Suzuki Boulevard C90

This was one of those rare occasions when first impressions were wrong. On firing up the C90 - aka the VL1500 - it felt surprisingly agricultural, lumpy even, and wasn't doing a lot to win me over. Some days later, things had changed. (The 90 in the model name, by the way, is for the cubic inch capacity of the engine.)

Sure the bike was still lumpy - and I think this has been a deliberate decision on the part of the designers to build in some 'character'. This is, after all, meant to be a big tough cruiser, and not some high-revving, supers-smooth sports bike.

Whether or not you like it will come down to personal taste. It grew on me over time.

The basis of the machine is the 45-degree 1462cc V-twin which has been powering Suzuki's premium cruiser for around six years - since the release of the first Volusia. That machine left something to be desired in the steering department and cruisers in general took a while for Suzuki to get its corporate head around.

It has however produced a couple of very sweet 800 Volusias, while this machine - the Boulevard - has come a long way from where the first VL1500 started.

The steering is perhaps the main improvement. It's ultra-slow, but predictable. There's a temptation to use the handlebars like a tiller in slow turns, but the machine rewards a more assertive brake, lean, fire approach.

The ultra-low stance and big footboards mean there's not a lot of cornering clearance to be had, so your speeds are restricted and you won't go anywhere near using all the tread on the tyres.

Suspension response is reasonable, solo or two-up, with the machine only getting caught out by the larger holes. It's set for comfort and worked respectably at highway speeds.

Braking, somewhat surprisingly, is very good. The long and low wheelbase makes the VL feel very secure when you're on the picks, which in turn means you can get the most out of the triple discs. Spec is nothing special, but it certainly does the job.

The powerplant likes to have a few revs up and is willing enough. It does not appreciate being lugged and we found this, combined with the very tall gearing, meant we rarely used top around town. Fifth is definitely an over-drive.

Don't expect hair-raising performance. The engine feels like it would top out around 60-70 horses, which is enough to get a ticket. Throttle response from the fuel injection is very direct, while the bike is an easy starter regardless of conditions.

The gearshift is slow and we found it important to hold the clutch in few several seconds before engaging first - otherwise you're rewarded with an almighty crunch as the big flywheel effect on this engine settled down. Clutch feel is typical modern Japanese, if a touch on the heavy side. Its long shaft drive is unobtrusive.

While the Boulevard - particularly with the accessories we had - has real potential as a long-distance mount from a performance and comfort point of view, it has one achilles heel, which is fuel range. The 14 litre tank is good for just under 200km before you're on vapour. Not impossible, but something to be considered if you want to wander away from major roads.

I used it as a daily mount, with a fair bit of city work and a couple of day trips into the country. In the end, I was actually sorry to see it go...

Specifications
Engine: 1462cc, air cooled, 45° V-Twin, SOHC
Starter: Digital fuel injection
Transmission: 5-speed
Front suspension Telescopic, coil spring, oil damped
Rear suspension: Link type, coil spring, oil damped, spring preload, adjustable
Front brakes: 2 piston caliper, twin disc
Rear brakes: 2 piston caliper, single disc
Seat height: 700mm
Wheelbase: 1700mm
Length: 2525mm
Width: 995mm
Height: 1125mm
Dry weight: 302kg
Fuel capacity: 14.0L
Colour: Blue/Grey
Warranty Two-year unlimited kilometre warranty
Price: $16,990 plus ORC
Accessories:
Windscreen: $747
Tall backrest: $313
Saddlebag supports: $91
Saddlebags: $841