2006 Suzuki Boulevard C90T (VL1500 Intruder) – Genuine US Touring Model – 29,319 Miles – £4,995

A Proper American-Market Suzuki Cruiser – and One We Know Very Well

We are very pleased to offer this superb 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C90T, a genuine American-market touring cruiser powered by Suzuki’s enormous 1462cc V-twin engine.

Finished in a beautiful deep metallic gunmetal/graphite colour and sitting on classic whitewall tyres, this is an imposing old-school cruiser with all the proportions you want from a big American-style V-twin: long, low, wide and wonderfully over-engineered.

It has covered 29,319 miles, presents extremely well for a motorcycle now approaching 20 years old and, importantly, this isn’t a bike that has simply appeared at our door with an unknown background.

We originally imported this C90T from the USA ourselves several years ago. We subsequently sold it here in the UK and have now taken it back in part exchange, so this is a motorcycle with which we already have a history.

Since arriving back with us, we have gone through the bike again and treated it to something of a mini makeover, together with a useful amount of mechanical preparation.

The result is a very attractive, properly sorted big-capacity Suzuki cruiser that looks fantastic, rides with the relaxed character these bikes are famous for and offers an enormous amount of motorcycle for £4,995.

Where Did the Boulevard C90T Come From?

To understand what makes the C90T interesting, you first have to go back to Suzuki’s VL1500 Intruder LC.

Suzuki introduced the big Intruder LC during the late 1990s as its interpretation of a full-size American cruiser. Suzuki itself described the concept behind the Intruder LC as “majesty”: a low, long, substantial motorcycle built around a long-stroke 1462cc, 45-degree V-twin, with a five-speed gearbox and shaft final drive. Suzuki also gave the engine hydraulic valve-lash adjustment and surrounded the mechanical package with substantial steel fenders, generous amounts of metal and chrome and the unmistakably stretched cruiser silhouette.

It was a very different motorcycle from the middleweight Intruders of the period. The VL1500 was Suzuki taking on the heavyweight cruiser market properly.

When Suzuki reorganised its North American cruiser range under the Boulevard name in the mid-2000s, the big VL1500 evolved into the Boulevard C90. The “90” refers to its approximately 90-cubic-inch capacity, while the C90T was the touring-orientated version.

The family connection between the two is not simply a convenient comparison made years later: Suzuki’s own documentation from the period refers collectively to the VL1500 and C90/T Boulevard models, confirming the direct lineage between the Intruder 1500 and the Boulevard C90 generation.

So What Is the Difference Between a UK VL1500 and an American C90T?

This is where these American-market bikes become particularly interesting.

Although people often use VL1500 Intruder and C90 Boulevard interchangeably, a genuine C90T should not simply be thought of as a UK VL1500 with a screen bolted onto it.

The underlying DNA is very closely related: the same great big long-stroke Suzuki V-twin philosophy, five-speed transmission, low-slung chassis and low-maintenance shaft drive.

However, the Boulevard represented the later North American evolution of the concept, and this generation of C90 benefits from electronic fuel injection rather than the carburettor arrangement found on earlier versions of the VL1500. That gives easier starting, clean throttle response and makes a big cruiser like this particularly pleasant to live with.

Then there is the “T” specification.

The standard VL1500s most UK buyers will remember were essentially straightforward big cruisers. Owners would then add screens, luggage, backrests and touring accessories according to taste.

The C90T was conceived the other way round: it was the touring version from the outset.

That is why this bike has the characteristic C90T appearance with its large touring windshield, studded seats, Boulevard-branded leather touring saddlebags, passenger backrest, rear luggage rack, generous rider floorboards and classic whitewall tyres.

Put the two motorcycles side-by-side and the UK-market VL1500 tends to look like a big naked cruiser, whereas the C90T has much more of the appearance and practicality of an American interstate touring cruiser.

Add the genuine Boulevard tank and luggage badging and the MPH-led American instrumentation and it becomes very obvious that this isn’t the specification normally seen in a UK Suzuki showroom.

It is exactly the type of motorcycle American Cruiser UK was established to bring to this country.

The Engine – 1462cc of Old-School V-Twin Character

At the heart of the C90T is Suzuki’s huge 1462cc 45-degree V-twin.

This is not an engine that needs to be revved hard to make progress. Its entire personality is about long-stroke, low-down torque: open the throttle, let the big cylinders do the work and ride the wave of torque through the five-speed gearbox.

It is an exceptionally relaxing way to cover distance.

The shaft final drive is another major advantage on a motorcycle intended for touring. There is no chain to continually clean, adjust or lubricate, making the C90T an easy bike to own as well as an enjoyable one to ride.

Despite its substantial road presence, the low seat, broad bars and wide floorboards give the rider a wonderfully natural cruiser riding position. Once rolling, the weight disappears remarkably quickly and it becomes a very comfortable motorcycle for covering serious mileage.

Our Bike – Back Home and Given a Mini Makeover

As mentioned earlier, we know this particular motorcycle because we originally imported it from America ourselves several years ago.

Having recently taken it back in part exchange, we decided it deserved more than simply a wash and a fresh advert.

One of the engine side casings had started to suffer from the chrome peeling that can occur on older chromed components. Rather than trying to disguise one deteriorating cover or replacing a single piece and leaving everything else mismatched, we decided to do the job properly.

We removed all of the relevant side casings, stripped them and sent the complete set away to be professionally powder-coated in black.

The exhaust system had to be removed as part of that work, so while everything was apart we decided to send the exhaust away as well and have that powder-coated at the same time.

