Suzuki enters the small cruiser market with the aggressively-styled Intruder 150
We were recently invited to Lavasa, just outside Pune, for the launch and first ride of Suzuki India's latest motorcycle, a small-capacity cruiser built in the image of the monolithic M1800 Intruder V-twin cruiser. The bike looks the part, oozes road presence and is powered by the tried and tested air-cooled, 155-cc single-cylinder mill from the company's successful Gixxer.
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The stylish front end pays homage to the full-sized Intruder Pics/Saurabh Botre
Suzuki has clearly attempted to recreate the iconic silhouette of their larger Intruder models to adapt to this smaller motorcycle, and the protruding front headlight is clearly an ode to these bikes, as is the way the broad tank swoops down towards the comfortable seat. The tank is flared to the sides, presumably to add to the big-bike feel, and the top half of the engine in concealed behind large plastic panels that go well with the flowing lines of the bike and are emblazoned with the Intruder logo.
Double-barrel exhaust is eye-catching Pics/Saurabh Botre
Ultimately, the bike looks bulky and muscular, but, as your gaze shifts lower, the visual appeal is marred by the 140-section rear tyre, which, although sufficient for a 150-cc motorcycle, looks a bit skinny when juxtaposed with the large bodywork and wide rear fender. The stubby double-barrel exhaust is boldly styled and is sure to attract attention. The fit-and-finish levels are top-notch. The bike feels very light, while the 740-mm high seat feels comfortable and supportive. The digital dash, taken off the Gixxer, packed in loads of information, although we found the ignition to be in an odd spot; just ahead of the console, above the headlight.
Uniquely placed ignition is hard to reach Pics/Saurabh Botre
We had earlier wondered why Suzuki was having a cruiser test ride on tight mountain roads, but it soon became apparent that the baby Intruder is a lot more nimble than it looks. Apart from sharing the engine with the Gixxer, the Intruder 150 also uses the same chassis and suspension components with only minor changes to adapt to the cruiser role, and this endows it with the agility that the Gixxer is known for. The riding position is spot-on, with the low seat, forward-set pegs and foot controls and pulled-back handlebar lending it the proper cruiser stance.
Suzuki is marketing the bike as a modern urban cruiser and with its nimble nature and comfy ergos, it should be a snap to ride through city traffic The 155-cc engine makes the same 14.8 PS at 8,000 rpm and 14 Nm at 6,000 rpm as it does in the Gixxer, although the Intruder weighs 13 kilograms more than its sporty cousin. To compensate for the weight gain, Suzuki has given the Intruder a larger airbox and redesigned the exhaust, while the rear sprocket is also larger by one tooth to ensure better acceleration, albeit at the expense of top speed.
The result is a smooth and refined motor that never feels stressed or vibey, and a decent spread of torque that doesn't leave you searching for the right gear. On the whole, we were quite impressed by the baby Intruder. It is nice to see Suzuki casting a wider net in the small-bike segment and with its bold design, refined engine and great handling, the Intruder 150 is sure to ignite some competition in the small cruiser market.
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