Suzuki VL800 Volusia

Here you have something that steers and handles with the best in class - up to a point. The VL is set very low to get a seat height that's so close to the ground you begin to wonder whether you sat on it. As a result, we suspect suspension travel has been compromised and know cornering clearance has.

In real life the bike steers well and the suspension response is fine - if a little bouncy over small ripples in the road surface. Given bigger craters in the road, you discover it still handles well enough but runs out of cornering clearance very fast...and it didn't have a lot to start with.

The powerplant is a variation on the VX800 streetbike engine from the 1980s - which is a good thing as the VX is one of the most under-rated bikes in living memory. It's been restyled externally and modified internally. Now it has a little less top-end, we suspect, but has a nice off-beat feel to it - though it likes a long warm-up to wake up properly.

Styling is simple, with lots of black paint and chrome, plus real wire-spoke wheels. Braking is good, with plenty of feel - typical cruiser long lever travel at both ends, with the front being a single disc and the rear a drum. The latter is unusual these days.

The minimalist digi dash (a tiny window in the tank-mounted speedo) includes a fuel guage or alternative trip meter, while we like the steering-head-mounted ignition key that also locks the steering. Other cruiser makers should copy it.

Cornering clearance is poor, though you can safely work it to the max as you get plenty of warning from the footpeg hero knobs. Short and tall riders will be happy with the rider seating.

Don't look for hair-raising performance, but it's adequate while the shaft drive and gearbox combo are very well sorted.

This is easily Suzi's best cruiser effort yet and is among the most rider-friendly packages on the scene. It's also fun and looks like a bought one...

Story: Guy Allen