Comments: 1-15, 16-18
Loving the look of these new "Intruders", mainly due to the new drag handlebars, and the comfortable feel.
I purchased the S50 this year, 2005. I've had the bike about 1 month and here is some feedback for those shopping.
I am a first time owner of a street bike. Again, the cruiser style and look of this bike is what drew me in. Along with the close out pricing for the 2005 models as they approached the 2006 models.
As a first time street rider, this bike is great. Highly recommended for the beginner or even a seasoned pro needing a lighter bike. It has plenty of torque to get out of the way should that Hummer cross in front of you via a red light not seen.
It is fairly comfortable as far as the riding position, though forward controls are very tempting. The seat must go! It's fine for short trips, but anything beyond 25 miles at a time and your hind parts go numb. I have found that highway travel is going to require a windshield as well. It just physically wears you down at highway speeds fighting to stay in position.
After my first month and the break in miles about done, I'm wishing I had bought a bigger bike. I'm 5 ft 11 in and about 210 lbs. It is just right on the border line. I'm fine with it, but at times it feels a little small for me. Just frame wise, seat height.
Power isn't an issue. Though at 500 miles, I did fail to fight off the urge to push some limits while a Ram Air Trans Am rode my tail. I hammered the throttle, and rapped it out while hunkering over the tank. A brief glance down a few seconds later proved 120mph with the Trans Am right on my afore mentioned hind parts. So, you won't outrun any highway muscle cars, but I never thought I would. Nice to know it can do 120 mph though. It was still climbing as I ran out of road and had to shut it down. The bike made it there pretty quick and easy, but she was leveling off in pull at that speed. So I imagine a top speed of about 125-130 if you had the room.
The only real disappointment has been a crackling of the chrome exhaust. The finish has a crackling type issue that looks bad up close. I'm hoping this will be a warranty issue, though I haven't taken her in yet.
One other thing is she is very cold natured. A full choke for the first 3 minutes, then about a 1/4 for another 7 minutes, and she's good to go. Anything less time wise, and she'll sputter a bit at take off.
Otherwise, a great bike for the money. Though of course not a long distance runner. Make sure to look for a seat replacement and a windshield once purchased, you'll be glad you did.
Live long, ride hard, and never look back.
Just a note: I have a 2004 1400 Intruder and had the same problem with the chrome on the exhaust headers and tail pipes. After some foot dragging by the factory, they finally replaced everything.
I bought my 2005 S50 in September of 2004. I now have 11,250 miles on it. It has never failed me yet.
It is still completely stock.
I rode it back and forth from East Texas to South Carolina last summer. A trip of roughly a thousand miles each way. One of the front signal lights burned out, and that was all that went wrong.
The bike has more power than I will ever use. It gets good gas mileage, and burns no oil between changes.
The clutch is still solid as a rock, with no slip.
I still have the original tires on this bike too. Although the rear tire is getting worn now. I will have to replace it this coming summer.
Other than that first trip, I have used the bike mainly around town, and for 60 to 100 mile jaunts on the weekend. I hope to keep this bike from now on. I am completely satisfied with it.
Being 60 years old myself, I remember when 800ccs was considered to be a monster of a bike. So this bike is plenty big for my 5'8'' frame.
The perfect motorcycle for what I want a bike for.
J.B.
I've had my 2005 S50 for a couple of months now, with over 1,200 miles on it now. I find that it still gets the 38 mpg that it got when I first bought it, and I'm (really) hoping this will improve in time. Can anyone offer any comments on this?
I do LOVE this bike. Great power and handling, and the perfect height for my 5'8" frame. My wife would like me to add a sissy bar/backrest so that she doesn't feel like she's sliding backward and forward when I accelerate or decelerate.
I am very excited about my new S50. Well, I haven't actually gotten it yet. I make the official purchase later this week. I've done a great deal of research on bikes and feel confident that I am making a strong and solid model choice.
I am a new rider, so the 803ccs will be more than enough for now. I also love its compact size. While sitting on it in the showroom, a friend came up and said, "That's you." She was right.
I plan to store the bike in my basement for the winter. I could have waited until spring to make the purchase, but the price was right and it was the only S50 available.
I purchased a 2005 S-50 in April of 2005, and in sixteen months I put 5,600 city miles on it. I have been riding since 1981, and buy bikes to use, not park and look at. This is my first Suzuki, with my normal brands being other twin V metric cruisers.
What I liked:
This bike has been utterly reliable, very fun to ride, and is good looking.
I appreciate the lower seat height, it allows my 5'6" frame to plant both feet flat on the pavement at stoplights.
The handle bars are very comfortable when riding due to the kickback risers, and being short flat sport bars, the turning radius is excellent and response is crisp.
The bike has good acceleration off the line, and gets up to speed quickly and smoothly up thru 65 mph with my 160Lbs.
What I did not like:
The brakes (especially the front disk) squeak. While performance is good, it is a tad embarrassing coming up to a light.
The stock seat was not as comfortable as I need for the amount of riding I do, and I changed it out for an after market one that had more width for me and the passenger.
The tool kit was secured in a "hooky looking" faux air box. I bought a tool roll which was installed on the back and took off the plastic chrome fake air box. (I think it cleaned up the bike nicely.) The faux air box also kept bumping my knee right at the kneecap, so I was more comfortable with it off.
