Suzuki Intruder 400 can only seem ordinary and ordinary at first glance. He is handsome, well equipped in the basic configuration, surely reliable (Japanese after all!) - in a word, such an average person in his class. But it’s worth learning a little more about him, how this opinion will change dramatically.
The invader from the Far East
The word Intruder has no absolute equivalent in Russian. Its approximate meaning is a cross between "Invader", "Conqueror", "Occupant", "Invader". Surely, giving this name, the manufacturer thought not only about the shade of aggressiveness that it would give to the image of the bike, but also in the literal sense of capture - capture of a certain segment in the market. In any case, this motorcycle is a serious bid for victory. Today it is the only chopper mass-produced in Japan. That is, if in reviews of other bike models we often read the words that the model is the embodiment of the style and concept of the company and its developers relied on many years of experience, then in the case of the Suzuki Intruder 400 motorcycle, there will be no such words. He is rather an upstart, a creative experiment, a test of the pen, which turned out to be very successful.
Short story
Production and sales of the Suzuki VS 400 Intruder motorcycle began in 1994. It was developed on the basis of the Intruder VS 800 prototype and was originally intended for the Japanese domestic market and looked like this:
This generation of "Intruders" was released until 1999, until it was replaced by an updated version. It is still being built and bears the name Suzuki Intruder 400 Classic.
Both versions are largely similar, but have several differences visible to the naked eye:
- series "VS 400" (1994-1999) has a large front wheel 21 ', and the exhaust pipes are located on the sides;
- the 400 Classic series (from 2000 to the present) has a smaller wheel, 16 '; double pipes pass on the right, and his wings are more elongated.
- the first generation was content with a tank of 12 liters, and the representatives of the second pleased the owners increased to 17 liters.
Today, this bike model is available not only in Japan. The "Invader" has long lived up to its nickname by successfully invading markets in Europe, the CIS, and both Americas. In the photo - a representative of the second, "classic" generation:
Vocation
Suzuki Intruder 400, the characteristics of which tie it to the classics, looks more like a custom, possessing the features of a cruiser. This bike is chosen by those who do not pursue high speeds and high-speed squealing of the engine, breaking the night silence for miles around. The "intruder" is rather imposing and dimensional than harsh and hasty. Its smoothness and classic beauty are more likely to be appreciated by those who love stability.
You can take him for a purebred cruiser. But a few years ago, the world famous Forbes magazine named the Suzuki Intruder 400 the best motorcycle for the modern metropolis. Indeed, with all his apparent craving for vagrancy, he is more likely a typical city dweller. It is easy for him to integrate into a frantic traffic stream, navigate and get out of the traffic jam, and he takes up a little parking space, thanks to his discreet dimensions. But do not wave it at the motodalnoboy? It is also possible, a hardy Japanese chopper will drive you to a neighboring city with maximum comfort. Of course, the trip will take longer than in sports or tour enduro. But why such a handsome man to drive to the maximum speed and deprive oncoming ladies of pleasure enough to admire them?
Thoughts on tuning
Those who do not just look at two-wheeled vehicles as a means of transportation, but also love it with all their hearts, are unanimous in the opinion that any unit coming off the assembly line needs to be improved. It is the owner who breathes the soul into a conglomerate of metal and plastic, it is he who gives the iron horse a unique style. Thanks to the masters of customization and tuning, the motorcycle becomes unique and not like the other two-wheeled counterparts.
Here a lot depends on the basic configuration of the bike. Some models in the eyes of old customizers look like clean album sheets, giving unlimited scope for creativity. But it happens that the style and equipment are close to ideal. The most striking example is the Suzuki Intruder 400 motorcycle. Reviews of professionals say that the absolute majority of bike parts do not need to be finalized. Well, unless the steps can be pulled forward a bit. Or put reinforced brake hoses .
Is it worth it to do tuning in depth - a personal matter for each owner. But you must admit, it is foolish to lose a unique style behind the mask of a body kit. Then it’s worth considering whether the reverse process will occur? Will excessive tuning make an even more “incubator” bike, which already has an inborn personality? The only Japanese chopper in the world, after all ...
Exploitation
It is worth remembering that the "Intruder" inherent in all the features of the "four hundred." You should not expect from him the manifestations of a frantic burrow - he is docile and restrained. What sets the Suzuki Intruder 400 apart from the rest? Owner reviews for the most part note rather easy management, adequate behavior on bends, quick response to teams. Of course, most motorcycles of the "1000 +" category will show much better stability on the track, they are easier to pull uphill, more smoothly enter the corner and exit it. But why, in fact, generally compare bikes from such different classes? The "Intruder", like any "four hundred", has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Take care of him as a pet, change the oil in the engine and gearbox of the rear wheel in time, do not forget about antifreeze and prevention. And he will thank you with the impeccable work of a 30-horsepower engine, designed for an impressive mileage resource.
The work of nodes will please with reliability and coherence. Still, legends about the quality of Japanese motorcycles are not legends at all, but pure truth.
Disadvantages
It does not happen that there are no cons at all, no matter how perfectionist the manufacturer may be. For example, many owners complain that removing the battery is not easy. Due to the design feature, the carburetor is clamped in a narrow frame. The battery is located behind the pendulum mount, so it is taken out from below.
It is believed that the rear suspension is rather weak for Russian roads. But this is, rather, a claim not to the Japanese motorcycle industry, but to some other organizations ...
TTX
What can give a better idea of a motorcycle than impartial figures? If you are considering buying a Suzuki Intruder 400 bike, the technical specifications will help you orient yourself.
Both versions of the "Intruder" are equipped with a four-stroke two-cylinder V- engine , which produces 30 horsepower. The frame is welded from steel. The brake system consists of a disc brake in front and a drum brake in the rear. The telescopic fork is responsible for the smooth movement of the front wheel, and the rear shock on the first and second generation models varies: on the VS 400 it is double, and on the Classic it is mono. The mass of the first bike with an empty tank is 236 kilos, and the second - 244.
Prices
In the secondary market, the Suzuki Intruder 400, which did not ride on the roads of Russia and other former Soviet republics, costs an average of $ 1800-2200 for a first-generation model and about $ 3000-3500 for a “classic”.