Suzuki M109RZ Boulevard

WHAT WE LIKE
• Sheer, physical presence
• Eye-catching looks
• Planetary-orbit-altering torque

First introduced to the Aussie market in 2006, the underlying theme of Suzuki's monumental M109R Boulevard is 'size matters'. At the heart of the most powerful Suzuki cruiser ever produced is a whopping great V-twin with two 112mm-diameter pistons – the largest of their type, says Suzuki, to be found in any mass production, petrol-engined passenger car or motorcycle.

It's super-long 1710mm wheelbase is backed up by a super-hefty 347kg wet weight, while a meaty 240-section rear tyre is charged with getting all that prodigious torque to the ground – it's the fattest tyre ever fitted to a production Suzuki motorcycle.

Suzuki splits its Boulevard family of cruisers into two distinct camps. While the 'C' Series (C109R, C109RT, C50 and C50T) is comprised of more traditional, classically-styled offerings, the 'M' Series (M109R, M109RZ, M90 and M50) features modern styling. The model reviewed here, the M109RZ, is a premium version of the standard M109R, and comes with a number of cosmetic updates for an additional $500 over the base model M109R's price.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
Powering the M109RZ is a 1783cc (109-cubic-inch), 54-degree, liquid-cooled, four-valves-per-cylinder, DOHC V-twin engine, fed by Suzuki's Dual Throttle Valve (SDTV) electronic fuel injection. Power is fed via a wet clutch and five-speed, constant mesh gearbox to that gargantuan 240 rear Dunlop via shaft final drive.

The engine is slotted into a tubular steel cradle frame, which is suspended with an inverted 46mm front fork and a concealed underslung rear monoshock. There's no adjustment on the fork, but the monoshock is adjustable for preload, which is accessed from underneath the bike via a threaded collar.

Suzuki says the M109RZ benefits from brakes developed using technology gleaned from the GSX-R sportsbike family. Up front you'll find twin 310mm discs gripped by radial-mount, four-piston Tokico calipers, while at the rear is a 275mm disc with a twin-piston Tokico caliper.

The digital tacho and gear selection display that used to be housed on the handlebars is now neatly tucked behind the headlight cowl, while the analogue speedo and twin LCD readouts (time, fuel, trip meters and odometer) is still found atop the 19.5lt tank.

The M109RZ is a premium model that comes in a distinctive black paint scheme with a bold orange racing stripe. The black alloy rims and shaft drive contrast with the clear lenses of the LED taillight and indicators, and there's an embossed Boulevard logo on the rear of the rider's seat. The M109RZ has a recommended retail price of $19,490 (excluding dealer and statutory charges), and a wide range of factory accessories, including a Boulevard apparel line, is also available.

ON THE ROAD
If you prefer to 'fly beneath the radar' with your choice of bike, then don't bother reading on – give Suzuki's mighty M109RZ a big miss. The truth is, you can't go anywhere on one of these behemoths and hope to blend into the background. Whether you're filling up at a petrol station, pulled up at a café or stopped by the side of the road, this bike turns heads, attracts comment and polarises opinion – and above all else it makes no apologies for its bold, in-your-face attitude.

The black and orange paint scheme looks stunning, and it's complemented by acres of gleaming chrome. It has to be said it's not all chromed metal – there's a fair bit of chromed plastic, too – but it all lights up with equal brilliance on a sunny day, and with a bike that's already tipping the scales at 347kg ready to roll, there's no great rush to add to that figure.

It's a heavy, cumbersome beast to wheel around in your garage, something that isn't helped by its 2480mm overall length and rangey steering geometry. However, once you've slung a leg over its super-low 705mm saddle, whacked first gear home, eased out the remarkably light clutch lever and let its tsunami-like wave of torque sling you at the horizon, all that bulk becomes a distant memory.

On the road its weight only comes into play when you're punting it hard and fast through tighter going – as I discovered on a recent 450km loop to Apollo Bay, on Victoria's world famous Great Ocean Road.

On the long, empty country straights on the way to the Great Ocean Road the Boulevard was in its element. With just over 2500rpm registering on the digi tacho in top of its five-speed gearbox, this is relaxed, stress-free motoring at its finest. Suzuki doesn't quote power and torque stats for its bikes these days, but rest assured there's enough of the former and a whole heap of the latter. It pulls from idle all the way to its 7500rpm rev limiter and there's very little need to bother the gearbox – which is a little clunky around town, but perfectly adequate for open-road riding.

The headlight cowl actually affords a little bit of protection from the wind's blast, and the riding position is really quite comfy. Many cruisers seem to focus your weight on the base of your spine, but that didn't seem to be the case on the Boulevard – helped, no doubt, by the excellent saddle and easy stretch to the pull-back 'bars.

The Boulevard continued on its winning way when the first of the twisties hove into view just after Anglesea. There's no escaping its cruiser DNA in the tight stuff – the steering is slow but surefooted, courtesy of its rake and that fat rubber, and the ground clearance is par for the course – but the bike still acquitted itself well, and the torque allows you to slingshot away from corner apexes at a mind-numbing pace.

The brakes hold up their end of the bargain too. The majority of your stopping power lies with the rear anchor, as is the norm with cruisers, but backed up by the twin-disc front stoppers you can haul the M109RZ down from speed with confidence.

The really tight going, and to a lesser degree low-speed town work, did show up a slight degree of jerkiness, which isn't really any great revelation given the M109RZ's massive V-twin powerplant. I'm not sure whether it was driveline lash or a slight twitchiness in the fuel injection when making minute on/off throttle adjustments, but you do need to be paying attention to keep things smooth in first, second or third gear, especially at lower speeds. However, that was the only glitch I can speak of, in what is an otherwise outstanding package.

The Boulevard returned an average fuel economy of 13.6km/lt over the course of my dash along the Great Ocean Road. That's not so bad given the performance on offer (and the nature of the road) and it gives a decent working range of around 230km – not a bad figure for a 'power cruiser', by any stretch.

If you like cruisers that truly make a statement – and launch you into next week at the merest twist of a throttle – there's a lot to like about Suzuki's M109RZ Boulevard. Just be prepared for the barrage of questions you'll cop from awestruck onlookers every time you pull up!

Visit the M109RZ Boulevard in the New Bike Showroom.

TRANSMISSION
Type: Five-speed, constant mesh
Final drive: Shaft

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame type: Tubular steel cradle
Front suspension: Inverted 46mm fork, non-adjustable
Rear suspension: Monoshock, adjustable for preload
Front brakes: Twin 310mm discs with radial-mount four-piston calipers
Rear brakes: Single 275mm disc with twin-piston caliper

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Wet weight: 347kg
Seat height: 705mm
Wheelbase: 1710mm
Fuel capacity: 19.5lt

OTHER STUFF
Price: $19,490 (manufacturer's price before dealer and statutory costs)
Colours: Black/orange
Bike supplied by: Suzuki Australia, tel: (03) 9931 0500
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres

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