2008 Suzuki Vzr1800 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train:manual Transmission (4) · Power Train (4) · Power Train:driveline (1)
Safety recalls (1)
Seats:motorcycle 2015-06-23 · campaign 15E053000 · 308 vehicles
Defect: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain Accessory Backrest Mounting Hardware kits, part numbers 990A0-75148 and 990A0-75148-BLK, manufactured March 1, 2012, to April 21, 2015. The affected hardware kits are for installing accessory backrests on 2006-2015 Suzuki VZR1800 (Boulevard M109R) motorcycles. The mounting hardware kits may include four 110mm bolts instead of two 75mm bolts and two 95mm bolts.
Risk: If the backrest is installed with bolts that are too long, the mounting bolts may contact the rear tire, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will correct the mounting hardware as needed, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-444-5077.
Service bulletins (1)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2008-02-22 · 61 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
additional service manual information - isc valve reset for model vzr1800/zk8 2008. *pe
What owners report
2021-08-31 · Power Train“i recently purchased a 2008 m109 and had no issues for the first 24 hours. however the next day at a stoplight experienced my first engine shudder from stopped to 1st gear that resulted in tire spin on rear tire and then stall. i have read this is a known issue with the clutch hub but suzuki will not address. also related is a high grinding 200-30…”
2016-09-22 · Power Train · 23,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 suzuki vzr1800. while driving 20 mph and shifting from first to second gear, the gear independently shifted out of second gear into neutral. the failure recurred each time the vehicle was driven. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 2…”
2016-01-23 · Unknown Or Other · 9,000 mi“there is a violent shudder when taking off in first gear which is very dangerous on a motorcycle when pulling out into traffic. talking to other owners and mechanic...it seems to be a problem with the clutch and springs and apparently a problem with several of these bikes.…”
2015-02-05 · Power Train · 9,240 mi“when riding my motorcycle it jumps out of 2nd gear at 2000-3000 rpm,s. i contacted the suzuki corporation. i asked if they had a recall on this problem and they stated no. i was told to take my bike to the dealer and let them diagnose the problem and i would have to pay for the repairs. my bike is a 2008 with less than 10,000 miles on it. this is u…”
2011-11-16 · Power Train:manual Transmission · 15,591 mi“2nd gear failed, shift fork bent, 3rd gear dogs show wear cost $3,322.33 to repair …”
2011-07-11 · Power Train:manual Transmission · 5,000 mi“2nd gear jumping out and causing slowing down in traffic when supposed to be accelerating. many times.has been "fixed" twice under warranty but still happens. its a saftey issue and i doubt i will buy another suzuki and i owned one for 14 years prior to this one *tt…”
2011-05-01 · Power Train:manual Transmission · 6,000 mi“ i have a suzuki blvd m109r i am having problems with my second gear jumping out of gear suddenly. i am riding along and the bike will start to slow down while i am twisting the throttle for the bike to accelerate. suzuki claims that there are no problems with the transmission on these bike but i have seen the damage that can be done to the tranny…”
2011-04-30 · Power Train:manual Transmission · 9,860 mi“while merging into traffic shifted to 2nd gear and just as i was changing lanes into flow of traffic my motorcycle pops itself into neutral losing all forward motion. i had to swerve back onto shoulder to avoid being struck from behind, this has happened a few times since and scares the hell out of me. *tr…”
2010-07-08 · Power Train · 5,000 mi“the vehicle is a motorcycle called a suzuki vzr 1800 or m109r. the failure involves releasing the clutch to engage the vehicle. when releasing the clutch there is a "shudder" or a "jerking" by the clutch that causes massive vibration to the whole vehicle. this mainly results in (1) loss grip of the handle bars (2) loss of balance (3) and the eng…”
2009-09-09 · Power Train:driveline“i own a 2008 suzuki vzr1800n or m109r motorcycle. for the last several months including today the bike has developed a violent shudder or chatter while disengage the clutch in first and second gear. it happens mostly right after warm up and continues up until you run it through the gears a couple of times. i have spoken to three different suzuki de…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.