2009 Suzuki Boulevard M109R/Limited Edition Review

Introduction

Creating the Boulevard line of products, Suzuki had to offer a bike at which beginners going for the S40, for example, would crave for and on which experienced riders would try (and very often succeed) to pop up wheelies. The result came in the form of the massive and yet compact, angry and yet beautiful Suzuki Boulevard M109R.

Now, because we’re living the times in which power cruisers are highly appreciated and looked for, Suzuki gets as close as possible to that type of cruiser by fitting the M109R with a 1,783cc, 8-valve DOHC, 54 degree, liquid-cooled, fuel injected V-twin engine that, as you’ll later on see, has nothing to do with a regular cruiser. They aimed at immediate throttle response and great rushes all through the five speeds of the gearbox to which they’ve mated the engine on and, without a doubt, success is achieved my friends.

And because at great power you must add awesome handling in order to fully exploit the successful package’s capabilities, Suzuki mounts the engine and tranny on a high-tensile double cradle steel frame that not only provides the overall sleek look, but makes all the difference out where the curves get tight. The suspension package has also much contribution to that. Composed from inverted cartridge forks (5.12 inches of wheel travel) and a cast aluminum alloy swingarm (4.66 inches), this offers a perfect balance between comfortable riding and stability through high speed cornering.

History

2006 Suzuki Boulevard M109R

The year 2006 was a very big and successful one for the Japanese house as they launched the all-new Boulevard M109R, a machine that simply redefined the way we all looked at cruisers by implementing GSX-R technology (fuel-injection, to be more precise) and making a blast out of it. Of course, they had to maintain the appearances so a 1783cc V-Twin engine benefited of what we like to call “Suzuki’s little trick” and the results were simply incredible: 125 hp at 6,200 rpm and 160 Nm at 3,200 rpm. Considering the motorcycle’s 703 lbs, the performance figures translated into a revolutionary cruiser that accelerated quickly and maintained that rush all through the rpm range. The 2006 colors available were Black, Silver and Violet Blue.

2007 brought a new cylinder head cover, secondary cover and drive unit cover that were made out of chromed metal for a high quality finish. That is pretty much all in what concerns the engine, but the respective model year distinguishes with two appropriate colors apart from the now usual Black: White and Red.

Also, 2007 is the year when Suzuki introduced the Boulevard M109R Limited Edition which was then covered in a racy Blue and White color scheme.

For 2008, colors available were Black, Gray and Orange while the Limited Edition model was now displaying Yellow instead of Blue.

The Boulevard M109R2 was added to the lineup in 2008 and, logically it was derived from the already existing model. The only distinctive note was the aerodynamic single headlight with chrome housing.

Competition

2009 Star Warrior

Star Motorcycles is no stranger to power cruisers as two wonderful such models are present in the 2009 lineup, the Warrior and the Midnight Warrior. Built after pretty much the same recipes as the two Suzuki models, the Stars are powered by the same 1,670cc (102-cubic-inch) air-cooled, 48 degree V-Twin; pushrod OHV, four valves per cylinder engine that uses twin-bore electronic fuel injection in order to provide a similar rush. Star Motorcycles also uses a five-speed close-ratio gearbox and belt final drive (instead of shaft on the Suzuki) in their goal for quietness.

2009 Star Midnight Warrior

Significantly lighter (650 lbs) than the Boulevards, the Warriors use aluminum monoshock frames so the engine’s potential weaknesses are covered up by a lighter overall package.

The simple Liquid Silver painted model comes with an MSRP of $13,190 while the Onyx paintjob adds 200 bucks to that MSRP.

2009 Honda VTX1800F

Honda isn’t that much into performance cruisers so adding a hot-rod retro fender style to the VTX1800 and call it “F” seems enough for them, although it won’t score more than the Suzuki or Star Motorcycles in a beauty contest. The engine though is a 1795cc liquid-cooled 52 degree V-Twin; SOHC, three valves per cylinder unit fed through also the sportbike consecrated Programmed Fuel Injection System. A five speed gearbox values the engine’s capabilities and, like on the Suzuki, there is a shaft final drive, not a belt. In this case, the price is $13,499.

2008 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak

Kawasaki also enters the performance cruiser market with the Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak, a very fine bike, but one that doesn’t quite compete with the above mentioned subjects as it comes with a 1,552cc (95-cubic-inches) liquid-cooled, SOHC, four valves per cylinder, 50 degree V-Twin engine. But at least it is the cheapest power cruiser out there (MSRP is $11,099).

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