2009–2017 · Cruiser · Buyer's Guide
Chopper Soul, Zero Maintenance Drama
The Intruder C800C is a cruiser in the old sense: long, low, heavy with metal. It sits on a 65.6 in wheelbase and a steel double-cradle frame, with a fat 170-section rear tire and a 16-inch front. The 805 cc liquid-cooled 45° V-twin is fuel-injected and built for torque. It makes 49 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm and 39 hp at 6,000 rpm, and a 5-speed gearbox sends that through a shaft drive, so there's no chain to clean or adjust. It carries no ride modes, no traction control and no screens. This is a middleweight cruiser with nothing added for show, which is exactly how Suzuki tends to earn its keep.
It rides as calmly as it looks. The long chassis stays planted at highway speed, and it steers in a simple, predictable way that doesn't ask much of a newer rider. It also ages well. Running costs stay low, the engine and shaft drive have a solid record, and there are no electronics to go wrong over the years. The honest caveat is the numbers: 611 lb (277 kg) wet against 39 hp means you ride it relaxed, not hard. It has no ABS and no suspension adjustment at either end. Buy it for its stance, its ease and its low running costs. If you want a fast cruiser, look elsewhere.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 39 hp (29 kW) @ 6,000 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 49 lb-ft (66 Nm) @ 4,000 rpm |
| Displacement | 805 cc |
| Engine | 45° V-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 5-speed |
| Final drive | Shaft |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 300 mm |
| Front tire | 130/90-16 |
| Rear tire | 170/80-15 |
| Wheelbase | 65.6 in (1665 mm) |
| Seat height | 27.6 in (700 mm) |
| Wet weight | 611 lb (277 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.1 gal (15.5 L) |
| Top speed | 112 mph (180 km/h) |
Charging system faults
Some owners report stator or regulator/rectifier failures leading to battery drain and no-start conditions. Often accompanied by dimming lights or backfiring.
Where this Suzuki Intruder C800C pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Intruder C800C is actually built for.
It has the long, low look and the V-twin pulse to fit right in on the ride to Sturgis or Daytona. It's a quieter, more modest machine than the big-name rally bikes, so buy it for the stance, not the bark.
Made for Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week
Easy, unhurried days on historic routes suit this bike well. It's calm, simple and cheap to run, though the 4.1 gal tank means you'll plan fuel stops between small towns.
Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway
It's honest about it: no luggage, no cruise control and 39 hp for two-up loads. It'll cruise the park roads calmly, but for real coast-to-coast touring you need a different bike.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2005
Classic Looks, Honest Miles
Compare to the previous model →