Mean Streak Test Ride - May Trade

[cjjtulsa]

I have an '05 Suzuki M50, and am really interested in the Mean Streak. I got a chance to test ride an '06 today, and am very impressed. Many magazines have bragged about how well the little 800cc M50 handles, and I must say that the Meanie seemed much more balanced and much more comfortable - not to mention the power difference. Was smoother too. So I know I'll take a nasty hit on depreciation, but I'm thinking of trading for a psuedo-Mean Streak - a nearby dealer has 3 leftover '04 Marauder 1600s for $7999. Could there be some reason the 'Rauders didn't sell? If not, I'm feeling like I must have one. I really like the bobbed fender and the different headlight. Please let me know if there was something wrong with the Suzuki version that should keep me away from saving a couple of thousand over an '06 Mean Streak. Thanks.

[Spok]

Our member King of Wings has a Marauder and he loves it. He's had no problems to speak of. They really are the same bike except for the cosmetic issues you mentioned.

You'd be well served with this choice.

[ppark]

Except for the cosmetic differences (e.g., fender and the headlight), Marauder 1600 and MS 1600 are identical. From what I heard, most people like the MS profile better than the Marauder profile (probably due to the rear fender). That + the ending of Suzuki and Kawasaki joint venture (where MS and Marauder 1600 were built by Kawasaki) may explain the sale #.

[Targetbuster]

I'm sure the Marauder is a beauty....no reason I can think of not to jump on it. I personally like them as well as the MS and I have an '02 Meanie. Go for it!!

[trikebubble]

two brother bikes from the same mother. Go for it.

[cjjtulsa]

Thanks for the help. Another thing I have a question about, and was really my only concern from the ride was the shift lever - it was fine on upshifts, but on down shifts I noticed I had to lift my foot off the peg to get it on top of the shift lever to downshift. It was like it was a little too high to get my foot on it. The salesman said he had no trouble, but as he said it was probably because he has much shorter legs (I"m 6'-5"), and my height changed the angle of my foot. Is there a way to adjust the lever down a little so I could more easily access it, or would forward controls help? Already talking about mods before I even get one! Thanks all.

**Edit** OK, nevermind - I saw the "newbie shift pedal" question, and I think same rules may apply to the Mean Streak/Marauder.

[uf-engineer]

A few of my taller riding buds reposition the shifter giving them a better reach. It seems to be quite typical to do this if you’re in the 6’ range. I don’t have this problem. I’m 5’6”. It is easy to do. Loosen the front left peg from the frame. Remove the shifter bolt, 10mm I think. Then rotate the shifter lever on the spine shaft. Most people rotate the shifter one spine over to suit.

Good luck
MC

[troop]

Alot of MeanStreak owners swap out their headlight bucket for the Marauder headlight bucket. Rear fenders are all certainly personal preference. I also thought the shift lever was a little funky so I lowered it a notch to try. After ONE ride it went back to original and it felt natural ever since. I see most guys here are telling you the bikes are exactly the same but we know they're really not. Heck, you think Kawasaki would let the Marauder be equal in performance to the MS ? Certain little "tweeks" help the MS maintain a slight edge... Just kidding(or am I . $7999 is a great price. Go for it and enjoy. Troop

[bross]

Go for it, you'll love the bike. Everyone has pretty much answered your questions. I have an '04 MeanStreak that I installed the Marauder headlight on, just like that light way better than the stock meanie one. As far as the whale tail, personally not my favorite, but it won't affect handling at all and you said you like it, so just post pictures when you buy it. I heard from my local Suzuki dealer as well that they weren't selling the Marauders, which is too bad, they are an awesome bike.

[cjjtulsa]

Crap. Tried to haggle with the dealer on the value of my trade and he won't budge. He wants my bike and $3500 for one of the Marauders - that's about the equivalent of $9900 for the 1600. Don't really think the local Kawi dealer would be able to do that, but was hoping to get him to add another $500 to my trade. Now I'll just have to sit and think about it some more. Thanks for all the help - I intend to join you all on one of these soon.

[traysvega]

Well,I cant say enough about my marauder..I love it..Had a 03 vtx1800 ...It was akward to turn ,,very very heavy,,bars spread way apart...The marauder fits me great...Just so easy to manuver anywhere......I do have a mean streak rear fender I thinking of putting on....And when modded for power,,,has just the right amount,,well, Be nice to have 100 at the rear wheel...But...

[OldStreak]

I plan on buying a Meanie or A Marauder in the near future.
Either would be fine by me.
Where are u living to get that $7999 price??

[OldStreak]

I got a question about the Marauder?
Do you think that the mods posted in the sticky section of this forum would apply to it the same as they apply to the Meanie?

[traysvega]

I actually come here for more info than the suzuki site as the mean streak is the same bike and more have modded the mean streak than the marauder,....Constrictors regulator relocate?....Did it and thank him abunch!!!Everything I've done to mine I think I've learned from someone here.I would have to say Yes to your question.....

[bross]

I got a question about the Marauder?
Do you think that the mods posted in the sticky section of this forum would apply to it the same as they apply to the Meanie?

Yes they are identical bikes, mechanically. When you order parts for your Marauder at your Suzuki dealer, they'll come in a Kawasaki box. Note the boxes that my Suzuki Marauder headlight came in!

[OldStreak]

Thanks!

[EchoOneBravo]

I know I'll take a nasty hit on depreciation, but I'm thinking of trading for...

In the same boat. I seriously considered trading in my '05 Vulcan Classic for first a leftover '05 Honda ST1300, then an '03 BMW R1200CLC. I got bitten by the sport tourer bug. Ultimately, the financial hit of trading in one new bike for another was too great and I'm trying to make my Vulcan my own and be happy with what I have.

Still, if we refi the house or if I come across some cash, that ST1300 could find a home in my garage. Not that I don't love the Vulcan, but...

cjjtulsa, do what works for you. If you have the $$$ to make the trade work, get the bike that will ultimately make you happy. Otherwise, make the one you have your own and try not to look back. Of course, the latter is easier said than done.

[cjjtulsa]

Went ahead and traded. Man, that 1600 is like driving a Caddy compared to the 800 - much smoother and much more torque. I figured my bike wasn't going to get any newer, and the longer I waited the more it is going to depreciate. So I just went with it. God knows there ain't much money at my house, but if I'm going to be paying finance charges along with depreciation I might as well be doing it on something more along the lines of what I want. I would like to paint it in the near future (when there is a hint of money again!) - I'm not too fond of the colors, and I took the black over the only blue one they had (it was scratched up pretty badly). This one has a few scratches that kind of irk me, but sitting in storage for nearly two years probably doesn't help them much. Thanks for all your help.

[bross]

Congrats on your new ride!

[Targetbuster]

Fine looking machine....Congrats!!