The 4 spd transmission and meaner cam is what made those things the muscle bike you claim. The one you got is half nerfed. Fully nerfed if u had the 5 spd.
i agree and love the softail look of the 1400 intruder. so i lowered it on shorter shocks with stiffer springs, and added 18" ape hangers. i ve had mine up to 197 kph, and its a 1990 4 speed.maybe with a tune up and an extra gear i think it would be capable of 220kph. i also have 2 1/2 inch open exhaust pipes and it hasn t affected the performance but feels a bit more pepper.
I got really lucky back in 2018 and picked up my first bike, a VS800, running and driving with 55k miles for 750$ ended up letting her sit after some electrical issues but she’s back on the road and I’m still happy with my purchase!
Yeah, I kinda liked the Dyna Glides, particularly the Wide Glide. The 4 speed is fine for a bar hopper but if you intend to take this bike any long distance, you'd regret the decision! At least I would. A few years back, I rode my 1998 Intruder 1400 on a cross country trip. Two actually. It was miserable enough and it was a 5 speed. Mostly though, the seating position is what does it for me. I can't bear the pain in my lower back after anything more than an hour of riding. I could tolerate the other issues. So, this bike just gets ridden locally and not very often at that.
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures I have the same problem, 1 hour about does me with any bike but I had an 87 goldwing aspey, and I could go about 4 hours. The cb, am fm, cd, and the intercom all integrated makes every hour more enjoyable. And the massive bag space is unbelievable. I may get another. But i have a 88 soft tail and a 99 1500 intruder to get tired of 1st.
@@joracer1 I actually can ride all day on my Triumph. But I have a custom seat on it and the riding position is more upright which takes the pressure off my lower back. The Intruder is great for short rides or even longer rides with frequent stops. I’ll just never take one on a cross country trip again.
You worried about roundabouts and the alternative is death or traffic lights where cops hide and wait for you to run the red when no-one else is at the intersection. Light bulb moment for you I guess!
I’m glad it helped. Priming the bowls makes starting much easier. A 1992 is getting pretty old now but fortunately you can still find parts to fix it up.
I fell in love with mine as if seeing the most beautiful girl in the world. I had to have it. I have 39+K on it right now. Mine is a 2000 1400 in green on green. I have the 5 speed trans and actually burried the spedometer a number of years ago. So, I really don't know how fast it was since the spedo goes to 120 and the needle kept going past that a ways! Of course I am a little man weighing in at 172 with a low profile frame so that might have had something to do with it. I had clutch trouble with it in the begining because I used Vavoline 10-40 in it and that ruined the clutch at 10K. I had to learn a hard lesson on JASO approved oil. Since I replaced the clutch I only use Shell Rotella T6 5-40. The engine runs better, faster and quieter and the clutch has not slipped in over 30K. I had to learn to soft shift it so as to not burn the rear tire off every couple of years as well. To this very day with her little niks and scratches and worn seat, she still gets lots and lots of nice comments. I still think its a pretty fast machine, even though its supposed to be a cruiser. I think it is pretty cool that you can twist the throttle rapidly and be doing 10 MPH faster on every rap! It always seems to pull pretty hard anywhere you want it to. I am a guy that survived owning a 1972 Kawasaki H2 750 and the 1400 seems to kind of have that same pull! Sometimes I wish I could find out is what Suzuki did to delete 11 HP from the original engine. I would be nice to have just that "LITTLE MORE" that we all want. But, I feel 61HP is enought. It pulls hard from a stop. It jumps nice at any speed. It cruises nice at 60 MPH and 2800 RPM.......leave it alone, I guess. The only times it has failed me was actually my fault! The first time I did not tightnen the battery box enough, the srews fell out while flying down a highway and the battery fell out! My fault. The second time I had the positive side of the battery cable come loose because I did not tighten it correctly. And the last time I picked up a huge roofing screw 35 miles away from home right after I installed a brand new rear tire. My only complaint is right now the engine stalls when you turn on the turn signal or brake light at idle. I am working on that. Also, I am 5' 8" and the bike just fits for me. But if you are much bigger than that, it might seem a tad cramped. Just my opinion. But all in all, It is one beautiful, well make and powerful machine and I just can't take my eyes off of her. It is one of the better machines out there, if you ask me. =KL= 1400 Cowboy Chicago
Hey thank you for those comments! You’re spot on too. I also use Rotella but I only put conventional oil in it. When I had the 1998 model a few years ago, I tried synthetic Rotella but it verifiably leaked around the case covers. Never did it with the conventional version so I’ve stuck with it. The very early 1400s with the 4 speeds were definitely quicker. I seem to recall the decrease came after they changed the timing and added a decompression circuit to aid in starting. But I could be misremembering. I took the 1998 on a cross country trip a few years back. I went from Florida to upstate NY and back, with stops to visit friends and family along the way. I only had one problem the entire trip out of the bike. The brake fluid boiled in the rear master cylinder. It happened after spending the day in the mountains in Pennsylvania and Virginia. Trail braking didn’t agree with the fluid! It was also a fairly hot summer day so I should’ve anticipated it. The biggest problem though was spending a solid 14 days on that bike riding nearly 3,500 miles. I detested the sight of the bike by day 9 because I knew the seat was going to cause me immeasurable pain. Sadly, I sold the bike after getting home because I wanted a more worthy touring bike. I ended up with my Triumph Tiger Explorer and while I had zero regrets about buying it, I missed the Intruder. So I bought three more over the next few years. I’m back down to only this one 1400 and while I rarely ride it and sometimes think of selling it, I’ll likely keep it. I’d like to perhaps restore it and change the color. I’d like to strip it down to the frame and replace every renewable part during the rebuild. Essentially having a brand new machine. I still might do that.
Well I’d say the VMax and the Intruder are different bikes! My Triumph would wipe the floor with either of them. But again, different bikes. Always have wanted a VMax though.
I might have mentioned that when I lived in Illinois I had a 94 Heritage Softail and my buddy had a Suzuki Intruder. Our bikes were completely stock except that I had slip ons on the Heritage. He would walk away from me like it was nothing and just keep going. All of the Japanese cruisers you mentioned and showed are awesome bikes. I took my first motorcycle drivers exam on a Honda V65 Magna. That bike was fast for the day. I always wanted a Virago, they looked badass, and comfortable. So many bikes, so little money. lol
My very first street legal bike was a little Honda Rebel 250 and I loved that little bike. Later I had a Virago and it was nice also but it has been dropped or wrecked or something because the forks were never straight. I still rode the heck out of it. I’ve always liked Japanese bikes and I still have a V-Max on my want list. One day… The Intruders are just so good looking in my opinion. They have such nice lines. My only reason for not putting a ton of miles on this one or any other actually, is they’re too uncomfortable for me after an hour or two. Ever since I bought my Triumph, I’m spoiled. I’ve contemplated selling this Intruder but every time I sell one I own, I find myself wanting another one!
