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Message started by Dave Sisk on 10/02/12 at 08:39:03

Title: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intruder?
Post by Dave Sisk on 10/02/12 at 08:39:03

This is essentially the 800cc V-twin big brother of the Suzuki S40/Savage. Styling is very similar. It's lightweight (only about 440 lbs) similar to it's 380 lb little brother....same strategy of smaller bike with bigger engine. I can't see a problem with that. 8-)

Don't get me wrong...I really like my S40. Just thinking ahead to maybe next spring getting something a little bigger and a little more comfortable for highway cruising.

I haven't spotted any forums specifically devoted to the S50/Intruder...I guess it doesn't have the kind of following the S40/Savage does. (If one's out there and I missed it, somebody whack me in the head with a URL. ;D )

Cheers,
Dave

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by Serowbot on 10/02/12 at 08:56:45

Nice motor,.. good power...
Feels top heavy,.. not comfortable (stock Savage isn't either)...
Not as easy to mod as the Savage..
You'll curse it, the first time you change air filters...

The only reason I'd go to bigger bike, is to get a better highway machine,... and the S50 isn't particularly good for that...
(skinny front tire, bad ergo's, small tank)...
JMHO... :-?...

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by verslagen1 on 10/02/12 at 09:01:10

intruder alert?

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/02/12 at 09:06:24

I shopped it years ago.I dont remember exactly why I didnt, I Do remember I looked at a twin that required dropping the front exhaust just to change oil,, but,, was it this one? IDK now,

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by Paraquat on 10/02/12 at 09:28:01

I like the idea but from what I hear the execution is horrible.
The guys on he Volusia forum don't even like them.

--Steve

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by Serowbot on 10/02/12 at 10:33:33

233C3A3D20271626162E3C307B490 wrote:

I shopped it years ago.I dont remember exactly why I didnt, I Do remember I looked at a twin that required dropping the front exhaust just to change oil,, but,, was it this one? IDK now,

V-Star 1100...

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by Dave Sisk on 10/02/12 at 13:18:33

Hey guys...thanks for the comments. Interesting...I haven't actually ridden one yet...don't see too many locally (maybe there's a reason for that, eh?).

So, backing up the question...what are some good similar bikes that might be a good step up, if/when I decide to look. I'd rather keep it on the lighter-side but still comfortable/capable for two...something like a Honda Goldwing would be waaaay too big and heavy for my tastes.

Cheers!
Dave

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by Greg on 10/02/12 at 14:23:17

I don't know how they compare to the original Intruder, but my buddy really misses his. He says it was the best bike he ever had. He wishes he had it instead of his Sportster. I also enjoyed riding it. It looked good, had plenty of power, and was comfy. I can't say how well it handled highways as I never took his out on one.

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by Greg on 10/02/12 at 14:26:38

6A4F584B7D475D452E0 wrote:

With all the time I spent looking before purchasing my Savage, I found very, very few bikes that had the classic look, light weight, and not have a tank as wide as my car. I didn't choose the S50/Intruder because I really wanted air cooled. I sat on a bunch of bikes at a show this past weekend. The S50 was the most comfortable. I would swap out the bars. I don't like the straight bars. They hold my wrists at an awkward angle.

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by Serowbot on 10/02/12 at 14:39:10

Triumphs are nice... beautiful workmanship, good power, turn a lot of heads...
... a Bonneville,... or America...

http://assets1.triumphmotorcycles.com/images/motorcycles/bonneville_T100_Cream2_RHS.jpg

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by Greg on 10/02/12 at 14:43:56

4D5B4C51495C514A3E0 wrote:

Yes, those Triumphs were on my short list, as was an 883 Sportster

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by SALB on 10/02/12 at 14:50:41

So what do you guys think of the S83 \ Intruder VS1400? :-/ As Tim Allen would say...."more power". :D

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by Serowbot on 10/02/12 at 14:58:39

24272430262E20450 wrote:

So what do you guys think of the S83 \ Intruder VS1400? :-/ As Tim Allen would say...."more power". :D

I've had occasional thoughts about them,... but then, I remember...
If I have power, I tend to use it... tickets, crashes, pain will result... :-?...

I've never ridden one...

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by Greg on 10/02/12 at 15:04:24

7C7F7C687E76781D0 wrote:

So what do you guys think of the S83 \ Intruder VS1400? :-/ As Tim Allen would say...."more power". :D

I think they are too freakin' huge/wide. I never rode one, but couldn't sit comfortably on one.

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by WD on 10/02/12 at 15:07:28

THE definitive place for the S50 and S83 is IntruderAlert.com, but it can be difficult to join up. And stay out of the Back Room over there.

The VS800 is a great engine, that's why it is still made. The anything 50 series of Boulevards are all based on it, with the C and M bikes much easier to work on.

