Suzuki Intruder

[Kijona]

I had a chance to ride (briefly) a 1996 Suzuki Intruder 800 - first ride on a Japanese 45° v-twin/cruiser type. Wow! What a (good) difference versus a Harley! Much smoother.

What do you guys think about this bike? I've been thinking I might pick one up.

[bombsquad83]

Yep.  Personally I think it's a little silly that Harley won't update their motors significantly.  Just adding a balance shaft would make the bike so much smoother...

[yamahonkawazuki]

Yep.  Personally I think it's a little silly that Harley won't update their motors significantly.  Just adding a balance shaft would make the bike so much smoother...

they have those on some models. The main issue for roughness is that most of their engines share a common crankpin. Hence the potato sound

[Cerberus73]

I own a 86 VS1400 Intruder.. 86-87 (they started making them in 86.. but started selling them in 87 mines being a grey import from the US to the UK is registered as a 86.. as its year of manufacture) is the best year.. more HP out of the box, bulletproof 4 speed box. after that up to the last from the early 90s on they got more strangled with emissions gear, and the 5 speed box is weaker. it isn't about jumping up and down cogs with them.. but turbine like torque. if i had the choice between the 800 and the 1400.. id take the 1400 every time. its surprisingly small for a bike that size.. my sister has a Kawasaki drifter 800.. its massive compared to my Intruder. and so sluggish in comparison.. and i love the shaft drive.. one down side of the intruder.. the tank is small for a bike that size. the GS has near double the capacity.

Weak points.. Tank size, the Igniter box is no longer made (early years) and the clutch springs need replacing quite often.. they were basically to weak for the bike so get tired relatively quickly. 35 - 40mpg.. see small tank.. about a 120-130 mile range.

Plus points.. comfy as a couch if set up right, cheap to buy compared to a harley... better than a harley, reliable lazy touring. Hydraulic tappets, hydraulic clutch (good if its working great.. they can get sticky.. see weak springs.. and master cylinder seals get kaput if laid up.. but cheap to fix) if you buy one look  up "designer springs for suzuki intruder" they are made by a guy on the US owners site, and are way better than standard fittment.

Only cruiser of that era i wanted more than this barge was a Honda Magna... i missed a gorgeous purple coloured low miles one 2 days before i bought my intruder instead. The magna is a quick bike for a cruiser.. and comfier than a V-max if not quite as quick.

[yamahonkawazuki]

Still liked my 883c. 2003. But speaking ofvthe magna, was it a v45 or v65?. Ive serviced many

[Cerberus73]

It was a v65 a 1986 or 87 model 11k miles from new... I missed it by 5 min. Still kicking myself over that. My sis had a 87 vfr at the time and loved how great that motor was.

[yamahonkawazuki]

Tbh i hated the 65s. They can be problematic vs the 45s

[The Buddha]

It was a v65 a 1986 or 87 model 11k miles from new... I missed it by 5 min. Still kicking myself over that. My sis had a 87 vfr at the time and loved how great that motor was.

Super magna - - not as easy as you think to maintain one of those. The 1400 intru stomps that bike any where any time.
Cool.
Buddha.

[yamahonkawazuki]

It was a v65 a 1986 or 87 model 11k miles from new... I missed it by 5 min. Still kicking myself over that. My sis had a 87 vfr at the time and loved how great that motor was.

Super magna - - not as easy as you think to maintain one of those. The 1400 intru stomps that bike any where any time.
Cool.
Buddha.

had to do a carb overhaul on a 65. In 90f high humidity weather. I was cursing that bike

[Kijona]

I own a 86 VS1400 Intruder.. 86-87 (they started making them in 86.. but started selling them in 87 mines being a grey import from the US to the UK is registered as a 86.. as its year of manufacture) is the best year.. more HP out of the box, bulletproof 4 speed box. after that up to the last from the early 90s on they got more strangled with emissions gear, and the 5 speed box is weaker. it isn't about jumping up and down cogs with them.. but turbine like torque. if i had the choice between the 800 and the 1400.. id take the 1400 every time. its surprisingly small for a bike that size.. my sister has a Kawasaki drifter 800.. its massive compared to my Intruder. and so sluggish in comparison.. and i love the shaft drive.. one down side of the intruder.. the tank is small for a bike that size. the GS has near double the capacity.

Weak points.. Tank size, the Igniter box is no longer made (early years) and the clutch springs need replacing quite often.. they were basically to weak for the bike so get tired relatively quickly. 35 - 40mpg.. see small tank.. about a 120-130 mile range.

Plus points.. comfy as a couch if set up right, cheap to buy compared to a harley... better than a harley, reliable lazy touring. Hydraulic tappets, hydraulic clutch (good if its working great.. they can get sticky.. see weak springs.. and master cylinder seals get kaput if laid up.. but cheap to fix) if you buy one look  up "designer springs for suzuki intruder" they are made by a guy on the US owners site, and are way better than standard fittment.

Only cruiser of that era i wanted more than this barge was a Honda Magna... i missed a gorgeous purple coloured low miles one 2 days before i bought my intruder instead. The magna is a quick bike for a cruiser.. and comfier than a V-max if not quite as quick.

Nice information. Thanks!

[The Buddha]

It was a v65 a 1986 or 87 model 11k miles from new... I missed it by 5 min. Still kicking myself over that. My sis had a 87 vfr at the time and loved how great that motor was.

Super magna - - not as easy as you think to maintain one of those. The 1400 intru stomps that bike any where any time.
Cool.
Buddha.

had to do a carb overhaul on a 65. In 90f high humidity weather. I was cursing that bike

I have no idea whay some people even buy such complicated sheite. I-4 anyday of the week. If not, V twin. What fool buys that complicated POS I have no idea.
Having said that if one in cherry shape with nothing but a dirty carb showed up @ my door cold, wet and shivering ... I'd not kick it out.
Same for the 750 post super magna.
Cool.
Buddha.

[cWj]

I'm currently spending too much time considering a VX800. Shaft drive and no shims to fish out? Glorious.

[The Buddha]

I'm currently spending too much time considering a VX800. Shaft drive and no shims to fish out? Glorious.

Very very very hard to work on. I had one a few months ~5-6 years ago. You may do better looking at a GS1100G from 91-92. Or one of em kawi zephyrs.
Cool.
Buddha.

[The Buddha]

On an intruder 8/14 I wonder if we can hack off the "perimeter" frame and weld in a single spine in the middle and fit a real gas tank
Can someone put a pic up with the tank removed ?
Cool.
Buddha.