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures Ohhhhh, a V-Max would be awesome! Triumph makes great bikes as well. We really are living in the golden age of motorcycling. All we need is a KLX 400 and life would be perfect on two wheels. lol
I’d be interested in a KLX400 but they’d need to put at least a 3.5 gallon tank on it. This pitiful little tank on the 300 is almost ridiculous. And I refuse to pay as much money as IMS wants to get a 0.7 gallon bigger tank! I’ll invest in rotopaks before going that route. Listen to me, just complaining over here. I’d settle for a gas gauge on the dash at this point. Considering just a few years ago I was riding a 25 year old DR650 with only a kickstarter out in the woods, you’d think I’d be nothing but happy! LOL
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures As soon as I hit post the comment I thought about that thimble of a gas tank. It really is ridiculous on a four stroke dual sport that isn’t designed to be on the race track. I bought a bladder from Giant Loop and I have some MSR bottles but I think that I’m going to add a rotopak or two to the bike.
I wanna ask whats better tho, the 4 speed or the 5 speed, also does this bike have a lot of vibrations going on when cruising.. I mean i the handlebars and the chassis
I have 6 bikes all suzuki's.(5 intruders 1400,love these things and 1 tl 1000s.I have 2 intruders 4 -speed and the other 3 are 5 speed and no there is no difference between these 2 gearboxes.Only if you do highways and wan't to push the throttle the 5 speed is just a little better(lower rpm).Vibrations not a problem at all.Neither do sidewinds because intruders are heavy afterall.Only terrible things on intruders is when you have to work on the carburettors(shitty to get them in are out).only weakness is the stator is a weak point on these bikes for the rest they are bullitproof like every japanese bike is.
I honestly couldn’t tell you right now without taking a look. It’s been a while since I set it. I want to say curve #4 but I’m just guessing. I’ll yank the seat off and get back to you.
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures I have a 1995 Intruder 1400 that I bought two weeks ago. I put k&n air filters, a 6sigma jet kit, and straight pipes on it. In two weeks I will be putting the Dynatek on it :)
Do you have baffles in the pipes? You’ll feel the difference when you add them. You can just install lollipops or spend about $80 for Big City Thunder monster baffles. They improve the sound as well as the performance.
I have a 1992 vs800. It has a 5 speed transmission. I agree with the comfortable ride statement. I agree the gas tank is too small. My biggest grip is location of the battery is a bad idea. Makes it difficult to change the battery.
That’s quite true about the battery but at least you only have to suffer through the process every few years. Blocking the rear wheel and kick stand up on some lengths of 2x4 makes it much easier.
Wow ok, I hope I didn’t offend you. I’ve never owned a Harley and likely never will. So please, insert whatever Harley it DOES look like and then the world will be in balance once again!
in reality there is a note to be made on the powers, the vs 800 is equipped with the same engine as the Intruder VX and the engine developed about 62 hp and about 7500rpm, while the engine of the 1400 was born from the 4-speed of 1987 and had about 80 hp, then later they started to create devices to remove power due to regulatory problems, but the engine is still the same
Technically speaking, you're correct. But the 800 and 1400 off the line (except for maybe the very first 1400s) are much closer and the 800 has a weight advantage. Equally skilled riders on one of each bike will find the 800 jumps off to a very early lead only to lose it down the stretch. You can't really go wrong with either but the 1400 seems a little more "roomy" than the 800.
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures they are close but different, the 1400 is longer (the rear fenders don't fit) furthermore the forks are 41 and not 39, even the braking system is different, not only does it have a rear disc brake, but the internal piston of the caliper is larger, the front light is made entirely of steel and not plastic. having said that, it is true that the 800 is easier to drive, but I have both of them (actually I have two vs 800 and two vs 1400) and even on mountain roads (Italy) the 800 can't keep up with the 1400 , too much difference in torque when exiting corners (they still remain "walking" bikes)
those of us from the 60s and 70s who like long raked front ends and what is called a bobbed fender under a king/queen seat and a nice chrome sissy bar as well; and coated with a wild custom paint job, we have a different preference/perspective in our minds. Today people want rat cars and rat bikes and bobbers. I am old school and love sparkling shinny custom bikes. Nuthin wrong with a Bobber! I am glad that we live in a world where each of us can create an expression of art on each individual bike! I love to see every bike done in the individual minds eye of the owner! I like it when I like what they do as well. I am not sure, but bobbers are a come back of the older days. I can't wait for long chrome springer front ends and king queen seats and sissy bars to make the return. Simple, long, low & beautiful. Bobbers are short, stubby light, hotrod and fast. Be safe, live long, prosper, be healthy and honor the Lord..... =KL= 1400 Cowboy Chicago
I can’t have mine idling because it over heats while on the road I have no problems but when it gets inspected for the new sticker then it will over heat, is that normal on this bikes ?
I have never had issues with over heating but the 1400 is air cooled so if it’s hot outside and the bike sits idling, there is the possibility. If it’s not getting enough fuel, it can also get hot but that’s not usually too much of an issue for most people.
4:16 AMEN. I hate bobber builds that start as old classic bikes. Why destroy a piece of history to make your custom crap that will end up being mostly aftermarket garbage anyway
I have a '95 4spd that I bought new....put together from a factory crate, Teal Blue. I think it has about 16,000 original miles. I bought it to run in the desert in NV in the spring. I did that and loved it but the bike has some caveats. Before you consider 'uncorking' it, consider that you're throwing your gas mileage out the window. It's a small streamlined tank to start with. To travel across the country I had to carry two one-gallon gas cans in the saddle bag. It's not happy over 70mph, although it will race to 100mph like a rocket if you've synced the carbs right. There's just a lot of V-twin vibration around 70mph and up. You'll destroy Harleys with this bike, although most won't race you. Don't be stupid though and take on a V-Rod. It's a visceral bike, nothing more. After 100mph, there's not much left. I had mine @110mph with the use of a long hill....like a 'kicker'. But doing that eats your rear tire tread....which really isn't just a 1400 issue. They are absolutely crazy about this bike in Sweden. They port the intakes larger, change out or do something with the carbs/cams and finally the bike can top-end appropriate for this engine. Not sure I'd wanna be on it at that speed though! Brakes are OK, but you need a high-temperature synthetic for your brake fluid, or in hot traffic it's like stepping on snow slush. The rear is problematic not because it doesn't work(the geometry), but it looks like a dirt bike. I guess I hate that look most of all and yet I've never done anything about it because of all the 'expert' opinions. Early on, some magazine had an article about making a cafe racer out of this bike and it was done.....and it was SWEET looking. They tucked the oil cooler inside the forks, bobbed the rear and I can't remember what else. I still have the article somewhere. I'm surprised it wasn't repeated more over the yrs. I've heard rumors about clutch trouble with about my mileage, but mine is fine. It could be a lot on how it's ridden. I'm not poppin' wheelies, but I'm not doggin' it either. I have taken many highway trips with it.....allow a long interval to recover after those trips....LOL. Remember what I said about "visceral"? Don't think comfort. I've gone as far in it as eastern WA to Denver and back. Don't take any trips without those gas cans. And don't let the 'Karens' tell you with the cans you are a rolling firebomb. Only if you're trapped under the bike, the cans have ruptured from an accident and someone throws you a lit match. We have a lot of mountain twisties where I live. When I was younger and more aggressive with this bike, I'd hit the footpeg on the road in the twisties......which can feel like a fish thrown up on shore. About the 4spd.....they used the same gearbox space but cut down the gears to fit in a 5spd gear later. I was told that happened in '96, but some say '97.....might depend on what time of the yr the bike was made? Personally, I think that's bad engineering using the same box and everyone I ever met who rode both, said the 5spd didn't really give it the highway gear ratio it should have. Many say the 4spd is faster out of the hole....can't say, as I never rode a 5spd. But everyone is pretty much unanimous that the 5spd does NOT make it a highway bike. Still visceral. As you can imagine, I disagree with a lot of what the video poster says about this bike. Doesn't make me right or him right....just opinions. His comments about bobbers/cafe racers says a lot....'nough said. I threaten to sell this bike every few yrs or so; clean it all up, ride it a bit, come home and then remove the ad. Maybe I'm stupid or maybe there's just too much nostalgia.....I dunno.
