It may have a new name, but the Intruder Volusia uses an engine that's basically the same as the old VZ800 Marauder's 805cc lump. And that's no bad thing, because the engine has been tuned for grunt at low rpm and easy riding. Get into top as soon as possible - and stay there, riding the torque curve.
Introduced for 2001, this middleweight cruiser is dressed up with fully valanced fenders front and rear (calling them mudguards would be so damn British?), pull-back handlebars, and forward mounted footpegs. Staggered twin exhausts are tuned to give a throaty rumble that Suzuki technicians can be proud of.
Although it looks like a traditional air-cooled motor, the single overhead cam, liquid cooled engine features a digital ignition system married to a catalytic converter to keep those emissions clean when you're California dreamin'. A shaft drive means long term reliability even if the shaft saps power from the 50bhp V-twin.
Front brake is a two-piston 300mm disc, with spoked wheels adding to the retro look. Fat, chrome fork tubes and a gas tank mounted speedometer give the Harley clone the right street presence.
The gently sprung single rear shock makes sure the ride is always comfortable, but you still get that hard tail cruiser look. The low seat height of just 700mm means the Volusia is easy to control, park and steer.
But what's all this Volusia nonsense about, anyway? Suzuki named the full-dresser Intruder after Volusia County in Florida. Close to Daytona Beach, it's a place where American bikers gather to drink Bud and talk motorcycles.
The long and low Intruder retails at £5550. That's about half the cost of a Harley. With such an affordable price and great ride quality it's got to be worth a look
