Kawasaki VN 800 Classic Reviews

Watch this item
Kawasaki VN 800 Classic
3.9 stars
Average rating for this product is: 3.9 out of 5

From 8 ratings and 18 reviews

Thumb up 83% of users recommend this product

Rate it Now:

Click on the stars above to rate this product:

Tweet This Item


Average Ratings for Kawasaki VN 800 Classic

  • Build quality4.1 stars
  • Reliability4.4 stars
  • Value for Money4.2 stars
  • Reviewer Ratings4.2 stars
  • Overall Rating4 stars

18 Reviews For Kawasaki VN 800 Classic

  • Guest 7th Oct 2009

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


    Guest's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
    Report this review



    Had only one other bike before this, a Dragstar 1100. Though the VN800 is smaller its more fun,nippier and has a better seating position.Mine has Remus slashcuts and chugs like a Harley.Absolutely love the bike,hits a ton absolutely no problem and is very manoeverable. Fantastic looks, has a metal rear fender(is that standard). Chain is easy enough to maintain but could have done with a centre stand. Got the look of the bike absolutely spot on,great lines,much prettier than the Drag in my opinion,nicer riding position and so far has started first time every time.I'm a fan and will be sticking with Vulcans but would love to try a bigger one.

  • Guest 30th Mar 2009

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


    Guest's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
    Report this review


    I have had my 2003 Kawasaki VN800 for almost 3 years. Its been a great bike. Lots of new fun parts like exhaust, stage 2 carb kit, seat, handlebars and some paint. Very reliable rides great, even after lowered 2 inches and had tons of power after opening the carb and exhaust.

  • happydan1975 18th Jul 2008

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


    happydan1975's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
    Report this review


    Had the bike for almost 1 yr, done 8000km, put shotgun custom pipes on it and different indicators and headlight, sounds and looks like it means business, if I leave it in the shed for a mth it will still start without a problem, at some stage I will buy a Harley, but I will be keeping the vn.

  • nij21 2nd May 2008

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


    nij21's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
    Report this review


    2004 Kawasaki VN 800 Classic, 34000 miles, never missed a beat. Rain, hail, snow and sunshine.
    Touring uk and abroad 2 up, comfy, goes, stops does the biz.
    Completely bog standard bike. Agile through twisties and good in traffic. (no its not my first bike, am 50yrs old also ride a Ducati) to the folk who own one of these and dont like em. Why did ya buy one, didnt you test ride it first?

  • christbz 11th Apr 2008

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


    christbz's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
    Report this review


    I have owned 24 bikes before buying the vn 800 I have had bigger and faster but never more fun to ride, I can recommend one to any new or old rider.

  • zang80 27th Mar 2008

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


    zang80's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
    Report this review


    I'm new to biking only been doing it since Jan 08 and the
    Kawasaki VN 800 Classic is my first bike (yikes) and man is it great! The normal seat does take its toll on your bum but now mines been converted to a single seat and is much better. I've put some loud pipes on as the stand ish wasnt loud enough and now my neighboughs hate me but hey Loud Pipes Save Lives (and sound effin awsome)
    I also bought this bike due to this site giving me confidance in the VN800.... I was gonna go for a yamaha d ...

  • Guest 8th Feb 2008

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


    Guest's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
    Report this review


    Owned my Kawasaki VN800 for 6 years from new, never broken down,
    Only needed a new battery. Maintenance oil, ect
    Ride to south of France & back, 3000 miles in a week no problem for this bike. Starts every time.
    Nice smart looking cruiser, nice road handling, no vibration low down, comfortable, except for seat.
    Electrics no problem, even after going through rain storms.

  • treestump 16th Jul 2007

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


    treestump's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
    Report this review


    I have had my 1996 Kawasaki VN 800a Classic for 4 years now and it has always been reliable. Looks and handles well and custom parts are easy to get online. It is less costly to run than those American machines, and to be honest also better looking.
    Well done Kawasaki, this will be a great classic!

