The Japanese Invasion. May 2009

Completing the top ten Cruisers in 2008 in Australia were the Yamaha XVS650, Honda VT750C, and Suzuki VL800 and VZR1800. Hyosung and Kawasaki also have an impressive Cruiser range with the Kawasaki Vulcan another clever clone of the traditional American Cruiser.

With brash and generally unashamedly cloning of American models, the Japanese soon proved to be genuine competitors for Harley-Davidson. Low slung seat, dual exhausts and V-twin engines made the Japanese bike difficult to pick from their more traditional American and British competitors.

Suzuki has enjoyed great success with their 5 model range of Boulevard Cruisers. Headlined by the new Boulevard M90, it shares with other models sports technology, along with unique, cruiser styling. Suzuki's new middle-weight cruiser, the Boulevard M90 features leading power to weight and torque to weight ratios and reduced fuel consumption from its 90-cubic-inch, 1500cc, fuel-injected, V-Twin engine. Turning heads with its aggressive and muscular Cruiser styling, the Suzuki Boulevard M50 features world class engineering, including a 50-cubic-inch, fuel-injected, V-Twin engine.

The latest C109R Boulevard Cruiser is powered by a high performance 1,783cc, fuel injected, V-Twin engine and comes at a RRP of $18,490. The Suzuki Boulevard M90 has a RRP of $14,990 and the Boulevard M50 for $10,690. All models are backed by a two-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.