I Like Suzuki Intruders

Why do I like Suzuki Intruders? Let me count the ways.

1. Intruders are small but powerful
2. Intruders are excellent for defensive driving
3. Intruders have a styling all their own

Now, let me elaborate in a little bit of detail about each of these points, if you will. Of course you will, it's my site and that's why you're here, to see what's what about these motorcycles. Right? Then let's get to it.

Suzuki Intruders Are Small and Powerful

It does not matter whether you're talking the original VS700 or the mid sized motorcycle that eventually replaced it, the Suzuki VS800 Intruder. In fact, even the Suzuki VS 1400, which is nearly the same size as its mid-size little brothers but packs almost twice the engine, is still small but quite powerful. This holds true, in my experience, across the entire VS line.

Now, when you get into the classic style Intruder, the LC1500, even though it has a bigger motor than the 1400, and even though it is still classified as an Intruder by Suzuki, one would be hard pressed to call this behemoth a small motorcycle. Therefore, only those models that who fits the chopper profile are to be considered both small and powerful.

You may be thinking that there are a lot of cruiser motorcycles with engines in the same class as these, so what makes the Suzuki Intruders different?

I will tell you.

The difference between most of these cruisers is exactly what makes the Intruder so strong by comparison. While most of these other motorcycles are big and bulky with extraneous cosmetics to make them appear bigger and badder than what they are, the VS series, with its stripped down, lean and clean profile, is as light as can be.

How does this make a difference?

If you take two engines that are identical and put one of them on a motorcycle that weighs 400 pounds and the other one in a motorcycle that weighs 600 pounds, which one do you think will perform better? That's right, the one with less weight to carry.

You'll see why I like this setup in the next section.

Suzuki Intruders Are Excellent For Defensive Driving

Have you ever been riding in bumper to bumper traffic and had a car driver cut you off because they either did not see you (because they did not look) or they didn't care? Well, if you've been riding a motorcycle for longer than a week, I'm sure this has happened to you at least once.

I know first hand that it does not matter how big the motorcycle you're riding is, these car drivers still think they can push you around, and that's why you have to ride defensively. And what's the best kind of motorcycle to be on when you have swerve instantly away from a car?

A light, responsive one, of course.

And unless you want ride a plain jane street bike or a crotch rocket, then your choices are limited.

Good thing the Intruder gives you a lightweight cruiser with plenty of punch, perfect for evasive, nimble maneuvering in sleek, cruiser style packaging.

And speaking of style...

Suzuki Intruders Have a Style All Their Own

Boy, do they. I could go on and on here about how utterly awesome these rides are, but when it comes down to it, you've just got to see one in person to appreciate the true beauty and attitude it possesses. But since you can't put an actual live object on the internet, here's a photograph of this steel steed, just to whet your appetite.

And there you go, three reasons why I like Suzuki Intruders.

What about my suzuki VS700 intruder?

I was asked a question the other day by a motorcycle rider friend of mine that I had not seen in many years. He asked me:

What about my Suzuki Intruder VS700?

Did I still ride it? Did it still look the same? Was it still a hot looking customized Japanese cruiser?

Yes, yes, and yes, I answered him.

But those three answers weren't quite the truth... You see, while my Intruder still looks the same and is still a hot looking customized Japanese cruiser, I unfortunately haven't been able to ride it lately... Why? Because the last time I tried to take it out for a spin, it wouldn't even start. I looked at the engine and discovered the rear carburetor was just spitting and overflowing with fuel. Turns out I need to replace the diaphragms and possible the needles as well. Unfortunately, this is a long, time consuming and not altogether inexpensive project.

Now, it wasn't an entire lie... I still ride, just not this particular custom Suzuki Intruder at this particular point in time!

Still, the question did get me thinking: Here I am telling all of you about these great motorcycles but I haven't told you anything at all really about mine. For all you know, I might not even have a ride, let alone a cool one!

So where were we? Oh yes, what about my suzuki VS700 intruder? I'll tell you: it's awesome.

The Suzuki Intruder Handlebars

It's a 1986 model and while it originally had the drag bar I replaced it with the ape-hangers handlebars (not true ape hangers, mind you, but styled after them--in fact, these have the look but are much more manageable) that came on other models of the same motorcycle. Many people prefer the dragbars but I myself like the look and feel of the chopper-style bars.

The Wire Wheels

It also has the true aluminum wire wheels as opposed to the mag wheels made to simulate wire wheels. While this makes for more expensive and labor intensive tire changes (because not only do you have to the tires but you need to also replace the innertube as well), I feel the trade off is much more than worth it when it comes to the aesthetics of the overall package. Afterall, you don't put mags on an old school styled chopper/cruiser!

The Custom Paintjob

The factory paintjob was black and let me tell you, when I say it was black, it was black! The gas tank (obviously); the frame; the radiator cover; the front fender; the rear fender; the side covers--all a glossy black. There's nothing wrong with this color scheme, but I wanted something a little more "me," a little more "custom." So I took it apart, sanded everything down, repainted it a nicer colored-black and then added traditional flames to the front fender, side covers, and gas tank. On the rear fender, I added my own little logo using the same color-scheme as the flames. All in all, it turned out to be a real looker!

The Chrome

Now when I bought this motorcycle it wasn't in the best of shape, but it wasn't bad, either. Like most older model motorcycles, though, the chrome left something to be desired. It was pitted and the bare parts underneath were either rusted or corroded. The chromed plastic pieces left something to be desired as well. After fixing everything else, these parts looked even worse! Unfortunately, as you all know, refinishing chrome motorcycle parts is not an inexpensive adventure by any means.

So I had a bit of a brainstorm.

