Newbie question

Having returned to 2 wheels after 20 years (Ok so it's a midlife crisis) I
have been drooling over the Suzuki Intruder Range. I have since had my head
turned by the Yamaha Virago. I am a big lump and the cruiser style bike
reflects my personality (big and lazy).

I would really appreciate some constructive comments re: the two models,
do's, don'ts, buy new, buy second-hand etc.

Thanks in advance

 

I returned after 20 odd years off, did the 'superbike thing', did the 'big
bike thing' then 2 years ago, bought by accident a Virgo. It is ideal. Not
trying to kill you al the time, not trying to bankrupt you either. I can
comfortably put both feet flat on the floor from sitting too. It is not a
sport bike, so if you fancy your self teararsing around, forget it. It is
however a pleasure to ride, and shaft drive etc means little maintenance
between service. I would recommend to anyone.

 

Never buy a bike name after an anal sex toy.

HTH.

 

The Intruder range really hasn't proved as popular as the Viragos. By
far the nicest Virago is the XV535, which is sweet, economical,
reliable, has shaft drive, and even goes quite well. It's been around,
facelifted from time to time, since the 1980s, so it's a well proven
bike. Shaft drive, too.

The problem with a lot of Jap cruisers is that aren't actually very nice
to ride - certainly the bigger ones aren't. So the old 800 Intruder is a
better bet than the... 1500, is it? The 750 Virago is nicer than the
1100, and so on.

The Kawsaki 800 Drifter's found some friends, but I don't think I've
ever seen the bigger one on the roads.

The smaller Jap cruisers will still maintain a steady 75 if you need it,
which is about as comfortable a speed as you'd want to maintain on the
bigger bangers, to be honest.

Of course, if you're going to be carrying a pillion a lot of the time,
you may need a bigger bike.

Don't forget the Guzzi California - way more style than most Jap
cruisers, plus much better braking and handling.

 

I thought CdC had the bigger one?

 

Maybe. I've still never seen one on the road.

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, wessie belched forth and ejected the following:

Why was I not surprised to see you'd posted a reply to a post that
contained the words "Suzuki Intruder".

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Soylent Green belched forth and ejected the
following:

You are Matthew Causey AICMFF Moby 5s.

 

I'm not sure I could even spell dysphoria (hang on)

 

Such a shame that it looks as if Voxan will never export to the UK. The
Roadster gives me the feet flat on the floor sitting stance and yet is
surprisingly competent when pushed. No shaft drive but the chain is a
fucking great big one that doesn't seem to need to adjusting all the
time. 104 BHP so no slouch (claimed 140 MPH), but is as flexible as you
would like if not in a hurry, yet is capable of getting up Shelsley
Walsh in under 37 seconds in the hands of an old git.

 

While browsing around looking for ECU tuning chips, I came across
mention of one for Voxan, if you're interested. I'll probably never find
it again, but it's out there somewhere.

 

I know it's not fashioanable but I really enjoy my Deauville
(dullsville), nice and comfortable, not fast but adequate. I weigh in
at 15 'ish stone and am short (5'8''), Use it every day, assuming SWMBO
doesn't say rude words like snow or ice. No idea how these compare with
the models you've identified but maybe worth a look.

waits in anticipation of being shot down.

brian

 

Too right.

You fucking dwarf.
--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3
`\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2, IBB#10
`\|/`
`

 

Yep.
Fucking ugly too.

 

I've seen Gertrude. I don't quite get it, but I've seen it.

 

http://www.mrandmrswheatley.co.uk/isay.html
http://www.angelfire.com/celeb2/giovanni/lyricpotato.html

 

I'm not short and I'm not ugly.
Fat & bald, yes.
But ugly, no.

 

Maybe. I've still never seen one on the road.[/QUOTE]

Haven't we met since I got Gertrude?

I've seen maybe half a dozen other 1500 Drifters in this country, most
of them the 1999 "deep gooseberry" dark red model like mine. I wonder
how many they sold.

IMO the change to a solo seat as standard was not a good move, and
might have completely killed Drifter sales.

The main thing I like about them is that you don't have to exceed the
speed limits to have a load of fun. Apart from the fun factor they are
comfortable, economical, reliable, and with open pipes will make any
hooligan happy.

I've done 28,000 miles on mine, and that's in spite of various periods
when I was unable to ride for one reason or another.

 

Cool ! I did see some mention of a power commander or such like on the
VCF site but couldn't quite make out the content. Will try various
google combinations. Allegedly there is a 'factory' 140 BHP 'kit' which
'Mig' is hoping to have for the 2007 TT. Must be more than just a
re-chip though.