I bought a C90 a couple years ago. It's been a great first bike and low maintenance. A few upgrades from GMan and it's a solid ride. It gets a lot of compliments and offers 90% of the fun and performance of a Harley or Indian for a 10th of the cost. I'm 6'5" 220lbs, and it fits me and the wife (5'10" 125 lbs) very well.
That was your first bike ever? Do you recommend it as a first bike? I'm considering it tbh as a first bike. 2005 with 10k miles on it. What would you pay for that in 2023?
@@AD.H. It was. Honestly, it's probably a little large and heavy for most riders to be a 1st bike. I probably could have shortened my learning curve by starting with a smaller, lighter bike, but it is what it is. I paid $3700 for my 2008 C90T in 2018 (it had 16K miles on it and some mods). Given the current economy, lord1999ful is probably correct that $3500 should probably be the upper limit for a low-mileage, well-maintained example.
I am the original owner of an 05 C90T with over 100,000 miles. The only thing I would like to clarify is that as of 2013, the NEW C90 was a total different animal from the 98 thru 09 and is water cooled. Thanks for a great review.
But you must add more about ur experience with it. I'm scouring all I can know. Considering an 07 with 35k miles on it. It will be my first and I am 5'10"
I bought my C90T new in 2007. At 6 ft 4 inches and 265 lbs it fits me well (as you indicated in your review). The original seat was uncomfortable for long rides (surprising for what is supposedly a touring bike), but I replaced it with a Saddleman seat with back rest and replaced the bars with Harley Heritage bars.... much better! One thing you did not mention is that the "gas tank" is actually the box for the air filter. The actual tank is under the seat, which lowers the center of gravity and makes this bike exceptionally stable (more stable in fact than other large bikes I have ridden). I don't ride on the interstate very often, but when I do wind and semis are never a problem. The tank at 3.7 gallons is rather small for a large bike, so it is a bit lacking in range. The only time she has failed me was in September of 2019 when my wife and I were heading back to our campsite after completing the Tail of the Dragon in Tennessee/NC. Electrical failure, so I did what is called "mod 3" on the wiring and replaced the stator and regulator/rectifier while I had it apart. No problems since. In the 17 years I have had her I have never considered "trading up" to something else. She has been reliable and I have been completely satisfied.
@@toddbarkalow905the same, excepted mine is a 2007, buy brand new, stator replaced in 2020, and no other problem. Due to the speed limits, the power is enough for me... i love my bike...
I picked up an 03 yesterday first time in 15 years I rode😅 after the first 15 minutes it was like riding a bicycle all over again definitely enjoyed my 45-minute ride home can't believe it only had 15k on the odometer.
I am 5'-6" and road these for over ten years. My wife and I have done cross country from Maine, to Colorado, and South Dakota. Had the carburetor model, and fuel injection of 2008. I recently bought my first Harley 2012 Street Bob. I would love to have my old Suzuki Boulevard back. The ride on the expressway long trip is beautiful.
2004 model Suzuki vl1500 almayi dusunuyorum fakat bu motor hakkinda pek iyi seyler duymadim sizin oneriniz nedir Sizce almaya degermi cevaplarsaniz cok sevinirim
Very comfortable bike for older guys too I’ve had an R1 zx750 Honda 959 rr and a Yamaha Fjr which I still ride but getting on the VL 1500 just feels so comfy on hot ass day sometimes with a helmet and without it just all out a nice cruiser like Jeff said in his comment if your looking to go fast park the C90 and jump on your sporty bike 🏍
Thank you for your review...very enjoyable. I've owned my 2006 C90T since new and I will confirm everything you said to be true. I have well over 100,000 miles on this bike and have replaced the stator / regulator package twice. Other than that I find this bike to be bomb proof. Lots of fun to ride and plenty of power for my needs (riding style). I particularly love the seat height and the weight compared to my HD Electra Glide makes it so much easier to move around. Overall for its price point it was/is one of my better investments and I would recommend this bike to anyone wanting to hit the back roads for a relaxing ride in the country. I also use it to commute to work and cruise the highway at 80-85 mph and still have reserve power to avoid any problems that tend to arise. Godspeed!