Instead of refinishing them, I painted them flat-black! The engine cases, the valve covers, the triple trees, the risers... Much to my surprise, it started to look so good that I continued the theme and customized the rest of the Intruder in midnight accents whether it needed it or not. I think this more than anything made the ride stand out from the crowd!

The Extra Stuff

I got rid of the ugly back fender and replaced it with a unique fiberglas one from Highway Hawk. I don't know if they make it anymore, but instead of having one huge breaklight, it's got two nice round ones that tuck in under the fender. I also removed the sissy bar. I changed out the square mirrors for some oval mirrors. I also got rid of the two-into-two stock exhaust and threw on a two-into-one DG/Hard Krome guarnanteed never to blue slashcut system. A new seat and a set of saddlebags and a toolbag later and I was in imported hog heaven!

Until I can get my camera working and get some pictures up, from now on, whenever anyone asks me, What about my suzuki VS700 intruder? I can point them to my Suzuki Intruder Resource blog and they can compare this post with my stock Suzuki Intruder VS700 post to get an idea of jsut what can be done to a not so ordinary cruiser with just a little imagination.

Unleashing the Suzuki VS1400

In 1987, due to increased demand from riders wanting more power (you can read a little bit about my beliefs as to why by clicking here: suzuki intruder vs700), Suzuki unveiled its new cruiser, the VS1400 Intruder.

With this new motorcycle, it was quite obvious that not only did the head honchos over in Japan listen to Intruder owners' cries for a bigger engine--they took it to heart. Indeed, two years (or three, depending on how you count them) after the first Intruder hit our shores, Suzuki introduced the second model in the Intruder line: the VS1400, effectively doubling the displacement of their maiden model's nearly seven-hundred cc's.

This was a good thing for several reasons.

Firstly, with a bigger Intruder, riders who liked the looks of the mid-size cruiser but did not feel that it was up to the task of handling an operator, a passenger, and a full load could now buy a "big twin" that had plenty of torque and horsepower to spare.

Secondly, now Suzuki had two motorcycles of similar style that sat neatly into two separate categories: mid-size and "big-bike." This worked well to their advantage as it allowed people to choose between a "'round-town bike" or a big highway motorcycle. Of course, both models being small, nimble, and powerful for their size, it really came down to a matter of preference as they were both suited well to most any kind of riding.

And thirdly, even though the 1400 was twice the Intruder of its forebear, it was nowhere near twice the price. This meant that it was a truly cheaper and powerfully viable alternative to the American "big boys." In other words, it was no longer just an eye-catching chopper-style cruiser wrapped around a small engine--this time around, it had the attitude to go with the look.

The 1400 shared many qualities with its smaller, though older, sibling. They both had 19" front wheels and 15" rear wheels; they were both shaft driven; they shared almost the same low-slung profile; and they both had v-twins with exhaust pipes that ran down each side of the motorcycle.

One major difference was that while the 700 was water cooled, the 1400 was not. This was a big plus for those riders who were skeptical of having a motorcycle with a radiator mounted in front of the engine. In fact, many of them felt that liquid cooling should be kept out the two-wheeled crowd altogether.

Now, while this new Intruder was not water cooled, it was not entirely air cooled, either. In place of the radiator was a smaller type of cooler: an oil cooler. This combination of air and cool oil worked well to keep the engine from over-heating. And while the fact remained that there was still a radiator of sorts mounted on the down frame it was nowhere near as offensive looking as a full size one.

While this big displacement motorcycle answered many riders' requests for more power, it was still not a "replacement" for the VS700, but rather a first entry into heavyweight territory. Those expecting a more reasonable replacement with a bit more oomph would have to wait another year, but for everyone else, the Suzuki Intruder VS1400 an unexpected gift of torque-y goodness.

Introducing the Suzuki Intruder VS700

The Suzuki Intruder, a cruiser-style motorcycle, has been around since 1985. The first version was named the VS700. This model was the first of its kind from Suzuki built specifically to compete with, and offer a cheaper alternative to, the big American motorcycles. Besides a lower base price and country of origin, the Japanese motorcycle sported three major differences from it's American counter-part: Its v-twin style engine was water cooled and not air cooled; both the engine and transmission were housed within the same case; and power was transferred to the back wheel via a shaft drive instead of a chain.

Despite these differences (or perhaps even because of them) people all over the US began taking notice of this new breed of imported motorcycle. No longer did riders who wanted the good looks of the American cruiser but could not afford the high price tag have to go without. Even more so, those looking for a new motorcycle that was relatively easy on the wallet did not have to settle for a generic sport bike or even a run of the mill street bike. Indeed, now they could have something with style and class; something that did not just get them around town but begged them to be ridden out on the open highways as well. In fact, I would bet that many a relationship was put to the test when it came to having to choose between weekend long rides through the open country and staying at home for a quiet dinner with a loved one.

The smart riders, though, quickly learned that they could have both worlds if only they would take their loved one with them. While this likely did not save all relationships (some, we all know, are of course doomed before they begin), it surely made plenty that much stronger. There isn't much that can bring a couple closer together than eight hours on a motorcycle!

Now, for those of you who don't know, Intruders have a rather small profile. They are clean and lean and many of their stylings hail from the looks and lines of choppers from the late 60's and 70's. Being small and streamlined means that there is little place to store things when going on an overnight trip, especially when two people are involved. Luckily, saddlebags, fork bags, and luggage racks are easily attached and give room to store enough necessities for two people for an extended three-day weekend.

All this was well and good, save for one problem: at 699cc's, many people felt it was slightly underpowered for rider, passenger, and a full load of camping gear. Luckily, the manufacturers and designers overseas listened to their customers' feedback and upped the ante with their next model in this venerable series which will be the subject of our next post, Suzuki VS1400.

Until then, I hope you've enjoyed this introduction to the Suzuki Intruder VS700.