The cruiser segment is one of the most interesting segments in the two-wheeler space. It has both products that have been the same for over two decades, and others with cutting-edge designs and technology that would make a sports bike proud. Everyone in the segment defaults to what we know and love, though: that is a long, low design with lots of visual muscle and, where possible, a V-twin engine. Sure, the parallel twins are making inroads, but if we have a big cruiser, nothing but a V-twin will do—preferably one that looks air-cooled and has a lot of torque.The American brands were the pioneers of the segment, and they still lead the way, with the Japanese offering their own interpretations over the years. There are a few European cruisers that have joined the party as well. They offer a unique flavor, but the ideal combination would be to have something with Japanese levels of reliability and American design that will attract attention, if not admiration. In short, something that has a V-twin with Yamaha reliability and Harley-level presence. The Premium Cruiser Everyone Wants To Be Harley-DavidsonSometimes a product decimates the opposition and holds onto its lead for decades. That is what the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy has done. Not only is it a premium cruiser that is popular, it is also a design icon. And to many, a symbol of America as well. It is no doubt a long-lasting product that has all the premium features one would expect from a cruiser bearing the Bar And Shield. However, its history also works against it because Harley-Davidson needed to make its cruiser engine an air-cooled one with pushrods to avoid alienating its core market. And that has placed limitations on the kind of comfort and performance that the Fat Boy can offer. The Opposite End Of The Spectrum TriumphTriumph is another manufacturer with a lot of history, just like Harley-Davidson. Which is why it had to set certain expectations for its premium cruiser. The original Rocket 3 set the bar with the largest motorcycle engine in a production motorcycle when it launched; the new Rocket 3 carries on that legacy with an even larger engine that has still not been dethroned. It makes superbike levels of power and torque, and therefore, it needs a chassis and electronics that can rein in the torque and not chew up the rear tire every single ride.Both the Harley and Triumph are great motorcycles given an open road, but if you want to keep something like this for a long time and ride it every day and everywhere, the cost of ownership might discourage you.But what if there was a cruiser that delivered the presence of a Harley and the reliability of Japanese engineering, without the premium price or maintenance headaches? The Suzuki Boulevard M109R Covers All The Bases SuzukiWhile the Fat Boy commands respect, the Suzuki Boulevard M109R offers something different—the presence without the premium price or reliability concerns. The Boulevard M109R was born in a time when everyone was seeking to make larger and larger engines and put them into their cruisers. Suzuki didn't quite manage to get the largest one among the competition, but what it did manage was to give the world one of the largest motorcycle engines ever produced.It was surprisingly reliable when it launched, and it has only gotten better over the years. It is a great combination of design and engineering because it might look like an air-cooled engine, but is a thoroughly modern, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected engine that launched 20 years ago. The focus was on torque, and it generates so much of it; rumor has it that it kept breaking gearboxes during development. The Boulevard M109R has the size, styling, and presence to turn heads with its acres of chrome and a look that is very unlike Harley, but with the same proportions. It is probably the perfect combination of Yamaha reliability and Harley-level presence. The Pricing Makes It One Of The Value Greats SuzukiThe Boulevard's $15,799 pricing makes it quite the bargain. Even though it is two decades old, it has a power output that not only matches its peers, but also exceeds them. Of course, it does not have the electronics suite of more modern motorcycles. However, that can work for it as well; without anything as basic as ABS, there is nothing to go wrong. If you are a believer in an old-school, reliable motorcycle, the Boulevard M109R should be at the top of your list. The Heart Of The Matter: The Big V-Twin Engine SuzukiThis 1,786 cc engine is thelargest enginethat Suzuki has ever fitted to a motorcycle. It has a bank angle of 54 degrees, has a DOHC head with four valves per cylinder, and a compression ratio of 10.5:1. This is also a short-stroke design with a massive 112 mm bore and 90.5 mm stroke. These were some of the biggest pistons in any automobile when this product was launched.It generates 123 horsepower at 6,200 RPM and 118 pound-feet of torque at 3,200 RPM. Power delivery is smooth thanks to the electronic fuel injection and the Suzuki Dual Throttle Valve technology, which has a second set of electronically controlled throttle valves in line with the cable-actuated ones connected to the throttle grip. This being an old design, it has a five-speed gearbox, and Suzuki chose to give it shaft drive, which is not a standard choice today, but it certainly makes maintenance a whole lot easier. Traditional Running Gear, But Would Be Better With Modern Safety SuzukiA steel double-cradle frame underpins the Boulevard M109R. This is a traditional frame that is a lot heavier than a trellis frame, but it opens up a lot of customization possibilities. The suspension is unique among cruisers. Suzuki raided the GSX-R parts bin for the 46 mm inverted cartridge-type front forks and paired them with a progressive linkage monoshock that is hidden under the seat to give it a hardtail look. There is a preload adjustment available for the rear, and suspension travel is 5.1 inches in the front and 4.7 inches at the rear.The front brakes have also been borrowed from a GSX-R with dual 310 mm floating discs paired with radial four-piston fixed calipers. The rear brake disc is a 274 mm one with a two-piston floating caliper. This Boulevard is also unique in that it uses 18-inch rims at both ends and has radial tires. The 240 mm rear tire width was the widest ever for a production motorcycle at its launch. 'Long, Low, And Wide' Describes It Best SuzukiThis is a full-size cruiser; there is no doubt about that when you look at the 95.5-inch length and 67.3-inch wheelbase. It is fairly wide, too, at 34.4 inches. The 27.8-inch seat height could be lower, but it is what it is because of the rear shock hidden under the seat. It has appreciable ground clearance of 5.1 inches, but it is among the heaviest by a significant margin among its peers, with a curb weight of 764 pounds. Basic But Functional Features No Doubt Contribute To The Great Price SuzukiThe instrument cluster is a two-part unit. The top half houses a digital tachometer, gear indicator, and warning lamps, whereas the tank-mounted half houses the rest of the gauges. It is dominated by an analog speedometer, but it also has twin LCD displays, one of which houses a clock and the fuel gauge, and the other of which houses the odometer and trip meter.There are no electronics to speak of that are usually talked about in this section. The SDTV is not directly controlled by the rider and exists only to smoothen power delivery. There is no ABS, even as an option, which is a shame. Suzuki should truly consider updating the Boulevard with ABS. It would increase the price slightly, but make it a far more usable motorcycle in the real world. The addition of traction control would be an even better thing. Should You Get One? SuzukiThe other two premium cruisers mentioned here have truly premium pricing. The Harley-Davidson Fat Boy retails for $22,599, and you will need to add more than a few options to it. The cheapest version of the Rocket 3 costs over $26,000. Compare this to the Boulevard's $15,799 pricing. If you want a premium cruiser but not the premium costs associated with one, the decision is a no-brainer.Source: Suzuki Cycles USA