Suzuki M109R
At the Toys-in-the-Sun Fun Run last December I saw a bike that really looked cool. Actually, I saw several of them and that set me thinking I had missed something that might be significant. The new Suzuki M109R is a unique bike that may be destined to bring Suzuki back to a long-lost limelight.
When I saw this bike among the thousands at the Fun Run, there were three colors represented. It was nice to see a new motorcycle in more than two colors. When I started riding back in teh 60’s and early 70’s, you could tell the model year by the colors on Japanese bikes. They chose two and that was it for the year. This bike was in a satin white, black, and a deep red. But color is the way women look at bikes.
There are usually three things that I like in a bike as general statements: big engine, big gas tank ( I hate stopping for gas ) and bike back tires. The Suzuki M109R has all three fresh out of the box. To start with, the 109 cubic inch engine is nothing to scoff at. This V-Twin looks impressive and has the power to back it up. The cruiser-style exhaust has a nice throaty sound that lets you know there’s some power behind it.
The 5.2 gallon gas tank looks much larger than that, but is more than enough to take you over 150 miles without the need to stop. Finally, they put a 250 back tire in place. The bike looks wonderful from the back. At first glance, you won’t know you’re behind a Suzuki with that fat tire looking you in the face.
The final feature that makes this a great bike is the price. Sticker is only $12,499 and $12,999 for the limited edition version. For a 109 cubic-inch bike with a bike ol’ 250 back tire, that’s a good start. But it isn’t all good news. They put a little dinky front tire on it with a fender that looks like a baby Gold Wing. It has a sorta sport bike look which really detracts from what could have been a hunky looking cruiser. The front end of the bike is the only real let down. Short of wanting to do a lot of customizing on the front ( like new forks, new wheel, new look), I wouldn’t quite open my wallet. Hopefully, Suzuki will make up their mind on the destiny of this new bike. Trying to meet multiple types of radically different riders with one bike is not a good marketing idea. You obviously turn away more riders than you attract due to the factors that one may not like.
It’s worth looking at. I’d love to test ride one at Daytona next month.