883 Sportster vs 800 Suzuki Intruder
Kevin Squires
this comparison question.....
Do any of you guys or gals have any experience with the performance of the
883 Sportster versus the Suzuki 800 Intruder?
The Jap dealers claim that the direct drive, hydralic clutch, water cooling,
etc......of the Suzuki give it an advantage in power, speed, and comfort.
I have long since decided that it will be the Sporty for me but I would like
to hear from riders rather than dealers.
Also, to those 883 owners out there - how is the 883 powered with a medium
sized passenger? Can I expect a real bad drag with two up?
My bike will be in in the next few months. Then I can stare at it until the
freaking snow melts!
Thanks, Kevin
Doug Dulmage
>Also, to those 883 owners out there - how is the 883 powered with a medium
>sized passenger? Can I expect a real bad drag with two up?
>
>My bike will be in in the next few months. Then I can stare at it until the
>freaking snow melts!
>
>Thanks, Kevin
Hiya Kevin,
Can't tell ya much about the Suzuki, I do however have a 91 883
sporty. I weigh in at about 140-150lbs, and the bike has more than enough
power for me, although I'm not racing around too much on it. I can easily
run at 70mph at about 3100 rpm and it's pretty comfortable, although I
get tossed around in a good gust of wind. I have done the basic mods,
or as it's known around here the "Harley Tax", i.e. rejetting the carb after
the addition of the free'er flowing air cleaner, and changing out the exhaust
to a more free flow to equal the increased air intake. This sounds expensive
but it really isn't. There's ton's of resources around here on these mods.
I think I spent a grand total of about $250 to do mine. I added a few creature
comforts like a windshield, forward controls, etc., but those aren't
necessary, in fact the windshield does add some drag and can be a bit of
a problem in crosswinds. As far as riding two up, my only experience with
that has been a few times that I had my 110lb daughter on the back, I could
notice a little lag in acceleration, however I had no trouble maintaining
normal speeds or going up and down hills, etc. I wouldn't recommend it
for a lot of long distance cruising unless you add a third party seat to it,
and maybe change out the rear shocks to something more comfortable.
My bike was lowered as much as possible by the previous owner, almost
to the specs of a hugger, so on the few occasions where I have ridden two
up, I have just knocked the shocks up a few notches to keep from bottoming
out and to make the ride more comfortable.
All in all they are a great bike, especially if you can't afford a big
twin. They're very nimble and very fast one up, easy to work on, aftermarket
parts are pretty cheap, and you can customize the heck out of them.
I would add that I spent my first year on it with the standard
controls, then added the forwards which if I remember were from Custom Chrome.
It was strange at first, now I couldn't live without them. It changes the
center of gravity and has made cornering, etc. much easier. The stock sporty's
that I've sat on all sit higher in the saddle than even the big twins, so
that's something to consider if you want a lower ride you will have to do some
work or go for the Hugger or whatever.
I'd recommend it over the Suzuki just based on the huge amounts of
parts available for it, plus the number of folks that know those things inside
out and are very willing to share that info. And by parts, it's not that they
break down any more than another make, but as far as customizing it to
your needs, I would bet your chances are a lot better on the Harley.
Also, you can always knock it up to a 1200 for what I have been quoted
at about $500, which is dirt cheap as far as I'm concerned, and then the
two up question probably becomes a non-issue. That's $500 having an
independant shop do it, I don't know what HD would charge, but I would
imagine a bit more than that. If you're taking delivery in the winter, that's
a good time to get these things done as that's when the shops (at least
around here in Minnesota) get a little hungry and will jump at the work,
then when spring comes you've got yourself a 1200 ready to go..
I might be off on saying that as I don't know the consequences of doing
the 1200 head work on a new bike that hasn't been through it's break in
period, and what it would do to your warranty, so you might want to check
on that further, maybe ask your HD dealer about doing that on delivery if
your interested.
Good luck!
(if you want to see mine, look here): http://www.visi.com/~dulmage/
Doug
--
91' XL BS #112
75 watt YAG, aching
for virgin chrome..
Soon to be a 1400 watt..
Grumbler
quicker/faster than the Intruder 1400 in
the 1/4mi and dusts off the stock 883.
At least you can do the 883->1200 kit on
the Sportster.
Don't know much else about the Intruder
other than the fact that it sort of looks like
a Panhead chopper w/ rear shocks.
