The 2005 Suzuki S50 Boulevard VS800 I bought new is the best motorcycle over all I have ever owned. There have been quite a few, the S50 is the 20th. I started in 1964 with a new BSA 650 Lightining, when BSAs, Triumphs and Nortons were the super bikes. The S50 does not corner as well as the British bikes I have owned but it is much more reliable. It accelerates harder and is much smoother. My first encounter with a drive shaft bike was a new 1978 Yamaha XS750. The Suzuki S50 does not seem to have the drive shaft torque under hard acceleration the XS750 had. I have almost 5,000 miles on it now and it has required NO maintenance. I can not claim that about the 2 BSAs, the Triumph, the CB450, the XS650 or the SX750 and others I have owned. It cruises comfortably at 70 to 75 mph riding two up getting an honest 50 mpg with a windshield. I did buy an after market gel seat to replace the firm factory seat. My 60 year old rear end goes numb more easily than it did when I was a kid, or maybe I notice it more. It has not leaked a drop of oil in 5K miles. The front disc brake shuts it down more quickly than any other bike I have owned, I do wish the rear drum brake was a disc brake simply because it is easier to change brake pads than brake shoes.
Guide created: 05/19/06 (updated 08/07/09)

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