Suzuki M109R

[Sheik Mohamed Bin-Rashid]

Have any of you guys had the opportunity to ride this magnificent steed?  I am seriously tempted to add it to my sport bike in my stable.
 
Your impressions please.

[MrVvrroomm]

I've had the opportunity to ride it twice.  It's a damn impressive machine.  If I was in the market for a cruiser, handsdown, it would be the M109R.  

You'll find yourself grinning everytime you whack the throttle open.  It feels like the pavement is wrinkling behind it.  With the vast amount of torque found in this huge, liquid-cooled, low-revving V-Twin, gear selection is not an issue.  The bike pulls hard and smooth in virtually any gear at any speed.

This dealer even let my 16 year old son give it a try.  His street riding experience consists of a 49cc & 150cc scooter, a Ninja 250, and my DRZ.  Needless to say, he was VERY impressed with the M109R.  He kept asking me how much they are.

If you get a chance to ride one, seize it.  You'll love it.

[RF900Flyer]

All I have is a Victory Sport Cruiser w/ a chip in it. 1507cc:cool: and the fast one.

[rodm850g]

Guys,
I waited for several hours at Daytona this year for a ride on one. It was worth the wait.....if you are a torque junkie.....the 109 will satiate! We did a 25 mile loop{roughly} with a few curves...what few there are in Daytona.....and it did well....that 240 on the rear is a lot of tyre. A high gear roll-on will snap ya head back. fourth gear was my fav for aroundd town use.....just slam some throttle to it and hang on......I did notice that from first to second one needed to be deliberate and throttle application didn't need to be wide open......but once the shift was made it was katie bar the door! Ride was somewhat stiff but who's complaining, about time Suzi made a bike that didn't have undersprung suspension.....well thats about all for me back to the side lines.....
 
                                                  Rodm850g

[sumo64c]

They have a "cruiser" version coming out....c109 as well.

[Dakota]

I can't wait to see the special edition version in blue and white stripes!!!:beerchug:

[DavidLSI]

[Farked Up]

How does it compare to the Yamaha Star line?

[MrVvrroomm]

How does it compare to the Yamaha Star line?

Yamaha has nothing in their line that even compares.

[Jeff N]

Just read a comparo in one of the Brit mags, TWO I believe. The Suzuki, the Nightrod, and a V-Star. If you're looking for a performance cruiser they said it was a tossup between the Suzuki and the Harley. The Suzuki has the suspension (forks and front brakes are GSXR-1000 derived) but lacked ground clearance and the 240 section tire made the steering kinda wonky. The Harley was fun, in their opinion, but lacked in the suspension department. I've also heard of some rather exhorbitant service prices for the Hog, something to do with having to drop the motor to get at the valves every 10K miles.
 
Oh, the V-Star? A completely different design brief. Comfortable and stylish, but definitely a bike for kicking back and cruising. Maybe they should have ridden the Warrior.

[rauchman]

As mentioned, I'd be curious to see how the Yammie Roadstar Warrior compares.  I'm sure the Suzuki is faster, but I have a feeling the Warrior handles better.

[forester]

I just don't get any of those bikes.  Sorry.  Nice bikes for bar-bar commutes I guess.

[cyeager]

The headlight looks so weird in pictures, does it look better in person?
 

[MrVvrroomm]

The headlight looks so weird in pictures, does it look better in person?

You don't have to worry about looking at it when you're riding it...it's 50 ft. away from you.  LOL

[Dakota]

You don't have to worry about looking at it when you're riding it...it's 50 ft. away from you. LOL

Mr Vroom, you have praised this bike...as a sportbike rider, do you think it could make you happy as an only bike??  I ask because this bike speaks to me....but i do love my ZZR1200.......

[MrVvrroomm]

do you think it could make you happy as an only bike??

Never.  
 
It's too heavy.  After being bitten by the supermoto bug anything over 300 lbs is too heavy.

[Dakota]

Never.
 
It's too heavy. After being bitten by the supermoto bug anything over 300 lbs is too heavy.

That's my thinking, too.....even though, as you know the ZZR is no lightweight, it is an awesome bike....I will just have to own both.

[Tejasbusa]

I was able to get my hands on one of these for a few days and I believe that if I was getting a cruiser type, this would be the one for me.  The brakes worked like they were supposed to, the bike moved properly when you twisted the right hand grip, maybe not as fast as Miss Busa, but way faster than any other cruiser I have driven.  The negative I found is that the hard parts start dragging when you get it in the twisties.  I was able to drive it around LA when I was out there for work and up in the mountains it dragged the pavement but on the freeways, very nice.  If I got one, it would be bagged out like the Harley Baggers, floor boards, bags, stereo, fairing, etc.

[jstark47]

No, it looks worse.    Add to that the ugly radiator, and it's a real brown bagger to me.  

In this market, I'd favor the Triumph Rocket III over all.

Just as ugly, in a different way.  My local dealership has Triumph and Suzuki franchises, the M109 and Rocket sit about 30 feet apart -- you can walk back and forth comparing all the ugliness.

The Rocket's radiator looks about the size of a billboard, and just about as aerodynamic.

[rauchman]

I was involved in a market research study group on this bike.  At the time, we didn't know who was making it, everyone thought Honda.  I remember seeing the specs on the engine and everyone in the group was salivating at piloting one of these beasts.  Anyway, I ride a Roadstar now and I would not be opposed to another cruiser....the right cruiser.  So far the Warrior and this bike would be the only contenders.  Suzuki did their homework though.  When picking the bike up off the stand, it feels a lot lighter than it's bulk would suggest.  Anyone know where a test ride can be had in northeast NJ?  Has anyone noticed the resemblance to a baluga whale when looking at one of these in white?

[Aero]

Motorcycle.com liked the performance but didn't like the overall quality of the bike.

quote:
Suzuki is definitely trying to be original and different, and we all heartily supported the ethos if not the execution. Although the bold, flowing lines "look good from ten paces", according to Gabe, (who also looks good at ten paces) closer inspection reveals "acres of flimsy plastic" according to Buzz, who dubbed the `Zook the "ugly V-Rod", with an "odd convulsion of shapes". The big seam on the bottom of the tank isn't too endearing, either, nor is the big, bulbous thing behind the headlight. It's not Madura-ugly, but it's not winning any beauty contests anytime soon, although Pete appreciated the styling, saying it "epitomizes muscle bike."

and...

"Riding back home from a nice two-lane road, the M109R takes good care of its rider. Wind protection is ample, vibration is a soothing thump at freeway speeds in top gear, and the seat coddles you. It's a great way to rack up miles, ready for any kind of road. So why did it finish a close third to the Harley and Kawi? You certainly can't fault its road manners, brakes or motor. You can live with the niggling FI issues, and the price is the lowest here. But the styling and attention to detail are more mid-priced than flagship cruiser, which changes this bike from an object of desire to just another collection of techno-wonders. If you want ultimate power, braking and handling the GSX-R1000 is the way to go, but a cruiser has to look as good as it goes. That's a tall order for something that goes as good as this, but it can be done. Just not this time."

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

My friend bought one last summer really nice machine. Rides nice and that back tire  

[mazzuca21366]

I just sold my 2006 109. I loved the bike! Had about 125 horse. Very comfortable and nice looking once you do some mods.