Looking to get some thoughts on taking on Suzuki Outboards at our dealership. We've been in business for several years and have been a Mercury dealer since 1996 or so. Just looking at different brands to offer in addition to Mercury. Suzuki seems to have a pretty good new dealer set up program. Any thoughts?

As a comsumer, the big negative in NE Texas is a almost total lack of dealerships. I live on a NE Texas lake and for several years I ask every angler that I saw about their Suzuki outboard and NEVER got a negative response. The Suzuki dealership that was in Tyler closed their doors several years ago (why, I don't know). I used to own a Honda 4 stroke and never had a minute of trouble out of it but the Honda is in the same arena, no service in my area, so as a result I will not own another unless a Honda dealership open within close driving distance. If that happened and I bought another rig it would have a Honda on it.

I am on 2 lakes a lot and rarely if ever see one, same as above, I have always had Mercury & Johnson, if I have to replace my Johnson it will be Yamaha or Mercury. I hope it runs forever! I would not buy a Suzuki.

We were a Suzuki dealer and dropped them. There customer service was poor and anytime you spoke with a rep. they treated you like you were bothering them. I think this attitude towards their customers/dealers is why there are so few dealers.

Have never had an issue with mine and they are all over the coast

As long as Mercury is around, I would never buy a suzuki. Lack of dealers and parts. Why would someone want to sell an engine that is not as convenient as the ones that they already sell? My guess is suzuki is trying to convince you that they offer more profit in each sale.

I appreciate all the comments. Keep them coming.
@xanadu I completely hear what you're saying, and I have absolutely NO intention of dumping one of, if not the best selling outboard in the USA for another brand. I'm simply looking to add another brand for mostly service aspects, but also for those folks who just don't like the Merc because of the old idea of "how hard they are to start". Some just hang on to those old ideas. I personally am die hard Phantom Black.

i think parts are a big problem on anything suzuki builds, seems like i always had trouble getting parts and the recycled parts were few and far between in the north texas area

I'm my experience suzukis aren't know to be on many go fast boats. They have a hellacious gear case and lots of torque throughout the power band which is why they are so popular down here on the coast. The go fast guys stick with their pro xs's and sho's weighing about 60+-lbs. I personally loved the timing chain vs belt that never needs adjusment. The old 2 strokes were total junk and yes parts are hard to come by but being a dealer will help those around you.

I have a new Suzuki DF200 and so far I love it. It has a 6 year warranty, was cheaper than the Yamaha, starts every time, runs quiet and is plenty fast for me. Previously I owned two Merc's (purchased brand new) and had nothing but trouble with both of them. Both of my Merc's were hard starting and left me stranded on the water several times.

I'm not into the whole speed demon thing and usually cruise it around 35mph, but have gotten it up to 58mph once on a calm day. It has been very dependable and that's what matters most to me.

I've run/run Suzuki's and like them, I have an 18 foot Javelin with a 115 and it's a beast out of the hole and hasn't let me down. As mentioned parts and service may have some good potential as there's not many around that do it. I get my stuff from Brownspoint all the way up in NJ.

My old '86 Skeeter had a 115 Suzuki and it was bulletproof other than a water pressure sensor. Ran it hard for 6 years and it never left me stranded.

Back then they were known to be a little slower than the others but I did not care.