Any thoughts on this Suzuki LS650 Boulevard?

[arcane12]

Hi everyone,

I thought It might take me a bit longer to post one of these threads, but here I am. I just spotted this:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=522051776

Any opinions? (like I won't find those on a forum :innocent: )

I had a look, and a test ride (woo, my first run on a cruiser) and it seems good. There is a little rubbing from the Ventura pack rack and the swingarm (?), and, like the add says, a few little scrathes on the exaust from the low speed accident.

Boy it is loud. (good/bad) I am somewhat worried I won't be used to it in time for my restricted test next week, but they have offered to let me borrow the Scorpio if needed for that (gonna trade).

So, fire away!

[DR650gary]

I think they are a nice bike. We have had 2 as my wife is quite small (5'1"). We sold the last one as she started to find the riding position hurt her hip.

My wife is small and light and the bike took her everywhere at whatever speed she wanted to ride at.

I am well over 100 kgs and the bike managed to get me up over 160 kph (indicated), on a test track off course, so there is power available if needed for normal riding.

As a big single you do need to keep an eye on the oil level and they do respond quite well to carb exhaust mods if you are that way inclined.

I think it is an excellent bike for a newly licensed rider and I am sure you will enjoy it after the Scorpio.

The chrome can be a bit crappy if left wet frequently and Mr Suzuki thought it appropriate to loctite most screws and bolts in place because of the thumping single so be careful when undoing them as he also decided to use plastic steel so they are very easy to strip and/or break.

Cheers

[HenryDorsetCase]

they are cool once they're finished:

http://www.rycamotors.com/

[ducatilover]

Great entry level cruiser.
That one's far too expensive though, buy privately.

[arcane12]

Thanks guys for the feedback!

Getting it out for that test was great, and the pickup to open road speeds would have left the Scorpio in the dust. It's a bit more difficult to maneuver, especially around town, but they should hear me coming, so no escuses to not know I'm there!

I'm keen to maybe keep this long term, so some mods might be in order, though to keep it learner legal for the next 18mo anything that increases HP or decreases weight is off the books. And it will be the fear of invalidating the insurance, rather than the popo knowing it's been modded, that would keep me in line!

My decision to get it from a dealer (especially Honda Hamilton, I have heard good things about them) is to keep my butt covered as my personal knowledge of things is somewhat lacking. I can google how-to's all day, but putting that into real life experience is harder to do.

[F5 Dave]

. . .

So, fire away!

ok, they are a cheaply made bike with the handling spoiled by the riding position & ridiculous fork angle. I can't imagine that you would want one over the Scorpio, at least from a handling point of view.