cruiser motorcycles

Suzuki Intruder 1400 vs Harley Davidson Sportster 1200C

Suzuki Intruder 1400 vs Harley Davidson Sportster 1200C

1. HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER 1200C VS SUZUKI INTRUDER 1400

HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER 1200C
Photo Credit: @totalmotorcycle
SUZUKI INTRUDER 1400
Photo Credit: @hdofasheville

HARLEY DAVIDSON is an American motorcycle company founded in 1903. Over the years, Harley has produced many remarkable motorcycles featured in many motorcycle races. In 1957, Harley Davidson launched its first motorcycle in the Sportster series, the Harley Davidson XL. This model shares similarities with the KH model. From 1957 to 1985, Harley Davidson continued to launch the XL with 883 cc or 1000 cc engines. In 1988, Harley replaced the Sportster’s 1000 cc engine with a 1200 cc. In 1996, Harley launched the HARLEY SPORTSTER 1200C (Custom) and the 1200S (Sports). The Sportster 1200 custom is currently still in production.


SUZUKI is a Japanese motorcycle company founded in 1909. Suzuki launched the INTRUDER series in 1985, creating variants with different engine sizes. The Intruder series remained in production until 2005. After 2005, the Intruder series was replaced by the Boulevard series. Over the years, slight changes were made to the Intruder 1400. The major changes involved the exhaust style, colors, side mirrors, and headlight.

2. SIMILARITIES & DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER 1200C & SUZUKI INTRUDER 1400

Key Similarities Key Differences
Both have a four-stroke V-Twin engine
Both have an old-style analog speedometer
Both have a passenger seat already installed
Both motorcycles have dual exhaust but with different styling
Circular classic-style headlight
Both motorcycles have footrests at the front
Intruder 1400 has longer length
Intruder 1400 has a backrest already installed
Intruder 1400 has wide chopper-style handlebars
Sportster 1200C has a bigger fuel tank
Sportster 1200C has a wider front tire
Different exhaust stylings
Sportster 1200C has circular side mirrors; Intruder 1400 has rectangular side mirrors

3. DETAILED SPECS COMPARISON BETWEEN HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER 1200C & SUZUKI INTRUDER 1400

  SUZUKI Harley Davidson
BASIC INFORMATION
Year 2005 2022
Model Intruder 1400 Sportster 1200 Custom
Motorcycle Type Cruiser Cruiser
Base Price $8,399 $10,999
Colors Black/Grey and Silver/Purple Midnight Blue, River Rock Gray, and Billiard Red
ENGINE & SYSTEMS
Displacement 1,360-cc 1,202-cc
Engine Type Four-Stroke, V-Twin Four-Stroke, V-Twin
Cooling System Air/Oil Air-cooled
Compression Ratio 9.3:1 10:01
Stroke 98.0 mm (3.85 in) 96.8 mm (3.8 in)
Bore 94.0 mm (3.7 in) 88.9 mm (3.5 in)
Cylinders Two Two
Drive Train Shaft Belt
Transmission Five-Speed Five-Speed
Clutch Multi-Plate Wet-Clutch
Starter Electric Electric
Exhaust Two-in-Two Two-in-two
Fuel Delivery System 2 x Mikuni BS36/BDS36 Carburetor Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
PERFORMANCE & CAPACITY
Speed 104.9 MPH (168.9 km/h) 118 MPH (189.9 km/h)
Horsepower 72 hp 68 hp
Torque 115 Nm @ 3,200 rpm 96 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
Fuel Tank Capacity 3.4 gal (13 L) 4.49 gal (17 L)
Mileage 46.8 MPG (19.89 km/l) 48 MPG (20.4 km/l)
Oil Capacity 5.3 quartz (5.0 L) 2.74 quartz (2.6 L)
DIMENSIONS
Trail 165 mm (6.5 in) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Rake 36o 30.1o
Seat Height 735 mm (28.9 in) 725 mm (28.5 in)
Wheelbase 1,620 mm (63.5 in) 1,530 mm (60.2 in)
Weight 262 kg 268 kg
Ground Clearance 150 mm (5.9 in) 105 mm (4.13 in)
Length 2,334 mm (91.9 in) 2,225 mm (87.5 in)
Width 724 mm (28.5 in) 840.74 mm (33.1 in)

