Comparison of S50 -M50?

S

Stephanie Lynne

New member
Both bikes have the same engine, powertrain, shaft drive, but the S50 is about 150 lbs. lighter with smaller diameter tires.
Any S50 owners on here to describe their bike or can anyone offer any riding or handling comparisons between the two? Aftermarket accessories harder to get for the S?
I found a great price on an S50 and would like any opinions on it. Thanks.
 
Not much in common, both made by Suzuki with shaft drive The engine is different, more power on the s50, about 100 pounds less weight on the S50, it is more the "hot rod" of that class. The S50 is much faster than other 800 cc machines but not as comfortable. It has two carbs, smaller gas tank, higher compression ratio, different cams, look at where the exhaust pipes leave the head and you can see the obvious difference.
 
The motors are different- they both just happen to be 800s for marketing reasons. The transmissions have different ratios, the shaft drives have different ratios- they have nothing in common except the brand name.

The S50 is a very light bike with torque and very steep gearing for rapid acceleration. It also has a lot of lean angle, and because it is so small and light it is a blast to toss around in tight corners. It has been on the market since 1992 (previously named the Intruder 800) so there are a ton of aftermarket accessories for it. In a drag race or in the twisties, the S50 blows the M50 away like it is chained to a tree. Chances are Suzuki wil cancel the S50 in the next year or two, as the styling dates to the early 1980s (when it came out as the Intruder 700) and it does not sell very well anymore. But they are a blast to ride, and very reliable- I went 135,000 miles on one, and have 75,000+ on another.

The M50 is a sportier version of the C50, with an almost identical engine to the C50 in the same frame, but with inverted forks and agressive styling. It is a more modern design with fuel injection and modern styling. The heavier, larger design makes it ride smoother and be more comfortable for taller riders. It looks like a current model muscle bike, not an antique chopper, so it will probably be with us for a while. Many aftermarket parts are shared with the C50, Suzuki's best selling cruiser, so there are no problems there.

The two bikes are so radically different that most people like one and hate the other. I love the S50's performance, but wish it had tubeless tires and was a bit longer and more comforable. I like the syling of the M50, but wish is had about 50% more horsepower so its performance matched its styling. I can live with the tubes and added highway pegs to stretch out my legs, so I can adapt the S50, but the lack of power on the M50 is a dealbreaker, so it is not on the list of bikes I would consider.
 
I agree. My S50 is very quick, handles real well and is easy to maintain. On the other hand it probably is not the best for long trips, but if you like performance you will love the S50.
 
Thanks for all the info, I really appreciate it.
Any mechanical quirks with the S50 (except I've heard squeaky brakes), any maintenance issues over and above the usual?
 
The squeeky brakes are an easy fix. You'll have to change the clutch fluid every couple years, but that is a 5 minute, easy job. The battery cables like to vibrate loose, but a 10 cent pair of lock washers will prevent that from happening. No other issues. My "new" one has 75,000 miles on it, and it is almost due for a second clutch ($70 and 30 minutes). I finally changed the plugs and adjusted the valves at 70,000 miles. Just change the oil and filter every 3000 miles and the bike will give you years of trouble free service. Even the one I put 135,000 miles on had no mechanical issues, used almost no oil between changes, and was just barely starting to smake for a few seconds on start up, so I am sure if it had not been killed by accident it would have reached 150,000-175,000 easy.
 
I had an '06 S50 for almost 2 years, eventually trading it in on an '08 V-Star 1300T. I thoroughly enjoyed riding the S50, compiling about 6,500 miles, often 2-up with my wife. It was fixed up with a sissy bar, windshield, saddle bags, luggage rack/bag, tank bag and highway bar. If there was any problem with it, it was its light weight - about 425 lbs. The wind really affected it. The V-Star is about 725 pounds with no problem with wind.
 
I would just like to add....

Since I am a NEW rider (only a year now) and my first bike was the S50. It is VERY quick! I am in a great motorcycle club now, and I actually got to line up at a light (four lane road - NY State) with our club president who owns a beautiful 1700cc Star. We started out easy in first, and then when I went into second a little aggressively, he honked on it. I wound up 2nd nice and high, into third etc. It was around 75mph and he faded back from me and then let off and fell back rapidly. I kept going for the thrill and let off around 105mph on the speedo. Since the road had plenty of length to the next stoplight, there was room to coast.

When we came to the light and had caught up with the rest of our group, all he said to me was "That little PISS ANT is QUICK!!!" Later during our lunch stop at a restaurant, he was telling others in the club that I had SMOKED him (O:

Well, thats the most recent story from only a few weeks ago.

One week later (last week), I fell in love with the M90 at my snowmobile dealer, and traded the S50 in! So, back to braking in a new bike which I can't say enough about.

The S50 is a very un-noticed performer NO DOUBT ABOUT IT ! Many in my club were surprised at how quick it is, and along side all the other cruisers in our group, its most likely the quickest bike hands down - I mean it!

Write me if you have more questions, mine was done up with the Suzuki engine guard, Kuryakyn LONG HORN Dualies, Boulevard gel seat option and the Boulevard studded and slanted saddle bags.

Enjoy the ride (O:

..........Gary
 
Gary you traded the S50 already?!
Oh well, enjoy the new bike!
I bought and sold my Bandit - could only afford to keep one and the Bandit sold for what I paid for it so it was a better financial decision.
Still love my S50 and I concur that it is a fantastic handling bike.

My instructors on the RSP course told me they'd never seen any student on any bike ride the barrel course as smoothly as I rode it. I put that largely down to the S50.
 
"Chances are Suzuki wil cancel the S50 in the next year or two, as the styling dates to the early 1980s (when it came out as the Intruder 700) and it does not sell very well anymore."

It might not sell as well as its poorer-performing M and C models but it sure gets a lot of looks. Just this morning some guy pulled up and asked about my '07, said he was thinking about trading his Star for one.

Any look at the reviews shows it's a lot of bike in a very nimble package.
 
Yeah, mine still turns a lot of heads also. But I was told by a Suzuki rep last week that the S50 will not be available for 2010 in the US, though leftover inventory will be assembled and sold as 2010 models in small markets. Suzuki did the same thing with the S83: it was unavailable in the US after the 2006 model year, but left over parts in the pipeline were assembled into a few 2009s sold in New Zealand and Canada.
 
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