Suzuki M50 Boulevard

Name: Suzuki M50 Boulevard
Brand: Suzuki

A lot to like, least not the attractive $11K sticker price

WHAT WE LIKE

-   Attractive price
-   Family styling
-   Comfortable saddle

NOT SO MUCH
-   Chrome-plated plastic
-   Split instrumentation

There's plenty to like about Suzuki's 2010 M50 Boulevard cruiser - one of seven cruisers in Suzuki's Boulevard model line-up. Given a styling makeover for the 2010 model year, for less than $11K a buyer now gets a cruiser that looks just like its two larger siblings, the M90 and M109R.

The M is Suzuki's designation for 'muscular', while the number suffix refers to the cubic inches lurking within each of the fuel-injected V-twin powerplants - 50 (805cc), 90 (1500cc) and 109 cubes (1800cc).

In the case of the M50, the muscular look now mirrors the droopy-nosed styling of the bigger Boulevards, with the 2010 M50 scoring a sporty-looking seat and swoopy rear fender instead of the bobbed mudguard of the superseded model, plus additional chrome.

As mentioned above, the M50 is one of seven models in Suzuki's Boulevard range - four of them muscular Ms, and three of them Cs - or Classics. There's also a VL250 Intruder to cater for entry-level riders.

The official FCAI motorcycle sales figures for 2009 reflect the impact the Boulevards have had on the sales charts, with the competitively-priced Suzukis carving out their own niche in Australia's Harley-dominated cruiser sector.

Yamaha's LAMS-approved XVS650 headed the overall cruiser category in 2009, with amazingly seven Harley-Davidsons in the cruiser Top 10. However, the M109R was the top-selling large-capacity Japanese cruiser for 2009 in 10th overall, while the C50 was the top-selling non-LAMS Japanese cruiser (sixth overall).

Suzuki Australia will no doubt be hoping for similar success from the restyled M50 in 2010.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
The M50 Boulevard is powered by a 45-degree, fuel-injected, 805cc, OHC, four-stroke V-twin. Suzuki Australia doesn't quote power or torque figures for the M50, but the output is comparable to other bikes in the class (refer On The Road below).

A five-speed constant mesh transmission transfers the power to the rear wheel via a maintenance-free shaft drive, with clutch actuation via cable.

Front suspension is handled by non-adjustable upside-down telescopic forks, with a monoshock rear end that has styling cues borrowed from Harley-Davidson's Softail range.

A single Tokico four-piston caliper looks after braking duties at the front, with a drum brake at the rear. Wheels are cast-alloy 16-inch front and 15-inch rear, and are shod with IRC Grand High Speed rubber.

Kerb mass is 269kg, seat height a low 700mm, and fuel capacity 15.5lt.

The M50's been built to be competitive on price - and that it is at $10,990 -- with a rear drum brake and basic suspension the main concessions to keeping costs down, along with extensive use of plastic parts. That level of spec is well within the M50's design brief though, and the componentry is well up to the M50's intended use.

Suzuki has a wide range of well-priced accessories for the M50, including floorboards, rack, bike cover, engine-case guard, backrest, leathers jackets and vests, t-shirts, key-rings - even Boulevard-themed stubby holders.

The M50 is available in black or orange, and comes with a two-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.

ON THE ROAD
The M50 is an easy bike to ride. There's a fast-idle circuit that gives a quick warm-up without the need for choke, and the well-sorted engine-management system provides a smooth and glitch-free power delivery.

The seating position is comfortable and rational for my 187cm, without the sometimes cruiser curse of sitting on the base of your spine instead of your butt. The bars are wide and flat and offer good leverage, the saddle inviting, and the controls light and easy to operate.

Instrumentation is split between the triple clamp and fuel tank, the former carrying the speedo with the incorporated trip meter and fuel gauge, while the latter unit looks after warning lights for neutral, high-beam and indicators.

To be honest I had difficulty adapting to the split instrumentation and occasionally left an indicator flashing. No doubt a M50 owner would become familiar with the set-up, rather than someone just sampling the bike for one week. The idiot lights for the indicators aren't that easy to see in bright sunlight either.

On the plus side, the stylish headlight cowling helps deflect some of the windblast at cruising speeds. It's not just there for its good looks.

The M50's gearbox didn't exhibit the trademark clunkiness of many torquey V-twin cruisers, although it wasn't in the slick-shifting class of its four-cylinder Suzuki stablemates. Then again, not much is.

The power from the 805cc V-twin is predictable and the spread impressive, making short-shifting the preferred option rather than revving the engine unnecessarily. There's a pleasant but not obtrusive 'thump' from the engine, although the exhaust note is somewhat subdued to keep the noise police happy and ensure ADRs are met.

The M50 really is a user-friendly motorcycle, with class-leading performance from its 805cc powerplant. I even managed a commendable 21km/lt over a week of varied usage, which gave an impressive range from the M50's 15.5lt tank.

Although the suspension and brakes are relatively basic in their spec, they suit the M50's design brief. The single front disc and drum rear offer plenty of feel, and offer good retardation providing reasonable pressure is applied.

The M50 testbike was certainly hard to miss in sparkling metallic orange, and drew plenty of admiring comments from the general public.

There's a fair bit of plastic in the pursuit of cost savings. While the M50's paintwork and aluminium castings have a high standard of finish, and the build quality is good, it will be interesting to see how the chrome-finish plastic stands the test of time.

Interestingly, on the 2009 sales charts the model which just shaded the 805cc Boulevard (C50 variant) was Harley's 883 Sportster, a bike which surprisingly costs only $1000 more than the Suzuki but has a lot more steel in its body parts - not to overlook the 'cred' of the Harley nameplate.

The bean counters at Suzuki Australia are seemingly aware of the Harley 'threat', as there's a $500 rebate towards on-road-costs for Boulevard buyers up until the end of February this year. That applies to all seven Boulevard models -- M109R, M109R Limited Edition, C109R, C109RT, M90, M50 and C50.

There's plenty to like about Suzuki's 2010 M50 Boulevard cruiser, least not the attractive $10,990 sticker price.

Visit the M50 in Bike Showroom.

SPECS: SUZUKI M50 BOULEVARD

ENGINE
Type: 805cc, liquid-cooled, OHC, 45-degree, four-stroke V-twin
Bore x stroke: 83mm x 74mm
Compression ratio: 9.4:1
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

TRANSMISSION
Type: Five-speed
Final drive: Shaft

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame type: Steel tube
Front suspension: 41mm upside-down telescopic fork, no adjustment
Rear suspension: Link-type monoshock, no adjustment
Front brakes: Single disc, two-piston caliper
Rear brakes: Drum

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Kerb weight: 269kg
Seat height: 700mm
Wheelbase: 1655mm
Rake: 33 degrees
Fuel capacity: 15.5lt

PERFORMANCE
Max. power: Not given
Max. torque: Not given

OTHER STUFF
Price: $10,990
Colours: Orange or Black
Bike supplied by: Suzuki Australia, tel (03) 9931 5500, www.suzuki.com.au
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres

Suzuki M50 Boulevard

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