It has transformed the appearance of the bike.

Against the metallic gunmetal paint, whitewalls and remaining brightwork, the newly finished black engine casings and long twin exhausts give the motorcycle a much more purposeful, cohesive appearance. It still has all the character of a traditional C90T, but now carries a subtle blacked-out custom look that suits it exceptionally well.

And because the work was done as complete groups of components rather than touching in individual areas, the finish looks intentional rather than repaired.

Mechanical Preparation Since Returning to Us

We have also taken the opportunity to carry out a worthwhile amount of mechanical preparation rather than simply concentrating on cosmetics:

• Engine oil and oil filter changed
• Front brake fluid replaced
• Rear brake fluid replaced
• New headstock bearings fitted
• New rear brake disc fitted
• New front whitewall tyre fitted
• Engine side casings professionally powder-coated
• Twin exhaust system professionally powder-coated
• Cobra passenger/rear footboards fitted
• Bike checked over and prepared by us following its return in part exchange

The new headstock bearings in particular are worth mentioning on a large, heavy cruiser. Fresh bearings make a noticeable difference to the precision and feel of the front end at lower speeds, while the new rear disc and fresh brake fluid give further peace of mind.

Excellent Specification

The photographs tell a large part of the story with this bike because there is a lot of equipment on it.

It retains its impressive full-height clear touring screen, which offers useful protection on longer journeys, together with the classic studded rider and passenger seating.

The matching Boulevard-branded studded leather saddlebags are a fantastic feature. They provide genuine usable luggage space without spoiling the lines of the motorcycle and are an integral part of the American touring-cruiser appearance.

Behind the passenger is a substantial padded sissy bar/backrest, combined with a useful rear luggage rack for carrying additional touring gear.

The bike also has Cobra rear passenger floorboards, rather than conventional small pillion pegs. They are a particularly nice addition if you intend to ride two-up and complement the already generous front rider floorboards beautifully.

At the front there is a substantial chrome engine/crash bar, large chromed headlamp, chrome mirrors and the enormous deeply valanced front mudguard with its chrome trim.

The whitewall tyres are possibly the finishing touch visually. On a dark metallic cruiser they completely change the appearance of the motorcycle, emphasising the classic 1950s-inspired American styling and making the big cast wheels stand out.

And being shaft-driven, even the rear of the bike remains beautifully uncluttered, with the enclosed final-drive unit contributing to the clean, substantial look.

Condition

For a 2006 motorcycle showing 29,319 miles, we genuinely consider this bike to be in excellent overall condition.

The metallic paintwork still has a deep gloss and looks superb under the light. The tank presents particularly well and retains its distinctive genuine Boulevard emblem.

The wheels, mudguards, major brightwork and controls all present very nicely and, following the powder-coating work, the engine and exhaust area now has a particularly smart and purposeful appearance.

As with any motorcycle of this age, it would be unrealistic to describe it as brand new. There are minor signs of use if you go looking closely, and the leather saddlebags have acquired some light age-related patina and wear around their edges. In our opinion that is completely in keeping with a genuine touring cruiser of this age and mileage and certainly does not detract from the overall presentation.

We would always rather describe an older motorcycle honestly than pretend a nearly 20-year-old bike is flawless.

Taken as a complete machine, however, it presents extremely well.

A C90T That Has All the Right Presence

There are motorcycles that photograph smaller than they really are.

This is not one of them.

The C90T has enormous presence in the flesh. The broad fuel tank, deeply skirted mudguards, big whitewalls, tall windshield, full-sized leather luggage, long wheelbase and stretched twin exhausts give it the stance of a much more expensive American touring cruiser.

Then you climb aboard and get the benefits of Japanese engineering, fuel injection and shaft drive.

It is a very appealing combination.

For somebody considering a large Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki VN, Yamaha Road Star or Honda VTX but wanting something slightly different – and something you are unlikely to park next to at every bike meet – a genuine American-market C90T makes a huge amount of sense.

This particular example is even more attractive to us because we know where it came from, we imported it ourselves, we have sold it before and we have now had the opportunity to prepare it again.

2006 Suzuki Boulevard C90T – £4,995

Year: 2006
Model: Suzuki Boulevard C90T
UK Equivalent/Family: VL1500 Intruder
Engine: 1462cc 45-degree V-twin
Fuel System: Electronic fuel injection
Transmission: 5-speed
Final Drive: Shaft
Mileage: 29,319 miles
Colour: Metallic Gunmetal/Graphite
Market: Genuine US-market specification
UK Registration: HD55 XHF
Price: £4,995

At £4,995, we think this represents an enormous amount of motorcycle for the money.

It has the engine capacity, physical presence and comfort of a serious heavyweight cruiser, the useful touring equipment of the genuine C90T package, the rarity of being an American-market model and the reassurance of having recently received both cosmetic and mechanical attention from us.

Most importantly, this is one of those cruisers that still feels special when you open the garage door.

If you want a lightweight commuter, this probably isn’t the motorcycle for you.

If you want a huge, low-slung V-twin with whitewalls, leather luggage, a proper touring screen, acres of torque and enough presence to turn heads wherever it goes, this Suzuki Boulevard C90T deserves a very close look.

£4,995

Available now from American Cruiser UK, near Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Viewing is by appointment and nationwide delivery can be arranged. Give Roger or Adam a call to discuss the bike, arrange a viewing or reserve it.

A genuine piece of American-market Suzuki cruiser history – now refreshed, prepared and ready for its next owner.