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New here got a Suzuki VL800 Intruder

11K views 32 replies 21 participants last post by  smooth1 
#1 ·
Just thought I would post to say hello and see if there are any other Intruder riders here. Mine is a 2001 w/7,900 mi

I am Bill

Hello!
 
#3 ·
Thanks Bill, it has a switch blade windshield, passenger seat, sissy bar and added light bar up front as well. I am putting some saddle bags on it this week to finish it off. The bike is in great shape and runs well too. I really like the balance of these cruisers. I had a few bikes when I was younger and to me none had the handling this one has. I think it was a good choice for me to get back into riding.

So any others like me that have become fans of these? Any idea how they compare to the NEW Boulevard versions??

Bill
 
#4 ·
Almost identical. I have an 08 C50T and I can't find some aftermarket stuff for it, so I buy for the 800 Intruder, everything is the same. One of my riding buds has an 04 Intruder, if we took the ID markings off the bikes, you would think they are the same. We have swapped out before and they also ride the same.
 
#10 ·
Boulevard Fan

Hey Bill, I'm Randy. I just bought an 06 S50 for all the same reasons you talk about. Has less than 800 miles on it. I'm taking the MSF course this week. It's been 30 years since I've ridden. Grew up on bikes until about 20 when I went 4 wheelers 100%.
Really hadn't been interested until I was sitting on the sidewalk in Gruene, TX watching a parade of Harleys go by when a gal came by on the S50. It was instant. I had to have one. I'm hoping I won't get the bug for anything bigger. Right now it appears to be plenty adequate for my occasional Texas hill country riding.
 
#11 ·
Hi Randy, I am still liking my Intruder a lot. It is plenty fast for me and I like the size. I did sit on a friends Kaw Vulcan 1500 and it felt no heavier than mine. Then I saw an 09 Kaw Vulcan 900 LT and that one sure looked good as well. If in a few years I decide to move up the Vulcan may get a hard look.

Take Care,
Bill
 
#13 ·
Hello Hinson. Not really but I remember my grandfather had one of those Popeal Pocket Fishermen. It would be good for Bluegills. I don't fish as much as I used to. Now I am really into bowhunting. In fact I shoot a recurve or traditional bow. My friends have joked about me putting a bow scabbard on the bike... I still am not sure how that will work... LOL

Take care and good luck!
Bill
 
#16 ·
Intruder / Boulevard

After 20+ years, out of the bike scene, I got fished-in just browsing what was available on fleaBay. Really liked the Boulevard / Intruder and had to have one. Scored a 2005 S83 with 7.5k on the odometer after about a month of searching. I really like it ♥, After 11 months, I think, I've got all the doo-dads I need... oh, wait... I need some of those LED thingys and one of those... ohhhh and one of those.

Stay safe, and as Stimpy might say, “ Enjoooooy! ” :D

MississippiSteve
 
#17 ·
Hi Bill

My second bike was a '96 Intruder VL800...I LOVED it! Great bike, nice and nimble, just hated the tiny little gas tank.

Hey, could you do me a favor? Would you measure the distance between the risers and the distance from the outside of the left riser to the outside of the right riser?

One of the things I really liked about the intrduer was the handlebar style. If the measurements work out, I may pick up a handlebar for an Intruder for my bike.

Thanks
 
#21 ·
I bought my '05 S50/VS800 (used to be Intruder, now Boulevard) just over 2 years ago, after rebuilding and riding my CB450 for two. Both have been on the Dragon; not sure which I like best, but my S50 is my daily.
 
#23 ·
Hello, I have owned 4 of the intruder 1400's/S83's and my wife had the 800. Bang for the buck, the 800 gave you more but I liked the 1400. Had one with the 4 speed quite a few years ago and it was great. All the big crusier's I have ever ridden always feel like they could use another gear whether they were a 5 or 4 speed. It is the nature of the bikes. I realized that I actually always got there fast enough no matter what bike I had and I have had some fast ones as well. They were great bikes and I think it is a shame that suzuki is no longer making the 1400. No mechanical problems, air filters on the 1400 were a pain to get at though. Great bikes.
 
#25 ·
have a question

i have a 2002 Suzuki Volusia which is the same as an intruder or a boulevard and i love this bike to death it is an 800cc. I have a severe idle problem it wont idle i have to be on the gas constantly or my bike dies. i will take any advice someone has except buy a new bike. i went to a shop and the guy i talked to mentioned buying a bike like 3 times and i told him every time i didnt want a new bike i want to fix the one i have now. the bike has 43,000 miles on it and about 19,000 miles are everyday city traffic miles because this bike is my main form of transportation and the previous owner used it in the same aspect as me.
i really need some advice because i really want this fixed. I know that the valves in the bike are bad i had those checked and my friend who owns 3 bike s one of which he built himself has suggested an entire reworking of the head and adjustment of the idle control. any other advice?
 
#27 ·
i have a 2002 Suzuki Volusia which is the same as an intruder or a boulevard and i love this bike to death it is an 800cc. I have a severe idle problem it wont idle i have to be on the gas constantly or my bike dies. i will take any advice someone has except buy a new bike. i went to a shop and the guy i talked to mentioned buying a bike like 3 times and i told him every time i didnt want a new bike i want to fix the one i have now. the bike has 43,000 miles on it and about 19,000 miles are everyday city traffic miles because this bike is my main form of transportation and the previous owner used it in the same aspect as me.
i really need some advice because i really want this fixed. I know that the valves in the bike are bad i had those checked and my friend who owns 3 bike s one of which he built himself has suggested an entire reworking of the head and adjustment of the idle control. any other advice?
Sounds like there's a good chance you may have carburetor issues.
The first thing I would do is put some Seafoam in the gas & see if that helps-it may if the carbs are dirty. There's plenty of these bikes around & I agree with the previous poster & question whether it needs valve job. If the seafoam doesn't work. I'd find another mechanic & have him check the carbs out. I'm thinking they might need to be cleaned & adjusted. If you had somebody pull the heads & work on the valves you'd probably have the carbs done anyway. That's where I'd start.
 
#26 ·
Valves bad after only 43K miles? That PO didn't do any maintenance, did he? If the valves aren't working properly, getting a good idle can be difficult. After that, there may be fuel problems at idle.
 
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