Eastern Promises
Google "Star Warrior" and you'll come up with a list populated by references to space operas, Dungeons and Dragons and anime cartoons. Sometimes though, the words "power" and "cruiser" bring up results like "Star" and "Warrior". Yep, this bike has become a benchmark for the musclebike segment of the cruiser market, because the Warrior is a founding member of the latest generation of that group. Birthed in 2002, the Warrior we know today started life as a hot-rodded Yamaha Road Star. It's been updated here and there over the years but has remained largely unchanged. And why not? The Warrior represented the platform for five AMA ProStar Hot Rod Cruiser championships; it must be doing something right.
What really distinguishes the Warrior among the cruiser crowd is its aluminum double-cradle frame and swingarm. Carried in that stiff, lightweight frame is a 1,670cc V-Twin that's pushrod-operated and air-cooled, but still quite capable of burnouts at the drop of a clutch.
Because even power cruisers evolve, Suzuki represents its latest generation of powermonger with the M109R Limited Edition model. With the same 1,783cc, 8-valve DOHC, 54-degree, liquid-cooled, fuel injected V-Twin engine, there's not much difference between this and a regular M109R, but that doesn't really matter; the rush is still there. 125 hp at 6,200 rpm is a pretty impressive feat, particularly in a 700+ pound cruiser. The Boulevard M109R adds an advanced chassis and suspension to all that performance, and ups the ante with world-class brakes. It's all wrapped up in sleek, flowing lines. To the base model M109R, the Limited Edition version brings a sporty racing stripe, checkerboard background gauge package, clear taillight lens with red LEDs and a stylish textured seat.