At 6'2" and over 200 lbs, I despise the "caricture" models, the 80s designed VS800/S50 and VS1400/S83. Not the slightest bit comfortable, if you want to stretch out you'll be riding it from the pillion. Stone gutless, they have decent top speeds but launch like pregnant elephants. You can't do ANY motor work w/o fighting the design. The buckhorn models had non-adjustable handlebars. The seat vinyl is NOT UV-safe. Or cold safe.

Best thing about 800 Intruders? The petcock (mechanical) fits the stock Savage tank, and the shocks are just the right length to actually make a Savage soak up bumps instead of bottoming out or launching you into orbit. My wife's 800 shocks are on my Savage, my Savage's shocks are on her 800 to close the hideous fender gap they ship with.

She loves her bike... I'd love to use it for target practice.

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by Greg on 10/02/12 at 15:09:22

7C6F2B0 wrote:

She loves her bike... I'd love to use it for target practice.

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by Cavi Mike on 10/02/12 at 19:50:29

My thought on the S50:
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1347747067/3#3

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by wambr on 10/03/12 at 05:11:40

and here are my impressions about s50..
I just tried that once sit down and take a ride on it. I thought he seemed very much like a savage. only a little more playful. then everything is simple-it has the v-twin! by landing on it seemed to me even a little bit closer than the savage. in my lower back (ass) is hampered by step between the driver and rear passenger seats. liked the sound of the engine
but to change their savage on s50 don't want to...

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by Dave Sisk on 10/03/12 at 16:08:38

485E49544C59544F3B0 wrote:

The only reason I'd go to bigger bike, is to get a better highway machine,... and the S50 isn't particularly good for that...
(skinny front tire, bad ergo's, small tank)...
JMHO... :-?...

So, what about a skinny front tire makes it not good for the highway? (Sincere question.)

Dave

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by prsavage on 10/04/12 at 01:48:14

I owned a 1997 Intruder VS800 for a couple years. The bike has its strengths and weaknesses.
The good:
It has great acceleration and top end speed.
It gets good mileage and a good range per tank (about 225 km if I recall)

The bad:
It needs drag bars instead of the buckhorns
It needs aftermarket forward controls
It needs an aftermarket seat
It needs shorter shocks to close the ugly tire to fender gap
The battery is hard to change
The carbs are hard to set up (one is sidedraft, one is downdraft)

There are lots of aftermarket parts available and it is a great ride especially after the seat/bars/foot control ergos have been fixed. The good outweigh the bad in my opinion.

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by PerrydaSavage on 10/05/12 at 03:32:33

I owned a 2006 VS800 (S50) briefly back in '07/'08 ... wasn't fussy on it ... totally lacked any "character" IMHO ... hated, hated, hated removing and re-installing the battery for seasonal storage!!!

Sold it and went and got another LS650 (2005 S40) ... was much happier with that ... should never have sold my '03 Savage to buy the VS800 in the first place ... but I guess that's why hind-sight is 20/20! LOL!! ;D

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by Bubba on 10/10/12 at 09:03:29

IF I was to go to a bigger bike...I've been looking at the M50...but it still just doen't seem as much fun as the little savage....what do i know tho'...my other bikes are mopeds... ;D

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by gerald.hughes on 10/10/12 at 10:48:13

I think that the M50 has a great set of shocks to put on the Savage. Just ask Serowbot.

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/10/12 at 15:32:50

Its so easy to want a bike with enough power to accelerate strongly at 80 MPH & handle like a scalpel, But, If a bikes performance envelope is as big or bigger than mine is, then I can get in over my head. The Savage wallows in a long sweeper, so, I keep the speed down,,

I guess what Im trying to say is, its more fun to ride a slow bike as fast as ya dare than a fast bike slow enough to not get in trouble.

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by groupus on 10/10/12 at 15:56:44

4E6B7C6F596379610A0 wrote:

...something like a Honda Goldwing would be waaaay too big and heavy for my tastes.

Hey, I resemble that statement!

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/625475_912368254900_958094492_n.jpg

78 goldwing 1000 is excellent on the highway, even with the low bars. POWER and darn nimble for being 600lb, but they are best suited for cafe style rather than cruiser. The valkyrie is a cruiser with the same great boxer engine.