  • classicko 20th Jun 2007

    Reviewer rating: 3.5 stars


    classicko's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
    Report this review


    I have just come back to biking after a long time of owning a car due to family etc. The bike looks good - even my children of 15 and 17 think its cool! It is just the right size, not to big and not to small. I have loved every mile so far and so has the wife which must be a bonus. Will update in a few months.

  • dazvn800 Rank: Corporal 27th Jan 2007

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


    dazvn800's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
    Report this review


    I love the Kawasaki VN 800 Classic and would welcome another without reservations.

  • 2pyrs Rank: Staff Sergeant 15th Jan 2007

    Reviewer rating: 1.5 stars


    2pyrs's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
    Report this review


    Gentlemen just think what you could have if you did a tear down and re-geared it so it would respond better and not sound like it just ate a bag of marbles. I wonder how you would feel after a 1000 mile trip on a new Mustang seat compared to the factory one. What I like best is the re-jet and marbling the pollution, warm up in haft the time and no more back firing. Some of the older models are not as bad as the 05 B but I would still beware of the possible carbon build up, check those plugs to ...

  • Dixie Bob Rank: Lance Corporal 13th Jan 2007

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


    Dixie Bob's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
    Report this review


    I confess I customized this 800 with a Cobra seat, wind shield, cobra bags and various cosmetic add-ons including a fantastic custom paint job which made the custom work cost as much as the original bike price. So what?

    It was a beautiful thing - poetry in motion! As comfortable as any BMW I ever owned!

    Turning 75 years old caused me to rethink motorcycling and I took up sky diving.

    Dixie Bob

  • 2pyrs Rank: Staff Sergeant 13th Jan 2007

    Reviewer rating: 2 stars


    2pyrs's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
    Report this review


    I am down to the last few parts on my tear down and have $3,000.00 in parts to put on after the paint job is done. I'm having the new engine re-built so it runs better and have rebuilt the carb-jetting and a few other tricks to make it work better. Next, it will do a few shows and then I will replace it with a Honda.

  • stevem 22nd Nov 2006

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


    stevem's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
    Report this review


    I have owned the bike from new and she has never let me down.

  • 2pyrs Rank: Staff Sergeant 19th Apr 2006

    Reviewer rating: 1.5 stars


    On average, people found this review very helpful
    Report this review


    The VN 800 Classic is one of the poorest bikes Kawasaki has made to date. I can understand why Suzuki decided to move on and cut all ties with Kawasaki.
    Seat gone, shock reset pegs going grips replaced, tail light next replacing with led and better profile one. Waiting for new head light and turn signals. While waiting for parts ordered new paint job and then find some fool to buy it. Back to Yamaha 

  • kevxh 27th Dec 2005

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


    kevxh's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
    Report this review


    The Kawasaki VN 800 Classic is possibly the best middleweight cruiser around. Faultless throughout the three years I've owned it, compared to similar machines the VN left them for dead on handling and with minor tweaks (exhaust, re-jet and decent air filter) made it capable of lifting the front on take off and beating all the common 600s ie bandit! Turns heads a bit!
    From 90 onwards it's not so happy, but that's not the point of buying one.

  • bonzothedog Rank: Lance Corporal 11th Jun 2004

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


    bonzothedog's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
    Report this review


    I bought the Kawasaki VN 800 Classic bike just over a year ago. Having just passed my direct access, I wanted a bike that looked good and went well, but not too heavy, as my partner had just passed her test too, and is only 5'3". I have done over 6k miles up to date, and it has never missed a beat. Distances of over 300 miles at a time are a doddle. The only problem I have is the chain drive. When every other cruiser on the market is belt or shaft, why do Kawasaki feel the need to complicate thi ...

  • bluey104 Rank: Lance Corporal 9th May 2004

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


    On average, people found this review very helpful
    Report this review


    I have recently returned to motor cycling and wanted a Kawasaki 1500cc but money dictated my choice of an Kawasaki VN 800 Classic. The year model didn't worry me because it only had done 28,000km. I love it's power which only requires a wrist movement to engage. It does handle well. I had to purchase one of those plastic cruise controls for the throttle grip - for a ridiculous price to stop my hand from numbing. Its got a great sound with custom pipes and turns a few heads. I like it and gl ...