Hi people, I have a 1997 model since 2010. It have only 17,300 miles on it. Runs like new. Is uses to has the blue/white colors, but I found a 2001 gas tank on in perfect condition. Them the two fenders, so now my bike looks like a 2001 model but obviously It’s still the original 1997 model. I love that bike and I will never sale it. Next year I have plans to by a new bike, but I will keep my Suzuki Intruder VS1400.
To the best of my knowledge, it doesn’t stand for anything. It’s simply the designation Suzuki chose for a line of bikes. They also had VN, LC and other designations for bikes over their history. However, internet rumor has it that secret internal documents leaked out of the Suzuki research lab in 1986 show VS might stand for Very Sexy.
I can’t remember if it was 1997 or 1998 that Suzuki changed the Intruder over to a 5 speed. I think ‘97. The extra gear makes a big difference when doing any highway speed riding. One bike is good, but two bikes is great! 👍
Probably the biggest thing I’d be concerned with is the fueling. Do both carbs work? Does the exhaust punch equally out the tips? Is the tank clean, meaning no or very little rust? Are the fuel lines in good shape? Do the spark plugs look normal? Many problems owners have are fuel related and especially problematic if you can’t work on carbs yourself, as very few shops can or will touch them. Aside from those things, look the frame and drivetrain over. If the current owner maintained the bike, you shouldn’t be worried about buying it. A 1991 is getting quite old now so you can expect some maintenance work. Good luck!
Agree about bobbers, prefer choppers 😂got a 750 intruder few months ago can't get it to run, firing on one cylinder, no rear lights, bummer also have Honda 600 vt I like it a lot slow but very reliable (left stock) also a cb 550 chop project, a 600 kawa eliminator 1997 and a Honda ntv 650 for everyday use(great bikes do high mileage) popular in Europe. I am in caithness, Scotland. Good review ✌️🇬🇧
I got in zooki intruder 1400 with black and purple flames up it but I got to redo the time and chain the gasket clean it out and put a new shift around it but I do have a Harley Davidson chip on it that's like 1500 plus my dad said it's a good driving bike I've been really wanting to get on it and ride it
That's interesting for sure! In the USA, in 1986, I don't think a 750 was even available. Only the 700 or the 1400. Something to do with a tariff, I think. The 1400 only had a 4 speed early on and it is a very preferable setup in the early years. People who owned them claim they were the most powerful of the 1400 Intruders. The 800cc version wasn't available in the US market until the 1990s, if I recall correctly. Not sure Suzuki even made one in 1986! But I don't know everything there is to know on these bikes... for instance, I think in some markets they had a 400cc model. Personally, I've never seen one but I guess they're out there somewhere!
Im selling mine for 100 bucks if anyone wants one it a solid bike and looks great but will need a ignintor box thougth, idont wanna sell it but kinda have too .
I love old Broncos. When I was growing up in NY, my father had an old Bronco for a snow plow. I think it was a 66 maybe? Column shift, holes in the floor boards, no heat, but man, you could plow anything with it. I hated it back then but I so wish I had it now. I think we left it sitting there when he packed up and moved to Florida in 1992.
Glad to see my ol' girl out on the road! As for top speed... I had it up to 115. It was a bit scary! That was per the speedo! I like the crash bars and pegs! They look great! Glad to see you out enjoying it!
Yeah buddy! I bought original OEM crash bars off a guy right after I brought her back to Florida. I don’t ride it much but every time I do, I’m smiling the whole time. Thank you again for giving me dibs on it when you downgraded to a different bike! 🤣
Recently picked up a running 86 vs750 for a few hundred dollars to tinker with over the winter, I guess in Canada we didn't have the tariff problem so we got the 750 a few years earlier. My 86 has the 5spd and a 19" front wheel.
That’s great! Congrats! I was actually going to say that’s a 700 but then you mentioned Canada. The one my father had was an 86 and it set off my love for these bikes. You’ll enjoy it I’m sure!
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures Only had it out for a few minutes before putting it away for the winter but the 750 is considerably faster than my 200cc Aprlia scooter haha.
I have a 1995 vs1400 and I’m a taller guy, do you have any suggestions for a forward control kit for this bike? I’m fairly new to motorcycles and the stock controls feel a little cramped.
From time to time, I see guys selling a set made by Jardine but there are also some new ones available on eBay. Probably Chinese but with the controls being so simple, I can’t imagine they’re terrible. Seems they run about $300? Depending on your level of skill, I used to have a schematic plan for making your own. I could maybe look for it if you wanted. I was going to try to build it years ago but I never got around to it. For me, highway bars with foot pegs attached get me by; however, I do not ride any distance on Intruders any more.
Have had my 96 Intruder 1400 since 1998 and I love it now as much as I did the first day I got it. 52,000 miles and it's in the shop now for it's first major repair. Getting the carbs rebuilt. God, I can't wait to get it back and go cruisin!!!
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures I'm a little over 3 hours away from Niagara Falls and have visited the Falls at least once a year for over 50 years. I've ridden the Intruder and earlier bikes to Niagara Falls many times. Nothing beats cruising on the bike along the mighty Niagara and the Niagara Parkway. Have a great weekend!
Love the color scheme of this bike. Hard to find but probably the sharpest of all the Intruder colors. I've had many Intruders throughout the years and still love them!
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures It’s copper and black aka black n tan. What’s not to love??!! lol Well color is very subjective. The best looking Intruder I owned was blue and white. I also had a custom painted one that was burnt orange which was very sharp. I suppose you could always get it custom painted.
@@danield831 I’m contemplating doing a full repaint as a project for this channel. I don’t know if I really want to change the color scheme or not. The paint is rough at this point and the tank has some dings. The bar stops were sheared off by someone in the past so that needs to be addressed also. The bars hit the tank since there is no longer a stop. Plus I’d like to swap all the turn signals and brake light to LED.
