When I heard the "tank" of the Inturder 1500 wasn't a tank, but an empty cover, or housed the air filters... I felt it was not for me. I hate fake stuff, namely, which is just there to impress onlookers but has no practical function. We have all seen it... on, for example Yamaha's Drag Star among others. I claim to be free from prejudice, and so, I had to take a better look, if not just to prove it to myself, then, to satisfy my curiosity.

I read all the reviews I could find. Motorcycle On-Line is a great source to find information... as are search engines. At once I came across complaints and criticisms. I contacted some of the people voicing the complaints and now I think I am able to make an informed decision... That was my purpose.

So I went to see the bike...

It was amazingly wide... and big... "Larger than life" was my first impression... and long... and big. This would have been the perfect replacement for my old Harley, back when I was looking for something to replace it.

In case you didn't know... The fenders, "tank" (or cover) and tank under the seat are all "metal", not fibreglass like so many cruisers on the market. That adds to its weight and a more authentic impression.

There was something about the bike that made me want to have it. The shape, the size... It all played a part. After going back again and again (one time my friend had to DRAG me out of the dealer's) I now know that, as well as keeping the bike amazingly attractive, Suzuki have rather ingeniously re-arranged the positions of the various components on the bike, while retaining a look that is amazing to behold. So, rather than being a case of superficial arrangement to fool the onlooker, they gambled on the rider accepting a new way to place/arrange what many feel is holy. The new Intruder 1500 LC is a rebel with a cause. Its innovative, which is always a bit of a gamble, in case people don't accept it... especially a traditionalist crowd such as bikers... However, the lower center of gravity gives the bike an added stability. In wind or curves, it handles very well and feels somehow lighter, as a result.

Sitting on the bike, you notice its stability. The weight of the fuel is below the rider... Holding the extra wide handlebars, you get that "King of the Road" feeling. I bet there will be a lot of envious bikers out there when one pulls up on this bike... (ahem, I know I was). Green eyed, I believe its called.

One detail I never found a mention of anywhere, in all reviews and accounts, and something I'd like to share with you here, is: When you put out the side stand, it cuts the motor. So, no more falling over because you left the side stand down! Interesting. I did not witness the transmission problems some riders talk about, but I did hear the sqealing brakes. Another curious thing, is the place to add the oil. Its hidden behind a chrome cover, which is bolted on. So you have to dig out the toolkit, just to check the oil. (Another thing no-one talks about in the reviews.)... and that reminds me... To know how far you have travelled, you need to turn the key in the ignition, as the counter is digital and presented in a liquid crystal display (like most digital wrist watches)... and you have to press it a few times to rotate between, for example, miles travelled, and a resettable counter (I can't recall if there were other settings). There are quite a few interesting new ideas on this bike... Which further confirmed to me that this, and other features,might be a result of rider's suggestions.

At the end, I stood back and knew this was a motorcycle for me... Its different... but not in the way I first thought. The shape and size give it a lot of class... It has most of what one would look for in a true classic motorcycle... but instead of being old and troublesome (despite its reported problems), its a new approach to assembling a motorcycle. Many of the parts are in strange new places, possibly helping with maitenance and accessibility... I do leave maintenance to the professionals, and Suzuki may have had them in mind when placing the various bits and bobs.

So, what we have here is a bike that looks like a classic but is built for today... and thats what I want.

This is a time of change... and there will be those that lead... the rest will either follow, miss the train or find another way. I like to think I am open minded enough to accept when someone offers me something new, even when it seems to go against tradition in its assembly. I like to think I'm a bit of a rebel myself... and, if not just to prove it, I am going to get my Intruder 1500 LC on the 7th of August... (this is from back in 1998)