QUIKSPIN: Suzuki M109R Limited Edition - Big Business

When you think of a powercruiser, you instantly think of bikes like the Yamaha VMAX, the Triumph Rocket III or even the new Ducati Diavel. But one bike that often gets overlooked in the all-or-nothing segment, that perhaps is worthy of such heights, is Suzuki’s VZR1800 M109R Boulevard. 

Have a quick look over its CV and you’ll see it has the credentials. According to Suzuki it uses the biggest pistons ever seen on a production motorcycle – they’re nearly 113mm wide – the fattest tyre ever fitted to a Suzuki – a purpose-built 240-section sports-orientated hoop – and nearly 1800cc of V-twin grunt pumping out 160Nm of raw torque. 

The sheer grunt is awesome, but delivered very differently than you’d expect a massive V-twin to deliver it. Staggered crankpins for primary balance, paired with a counter-rotating balance shaft between the crank and countershaft, and dual spark plugs make the Boulevard feel, sound and pull more like a big turbo-diesel than a lumpy V-twin. The power is smooth, enormous and on tap with no noticeable sideways torque-effect from the shaft drive. 

The Dunlop Sportsmax D221 rear tyre tends to keep everything a little upright, but muscle the big thing around with a bit of force, keep the revs around 5000rpm and you’ll have the odd wide-eyed sportsbike or sports-tourer rider doing a double-take in their mirrors through the fun stuff. 

The chassis feels solid and gives you feedback, complemented by big 46mm upside-down forks. Rough roads tend to have the thing moving around at anything more than cruising speeds, but that’s got to be expected from a bike that weighs a hefty 347kg and is 2450mm length. 

The flat handlebar, with its downward bend would make a fairly involving ride for a tall rider. However, my 164cm frame took on a more of a horseshoe guise aboard the big cruiser and, with a heavy backpack on, caused me more than a few cramps on my commute home. Off with the pack and the ride became less of a chore. I could adjust myself in the low solo seat, or even stretch my feet to rest my heel on the top of the ’pegs when the road opened up, but I was wishing I was taller for nearly every kilometre I travelled. 

The bike tested is the 2010 Limited Edition model, which adds an orange racing stripe from the top of the swoopy black headlight cowl down to the bottom of the rear guard. A colour-matched rear-seat cowl is added to clean up the typical cruiser lines, but conceals a pillion seat for when you need it. An embossed Boulevard logo is visible on the rear of the rider’s seat, custom gauges see a flat rectangular tacho set behind the long handlebar risers within the headlight surround, and a traditional speedo and digital odometer, clock and fuel gauge set above the filler cap on the tank. A handy gear position indicator has been included within the tacho. 

There’s a nice mix of brushed alloy and chrome finishes, with the ’bar risers, switchblocks and filler caps in brushed aluminium – the aluminium switchblocks are unique to the limited-edition model, as are the clear indicator and taillight lens and the blacked-out engine covers and wheels. 

The Limited Edition model is $500 more than the standard model, setting you back $19,490, making it the most affordable machine in the powercruiser segment, if you’ll allow yourself to include it. Ride it before you decide – it’s worthy.