Japanese manufacturer brought the recommended here for price-conscious customers VTX 1300 S. for a respectable 11,390 euros. It should benefit from the glamor of its big sister and advertise with a fat 123 Newton meters (close to 3000 rpm) and a decent 75 PS buyer.

In addition to the bearish engine with two balance shafts, the 1300 series also impresses with its classic look, very attractive paint quality, fine workmanship, rich chrome application and groovy sound. For an exemplary well-kept VTX 1300 S with only one previous owner and less than 20,000 kilometers on the clock, you should plan around 6500 euros.

Plus: Strong and very reliable motor, long stroke, but easy to turn; good range of almost 350 kilometers; surprisingly handy; great workmanship.

Minus: Undamped fork and struts, poor directional stability; Single disc brake at the front quickly overwhelmed

Data (model year 2003): Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 52-degree V-engine, 1312 cm³, 55 kW (75 PS) at 5000 rpm, weight 324 kg, tank capacity 18 liters, seat height 700 mm, top speed 178 km / h, acceleration 0-100 km / h 5.5 sec, consumption 5.2 l / 100 km

Price: from 5000 euros

Motorcycles on markt.motorradonline.de

Honda VT 1300 CX

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Honda VT 1300 CX.

It looks super cool. Like an individual show bike. Is the VT 1300 CX, nickname: Fury, but not, but a normal motorcycle off the rack. Normal? Looks different. Wheelbase: enormous 1805 millimeters, steering head angle: flat 58 degrees. Otherwise the otherness is limited.

The “only” 58 hp V2 (107 Nm torque) with three valves per cylinder, injection and G-Kat is a completely uncomplicated buddy. Driving on this somewhat bizarre cruiser / chopper is above all one thing: fun. The 1300, which was offered as a new vehicle for 14,000 euros in Germany from 2010 to 2012, is a rarity with potential for collectors as a used vehicle.

Plus: Low vibration and sophisticated engine; Partly integral brake system with ABS; balanced suspension setup; low seat height, ideal for short-legged drivers.

Minus: Enormous turning circle of over seven meters; very low payload (only 158 kg); rather unsuitable for pillion rider use.

Data (model year 2010): Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 52-degree V-engine, 1312 cm³, 42.5 kW (58 PS) at 4250 / min, weight 311 kg, tank capacity 12.8 liters, seat height 678 mm, top speed 165 km / h, acceleration 0–100 km / h 6.8 seconds, consumption 5.1 l / 100 km

Price: from 8000 euros

Used Honda VTX 1300

Yamaha XVS 1300 A

manufacturer

Yamaha XVS 1300 A.

The successor to the XVS 1100 is called Midnight Star and has been in the range since 2007. Since 2014, it has also been available as a chopperesque custom version with a narrow 21-inch front wheel and a fat 210 mm slack at the rear. This is trendy, but if you prefer the classic cruiser look with 16-inch tires and tire widths of 130 at the front and 170 at the rear, you can easily fall back on used goods. No problem, because the powerful short-stroke V2 with 73 hp of this very tame and agile bike is technically stress-free.

Ordinary dealer offers with warranty and less than 10,000 kilometers on the watch can be found for 6500 euros. The cruiser suitable for travel offers good value.

Plus: Low-maintenance toothed belt final drive; impressive torque of 106 Newton meters for the displacement class; silky smooth engine; Chassis with good comfort; Passengers sit comfortably .

Minus: Braking power only mediocre; Running boards touch down very early.

Data (model year 2005): Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 60 degree V engine, 1304 cm³, 53.5 kW (73 PS) at 5500 rpm, weight 307 kg, tank capacity 18.5 liters, seat height 720 mm, top speed 174 km / h, acceleration 0–100 km / h 5.0 seconds, consumption 4.6 l / 100 km

Price: from 5500 euros

Used Yamaha XVS 1300 A

Suzuki Intruder M 1500

manufacturer

Suzuki Intruder M 1500.

Less displacement, less show? No. Logically, the fat sister M 1800 with a whopping 125 hp is a star in the scene, but the 1500 with 80 hp is also good. The smaller “M” (construction period: 2009/2010) looks similar to the 1800s with its unconventional cockpit fairing, but differs technically in many ways: one instead of two camshafts per cylinder head, long instead of short stroke, 200 mm rear tire instead of 240 mm rear roller, steel -Triangular swing arm instead of aluminum two-arm swing arm, smaller tank, simple knitted upside-down fork.

