2010 Suzuki Boulevard M50

The heart of the motorcycle market these days is bikes like this. Suzuki's new M50 is a continuation of the lineup that started out four years ago with the M109 and continued with the Motorcycle Cruiser shootout-winning M90, now appears in a 805cc version. Many of the familiar lines of the M-series will be readily apparent, from the controversial headlight cowl, to the flowing tank, and the wide boat-style rear. Like its big brothers, the M sports an inverted front end, sleek multi-function display, LED taillight, and a respectably wide rear end with a 170-series tire beneath the fender.

Unlike it's larger brethren, the little M sports only a single caliper up front, and a drum brake in the rear. The liquid-cooled overhead cam V-Twin is derived from its predecessor (the last M50), which has been a consistent favorite around here ever since it was called the (pre-Boulevard) Volusia. Price has not yet been announced, but in the past, Suzuki has dropped prices on the M-series cruisers when they were first introduced, and they'd better. Kawasaki's Vulcan 900 and Star's V-Star 950 hover just above the old M50's price point, and both are stellar machines.