Suzuki Intruder: Features Explained In Detail

Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Limited has launched a brand new cruiser motorcycle - the new Suzuki Intruder. Priced at Rs. 98,000 (ex-showroom Delhi), it's affordable, but designed more as an urban cruiser, to extend Suzuki's commuter motorcycle portfolio, rather than being a pure highway machine. Clearly, the new Intruder is targeted at a market segment where there's a demand for a motorcycle with big bike looks, but is affordable and fuel efficient at the same time. Here's a detailed look at what the new Suzuki Intruder is all about.

(The Suzuki Intruder has enough ground clearance with 170 mm)

1. It may be a cruiser styled motorcycle, but the Suzuki Intruder has enough ground clearance with 170 mm. Seat height is also very accessible at 740 mm, and will be welcomed by riders of different height and build. The seat is plush and wide, and offers a comfortable riding position, but unlike the Gixxer, the Intruder's footpegs are set forward, for a more cruiser-type riding position. That however, doesn't sacrifice the bike's handling; the handlebar is still compact, though slightly taller, and the bike doesn't at all feel unwieldy or wide to be ridden in and around the city, or for the daily commute.
   

   (The headlight has an LED position light and is clearly inspired by the larger Suzuki Intruder M1800R)

2. The Suzuki Intruder shares the exact same all-digital instrument panel as the Gixxer, but the headlight has an LED position light and is clearly inspired by the larger Suzuki Intruder M1800R. The styling of the new Intruder is certainly different, and opinion may be widely divided - but it certainly attracts a lot of attention on the road, and looks like a much bigger bike than a 155 cc, so that's a plus point. The design may be cruiser-like but the upswept one-into-two exhaust leaves very little room to pack a pair of saddlebags or panniers, so the Intruder has limited luggage carrying capacity. At best, a tank bag or even a tail bag is the best bet to carry luggage for the touring inclined, but that would mean sacrificing room for a pillion rider.
   

   (The tail lamp on the Intruder is an LED unit)

3. The Suzuki Intruder shares the exact same engine with the 155 cc Suzuki Gixxer - it's the same carburetted 155 cc, single-cylinder air-cooled engine, which makes 14 bhp of maximum power at 8,000 rpm, and 14 Nm of peak torque at 6,000 rpm. This Suzuki engine has been quite successful in the Gixxer, and it carries forward the same refined personality to the new Intruder.
   

   (The Suzuki Intruder shares the exact same engine with the 155 cc Suzuki Gixxer)

4. Like the Suzuki Gixxer, the gearbox on the Suzuki Intruder is also a five-speed unit. But the gear ratios have been changed, and the intake, airbox, as well as exhaust systems are different. At 148 kg kerb weight, the Intruder also weighs 8 kg more than the Suzuki Gixxer.
   

   (The twin exhaust muffler looks stylish)

5. The chassis of the Intruder is also exactly the same as the Suzuki Gixxer. So, dynamically, the Intruder has similar handling, and has confident and sharp road manners. The steering geometry though has been slightly changed, and the swingarm is new on the Intruder, and is longer, resulting in a longer wheelbase than the Gixxer. But that hasn't really sacrificed the sharp handling the Gixxer is known for - the Intruder feels equally agile and planted. So, in terms of performance and handling, the Intruder certainly offers a very good alternative in the affordable cruiser motorcycle segment. With claimed fuel efficiency figures of 44 kmpl, the Intruder also promises to be easy on the pocket, and will be welcomed by riders looking for a commuter motorcycle with premium, big bike looks.