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by LostArtist on 10/10/12 at 16:46:18

the S50 is better than the S83, which is weird, but true, neither of those bikes are a real good step up from the S40/savage, if you want comfort, try a Yamaha 950 it has a tourer edition with bags and a windshield. or maybe a Suzuki C50 or M50? the S50 just isn't enough difference from the S40/savage. A Triumph America or Speedmaster would be great also if you are sold on the cruiser idea, the Bonneville is great though if you are looking for a change to a more flexible standard bike, luggage is an issue though, well, only if you want stylish luggage for reasonable prices and you have bastardized your Bonneville with a 70's racer reminiscent fairing that doesn't compliment any of the "bobber/cafe style" style baggage offered by OEM. The sportster is also an excellent option.

intruderalert.com is the forum for the S50/intruder and S83/intruder as well as the LC1500??? and harleys and conservative think tank/echo chamber madness, but if you stick to the technical boards you can avoid all the political crap.

seriously the Yamaha 950 is excellent :)

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by PerrydaSavage on 10/11/12 at 03:26:12

IMHO, retro-styled Standards like the Bonneville or Guzzi's V7 Classic (the "Stone" version is absolutely beautiful!) ... or even the Kawi W650 are perfect up-grades for LS650 owners, providing they have enough leg ... Standards are ultimately more comfortable than either Cruisers or Sport Bikes. Honda's VT750 RS Shadow falls into this category too as it is very much a "Standard" ergonomically ...

Other potentially decent move-ups are;

Cruisers:
H.D. Sportster 883/1200
Honda VT750 C2 Shadow
Kawasaki VN900 Vulcan (particularly the Custom)
Yamaha XV1100 V-Star (again the Custom)

Sport-type Bikes:
Kawasaki EX500 Ninja
Kawasaki 400/650R Ninja
Yamaha FZ6 Fazer
Suzuki SV650

Modern "Standards":
Honda NC700S/NC700X
Honda 535/919
Kawasaki ER-6n
Suzuki Gladius

It's a shame that Suzuki doesn't offer anything in the the Retro-Standard category here in North America (larger than the TU250X) ... Am still hoping they will eventually produce a TU650X :)

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by Dave Sisk on 10/29/12 at 19:34:44

Wow, this thread is still alive. LOL. ;D

I've had my S40 on the highway a couple of times, and yeah it's not that comfortable at 65-70 mph. My came with a windshield that I took off...now that's it's chilly, I will prob put it back on to deflect some wind.

OK, thanks for all the thoughts on the S50 and similar models. I saw the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 mentioned...I've seen all kinds of good reviews on the Vulcan 750, 800, 900, etc., so I may give one of the Vulcan's a look at some point. One thing that strikes me though is that most of the other bikes with displacement simlar to the S50 are quite a bit heavier...the S50 is by far the lightest at about 440 lbs wet. I kinda feel like the S40 is just a tad too small (legs wise)...thus my thinking that maybe an S50 would be the perfect fit. But hey, everyone has different likes and dislikes, and you really don't know until you ride it.

I'm in no hurry to trade up, btw...I definitely love the S40, and would highly HIGHLY recommend it to any beginning (or re-beginning) riders, or someone with a 250 who wants to move up. That said, I still need to look at raising the seat a little...that may drastically improve the comfort level.

Cheers!
Dave

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by clearush on 10/29/12 at 20:38:54

Hmmm I cruise comfortably between 70-80mph for about 20 min twice a day when I commute to work. When I had the stock airbox and pipe 60-65 wasn't very comfortable. With the air filter and harley pipe change over I've hit 90 with the engine still pulling when I let off, not real zippy with the accel at that speed but it was still there.

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by Dave Sisk on 10/30/12 at 05:40:16

I've had mine up to around 70mph or so...at that speed, it kinda feels like the wind is whipping me around. (I guess that's what "wind buffeting" means?) Maybe it's just me though, and adding the windshield back will remove some of that sensation? I've changed the exhaust and tweaked the carb, so I'm sure it would go quite a bit faster...just not sure the rider would want to. ;)

I wish 5th were geared a little taller on these bikes (just 5th though...the rest of the gear ratios seem about perfect)...or a 6th gear. A lot of buzzy vibrations from an extended ride at those revs.

Cheers,
Dave

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by Dave Sisk on 11/03/12 at 09:39:23

That Goldwing is nice, btw! 8-)

So, I dropped by the local Motomax to see what's for sale and sit on a few. I didn't take any for a ride, just sat on them to assess how well they fit me physically.

They had an S50...I sat on it...feels about the same as my S40, which is just a little cramped for me. I'm sure forward controls on an S50 or my current S40 would make it more comfortable for longer rides, but if I'm going to go to all that trouble why not just get a little bigger bike that will also handle highway speeds more comfortably. That's my thinking anyway.

Also sat on an Boulevard M50 (or C50?)...very comfy actually. It's 100+ lbs heavier than my S40, but it sure didn't feel like it. In fact, it felt lighter to stand it upright than the S50 did. Hmmm.

