The bike ticks all the right boxes when it comes to style, handling and riding dynamic, says Rajesh Alva.
Photographs: Courtesy Suzuki Motor Cycle India
After introducing Access 125, Gixxer, Hayate in India, Suzuki started showing more interest in the volume segment. And they hope to catch up with the volumes game, with a new cruiser bike, the Suzuki Intruder 150.
The Intruder 150 is inspired by the Intruder M1800R.
This bike borrows the same platform as Gixxer's, but tweaks it to fit into the cruiser frame and ergonomics.
Suzuki has clearly worked hard on the design.
There is much visual mass and it does a good job of hiding the engine.
The bike features an attractive triangular headlamp unit and LED DRL (daytime running lamp) at the bottom of the unit.
The digital instrument cluster looks like a windshield, but it's just a plastic panel covering the instrument cluster.
I, as a bike enthusiast, miss the analog speedometer and spoke wheels.
Also, the position of the ignition key is bit too far ahead.
The fuel tank looks massive and the curvy lines flow pretty neatly till the end. But underneath the design the fuel tank is just 11 litres
The tank is mostly covered up by a plastic panel. A lot of plastic panels have been used to give the cruiser a beefy look, but plastic parts have the tendency to rattle off after a certain period.
The Suzuki Intruder 150 has 41mm front forks and a new 7-step adjustable monoshock at the rear. We don't get to hear of a monoshock suspension for cruisers every day.
The handlebars are mounted towards the rider, while the foot pegs are pushed forward to give the rider a comfortable seating position.
Short riders won't be facing any issues in flat footing the motorcycle as the seat height is set to a low 740mm.
The rider also gets a bucket seat that is wide and comfortable.
The pillion seat is also comfortable and the company offers an optional pillion backrest.
Suzuki offers single channel ABS (Anti-lock braking system) as standard. Though it is cost effective, it fails to do the job as majority of riders use the back brake pretty often. Rear ABS would have been a nice option.
Most of the bike parts are directly taken from Gixxer to keep costs down -- even the alloy and tyre.
The bike comes with black 17-inch alloy wheels with disc brakes at both front and rear.
The fatter 140/80 section rear tyre looks skinny compared to it's fender and angular twin barrel exhaust.
Suzuki has launched the Intruder 150 straight into the Avenger 220 price bracket. Its costs ₹17,000 more than the Avenger 150 and ₹8,000 more than the Avenger 220 Cruiser.
Considering the engine specs, it will rival Avenger 150. But Avenger is outdated now.
The bike ticks all the right boxes when it comes to style, handling and riding dynamic.
Is it a good cruiser? It seems comfortable for the city and short highway rides. It is also affordable and a head turner -- many are likely to love the macho muscular styling.
But is it for the bike enthusiast? Possibly not.
The Suzuki Intruder 150 looks like a value for money bike.
Will you buy the Intruder 150? Tell us