It doesn’t change the power. The engine still produces what it ever produced. The CDI let’s you change the spark advance curve and raise the RPM limiter. I suppose one might feel those as power improvements. I think they’re worth spending the money to get.
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures I once got my 1980 Honda 650 four up to 120mph just to see its limit. The engine screamed but very smoothly. When my older sister gave me her 1996 VS1400 for a very low price I was elated and had great expectation and was of course again curious about its speed. It topped out at a little over a hundred (as best I can recall). (Then I found out about the no 5th or 6th gear and wondered why on earth the designer neglected such an obvious necessity). In any case, when I thought about those giant pistons going up and down so extremely quickly it seemed to me - that can't be good for the engine. Not a big deal really as the max round here is 70mph but even slow as that, the pistons seem too busy. Seems to me the engine has enough power that it would have no trouble idling through the countryside on a 7th gear and so able to go twice as far on that tiny tank. I'm not complaining, really, and do appreciate the narrow profile and acceleration for zipping round the city, easily worth the price of transmission. Btw, is there a way to add a 5th gear? (Preferably relatively easily). Cheers, eh!
In 1997 or 1998 the Intruder 1400 did mate to a 5 speed. While it was better, I still found myself trying to shift into 6th gear! I suppose it might be possible to marry a later model 5 speed to an earlier bike but I’m not certain. The modifications are beyond my desire to have the additional gear but I bet somebody has done or tried to do it.
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures Thanks. Back in '67, my 1st bike (Honda CD175) would go 350 miles non stop with 50 miles left in the tank. I really miss that, especially since I started living out here on the wide prairie (where the roads are all dead straight for thousands of miles in all directions). I'm sure that's why I dream about doubling my gear count, and streamlining and why I enjoyed watching 'The World's Fastest Indian' so much.
Hey nice one, Is yours the 4 speed? I have a 2000, 1400 with the cobra drags, no baffles, K&N drop in, dyna 3000ignition and factory pro needles and pilots,,,,this bike screams with so much power,,,,,Did you nitice any difference with the TM baffles?, mine ran like poop with the cobra baffles in, once I took them out bike screamed, thinking of the TM baffles,,,,good video
Yes mine is the 4 speed. The TM baffles definitely deepen the rumble which makes it sound even better but more than that, they help restore the loss of mid range torque straight pipes cause you to lose. Honestly, drilling a hole and inserting a lollipop in each drag pipe does almost the same thing but the TM baffles do it better. I highly recommend them. This is the 3rd Intruder I’ve put them in. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures Did you see big differences in performance in the 1400s you have owned?, I know the 4 speed has more HP and aggressive cams,,,,you have the jardine drags? how did the baffles in the jardines work compared to the TM, Im really considering them, but the power so far with the straight drags is great, I hear all the time you lose torque without baffles, but Ill tell you that my setup challanges that, maybe its how I tuned it,,,,maybe the TM will give me even more torque!
I’ve had two 1400s and two 800s. Speaking about the 1400s, my first one was a ‘98 model with the 5 speed. It had Cobra pipes. This current ‘96 model is a 4 speed with Jardine pipes. The two bikes performed virtually the same. I didn’t notice a major increase in HP or torque. That’s probably because Suzuki changed the cams prior to ‘96 but kept the 4 speed. So not every 4 speed 1400 is going to be like the early ones. IIRC, Suzuki changed the cams around ‘89 or so. I’d have to look that up but I’m fairly confident I’m right on that year. The Cobras vs the Jardines is not worth spending extra money on. They also are virtually the same. Both companies used similar baffles I believe - long honeycomb looking things. They’re fine to be honest. Plus they’re a bitch to remove if they’ve been in there several years. However, the TM baffles do sound a little deeper and for like $80, they’re worth it I think. The torque loss is only in the mid range, or cruising range if that’s easier to understand. With no baffles in straight pipes, you’ll have a loss of torque when riding around at a steady pace. You might not notice it even. But when you get it back, you’ll notice the bike is more responsive to throttle input in that same cruising range. I’m not saying the bike will transform and burst into a flaming firebomb allowing you to conquer demons, but it will be more smooth while using it in the mid range of the power band.
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures I gues either way it may be worth a try, I can always take them out,,,What have you done for jetting, are your filters stock, I noticed you had a dyna 3000 as well
I don’t mess with the carbs. I’m in Florida at almost sea level with no big elevation changes so the factory jets have always been fine in any carb bike I’ve owned. I always put the K&N filters in the Intruders simply because I neglect them and don’t want bits of foam winding up in my carbs. The K&N filters are more tolerant of neglect! I do put the Dynas on any 1400 I buy because they’re prone to stalling for some reason more than the 800s I’ve owned. Some shim the coast valve and claim that works but I swap the CDI instead. The stalling happens sporadically, usually when running down to a stop or sometimes at cruise speed. It’s not a great experience when the engine just cuts out at 40 mph!
The 4 spd transmission and meaner cam is what made those things the muscle bike you claim. The one you got is half nerfed. Fully nerfed if u had the 5 spd.
Thanks for the info!
i agree and love the softail look of the 1400 intruder. so i lowered it on shorter shocks with stiffer springs, and added 18" ape hangers. i ve had mine up to 197 kph, and its a 1990 4 speed.maybe with a tune up and an extra gear i think it would be capable of 220kph. i also have 2 1/2 inch open exhaust pipes and it hasn t affected the performance but feels a bit more pepper.
Great job
I got lucky
In May 2024 I bought a '96 VS 800.....with original 2K miles
Shes a garage queen purchased for $2K 5 speed
I got really lucky back in 2018 and picked up my first bike, a VS800, running and driving with 55k miles for 750$ ended up letting her sit after some electrical issues but she’s back on the road and I’m still happy with my purchase!
More of a Dana glide look. 4 speed not a big deal breaker for a cruiser. But it leaves you wondering why though.
Yeah, I kinda liked the Dyna Glides, particularly the Wide Glide. The 4 speed is fine for a bar hopper but if you intend to take this bike any long distance, you'd regret the decision! At least I would. A few years back, I rode my 1998 Intruder 1400 on a cross country trip. Two actually. It was miserable enough and it was a 5 speed. Mostly though, the seating position is what does it for me. I can't bear the pain in my lower back after anything more than an hour of riding. I could tolerate the other issues. So, this bike just gets ridden locally and not very often at that.
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures
I have the same problem, 1 hour about does me with any bike but I had an 87 goldwing aspey, and I could go about 4 hours. The cb, am fm, cd, and the intercom all integrated makes every hour more enjoyable. And the massive bag space is unbelievable. I may get another. But i have a 88 soft tail and a 99 1500 intruder to get tired of 1st.
@@joracer1 I actually can ride all day on my Triumph. But I have a custom seat on it and the riding position is more upright which takes the pressure off my lower back. The Intruder is great for short rides or even longer rides with frequent stops. I’ll just never take one on a cross country trip again.
Suzuki later made a 5 speed 1400 intruder .