Hit www.motorcycleworld.com to get
the specs plus owner reviews of both
plus most others.
I think www.motorcycle.com has road
test comparo of those bikes.
-Grumbler
home: grum...@att.net
http://home.att.net/~grumbler
Harry K Smith
: Do any of you guys or gals have any experience with the performance of the
: 883 Sportster versus the Suzuki 800 Intruder?
:
: The Jap dealers claim that the direct drive, hydralic clutch, water cooling,
: etc......of the Suzuki give it an advantage in power, speed, and comfort.
The Intruder will have a sizable advantage in power and speed. The 800
Intruder is very fast for a cruiser, faster though the quarter mile than
the 1400 Intruder, thanks to slightly more high-end power and much lower
weight. I think it might even be faster in the quarter than a Big Twin,
though don't quote me on that. As far as comfort, it will vibrate
significantly less. However, it will be MUCH harder to work on, if that
matters to you.
But it's up to you. If you want a Harley, the Intruder probably won't
satisfy.
Harry
'83 Suzuki GR650 Tempter
'91 Suzuki VX800
Numbutt
"Kevin Squires" <kevin....@wang.com> wrote in message
news:8rfari$76p$1...@pyrite.mv.net...
> Since bikes and booze don't mix, have a soda pop on me whilst you ponder
> this comparison question.....
>
> 883 Sportster versus the Suzuki 800 Intruder?
>
> The Jap dealers claim that the direct drive, hydralic clutch, water
cooling,
> etc......of the Suzuki give it an advantage in power, speed, and comfort.
>
like
> to hear from riders rather than dealers.
>
> sized passenger? Can I expect a real bad drag with two up?
>
> My bike will be in in the next few months. Then I can stare at it until
the
> freaking snow melts!
>
> Thanks, Kevin
>
than a stock 883. I don't know about top end but the bike will fly.
In the Smokies it performed flawlessly with me and my wife on it (about 340
pounds together - mostly me) and took any grade the parkway could throw at
it without breaking a sweat. It is also vibration free.
The one thing that I just did not like was the "shaft drive effect". A belt
drive would be better (and Suzuki has one they use on the Savage - which -
by the way - uses "half" the Intruder engine)
Would I buy another one? Not over a big-twin, that's for sure. If it was
between a Sportster and and Intruder I would think about it but would almost
certainly go Sportster.
Harry K Smith
: The one thing that I just did not like was the "shaft drive effect". A belt
: drive would be better (and Suzuki has one they use on the Savage - which -
: by the way - uses "half" the Intruder engine)
Are you sure about that half bit? The Intruder is watercooled, four-valve
per cylinder. The Savage is aircooled, and I think it's only got two
valves per cylinder. They have completely different bores and strokes,
and look nothing alike. I guess they still might have a few bits in
common, but I couldn't imagine what.
Chuck Hays
> Also, to those 883 owners out there - how is the 883 powered with a medium
> sized passenger? Can I expect a real bad drag with two up?
I always ask the somewhat rhetorical question: "I spent a few thousand dollars
making this thing go fast and handle well. Why would I want to put 150 pounds on
the rear fender that doesn't *do* anything?"
In all truth...it ain't too bad for short hauls. You will notice the bike is
noticeably logy with a passenger. If you are both "medium" sized, expect to
bottom out the rear shocks. There aren't too many people who will voluntarily
tour two-up on an 883, although you can certainly do it if you need to.
If riding two-up is something you'll do more than 50% of the time, then plan to
spend your winter not only staring at the bike, but doing the 1200 conversion as
well. Even the so-called Stage 1 conversion which uses the stock 883 heads with
dished pistons will give you a much more tractable load-hauler, if Cereal
Killer's experience is any indication. Plan on better seating and suspension,
too. Passengers get really cranky about having the fender crammed up their butt
by a bump.
Besides, with the 1200 you can dust off the 883s when you're riding solo.
Skiv :)=)}
ASSHOLE 41
'89 883 "Assignment"..."He's not here. He's out on Assignment."
SportyRider
>Since bikes and booze don't mix, have a soda pop on me whilst you ponder
>this comparison question.....
I dunno you coulda fooled me a few times........
>
>Do any of you guys or gals have any experience with the performance of the
>883 Sportster versus the Suzuki 800 Intruder?
