Faults:

No major faults; the start of cracking on the front cylinder header pipe (it is double skinned).

General Comments:

I bought the bike when it was around 3 years old with about 20,000km on the clock. I had it for some 3 years, putting around another 20,000km. I liked the look of the thing, and the slender profile.

The suspension was standard, and needed attention - the front forks were dropped through the triple clamps some 20mm, given heavier oil, and stiffer springs. The rear shock springs were pre-loaded with 12mm fitted sintered nylon disks. Cornering clearance was limited by the center stand and the mufflers; the stand was trimmed and the mufflers modified to allow approximately and extra 10 degrees of lean. Narrower, lower bars were fitted, and a small bikini fairing fitted.

With these changes, it made an excellent touring bike, capable of being a lot of fun on winding mountain roads. It was stable & comfortable on long hauls. It was very comfortable for a pillion.

My complaint? It could have been a great bike, if it had been spec'd differently. If the VX had shed some weight, with an aluminum alloy frame & less unsprung mass (those massive wheel spokes!); if they'd put another disk on the front; and if the engine had been just a little more sharply tuned, it would have had better sales, and way more enthusiasts. Nevertheless, I sold it reluctantly.

Faults:

This bike has had nothing go wrong. Owned one for several years in the late '90's... put 10,000 miles on it without any expense but oil/gas/filters. They are bullet-proof and fun.

General Comments:

Handles really well for all of us that are not flat out racers.

Quick for an 800...roll-on at 40-80 mph like an 1100.

Great bang for the buck and you're riding something that is unique.

Shaft drive is great without the torque shift I had on my BMW 1150. Actually, I feel the VX800 is a better overall bike.

Have had lots of bikes... Suzuki GSX1100G, 1200 Bandit, a few 883's and several Big Twin Harley's, a 650 Triumph Thunderbird, 500 Matchless, Honda Pacific Coast and several old Honda Scramblers... this is my favorite all-around bike.

Now if the Bandit 1200 had shaft drive that'd be my all-time favorite. Super at everything... but I hate the chain maintenance.

Faults:

Original seat tore shortly after purchase. Replaced with an aftermarket seat.

General Comments:

Very fast for a stock bike.

Faults:

When I got the bike @ 8,500 miles, the rear brake rotor was badly grooved and the shocks were trash. Both tires were completely worn out.

General Comments:

The bike has been really fun to ride after I changed the front springs and rear shocks to Progressive pieces.

The brakes could use another disc up front, and also better calipers. Modified Yamaha R6 calipers will work.

The torque developed from only 800cc is amazing (I do wish that it had 6 speeds; the U.S. version is geared too low) with no need to down shift in most situations.