Suzuki 2013 - Motorcycle Consumer News

New Bikes
Suzuki 2013
BRIAN J. NELSON
C90T B.O.S.S. heads a reorganized 2013 lineup
C90T B.O.S.S.
by Scott Rousseau
S
UZUKI ISN’T DEAD. Despite slumping sales and excess inven-
tory that saw its 2010 model lineup reduced to just 10 models in the trough of the US economic collapse, the brand is now
looking healthier than it has in recent years, although not without
help from US bankruptcy courts. Listing debts totaling $346 million, American Suzuki Corporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
protection on November 5, 2012, and announced plans to discontinue its automobile business in the US. However, plans to reinvigorate its motorcycle, ATV and marine divisions immediately met
with a welcome response in Japan and America: News of its reorganization actually increased its stock value on the Tokyo Stock
Exchange, and the motions it filed in US Bankruptcy Court to help
its remaining business were all granted. Suzuki has since wasted no
time in introducing five new models for 2013.
Topping the list of the new models is Suzuki’s Boulevard C90T
B.O.S.S. cruiser/bagger. With an MSRP of $13,995, it slots into a
gap between Suzuki’s monstrous Boulevard M109 (1800cc) and
mid-sized Boulevard C50 (800cc) models, where Suzuki hopes to
regain market share in the under-1500cc, under $15,000 cruiser
class, home to the Honda Interstate and the V Star 1300 Tourer.
Suzuki invited us to its 2013 dealer show at the Rio Hotel & Casino
in Las Vegas for a ride out to the picturesque Valley of Fire State
Park so that we could sample the B.O.S.S. for ourselves.
C90T B.O.S.S., $13,999
B.O.S.S. stands for “Blacked Out Special Suzuki,” but it is based
on the M90 platform and thus shares the M90’s engine, a unique
intake system that features two air cleaners feeding a single airbox
for twin 42mm Mikuni throttle bodies; the cooling system; the final
drive and many of the chassis components.
Heart and soul are provided by a 54°, liquid-cooled, SOHC, Vtwin displacing 90 cubic inches (1462cc), with an undersquare 96 x
101mm bore and stroke and a 9.5:1 compression ratio that tolerates 87octane unleaded gasoline. Its claimed peak of 96.6 lb.-ft. of torque @
2600 rpm and max output of 77.8 hp @ 4800 rpm, come courtesy of
dual-plug, four-valve heads and drag reduction efforts that include aluminum-alloy cylinders plated with Suzuki’s Composite Electrochemical Material (SCEM), a hard, slick nickel-phosphorous-silicon carbide
material. Chrome-nitride coating on each piston’s upper compression ring and oil control ring further reduce frictional power loss.
28
JANUARY 2013
●
MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS
Fire up the B.O.S.S. and you’re greeted with a hearty rumble
from its blacked-out, slash-cut dual pipes. Throttle response through
its 32-bit ECU-controlled fuel-injection system is crisp and instantaneous, thanks to Suzuki’s Dual Throttle Valve System (SDTV),
which features dual butterflies in each throttle body. The upper
body is attached to the throttle cable, while the lower butterfly is
managed by the ECU based on rpm, load and throttle position to
instantly deliver the proper air/fuel mix.
The B.O.S.S.’s five-speed transmission is fed power through a
multi-plate clutch featuring Suzuki’s Clutch Assist System (SCAS),
a centrifugal-assist design that creates stronger lock-up under power
without the need for heavy clutch springs, easing lever pressure at
the handlebar. The SCAS also limits back-torque through the clutch
for smoother deceleration when the throttle is chopped.
The B.O.S.S.’s V-twin is one tough customer, with brisk acceleration and ample passing power at the twist of a wrist, silky clutch
action and a smooth-and-easy shift quality. That power is welcome,
as the B.O.S.S.’s 800-lb. claimed curb weight is 88 lbs. heavier
than the Interstate or the V Star 1300 Tourer.
Thankfully, it doesn’t feel that heavy. A steel-tube chassis places
the motor weight low and, combined with excellent weight distribution, it has a low CofG that makes for relatively nimble handling
despite its 65.9" wheelbase and the meaty 200mm wide Bridgestone Excedra radial covering its seven-spoke, cast-aluminum rear
wheel. Good front end feedback makes the B.O.S.S. willing to
swap directions almost as quickly as you can turn its wide, blackedout handlebar, yet it remains stable as a rock at highway speeds.
