If anything has ‘large’ as its existential theme, the Suzuki M1800R Intruder stands as the benchmark and the limit simultaneously. The largest pistons (almost 4 ½ inches across) amongst all V-twins and most passenger cars in production, the highest torque in its class (leaving aside the supernatural Triumph Rocket III), the ‘widest’ rear tyre as mentioned before and being most powerful cruiser ever produced by Suzuki. Hell, even a walk around the bike tires you. Weighing a tad more than a third of a ton, the Intruder is heavy and demands respect just for this. But the almost 350 kg seem non-existent to the amazing engine. The bike ‘goes like stink’ with a rider or two on top. Just roll that throttle and get to warp speeds, as if the bike has the soul of a devilish sportsbike inside its cruiser body. But the ‘go’ comes after you’ve relished starting the engine and hearing that hesitant yet strong and typically V-Twin rumble beat beneath. Switch on the ignition by turning the key in the switch under the seat, flick the red ‘engine kill’ to ‘run’, pull in the surprisingly light clutch and press the starter. A couple of seconds and the huge twin throbs to life, quickly settling to a reassuring idle. Snap the throttle and the engine response belies the presence of the heavy pistons thrashing inside. |
