2009 Suzuki Boulevard M90 Review - First Ride - Motorcycle.com
Regardless of a softening cruiser market, the OEMs keep us in healthy supply of cruisers. Editor Duke recently brought us a report on the latest model from Star, the V-Star 950. It’s a whole lot of cruiser for less than eight grand. Suzuki is next up, with a similar eye toward value in its all-new M90.
Straight from the U.S. launch in beautiful Monterey, CA, is where I send news of an excellent cruiser in the vein of Suzuki’s power cruiser M line. The new M90 falls right in between the more novice-oriented M50 and the power-hungry bruiser, the M109R.
This cruiser was almost exclusively designed for the American market, says Suzuki. Starting with the basic feel and design of the M109R, Team S passed three design concepts in front of customers, letting customers influence design direction with final refinements finished off by Suzuki. “This is very much a motorcycle for the American market,” explained Mel Harris, Vice President of American Suzuki Motor Corporation.
Thundering along Hwy 1 in Big Sur aboard the M90, I couldn’t help but be impressed with a bike that provides very nimble handling while wearing a 200mm rear tire. As a matter of fact, it rivals the more powerful and more expensive Victory Hammer S that I like so much. This new mid-range sport-cruiser (a new term that seems to be popping up) has torque on-tap at any point. There’s plenty o’ power to pull all the way through the smartly-geared 5-speed box.
So what’s this newest cruiser going to cost you? You’ll be hard-pressed to find another cruiser that handles as well, has as much seamless and ample power, provides classically-smooth Japanese shifting, offers all-day comfort, and has the tough-guy looks that the new M90 does, all for $9,999.
That’s all for now from the home of Laguna Seca Raceway. Look for more on the 2009 Suzuki M90 in the coming days.
Related Reading:
2009 Suzuki Dealer Show
More by Pete Brissette
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