The power is great for the city, but when I run it at freeway speed (here that is 75 mph) I am looking for another gear. I don't know the RPM due to the lack of a tach, but it just runs at higher RPM's than I like to be at for a 60 to 90 mile straight run.
What I changed "Just because":
I replaced the seat as mentioned earlier.
I put clear lenses and yellow lamps on the turn signals.
I found some really nice looking silverleaf decals and decorated the tank, front fender, and side covers.
I (Ahem... this is NOT recommended) slightly modified the exhaust to increase the signature noise. The decrease in back pressure seemed to improve the top speed, and now cars seem to hear me and realise I am in the vicinity, which makes me feel safer.
My rating of this bike is:
Reliability: 10 out of 10
Comfort: 9 out of 10
Performance: 9 out of 10
Mechanical: 8 out of 10
Appearance: 10 out of 10.
My recommendation for buying a S-50:
If you are a smaller person, and are a city dweller this is a great bike. 9 out of 10.
To the helpful reviewer who posted the 21st Nov 2006, 21:39 comment:
Thanks for your review. Two questions I wonder if you could reply to for everyone's additional edification:
1) Have you seen an improvement in the gas mileage with your S-50? I'm still getting under 40mpg, and am hoping it will improve after the 2nd scheduled service.
2) I would love to replace my seat as well. Can you tell us what you put on yours, and a possible source to find the same type for my S-50?
I've recently purchased the 2005 S50 after much searching.
This bike fits my 5'4" frame well with the exception of needed about 1 - 2" more pullback on the handlebars. Changing the bars involves changing cables, lines, and wiring and is not cost effective.
The seat on it is very comfortable and well-padded, but I would like one that will bring me closer to the handlebars. Has anyone found a comfortable seat that brings the rider further forward?
I purchased my 2007 S50 in October 2006. So far I have about 1000 miles on it. I live in the Pacific NW, so winter months = limited riding for me :(
It is my second bike - my first was a 1986 Honda Rebel 450, which I learned to ride on for a month before buying the S50.
I'm 5'6, 175lbs and the bike is a good fit for me. It's light and nimble and has plenty of power.
I too had brake squeal mainly on the front, but it seems to be happening less often recently.
The seat is a tad uncomfortable, so I may be looking for an aftermarket replacement, and I will also add a windshield. I've already added the Suzuki saddlebags and a sissy bar.
So far I have no complaints - I love this bike!
To add to my comment above - I just ordered a Mustang Wide Touring seat - I have a very sore behind from the stock seat - just did an 80 mile ride yesterday and 228 miles today.
I'm getting exactly 50 mpg, and that's mixed riding, and I cruise at 75-80mph on the freeway.
I too have just purchased an S50. I completely love the bike, but also have the front brake squeak problem and the seat could be a bit better, but other than that, it has good power and is a very agile bike. I would like to pipe it eventually and see happens. Does anyone have any suggestions on good pipes for the S50?
I've had my '05 S50 for 3 years now - get 55-56 mpg combination riding, although if I stomp on it, going over 70, the mileage drops quite a bit lower (more like 45 mpg).
Those of you out there with crappy mileage - maybe it's set too rich? Check your plugs - see if they're burning properly.
LOVE the bike - HATE the seat - any Mustang seat owners out there with reviews?
Bike is perfect for me at 5' tall - plenty of power - great for long distances and I can flat-foot it!
Going to change the turn signals - clear lenses - and might get LED inserts too.
I have saddlebags hoops - engine guard with Kuryakyn pegs to help stretch the legs onto for long distances.
Styling is great, but that's probably the culprit as to why the gas tank is so small...
If you are getting 40 mpg average, I'd say that something is wrong with your bike. I get 55 average, and I'd seen 60 on long trips done at a leisurely pace doing a steady 50 to 55 mph. Last year I was past tune up intervals, but even then it did 48 mpg average. That was with old spark plugs and 3 year old air filters. These Suzuki engines are renowned for the low consumption, and I'd say you should at least average 55 mpg.
I am a new rider who is thinking of purchasing the S50. Many of you have mentioned the low seat height works great for some of the shorter riders. I stand 6 feet, and am concerned that I might feel cramped up on the bike. How do you think the bike would suit someone of my height and weight. I'm about 6 feet and 175 lbs. Thanks.
I have had my 2005 Suzuki S50 for 2 years now. I purchased it in March 2005. I have not replaced the seat yet. I will as soon as I finish paying off the bike, in August.
I am 5'10" and 220lbs and the bike is an decent fit for me. I use the highway pegs I installed quite often on the freeway. I would say a new more comfortable seat is a very good idea, and if you are tall, you might want a slightly larger bike.
I have no regrets with the S50. I think it is one of the best looking bikes around. And it has all the power I could ever need.
They say the valves should be adjusted at 4000 miles. Well the shop wants over $300 to do it. I attempted it myself and gave up. I do not have the proper tools or patience. I have heard some people say the adjustment is not necessary, and others say it HAS to be done.?? I only have 3500 miles on the bike, and I am confused about the valve adjustment. Wish the bike had hydraulic valves!
Otherwise I highly recommend the S50.
I bought a 2005 S50 this year and I love it. At 5'2" I had the seat lowered about 2" and had a gel pad inserted. That seemed to fix the hard seat problem. The bike came with Jardine pipes, that sound fantastic.
My only problem now is I think I need the handlebars back a couple of inches. Has anyone replaced the handlebars? How involved is that? What type do you recommend to pullback the bars a couple of inches?