At $10,499, Suzuki's once-flagship cruiser, the Boulevard C90, is the deal here. Formerly the Intruder 1500 LC, Suzuki's big V twin got swept up into the Boulevard branding in 2005, becoming the C90 and incorporating a raft of updates. It's no longer the biggest V twin in the Suzuki line; that distinction goes to its M109R and C109R stablemates. The C90 retains the same 45-degree, SOHC mill of its 1500 LC predecessor, but it's now fuel-injected with a 32-bit ECu derived from Suzuki's GSX-R racebikes. The C90's classic cruiser styling echoes its C50 sibling's-it gets the same long, low profile. The soft, triangular- oval, chrome air cleaner is a signature feature of the Boulevard C series bikes, as is the abruptly staggered slash-cut exhaust. The C90 is just bigger. On the other hand, the redesigned, wider fuel tank actually has a diminished capacity of 3.7 gallons (presumably to make way for the EFI). The classic theme carries to the instruments-the speedometer and other indicators are atop the tank-and continues with floorboards and a classic laid-back riding position. The fuel filler's located below a locking cover, and the fuel tank is under the seat. The 16-inch cast wheels get dual discs up front with adjustable brake and clutch levers. Other niceties include a helmet lock and a button on the left switch housing so you can flash the high-beams.
With a name like Kingpin you'd think there was some extra tonnage involved, but in this company it looks positively svelte. We opted for the pared-down 8-Ball version, because it fit more closely with the other bikes here in terms of price and powertrain. The Kingpin also sports an upside-down fork, a wide 18-inch front wheel, floorboards and sculpted aluminum wheels. All that stuff gets blacked out-including body paint, the handlebar and the engine. Although functionally it's nearly identical to the standard Kingpin-carrying Victory's latest-generation fuel-injected, overhead-cam, 1634cc engine-the 8-Ball model rolls with a five-speed transmission instead, hence its lower price.
You'll also find Victory's usual single-shock chassis here and distinctive Spartan styling. Despite the fatter front tire, Victory stuck with a singledisc brake up front. The hefty, inverted fork legs are naked, and the single gauge in front of the top fork bears a speedo with an LCD odometer and tripmeter. Victory's $13,999 price point slots in between the Harley and the Japanese bikes, and the 8-Ball is $2300 more affordable than the standard Kingpin. Though the stock 8-Ball comes with a solo seat, Victory sent us an accessory add-on pillion and passenger-peg kit, which increases the price by $400.
When you Start 'Em up
Contestants selected, we laid out our gear and prepped the bikes. No matter how they might hint at their capabilities while resting on their sidestands, everyone knew that only a proper road trip could reveal these bikes' true character and competence.
Our crew of seasoned riders may have varied in physical measurements, but they averaged two decades each of riding experience under their belts. We picked out a 500-mile route up to California's Sierra Nevada range that served up an even mix of freeway, urban streets and scenic backroads. Keys in hand, we mounted up. Our normally irritating game of Find the Ignition became less so with this group of cruisers-the Harley and both Japanese bikes place the ignition lock right in front of the rider atop the tanks, and the Victory puts it down on the left side of the engine-almost as convenient. Only the Suzuki makes you search for the keyhole, placing it down under the left thigh. With fuel injection on all five, they were ready to go in a few seconds.
Out in the smoggy miasma of L.A. traffic, the two American bikes got dinged right away for their heavy clutch pulls. To be fair, this was an annoyance only in the stop-and-go conditions we encountered in the first hour or so.