It all started in the Summer of '95
After about 10-15 years of not riding me and a buddy decided it was
time to go out and buy us some new bikes and get started agian.
We went to the local dealer (Stubbs in Houston, they sell HD's,
Suzukis and Hondas) and my buddy asked if he bought him a new bike
would I buy one also. I said sure and the next thing I new he was
signing papers on a brand new 95' 800 intruder. He asked what I was
gonna get. He kinda took me by surprise as I didnt realize he was
plannig to buy one that day ( i'm kinda the type that likes to shop
around) but I figured for what he paid (around $6000) I could get me a
brand new Sportster. (I rode jap bikes when I was younger but allways
promised myself if I ever bought a V-Twin it was gonna be an HD) I
checked out the prices on the new Sportsters and found that they were
asking way above MSRP (anywhere for $8,000 - $12,000+ for a Sportster)
and kinda chickened out, Stubbs is what you call a stealership when it
comes to HD's) A few weeks later I decided to buy me a used Suzuki. I
bought an old 81' GS650L like I had in High School. But after riding
with my buddy for a couple months and constantly listening to him talk
about how his bike looks and sounds like a Harley I decided I was
tired of listening to his shit and to go ahead and buy me a Sportster
like i originally wanted.
So anyway I go back up to the dealership by myself a couple months
later and started checkin out the used Sportsters. I found an '87 883
sporty that had hardley any miles on it and in great condition and
they said they'd sell it too me for $6000. I said I'll take it and
called my buddy up to tell him what I was doing. He gets all excited
and tells me hes on his way up there. Well before I finished up with
all the paperwork he gets there along with another buudy who he's
allready been trying to talk into buying an Intruder. So by the time
I finished with the paperwork on the Sportster hes done got the other
guy taked into buying an 800 Intruder like his. So anyway by the time
the dealer closed that evening I had me nice used "87 sporty
and the other dude a new '95 800 intruder, and my buudy with his
'95 800 Intruder which he bought a couple months earlier
So anyhow we all go riding out in the sunset together and the
first place we stop is by the dudes house who just bought the new
Intruder. His wife comes outside looks at our bikes and tells em if
she was gonna spend that kinda money she would have bought the Harley
and goes on telling me about how nice my bike is. He didnt like it at
all but everywhere we went it was the same deal. later that night
we went out to the local bar and everbody was admiring my sporty
and ignoring there Suzukis. They couldnt stand it and after about 6
months the original guy who first bout the Suzuki got tired of it and
wound up selling his.
>
>The Jap dealers claim that the direct drive, hydralic clutch, water cooling,
>etc......of the Suzuki give it an advantage in power, speed, and comfort.
Yep the Suzuki has the advantage on power, speed and comfort but
its just an imitation, its not the real deal. But what the Sporty
lacks in those departments it makes up in others. Maybey its just the
name harley davidson but the mystique, the feel and the ride is just
something cant really be explained. Take a ride on one sometime
and maybe youll understand what I'm taking about.
>
>I have long since decided that it will be the Sporty for me but I would like
>to hear from riders rather than dealers.
Very good idea.......
>
>Also, to those 883 owners out there - how is the 883 powered with a medium
>sized passenger? Can I expect a real bad drag with two up?
When my bike was stock 883 (before I did the 1200 conversion) the
added weight of a passenger would seem to slow you down just a bit
but being the 883 is not known is not really known for being a fast
bike it didnt really make that big a difference. My main problem with
the added weight of a passengers is the rear shocks bottoming out
to quickly. Mine is a hugger model I only probally have an inch of
clearance under the rear fender. (at least that what feels like
sometimes) But the thing about the Sportster is that its so easy to
change stuff around because theres so many aftermaket parts
out there. im thinking about going ahead and raising it up a couple
inches a putting some progressive shocks underneath which
give it a ride comparable to the intruder. And not only are there
more parts availible for the Sportster but there cheaper than the same
parts (if you can find them) for the Intruder. Like for example
we both had changed out or fuel petcocks. (his because it leaked,
mine cause i wanted a pretty chrome one) He had to buy his from the
dealer its costs him over $80. I got mine at a local independendent
HD shop down the road and it was only $30
>
>My bike will be in in the next few months. Then I can stare at it until the
>freaking snow melts!
>
Believe me it will be worth the wait you will love it.
