Suzuki VS 800GL Intruder

I took the Intruder 800 for a ride to Cook Forest, PA. (I was living in Erie, PA at the time--so this was a 100-ish mile ride.)

The first thing I need to say about this bike is that it really rips. Getting it on at a stoplight and reaching the speed limit within seconds, is quite nice on a torque heavy cruiser like the Intruder. You would never guess it was a middle-weight cruiser.

The model I rode had a complete system of Cobra slash cut pipes installed. The 800's motor has the “chug” of a v-twin, but when it takes off or runs at a higher rpm, it sounds more like a muscle car that a motorcycle. It actually sounds a bit like a Honda Magna, or Honda Valkyrie with aftermarket pipes.

Overall, the main difference between my old Marauder and the Intruder 800 is in the styling. Intruders come with a chopper style seat. The passenger sits slightly higher than the pilot, and a passenger backrest ("sissy bar") comes as a standard option. When you first look at the bike, it seems like the front end and handlebars sit too high to be a comfortable ride--but that's not the case. Actually, after some time getting used to the feel of the buckhorn handlebars (the handlebars on my current bike are drag bars) I liked it very much. I also like the fact that the passenger pillion provides a natural backrest for the driver. I was very stretched out and feeling good from the waist up.

That leads me into my next issue: foot peg position. The pegs are WAY TOO CLOSE TO THE RIDER. I am a middle-height fellow 5' 11" and I was very uncomfortable with the stock position. If I bought this bike, the first thing I'd get would be forward controls, or highway pegs. Just to test it, I put my legs over the stock pegs that were there (resting it against the back of my ankle/lower calf) and it was MUCH easier on me. Forward controls indeed.

Handlebars: buckhorn. I think my hands were nearly vertical. It seems most stock cruiser bars are leaning toward wide and straight bars, like the Shadows or Vulcans. I was pleasantly surprised when I rode the 800. Once again, it looks uncomfortable, but in actuality it feels just fine. The bars, placed as they were, made it easy for me to lean back and relax with my lower back supported by the stepped seat.

Looks: sweet. Generous chrome all around with very nice lines coming from the gas tank down. I have to say that the way the frame molds around the engine is very trick. I love the look of the molds near the forks. As for the small looking tank--I was shocked by the miles this bike can cover.

As I’ve mentioned, it is nearly 100 miles to Cook Forest from where I lived. I filled up just before we left to come home, and it took just a few dollars of premium gas to fill. If only my car could run like that...

The only gripes I had with the design (other than the foot position) are the rear fender, and the weight distribution. First, the rear fender. Personally, I think it's too small...I know what they're going for--the chopper look and all, but it's just not my style. It's just me. I did get a few "Nice bike." compliments when I was at gas stations and rest stops. Next, the weight distribution. Going into deep turns was an occasionally hairy experience. The gas tank sits high, compared to the Marauder I was used to riding at the time, and when full of gas, it sloshes a decent amount of weight. It was a very different feel from the low-slung ride I was used to at the time. But I made it nonetheless.

My final all-around impression of the Intruder 800 is that this is a bike for those who don't want the ultra-retro styling of a Shadow Aero, or Vulcan 1500 Classic, but still wants to look cool on a bike that can pull away from many other cruisers without breaking a sweat.