Suzuki's Second Coming
Suzuki’s Second Coming
ROUNDUP
At long last, Suzuki has pulled the tarps off the remainder of its 1985 lineup, revealing a 1400cc, V-Four interstate-gobbler, and a real-steel 700cc cruiser.
As reported in last month’s Roundup, the touring bike is called the GV1400 Cavalcade, an obvious takeoff on Honda’s popular Aspencade, and, in fact, the two bikes do look similiar in profile. But the Suzuki is powered by a 1360cc, 82-degree V-Four, the largest engine ever put in a Japanese tourer. The bike will be available in two versions, the base-model GT and the optionheavy LX. Standard on that bike are cruise control, an audio system, auto-leveling suspension and an aircushion system for the passenger’s portion of the seat.
The air-cushion system, connected to the GV’s onboard air compressor, consists of three separate air bladders—one in the seat base and two in the backrest—that can be pumped up or deflated using button-controls mounted at the front of the tour-trunk. That’s not the only control the Cavalcade’s corider has: He or she can change radio stations or volume, alter the backrest over a two-inch range and even rotate the passenger footboards to a different angle.
Suzuki says the the Cavalcade has the largest luggage capacity of any Big Four tourer. Fuel capacity is 6.1 gallons and the LX version has a claimed dry weight of 754 pounds. The $6299 base GV will be available in two-tone maroon or two-tone gray, while the LX, priced at $7999, will be painted in twotones of either gold or brown. A $700 factory-designed light-and-trim kit will also be sold.
If Suzuki’s first-ever V-Twin, the new cruiser-style VS700GL Intruder, had a motto, it would be “Designed in America for Americans.”
Before drawing up the Intruder, Suzuki asked U.S. custom-bike builders and riders what was wrong with the current crop of Japanese cruisers, and then acted on those suggestions. The result is a motorcycle that has all the earmarks of a 1960s custom, right down to the teardrop fuel tank, molding around the steering head, spoke wheels and allchrome engine. And here’s a surprise. An absolute minimum of plastic was used on the bike. To that end, the fenders and sidepanels are steel, and even the handlebar control housings, clutch and brake master cylinders, and speedometer case are crafted from polished aluminum.
Don’t let the steeped-in-yesterday looks fool you, though; the VS700 has some thoroughly modern accoutrements. Foremost is a 45degree, liquid-cooled engine with four valves per cylinder. And the bike has shaft final drive, but because narrowness was a design goal from the start, the Intruder’s frame pinches together at the swingarm pivot, and the shaft-drive tube runs outside the frame tubes.
The $3199 bike will be sold in two versions, with handlebar bends—either pullback or flatbeing the only difference.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
As the TV commercial draws to its close, Karl Malden’s familiar profile fills the screen. This time, however, he has traded in his trench coat and rumpled hat for a black leather jacket and helmet. He turns toward the camera, holds up a credit card and says, “The Dunlop service and tire card. Don’t ride away from home without it.’’
In truth, Dunlop isn't set to take on American Express just yet, but the tire company’s new credit card could become the piece of plastic to have if you're a motorcyclist.
The program, started in January, is innovative because a cardholder isn’t limited just to charging Dunlop tires: Basically, any services or products that a participating dealer sells, up to $500 in value, can be rung up with the Dunlop card. That means tune-ups, parts, accessories and even tires other than Dunlops can be put on account, all with no down payment and up to 36 months to pay.
For more details on the program, see your local Dunlop dealer.
