2007 Suzuki VZR1800 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe transmission and clutch complaints: a shudder or judder when pulling away from a stop, gears that are hard to engage, and second gear that slips back to neutral under acceleration. A separate group of complaints covers a loose two-piece rear brake rotor on the same bikes, and a smaller set describes oil or coolant seepage. Many of these reports came in at low mileage, often under about 10,000 miles.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Clutch shudder or judder when pulling away

   Mentioned in 22 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe violent shaking, bucking or lurching when releasing the clutch from a stop, sometimes stalling the engine or making the whole bike feel unstable. Complaints mention the noise and judder being most noticeable in the low-rpm range and during slow traffic starts. According to several complaints, dealers adjusted the clutch cable, replaced the clutch, or told owners the behavior was normal for a high-torque engine. Mostly reported at low mileage, commonly between a few hundred and about 15,000 miles.

   What to check: Test several standing starts and note any shudder, hop of the rear wheel or stalling; ask for service records showing clutch adjustments or replacement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have had numerous issues with my clutch shuttering from day one. I took it to my dealer and they adjusted the cable and told me it was a slipper clutch to keep me from wheeling. I later found out that was a lie. I took it to another dealer to do my first service and complete a recall. I had them address the shutter issue and they stated it was normal, although my clutch was adjusted a little loose. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10252350, filed 2008-12, 9,234 miles

   “My 2007 Suzuki m109r when I take off when. I have had to react fast I let out the clutch and the bike has had a violent shake and bang rumble and at an idle you can here alot of clutch noise you pull the clutch in and it gets quiet.”

   NHTSA complaint #10234832, filed 2008-07, 3,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Second gear slips out to neutral under acceleration

   • 38 complaints (45%)
   • median 8,300 mi at 2.7 yrs old (33 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2026

   Complaints describe the bike dropping out of second gear and back into neutral when the throttle is opened, sometimes with a grinding noise or a hard slam back into gear. Owners report that first-to-second shifts feel rough and that the condition recurs after dealer adjustments or repairs. Several say dealers called the shifting normal for the model or attributed it to rider technique. Reported across the sample from about 1,400 to 40,000 miles, with many under 10,000 miles.

   What to check: On a test ride, accelerate firmly in second gear and watch for the lever popping into neutral or the gear failing to hold. Ask whether the gearbox has been opened or gears and shift forks replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Suzuki boulevard 2007, m109r. Shifting gears becomes very difficult over time and then as it increases the gears then pop out of drive and lose the ability to engage . When driving on the highway it's especially dangerous to lose that function as I found , I was rear ended. This trying to place back in gear damages the clutch and universal and main drive gear.”

   NHTSA complaint #10403942, filed 2011-05, 30,000 miles

   “Transmission popping out of second and sometimes 3rd gear. Happens very often and grinds in most gears. I have had to dealership and was told by service advisor that my cable was adjusted properly and it's a normal characteristic of my bike. After visiting forums it seems to be an ongoing problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10398352, filed 2011-04, 2,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Loose rear brake rotor (two-piece floating disc)

   • 15 complaints (18%)
   • median 7,561 mi at 1.8 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • filed 2008–2009

   Complaints describe play in the two-piece rear rotor, where the rivets or press fittings joining the inner carrier to the outer braking surface work loose. Owners report side-to-side and rotational movement, noise when braking and, in some cases, longer stopping distance. Several say the dealer replaced the rotor under warranty and note that the replacement carries a different part number. Reported from as little as a few hundred miles up to around 10,000 miles.

