Suzuki Intruder 800
SUZUKI INTRUDER 800
CRUISER COMPARISON
Thing of beauty, packing a punch
IF THERE WAS AN AWARD FOR the slickest-looking, most integrated V-Twin-powered cruisers, the Suzuki Intruders would win hands down. The Intruder 800 has many slick styling cues, such as its sculpted fuel tank, rich paint and excellent attention to detail. It is also the narrowest machine in the class, a point further emphasized by its pullback handlebar and compact seat-tofootpeg relationship.
Aside from its styling, the Intruder’s best asset is its liquidcooled, 805cc, eightvalve V-Twin, a delightful engine with a broad, torquey powerband. Whack open the throttle at any engine speed and the Suzuki literally leaps forward, just as a 460-pound, 51.7-horsepower motorcycle should. This is more than a feeling; in 40-60-mph top-gear rollons, the Suzuki crushes its classmates. Engine vibration is present, but is offensive only at high rpm.
Like the Magna 750, the Intruder manages with a single front disc brake, in this case squeezed by a single-piston, single-action caliper. A conventional drum is used at the rear. Simply put, more stopping power is needed. What’s more, the bike’s narrow, 21inch front wheel and 80/90 tire, skinny fork, spindly chassis and harsh suspension make for a bad backroad combination. After flogging the Intruder down a particularly tight section of road, one tester swore that he could feel the spokes flexing in the front wheel. The bike can be ridden hard, but considerable effort is required to keep it on line and its undercarriage off
the pavement. Worse yet is the thinly padded seat, which makes even short commutes downright painful.
So, if styling and engine performance are high on your list, the Intruder 800 is an excellent choice. Just avoid bumps, long rides and tight roads.
$5599
