1986 Suzuki VS700 Intruder from United States of America

Summary:

Best bike I've ever owned

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Needs a kickstart also, helmet lock too close to the wheel, and also needs a sissy bar attachment.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd October, 2010

1986 Suzuki VS700 Intruder from United States of America

Summary:

Great first bike for the price if you like cruisers!

Faults:

The bike had clutch slippage when I first got it. I didn't notice because I didn't want to beat on the seller's bike in front of him. After the bike was warmed up I felt it, and had to replace the clutch. Did it myself, and cost $70 in parts. Job was easy.

Also bought bike with a weak battery. Recharged it, and still failed; had to be replaced. No electrical problems since.

Bike came with aftermarket drag bars, which hit the tank when turned all the way.

General Comments:

This is my first bike, and a great first bike. Cost 1000 with 17000 miles. Great cruiser to learn on.

Light enough to learn on, and with super acceleration to merge into traffic. Great first bike.

Looks good, and when people ask, I have to tell them how old it is.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th March, 2010

1986 Suzuki VS700 Intruder from United States of America

Summary:

A lean mean sexy machine

Faults:

My front brakes were shot when I bought it.

The back tire was bald when I bought it.

The clutch was worn out when I bought it.

I did the repairs myself for less than 300 bucks

General Comments:

This is my first bike and I absolutely love it.

Looks great; still shines for an 86 with 20k. Lots of stock chrome.

Put cobra exhaust on and it sounds like a much bigger bike! Get many compliments. Very reliable/cheap to maintain.

Keeps up with all my buddies 1200 Harleys.

Accelerates like a bullet, love the shaft drive!

Only complaint is the gas tank is too small. Fill up every 90 miles; that's about and hour of hard highway riding nearly wide open. She tops out at about 100-110, and trust me the little 700 screams at that speed. Almost seems like it should have another high gear. Maybe I'm ready for the 1400?

A great bike for a new rider, or experienced riders as well. Without a doubt, the best 1800 bucks I've ever spent!

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd September, 2009

1986 Suzuki VS700 Intruder from United States of America

Summary:

I love my Intruder 700!

General Comments:

I am a new rider and I just purchased a my 86 intruder 700 for 1900 bucks. The bike is in real nice shape and looks and runs great. I just brought it home yesterday and put 80 miles on her my first day of riding! I love the classic styling and already received positive comments from other bikers" Even a couple H.D. riders said it's a nice lookin bike!".

The intruder 700 is very easy to ride and handles and accelerates like a dream. I would recommend this as an awesome beginner bike for you dirtbikers ready to make the move to street! See you on the road!

northside-22@hotmail.com

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 1st August, 2009

1986 Suzuki VS700 Intruder from United States of America

Summary:

All in all - a nice cruiser

Faults:

Front fork seals had to be replaced when I bought it. Mileage at failure unknown.

General Comments:

I came across this, when looking for a used bike to get back into riding. I purchased it from its original lady owner. Maroon, pullback handlebars & one of the rare things - the snowflake cast alloy wheels. Since the used bike market was tight, I settled on this one & took the gamble on buying it on first impression & a test ride. 2 years & 10,000 miles later, it's a decision I don't regret.

V-twin engine has plenty of get up & go, very good low end take-off. It is cold blooded though. I do allow it to warm up before taking off, otherwise it's sluggish.

Nice handling & riding, Shaft drive is smooth.

I got rid of the factory seat, & put a Mustang Regal Duke on it. Mustang stated it would not fit my year, but if you have the model with the slightly higher factory back rest, (Mine, has the small luggage rack on it - maybe is why) it is a direct bolt-on. The only thing I had to alter, was to secure the back rest of this one piece seat to the toolbox front where it locks with heavy adhesive backed Velcro. I cut out around the toolbox lock cylinder, & also cut off the plastic pins of the toolbox front that the grommets of the original back rest would secure to. I bought an extra toolbox front, should I ever put the stock seat back on should I sell this bike, as my intention is to someday, upgrade to an 800 model, which this seat also will fit.

Having an exhaust with a pipe on each side, unlike some of the bikes equipped with stacked pipes on one side, allows for a nice pair of mid-sized saddlebags with no worry of getting burned from hot pipes - plenty of clearance. One thing I did do on this model, was find a plastic cap to put over the rear axle nut & wrap tape over it to secure, to prevent the exposed axle nut from rubbing through the saddlebag the side it's on.

Pretty easy to maintain - changing engine oil, rear gear oil. I'll find out about changing coolant, as I plan on replacing the hoses this year, also with changing the clutch & front brake fluids. Front & rear wheels are easily removed & installed. This is another bike that does not have a center stand - a motorcycle jack is a big help & a wise investment.

Personal dislikes - there are not too many:

Bike feels bulky when pushing backwards - weight is not well distributed. My wife bought a 2008 Yamaha 650 V-Star Classic, & even though 100 lbs. heavier, it does not feel heavier.

No tach - I have found aftermarket ones available for it, & they are reasonably priced.

Having to remove the radiator cover to check the coolant level.

5 Speed gearbox - 6th gear overdrive would have been nice to have had, like some of the others in its class. I'm usually in 5th gear between 35-40 mph. I'm pretty good at counting gears, but there are still times I think I'm in 4th, not 5th & I find myself searching to see if I have one left.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th February, 2009