- This topic has 9 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 2 months ago by Jon D..
Looking for Second Bike–Thinking Used Middleweight Cruiser from 1990’s
-
AuthorPosts
-
February 25, 2009 at 12:19 am #2558wbsprudelsParticipant
I just wondered if there were any opinions out there about favoring Kawasaki’s Vulcan 750 (1995) or Suzuki’s Intruder 800 (1993). Kelly Blue Book retail prices are similar (about 2400 in my area), both have shaft drives, mileages are similar, decent reviews at Total Motorcycle, etc.
I am leaning towards the Intruder but am wondering if anyone has advice that would tell me I’m crazy.
February 25, 2009 at 2:52 am #16701Jon D.ParticipantI would hate to be in your shoes right now, both are great bikes. Recently rode a buddy’s S50 and although I am not a cruiser fan, it was a neat ride. +1 to Elwood, have a seat and the one that feels best will probably be the most enjoyable. Good luck and have fun. Jon D.
February 25, 2009 at 6:25 am #16655SantaCruzRiderParticipantI looked at these two as well. Both (IMHO) are really nice bikes and awesome values on the used market. I really like the Intruder styling, but it’s also an old school cruiser that can be a turn off for some. The Vulcan is more neutral looking. I think both ride well and it’s a matter of personal preference. From a practical standpoint, here’s how I broke down the advantages:
Wheels: ++Vulcan for cast wheels (Intruder has spokes–look cool, but it’s dirt bike tech)
Range: +Vulcan 166 miles on a tank vs 143 for Intruder. Vulcan’s got the bigger tank and better mileage
Speed: +Intruder-leaves everything in it’s class (exept a Magna) in the dust. Still, the Vulcan is less than a half second behind in the quarter, and if you really want fast, you don’t want a cruiser anyway, so it’s all relative.
Engine: Draw: both liquid cooled with shaft drive. It didn’t (and doesn’t) get much better.I never bought either, but I think the Intruder has an awesome look (even with the spokers) LOL
Buy either one!
February 25, 2009 at 1:55 pm #16717MattParticipantWheels:
Spoke wheels require an inner tube, making them heavier and accelerate slower, they also flex when leaned hard. BUT, the flexing also acts as another layer of suspension giving you a smoother more comfortable ride than the same bike with cast wheels.
Sit on ’em, and if you can, ride them around the block.
You aren’t going wrong with either one, just find the one that speaks to you.February 25, 2009 at 2:36 pm #16719Clay DowlingParticipant“Speed: +Intruder-leaves everything in it’s class (exept a Magna) in the dust.”
Which brings to mind: see if you can find a Magna. Obviously, by the picture I’m biased. Beauty is that the Magna, while fast, isn’t prone to launching you into space. If you go fast it’s because you meant to go fast, not because you twitched the throttle when you flew through a cloud of june bugs.
February 25, 2009 at 10:51 pm #16734wbsprudelsParticipantThanks for the replies. It will be difficult to compare them at the same time as they are each more than 2 hours from my house. I think I will start with the Intruder because I like it’s looks. If that falls through, I will pursue the Vulcan. I have pictures I would like to show, but I can’t figure out how to upload them.
February 26, 2009 at 1:21 am #16739eonParticipantLook for the image below the box you type in. Clicking that allows you to upload images.
February 26, 2009 at 12:52 pm #16740wbsprudelsParticipantThanks, Eon. Took me a while to figure this out (I didn’t realize I was inserting the thumbnails). Here is the Intruder…
and here is the Vulcan…
February 26, 2009 at 1:16 pm #16748MattParticipantGoing on nothing but photos, the intruder gets my vote too!
Mind you, the photo of the Vulcan is pretty poor… if we clean it up a bit, it doesn’t look so shabby.
But still, the intruder is pretty slick with the red frame, red shaft (nice touch) and spoke wheels…
February 26, 2009 at 10:56 pm #16756Jon D.ParticipantThat Intruder is beautiful….no more to say. Jon D.
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.