Suzuki VS800GL Intruder

From CycleChaos
Revision as of 02:07, 10 November 2019 by Bob6721 (talk | contribs) (adding recommended_oil)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Suzuki-VS-800-Intruder-92.jpg
Suzuki VS800
Manufacturer
Also called VS800GL, VS 800 GL, VS800GL Intruder, VS 800 GL Intruder, VS800 Intruder, VS 800 Intruder
Production 1992 - 04
Class [[:Category:Cruiser motorcycles|Cruiser]] [[Category:Cruiser motorcycles]]
Engine
Four stroke, 45°V-twin, SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.
Compression ratio 10.0:1
Top Speed 164.6 km/h / 102.3 mph
Ignition Digital transistorized
Transmission 5 Speed
Suspension Front: Telescopic fork, coil spring, oil damped
Rear: Swingarm, oil damped, 5-way adjustable spring preload
Brakes Front: Single 310mm disc 2 piston calipers
Rear: Single drum
Front Tire 80/90-19
Rear Tire 140/90-15
Wheelbase 1560 mm / 61.4 in
Seat Height 700 mm / 27.6 in
Weight 201 kg / 443 lbs (dry), 212 kg / 467 lbs (wet)
Recommended Oil Suzuki ECSTAR 10w40
Fuel Capacity 12 Liters / 3.2 US gal / 2.6 Imp gal
Manuals Service Manual


It could reach a top speed of 164.6 km/h / 102.3 mph.

Engine

The engine featured a 10.0:1 compression ratio.

Chassis

It came with a 80/90-19 front tire and a 140/90-15 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via Single 310mm disc 2 piston calipers in the front and a Single drum in the rear. The front suspension was a Telescopic fork, coil spring, oil damped while the rear was equipped with a Swingarm, oil damped, 5-way adjustable spring preload. The VS800GL Intruder was fitted with a 12 Liters / 3.2 US gal / 2.6 Imp gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 201 kg / 443 lbs. The wheelbase was 1560 mm / 61.4 in long.

Photos

Suzuki VS800 Suzuki VS800 Suzuki VS800

Overview

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.

Make Model Suzuki VS 800GL Intruder
Year 1992 - 04
Engine Type Four stroke, 45°V-twin, SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.
Displacement 805 cc / 49.1 cu in
Bore X Stroke 83 x 74.4 mm
Compression 10.0:1
Induction 2 x Mikuni BDS36 carburetors
Ignition Digital transistorized
Starting Electric
Max Power 41 kW / 55 hp @ 7000 rpm
Max Torque 64 Nm / 6.5 kgf-m / 47.2 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
Transmission 5 Speed
Final Drive Shaft
Front Suspension Telescopic fork, coil spring, oil damped
Rear Suspension Swingarm, oil damped, 5-way adjustable spring preload
Front Brakes Single 310mm disc 2 piston calipers
Rear Brakes Single drum
Front Tire 80/90-19
Rear Tire 140/90-15
Dimensions Length: 2256 mm / 88.8 in Width: 770 mm / 30.3 in Height: 1215 mm / 47.8 in
Wheelbase 1560 mm / 61.4 in
Ground Clearance 125 mm / 4.9 in
Seat Height 700 mm / 27.6 in
Dry Weight 201 kg / 443 lbs
Wet Weight 212 kg / 467 lbs
Fuel Capacity 12 Liters / 3.2 US gal / 2.6 Imp gal
Consumption Average 5.9 L/100 km / 16.9 km/l / 39.8 US mpg / 47.7 Imp mpg
Braking 60 Km/h - 0 14.8 m / 48.6 ft
Braking 100 Km/h - 0 41.9 m / 137.5 ft
Standing ¼ Mile 13.6 sec / 153.8 km/h / 95.6 mph
Top Speed 164.6 km/h / 102.3 mph
Review The Biker Web

External Links