4. Suzuki Intruder 1400 vs Harley Davidson Sportster 1200C: Design

4.1 Suzuki Intruder 1400 Design

The Suzuki Intruder 1400 is a chopper-style classic CRUISER. Its speedometer is attached to the handlebars above the circular headlight covered by an aluminum frame. The fender, fuel tank, and side panels are the only parts that are colored, while the rest is chrome. The wide HANDLEBAR is positioned at a height that allows the rider’s hands to rest slightly below the shoulders. The Suzuki Intruder 1400 has footrests towards the front like so many other cruisers. It has a 41 mm telescopic fork at the front with a wheel travel of 130 mm (5.9 in). It also has a single 295 mm disc brake at the front with a tire size of 110/90-19. The twin oil dumped, five-way preload spring adjustable shocks at the rear have wheel travel of 104 mm (4.1 in). It has a single 275 mm disc brake at the rear with a tire size of 170/80-15. The Suzuki Intruder 1400 comes in two color variants: black with grey and silver with purple.

4.2 Harley Davidson Sportster 1200C Design

The HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER 1200C is a traditional-looking cruiser that shares many similarities with its predecessors. Its speedometer is attached to the HANDLEBARS like most cruisers. The fenders and fuel tank are the only colored parts of the motorcycle. The side panels and seat are matte black, while the V-Twin engine, engine’s side panels, and exhaust are chrome. The Harley Sportster 1200C has footrests like most other Harley models. The handlebars are positioned below shoulder height. It has a 39 mm fork at the front which has wheel travel of 5.6 inches. It also has a single disc brake at the front with a tire size of 130/90B16 73H. The SPORTSTER 1200C has dual pre-load adjustable shocks at the rear which has wheel travel of 2.1 inches. It has a single disc brake at the rear with a tire size of 150/80B16 77H. The Sportster 1200C comes in three colors: midnight blue, river rock gray, and billiard red.

5. Suzuki Intruder 1400 vs Harley Davidson Sportster 1200C: Engine & Performance

5.1 Suzuki Intruder 1400 Engine & Performance

The Suzuki Intruder has a 1,360 cc four-stroke V-Twin engine capable of peak torque of 115 Nm @ 3,200 rpm. It has a stroke size of 98 mm (3.85 in) which helps it achieve a maximum horsepower of 72 hp. The Suzuki Intruder 1400 has a five-speed transmission system that operates on a low-maintenance shaft drive train. The Suzuki Intruder 1400 can reach a maximum speed of 104.9 MPH (168.9 km/h).

5.2 Harley Davidson Sportster 1200C Engine & Performance

The Harley Davidson SPORTSTER 1200C has a 1,202 cc four-stroke air-cooled V-Twin engine capable of peak torque of 96 Nm at 3,500 rpm and a maximum horsepower of 68 hp. The Sportster 1200C has a five-speed manual transmission system and a belt drive train. The Sportster 1200C can reach a maximum speed of 118 mph (189.9 km/h).

6. Suzuki Intruder 1400 vs Harley Davidson Sportster 1200C: Comfort & Ergonomics

6.1 Suzuki Intruder 1400 Comfort & Ergonomics

The Suzuki Intruder 1400 has a seat height of 28.9 inches and a length of 2,334 mm (91.9 inches) which makes it easy for the shorter rider to operate. It has a rider and passenger that offers comfortable seating positions. The Suzuki Intruder 1400 is one of the few motorcycles with a backrest installed for the passenger SEAT. The backrest can also be used to attach SISSY BAR BAGS to provide extra storage space for long rides. The rake angle and below shoulder-height handlebars position ensure a comfortable riding position. The Suzuki Intruder 1400 is a middleweight cruiser with an overall weight of 262 kg, an overall width of 28.5 inches, and a ground clearance of 5.9 inches. This ensures the motorcycle has an excellent road grip and can be ridden by all types of riders.

