6th Aug 2006, 23:12
The 86 700 Intruder is a great bike. I am an older rider, and this bike is great. It has good power for pulling out, and good pickup on the highway. I have owned mine for awhile now, and have no complaints. GREAT BIKE.
11th Sep 2006, 10:56
I've owned mine for 18 years and it's been pretty reliable. Shortly after 5400 miles, a plug blew out of one end of the oil journal in the crankshaft, causing oil to bypass one of the main bearings and costing me about $1K in repairs.
I've had to replace the temperature sensor that tells the fan to turn on, as well as the turn signal flasher.
All-in-all, a pretty good bike.
25th Nov 2006, 21:08
I've owned my 700 Intruder for 12 years now and put close to 30,000 miles on it. I love how this bike feels so natural and fits me like a glove. It's been very reliable. The only times I've been stranded on it were one time when I noticed somebody decided to pull the choke while it was parked and by the time I recognized this it was too late. One other time the clutch hose broke on me too. All in all that makes it a very reliable bike.
My likes:
Good acceleration
Simple yet beautiful design
Reliability
Handling
Dislikes:
Battery is not easy to remove or install
Lack of self canceling turn signal
Stock seat (I replaced it with better Suzuki gel seat)
Tool compartment is tight, only so much room for tools
25th Dec 2006, 21:35
I bought my 1987 Suzuki Intruder used and have owned it for 12 years. Starts easy every time even after winter storage. Nothing has ever failed on this bike that was not my fault.
I have put over 30,000 miles on it most across country and it will no doubt do 30,000 more!
The only thing that I dislike, is if you lay this bike over, count on replacing the foot peg, and if you have no crash bars, it can get ugly.
27th Aug 2007, 12:55
How much horsepower was the 1986 vs700 putting out? Enough for a large man (6'1, 250) to ride?
29th Aug 2007, 08:45
Yes, definitely, it's a great bike, just got mine, I'm a little overweight or under tall :) and we get around just fine. Very well balanced. Handles great in twisties and on hard straight up hills. You can't go wrong.
27th Sep 2007, 12:12
I bought my Suzuki VS700 new in 1987. It still runs perfect like the day I bought it.
I have performed the normal maintenance; plugs, and oil. I have had to change the battery about 4 times over the years after the original battery finally failed. It has been stored under a tarp when not riding in the snow.
All in all, my wife and I have loved this bike, even though we have out grown it. I still use it, and plan to drive a bit this 2007-2008 winter and summer. My only regret is that when I bought it, I didn't get the 1400.
Be Blessed!
Karl.
9th Oct 2007, 07:12
At 56, I am getting back into riding. I bought a 86 Suzuki Intruder in good shape, but it does need some work. All four turn signals broke in half and hanging from the wires. I removed all the screws, but cannot figure out where the wire connections are. Any advice help appreciated.
brad_steffey@yahoo.com
Thanks, Brad.
15th Oct 2007, 22:41
Hi, I have a 1987 VS 700 Intruder. Love it.
However lately the gears "crunch" when changing, even though I've lately changed the fluid & the clutch lever is only half way out when contact of the clutch plates engage.
Still love the bike, but would like to have some answers to the above. Thank you.
16th Oct 2007, 08:40
I got the turn signals removed. Bike only has 2215 original miles and has been sitting outside for years. I drained all the fluids, removed both air filters, oil filter, spark plugs and battery. I would like to know how to turn the motor before I connect a new battery. Does anyone know if you can jump the start so the motor will turn? Any advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks Brad
brad_steffey@yahoo.com
23rd Nov 2007, 16:06
I just bought my 86 Intruder for 50 bucks, just now getting it started (at least for a few seconds) but it has been neglected. I'm making a chopper out of it. Anyone know the best place to find aftermarket parts for this bike (carb rebuild kits etc...? If so e-mail me srodgers17@cfl.rr.com)
22nd Dec 2007, 16:27
Hey can any one tell me some performance upgrades you can do to a 86 Intruder 700? I have pipes and drag bars, but I'm looking for engine upgrades. Let me know. Thanks.
Vernluke@juno.com
26th Jan 2008, 20:04
Removing the battery in this bike is a pain. A tip for getting at that pesky right side post. Buy the cheapest 10MM socket you can find. Cut off a 3/8 of an inch of the 10MM part of the socket. Weld this on to a piece of 5/16 inch bar stock. Grind the bar stock flat above the socket. Slips right in between the swing arm; does what a screw driver or end wrench can't.
29th Jan 2008, 09:48
Been ridding for 30 years; mostly Honda 750-4s.
Got a 86 700 Intruder; it was neat and fun to ride, but sold it to get Harley that was neat, but I got tired of working on it ALL the time.
I just traded my Harley off for another 86 Intruder and a nice 18" ski boat... I'll probably have to work on the boat... KEEP THE RUBBER SIDE DOWN..
REV.SEANJONES@YAHOO.COM
5th Mar 2008, 17:11
Great page... I bought an 86 Intruder last year from an older guy that couldn't ride anymore due to a stroke. It had been garaged for 10 years and had 6,000 original miles on it... No problems, very reliable. At $2,500 bucks I thought it was a steal...
My wife hates the factory seat though... says it hurts her back. Any ideas on where to get some custom seats, preferably wider and more comfortable, or parts?
Also, due to it sitting so long, some of the gaskets are wearing out. I'll have to replace fork seals this year, as well as reservoir tank seals on the front carb... Pipes are blued out and would like to replace these as well. Any one have any suggestions on were to find parts at the best prices?
-Steve
stevencbanks@yahoo.com
22nd Aug 2005, 15:21
The tach-lack was indeed a major frustration until I finally installed a Drag Specialties mini-tachometer with an electrical pick-up a few years ago. It functions reliably except in extended rain; also the illumination doesn't always work (which is annoying at night). I'll fix it eventually - as long as it doesn't leave me stranded, it doesn't bother me too much! :)
The lack of a centerstand used to bother me due to the lack of clearance under the bike for maintenance, but I've gotten around that as follows:
* for battery servicing, I simply roll the rear tire onto a thick piece of wood (I sometimes put the bike in gear to keep it from rolling off) - that way there's enough room for the battery compartment door to swing open completely;
* for oil changes, I've made a custom low-profile drain pan by cutting a hole in the side of an empty 1-gallon anti-freeze container - when laid on its side it fits under the bike without even raising the rear tire.
I guess how well one can live with anything (or anybody...) depends on how much one has to adapt to make living with them bearable. With the Intruder 700 (aka 750/800/S50), I don't feel like I've had to adapt too much over the years.