You worried about roundabouts and the alternative is death or traffic lights where cops hide and wait for you to run the red when no-one else is at the intersection. Light bulb moment for you I guess!
Never new the starter button primed the pump I’ve had it for a year always wonderd why it did that mines 92 in pis poor shape but 20k on it
I’m glad it helped. Priming the bowls makes starting much easier. A 1992 is getting pretty old now but fortunately you can still find parts to fix it up.
I fell in love with mine as if seeing the most beautiful girl in the world. I had to have it. I have 39+K on it right now. Mine is a 2000 1400 in green on green. I have the 5 speed trans and actually burried the spedometer a number of years ago. So, I really don't know how fast it was since the spedo goes to 120 and the needle kept going past that a ways!
Of course I am a little man weighing in at 172 with a low profile frame so that might have had something to do with it. I had clutch trouble with it in the begining because I used Vavoline 10-40 in it and that ruined the clutch at 10K. I had to learn a hard lesson on JASO approved oil. Since I replaced the clutch I only use Shell Rotella T6 5-40. The engine runs better, faster and quieter and the clutch has not slipped in over 30K. I had to learn to soft shift it so as to not burn the rear tire off every couple of years as well.
To this very day with her little niks and scratches and worn seat, she still gets lots and lots of nice comments.
I still think its a pretty fast machine, even though its supposed to be a cruiser. I think it is pretty cool that you can twist the throttle rapidly and be doing 10 MPH faster on every rap!
It always seems to pull pretty hard anywhere you want it to. I am a guy that survived owning a 1972 Kawasaki H2 750 and the 1400 seems to kind of have that same pull!
Sometimes I wish I could find out is what Suzuki did to delete 11 HP from the original engine. I would be nice to have just that "LITTLE MORE" that we all want.
But, I feel 61HP is enought. It pulls hard from a stop. It jumps nice at any speed. It cruises nice at 60 MPH and 2800 RPM.......leave it alone, I guess.
The only times it has failed me was actually my fault! The first time I did not tightnen the battery box enough, the srews fell out while flying down a highway and the battery fell out! My fault. The second time I had the positive side of the battery cable come loose because I did not tighten it correctly. And the last time I picked up a huge roofing screw 35 miles away from home right after I installed a brand new rear tire.
My only complaint is right now the engine stalls when you turn on the turn signal or brake light at idle. I am working on that.
Also, I am 5' 8" and the bike just fits for me. But if you are much bigger than that, it might seem a tad cramped. Just my opinion.
But all in all, It is one beautiful, well make and powerful machine and I just can't take my eyes off of her. It is one of the better machines out there, if you ask me.
=KL=
1400 Cowboy
Chicago
Hey thank you for those comments! You’re spot on too. I also use Rotella but I only put conventional oil in it. When I had the 1998 model a few years ago, I tried synthetic Rotella but it verifiably leaked around the case covers. Never did it with the conventional version so I’ve stuck with it.
The very early 1400s with the 4 speeds were definitely quicker. I seem to recall the decrease came after they changed the timing and added a decompression circuit to aid in starting. But I could be misremembering.
I took the 1998 on a cross country trip a few years back. I went from Florida to upstate NY and back, with stops to visit friends and family along the way. I only had one problem the entire trip out of the bike. The brake fluid boiled in the rear master cylinder. It happened after spending the day in the mountains in Pennsylvania and Virginia. Trail braking didn’t agree with the fluid! It was also a fairly hot summer day so I should’ve anticipated it. The biggest problem though was spending a solid 14 days on that bike riding nearly 3,500 miles. I detested the sight of the bike by day 9 because I knew the seat was going to cause me immeasurable pain. Sadly, I sold the bike after getting home because I wanted a more worthy touring bike.
I ended up with my Triumph Tiger Explorer and while I had zero regrets about buying it, I missed the Intruder. So I bought three more over the next few years. I’m back down to only this one 1400 and while I rarely ride it and sometimes think of selling it, I’ll likely keep it. I’d like to perhaps restore it and change the color. I’d like to strip it down to the frame and replace every renewable part during the rebuild. Essentially having a brand new machine. I still might do that.
You say nobody did it quite like suzuki in the 80s. Id saaaaaay you forgot about YAMAHA bud. VMAX nuff said. STILL THE KING
Well I’d say the VMax and the Intruder are different bikes! My Triumph would wipe the floor with either of them. But again, different bikes. Always have wanted a VMax though.
I might have mentioned that when I lived in Illinois I had a 94 Heritage Softail and my buddy had a Suzuki Intruder. Our bikes were completely stock except that I had slip ons on the Heritage.
He would walk away from me like it was nothing and just keep going.
All of the Japanese cruisers you mentioned and showed are awesome bikes. I took my first motorcycle drivers exam on a Honda V65 Magna. That bike was fast for the day. I always wanted a Virago, they looked badass, and comfortable.
So many bikes, so little money. lol
My very first street legal bike was a little Honda Rebel 250 and I loved that little bike. Later I had a Virago and it was nice also but it has been dropped or wrecked or something because the forks were never straight. I still rode the heck out of it. I’ve always liked Japanese bikes and I still have a V-Max on my want list. One day…
The Intruders are just so good looking in my opinion. They have such nice lines. My only reason for not putting a ton of miles on this one or any other actually, is they’re too uncomfortable for me after an hour or two. Ever since I bought my Triumph, I’m spoiled. I’ve contemplated selling this Intruder but every time I sell one I own, I find myself wanting another one!
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures Ohhhhh, a V-Max would be awesome!
Triumph makes great bikes as well. We really are living in the golden age of motorcycling.
All we need is a KLX 400 and life would be perfect on two wheels. lol
I’d be interested in a KLX400 but they’d need to put at least a 3.5 gallon tank on it. This pitiful little tank on the 300 is almost ridiculous. And I refuse to pay as much money as IMS wants to get a 0.7 gallon bigger tank! I’ll invest in rotopaks before going that route. Listen to me, just complaining over here. I’d settle for a gas gauge on the dash at this point. Considering just a few years ago I was riding a 25 year old DR650 with only a kickstarter out in the woods, you’d think I’d be nothing but happy! LOL
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures As soon as I hit post the comment I thought about that thimble of a gas tank. It really is ridiculous on a four stroke dual sport that isn’t designed to be on the race track.
I bought a bladder from Giant Loop and I have some MSR bottles but I think that I’m going to add a rotopak or two to the bike.
hmm Viragos aren't a patch on intruders though.
I wanna ask whats better tho, the 4 speed or the 5 speed, also does this bike have a lot of vibrations going on when cruising.. I mean i the handlebars and the chassis
I have 6 bikes all suzuki's.(5 intruders 1400,love these things and 1 tl 1000s.I have 2 intruders 4 -speed and the other 3 are 5 speed and no there is no difference between these 2 gearboxes.Only if you do highways and wan't to push the throttle the 5 speed is just a little better(lower rpm).Vibrations not a problem at all.Neither do sidewinds because intruders are heavy afterall.Only terrible things on intruders is when you have to work on the carburettors(shitty to get them in are out).only weakness is the stator is a weak point on these bikes for the rest they are bullitproof like every japanese bike is.
