For 2010, the smallest member of the successful Suzuki M cruiser family gets a facelift clearly inspired by its larger mean brothers, the M90 and M109R, while preserving some of its original uniqueness. Sleek and striking, the new M50 hides its smaller drive train nicely under a combination of burnt orange metallic paint and chrome bits, to the point that it takes a keen eye to differentiate this 800cc cruiser from the 1800 and 1500cc ass kickers.

The M50 sure looks the part of a big, bad cruiser, and is in fact pretty quick for such a small machine. (Photo: Philippe Champoux/Moto123.com)

The low-rise handlebars mounted on brushed aluminum pull-back risers, 41-mm inverted front fork, wide front (130 mm) and rear (170 mm) tires, and an imposing saddle also establish a strong connection between the 2010 Suzuki Boulevard M50 and its larger siblings.

Notwithstanding a few flimsy-looking trim pieces, the M50 looks right, with excellent fit and finish and a flowing style, the result of well integrated and distinctive looking major components, such as the headlight, fuel tank, saddle and fenders. And for the added pleasure of true cruiser lovers, the thin black radiator almost goes unnoticed.

Strong engine and drivetrain
The best attribute of the M50 in my book is clearly the fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, 805-cc, 8-valve, 45-degree V-twin. To enhance performance, it features Suzuki’s Dual Throttle Valve System (SDTV), adding an electronically controlled second butterfly to optimize air velocity in the intake system for low rev torque and high rev power, as the case may be.

The familiar 5-speed tranny always feels solid and precise, with smart ratio spacing to keep the engine revving inside its sweet spot, while the clean and low-maintenance shaft drive does its job silently.

Solid chassis and effective suspension
The stiff frame keeps everything under control, even two-up on bumpy roads, with the VZ1600-derived inverted fork neutralizing those nasty hops and jolts that often plague entry-level cruisers. The single rear shock, despite the preload adjustment being hard to reach, provides decent comfort for both the rider and passenger.

The simple design reminds you of the elegant Victory engines, certainly more sot than some older and more complex designs from other cruiser manufacturers. And it goes like heck on top of that! (Photo: Philippe Champoux/Moto123.com)