KAWASAKI VN800 CLASSIC (1996 - 2004) Review

Year: 1996

Annual servicing cost: £200

I bought my bike second hand at a motorbike shop in 2004. It had just above 14K in kilometers on the clock. Now, twenty years later, I am still the proud owner, making my yearly trips across Europe, riding my business trips within the Netherlands during summer period. This bike cannot fail you: if you treat it well, it is good for you too. Never had sever troubles. In winter it goes to the storage for a couple of months. Just love it. Of course I realise the bike is over 28 years of age now. It will stop at a specific moment. For many, many years I am already looking around for my next bike, for once this moment has come ... but my Kawa just won't stop ... luckely.

Buying experience: Bought i at a dealer for 5K. Money well spent, I can say after 20 years. I realise the economic value of the bike today is much, much less than the emoional value. We have made such much and nice trips together.

Version: Classic

Year: 2002

Transmission needs another gear.

Buying experience: $2000

Year: 2001

I actually bought the bike second (third?) hand about 7 months ago and really have not rode it a lot. However, the height of the bike is excellent for someone who has a 29" inseam. The weight of the bike is manageable to get it back up if it topples over. It is roughly 550 lbs. wet weight. The bike came with aftermarket Cobra pipes which are a bit loud for my taste. I think I would have preferred stock pipes. For the price that I paid, though, it will do just fine. The bike also came with a good size windscreen which helps shield me from assorted flying bugs and debris. Yes the rear brakes are a bit mushy, but supposedly a newer install. The area where I live is rural with few street lights. The big main and dual supplemental headlights are a very much needed feature to drive and watch for deer and other critters that run across our roads at night. I do get compliments on the bike one way or the other and would recommend it to a friend. The bling of the 2001 bike makes it just as sexy as todays bikes in my opinion.

Buying experience: It was bought privately. The couple selling it was asking $1900 and sold it for $1800.

Year: 2003

Annual servicing cost: £100

Great torque for an 800 and relatively vibration free. Never liked the tank mounted speedo and idiot lights

Buying experience: Private sale for $3500 AUD. Great condition for 17 year old bike with only 35000 km

Year: 1998

Annual servicing cost: £60

Does all that I want. It’s no pocket rocket, but it’s lots of fun and very comfortable.

Buying experience: Bought second hand in 2003. From a mate of a mate. Never regretted it.

Year: 1996

Annual servicing cost: £300

Great for short and tall riders especially with the large adjustable driver floorboards. All of the features are wide and fat such as the tank, forks, lights, and fenders. It's got plenty of power and response for a carbed 800 and everyone will think it's got a bigger engine than it does. It has a lot of chrome but just the right amount. Took a star away due to difficult accessibility to internals such as carb and spark plugs. Clearance is a little low also for draining oil but if it were taller than it'd look awkward.

Buying experience: I buy all my bikes privately. I stick with Japanese bikes because they are inexpensive when new and even less when used compared to Harleys or Euro bikes. They can take a beating and still provide years of service after. Parts are easily available for cheap and plenty of info out there on them. Bike was advertised at $2500 with 15k miles but I paid $1750.

Year: 1998

The chrome is not the best and is showing its age

Buying experience: dealer bought from Bournemouth Metric Cruiser's. They offered me three months warranty covered at my local dealer. Free delivery if I did not want the bike could return the same day with only the payment of £120 for the return delivery they could offer no more service. very happy on offer at £1800 AUG 2015. only 12k on the clock in light blue/sliver

This is my first cruiser and therefore really cant compare it to any other cruiser but can add a couple of points to the MCN review . I agree 100% with MCN's review but their fuel consumption figures are NEVER accurate in my expereience . I get 55 mpg under normal everyday use . I purchased this bike for the sole purpose of sedate two-up riding with my partner after getting fed up with feeling like i was doing half a press-up when she was on the back of my VFR and i have to say its an absolute joy to ride two-up . I have a sissy bar on the back so she sits back against that and makes hardly any contact with me at all. I was dubious about the riding position before i tried it but it only takes a few rides before you stop paddling the air trying to find your footpegs and you grow to love the position and relaxed attitude the cruiser-style gives you . Obviously its different to my other bike but not in a negative way .Its fast enough for real-life everyday riding and although the footpegs do ground out earlier than other style of bikes its not an issue under normal everyday riding conditions. You tend to sense when its about to happen and i just take my weight off the peg and let it ride up as it contacts the ground . Its got to the stage now than when i use my VFR for my everyday commute i just wish i was on the VN . I really never thought i would take to this style of bike the way i have . I recently test rode a couple of Harleys and all it did was reaffirm what a nice bike the VN is . The only thing i would change is the soundtrack.......mine has a standard exhaust and is a bit quiet for my taste. If you decide to try a cruiser you might well be pleasantly surprised .