Questions about the Intruder

[kerrfunk]

I'm a motorcycle noob. I have very little wrenching experience, and really only gave into the motorcycle bug a year ago when I bought my 82 GS550L from Craigslist. I love it. Love riding. After 4,000 miles on my baby, I'm thinking about "trading up" or maybe just getting a second (larger) bike.

I like the look of the Intruder, early 90s era. There's a 1400 and a 1500 at least.

The Intruder is a VTwin, far as I can tell, which is different than the inline-4 that I know with my GS550

What do folks here think about the Intruder? Would I be just as well off with a GS850 or GS1100, which seem to be the favorites 'round these parts? Does inline-4 have an advantage over Vtwin?

[Steve]

Does inline-4 have an advantage over Vtwin?

Yes.









Oh, you want more?

OK.

It is much smoother. Even though many of the V-twins have balancers, there is just no way to get them as smooth as an inline four.

More power. The V-twins will have plenty of torque and move you quite well, but it will be a bit more leisurely in achieving your ultimate speed. You will still be able to outrun virtually any car you will meet on the street, but you will just have a slightly harder time doing it on a twin than a four.

Suzuki inline fours (especially the older ones) have a WONDERFUL support group at TheGSResources.com

.

[salty_monk]

I had a 1400 for a couple of months. Stock. Hard to steer, **** brakes, bad hydraulic clutch, awful handlebars, made my ass go numb in 30 mins vibration.

I bought it to flip it. - Don't bother

[trippivot]

you are probably going to have to ride it and decide for your self.

low seat height, even slower power than a 550 inline, soft brakes and soft suspension. forward controls take some getting used to.

[dirtyfingers]

I had an 800 Intruder, similar in appearance to the 1400. Like you, I liked the look of the bike. After owning it for a while, I grew to hate the seating position, the handle bars, and that tiny front tire (21") It had a 5 speed (1400 had a 4 speed) and it always kept me searching for 6th. Other problems were, the clutch and brake master would need to be bled every spring after storage. Sometimes one, sometimes both. It was weird. They would get air into them, probably due to the near vertical angle the handlebars put them at. Ridiculous battery removal techniques. And completeley insane carburetor synchronizing procedeure.

Other facts to consider:
700, 750, 800 Intruders are water cooled, 5 speed, drum rear brake, 21" front, 4 valve.

1400 Inturders are oil cooled, 4 speed, disc rear brake, 19" front, 3 valve.