2008 Suzuki VZR1800 Owner Complaints

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 200-300 RPM before shifting up. I am left with a motorcycle that is an actual hazard in the form that it is produced and would like help resolving this issue. I do not mind paying for parts but Suzuki and their dealers refuse to help.

NHTSA ID

11431148

Incident

Aug 29, 2021

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 23,000.

NHTSA ID

10908695

Incident

May 6, 2015

Mileage

23,000 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.

NHTSA ID

10821865

Incident

Jun 6, 2015

Mileage

9,000 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 UNFAIR BECAUSE IT'S A PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF THE M109 I ALMOST WAS REAR ENDED ON SEVERAL OCCASION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10681415

Incident

Aug 19, 2014

Mileage

9,240 mi

2ND GEAR FAILED, SHIFT FORK BENT, 3RD GEAR DOGS SHOW WEAR COST $3,322.33 TO REPAIR

NHTSA ID

10436989

Incident

Oct 16, 2011

Mileage

15,591 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

NHTSA ID

10411907

Incident

Jul 11, 2011

Mileage

5,000 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 WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME MANY TIMES WITHIN THE PAST YEAR OR SO, ITS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10398400

Incident

Aug 14, 2010

Mileage

6,000 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

NHTSA ID

10398329

Incident

Apr 29, 2011

Mileage

9,860 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 ENGINE STOPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. I HAVE ASKED MY RETAILER AND SUZUKI DEALER TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM AND THE RESPONSE IT "IT IS NORMAL" AND SUZUKI HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. HOWEVER, THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AS EVIDENCED BY THE MANY OWNERS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF M109RIDERS.COM AND OTHER OWNER SITES. I HAVE HEARD BUT I DO NOT KNOW FOR SURE, THAT SUZUKI, SINCE 2006, HAS ATTEMPTED TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM BY INCREASING THE SIZE OF HOLES IN THE CLUTCH PLATES. HOWEVER, MY MOTORCYCLE IS A 2008 AND STILL HAS THE ISSUE. THIS HAS NOT CAUSED A COLLISION YET BUT RESULTS IN MANY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED ON THIS SITUATION BEFORE ONE OF THE MANY OWNERS OF THIS MODEL GETS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10342046

Incident

May 1, 2009

Mileage

5,000 mi

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 DEALERS AND THEY HAVE BRUSHED OFF THE PROBLEM BY SAYING ITS A TRAIT OF THE MOTORCYCLE. I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT YET BUT IT IS UNNERVING TO RIDE THE MOTORCYCLE. ON THE M109RIDERS FORUM YOU ARE HEARING MORE AND MORE COMPLAINTS AND A LEAST ONE CRASH AS A RESULT OF THIS ISSUE. APPARENTLY SUZUKI IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT.(SPECULATED TO BE LACK OF PROPER OILING TO THE CLUTCH BASKET) WHICH IS CAUSING THE SHUDDER/CHATTER. ESSENTIALLY THE CLUTCH PLATES ARE TOO DRY TO PERFORM PROPERLY. SUZUKI HAS REPLACED SOME RIDERS CLUTCHES UNDER WARRANTY BUT STILL HAS YET TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. ANY ASSISTANCE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10283496

Incident

Sep 9, 2009