6.2 Harley Davidson Sportster 1200C Comfort & Ergonomics

The Harley Davidson Sportster 1200C has a seat height of 28.5 inches, making it accessible to both shorter and taller riders. It has two comfortable separate seats, one for the rider and one for the passenger. However, a SISSY BAR does not come already installed, but it can be easily bought as an aftermarket part. With the rake angle and below the shoulder-height position of the handlebars provides a comfortable riding position. The Harley Sportster 1200C is a middleweight cruiser with an overall weight of 268 kg, with stable handling even at speeds over 100 mph. The overall frame is neither too bulky nor too sleek, and the frame and riding position is designed in such a way that maximizes comfort and speed.

7. Suzuki Intruder 1400 vs Harley Davidson Sportster 1200C: Technology & Features

FEATURES SUZUKI INTRUDER 1400 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER 1200C
ABS X X
Instrument Cluster None Digital
Clock X
Engine Kill Switch
Speedometer
Odometer
Tachometer
Gear Indicator X
Fuel Gauge X
Fuel Warning Indicator X
Low Battery Indicator X X
Low Oil Indicator X
Slip & Assist Clutch X X

8. Suzuki Intruder 1400 VS HARLEY DAVIDSON 1200C: PROS & CONS

8.1 Suzuki Intruder 1400 Pros & Cons

SUZUKI INTRUDER 1400 PROS SUZUKI INTRUDER 1400 CONS
Suitable for all riders
Classic sound
Good ground clearance
Easy to maintain
Easy to handle
Great engine power
Not very expensive
Comfortable riding position
Less maintenance
Great for long rides
Less fuel mileage
Only available used
No built-in storage units
No ABS
No riding modes
No extra features

8.2 Harley Davidson 1200C Pros & Cons

HARLEY DAVIDSON 1200C PROS HARLEY DAVIDSON 1200C CONS
Suitable for all riders
Lightweight
Easy to handle
Adjustable rear suspensions
Sleeker design helps to squeeze through traffic
Better fuel economy
Less maintenance for drive train
Great sound
High top speed
Better mileage and oil capacity
More expensive
No built-in storage units
Soft rear suspensions
No extra features
No ABS
Less ground clearance
No riding modes

9. FAQ

9.1 Is 22,000 miles too much for a used motorcycle?

For sports motorcycles, the highest mileage is around 25,000 miles. However, for cruiser and touring motorcycles, the highest mileage range is between 40,000 to 50,000 miles. If the owner has properly maintained the motorcycle, then it should still perform well even at higher mileage.

9.2 How comfortably can I ride a Suzuki Intruder 1400 if I’m 5’4’’ tall?

The seat height of the Suzuki Intruder 1400 is 28.9 inches, which is considered an average seat height for a cruiser. However, the seat height can be adjusted by lowering the adjustable rear suspension. The Suzuki Intruder 1400’s footrests can be easily reached by riders who are5’4’’ tall.

9.3 Is Harley Davidson Sportster 1200C a good beginner’s motorcycle?

For a beginner, the Sportster 1200C can be a bit too difficult to handle due to being a middleweight bike with a large engine, having a highly-responsive throttle, and can attain a top speed of 110 mph.

9.4 How much mileage does a Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 have?

The Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 has a fuel mileage of 48 MPG (20.4 km/l), which is an ideal mileage for a middleweight cruiser.

10. Takeaway

Both the Suzuki Introduer 1400 and the Harley Davidson Sportster 1200C have positive and negative characteristics. But the main difference between them is that the Sportster 1200C is currently still in production, while the Suzuki Intruder 1400 is only available used. Examining the specs of both motorcycles, the Suzuki Intruder 1400 has better engine performance than the Sportster 1200C. However, the Sportster 1200C’s dimensions and ergonomics ensure it has a higher top speed than the Intruder 1400. Because the Sportster 1200C is smaller in size, it is easier for shorter and taller riders to handle. While the Suzuki Intruder 1400 can also be ridden by all riders because of its ground clearance and pre-adjustable rear suspension, most heavyweight riders prefer the Intruder 1400 over the Sportster 1200C.

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