2006 Suzuki Boulevard S83
User Reviews
-
Still an Intruder
By (I am an Owner) on Jun 19, 2016Regardless of what Suzuki calls it, the "Boulevard" S83 is an *Intruder*. I owned a 1st gen (1986) VS700 back in the late '90s, and regretted trading it in on a new 1998 600 Bandit. I've had several other bikes since then, but the 1400 was always stuck in the back of my mind. Finally, in March of ... 2015, mine found me. '06 with less than 5500 miles. The next month, I did +2,700 miles through the desert Southwest. A few quirks about it:
Your butt goes numb after about 60 miles. Your right hand goes numb sooner (but wiggling your fingers helps). Squeaky brake pads are common (but really easy to get to). Small tank (120 miles is pushing it). Lazy steering at parking lot speeds due to the 36 rake. Controls really need to be lowered & moved forward a couple of inches. Clutch grabs when starting off (unless you baby it...but who does that?).
But I'm more than willing to live with all that just for the looks alone. Hydraulic lifters and shaft drive mean low maintenance, too. So what if the design is 29 years old? That should speak volumes in and of itself.
Rating breakdown
-
vibration
By (I am an Owner) on Sep 28, 2014The ride is nice an smooth as far as shocks an balance. But the handlebars have a vibration in them. Changed riser bushings an bars to no help. Need to rubber mount motor to frame. Stock seat gets a little hard after about 50 miles. Dyna 3000 control module an vance an hines exhaust.
Rating breakdown
-
LOVE IT, JUST LOVE IT
By (I am an Owner) on Mar 13, 2012I have only owned my 2006 S83 for a few months now but it still sends a chill up my spine when I wheel it out of the garage and press that button.
Not the tamest bike and not for the faint hearted either, quite a handful at slow speed and on tight roundabouts with the driveshaft trying to ... get you round faster than you might like but isn't the thrill of life what we are all after? Mine needs panniers so I can tour on it and am looking at replacing seat even though it suits me, the rear area for the passenger does not meet my partner's expectations. Thirsty engine, I only got 170 klm out of a full tank but as it is advertised to do 150 miles I may need to ignore the handbook advice to only fill to the bottom of the filler collar. Still love my S83.
Rating breakdown
-
Montana highway cruiser
By (I am an Owner) on Nov 04, 2011The S83 is a real performer and great for short trips but needs a different seat and few other changes to be comfortable on a long journey. It is also cold blooded to start but once it is going it tears up the pavement.I have owned 23 different bikes during my life and this is the first one that ... has never had any problems. Of course a little periodic maintenance goes a long way in preventing problems. The bike looks great and when people see I have 34000 on it they think my spedometer is broken. I have thought of trading it in on a newer one but they just don't feel he same. Am I spoiled? Probably.
Rating breakdown
-
Rear tire wear and handling
By (I am an Enthusiast) on Nov 26, 2009I took a trip from California Valley CA to New Meadows Idaho. Average mileage was 48mpg. The bike was comfortable all the way. I rode over 500 to 700 miles on a least 3 days with no sore butt. When I got back at 6000 miles I found the cord showing on the rear tire,but the wear bars were still showing. ... I found to get total tire contact to the wear bars I now run the rear at 27psi and it handles better with the front at 32psi. I really enjoyed the power and fuel mileage. The handling for the rake is very good,ride was smooth,head light is powerfull,I think that it is a real bargain for one up ridding,engine is smooth at 70mph a little vibration at 75mph and smooths out at 80mph,nice. I have no plans to replace this machine as it is as good a bike as I have ever owned.I am 65 been ridding for 44 years.
Rating breakdown
-
Proud owner
By (I am an Owner) on Jan 27, 2009I own a 2006 Suzukie Boulevard s83 and have beat Harleys, Honda's, and Yamaha's of comparable cc's or more. It is a really fast bike out of the hole. Top speed is a little slower but it will still do 130 mph.
Rating breakdown
-
I love this bike.
By (I am an Owner) on Jan 24, 2009I have owned my S83 for several months before I added a set of Cobra pipes and a Dana stage 1 jet kit. Before doing this I had problems with it missing and poping. Now this bike runs like the beast Suzuki intended to build. I have put about 3500 miles on my bike and have loved every second of ... it. My brother and I ride in north Ga and run Blood mountian and Wolf pen gap often. If you are looking for RAW POWER then this bike is for you.
Rating breakdown
-
Awesome Bike!
By (I am an Owner) on Sep 28, 2008