[Bluejeans]

Hey folks,

I need some advice. I'm looking at a 1993 Suzuki Intruder for sale down the road and would like a little help.

It has 5814 miles on it. Visually, it looks good. There is a little surface rust underneath, but nothing intense. The tires look good and it cranked right up. The owner is asking $2300, but the shop where it is sitting says that the guy just has no time for it and he might be willing to deal.

Is there anything specific I should look for or watch out for on that model? Is that a good price? Oh, and it has a new battery.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Um...I forgot to mention...it's an 800.

 

[Trapper]

Sounds like a good deal to me. Will he let you test ride it?

 

[wgd9891]

hey, refer to 87gsxrnut's post which is a sticky in the sportbike section.

i am not sure if the process of buying a used sportbike is different from a cruiser but it will make good reading for you anyways.

also wait till some more experienced member comes by

 

[Bluejeans]

Oh wow, I just realized that this bike is shaft driven. Is that right? Is there anything different about riding a shaft driven bike?

See, here's the whole story. Right now, my job is 4 miles from my house and my Savage is perfect. BUT...in July, my office is moving 70 interstate miles away. In my cage, that's a bunch of $$$ so, for summertime (and as long as I can stand it), I want a bigger bike for the interstate ride.

Besides, my hubby wants to learn to ride and since he is only 5'7", the Savage fits him nicely so we could both have bikes.

 

[Gixxerdale]

Nuts sticky on buying used will apply to all bikes for the most part. Read up, then go take another better informed look.

Give anything rubber like hoses and tires a good look. Hard or cracked and you'll be replacing them soon. Old hard tires are more dangerous than bald new tires!

Take an experienced biker with you if you can. Two of you may pick up more than just one set of eyes and ears.

Get a test ride if at all possible.

 

[Gixxerdale]

Here's some more good reading.

http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html

 

[kenwood599]

I just purchased a '96 Intruder for $2750. Has 4463 miles on it. No marks, scratches or blemishes on it.

 

[GS550L]

>>Oh wow, I just realized that this bike is shaft driven. Is that right? Is there anything >>different about riding a shaft driven bike?

Biggest difference is that you no longer have to lube the chain

Seriously, you can get a little shaft effect when riding hard (torque of the shaft causes the rear of the bike to rise a little under power). I owned a 93ish Intruder for a couple of years and it was never a problem.

My Intruder was a great bike, I miss it daily.

 

[hawker]

I have an '01' Intruder 800 and it's great. Shaft drive means very little maintenance, and I don't detect anything different about riding it. Handles very well and doesn't wear you out like a bigger bike can. The hydraulic clutch is something you'll appreciate that isn't often mentioned. I think you'll be very happy with it.

 

[Bluejeans]

I've read Nuts sticky and it is full of great info. I don't know another biker to take with me, but my hubby has been an auto mechanic for years and knows the basics of how to look at hoses and check for leaks. I've shown him a print out of Nut's list (since he is totally computer illiterate). We agreed to look at the bike again together. If I get it, I'll probably be passing my Savage on to him.

I'm thinking to offer the guy $2000 and see if that get's me anywhere. I haven't asked yet if I can take a test ride, but I'm suspecting he'll probably let me. I've had a few dealings with him in the past (minor service issues on my Savage) and he's always seemed like a straight-up sort of guy.

Thanks for the help on this. I'll let you all know if I get it.

 

[ChicsterMG]

You should like the shaft drive. After years of doing my own maintenance and having to clean up after oiling, waxing, etc the chain for 3 month and then it's time to oil again and start the process all over.

The shaft drive is much cleaner.

 

[oldgeezer]

My wife rides an Intruder and loves it. It is one of the best in the Suzuki line. My only complaint is the 3.2 gallon gas tank. I would like a little more range on longer trips. I think you will enjoy riding the bike and will have no problem going from the Savage to the Intruder. My wife rode a Savage and was used to her Intruder in about hmmmmm.... five minutes!

 

[Bluejeans]

Well...I've practially bought it. The check is in the mail (to me from the credit union) to pay for it. I test drove it over the weekend and I love it. The guy lost the title and has applied for a new one so I won't be turning over any money till he gets it, but he said it should be here any day now.

As for the 3.2 gallon tank, I'm not too concerned about that, because my main riding partner will be my hubby on the Savage, which can't go more than about a 100 miles on a tank. Since we'll have to stop for gas for the Savage, it won't matter if the Intruder can't go any further anyway.

I'm really, really, really, excited about this! I'll post pics once I get it.

 

[oldgeezer]

What color is it?

 

[Bluejeans]

What color is it?

It's black...all black. Not my first color choice, but not bad. I would have preferred red or yellow or something, but that's neither here nor there since this bike is black.

 

[Trapper]

Time for a new Avatar... like "Thumper's wife."

 

[Bluejeans]

HELP...Okay, let me complicate the story...

The guy still hasn't got the title on this bike so I still haven't actually bought it, and now another one has come up. I'm leaning toward the second one...

Here's the decision:
1993 Black Intruder VS800
5841 miles, looks excellent
Male owned, unknown storage history
Jardine slash pipes, stock seat
$2300 asking price (reduced from $2600)

OR

1997 Intruder VS800
27,000 miles, haven't seen it, but the owner said (on the phone) it looks perfect
Female owned, garage kept
Jardine slash pipes, custom seat (brand unknown), windshield
$3000 asking price

The mileage on the second one is really the only thing that gives me any pause. Other than that, the second bike sounds like a better deal. I know for fact that the 1993 one has been sitting in the rain for a week (because I drive by and see it nearly every day).

Opinions?