Much more of an Intruder

[retro asian]

I am now the proud owner of a 2004 VL800 Volusia Intruder (nowadays known as the Boulevard C50).

Yesterday I got to ride it for the first time :wari:
After a jumper start (getting new battery today) and a little warm up, she was ready to be straddled!

This was my first big bike experience, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Haven't got my full yet, so no test riding different bikes for me...would've waited longer, but I saw a nice bike at the right price and just went for it "Gung Ho!" Style.

Moving up from a VL250 Intruder, the VL800 looks and feels like its twice the size. It also looks and feels twice as mean. Still has a LOT of fake chrome, which will probably bring on the hate from HOG's... but it weighs less and won't ever rust. It's like the $100 Rolex you can buy in Asia, inside is a quality seiko watch and outside is fake gold and fake diamonds.

Anyway, first twist of the throttle and I was greeted with a very smooth delivery of power. All the 240kg+ weight of the bike suddenly seemed to disappear...it felt so effortless and balanced, I could've sworn I was driving a car!! I guess this is what real cruising is.

The other interesting thing was cornering, which from initial impression appears to take a lot more physical effort than the 250 cruiser. As you go into a turn, the handle bars also want to turn into the corner. To countersteer, it feels like you need to use both hands (one to push and the other to counter the front wheel turning force). I guess this skinny Asian lad is going to grow some guns at last!!! :woohoo:

Anyway, I'll post more detail again in a month or so (when I'm insured to be on the road). Might possibly be useful to crazies like me who buy bikes based solely from reading reviews on the internet. In the meantime the bike is locked away in a warehouse, next to the Lost Ark, so I'm not tempted to ride it every day.



<img src="http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/customprofilepics/profilepic19369_4.gif">

[Big Dave]

Couple of weeks you'll be chucking it around like the 250.

That windscreen is removable. Take it off and you'll be amazed how much smaller the bike will feel.

And you have inscrutably checked honorable tyre pressure san?

[EJK]

Nice! Congratulations! :)

[one fast tl1ooo]

always good to go for the 1st ride on a new bike :woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::scooter:

[Boob Johnson]

Ha ha, nice one RA, like ya style :Punk:


Congrats on the new beast

[retro asian]

Couple of weeks you'll be chucking it around like the 250.

That windscreen is removable. Take it off and you'll be amazed how much smaller the bike will feel.

And you have inscrutably checked honorable tyre pressure san?

Hai Sensei, will give those things a try. I must also wax on / wax off. First learn stand, then learn fly.

[vifferman]

Good stuff, Mr RetroAsian, Sir!
Love the pic! :niceone:

[Jerry74]

nice one good bike

[Gubb]

Good effort.

Not many of the 250 crew left now. You'll hafta gizz us a go when i'm up there next.

[retro asian]

Good effort.

Not many of the 250 crew left now. You'll hafta gizz us a go when i'm up there next.

Yep, won't be many 250's left at all in the next few weeks.
Sure thing, you're always welcome to give her a go.

[retro asian]

And you have inscrutably checked honorable tyre pressure san?

Hahaha, you were on the money Big Dave. Put in a new battery this evening and rode to the nearest Mobil. My front was 14 psi and rear 20 psi!!! (what a noob Retro Asian) Next thing will be to get a service done.

After some air in the tyres, the bike started to handle! Went for a run up and down the Milford-East Coast Bays twisties, and couldn't stop smiling underneath my helmet. Got some good lean on, and felt real comfortable, like I'd been riding the bike for ages (just have to smooth out my gear changes).

Also, racing through quiet North Shore streets with the sound of V-twin thunder firing out my ass was freakin' powerhouse!!!! :headbang:

Reluctantly putting the VL800 away, and getting back on the wee lil 250 was more than a bit awkward. Twisted the throttle, and the bike didn't go (oops, need a whole handful of it). Felt like the VL250 had gone through the wash and come out a mini pocket bike!

Oh well ... wait 2 weeks of Defensive Drivel Course, and I'll be as legal as a Sweet Sixteen!

[retro asian]

An update after ~1500 odd kms:

Still loving every moment spent on my "baby bagger" VL800, which now actually does feel a bit small after sitting on the 1800CC 6-cylinder Honda Rune yesterday :baby: (@Cyclespot)!!

