wanting to buy suzuki S83...

[bostonjim]

but am unsure. From what I am told, it is the old VL 1400, is that correct? I haven't read about any problems with this bike, but was wondering if anyone here has one or has riden one.

By the way, I am a newbie and this is my first thread. Hope to get a lot of good info, not only on this topic, but on any that might come up in the future.

Thanks in advance for any info.

Jim

[wracing]

Yes it is the old 1400. Been around since 1987 i believe. I have had my S83 for a year now and still love it. Got over 9000 miles on the bike now with no problems. I did replace the stock pipes with Jardines and had the carb's rejeted. Just keep the oil change and the engine is bullet proof. Here is a great link for the bike. www.intruderalert.com

willie

[DrBob]

The S83/ VS1400 is a great bike, super reliable and with great acceleration, good handling, and decent comfort. My girlfriend has one, which I often ride, including a recent trip to Texas and back. She has put aver 25,000 miles on it in two years, without any probelms at all. Plenty of accessories around for it too.
The only probelms with them are minor: the stock brakes tend to squeek, but are easily replaced with aftermarket pads, and you need to change the clutch fluid on the hydraulic clutch every couple years or the clutch will start acting funny. Other than that, they are problem-free.

[DS06C50T]

I was close to going with the S83 last October. I like the engine size:weight ratio. I just really wanted a dedicated "cruiser" so I went with the C50T. I think the S83 is the sleeper of the Suzuki line. It is good looking, totally reliable/dependable, and with that displacement, should just flat "git".

You've chosen wisely....grasshopper!

Daryl

[wracing]

Yes the stock brake pads where awful, what a noise. Replace them with EBC pads and no trouble now. Thanks Dr Bob for the clutch fluid problem,did not know that, will change mine out soon.

Willie

[S83]

Yes the "factory" brake pads suck. If it had fuel injection, and could get rid of those "spoker" wheels would be a perfect bike (for a sporty cruiser) in my opinion. But I still love it! Everytime I think about getting something different I go out for a ride and change my mind.

[JohnK]

I've got an S83 with 3000 miles on it. I changed the handlebars over to the older style, so I could reach them and be more comfortable. That was quite a feat to accomplish.

Then I took it out earlier this year and my exhaust pipes blued! The chrome pipes on both sides turned a black/blue/yellow color. I took it to a Suzuki dealer who said the bike was fine as far as they were concerned with the mechanics of the engine performance. The shop called Suzuki and they said it was common for the S83 to discolor the exhaust pipes. So beware! It's not covered under warrantee either. I asked. Go figure!!

[wracing]

Ron from Big Daddy's V-Twins in Fayetteville put on my Jardine exhaust and rejetted my carb's. He said what causes pipes to turn blue in most cases is when you used the choke to long. Its runs raw gas in the carb's which causes the blueing. I got blueing on my Jardine now but its behind the heat shields.

willie

[DrBob]

Originally Posted by wracing

Yes the stock brake pads where awful, what a noise. Replace them with EBC pads and no trouble now. Thanks Dr Bob for the clutch fluid problem,did not know that, will change mine out soon.

Willie

Stockbridge, eh? Pop over to Decatur some time and we'll ride! There are a bunch of Intruder owners around here.

[wracing]

I will soon DrBob. Going to ride the Dragon June 2th. I see you are going to the IA gathering in mid June.

willie