The Bottom Line
Pros
- M109R styling for $3,100 less
- Plenty of power from the 1,462cc V-twin
- Impressive handling considering its (relative) bulk
Cons
- Handlebars might be a long reach for some riders
- Though softer than the M109R, the ride is still firm
- 200mm rear tire is thick, but doesn't fill the rear fender as nicely as the M109R's 240mm rubber
Description
- MSRP: $9,999
- Liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 1,462 cc V-twin
- 5-speed transmission with shaft final drive (as opposed to chain, or belt drive)
- Front suspension: Inverted telescopic, coil spring
- Rear suspension: Link type, oil damped, coil spring
- Seat height: 28.2 inches
- Twin 290 mm disc, 2-piston front brake calipers, single 275mm disc, 2-piston rear caliper
- 4.7 gallon fuel capacity
- Available in black, blue, or red
Guide Review - 2009 Suzuki Boulevard M90 Review
Is less more? The Suzuki Boulevard M90, little brother to the massive M109R, begs the question. It wears a new chassis framing a smaller, 1,462cc V-twin (versus the M109R's 1,783cc behemoth.) Ergonomics are more manageable, with a handlebar that's .8 inches closer to the seat, which sits 1.1 inches closer to the footrests (where you'll find a nicely finished, knurled brake lever.) And though an ungainly radiator rests in front of the engine, nice details include a tidy steering head cover and an attractive view from the saddle, which is 28.2 inches high.The M90's saddle is big and comfy, and the engine produces a pleasing rumble- Suzuki engineers worked hard to tune the exhaust note, which shows when you wind up the engine. The handlebars still require a stretch, and the riding posture is tilted forward in that power cruiser tradition. Most power resides at low engine rpms, though pulling from extra slow engine speeds produces a bit of chatter. But the V-twin pulls quite strongly, providing plenty of arm-stretching acceleration. And not only does it ride more smoothly, the fact that it weighs roughly 40 lbs less than the M109R improves handling and enhances maneuverability. There's still a bit of stiffness to the ride, but the 200mm rear tire offers much more compliance than the M109R's 240mm rubber. You'll hear the usual peg-scraping sounds when lean angles get tight, but nothing out of the ordinary for low slung cruisers in this class. Non-linked brakes offer decent stopping power, though we would have liked to see ABS, at least as an option.
At the end of the day, the Suzuki Boulevard M90 offers a fun, performance-oriented cruiser for 3,100 less clams than the M109R; it may lack outright bragging rights, but as an everyday bike it fits the bill for most sport-oriented cruiser enthusiasts.
