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Comparison test, Kawasaki VN 800 Classic, Suzuki VZ 800 Marauder

Kawasaki VN 800 Classic versus Suzuki VZ 800 Marauder

Kawasaki VN 800 and Suzuki VZ 800 – two opportunities to see things from a low level.

Cruisers are earth-bound motorcycles. As if pressed into the balancing act by the weight of their body, they serve as magnificent objects to show the relationship between mass and the gravitational forces resulting from it. But they are visibly resisting: With thick wheels they brace themselves against the fate of stationary operation, they defy the laws of nature from the two hand’s breadth of ground clearance they need to lead an eventful life. Cruiser drivers don’t have it easy either. Depths approaching from all sides increase the agony of choice, conjure up the danger of ending up on the wrong boat. For example, in the upper middle class, the desire for a cruiser automatically led to the saddle of a Kawasaki VN 800 Classic, but since the appearance of the Suzuki VZ 800 Marauder, prospective buyers have literally been sitting between two chairs. At first sight, there are three distinguishing features to help them make decisions. The Suzuki is over 3,000 marks cheaper than the Kawasaki – so what, says the guy with the big wallet. The Kawasaki is more powerful than the Suzuki – so what, says the person who suspects that the pleasure of cruising does not increase proportionally with the power of the engine. The Suzuki (Kawasaki) looks better – pah, says the Kawasaki (Suzuki-) aspirant. No, that won’t lead to anything, so one more try: The VN 800 is heavier than the VZ 800 – a weighty one, not easy to handle Argument to be pointed out that relativizes both the price and performance differences. The more expensive Kawasaki literally offers more motorcycle for more money, and the weaker Suzuki makes up for its performance deficit with a less weighty appearance VN 800 Classic also more lush dimensions: The Kawasaki is a veritable thick ship, degrades the not exactly graceful Suzuki to a dinghy when directly compared. The VN also shows greatness on board. The helmsman sits softly bedded on a spacious cushion, is amazed at how unobtrusively the huge fuel container spreads between his legs, enjoys the unobstructed view of the reflective headlight pot and finally notes with satisfaction that the massive machine can be effortlessly lifted from the long get up of the handlebars from the side stand misalignment to sincerity. The Suzuki commander clearly takes the shorter one. A relatively tight, slightly cranked handlebar reduces the feeling of unrestricted authority, the seating is more of a stool than an upholstered armchair, the tank keeps reminding you that it was primarily designed as a tank and not as a thigh flatterer, and that it was mounted on the fork bridge In moments of leisure, the speedometer prevents the possibility of self-reflection in the chrome of the lamp housing. Regardless of the degree of differences in their physicality, both cruisers have an equally calming charisma. With a low center of gravity, low stalls and playfully presented technology, these machines represent the alpha type among motorcycles – large, powerfully built, demanding, but very, very dear. But first the two must be conquered: steering lock, ignition lock, choke – beautiful over the machines are scattered – want to be found first. But sponge over it: you get used to it. Especially since the two V2 engines – despite their rustic appearance – do not require any tact during and after commissioning: Choke out, press the button, drive a few kilometers, choke in – exemplary. The start of the two 800s from a standing start: on A little gas, the clutch out, and the heavyweights snap forward. The more powerful Kawasaki, despite the load balancing, is even a little more jagged, just as if it had one or two hundred cubes more up its sleeve. The VN two-cylinder also gives the impression of happier willingness to perform in the middle of its creative span and even more so: Where the Suzuki starts shaking from exertion, the Kawasaki is still unmoved. Feel-good cruising at a high, but species-appropriate speed level – for example Motorway speed 130 – only offered by the VN 800. While it purrs confidently at a nerve-friendly, moderate speed level, the considerably shorter geared VZ 800 spreads tingling nervousness, which would make an additional pair of gears in the transmission appear desirable. Overland, on a changeable course, luck strikes on the part of the lighter Suzuki with their more aggressive power transmission – one would think. It is correct that the measured values ​​identify the Marauder as the objectively more powerful machine, but the fact is that little of it comes across emotionally: The VN 800 looks more confident motorized, especially when driving lazy, shows subjectively the harder punch. Fortunately, the Kawasaki is not only good at handing out, with its comfort-oriented coordination it also shows taker qualities. Although a bit stubborn in the face of short, dry bumps, the bottom line is that it offers significantly more comfort than the Suzuki, whose suspension elements are neither appealing nor easy to swallow. The hard tour gets the Marauder into trouble on bumpy, twisting terrain. The stucking fork, the bobbing rear, the only vaguely leading front tire and the early footrests create moving moments in which the desire for wider handlebars and better controllable brakes is excited. Under the same conditions, there is a lot of activity on board the VN 800: Where the Suzuki bucks and wedges, the Kawasaki takes its generic name seriously: it swims and swings over the crests of the asphalt like a ship in rough seas, has similarly long stopping distances, shows similarly blurred steering precision, and abhores larger lopsided sides the UN nevertheless offers the better mood on board: If not heating, then at least enjoy the calm before the storm with serenity and a contemplative state of mind. The Suzuki is also familiar with the term "easy going", but it is more difficult to convincingly fill it with life away from the smoothly ironed slopes. It doesn’t matter, the Marauder would shout, because cruisers are by definition into the wilderness inner-city boulevards of vanities in their element. There, shine and glitter count more than dynamic finesse, there are plenty of opportunities in stop-and-go traffic to act out proud ownership. Or – maybe even better – in front of the trendy Italian. There, of course, caution is required, especially for the Suzuki: While the Kawasaki is pretty free from giddiness, the Suzuki is not so strict about the rules of cruiser construction. Plastic instead of sheet steel, chrome on plastic, cladding everywhere – viewed up close, the Marauder presents itself as the impostor among the low reaches.

Comparison test

Kawasaki VN 800 Classic versus Suzuki VZ 800 Marauder

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