NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
29 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Aug 7, 2020
Power Train
I HAVE A 2006 M109R WITH THE INFAMOUS 2ND GEAR SLIPPING OUT IN TO NEUTRAL ISSUE. THE BIKE HAS 12,000 MILES BUT THE SYMPTOMS STARTED AS EARLY AS 7,000 MILES. I HAVE THE BIKE IN THE SHOP WITH A $3600 BILL FOR FIXING THE TRANSMISSION. I'VE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS OF THIS NATURE WITH ANY OTHER MOTORCYCLES I'VE EVER OWNED. I OWN A…
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I HAVE A 2006 M109R WITH THE INFAMOUS 2ND GEAR SLIPPING OUT IN TO NEUTRAL ISSUE. THE BIKE HAS 12,000 MILES BUT THE SYMPTOMS STARTED AS EARLY AS 7,000 MILES. I HAVE THE BIKE IN THE SHOP WITH A $3600 BILL FOR FIXING THE TRANSMISSION. I'VE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS OF THIS NATURE WITH ANY OTHER MOTORCYCLES I'VE EVER OWNED. I OWN A 2016 DUCATI MONSTER 1200R THAT SHIFTS PERFECTLY. SUZUKI DROPPED THE BALL WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS AND SHOULD OWN UP TO IT.
NHTSA ODI #11343955
22,500 miles · Apr 15, 2020
Power Train
THE 2006 VZR1800 SUZUKI MADE, AS WELL AS MODELS UP THOUGH 2010 HAVE SHIFTING FORKS IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT ARE TOO SOFT, THEY BEND AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SENT BACK INTO NEUTRAL. UNDER EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCE WHERE RIDERS DO NOT HAVE THE FINANCIAL MEANS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, >$3000+S&H [MYSELF INCLUDED], THE TRANSMISSION FULLY LOCK…
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THE 2006 VZR1800 SUZUKI MADE, AS WELL AS MODELS UP THOUGH 2010 HAVE SHIFTING FORKS IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT ARE TOO SOFT, THEY BEND AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SENT BACK INTO NEUTRAL. UNDER EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCE WHERE RIDERS DO NOT HAVE THE FINANCIAL MEANS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, >$3000+S&H [MYSELF INCLUDED], THE TRANSMISSION FULLY LOCKS UP, THE REAR WHEEL ALSO, AND THE MOTOR. CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OCCURS. RIDER INJURY IS HIGHLY LIKELY IN THIS EVENT. THE ABOVE MENTIONED EVENT HAPPENS WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE IS IN OPERATION WITH RIDER ENGAGED, ANYTIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11321260
16,823 miles · Aug 1, 2019
Power Train
THE BIKE HAS A ROUTINE SLIP IN 2ND GEAR ONLY ABOVE 20 MPH AT A DEAD STOP. IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR UNDER HEAVY ACCELERATION, AS THE SLIP COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR RIDER INJURY. THE SLIPPING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR IS WORSE WHEN THERE'S A PASSENGER AND/OR HEAVIER LOADS. THIS ISSUE CAUSES YOU TO E…
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THE BIKE HAS A ROUTINE SLIP IN 2ND GEAR ONLY ABOVE 20 MPH AT A DEAD STOP. IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR UNDER HEAVY ACCELERATION, AS THE SLIP COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR RIDER INJURY. THE SLIPPING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR IS WORSE WHEN THERE'S A PASSENGER AND/OR HEAVIER LOADS. THIS ISSUE CAUSES YOU TO EITHER SKIP 2ND GEAR OR NOT RIDE THE BIKE AT ALL. THE REPAIR IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND TIMELY, IF YOU CAN EVEN GET ANYONE TO DO THE WORK. I'VE OWNED SEVERAL SUZUKI'S AND HAVE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE, BUT THIS ONE IS VERY DISAPPOINTING. SUZUKI REFUSES TO ASSIST AT ALL, AND THERE ARE SEVERAL CASES OF THE EXACT SAME THING, ESPECIALLY WITH 2006 AND 2007 MODELS. MY BIKE ONLY HAS 15,000 MILES ON IT WITH LOTS OF CUSTOM ACCESSORIES. IT'LL ALL GO TO WASTE IF I TRADE OR SELL BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11241099
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2015
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI VZR1800K6 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR BEFORE IT SEIZED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI VZR1800K6 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR BEFORE IT SEIZED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 0.
