CYCLE NEWS CRUISER BUYERS GUIDE
Unique Styling
The other big feature on the big M is a 240mm rear tire.
Not willing to give up an ounce of cornering prowess for the
sake of wide-tire style, Suzuki carefully worked with Dunlop
to get the profile just right. Other sportbike-inspired features
include dual radial-mounted front calipers and an inverted
front fork. Working in harmony with one another, these com-
ponents are designed to give a confident front-end feel and
superior braking action. And, let's face it; they just look cool.
The styling goes with the performance theme of the ma-
chine, with everything keyed to work around the functional
aspects of the bike. Most cruisers are retro by definition.
But this machine is meant to take the basic parameters of
a cruiser (forward controls, wide rear tire, etc.) and make a
performance bike from it. There are swoopy, flowing lines
throughout the bike. In fact, from any angle that's not
vertical, the huge rear tire isn't very apparent. The headlight
stands out, the boxy housing recalls an 80s Superbike,
perhaps the original Katana.
In this future vision of cruising, elemental design is an after-
thought, or at least only an inspiration. Plastic covers abound,
making for smoother lines and integrated color (and replacing
costly shaped-metal parts). The plastic frame covers, cylinder
head covers, and body pieces are all designed to make the
functional pieces of metal created by the engineers fit into the
styling mold that the designers had in mind. Cruiser tradition-
alists will be offended, but if you buy into this vision of a cruiser,
you'll be sold.
Despite being a big bike, it's perfect for Southern California. In
the city, it's nimble enough and accelerates hard; while on back
roads its balance of quick, stable steering and smooth motor
are a joy to ride in tight and wide open terrain.
Motor and Tranny
Still, a bit of mature forbearance is needed. That big engine
is fully capable of breaking the rear tire loose if you get too
enthusiastic when leaned over (or otherwise). The 109 feels
like a well-oiled metric bike that happens to have a fat rear tire.
2019 SUZUKI M109R B.O.S.S. EDITION
Paint on the 2019 M109R is worlds ahead of the early days, with
integrated graphics and blacked-out motor and chassis parts.