Concerns? Yes. Despite all of Suzuki’s marketing hype about the
B.O.S.S.’s in-house-designed windscreen, helmet buffeting is a
real issue, and the screen isn’t adjustable, nor is it quickly detachable. Also, while the B.O.S.S.’s 5.1" travel, 45mm KYB male slider
fork does a good job tackling road wrinkles, its single KYB rear
shock is grossly oversprung. Suzuki claims 4.3" of rear travel, but
it feels like half that, delivering sharp jolts to the rider’s backside
on all but the smoothest paved surfaces. Neither end offers any
adjustability, so you’ll just have to live with it.
On the plus side, the B.O.S.S.’s ergonomics are conducive to
long rides. Its saddle is flat, roomy and comfortable, as are its standard-issue floorboards. Taller riders may have a slight issue with
how its 4.8-gal. fuel tank splays their legs into the wind, and shorter
riders might wish for more sweep than the stock handlebar affords,
but overall, the B.O.S.S.’s ergos will fit a wide range of riders.
The B.O.S.S.’s fuel tank-mounted instrumentation is easy to read
with a large-faced analog speedometer, a convenient gear-position
indicator, an LCD fuel gauge, a clock, odometer and dual trip
meters, along with a complement of indicator lights. Long-distance
riders will likely appreciate the B.O.S.S.’s lockable hard bags. Constructed of ABS plastic and covered with a leather-like material,
they aren’t quickly detachable, but they do offer a fair amount of
volume and load capacity (right: 24.5L; left: 26L, rated at 10 lbs.
per bag), and Suzuki engineers shaped them so they don’t interfere
with the passenger’s feet.
The C90T B.O.S.S. is definitely worth a look if you’re in the
market for a metric bagger, and if you’d prefer a little more color
in your ride, Suzuki also offers the C90T in two dazzling combos:
Candy Sonoma Red/Glass Sparkle Black and Solid Special White
No.2/Solid Iron Gray. Prices for both have not been set.
GW250
Suzuki’s own research indicates that the entry-level segment
experienced a 10% increase in 2012 for a total of 33,000 units.
Suzuki’s bargain retro single, the TU250X, accounted for 1200
of them, or roughly 4% of the market in a segment where
Honda’s CBR250R and Kawasaki’s Ninja 250R (and now 300)
But there are more changes than meet the eye, as mechansportbikes claim a full 69% of
ical upgrades shave 4 lbs. from the Burgman’s 613-lb.
the market between them. The
weight and increase its fuel mileage. Mechanical drag
TU250X returns for 2013, but
in its liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 638cc parallel twin
Suzuki is also stepping up its
has been reduced through the use of lighter valve
entry-level game with its new
springs, lower friction oil rings, reduced oil pump
GW250 naked sporting standard,
pressure and removal of the balancer scissor gears.
a machine that borrows some of
Suzuki claims that these changes make the engine
its styling cues from the discontin15% more fuel efficient.
ued Hayabusa-based B-King naked
GW250
Suzuki engineers also updated the Burgman’s
bike. The GW was introduced to the
Suzuki Electronically-controlled Continuously Variable
Japanese market in 2012, and it’s also slated to be one of
Transmission (SECVT) by switching to new friction materials and
Suzuki’s flagship models in the emerging Chinese market.
The GW’s liquid-cooled, SOHC, parallel twin uses a 180° firing a new shape for the clutch plates for a claimed 35% reduction in
order and an 11.5:1 compression ratio. It’s a long-stroke engine drag. Other changes include a new bulb spring and low-torque bear(53.5mm x 55.2mm) tuned for low-mid rpm performance. Fuel injec- ings in the transmission for even less friction loss through the drition is standard, with twin Mikuni 26mm throttle bodies feeding the vetrain. Lastly, the SECVT’s shiftpoints were changed to enhance
mixture while Suzuki’s Pulsed Air Injection system (PAIR) helps the engine’s torque feel and give it a more user-friendly character.