@@mikepontiac5299 thanks for the answer! Might buy one! My dream is M109R but they are much more expensive!
What do you have the Dynatek 3000 ignition timing and rev limiter set to on it? :)
I honestly couldn’t tell you right now without taking a look. It’s been a while since I set it. I want to say curve #4 but I’m just guessing. I’ll yank the seat off and get back to you.
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures I have a 1995 Intruder 1400 that I bought two weeks ago. I put k&n air filters, a 6sigma jet kit, and straight pipes on it. In two weeks I will be putting the Dynatek on it :)
Do you have baffles in the pipes? You’ll feel the difference when you add them. You can just install lollipops or spend about $80 for Big City Thunder monster baffles. They improve the sound as well as the performance.
I have a 1992 vs800. It has a 5 speed transmission. I agree with the comfortable ride statement. I agree the gas tank is too small. My biggest grip is location of the battery is a bad idea. Makes it difficult to change the battery.
That’s quite true about the battery but at least you only have to suffer through the process every few years. Blocking the rear wheel and kick stand up on some lengths of 2x4 makes it much easier.
And the air filters are a pain in the ass as well
I switch to K&N so they don’t require changing near as often. Well, just cleaning with those.
In my opinion the virago amd intruder were the best
I don't see how you can say it has a Softail look!?,it clearly has visible shocks on the rear?😮❤
Wow ok, I hope I didn’t offend you. I’ve never owned a Harley and likely never will. So please, insert whatever Harley it DOES look like and then the world will be in balance once again!
Just for future reference, make your bleeps a bit quieter than your average voice volume. That shit was loud
Noted! For the record, I think that was the one and only time I every bleeped anything in a video.
in reality there is a note to be made on the powers, the vs 800 is equipped with the same engine as the Intruder VX and the engine developed about 62 hp and about 7500rpm, while the engine of the 1400 was born from the 4-speed of 1987 and had about 80 hp, then later they started to create devices to remove power due to regulatory problems, but the engine is still the same
Technically speaking, you're correct. But the 800 and 1400 off the line (except for maybe the very first 1400s) are much closer and the 800 has a weight advantage. Equally skilled riders on one of each bike will find the 800 jumps off to a very early lead only to lose it down the stretch. You can't really go wrong with either but the 1400 seems a little more "roomy" than the 800.
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures they are close but different, the 1400 is longer (the rear fenders don't fit) furthermore the forks are 41 and not 39, even the braking system is different, not only does it have a rear disc brake, but the internal piston of the caliper is larger, the front light is made entirely of steel and not plastic. having said that, it is true that the 800 is easier to drive, but I have both of them (actually I have two vs 800 and two vs 1400) and even on mountain roads (Italy) the 800 can't keep up with the 1400 , too much difference in torque when exiting corners (they still remain "walking" bikes)
Which highway bars did you get? Do you have a link?
The ones I have are OEM Suzuki bars. I bought from an individual so sorry, I do not have a link.
Why hate on bobbers 🤣 I'm turning my 94 into a bobber and keeping my 02 more stock except for pipes, bars, and bags
NO!!!! I am submitting a confiscation request immediately! 🤪 I am just not a fan of bobbers when it comes to these bikes. Do it to a Honda! 😂
Noo Hondas are too slow 🦥
those of us from the 60s and 70s who like long raked front ends and what is called a bobbed fender under a king/queen seat and a nice chrome sissy bar as well; and coated with a wild custom paint job, we have a different preference/perspective in our minds. Today people want rat cars and rat bikes and bobbers. I am old school and love sparkling shinny custom bikes. Nuthin wrong with a Bobber! I am glad that we live in a world where each of us can create an expression of art on each individual bike! I love to see every bike done in the individual minds eye of the owner! I like it when I like what they do as well. I am not sure, but bobbers are a come back of the older days. I can't wait for long chrome springer front ends and king queen seats and sissy bars to make the return. Simple, long, low & beautiful.
Bobbers are short, stubby light, hotrod and fast.
Be safe, live long, prosper, be healthy and honor the Lord.....
=KL=
1400 Cowboy
Chicago
Compelling arguments but no. No bobbers! 😂
Good bike have a 1400 & tops out at 120 mph . Pushing 30,000 miles & still runs perfect
Intruder engine, 750Cc, 800Cc or VS1400 is forever and ever whit rear cardan transmision. 😂
That's an optimistic Speedo that you have there. Check it against your GPS won't be much over 106
@@papatorr3669I’ve taken my 1400 113mph, I’m a 110lb rider
I can’t have mine idling because it over heats while on the road I have no problems but when it gets inspected for the new sticker then it will over heat, is that normal on this bikes ?
I have never had issues with over heating but the 1400 is air cooled so if it’s hot outside and the bike sits idling, there is the possibility. If it’s not getting enough fuel, it can also get hot but that’s not usually too much of an issue for most people.
No
4:16 AMEN. I hate bobber builds that start as old classic bikes. Why destroy a piece of history to make your custom crap that will end up being mostly aftermarket garbage anyway
I have a '95 4spd that I bought new....put together from a factory crate, Teal Blue. I think it has about 16,000 original miles. I bought it to run in the desert in NV in the spring. I did that and loved it but the bike has some caveats. Before you consider 'uncorking' it, consider that you're throwing your gas mileage out the window. It's a small streamlined tank to start with. To travel across the country I had to carry two one-gallon gas cans in the saddle bag. It's not happy over 70mph, although it will race to 100mph like a rocket if you've synced the carbs right. There's just a lot of V-twin vibration around 70mph and up. You'll destroy Harleys with this bike, although most won't race you. Don't be stupid though and take on a V-Rod.
It's a visceral bike, nothing more. After 100mph, there's not much left. I had mine @110mph with the use of a long hill....like a 'kicker'. But doing that eats your rear tire tread....which really isn't just a 1400 issue. They are absolutely crazy about this bike in Sweden. They port the intakes larger, change out or do something with the carbs/cams and finally the bike can top-end appropriate for this engine. Not sure I'd wanna be on it at that speed though! Brakes are OK, but you need a high-temperature synthetic for your brake fluid, or in hot traffic it's like stepping on snow slush. The rear is problematic not because it doesn't work(the geometry), but it looks like a dirt bike. I guess I hate that look most of all and yet I've never done anything about it because of all the 'expert' opinions. Early on, some magazine had an article about making a cafe racer out of this bike and it was done.....and it was SWEET looking. They tucked the oil cooler inside the forks, bobbed the rear and I can't remember what else. I still have the article somewhere. I'm surprised it wasn't repeated more over the yrs.
