800 Intruder for wife

[ImpactV2K]

Hello --

New to the forum. I'm thinking about picking up a '93 Intruder for my wife. I currently ride a Vulcan 2000 and, while she's comfortable, she's becoming more and more a reluctant pillion. She wants her own ride. A buddy has a 1993 VS800 with only 8,000 miles on it he's willing to sell me for $1,500! I did say he was a bud, didn't I - since I noticed they're going for twice that from online searches, and with higher mileage. The bike is flawless and without one scratch or blemish, so I'm fairly convinced. I rode it and it runs good.

I had a few questions that hopefully some of you 'Zuk (Kawasaki's biker cousins) riders can answer. It would be appreciated!

1. Coincidentally, my wifes taking the MSF course next week. Would the Intruder be a good bike for a woman rider -- and a new one at that. We would take it slow, for sure, and not until she passes the course. She's 5'6" and 130lbs., so she's not a small woman. She's also very strong, since she's weight trained consistantly for the last 20 years. I saw the Intruder weighs under 450lbs.

2. Are there any know problems I should know about the bike. I would have it gone over by the local stealership (oil change, etc.).

3. What are the impressions of the owners. I think they're a beautifully styled bike. This one's Japan's version of 'Candy Apple' and I love the polished motor and overall 'chopper-like' styling. Seems the design was ahead of it's time and back in style.

Any help or comments would be appreciated. I'm fairly sure I'll pick it up for her unless you convince me otherwise.

Thanks in advance!

[Kehau D.]

Originally Posted by ImpactV2K

1. Coincidentally, my wifes taking the MSF course next week. Would the Intruder be a good bike for a woman rider -- and a new one at that. We would take it slow, for sure, and not until she passes the course. She's 5'6" and 130lbs., so she's not a small woman. She's also very strong, since she's weight trained consistantly for the last 20 years. I saw the Intruder weighs under 450lbs.

I have the Boulevard S50, the renamed VS800. I'm 8 inches shorter than and some-number pounds lighter than your wife and have no problems with my bike. Granted, I've had to have some simple modifications done along with shaving the seat down in order to be comfortable on it but otherwise, it's a great bike, even for my small self. This is my first bike and my biggest eye opener was when I used the when I took the MSF ERC class, it really gave me a good idea of what my me and my bike can handle. Good luck in your decision!

Aloha,
Kehau

[Scott58]

No real problems, it's a bit cold blooded, but not annoyingly so. The basic engine design has been around for a long time. Ergo's and weight wise it's great for smaller riders. Be advised though it is seriously fast for a new rider. She'll need to take it easy until she gets used to it. Sounds like your getting a great price.

[ImpactV2K]

Thanks Kehau and 'Scott'!

You've really helped qualm and concerns over the purchase. The bike really is a 'beaut' and would be a welcome stablemate to the V2K. I was really surprised at how flashy the bike was with all the high quality chrome and paint. Sweeet!

I noticed it was a bit cold blooded, but I'm sure once you get the starting proceedure down, the routine will be second nature.

Again, thanks for all the valuable input. Todd

[MYC50T]

This would be an excellent bike for her, although in time she may outgrow it, and the price your getting it at is a steal, a friend of mine bought one for his wife about a year ago, it was an 85 with 15,000 mi on it, been repainted, in excellent condition except a small tear in the edge of the seat that was repaired and he paid $1,200 for it, so as you can see your getting it at an excellent price, it's one of the best 800's money can buy, very reliable, as Scott58 mentioned it is a bit cold blooded, it has carburetors and a choke, so it's just a matter of warming it up at first start, I'm 5'6" myself, of course I weigh more than she and this bike has no problem taking me down the road and I have seen these bikes loaded to the gills with 2 people on them and it doesn't seem to slow them down much, so yes I would highly recommend this bike for her, good luck on your decision, oh and

[ImpactV2K]

Thanks MYC50T! Looks like I'll be visiting this site more often.

I appreciate all your replies, and it's convinced me to go ahead and pick up the Intruder for the SO. I'll pick it up and do the transfer in two weeks. Will be sure to post some picks once she (I really mean me) get's it polished up.

Shouldn't take much, it really is in perfect condition.

Thanks again for all the advice and insight. I'll be back...

Todd

[DrBob]

The 800 is a GREAT bike, light enough to be managable but powerful enough where she won;t get bored with it for a long time. Hell, I bought one new in 1996 for my now ex-wife, and I liked it so much I bought it back from her after we split up. I put 135,000+ miles on it, and when it finally gave out I bought a used 1993 800 to replace it. I have put 40,000+ miles on that one in about a year and a half, and quite often my Harley sits at the house while I tear around on that 'little' 800.

[DS06C50T]

Originally Posted by Kehau D.

I'm 8 inches shorter than and some-number pounds lighter than your wife
Aloha,
Kehau

You're 4'10"? That's just too cute! Dynamite comes in small packages though, I know. My ex-girlfriend is 4'11" !!!

