The newly launched Suzuki Intruder 150 is the company’s first product after its recent announcement of moving its focus away from the volume segment. Priced at Rs 98,340 (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Intruder 150 directly rivals the Avenger range, although, it commands a more premium price. Here are five things to know about it:
1. Polarising M800-, M1800-inspired design
The polarising bodywork seen on this new motorcycle is heavily inspired from the bigger Intruders – the M800 and M1800. With the large headlamp and long fuel tank, the motorcycle does not look like it shares much with the Gixxer that it is based on. The chunky, flowing design language on the bike isn’t something we are used to seeing in this affordable cruiser segment. Moreover, modern touches like the LED tail-light and the Gixxer-borrowed digital instrument cluster also compliment the motorcycle well. The design is a huge head-turner but also highly polarising and is not for all tastes.
2. It uses a retuned Gixxer motor
Powering the Intruder is the same 154.9cc carburetted mill seen on the Gixxer. It is largely the same but uses a bigger intake and a reworked exhaust on the Intruder. Another mechanical change seen on the entry-level cruiser is the additional tooth on the rear sprocket. These changes and the increase in weight result in the motorcycle gaining a stronger mid-range punch while losing some top-end performance. The responsiveness of the engine, refined gearbox and power figures of 14.8hp and 14Nm of torque remain unchanged. Still, for a bike that looks so big, we’d have liked to see more power and the Intruder starts to run out of breath upwards of 90kph.
3. It has impressive handling characteristics
The Intruder is extremely rider friendly; it can accommodate tall riders and even shorter riders will be comfortable due to its low seat height of 740mm. The cruiser motorcycle is easy to ride at low speeds, but remains stable at a higher pace. The Gixxer-borrowed 41mm forks and seven-step preload-adjustable rear shock have been retuned for the Intruder. The sporty suspension, coupled with the decent level of cornering clearance, makes the motorcycle really impressive on a winding road. In fact, because of the humble power, the Intruder’s handling impresses more than its ability to cruise over long distances at a brisk pace.
4. It gets a reworked Gixxer chassis
The front section of the frame is very similar to the Gixxer, but the gains a completely new subframe. When compared to Gixxer, the bike sees a 75mm increase in wheelbase, owing to a 20mm increase in swingarm length and a new pivot angle. The Intruder also shares its tyres and brakes with the Gixxer. The tyres span 110/70 R17 in the front and 140/60 R17 at the rear. Though quite substantial for a 150cc bike, these tyres look scrawny on the Intruder, thanks to the extensive bodywork above.
5. It gets more features but at a price
The Intruder is feature-rich, with a digital instrument console, an LED tail-light, a rear disc-brake and also single-channel ABS (a standard feature); none of these are on offer on the Bajaj Avenger Street 150. These features are also absent on the Avenger Street/Cruise 220, though it must be noted that the Intruder is priced at Rs 98,340, which is considerably higher than both the Street 150 and Street/Cruise 220 which are priced at Rs 75,000 and Rs 84,000 (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi), respectively.
[“Source-autocarindia”]
