2014 Suzuki Boulevard

Review

CRUISER COMFORT

Suzuki’s Boulevard cruisers, which have model names that identify engine displacement in cubic inches rather than cubic centimeters, range in size from the entry-level, 652cc S40 to the ground-pounding, 1,783cc M109R B.O.S.S. (Blacked Out Suzuki Special). In between are the 1,462cc C90/M90 and 803cc C50/M50 models, where C stands for Custom and M for Muscle.

Of the middleweight Boulevards offered for 2014—C50 B.O.S.S. ($8,699), C50T ($9,599) and M50 ($8,799)—only the latter two return for 2015 with new colors and prices reduced by $200; a standard C50 ($8,199) replaces the B.O.S.S. Our 2014 C50T, fitted with a windshield, saddlebags and a passenger backrest, is decked out in Glass Sparkle Black/Metallic Oort Gray, the other option being Candy Dark Cherry Red/Pearl Mirage White; for 2015, the only choice is Glass Sparkle Black/Candy Dark Cherry Red.
The Boulevard C50T’s liquid-cooled 803cc 45-degree V-twin has an offset dual-pin crankshaft and shaft drive. Like the Kawasaki Vulcan, the C50T has a vintage look, with wire-spoke wheels wearing tube-type tires and chrome studs on its seat, saddlebags and passenger backrest. The Suzuki’s whitewall tires round out its classic styling.

With the smallest engine, the Suzuki made the least horsepower (42.8 at 6,200 rpm) and torque (44.3 lb-ft at 3,300 rpm) when strapped to Jett Tuning’s dyno. It had the best fuel economy (51.2 mpg), but with the smallest gas tank (4.1 gallons), range was the lowest here at 210 miles.