2001–2004 · Cruiser · Buyer's Guide
Chrome, Low, And Affordable
The Volusia is a middleweight that looks and feels like a much bigger motorcycle. Long, low, bobber-inspired and heavy on the chrome, it gets the cruiser stance right, and that's the part you can't fake. Under the tank sits an 805 cc liquid-cooled 45° V-twin with 53 hp and 48 lb-ft, feeding a 5-speed gearbox and a shaft drive. There's no ABS, no traction control and no ride modes: just a steel double-cradle frame, a carburetor and a choke. It's the value-oriented way into the cruiser world, and it plays that role honestly.
On the road it's relaxed rather than fast. The twin has a throaty, easy pull, the bike runs straight and calm at highway speed, and it's friendly enough for almost anyone. It suits daily commuting and unhurried weekend rides, and the shaft keeps the running costs down. The caveats come with pace and age. Push hard through fast corners and the front end turns vague. Higher-mileage engines can start drinking oil, and the fuel system doesn't like sitting on old gas. Buy it for the stance and the calm. Not for speed.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 53 hp (39 kW) @ 6,000 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 48 lb-ft (65 Nm) @ 5,000 rpm |
| Displacement | 805 cc |
| Engine | 45° V-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 5-speed |
| Final drive | Shaft |
| Front tire | 130/90-16 |
| Rear tire | 170/80-15 |
| Seat height | 27.6 in (701 mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.2 gal (16 L) |
| Top speed | 110 mph (177 km/h) |
Equipment check
Chassis
I've spent years listening to how riders talk about their bikes: in paddocks, at club nights, in owner chats and in the messages you send me. For the Volusia the picture is consistent. People praise it for long-distance comfort and for what it gave them for the money, and the complaints center on cold mornings and how the bike ages.
The most common praise is for the all-day riding posture. Riders say the well-padded seat and feet-forward position hold up over distance, and many use the bike as a light tourer. Value comes next: owners describe a full-size cruiser experience at an entry-level price, which made it a popular first bike. The shaft drive gets credit for keeping things clean and convenient. A few owners add that the V-twin passes 60,000 miles (about 96,500 km) with proper maintenance. That's a lot of miles.
The recurring gripe is cold-weather behavior: owners say it's hard to start and keep running until it's properly warm. Some mention paint and chrome that wore and corroded early, taking the edge off the look. Others report an unsettled front end at higher cornering speeds, and a number describe oil consumption above the normal rate. Not a spotless record.
Front-end instability
The front suspension and geometry can feel vague and loose when cornering at speed, reducing rider confidence.
Excessive oil consumption
Some owners report oil consumption of up to a quart every 500 miles, often starting around 25,000 miles. The cause is unclear but may involve piston ring sealing.
Carburetor flooding / fuel pump failure
The vacuum-operated fuel pump can fail or the carburetor may flood, causing the engine to stall or refuse to start without priming. Often related to old fuel or ethanol damage.
Cold start difficulty
The engine is notably cold-blooded; in temperatures below 60°F (15°C) it requires full choke and extended warm-up, and may stall unless kept at high idle.
Where this Suzuki VL 800 Volusia pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the VL 800 Volusia is actually built for.
You get the stance, the chrome and a proper V-twin beat for small money. But if the badge on the tank is part of your ritual, be honest with yourself: this one sells substance, not brand identity.
Made for Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week
Small towns, back roads, a calm rhythm: that's exactly this bike's pace. The low seat, shaft drive and 4.2 gal (16 L) tank make it an easy companion, as long as you keep the corners unhurried.
Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway
Not your bike. With 53 hp, no cruise control and no luggage system, it runs out of answers two-up and fully loaded on long days. Fine for a weekend, too little for coast to coast.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