The double-piston brake, in particular, is more forgiving of mistakes – with the 1800 with radially screwed four-piston stoppers, overbraking is a frequently complained problem that even represents a danger for less experienced pilots. The M 1500 is a good choice because of its better handling.

Plus: Pleasantly neutral driving behavior; bassy sound; powerful power development in the middle speed range,
generous torque of 126 Newton meters at 2700 rpm; clean cardan.

Minus: Heavy, difficult to handle while standing; quite limited lean angle; Final translation too long.

Data (model year 2005): Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 54 degree V engine, 1462 cm³, 59 kW (80 PS) at 4800 rpm, weight 330 kg, tank capacity 18 liters, seat height 716 mm, top speed 190 km / h, acceleration 0-100 km / h 4.6 sec, consumption 5.5 l / 100 km

Price: from 6500 euros

Used Suzuki Intruder M 1500

Kawasaki VN 1600 Mean Streak

manufacturer

Kawasaki VN 1600 Mean Streak.

“Common, nasty ”- the translation of the English word“ mean ”doesn’t really apply to the Kawa cruiser. The hot rod model variant of the full-size bestseller VN 1600 Classic is really a love. In the traffic light duel with over 100 PS strong, really mean power cruisers like a Harley-Davidson V-Rod or a Suzuki M 1800, the Mean Streak definitely gets the short straw. Although performance isn’t everything, many macho bikers often don’t have the stylistically successful 1600s (construction period: 2004 to 2008) on their radar for this reason.

Not only does a lot of chrome shine on this motorcycle, but the Kawasaki also has brilliant driving characteristics: superb six-piston stoppers have a manageable 317 kilos under control for a fat cruiser, the very torsion-resistant swing arm and the upside-down fork ensure stable road holding, and with 128 Newton meters of torque at 2800 rpm, you can roll along the boulevard ultra cool. What is common, however, is that the second-hand offer is very limited. With an inventory of only around 400 pieces, you need patience to find a good, inexpensive machine.

Plus: Tight spring elements, very stable and balanced chassis; extremely robust, short-stroke engine (four valves per cylinder) with broadband power output; great brakes; relatively light weight.

Minus: Little used supply, often excessive prices; hardly suitable for touring.

Data (model year 2004): Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 50 degree V engine, 1553 cm³, 54 kW (73 PS) at 5300 rpm, weight 317 kg, tank capacity 20 liters, seat height 700 mm, top speed 185 km / h, acceleration 0-100 km / h kA, consumption 6.4 l / 100 km (value of VN 1600 Classic)

Price: from 5500 euros

Used Kawasaki VN 1600 Mean Streak

Kawasaki VN 1700 Voyager Custom

manufacturer

Kawasaki VN 1700 Voyager Custom.

As is so often the case, the latest cruiser trends come from the USA. More precisely: from Harley-Davidson. So also the so-called Bagger Style. Slightly chopped full dressers with a low windshield and a gently sloping rear with side cases, but without a top case, are very popular. The Harley Street Glide (new price: around 23,000 euros) is a prime example. Kawasaki jumped on the bandwagon in 2012 and launched the VN 1700 Voyager Custom for a good 18,000 euros. Still a lot of wood, and in this country the cruiser scene didn’t really want to bite.

In short: The Custom is only sold in homeopathic doses – and rarely at the list price. That should call clever second-hand hunters to the scene, because the technically absolutely great motorcycle is cheap to shoot with an intensive search. High-torque engine and stable chassis, the best long-distance comfort on a wide and ultra-comfortably padded driver’s seat, lavish instrumentation including audio system – yes, cruising on the stylish Custom is a real pleasure. And affordable.

Plus: Effective composite brake; nice, bubbly sound; very stable; beautiful fork; good travel comfort.

Minus: For a cruiser an almost ridiculous payload of only 177 kg; somewhat underdamped struts; low supply of second-hand offers.

Data (model year 2012): Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 55 degree V engine, 1700 cm³, 54 kW (73 HP) at 5000 rpm, weight 386 kg, tank capacity 20 liters, seat height 730 mm, maximum speed k. A., acceleration 0–100 km / h n.a., consumption n.a..

Price: from 9900 euros

Used Kawasaki VN 1700 Voyager Custom

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