Suzuki INTRUDER C 1800 R 2008

The intruder M 1800 R first of the name made the head spin: a twin approaching 2 liters of displacement, a futuristic design completely out of step with the guns of the genre, a sports front end, more than 120 horsepower in the bowls. Its close cousin, the C 1800 R, takes on the spirit of the twin-cylinder but offers it a wiser dress, a more classic, completely custom setting to attract the good graces of a very conservative market.

In this C version, the intruder 1800 takes up the codes of the segment, with a large round headlight, chrome in all corners, a large 49 mm hooded fork, and huge tires (150 at the front, 240 at the ‘back). Long, imposing, almost noble, the C 1800 R comes directly to tickle the famous Harley Fat Boy. But with its engine, there is something to stick to the sides of the roaring Triumph Rocket III and Kawasaki VN 2000. On board this maousse and heavy machine, it is difficult to imagine the firepower available under the right hand. With almost 400 kg on the scale and shoes wide as avenues, the Suzuki is the complete opposite of a nice 125 frolicking around town. We therefore preferred cruising to more open horizons. The riding position, low seat, wide handlebars, and non-existent protection encourage a cool ride, rocked by the powerful cooing of the huge bowls. But if you feel the urge to turn the boiler on, consider hanging in there right. Under the force of the 112mm pistons, a massive hundred horsepower and high torque peaking at over 15mkg catapult it in with vigor. We may regret its character a little too typical 4 valves per cylinder, that is to say less fishing than expected at the bottom, and a 2nd phase much more gnakeuse in the second range of use. For a machine of this caliber, more efficient braking would have been welcome. This is a bit of the paradox of the C 1800 R: its size, its chassis and its life on board invite us to the highways type ride, but its engine offers sensations and a more turbulent character..