Suzuki S50 opinions please

[eliot-ness]

Seen a couple of S50s around lately and thought they looked pretty good. Well balanced, pegs not too far forward, big enough motor for what I want, cheap at $10 grand. Tank a bit small though. Anyone got one or ridden one for a good distance? Not looking for a long distance cruiser, just something to knock up a couple of hundred miles at the weekends. How do they handle? How far on a tank of gas? Comfortable over a few hours riding? Just decided to let the Bandit go but need a new toy to take its place.

[magicfairy]

I've had mine for a year and not had a single problem, they seem to be pretty bullet proof.
Shaft drive, so no chain maintenance.
I've added pack frame - Ventura, clock, bar heaters and better rubber.
Probably look at progressive shocks when money allows.

I get about 20 km per litre (tank is 12 litre) so 240k approx open road doing around 110-130km/h ,about a 3rd less round town.
But it is a good bike for round town as it is very narrow. I commute to work each day as well as weekend riding on mine.
Pretty nimble for a cruiser I am told, although never going to be able to corner like a sports bike.
These are carbuerrated, the ones with more bling, M50 and C50 are fuel injected. Seems to have plenty of power and low down torque.

I've been to 400k plus in a day on it, and back again 2 days later. Comfort no problems - only cold as it was thru the Desert Rd in April. I've always had to gas up before I got numb bum, the seat seems to be just my size.

A lot of owners add windshields, but I like that more naked look and put up with the buffeting.

I'm short only 5ft 1" and it fits me perfectly.
And it is lighter than most cruisers so easy to move around.

The seating position feels very natural. I think it could be too cramped for a bigger rider.

I have been really happy with mine. Had an S40 before it (650) and this is a much better bike all round.

Heaps on info at
www.intruderalert.com
(These used be "Intruders" until rebadged a couple of years ago when the Boulevard line was developed for the Suzuki cruisers)

[eliot-ness]

Thaks MF. Just the sort of info I was looking for. Sounds like a good buy.

[rainman]

I like 'em, but would pick the M50 over the S50 any day, since having my Marauder (basically an older version of the M, without the EFI and shaft drive). But you're doing the buying, so it's you should be doing the trying... go for a test ride and see what's good and what's bad.

One point to check out with your local Suzuki dealer is whether they've made up their minds about whether they're going to continue selling them in NZ - about 6 months ago I was told no, they were being discontinued, but I saw them in the last Suzi flyer that hit my mailbox, and they still seem to be on the showroom floors. I find it hard to believe they'd dump 'em - Intruder-style bikes are generally pretty popular I thought. They're still in the international 2008 (http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/S50K8/Default.aspx) range.

[Angusdog]

Ditto. The S50 is the original Intruder, so it's halfway between the early 80s attempts at a 'factory custom' and the more mature products today, like the M50, V900 and so on. It's a good bike, but the market has moved on since it was designed.

I love my M50, but not so keen on the S50. The S50 is very narrow and tall, the M50 is wider and more muscley feeling, if that makes sense. But it's down to you. The C50 is the same price and quite popular, more of a cruiser than the pseudo hot rod style of the M50.

$10K will easily get you an M50 with almost no miles, or talk the salesman down a bit on a new one. Sportsters are cheap now, so the market's yours. The resale value for the M50 (or a C50) is going to be higher, if that's important to you.

[Tank]

$10K will easily get you an M50 with almost no miles, or talk the salesman down a bit on a new one.

I also looked at the S50 but it was not to my personal style (which I know means nothing to you) - however after looking at it against the C50 / M50 I thought I was getting 'more' bike with the others.

My M50 was 11k on the road with a free leather jacket from Holshot. so $$$ is pretty much the same.


Google is your friend - there are gome good reviews of the range out there.

Good luch.

tank