>Thanks, Kevin
>
>
Like I said before the 800 Intruder is much quicker than a stock 883.
But after converting my bike into a 1200 (boring cyclinders and
installing Kieth Black racing pistons) and listenig to the other guy
talk about how fast his suzuki was and how slow Harleys were I got
tired of it and challenged him to a race.
It was at another buddy's house (harley rider) about 6 months ago
were all sitting in the garage bullshitting and drinking beer and
listening to the Suzuki riders bullshiit I told him my I think my
Sporty with the 1200 upgrade would give his Intruder a run for its
money. He tells me Im full of it and I said lets start em up and find
out. Well anyhow we take off the first time from a running start
and all I can see is the Suzuki rider in the mirror. He finally
catches up at the next stop sign and tells me he wasnt ready.
I said Ok well do it agian on the way back. So anyhow on the
way back we again stop at the stop sign but the Suzuki rider
is sittin next to the other dude who was riding with us on an
older model HD. He just put in a set of brand new cams and
S&S carb and hes wanting to race too. So anyhow Im lined up
behind them and they take off from the stop sign side by side.
The race starts pretty even but finally the Suzuki pulls ahead
of the HD givin me a chace to squeeze in between them.
I give it the gas and pass the HD like its standing still. shift
into 2nd and come flying around the Intruder like there was no
tommorow. We get back to the house we was at before and and
all the intruder rider could do was bitch he said he aint never seen
such a fast Harley in all his life.
And the funny thing about it is that his Intruder is practilly still
brand new less than 8,000 miles and I've put over 30,000
on my Sporty.
1ba...@my-deja.com
"Kevin Squires" <kevin....@wang.com> wrote:
> Since bikes and booze don't mix, have a soda pop on me whilst you
ponder
> this comparison question.....
>
of the
> 883 Sportster versus the Suzuki 800 Intruder?
>
cooling,
> etc......of the Suzuki give it an advantage in power, speed, and
comfort.
>
would like
> to hear from riders rather than dealers.
>
medium
> sized passenger? Can I expect a real bad drag with two up?
>
until the
> freaking snow melts!
>
>
If at all possible, ride them both before making a decision. They will
feel different. A Sportster will probobably not be as fast as the
intruder, but it's not hard or expensive to make major improvements to
a sporty. Get what feels best to you. I am predjudiced in favor of the
Harley, but you are the one who has to live with your decision. I rode
an 883 sporty for 2 years, and put over 40,000 hard miles on it without
a single problem. I hated to sell it, but I fell in love with an FXR....
--
Just Ron + Married Beth
88 FXRS 140,000+ miles on it.
00 FLTRSEI is here! averaging 2,000 mi/month so far
97 Sporty 44,000+ miles
Ride, eat, sleep, repeat.
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Michael Bohmer
I have to say that I did like the bike and that I had no problems with it
atall.
It was my first factory custom. As time went on I realized that it was just
a copy of the real thing and so it had to go.
I have now got on order a Harley Heritage Softail which should be here in
March.
Dont knock the Intruder as it is a good bike and is a lot cheaper than the
overpriced Harley.
Although it is a copy is that not a compliment to the real thing?
Micky. Southampton. uk. Soon to be a Heritage owner.
PAROADHOG
>a copy of the real thing and so it had to go.
>I have now got on order a Harley Heritage Softail which should be here in
>March.
Mike, I hate to bust your bubble, but you do realize the Heritage is just a
copy of the old-style dressers, don't you?
Michael Bohmer
PAROADHOG <paro...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20001008094044...@ng-cl1.aol.com...
Yep sure do. But you know what I mean.
gues...@gmail.com
Well from comparison the Suzuki is faster uses less petrol and stop faster then the Harley. In my experience for owning both the Suzuki is far better and the Harley is far more in price to buy. Suzuki vs 800 is light and at any speed can instantly accelerate and get the job done.
What a special exited entry the Suzuki offer that I never got from the Harley.
If you can fiND any Suzuki vs 800 Intruder take it . you will be pleasantly suprised how much better it compared to 883 sportster Harley.
My Harley is now for sale. April 2016
west
Ronald O. Christian
Ron
-
2014 FLHTK "The Grey"
Verdine White
<gues...@gmail.com>wrote in message
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I have, and will offer you 5 authentic Mexican Pesos if you transport it to
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(908)231-7191