Old thread ik but honestly from someone who is looking into a C90, obviously SPEED isn't what the Cruiser is for, but I started riding on a clapped out 07 Vstar650 and I want a bigger cruiser because I need the brute acceleration where I ride. I live in a Idaho, and in the mountains on a Weekend trip, getting stuck behind a 34ft RV towing a Jeep doing 35 through corners marked 50 and still hitting the dirt on the side is an absolute nightmare and I can't safely pass them basically anywhere because it takes 3 gears and an open lane to get ahead of them. I need the umph to ride safely, and that umph also correlates into a bike that can do 130mph. I have no cause to do 130, but with a bike that can do a 35-70 pull in a timely fashion(2nd gear only preferably) and then brake before I have to drag pegs for the next corner also, it comes with the territory.
Ride & owned a VL1500 since 98 , practically lived on her . This review is pretty legit brother 👍. Well done !! Only thing that has ever left me stranded is the battery (it's too small) & the rectifier as mentioned once. Other than that , an absolute comfort machine and workhorse on the road . Like all bikes they have their idiosyncrasies ...but...of all bikes , she's the chosen sled for my wingspan. Anyone over 6ft should handle them pretty well but I've seen both men & women under 5ft6 riding the big tanks fine😉🤟🇦🇺🍻 Cheers mate
I’m not quite 5’9” and my first cruiser (and current bike) is a 2013 C90T. It’s certainly the biggest bike I’ve owned but I’m really enjoying it. Good info to look out for. Thanks!
As the owner of an 07 new I can say you’re bang on. The only thing missed is a minor deal too. The shifter bushing is not the best design and can cause a shift hang up, typically downshifting out of 3rd. But it can be upgraded for a couple bucks from G Man industries.
My 05 will, once in a blue moon..if I'm clunky with the shift , find a place between gears....not a problem if you're mechanically inclined. I feel those gears and can upshift without the clutch if need be. My first Intruder 2000 Model..had a weird "Jump" in the take off if you gassed it too much. The 2005 doesn't have that.
98 VL1500 since 2001, Australia. Stator yes. Rear indicator rubbers frequently split. Cranking issue - sorted with decompession mech system maint. Vacuum tube on manifold sensor (?) hardens/leaks gives jerky ride when maintaining any speed, easy fix. Steering head bearing. Still have the bike and love it.
As a big guy I admit it's a much better fit than most , over the years I've had C50,C90T and C109RT 06 and 08 respectively. The 109 was a beast and the wife and I went everywhere with it till I sold it in 2011. I am now back on a 06 C90 and find it fits just right, little underpowered as you stated but I'm not out to set any land-speed records. Your post nailed it!
I rescued and restored a 1998 VL1500LC and it's beautiful...I love that bike.....at 46,000 miles the engine internals and clutch packs looked brand new.... excellent build quality, very comfortable, fits me like a glove (6'3"/280lbs). I have exhaust, intake and a carb jet kit and it's plenty fast for what it is(I have a ZX6R 636 for when I want to fly low)...this cruiser sounds great and looks amazing...mine is powder coated white, black seat(single) with whitewall tires and polished wheels.
2004 model Suzuki vl1500 almayi dusunuyorum fakat bu motor hakkinda pek iyi seyler duymadim sizin oneriniz nedir Sizce almaya degermi cevaplarsaniz cok sevinirim
Had one for 6 years, zero problems. I’m 5-11 and it’s roomy for me and comfortable up to a 3 hour ride. After that I feel like it may be a bit too roomy for my frame. Really like the bike for back road cruising with my wife. I can’t believe they are so cheap, I also can’t believe anyone would pay 2 or 3 time more for a Harley.
I have a 2005 C90T purchased new and have owned Harleys for 50+ years. There is no comparison between the two. The twin cams are very reliable, very nimble and can be comfortably ridden for hundreds of miles. My 2010 FXSTC has been super reliable. I would not classify the Suzuki as especially reliable since it has a few design quirks and fixing them yourself is not usually an option. I paid $10k for the Suzuki and it is currently worth ~ $3,500. I like the C90 but you have to be willing to accept that it has some fairly serious design problems. My Harley, on the other hand, just runs and runs and runs.
@@franksaxton3583 Yeah, resale value is horrible, Im kind happy about that since I got mine for CHEAP! Also picked up a Clymers manual after I bought it. Feel pretty confident I can address any issues that come up! And I've already saved probably 2000$ with changing and balancing tires, new stator/ rectifier, plugs and regular service issues!✌️
I had two of these C90T motorcycles. 1998 and 2008. Rode them across country and enjoyed them greatly. The ride was great, the seats were great, and cross country cruising was nice. I am 5'-6" and could touch the ground. The C90T felt like a 750cc motorcycle by weight because the gas tank is located under the seat, which moves the center of gravity down. Really easy to handle. I took them both up to 95 a couple of times and they were really stable. Some told me that at idle they couldn't even hear the engine. The was my Harley buddies. The closest to Harley was like a Fat Boy, or Heritage. I have a 2003 Harley Heritage now, but wish I had my C90T back though. It was just better riding.
