Much more of an Intruder

**retro asian** · 17th July 2009, 01:03

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

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!!!

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.

**Big Dave** · 17th July 2009, 01:11

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** · 17th July 2009, 09:10

Nice! Congratulations!

**one fast tl1ooo** · 17th July 2009, 09:26

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

**Boob Johnson** · 17th July 2009, 09:36

Ha ha, nice one RA, like ya style

Congrats on the new beast

**retro asian** · 17th July 2009, 09:42

Originally Posted by 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?

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

**vifferman** · 17th July 2009, 09:46

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

**Jerry74** · 17th July 2009, 09:57

nice one good bike

**Gubb** · 17th July 2009, 18:43

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** · 19th July 2009, 17:07

Originally Posted by Gubb

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** · 20th July 2009, 23:08

Originally Posted by Big Dave

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!!!!

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** · 6th September 2009, 17:54

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

(@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.

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

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

and comfort + torque keeps you well satisfied on those open road journeys.

I rike it, I rike it a rot!