I also sat on a Boulevard M109R...I am quite surprised to go read the specs after and see that it's a 740 lb bike. Wow...I guess Suzuki did a really fabulous job of keeping the center of gravity really low on this bike. I would have expected there would be some grunt in just standing it upright, but not the case. I like this one! Too much bike to be my "next bike", but maybe after I get a few years of riding experience under my belt. Reviews says this monster (almost 1800cc) handles extremely well for it's weight...that makes it even more appealing. I really like the styling too.

I sat on a Vulcan 900 classic...did not like the footboards, I'd rather have pegs. It felt comfortable and reasonable in terms of percieved weight though. They didn't have a Vulcan Custom, which is what I like better styling-wise.

I also sat on a V-Star 750, and a Honda 750 cruiser too (don't remember which one). They look nice...it just never seems that anyone raves about either of them in reviews. I sat on a Harley Sportster 883, and it didn't feel much more comfortable than my S40, and felt kinda top-heavy to me.

They did not have a Boulevard M90...I would love to check one of those out.

My current thinking on "next bike"...possibilities include Boulevard M50, Boulevard M90, or possibly a Vulcan 800-900. I think I can safely rule out the S50, even though it looks really good on paper. I do like the "legs forward" seating on the ones mentioned above.

A Boulevard M50 would probably be a conservative (ie. safe for me) choice. There's a big weight difference between the M50 and the M90/M109. (That said, also a big weight diff between the S40 and the M50, but the M50 doesn't *feel* so heavy.) Given that, I couldn't see upgrading to an M90 from an M50...just go straight to the M109 if/when I feel like I'm equipped well enough (in terms of experience and judgement) to handle an M109. Of course, there's so many bikes to choose from, who knows...I could change my mind over the next few years. I kinda wish the M50 was a 900cc instead of an 800cc...it seems like a step down in performance from the smaller/lighter S50 with the same engine size...it sure seems like an extra 100cc's would change that equation some. (That said, they don't make the S50 anymore, and that's probably why they discontinued it.)

I do know that I want something that's a little more comfortable for a longer ride with comfortable room for a passenger, has plenty of HP and torque on retainer for when I decide to use it, doesn't *feel* heavy, and still handles well for a cruiser. I'd put comfort first, acceleration a close 2nd, and handling 3rd. The Suzuki M's sure seem to offer that balance pretty well.

So far, it seems that Suzuki certainly fits my likes and preferences best. I wonder if that's just because my first bike (I'm not counting the Chinese 250 I had for a couple months before I decided on an S40... ;D), or if Suzuki just has the equation right? Maybe I'm a Suzuki rider for life, eh? 8-)

Dave

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by WD on 11/04/12 at 05:37:35

The M90 is a Kawasaki Vulcan Mean Streak 1500 with a different headlight. So there's another choice but they discontinued the Kawi 1500s years ago.

If you're serious about stepping up to something like the M109, give a Kawasaki Rogue a good look over... biggest factory v-twin out there, it clears 2 liters displacement. But takes oil in 3 very tricky to refill locations (as does the Yamaha Road Star). You can get it in 3 different trim packages... cruiser, tourer and muscle bike. Just ask to see any V2Ks they have on the floor.

The VN900 was a step in the wrong direction, tubeless alloy wheels, belt drive and fuel injected. A bit too much like another Kawi designed product that is phenomenally popular in this country, the Evolution Big Twin by Harley Davidson (Kawasaki block and cylinder design, Yamaha heads, Toyota starter). ::)

Title: Re: What do you guys think of the Suzuki S50/Intru
Post by Dave Sisk on 11/04/12 at 10:11:11

I did NOT know there was cross-breeding between American and Japanese motorcycles in addition to cars. I suppose I should have guessed. ;D

I think any of the big displacement heavy bikes would be a little too much for me at my experience level. I've got about 7 months and 250 hours of seat-time under my belt...I need to keep it a little conversative at this point. ;)

The M50 sure does feel like it would be comfortable and easy to handle, based on sitting on it and reviews I've read. There's a big difference between 380 lbs (S40) and 540 lbs (M50). But, judging by sitting on it and standing it up, it sure seems like Suzuki did a great job of keeping the center of gravity low on the M50 (and other M's).

I haven't dropped the S40 since I first got it in the Spring...although I did come pretty close a few months ago stopping on a steep downward incline (if it hadn't been such a light bike, I probably would not have been able to man-handle it back upright). But then, I think I also learned to avoid any abrupt braking on a downward incline (felt like an idiot! ;D ) after that almost-drop. ;)

So, I dunno...with low enough center of gravity (like the M50 appears to have), maybe I can handle that one OK. It would be nice to have something a little bigger than I can stretch out on and comfortably carry a passenger (without getting too big for my experience level).

Next step...take an M50 for a test ride.

Cheers,
Dave