2009 Suzuki Boulevard C109R/RT Review

Exterior

2009 Suzuki Boulevard C109RT

Although the engine is taken from a muscle bike, the Boulevard C109R and C109RT are entirely different looking bikes which stand out thanks to the smooth flowing lines as well as the multitude of chromed units. Yet, the cast alloy wheels offer a touch of modernity in slight contradiction with the classic style. On the touring model, the white wall tires and the studded seats compensate for that.

The front end is dominated by a headlight worthy of being mounted on a lighthouse, but the 150mm front tire and the chrome fork covers look massive too. The also chromed wide handlebars follow the gas tank’s lines. This brings us to the unit of great importance on the C109 models, the 5-gallon tank. Suzuki surely took its space with this piece of great visual importance and that also provided room for the instruments. It hugs the frame and it is very low positioned, but you’ll still be able to spot the source of that two-into-two exhaust, the 108.8-cubic-inch V-Twin.

It would seem that the classic cruiser look is completed (despite the radiator which seems a little off the scene), but there’s plenty more of it. The seat is positioned at only 27.8 inches from the ground and with a stylish rear fender and taillight on top of that 240mm rear tire, you’re ready to hit the streets in big boy style. Colors available for the simple model are Black and Blue.

But if the interstates are most likely the places where you’ll travel, the Suzuki Boulevard C109RT is a more appropriate choice for the implicit riding demands. As mentioned before, this distinguished through the retro white wall tires, studded seat, windshield, backrest and leather saddlebags as well as the two-tone color schemes (Black/Red, Gold/White).

Test Drive

2009 Suzuki Boulevard C109R

The thing that needs to be said about the Suzuki Boulevard C109 before mentioning anything else about it is the fact that it can’t “mask” its weight at standstill, not even with a low center of gravity and so wide handlebars. So lifting the 838 lbs (wet) weighing cruiser off its sidestand is demanding and it reminds me of the challenging task of lifting my dad’s half-liter engined Virago when I was only twelve years old. That’s never enjoyable.

Starting the 1,783cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 54-degree V-Twin engine is easy despite the fact that the crankshaft moves the largest pistons ever to be mounted on a gasoline engine. But there is no enthusiastic exhaust note like the one of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle (that’s incomparable anyway) as the GSX-R inspirations ensure quietness at idle and low engine speeds. You will have to rev this uniquely tuned V-Twin and be introduced to what seems to be a change of character at first and just a fussily V-Twin exhaust sound afterwards.

As much as Suzuki retuned the engine, it still remained a high-revving unit. Unlike other cruiser engines which don’t manage to keep the rush going above 5000 rpm, the V-Twin on the C109 makes use of its entire stud (114 horsepower) close to 6000 rpm before tempering out.

That’s great for a cruiser, but also uncharacteristic. It also allows for proper exploiting of the wide-ratio five-speed gearbox which’s lever you’ll rarely have to actuate when needing to pass up. Third speed is perfect for low and medium speed cornering. Rare were the occasions when I found myself using fourth gear even in high-speed corners as fifth’s docile character is chased away by some serious throttle action when the straight patch of road displays.

2009 Suzuki Boulevard C109R

After serious fights with gravitational force when getting it in vertical position and excessively wearing out the boots when maneuvering it backwards in the parking lot, the C109 seems to shake the fat away when you open up the throttle. With 150mm front and 240mm rear wide tires, this cruiser feels stable and reassuring around the corners. This feels rather strange at first considering that a 40 mph curve is not much of a challenge for it when you’re expecting it to be.

The suspensions also receive their fair share of credit for that while still managing to soak up the bumps any eventual bumps great ease.

Still wondering how the linked brakes deal with the serious mass? Very well, I would say. Actuating the front brake lever will result in a strong braking feel, despite the brakes not being used at full capacity (three pistons applied on each of the 290mm discs), but all the fun begins when hitting the rear brakes (two pistons actuating on the single 275mm disc). This will determine the braking of the front end as well so that alone can mean the solution to your questions about stopping.

Price

In these past few years, Suzuki Boulevard models stood out as among the most appreciated cruisers made by a Japanese manufacturer and the good quality-price ratio always helped. For example, the price for the 2009 Boulevard C109R starts at $14,099 and the one for the C109RT at $15,299.

Conclusion

Being a great overall product itself – in its both forms, the R and RT – the 2009 Suzuki Boulevard C109 is here to enjoy the notoriety of a class-leader (if we exclude the Harleys) in the days when big engines are fading like flowers. Great! This means that bad boys can turn back on them and your accountant will go back on 250cc bikes.

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