Suzuki C 800 INTRUDER 2010 — Specifications

Who still remembers when Suzuki offered an accessible custom without falling into the caricature of the bodybuilder cruiser? The Suzuki C 800 Intruder, back in the lineup in 2009 after a hiatus due to Euro3 regulations, occupied exactly that niche. As a 2010 model year, it played the card of understated elegance against rivals like the Yamaha XVS 950 Midnight Star or the Kawasaki VN 900 Classic, more demonstrative in their approach to American styling.

Beneath its sweeping fenders and well-measured chrome, the 45° V-twin displacing 805 cc develops 53 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and, more importantly, 67.7 Nm of torque from just 4,000 rpm. Not enough to tear up the tarmac, but that's precisely the point: a smooth, round power delivery, available low in the rev range, that invites you to ride easy rather than bang through the gears of the five-speed transmission. Fuel injection replaced the carburetors of old, shaft drive eliminates chain maintenance, and the whole package forms a mechanically predictable unit. How much power does the Suzuki C 800 Intruder have? Enough to cruise at 130 km/h on the motorway without straining the engine, with a top speed capping out at 160 km/h. This is comfort territory, not performance territory.

On the chassis side, the steel double-cradle frame carries an inverted 41 mm fork up front and a single rear shock. Braking remains the weak point of the Suzuki C 800 Intruder spec sheet: a single 300 mm disc with a two-piston caliper at the front, a drum at the rear. For a machine that tips the scales at 277 kg wet, that's a bit lacking when you need to scrub off speed seriously on a mountain descent. The 130/90-16 front tyre doesn't help in terms of steering agility either. In tight sequences of corners, you need to anticipate, negotiating each turn with patience. Suzuki C 800 Intruder used bike enthusiasts know this isn't the machine you buy to attack winding back roads.

Where this Intruder catches up with its competitors is in rider comfort. The seat, perched at just 700 mm from the ground, reassures smaller riders and A2 licence holders looking for a stress-free first custom. The forward-set floorboards, arms-out riding position, and wide handlebar: everything is designed for urban cruising and Sunday rides. The 15.5-litre tank somewhat limits range on longer trips, but the Suzuki C 800 Intruder 2012, like the 2018 version, never claimed to replace a touring bike. Its territory is the city, the main road, the pressure-free pleasure ride.

Suzuki succeeded with this C 800 in creating an honest, well-finished custom whose design has aged rather gracefully. The LED tail light, the console integrated into the tank, and the absence of plastic frills give it a character that some more recent competitors struggle to match. Its main drawback remains its weight, a real anchor during low-speed manoeuvres and parking. For an easy-going rider who appreciates flowing lines and hassle-free mechanicals, it remains a sound choice on the used market, often available at reasonable prices compared to its original catalogue price of 8,699 euros at launch.