Other revisions for the Burgman include removal of the subframe
control emissions by routing fresh air from the airbox through a solenoid valve and a reed valve into the exhaust ports to reduce unburned under the seat and a change to floating rotors on its dual front disc
brakes for better performance and less brake
hydrocarbons. An O2 sensor-equipped, catalyzed exhaust chamber
squeal. The Burgman’s ABS has also been
downstream of the GW’s headers makes the GW
improved, primarily to shave weight from the
even more EPA friendly. The GW’s estimated 26
system; it’s now 55% lighter than the previhp is transferred to the rear wheel through a sixous model. MSRP has not yet been set.
speed transmission.
Suzuki claims that the GW’s semi doublecradle steel chassis offers a good comproSportbikes
mise between sporting and commuter use. Its
Since 1985, 1 million Suzuki sportbikes
56.3" wheelbase, 26° rake and 4.13" of trail
bearing the hallowed GSX-R model desare longer and more relaxed than the more
ignation have been sold in Suzuki dealersporting-bred CBR and Ninja models, and if
ships worldwide—371,000 of them in the
its claimed curb weight of 401 lbs. is accurate,
US alone. To celebrate the milestone,
GSX-R1000ZL3
it’s also a lot heavier than either of them. A nonadSuzuki is rolling out the 1 Million Comjustable 37mm KYB conventional telescopic fork handles front susmemorative Edition GSX-R1000ZL3.
pension chores, but the GW’s KYB shock absorber, mounted to a
Mechanically unchanged from the standard 2013 GSX-R1000, the
linkageless swingarm, does offer seven-step preload adjustability. Commemorative Edition should be easily recognizable thanks to
The GW’s seat height is listed as a modest 30.7". No modern entry- numerous cosmetic changes, including special graphics on the bodylevel motorcycle should be without disc brakes, and the GW250 work and special pinstriping on the wheels, as well as a special plate
has them at both ends, with a single 290mm disc squeezed by a two- on the triple clamp to indicate the serial number of the 1985 availpiston caliper up front and a 240mm disc out back.
able GSX-R 1 Million Commemorative Edition models. Additional
The GW’s headlight fairing shrouds a modern-looking instrument color enhancements include red-anodized front fork caps, gold-colcluster that includes an analog tachometer and a gear position indiored fork tubes, a red-colored shock spring and black-colored
cator. MSRP has not been set.
Brembo calipers with the “Brembo” name highlighted in
Burgman
red. The Commemorative Edition will also come stan650 ABS
dard with a rear seat cowl, and the owner will receive
Burgman 650 ABS
a special key fob to match the bike. MSRP has been
Suzuki’s Burgman 650 scooter has
set at $13,999, just $200 more than the standard
been a strong seller for the company
model, so if you’re interested, you’d better contact
since 2002, developing a tremendous
your Suzuki dealer soon. Although 1000 of the
following among scooter aficionados
1985 serialized units are slated for sale in the US,
in Europe and the US. For 2013, a
we expect them to disappear quickly.
redesigned Burgman 650 ABS (forSuzuki’s Hayabusa continues to outpace
merly known as the Burgman ExecuKawasaki’s ZX-14R in the showroom if not in outtive) incorporates key updates sought
right performance, and for 2013 the Hayabusa returns with a sigby its fanatical owners.
New body panels are the most obvious change, and they give the nificant brake upgrade in the form of standard anti-lock brakes and
Burgman a slimmer, less truck-like appearance, especially in the radially mounted, four-piston Brembo Monobloc front brake
rear, where its more streamlined tail section enhances looks at the calipers. The new brakes feature larger piston diameters, 32mm/32mm
expense of 6 liters of storage. Suzuki personnel claim that the compared to the 32mm/30mm piston configuration of the previous
Burgman’s generous, 50-liter under-seat storage area can still eas- brakes, to increase initial bite and improve feel. Suzuki will be offerily handle two full-face helmets, however. Up front, a completely ing the Hayabusa in White or Metallic Gray for $14,399. A Limnew instrument cluster upgrades the Burgman’s sportier looks by ited Edition model is available in Yellow for $14,599.
incorporating an analog speedometer and tachometer, and it now
includes a maintenance interval indicator, a fuel economy meter and Final Thoughts
an Eco lamp, similar to Kawasaki’s Eco Mode indicator, illuminatThe year 2013 will mark Suzuki’s 50th year of selling motorcying whenever the rider is operating the vehicle in a manner that cles in the US, and its current product line should be solid enough
conserves the most fuel.
to keep it around for quite a few more.
Visit us at WWW.MCNEWS.COM
●
JANUARY 2013
29