At its dealer meeting in fall of 2004, Suzuki teased its M105, which was promised as the first all-new bike for its Boulevard brand and which would debut as a 2006 model. Apparently that bike has grown a bit since then, because at its 2006 dealer meeting, the bike Suzuki rolled out was the Boulevard M109R, an entirely new liquid-cooled 1783cc 54-degree eight-valve fuel-injected dry-sump V-twin.
In step with other manufacturers, Suzuki opted to use an "undersquare" design, with a 112mm bore and shorter 90.5mm stroke. The Boulevard M109's bores are lined with Suzuki's SCEM composite material, and the pistons have short skirts. The dry sump lubrication system was employed to keep the mass of the engine low in the frame. Four valves per cylinder are operated by a new two-stage cam drive, which further help reduce engine height. Compressed to a stout 10.5:1 ratio, the fuel is mixed by an electronic fuel-injection system inhaling from a 9.5-liter airbox and through 56mm throttle bodies using Suzuki's dual-throttle-valve system. Dual spark plugs controlled by a 32-bit ECM set it off. The exhaust is a two-into-one-into-two design.
A five-speed transmission passes power, not to a belt, but to a shaft final drive.
The "M" designation signifies a musclebike style, and a small fairing around a multi-reflector trapezoidal-shaped headlight leads the M109R's active lines. It rolls on spiral-spoke cast wheels, a 3.5x18 up front and a fat 8.50x18 on the rear with a low-profile 240/40R18 radial tire. An inverted 46mm cartridge fork with 5.1 inches of travel suspends the front. In the rear, a cast aluminum swingarm leans on a single preload-adjustable shock providing 4.7 inches of travel. Dual radial-mount four-piston calipers squeeze big 12.2-inch (310mm) discs up front.
The Boulevard M109R's tubular handlebar mounts on risers with a chrome instrument housing—which includes a clock, fuel gauge, and digital tachometer— mounted on the handlebar above the small headlight fairing. The analog speedometer sits atop the wide, curving 5.0-gallon fuel tank. Saddle height is listed as 27.6 inches off the road, and there is a cowl to cover the passenger saddle section. The taillight in an LED built into the tailsection.
Suggested price for Suzuki's new 1800 is $12,399, and it will be available in black, silver or blue.
SPECIFICATIONS
2006 Suzuki Boulevard M109
Suggested base price: $12,399
Colors: Black, blue, or silver
Engine: Liquid-cooled 54-degree V-twin
Valve train: Two intake, two exhaust valves per cylinder
Displacement, bore x stroke: 1783cc, 112.0 x 90.5mm
Compression Ratio: 10.5:1
Carburetion: EFI, two 56mm throttle bodies
Transmission: 5 speeds
Final drive: Shaft
Seat height: 27.6 in.
Claimed dry weight: 694 lb.
Fuel capacity: 5.0 gal.
Wheelbase: 67.5 in.
Overall Length: 96.8 in.
Front tire: 130/70R18 Dunlop tubeless radial
Rear tire: 240/40R18 Dunlop tubeless radial
Front brake: 2, four-piston calipers, 12.2-in. discs
Rear brake: two-piston caliper, 10.8-in. disc
Front suspension: Inverted, 46mm stanchions, 5.1 in. travel
Rear suspension: Single damper, 4.7 in. travel, preload adjustable