I've heard rumors about clutch trouble with about my mileage, but mine is fine. It could be a lot on how it's ridden. I'm not poppin' wheelies, but I'm not doggin' it either. I have taken many highway trips with it.....allow a long interval to recover after those trips....LOL. Remember what I said about "visceral"? Don't think comfort. I've gone as far in it as eastern WA to Denver and back. Don't take any trips without those gas cans. And don't let the 'Karens' tell you with the cans you are a rolling firebomb. Only if you're trapped under the bike, the cans have ruptured from an accident and someone throws you a lit match.
We have a lot of mountain twisties where I live. When I was younger and more aggressive with this bike, I'd hit the footpeg on the road in the twisties......which can feel like a fish thrown up on shore. About the 4spd.....they used the same gearbox space but cut down the gears to fit in a 5spd gear later. I was told that happened in '96, but some say '97.....might depend on what time of the yr the bike was made? Personally, I think that's bad engineering using the same box and everyone I ever met who rode both, said the 5spd didn't really give it the highway gear ratio it should have. Many say the 4spd is faster out of the hole....can't say, as I never rode a 5spd. But everyone is pretty much unanimous that the 5spd does NOT make it a highway bike. Still visceral. As you can imagine, I disagree with a lot of what the video poster says about this bike. Doesn't make me right or him right....just opinions. His comments about bobbers/cafe racers says a lot....'nough said.
I threaten to sell this bike every few yrs or so; clean it all up, ride it a bit, come home and then remove the ad. Maybe I'm stupid or maybe there's just too much nostalgia.....I dunno.
For this beeping ban forever man...
Thank you? 😂
Hi people, I have a 1997 model since 2010. It have only 17,300 miles on it. Runs like new. Is uses to has the blue/white colors, but I found a 2001 gas tank on in perfect condition. Them the two fenders, so now my bike looks like a 2001 model but obviously It’s still the original 1997 model. I love that bike and I will never sale it. Next year I have plans to by a new bike, but I will keep my Suzuki Intruder VS1400.
My 86 700 has a 5 speed?
Ok. The 1400s had a 4 speed.
I feel the same way as you towards bobbers, but to me it's turning older bikes into Cafe racers. Poor classic Honda's..
Queria um escapamento desse para minha moto
What does the VS stand for?
To the best of my knowledge, it doesn’t stand for anything. It’s simply the designation Suzuki chose for a line of bikes. They also had VN, LC and other designations for bikes over their history.
However, internet rumor has it that secret internal documents leaked out of the Suzuki research lab in 1986 show VS might stand for Very Sexy.
😁
I already have one motorcycle but i have always wanted an Intruder 1400. There is a 97 on Craigslist right now and im seriously tempted to buy it 😂
I can’t remember if it was 1997 or 1998 that Suzuki changed the Intruder over to a 5 speed. I think ‘97. The extra gear makes a big difference when doing any highway speed riding. One bike is good, but two bikes is great! 👍
Good stuff, thanks for the info
You’re welcome!
Great bikes with alot of low end tq shaft drive
Im thinking of buying a 91' 1400 intruder, any suggestions on what to look for?...
Probably the biggest thing I’d be concerned with is the fueling. Do both carbs work? Does the exhaust punch equally out the tips? Is the tank clean, meaning no or very little rust? Are the fuel lines in good shape? Do the spark plugs look normal? Many problems owners have are fuel related and especially problematic if you can’t work on carbs yourself, as very few shops can or will touch them. Aside from those things, look the frame and drivetrain over. If the current owner maintained the bike, you shouldn’t be worried about buying it. A 1991 is getting quite old now so you can expect some maintenance work. Good luck!
Agree about bobbers, prefer choppers 😂got a 750 intruder few months ago can't get it to run, firing on one cylinder, no rear lights, bummer also have Honda 600 vt I like it a lot slow but very reliable (left stock) also a cb 550 chop project, a 600 kawa eliminator 1997 and a Honda ntv 650 for everyday use(great bikes do high mileage) popular in Europe. I am in caithness, Scotland. Good review ✌️🇬🇧
Your issue is probably electrical. I’m sure you’ve started checking all of that though. Good luck!
I got in zooki intruder 1400 with black and purple flames up it but I got to redo the time and chain the gasket clean it out and put a new shift around it but I do have a Harley Davidson chip on it that's like 1500 plus my dad said it's a good driving bike I've been really wanting to get on it and ride it
Enjoy it! They’re a lot of fun.
I've got a 1986 5 speed in my yard. 750 but called a 800
That's interesting for sure! In the USA, in 1986, I don't think a 750 was even available. Only the 700 or the 1400. Something to do with a tariff, I think. The 1400 only had a 4 speed early on and it is a very preferable setup in the early years. People who owned them claim they were the most powerful of the 1400 Intruders. The 800cc version wasn't available in the US market until the 1990s, if I recall correctly. Not sure Suzuki even made one in 1986! But I don't know everything there is to know on these bikes... for instance, I think in some markets they had a 400cc model. Personally, I've never seen one but I guess they're out there somewhere!
Im selling mine for 100 bucks if anyone wants one it a solid bike and looks great but will need a ignintor box thougth, idont wanna sell it but kinda have too .
Where you located? I could maybe be interested! 😂
Brother. Those pipes sound like CRAAAPPPP
Opinions are like elbows. Most everyone has at least one.
The Honda VTX 1800. Kicked everyone's ass. And still does.
Aside from the vtx1800 being a fat, overweight, slob of a bike - you’re 💯% right!
i have a 96 and a 99 ,just like my early broncos,theres nothing better,
I love old Broncos. When I was growing up in NY, my father had an old Bronco for a snow plow. I think it was a 66 maybe? Column shift, holes in the floor boards, no heat, but man, you could plow anything with it. I hated it back then but I so wish I had it now. I think we left it sitting there when he packed up and moved to Florida in 1992.
Great video buddy. I like your bike. Thanks for uploading.
Thank you!
Glad to see my ol' girl out on the road!
As for top speed... I had it up to 115. It was a bit scary! That was per the speedo!
I like the crash bars and pegs! They look great!
Glad to see you out enjoying it!
Yeah buddy! I bought original OEM crash bars off a guy right after I brought her back to Florida. I don’t ride it much but every time I do, I’m smiling the whole time. Thank you again for giving me dibs on it when you downgraded to a different bike! 🤣
Recently picked up a running 86 vs750 for a few hundred dollars to tinker with over the winter, I guess in Canada we didn't have the tariff problem so we got the 750 a few years earlier. My 86 has the 5spd and a 19" front wheel.
That’s great! Congrats! I was actually going to say that’s a 700 but then you mentioned Canada. The one my father had was an 86 and it set off my love for these bikes. You’ll enjoy it I’m sure!
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures Only had it out for a few minutes before putting it away for the winter but the 750 is considerably faster than my 200cc Aprlia scooter haha.
Great video and commentary
I have a 1995 vs1400 and I’m a taller guy, do you have any suggestions for a forward control kit for this bike? I’m fairly new to motorcycles and the stock controls feel a little cramped.
