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Author Topic:   Suzuki Kicker Motors
RENTER posted 01-11-2011 12:00 PM ET (US)   Profile for RENTER   Send Email to RENTER  
Have a chance to buy a clean 15 Suzuki, 2000 model. Not familiar with brand. Any comments concerning experience with such would be appreciated. Thanks
Tohsgib posted 01-11-2011 01:29 PM ET (US)     Profile for Tohsgib  Send Email to Tohsgib     
2 or 4 stroke? Both are great engines and should be very reliable if in good condition and maintained. I have been using Suzuki outboards since 1981 and have never had a breakdown. I currently own 2 4 strokes.
contender posted 01-11-2011 02:50 PM ET (US)     Profile for contender  Send Email to contender     
Renter,Tohsgib: I'am not knocking Suzuki Outboards, but I'm in Ft. Lauderdale and do not know of one place that fixes them. Unless I do a search in the yellow pages I would not know were to go. I have also heard that they are good engines but trying to get parts are a pain...Since I do not own one I can not knock or praise them or their services...
frontier posted 01-11-2011 03:19 PM ET (US)     Profile for frontier  Send Email to frontier     
From my experience, Suzuki outboards are good but not great.

We had several Suzuki kicker motors from the 1980's and early 90's, all with lower unit corrision and paint problems. They were used in salt water.
Fresh water used Suzuki's seem to be OK.

We also had a 100 HP Suzuki 2-stroke with mechanical problems. Complete electrical failure in the middle of a lake on our 17 Whaler. I found out my paddle works fine! My Suzuki dealer confirmed others had the same problem.

We gave Suzuki another chance a few years ago with several newer 4-Stroke kicker motors. Had some poor quality issues.
In my opinion, they still haven't got it right.

I would recommend Yamaha, Tohatsu, Nissan, and the smaller Mercury's which are made by Tohatsu.

ceshaw posted 01-11-2011 03:47 PM ET (US)     Profile for ceshaw  Send Email to ceshaw     
contender, I gave him the same advice over on the other whaler site too. If you can't support the motor, there's no use in getting it.....regardless how well it holds up.
Tohsgib posted 01-12-2011 01:31 PM ET (US)     Profile for Tohsgib  Send Email to Tohsgib     
Over in Tamps/Sarasota area we have an AWESOME dealer network and parts are easier to find than BRP. Early Suzukis had some corrosion problems just like all older Japanese engines. Suzuki did invent oil injection, Stainless parts like steering arms and lower unit parts along with fuel injection on outboards, can't say much for their smaller engines but their larger ones are state of the art.

I agree though that if in your neck of the woods parts are not available, might not be worth it unless a VERY good price.

SJUAE posted 01-12-2011 02:14 PM ET (US)     Profile for SJUAE  Send Email to SJUAE     
I don't know if the Suzuki 15 is one of those models that uses the same block for a 9 or 15hp, but if not it could be quite heavy for a kicker and possibly overkill on a 20ft hull

If it's not a long shaft, with a high thrust prop and has at least a 6amp alternator would certainly limit its appeal IMO

Regards
Steve

RENTER posted 01-21-2011 08:45 PM ET (US)     Profile for RENTER  Send Email to RENTER     
Thanks for the input. The Suzuki was a 4s used on a sail boat and looked almost as new. After careful consideration I think the best solution is a new Nissan or Tohatsu. Have dealers for both in my area. Bought 3 new Yamahas last year but for a kicker on one of the Whalers I think the others will work fine.

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