'08 Boulevard 400? What the heck?

T

tarantulaqueen

New member
Have any of you seen these or heard of these:

2008 Suzuki Boulevard 400 specifications and pictures

27582_0_1_2_boulevard%20400_Image%20credits%20-%20Suzuki.jpg


Model: Suzuki Boulevard 400
Year: 2008
Displacement: 399.00 ccm (24.35 cubic inches)
Power: 32.18 HP (23.5 kW)) @ 8000 RPM
Torque: 33.00 Nm (3.4 kgf-m or 24.3 ft.lbs) @ 6000 RPM
Fuel system: Carburettor. BDSR29
Cooling system: Liquid
Gearbox: 5-speed
Dry weight: 529.1 pounds
Seat height: 27.6 inches
Wheelbase: 65.2 inches
Front brakes: Single disc
Rear brakes: Single disc

According to the specs, it's a M50 with a 400 motor and rear disc brake.
 
In all the pics (1 actually) that I can find of this so-called 400 does not clearly show the rear disc brake. I can't see it. If you told me it has a rear drum brake I'd believe you.
 
The site is in error- the bike does not have a rear disk.
Europe and Asia have always gotten lots of small versions of the bikes we get here in North America. We got the Intruder 800, they got it in 600 and 400 cc versions. We got the Volucia 800, they got a 400cc version. Now they have a 400cc version of the M50. These are intended for areas where 400ccs is considered a big bike, and areas like Japan where you are not allowed to own a bike over 400ccs until you have held a motorcycle license for several years.
You'll never see it in the US for the same reason you never saw the 400cc versions of the C50 or S50: they are simply too small and underpowered to appeal to buyers over here. Like Wildwolf says- same bike, half the engine.
 
I think in some places in Europe their motorcycle licensing is done is steps with on of the step being a bike with max of 32 hp. So it's clearly targeted for them.
 
Prior to gas @ $4.25 a gallon, I would have agreed. But now, I think it would sell, especially if they can get the dry weight below 500lbs. 2-1 exhaust, other little tricks.
 
I don't see it selling here at all. An M50 with half the motor is not significantly cheaper to build, so the 400cc version simply does not compete in price as well as falling well short of what US buyers expect for performance. Comparing it to the price for other models sold in Asia, it works out to about $6000 for MSRP here in the US. Who would pay that for a 400cc? For a few hundred bucks more you could have the full-sized 800cc version- twice the engine for less than 10% more money. Or for thousands less you could have a small motorcycle or scooter, which would be much lighter and easier to ride for the type of first-time rider attracted to a small displacement machine. And it only gets about 60 miles per gallon- the full sized version gets about 50.
And the 800 cc M50 is already a big disappointment, lacking the power to back up its muscle bike looks. So how pathetic would it be if you took away half the displacement? Who would want a muscle cruiser that can't out run a Yugo?
Nope, a 'half motored' M50 would not appeal to US buyers any more than the 400 cc Volusia or Intruder did. Small bikes need to be small, cheap, and easy to ride, not underpowered versions of full sized machines. This bike is as heavy, hard to learn on, and expensive as a full sized machine, but without the power that makes us want a full sized machine. It'll stay over there, just like the 400cc versions of the Volusia and Intruder.
 
Back
Top