Suzuki Boulevard M50
Encyclopedia
The VZ800 M50 is a V-twin engine
cruiser
style motorcycle
based on the popular VL800 C50
manufactured by Suzuki Motor Corporation
. The VL800 C50 was originally named the VL800 Intruder Volusia, with the name later shortened to Volusia. Its styling is from the first generation VZ800 Marauder. The marketing name for the model was changed in 2005 when Suzuki added fuel injection to the model, with C standing for 'Classic' and the 50 being the displacement of the engine in cubic inches. Outside North America the M50 is sold as the VZ800 Intruder, in reference to its 800 Cubic centimetre engine, following the naming convention for other Suzuki cruisers in these markets.
The M50 (with the M standing for "muscle") was developed using the C50 frame and rear swingarm
, which is a softail type
with a hidden single shock absorber
, compared to the Marauder's traditional swingarm with two exposed shock absorbers. The M50 received different fenders
and fuel tank from the C50, a handlebar mounted speedometer
cluster, and inverted 41mm forks, to give it a more muscular appearance than the C50 semi-sister. The basic M50 engine was slightly modified, being painted black instead of the chrome found on the C50 engine. Internally, the engine received split crank bearings instead of the C50's one-piece bearings, as well as slightly modified valvetrain
components, which necessitated modifications to the cylinder
heads. Power output is identical to the C50 power plant, and both displace 805 cc. Both models share a 5 speed transmission
inside a shared crankcase
with the engine with wet clutch
, water cooling, a single front disk brake, and a rod operated rear drum brake
.
The M50 featured distinctive styling, with a unique rear fender, LED
taillight, black painted mag wheels, and aggressive stance. Several other minor differences differentiate the M50 from the C50, such as different design (but same size) front brake disks, a slightly firmer suspension
on the M50, and a different tool box/ faux air cleaner. The model was well received in the motorcycle press, with Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine giving it high marks for comfort and passenger carrying capacity. However, some critics lamented that the M50 did not have the power to back up its muscular looks. The model was not a top seller, and after 5 model years Suzuki did a complete makeover of the model.
For 2010, the M50 was given a major redesign. The M50 motor was discontinued, and the current model M50 now uses the same motor as the C50, consolidating production and simplifying parts sourcing. The sheet metal was changed, eliminating the distinctive rear fender found on the 2005-09 M50 in favor of a fender similar to the one found on other cruiser models. A small cowling
was added around the headlight, giving the M50 a family resemblance to the other Suzuki ‘M” cruisers, the M90 and M109r. Sales numbers for the redesigned M50 are unavailable, as Suzuki chose not to ship any 2010 models to North America due to the large supply of leftover 2009s in dealer inventory.
V-twin
A V-twin engine is a two-cylinder internal combustion engine where the cylinders are arranged in a V configuration.- Crankshaft configuration :Most V-twin engines have a single crankpin, which is shared by both connecting rods...
cruiser
Cruiser (motorcycle)
Cruiser is the term for motorcycles that mimic the design style of American machines from the 1930s to the early 1960s, including those made by Harley-Davidson, Indian, Excelsior and Henderson. The market for models evocative of the early cruisers has grown to embrace 60 percent of the U.S...
style motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
based on the popular VL800 C50
Suzuki Boulevard C50
The Suzuki Boulevard C50 motorcycle is manufactured by Suzuki Motor Corporation from the year 2005 to the present. Prior to 2005, this bike model was named the Volusia where it was unveiled at the 2001 Daytona Bike Week. In 2005, Suzuki re-branded it as the Suzuki Boulevard C50...
manufactured by Suzuki Motor Corporation
Suzuki
is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
. The VL800 C50 was originally named the VL800 Intruder Volusia, with the name later shortened to Volusia. Its styling is from the first generation VZ800 Marauder. The marketing name for the model was changed in 2005 when Suzuki added fuel injection to the model, with C standing for 'Classic' and the 50 being the displacement of the engine in cubic inches. Outside North America the M50 is sold as the VZ800 Intruder, in reference to its 800 Cubic centimetre engine, following the naming convention for other Suzuki cruisers in these markets.
The M50 (with the M standing for "muscle") was developed using the C50 frame and rear swingarm
Swingarm
A swingarm, or "swinging arm" is the main component of the rear suspension of most modern motorcycles and ATVs...