Have taken off the tiny little Givi sports screen that came with it, and it now looks and feels much better. I am still considering a removable Batwing front fairing, but will have to save my pennys if I want one of those. On Monday, I am expecting to receive a Cobra short sissy bar and crash bars from the States. :2thumbsup

Had a good couple sessions of open road riding this weekend, on Saturday chasing sport bikes up SH16 to Mangawhai and back... being a bit cautious still on the corners but having fun opening up the throttle on the straights.
Overtaking is fun!! (especially pwning tough guys on Harleys that paid 4-5 times more for their bikes :dodge: go the asian copies!!)

This arvo I had a solo cruise up to Woodcock's road and back, nice and relaxed: which seems the best way to handle this bike (countersteering doesn't work so well when you're tense).

Peg-scraping is always on the back of my mind though. Scraped them 3 times in one night practising in the NASS carpark, and they can scrape easily on roundabouts. I'm gonna practise shifting my weight around more to counteract this.

So, if you're thinking about the VL800 or C50, I say do it! It looks big and heavy (and I guess it is), but riding it makes you feel like you're King of the Road :headbang: and comfort + torque keeps you well satisfied on those open road journeys.

I rike it, I rike it a rot! :cool:

[Fatt Max]

Nice one RA,

I'll be sticking with my trusty VL 250 for now but once finances improves, a bigger I shall go.

Well done on the new bike bro

[musicman]

1800CC 6-cylinder Honda Rune!!


Get that next.

[Big Dave]

I rike rune a rot too.

[mattian]

I still think "Intruder" is a bloody stupid name for a bike. I always imagine a rubber fist when I hear that word....... mind you, i'm currently riding the "Gladius" just as bloody stupid:buggerd:

[retro asian]

I rike rune a rot too.

The only thing I didn't rike was the Headlight. Makes it look like the Malaysian Probosis Monkey...


<img src="http://forum.avtoindex.com/foto/data/media/105/honda_rune_2004_2.jpg">


<img src="http://scienceblogs.com/afarensis/upload/2006/10/proboscis%20monkey%201.JPG">

[retro asian]

I still think "Intruder" is a bloody stupid name for a bike. I always imagine a rubber fist when I hear that word....... mind you, i'm currently riding the "Gladius" just as bloody stupid:buggerd:

"Intruder" was an improvement on "Marauder":

marauder
someone who attacks in search of booty

[mattian]

"Intruder" was an improvement on "Marauder":

marauder
someone who attacks in search of booty

"intruder" a rubber sex toy popular in prisons and Eton college :lol:

but, seriously..... I rode a VL 250 for quite a while on my learners and restricted and thought the VL800 was, and is ! an excellent bike.

[madbikeboy]

Hai Sensei, will give those things a try. I must also wax on / wax off. First learn stand, then learn fly.

Are you mocking because I Asian?

[Brian d marge]

I rike rune a rot too.

No
no
no
no
no

No

in so many ways

Stephen

[Nagash]

Peg-scraping is always on the back of my mind though. Scraped them 3 times in one night practising in the NASS carpark, and they can scrape easily on roundabouts. I'm gonna practise shifting my weight around more to counteract this.


You musta seen my yellow rebel at some point or another..

I managed to scrape both foot pegs off completely. Still rideable >_>

[retro asian]

You musta seen my yellow rebel at some point or another..

I managed to scrape both foot pegs off completely. Still rideable >_>

Of course. Your Rebel's peg scraping was legendary!
Wearing away at the pegs is another way to make them scrape less often I suppose...:laugh:

[Irontusk]

I still think "Intruder" is a bloody stupid name for a bike. I always imagine a rubber fist when I hear that word....... mind you, i'm currently riding the "Gladius" just as bloody stupid:buggerd:

Might say more about you than the bike then eh?.. :innocent: Most bikes have somewhat creative names though..

[mattian]

Might say more about you than the bike then eh?.. :innocent: Most bikes have somewhat creative names though..

nah, I dont think it does but, if you want to believe that because it alleviates some of the guilt you feel about riding a bike named after a rubber fist, then by all means.... believe it :laugh:

hehehee.... just yanking ya chain buddy. Actually, I rode an Intru....:shit:.. I mean, a VL 250:innocent: for alot of my learner years...... bloody good bikes they are and they sound mean.

[Irontusk]

nah, I dont think it does but, if you want to believe that because it alleviates some of the guilt you feel about riding a bike named after a rubber fist, then by all means.... believe it :laugh:

hehehee.... just yanking ya chain buddy. Actually, I rode an Intru....:shit:.. I mean, a VL 250:innocent: for alot of my learner years...... bloody good bikes they are and they sound mean.

All in jest :) Besides, I always thought the name was funny too (Might be why I like it :shifty:). And I was gonna say if you don't like 'Intruder' then go with "VL250 (800, 1500, whatever).