From time to time, I see guys selling a set made by Jardine but there are also some new ones available on eBay. Probably Chinese but with the controls being so simple, I can’t imagine they’re terrible. Seems they run about $300? Depending on your level of skill, I used to have a schematic plan for making your own. I could maybe look for it if you wanted. I was going to try to build it years ago but I never got around to it. For me, highway bars with foot pegs attached get me by; however, I do not ride any distance on Intruders any more.
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures thanks man I really appreciate you replying, I think I’ll look into the kit you
Mentioned
Brilliant
Have had my 96 Intruder 1400 since 1998 and I love it now as much as I did the first day I got it. 52,000 miles and it's in the shop now for it's first major repair. Getting the carbs rebuilt. God, I can't wait to get it back and go cruisin!!!
You in NY?
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures No I am in Ohio. I forgot to mention in my original comment that I enjoyed your video!
@@ThomasC-Crazy4NiagaraFalls thank you! I thought you might be from New York based on your name. I’m from upstate New York originally.
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures I'm a little over 3 hours away from Niagara Falls and have visited the Falls at least once a year for over 50 years. I've ridden the Intruder and earlier bikes to Niagara Falls many times. Nothing beats cruising on the bike along the mighty Niagara and the Niagara Parkway. Have a great weekend!
Love the color scheme of this bike. Hard to find but probably the sharpest of all the Intruder colors. I've had many Intruders throughout the years and still love them!
I still love them too but funnily, I’m not very fond of the colors of my bike.
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures
It’s copper and black aka black n tan. What’s not to love??!! lol
Well color is very subjective. The best looking Intruder I owned was blue and white. I also had a custom painted one that was burnt orange which was very sharp. I suppose you could always get it custom painted.
@@danield831 I’m contemplating doing a full repaint as a project for this channel. I don’t know if I really want to change the color scheme or not. The paint is rough at this point and the tank has some dings. The bar stops were sheared off by someone in the past so that needs to be addressed also. The bars hit the tank since there is no longer a stop. Plus I’d like to swap all the turn signals and brake light to LED.
Nice bike, like what you've done to it.
Thank you! I’m thinking about changing the color.
did replacing the computer control box help with the power ??
It doesn’t change the power. The engine still produces what it ever produced. The CDI let’s you change the spark advance curve and raise the RPM limiter. I suppose one might feel those as power improvements. I think they’re worth spending the money to get.
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures
I once got my 1980 Honda 650 four up to 120mph just to see its limit.
The engine screamed but very smoothly.
When my older sister gave me her 1996 VS1400 for a very low price
I was elated and had great expectation and was of course again curious about its speed.
It topped out at a little over a hundred (as best I can recall).
(Then I found out about the no 5th or 6th gear and wondered
why on earth the designer neglected such an obvious necessity).
In any case, when I thought about those giant pistons going up and down
so extremely quickly it seemed to me - that can't be good for the engine.
Not a big deal really as the max round here is 70mph but
even slow as that, the pistons seem too busy.
Seems to me the engine has enough power that it would have no trouble
idling through the countryside on a 7th gear and
so able to go twice as far on that tiny tank.
I'm not complaining, really, and do appreciate the narrow profile and
acceleration for zipping round the city, easily worth the price of transmission.
Btw, is there a way to add a 5th gear?
(Preferably relatively easily).
Cheers, eh!
In 1997 or 1998 the Intruder 1400 did mate to a 5 speed. While it was better, I still found myself trying to shift into 6th gear! I suppose it might be possible to marry a later model 5 speed to an earlier bike but I’m not certain. The modifications are beyond my desire to have the additional gear but I bet somebody has done or tried to do it.
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures
Thanks.
Back in '67, my 1st bike (Honda CD175) would go 350 miles non stop with 50 miles left in the tank.
I really miss that,
especially since I started living out here on the wide prairie (where the roads are all dead straight for thousands of miles in all directions).
I'm sure that's why I dream about doubling my gear count, and streamlining and why I enjoyed watching 'The World's Fastest Indian' so much.
Hey nice one, Is yours the 4 speed? I have a 2000, 1400 with the cobra drags, no baffles, K&N drop in, dyna 3000ignition and factory pro needles and pilots,,,,this bike screams with so much power,,,,,Did you nitice any difference with the TM baffles?, mine ran like poop with the cobra baffles in, once I took them out bike screamed, thinking of the TM baffles,,,,good video
Yes mine is the 4 speed. The TM baffles definitely deepen the rumble which makes it sound even better but more than that, they help restore the loss of mid range torque straight pipes cause you to lose. Honestly, drilling a hole and inserting a lollipop in each drag pipe does almost the same thing but the TM baffles do it better. I highly recommend them. This is the 3rd Intruder I’ve put them in. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures Did you see big differences in performance in the 1400s you have owned?, I know the 4 speed has more HP and aggressive cams,,,,you have the jardine drags? how did the baffles in the jardines work compared to the TM, Im really considering them, but the power so far with the straight drags is great, I hear all the time you lose torque without baffles, but Ill tell you that my setup challanges that, maybe its how I tuned it,,,,maybe the TM will give me even more torque!
I’ve had two 1400s and two 800s. Speaking about the 1400s, my first one was a ‘98 model with the 5 speed. It had Cobra pipes. This current ‘96 model is a 4 speed with Jardine pipes. The two bikes performed virtually the same. I didn’t notice a major increase in HP or torque. That’s probably because Suzuki changed the cams prior to ‘96 but kept the 4 speed. So not every 4 speed 1400 is going to be like the early ones. IIRC, Suzuki changed the cams around ‘89 or so. I’d have to look that up but I’m fairly confident I’m right on that year.
The Cobras vs the Jardines is not worth spending extra money on. They also are virtually the same. Both companies used similar baffles I believe - long honeycomb looking things. They’re fine to be honest. Plus they’re a bitch to remove if they’ve been in there several years. However, the TM baffles do sound a little deeper and for like $80, they’re worth it I think.
The torque loss is only in the mid range, or cruising range if that’s easier to understand. With no baffles in straight pipes, you’ll have a loss of torque when riding around at a steady pace. You might not notice it even. But when you get it back, you’ll notice the bike is more responsive to throttle input in that same cruising range. I’m not saying the bike will transform and burst into a flaming firebomb allowing you to conquer demons, but it will be more smooth while using it in the mid range of the power band.
@@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures I gues either way it may be worth a try, I can always take them out,,,What have you done for jetting, are your filters stock, I noticed you had a dyna 3000 as well
I don’t mess with the carbs. I’m in Florida at almost sea level with no big elevation changes so the factory jets have always been fine in any carb bike I’ve owned. I always put the K&N filters in the Intruders simply because I neglect them and don’t want bits of foam winding up in my carbs. The K&N filters are more tolerant of neglect! I do put the Dynas on any 1400 I buy because they’re prone to stalling for some reason more than the 800s I’ve owned. Some shim the coast valve and claim that works but I swap the CDI instead. The stalling happens sporadically, usually when running down to a stop or sometimes at cruise speed. It’s not a great experience when the engine just cuts out at 40 mph!
beeps too loud
😂🤣👍
Sub and a like. Great video
Thank you!