Cheers,
Daryl

[ImpactV2K]

Thanks, in part, to all your encouragement and recommendations, I went ahead and picked up the Intruder for the wife. Here's a couple of pics.

Thanks for all your help!!





What do you think? Purdy, huh?

[Uechi Kid]

I've always loved the look of that bike. I's great for a woman because of the low center of gravity. I also love the chopper style. Great choice. I hope she loves it too.

[DrBob]

Very nice bike! She's good lookin too

[DrBob]

Ah...now that I re-read your original post, here are some issues to keep an eye on with the Intruder 800:

You need to change the clutch fluid every couple years, as it will absorb water and break down over time. On a hot day with old fluid you will suddenly find that the clutch will not release until you shut the bike off and let it cool down. Takes about 5 minutes to change it, so I do mine every year when the tag is due, just so I remember. As long as the fluid is changed every year or two, you will never have a problem. This is probably good advice for ANY bike with a hydraulic clutch. I change the brake fluid also, just in case.

Intruder 800s can be sensitive to slightly loose battery connections. About once or twice a year give them a good tightening with an 11mm socket, just to prevent problems.

When your Intruder needs front brakes, get aftermarket pads, 'cause the OEM ones squeek. No doubt your's are no longer original, so this should not be a problem.

[BikerAce]

Very nice and red too.

[bostonjim]

Nice Bike. I just picked up the S83. Same color. I thought that I was looking at it but my bars are drag bars. Handles very nice and plenty of pep. sShe is going to love it. It was said befor, now I'll say it again. she is a looker, and the bike looks good too.

Jim

[DS06C50T]

Yep, purdy indeed. Nice bike, too!

have a blast riding together... wish my wife would get the bug so we could do same.

Cheers,
Daryl

[Kehau D.]

SWEET! She looks pretty happy about it too.

[ImpactV2K]

Thanks Doc for the heads up on possible issues on the bike. I printed out your post and will refer to it.

So far so good, as the wife and I have got her out and practicing. It's definately the perfect bike for her as far as size goes, and she really does look good riding it as well (all decked out in her biker attire).

The bike is running well. No issues I've found so far. Changed all the fluids and went over the bike for any loose connections, hoses or fittings. Seems very sound.

Can't wait for the first time we hit the road together, but she still needs some 'parking lot' time. Won't be too long -- she's a fast learner and is starting to develop a feel.

Also, thanks for all the compliments. I know she's been lurking on the forum, so better give it a rest before her head gets too big and effects her balance.

[DrBob]

Glad she likes it! I have a real soft spot in my heart for the Intruder 800. I've owned 12 bikes over the years, but the 800 has always been a favorite. I had a pretty teal 1996 800, and while other bikes came and went it was a fixture in my garage for 9 years. Together we visited all 48 lower states and probably every back road in Georgia. It finally died at 135,000+ miles, and I figured that was it: I have a chopper, a 1400 for the girlfriend, and a Harley FLH...but I missed the 800 so much I went looking for another. I found a midnight metalic blue 1993 with only 7000 miles on it. It has over 47,000 now, and I still love it.
When they finally cancel the Intruder 800/ S50 (rumor has it the S50 and S83 will both go away after the 2007 model year) I will buy a brand new one as a 'second bike' and keep the old one for spare parts. Maybe I can get another 10+ years of enjoyment out of them!

[ImpactV2K]

Originally Posted by DrBob

Glad she likes it! I have a real soft spot in my heart for the Intruder 800. I've owned 12 bikes over the years, but the 800 has always been a favorite. I had a pretty teal 1996 800, and while other bikes came and went it was a fixture in my garage for 9 years. Together we visited all 48 lower states and probably every back road in Georgia. It finally died at 135,000+ miles, and I figured that was it: I have a chopper, a 1400 for the girlfriend, and a Harley FLH...but I missed the 800 so much I went looking for another. I found a midnight metalic blue 1993 with only 7000 miles on it. It has over 47,000 now, and I still love it.
When they finally cancel the Intruder 800/ S50 (rumor has it the S50 and S83 will both go away after the 2007 model year) I will buy a brand new one as a 'second bike' and keep the old one for spare parts. Maybe I can get another 10+ years of enjoyment out of them!

Holy _________(insert expletive here)! 135,000 hard earned miles on an 800, huh? That's good. I won't have to buy her another one for... well... the rest of her life!

It is a sweet looking ride with a bunch of design elements that are currently being used in todays customs. Because of that, what's old is new again and it looks like a recent production. If it was raked a bit and debadged, you'd swear it was something that rolled off the assembly line of some upstart chopper Co. Love the 21" front wheel, the lacing in the wheels, the side mounted ignition and choke, the bright alum. motor, the radiator cowl, etc. Just too cool. I've got a beautiful glacial blue Kawi 2000, but I still find myself staring at that bright red 800 from time to time.

Just too cool. Or did I already say that?

Sounds like you've got yourself a nice stable of bikes. We'll let you slide on the H-D... . Good luck in your hunt for the next addition.

[Trapper]

A purdy red bike for a purdy lady. I love the Intruder!