NHTSA ODI #10678554
6,000 miles · Mar 20, 2014
Power Train
BIKE WOULD BUCK, AS IF MAYBE BROKEN TEETH ON GEAR, POP OUT OF GEAR, AND ON OTHER OCCASIONS ACT NORMAL, TOOK BIKE IN UNDER WARRANTY TOLD ME IT WAS A CLUTCH PROBLEM, KEPT BIKE EXCESSIVE TIME SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED CLUTCH. PICKED UP THE BIKE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED, TOOK IT BACK, THEY TEST DROVE IT, DID NOT SEE A PROBLEM. SO I TOOK IT H…
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BIKE WOULD BUCK, AS IF MAYBE BROKEN TEETH ON GEAR, POP OUT OF GEAR, AND ON OTHER OCCASIONS ACT NORMAL, TOOK BIKE IN UNDER WARRANTY TOLD ME IT WAS A CLUTCH PROBLEM, KEPT BIKE EXCESSIVE TIME SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED CLUTCH. PICKED UP THE BIKE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED, TOOK IT BACK, THEY TEST DROVE IT, DID NOT SEE A PROBLEM. SO I TOOK IT HOME AGAIN PROBLEM GOT WORSE AGAIN, DID NOT HAVE TIME TO GET IT BACK TO THEM, WHEN I FINALLY GOT TIME TO TAKE IT BACK, THEY SAID IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY BUT THEY ATTEMPTEDE ANOTHER REPAIR ANYWAY, RETURNED IT TO ME SAYING IT WAS REPAIRED. TURNED OUT STILL THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THEN STREESED IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THE REPAIR WOULD COST APPROX. $2000 TO REPAIR. TOO MAKE A LONGER STORY SHORT I HAVE LIVED WITH IT BUT NOW IT CONSTANTLY POPS OUT OF SECOND GEAR. THE ONLY WAY TO RIDE IT IS TO BYPASS 2ND GEAR!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10573834
21,000 miles · May 21, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI VZR1800 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND FORCED THE CONTACT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED IN SECOND GEAR. THE CONTACT CALLED TO SPEAK WITH THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI VZR1800 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND FORCED THE CONTACT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED IN SECOND GEAR. THE CONTACT CALLED TO SPEAK WITH THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10513023
4,100 miles · May 23, 2011
Power TrainSuspension
I RECENTLY TOOK A RIDE ON MY 2006 SUZUKI M109R AND THE TRANSMISSION KEPT SLIPPING IN AND OUT OF 1ST-4TH GEARS WHILE I WAS ACCELERATING. IF I ACCELERATED VERY SLOWLY THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN SO I RODE HOME SLOWLY. LAST FRIDAY THE 20TH OF MAY 2011 I WAS CHANGING MY OIL ON MY MOTORCYCLE AND BEFORE LOWERING THE LIFT TO CLEAN UP I NOTICE…
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I RECENTLY TOOK A RIDE ON MY 2006 SUZUKI M109R AND THE TRANSMISSION KEPT SLIPPING IN AND OUT OF 1ST-4TH GEARS WHILE I WAS ACCELERATING. IF I ACCELERATED VERY SLOWLY THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN SO I RODE HOME SLOWLY. LAST FRIDAY THE 20TH OF MAY 2011 I WAS CHANGING MY OIL ON MY MOTORCYCLE AND BEFORE LOWERING THE LIFT TO CLEAN UP I NOTICED THE REAR SWING ARM WAS CRACKED IN 2 PLACES. IT IS CRACKED NEAR THE MOUNTING FLANGE FOR THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. I WAS NOT RIDING WHEN IT BROKE. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN THE SPEED LIMIT ON I-90 GOING TO STURGIS,SOUTH DAKOTA IS 75MPH AND I BELIEVE THE RESULTS WOULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. THE SWING ARM ON A MOTORCYCLE WITH ONLY 4100 MILES ON IT SHOULD NOT BREAK. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION IS PROBABLY MESSED UP BECAUSE OF THE SWING ARM FAILURE. I PROBABLY GOIN TO SELL THIS MOTORCYCLE WHEN I GET IT REPAIRED BECAUSE IT SCARES ME TO DEATH THAT EVEN A NEW SWING ARM COULD BREAK ON ME AS WELL. WHY WOULDN'T IT THE FIRST ON DID AT ONLY 4100 MILES!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10402472
28,000 miles · May 4, 2011
Power Train
THIS IS A SECOND GEAR ISSUE. THE BIKE HAS ALWAYS HAD A BAD MESHING PROBLEM BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR AS DOES ALL OF THE SUZUKI M109R BIKES. MY BIKE REALLY STARTED GETTING WORSE AT TOWARDS THE END OF 2010 AND FINALLY STARTED JUMPING OUT OF SECOND GEAR AT THE END OF SEPT., 2010. IT IS A CONSISTENT ISSUE THAT HAPPENS ANYTIME A …
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THIS IS A SECOND GEAR ISSUE. THE BIKE HAS ALWAYS HAD A BAD MESHING PROBLEM BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR AS DOES ALL OF THE SUZUKI M109R BIKES. MY BIKE REALLY STARTED GETTING WORSE AT TOWARDS THE END OF 2010 AND FINALLY STARTED JUMPING OUT OF SECOND GEAR AT THE END OF SEPT., 2010. IT IS A CONSISTENT ISSUE THAT HAPPENS ANYTIME A LOAD IS PUT ON THE ENGINE IN SECOND GEAR WHICH EFFECTS THE ACCELERATION OF THE BIKE. THE PROBLEM WILL CONTINUE TO GET WORSE IF THE BIKE IS CONTINUALLY RIDDEN WHICH AFFECTS MY TIME ON THE BIKE AND TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS GOING TO COST ANYWHERE BETWEEN $2500-$3000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10399082
1,600 miles · May 3, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI VZR1800 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT OUT OF GEAR FROM FIRST TO SECOND WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THAT ONE OF THE NUTS ON THE CLUTCH WAS LOOSE AND THE SHIFTER WAS DEFECTIVE WHICH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI VZR1800 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT OUT OF GEAR FROM FIRST TO SECOND WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THAT ONE OF THE NUTS ON THE CLUTCH WAS LOOSE AND THE SHIFTER WAS DEFECTIVE WHICH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000. UPDATED 06/07/11 *LJ UPDATED 09/01/11*JB
NHTSA ODI #10398801
22,000 miles · May 2, 2011
Power Train
MY 2006 SUZUKI M109R, JUMPS OUT OF 2ND GEAR UNDER ACCELERATION. I HAVE TWO OF THESE BIKES AND THE SECOND BIKE EXPERIENCES THE SAME ISSUE FROM TIME TO TIME. THE FIRST BIKE I HAVE REPAIRED THE ISSUE ON MY OWN WITH AFTERMARKET PARTS AS THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10398469