I am thinking of purchasing a 2008 Suzuki Boulevard C50 that has 6000km.
Can I please get some information about this bike if it is reliable and good quality, because I have been riding a Burgman 400 for the past 3 years and it is time for myself to move up to a motorcycle.
Know someone with one. The design/motor has been around for a while. No dramatic flaws from what I remember. It will do 120 but is happier at 100 (5 gear transmission will give you lots of shifting practice). Decent aftermarket (universal metric stuff) and Suzuki offers accessories--the C50T has luggage/windscreen.
It competes with the Vulcan 900/V-Star 950/Shadow 750. As the name implies, it's a boulevard cruiser, not a tourer. The C90 and C109 are better choices for that. They're popular enough, so reselling shouldn't be a problem if you decide longer legs are in order.
My 2 cents: I rode my friends C50T, it has enough power comfort etc., but if you can handle the weight, why not go for something with more power such as the Vulcan 900 or bigger.
I am thinking of purchasing a 2008 Suzuki Boulevard C50 that has 6000km.
Can I please get some information about this bike if it is reliable and good quality, because I have been riding a Burgman 400 for the past 3 years and it is time for myself to move up to a motorcycle.
I have a 2005 C50 with close to 30k on the clock. It's a great bike for what it is. Very comfortable and reliable. The previous owners all took immaculate care of the bike so it's in amazing shape for a 10 year old bike.
I added Iso-Grips and a Batwing fairing (I also have a regular windshield, both Memphis Shades so I can switch them around) on it as well as quick-release saddlebags and luggage rack. I've ridden as far as Lake George, NY on it, no sweat. Last Sunday we did a 350 km ride around the Kawartha Lakes and the bike perfomed flawlessly, and I never feel sore at the end of a long day of riding.
My only gripe about the bike is that it's underbraked (single disc front, drum rear) and it feels like it's working hard to go over 120 kph for long periods of time. Keep in mind, it's 805 cc's.
I don't know if I'd consider the C50 a step up from the Burgman 400. It's just a different style of bike that has a V-twin with torque for the cruiser it is.
My father in law has one and loves it. It's been a standard offering from Suzuki for a long time so, I'd say it's got a decent reputation.
I'm sure if you searched, you could find a dedicated forum for the C50 for the ins and outs, common issues.
I got a 2008 c50T recently... just fell in love with it. Previous owner kept it in great condition and had many add-ons. Bike performs very well and is very comfortable, both for the rider and passenger. I have no real complains. If I could change something, perhaps the gear shifting could be a little smoother... I'm not sure if it's me or the bike
Love the bike... go for it!
My brother in law has the M50, same basic bike, handle bars and fenders is about the only major difference.
60,000+ reliable kms. He loves it. It's had the baffles removed and sounds amazing. He seems to have no problem
keeping up with my 1100 Virago.
The M50 was a serious consideration for me at one point--fit pretty well at first glance. The 90 and 109 are very long, heavy bikes. Foward controls with pullbacks make them feel really awkward.
The 50s would be a really good bike if they added in a 6th gear/touch more suspension. Some owners swap in c90 transmissions to widen the ratios for highway riding, IIRC.
My brother in law has the M50, same basic bike, handle bars and fenders is about the only major difference.
60,000+ reliable kms. He loves it. It's had the baffles removed and sounds amazing. He seems to have no problem
keeping up with my 1100 Virago.
The M50 is not even close to the same bike. It shares the basic engine, and even that is a bit different. Handlebars, seat, seating position, inverted forks (M), rear shock, frame, weight, instrumentation, number of injectors, all different. I've ridden my friends M quite a bit. Yeah, same bike.
I own a Volusia (03) as a 2nd bike. THAT is the same basic bike.
Pro's
Light for a cruiser.
Handles great for a cruiser.
Relatively comfy once you get a real seat.
Tank range is over 250 kms.
Con's
Brakes are only adequate. Single front disc.
Engine is good in the city, alone, and at no more than an 80 km/h road. It starts to rev too high and is buzzy at over 100 km/h. It will do 170 and cruise all day at 140 if you like but it's not relaxing like a cruiser should be. With a passenger or trying to merge onto a 400 series you will be looking for more acceleration. It does the job but more would be good.
If you get the stock windshield you will want lowers or you will experience serious buffeting.
Removing and reinstalling the stock saddlebags is a pain in the backside.
Vibration is a bit excessive.
The C50 is a fun little bike but I can see a Stratoliner in the future if I keep a cruiser as a 2nd bike, or another Vulcan 2000.
It comes down to what you need and want out of a bike. My 2012 C50T is used mainly on country roads in Caledon, at 80kph. All info given was great, and depicts the bike well. The bike will do long distance touring. But IMO is taxing on the engine especially at more than 120kph. If touring is on your horizon, then I'd go Suzuki C90T, tall gearing and loads of torque, more than enough for highway/long distance duty.
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