Suzuki VZ-R INTRUDER M 1800 R 2014 — Specifications

Can a motorcycle be both a monument to excess and an anomaly in its own segment? With the Suzuki VZ-R Intruder M 1800 R, the question is seriously raised. As the market for Japanese power-cruisers has almost disappeared, making way for Harley-Davidson and Triumph models, this 2014 Suzuki stands its ground with an almost touching arrogance. It arrives with a V-twin engine of 1783 cm³, a claimed power output of 125 horsepower and a torque of nearly 159 Nm, figures that, on paper, promise to tear up the asphalt. But in real life, this 347 kg beast, fully fueled, first imposes its massive physique and its 240 mm rear tire, an undeniable visual argument.

Under the 19.5-liter fuel tank beats a surprising technological heart for a custom. The engine, with its colossal bore of 112 mm – a production record – and its short stroke, clearly aims for power rather than torque. It revs freely, a strange sensation on such a heavy machine, and its dual throttle injection borrowed from the GSX-R gives it a much more agile character than its contemporaries, such as the Road Star Warrior or the VTX 1800. The five-speed gearbox and shaft drive ensure serenity, but it is far from the placidity of an American twin. Here, riding requires commitment, especially when negotiating a turn with this giant.

Because that’s where the problem lies, or conversely, where the identity of the M 1800 R is forged. Its double cradle frame and 43 mm inverted fork, a rarity on a custom, offer a stiffer and more precise handling than expected. The brakes, with their 310 mm front discs and radial calipers, are remarkably effective for a machine of this size. But the weight, it does not lie. At low speeds or in town, the beast is pachydermic, and the seat height of 705 mm, although low, does not compensate for the impression of mounting a moving block of steel. It is clearly not a motorcycle for beginners, nor for the hurried urban rider. It rather targets the thrill-seeker who wants an atypical custom, capable of top speeds of 220 km/h and possessing a defined technical personality.

Its style, just so, divides opinion. Far from the classic codes of the cruiser, it displays a futuristic, almost aggressive look, with its split dashboard – a digital tachometer in front of the handlebars, an analog speedometer on the tank – and its taut silhouette. At 14,399 euros new, it positioned itself as a technological and radical alternative to the Harley 1250 Muscle or the Triumph Rocket III, more traditional in their approach. Today, it remains a singular collector's item, proof that Suzuki tried until the end to impose its vision of the power-cruiser: brutal, over-equipped and resolutely Japanese. A bold bet, which deserves respect, even if its excess makes it a motorcycle for the use of the most passionate initiates.