, which is a softail type
Softail
The term softail refers to motorcycles and bicycles that feature a rear suspension system with springs or shock absorbers to absorb bumps. On Softail motorcycles, the shock absorbers or springs are often hidden underneath out of view to give the appearance of a hard-tail or rigid frame, however...
with a hidden single shock absorber
Shock absorber
A shock absorber is a mechanical device designed to smooth out or damp shock impulse, and dissipate kinetic energy. It is a type of dashpot.-Nomenclature:...
, compared to the Marauder's traditional swingarm with two exposed shock absorbers. The M50 received different fenders
Fender (vehicle)
Fender is the US English term for the part of an automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle body that frames a wheel well . Its primary purpose is to prevent sand, mud, rocks, liquids, and other road spray from being thrown into the air by the rotating tire. Fenders are typically rigid and can be...
and fuel tank from the C50, a handlebar mounted speedometer
Speedometer
A speedometer is a gauge that measures and displays the instantaneous speed of a land vehicle. Now universally fitted to motor vehicles, they started to be available as options in the 1900s, and as standard equipment from about 1910 onwards. Speedometers for other vehicles have specific names...
cluster, and inverted 41mm forks, to give it a more muscular appearance than the C50 semi-sister. The basic M50 engine was slightly modified, being painted black instead of the chrome found on the C50 engine. Internally, the engine received split crank bearings instead of the C50's one-piece bearings, as well as slightly modified valvetrain
Valvetrain
Valvetrain is an all-encompassing term used to describe the mechanisms and parts which control the operation of the valves. A traditional reciprocating internal combustion engine uses valves to control air and fuel flow into and out of the cylinders, facilitating combustion.-Layout:Valvetrain: The...
components, which necessitated modifications to the cylinder
Cylinder (engine)
A cylinder is the central working part of a reciprocating engine or pump, the space in which a piston travels. Multiple cylinders are commonly arranged side by side in a bank, or engine block, which is typically cast from aluminum or cast iron before receiving precision machine work...
heads. Power output is identical to the C50 power plant, and both displace 805 cc. Both models share a 5 speed transmission
Transmission (mechanics)
A machine consists of a power source and a power transmission system, which provides controlled application of the power. Merriam-Webster defines transmission as: an assembly of parts including the speed-changing gears and the propeller shaft by which the power is transmitted from an engine to a...
inside a shared crankcase
Crankcase
In an internal combustion engine of the reciprocating type, the crankcase is the housing for the crankshaft. The enclosure forms the largest cavity in the engine and is located below the cylinder, which in a multicylinder engine are usually integrated into one or several cylinder blocks...
with the engine with wet clutch
Clutch
A clutch is a mechanical device which provides for the transmission of power from one component to another...
, water cooling, a single front disk brake, and a rod operated rear drum brake
Drum brake
A drum brake is a brake in which the friction is caused by a set of shoes or pads that press against a rotating drum-shaped part called a brake drum....
.
The M50 featured distinctive styling, with a unique rear fender, LED
LEd
LEd is a TeX/LaTeX editing software working under Microsoft Windows. It is a freeware product....
taillight, black painted mag wheels, and aggressive stance. Several other minor differences differentiate the M50 from the C50, such as different design (but same size) front brake disks, a slightly firmer suspension
Suspension
Suspension may refer to:In science and engineering:*Suspension , in mathematics*Suspension , in mathematics*Suspension , mixture of two chemicals with the property that one does not rapidly settle out...
on the M50, and a different tool box/ faux air cleaner. The model was well received in the motorcycle press, with Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine giving it high marks for comfort and passenger carrying capacity. However, some critics lamented that the M50 did not have the power to back up its muscular looks. The model was not a top seller, and after 5 model years Suzuki did a complete makeover of the model.
For 2010, the M50 was given a major redesign. The M50 motor was discontinued, and the current model M50 now uses the same motor as the C50, consolidating production and simplifying parts sourcing. The sheet metal was changed, eliminating the distinctive rear fender found on the 2005-09 M50 in favor of a fender similar to the one found on other cruiser models. A small cowling
Cowling
A cowling is the covering of a vehicle's engine, most often found on automobiles and aircraft.A cowling may be used:* for drag reduction* for engine cooling by directing airflow* as an air intake for jet engines* for decorative purposes...
was added around the headlight, giving the M50 a family resemblance to the other Suzuki ‘M” cruisers, the M90 and M109r. Sales numbers for the redesigned M50 are unavailable, as Suzuki chose not to ship any 2010 models to North America due to the large supply of leftover 2009s in dealer inventory.