Suzuki is staking a claim for the lead in the cruiser market in Australia with a LAMS Boulevard S40.
Current top seller is the Yamaha XVS650 which starts at $10,499 (plus on-road costs), but the little 652cc Boulevard S40 will arrive in January for just $7990.
The classic-styled cruisers will face off in the learner-approved cruiser sales war against the Harley-Davidson Street 500 which arrives a month later at a price yet to be announced but expected to be around $11,000.
The Boulevard S40 has been around in various guises since the 1980s and in 2005 it became the S40. However, it hasn’t been available in Australia until now. It will go on display at the MotoGP at Phillip Island this weekend and will hit our showrooms next year.
It gets its name from the 40 cubic inch, air-cooled, SOHC engine, just like the rest of the Boulevard range (50, 90 and 109). Taking the imperial measurement as the model name is designed to take people’s minds off the fact it is a “metric cruiser”.
The traditional styling with spoked wheels, raked forks, duck tail and plenty of chrome also gives customers the impression of a classic cruiser, a bit like a 1970s Harley Dyna.
The Boulevard S40 should prove a suitable bike for learners with its low seat height, five gears, low-maintenance and quiet belt drive, light 173kg weight, low centre of gravity, and manageable power and torque.
It arrives in a choice of Moon Stone Grey or Candy Red colour schemes and is backed by Suzuki’s two year, unlimited kilometre warranty.