Intruder 1400 Big Twin, Suzuki-Style
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INTRUDER 140 Big Twin, Suzuki-style I
MANY RIDERS CONSIDER A BIG V-Twin cruiser as the only definition of a motorcycle. And when these folks say big, they mean big: A bike with an engine that's smaller than 1100cc doesn't compute. Harley-Davidson has been wildly successful at building cruis
ers, but a Harley these days ain't cheap-figure on spending from $9000 to. $11,500 for a new Big Twin from H-D.
If those prices are simply beyond your reach, head on down to the nearest Suzuki dealer. Ask to see the Intruder 1400. Okay, its not a Har ley. But we think you'll be im pressed by the custom-shop finish and dt'~taiI the 2Ofl lntrnder
The 1400 bristles with beautifully made, highly polished aluminum and chromed parts. Its paint looks as
good. Or better, than many. custom jobs, and the attention to small de tails is outstanding: Most boltsand nuts are chromed; the hydraulic front brake and clutch hoses are wound with, chromed-spring covers and the hoses are routed through the triple clamps; and the frame's steer ing-head area is' finished to simulate a filléd'and smoothed frame.
Attractive, spool-type alUminum hUbsare orbited by polished rims.
Chromed spokes-there are 60 spokes in the I 9~inchfront wheelare arranged in groupings' of four. A bobbed rear fender covers a fat, 15inch rear tire, and a large disc brake is standard at each wheel..
Not convinced? Okay, let's talk about the engine, a thumping airand-oil-cooled V-Twin with three valves per cylinder and hydraulic valve-lash adjusters. Starting is via an electric motor, but our test bike was a little reluctant to start when cold-it usually coughed and died a couple of times prior to coming to life. After it's running. there's no reason to rush into your riding gear, either: This monstereñgine requires several minutes of warm-up before it'll accept any throttle. Once on the road, the big V-Twin happily pumps out outlandish torque with minimal engine revolutions. Its four-speed transmission shifts smoothly, too, although itséldOm needs to be used. Passing is a simple matter of twisting the throttle a bit and hanging on-the Intruder quickly gains speed, its handlebar tugging on the rider's arms as only a big V-Twin can.
• Aplush seat, forward-mounted • footpegs. comfortable pullback • handlebar, compliant suspension and shaft final drive let the rider fully enjoy the experience of boom ing down the highway~ All of the Intruder's controls work easily and with precision. the bike is stable and easy to contrOl on the straights, and • it requires minimal effort to bend into a corner, despite its longwheel base and kicked-out front end.
The IntrUder 1400,'then, is a fine V-Twin cruiser, despite not being made in Milwaukee. It~s not a~H.ar ley. but, it's not bad, either~
Ron Griewe
