Suzuki was founded in 1909. by Michio Suzuki, the son of cotton grower. In 1920., the company entered the stock exchange, and during this period, the most famous export product of Suzuki was linen and fabrics. The Japanese have not yet discovered their talent for making motorcycles. The braider they produced were of exceptional quality and did not have to be changed frequently. Therefore there was a fall in demand for them, and in Suzuki they knew that it was necessary to turn to new markets.
Before the Second World War, a very small number of companies in Japan were engaged in the production of motorcycles. It began to change in 1947., when Soichiro Honda introduced his first creation. It was a great path in front of the Japanese, because at that moment they had a big backlog behind Europe and the United States, when the production of motorcycles was in question. At the very beginning, the Japanese were not as good engineers as they are today, but have mostly copied the design and technical aspects of European and American machines. However, only a few decades after the war were enough for Japan to master the global market for the two-wheelers. Regarding Suzuki’s beginnings, there is a story that Shunzo Suzuki, the son of the founder, wanted to motorize his bike, so he started working on the design of such a machine. Whether this story was true or not, it was exactly production of motorcycles that saved Suzuki.
When Suzuki’s engineers started working on an engine that could be fitted on a bicycle in 1951., Honda dominated the market, with a share of about 70 percent. The result of the work was an engine of 36 cc of exceptional quality, made according to the idea of Shunzo Suzuki. Success and innovation is illustrated by the fact that the Office of Patents granted subsidies to the company, so the work on the further development of this unit could be continued. In 1953. a new unit arrived, largely based on its predecessor, with a volume of 58 cc and a maximum of 2 HP at 4000 rpm. 1954. marks the beginning of the production of motorcycles in the true sense of the word, and not anymore bicycles with built-in engines. That same year, Mini Fri, a moped with an engine of 50 cc, was sold as a complete machine. Mini Fri was produced until 1958., when it was replaced by Suzumoped. In 1954., Koleda CO was introduced, as a one-cylinder four-stroke machine that was considered by many as the first true Suzuki motorcycle. In 1956., Suzuki engineers began developing a brand new machine named TT, with a powerful specification (maximum speed of 145 km / h), which proved to be much better than other similar motorcycles on the market. It was considered to be extremely advanced, primarily due to the four-speed transmission and the direction change indicators. By the end of the second half of the fifties, Suzuki offered motorcycles with engines of 50, 125 and 250 cc.
Suzuki continued to grow and develop, and in 1963. a branch in Los Angeles was opened to sell its products on the US market. Sure of themselves, Suzuki decided to try luck in the motocross Grand Prix, where they did not succeed. Motorcycles proved to be fast, but they had poor control characteristics. The engineers made the necessary changes, so Suzuki returned to the European motocross championship in 1966. with moderate success.
In 1967., as already a reputable brand, Suzuki launched the T500 model, also known as “Cobra” (in England) and “Titan” in the United States. The motorcycle had a two-stroke engine with 500 cc, which was credited for excellent handling characteristics and in many ways contributed to its popularity. Its name changed during the year, and in 1977. serial production ended up under the name GT500.
It was evident that Suzuki’s two-stroke engines were its driving force, both on track and outside. In the 1970’s, the company entered with another factory in Japan’s Toyama, which produced two-stroke machines with engines of small volume.
It can be said, however, that power and speed are a synonym for Suzuki. First gamma of four-stroke motorcycles was introduced in 1976. The first model of this category was the GS400, which was soon followed by the GS750. Two years later, the GS850G and GS1000S, popularly called KATANA, were introduced. It was the Suzuki’s top model, equipped with all the solutions transferred from the racing track. The only fault was his gloomy look. It was followed by GSX1000 and GSX1100 in 1982. They were distinguished by good performance and affordable price. In 1982., the XN85 was introduced, as the first superbike with a turbocharger.
In 1988., Kevin Schwantz with Yoshimura Suzuki won the Daytona 200, and in 1989., Jamie James won the Superbike Championship on the same motorcycle. Following this model, the GSX-R600 and GSX-R1100 were also presented. This series of motorcycles dictated the future look of racing engines. During the 1990’s, Suzuki won the majority of motorcycle championships, and then came the 1999. The year that features the fastest serial motorcycle – GSX 1300-R Hayabusa. With a speed of 307 km/h, Honda XX was removed from the throne.
Suzuki as other large motorcycle corporations, followed the trend of cruiser production. The previous “sport story” is also the forerunner of what we want to introduce,……….our cruiser, that is the flagship of Suzuki’s cruiser category. It would be right for this motorcycle, to put it in a sport/cruiser category because of the fantastic speed characteristics. In any case, we found and bought the Suzuki VZR Intruder M 1800 R – 2008. model.
In 2006., Suzuki was persistent and fulfilled the promise given to dealers and enthusiasts by launching a new model that, later it will turn out, became the leading model in the category of sports cruisers – INTRUDER M 1800 R. The Suzuki Intruder M 1800 R is an incredible combination of the “cruiser” style and the widely known Suzuki’s power and manageability. By installing a proven super sport technology (developed for the GSX-R) in the M 1800 R, Suzuki literally redefined the concept of “cruiser” motorcycles and set up completely new standards, which, we think, have not been exceeded so far.
With a brand-new V-twin engine of 1,783 cc and direct injection, the Intruder M 1800 R is the most powerful cruiser ever produced by Suzuki. The massive torque from low rpm to “red”, through the shaft, transmits to the rear wheel the power and acceleration that wakes up all possible senses. Enormously big, but still rationally curved V-twin ( through splendidly designed exhausts ) produces deep and aggressive notes, composed in a way that those who see and listen to it, know that it is the strongest and best “cruiser” on the road.
We talked with the other owners of this champion, and everyone confirmed: „when we saw him, we could not restrain……there was only one thought in the head – it must be mine“. There are stories that give a negative connotation to Japanese copying of classic cruisers, but with this bike those subjective statements can certainly be excluded – the M 1800 R is quite specific, different and its own.
In order to present this glorious motorcycle, we finish our story with the conclusion that Suzuki, as a manufacturer with a „sport presage“, produced something completely different and something that is the category for itself – Intruder M 1800 R. Therefore, we are pleased to introduce Suzuki VZR Intruder M 1800 R. Produced in 2008. Through pictures and specifications, enjoy the offered model.
Model | Suzuki VZR Intruder M 1800 R |
Year | 2008 |
Category | Cruiser |
Displacement | 1.783 ccm |
Engine type | V-twin cylinder, four-stroke |
Power | 92 kW / 125 KS |
Top Speed | 217 km/h |
Bore x stroke | 112 x 90,5 mm |
Fuel control | DOHC |
Cooling system | Liquid |
Gearbox | 5 speed |
Transmission type, final drive | Shaft |
Front tyre | 130/70-R18 |
Rear tyre | 240/40-R18 |
Front brakes | Dual disc |
Rear brakes | Disc |
Weight incl. oil, gas, etc. | 347 kg |
Fuel capacity | 19,5l |
Mileage | 24.000 km |
Price | 9.490 EUR |
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