   What to check: With the rear wheel off the ground, grip the rotor and check for movement between the outer ring and the carrier; ask if the rotor has been replaced and with which part number.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2007 Suzuki m109r motorcycle. The clutch chatters when engaging into gear & pulling off from a stop. This is very dangerous because in traffic, the bike will buck wildly as you try to pull off. This issue was brought up to my dealer but he says the bike is supposed to do this because of the high torque motor. I do not believe this. I believe the clutch is designed poorly. I also had a problem with my rear brake rotor as it came very loose & would make a screeching sound as I applied the brakes. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10234853, filed 2008-07, 1,200 miles

   “Rear brake rotor is a two part semi-floating disc brake rotor. Outer ring of rear brake rotor, where brake pads engage on the disc, has become progressively loose from the carrier unit over time. During the 7500 mile service the technician instructed me to warranty claim the rotor for replacement. Dealer has ordered part and told me that it would be covered under warranty. Please note that the replacement rotor is a different part number than what is on bike as delivered from the dealer for this model year. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10237552, filed 2008-08, 7,500 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Primary drive tube nut backs off, clutch stops engaging

   • 14 complaints (16%)
   • median 5,328 mi at 2.2 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2020

   Several complaints describe the clutch locking up or failing to disengage, with the bike lurching or surging forward at a stop. Owners who had the assembly inspected report that the tube nut on the primary drive gear had backed off, letting the primary gear move and preventing the clutch from operating. The repair was reported as an out-of-pocket engine and clutch job. Reported between roughly 3,500 and 13,000 miles in the sample.

   What to check: Ask whether the primary drive nut has ever been checked or re-torqued, and listen for unusual noise from the clutch area at idle with the lever released.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While riding my Suzuki m109 motorcycle the clutch would not engage. As I squeeze the clutch the bike just jerk forward and cut off. There was tension on the cable but the clutch will not engage. Hear a spinning sound coming from the right side. This has happen to great number of bikes. It appear that the tube nut in the clutch came loose this is a internal nut that is not serviceable. Its apparent that this safety issue is caused by the manufacture. I own this bike for one year and 24 days and have 5400 miles on it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10225808, filed 2008-04, 5,328 miles

   “2007 Suzuki m109r motorcycle. 13,000 miles. While at red light bike abruptly jumps forward causing bike to fall over. With help got bike up, still doing same problem needed towed. Took to dealer found tube nut had came off of gear shaft and ruined clutches a $700.00 repair which I paid. After getting online I found out this is a problem many bikers have contacted american Suzuki with this problem but know recall or warranty was done. I contacted them and all they told me was I should have bought an extended warranty. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10278111, filed 2009-07, 12,847 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Oil or coolant seepage around engine, sump and starter

   • 7 complaints (8%)
   • median 2,700 mi at 1.4 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2007–2011

   A small group of complaints describes oil appearing on the left side of the engine and around the air cleaner, reportedly spraying down the side of the bike while riding. Another owner found coolant residue near the starter and was told by the dealer that coolant leaks were a common visit on this model. In the oil cases, dealers reportedly said the oil tank had been overfilled and, in some instances, declined to repair it. Reported very early, often under about 5,000 miles.

   What to check: Check the left engine area, air cleaner housing and starter region for oil or dried coolant residue, and confirm the oil level was set correctly rather than overfilled.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While waiting at a red light. I smelled coolant which I assume was coming from the car in front of me. I continued to smell coolant whenever I came to a stop. I arrived home and checked for any visible leaks and did not find any. A week later when I was washing my m109r I noticed coolant residue on the starter. I called to make an appointment to have the bike check. I was informed by the dealer that they have a lot of m109rs coming in for coolant leaks. Why is this not a recall?”

   NHTSA complaint #10205080, filed 2007-10, 2,700 miles

   “Have a Suzuki m109r, oil leaks out of left air cleaner and sprays down the side of the motorcycle. Read up on this said it was because dealer overfilled the oil. Will be contacting dealer.”

   NHTSA complaint #10235641, filed 2008-07, 150 miles

Buying note. These bikes come up often enough with gearbox and clutch complaints that a careful test ride through second gear, plus a look at the rear rotor, is worth doing before buying. Service records showing clutch or transmission work, and confirmation of the fuel hose recall, help show how the bike has been maintained.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.