I did a stage 3 upgrade on my 02'....I've never had it on a dyno, but it'll pull my 6'2" 250# butt quite well...The neck bearings and star shift gear are notorious for need to be replaced. Suzuki fixed the issue on the 05'-up...I love riding this bike....500 mile days are common.✌
Great Video, spot on about the bikes. I have a 2005 C90 that I got for a steal because... it had a bad Stator. I'm 6'3" 300 lbs and once you get the handlebars raised a little it is very comfortable. I didn't know about the switches but will keep that in mind.
I have a 2005 C90 model and have 57,000 km on the odometer. I am the 2nd owner. I am 5'10 "and 220 lbs and I am very comfortable on my bike with my wife too. We just did 5000km this summer in western Canada. I have a trailer too that I am dragging on the back of my motorbike. I climbed a big mountain and descended a big slope. And I never had a problem with my motorbike. A very good machine I am proud to have bought my motorbike .... I recommend it
Bought a 2001 VL1500 recently for $1100 and it is actually a really nice bike. It runs perfect and looks decent. It even had new tires and battery. Unbelievable deal !!!
Good synopsis as usual👍Probably will be very smooth and run like a precision watch. Tough market as guess you guys across the pond would go HD? BTW....I remember when 1500cc was a reasonable sized engine for a family car!
Hahaha, in a lot of cases it still is! I have personally owned multiple cars with a 1.5L or smaller engine hahaha...and now we live in the world where a 2500cc motorcycle engine is acceptable (Triumph I'm looking at you). Haha.
I Have to say, that you are very accurate. I have not experienced some of the inconveniences you mentioned but I'll be aware. This is for a 2007 C-90T. On another hand, I have also a 2009 Yamaha V-Star 1300. Smaller engine, lighter motorcycle but more powerful. Why? Because C-90 is 3 valves per piston, V-Star 4 valves per piston. Personal opinion, V-Star 1300 is lighter, more agile to ride, more powerful, liquid-cooled, more comfortable and I feel better in the Yamaha. Still, I'll keep my C-90. Thank you again.
Hi Alex I own a suzuki boulevard c90t 2005 and I had to replace the rectifier and the stator twice. The first time the shop that did the job for me installed a rick stator, a cheap one in my opinion because the second time I brought the bike to a different shop and they ordered a oem stator and when they show me the difference I was like wow! I can't believe that that shop put this cheap stator on my bike and charged me crazy money for a job that only lasted a year or so. Now I have been riding for over 4 years and I have not have any issues. Great video, keep it up.
I had the same problem with Ricks stator. There ad looks good and shows a picture of a large building and it came in a fancy green box with there company name and logo, But there was a sticker on the box that stated made in Taiwan. It only last me 10,000 miles. I also did the Mod 3 charging system upgrade. The next stator I bought was a china stator and it lasted 25,000 miles. Twice as long as Ricks. For only $45.00 bucks compared to Ricks $150.00 bucks. From what I hear, It is important to switch to a series RR instead of the Shunt RR. and of course do the Mod 3 wiring upgrade.
@@Badwolf6466 I'm going to need to research the mod3 charging system upgrade. would be interested where you got/get both mod3 and stator... as I need to do this now due to electrical starting failure.
If you are new to this channel I encourage you to subscribe. Alex although being a Yamaha and Royal Enfield fan offers lots of unbiased opinion regarding motorcycles. HIs videos are especially helpful to folks who are new to motorcycles. What I like about his channel is that he is not ashamed to talk about the benefits of small bikes. He understands every bike has it niche and if you like or choose to ride something as small as a suzuki tu250 that's cool.
Thank you for the info. I had a 98 and loved it. You are spot on the bigger rider. I am 6ft 6 and this wasn't my first choice when I got my 98. But after sitting on it, it was the best choice. One other note it handles cross winds well. One issue I has was the steering, I think there is a name for it but I don't remember it. when you turn from straight it feel think it has like a detent. It has something to do with the bearing in the tree. Other than that it was a great bike. looking to get a newer one now.
I'm not a particularly large guy (176 cm, 85 kg) and I have had a couple of C-90 s. They are the most comfortable bikes I have owned. A few years back I visited nearly every capital city in Canada and the US (62 of 65) That trip was 80 days and 43,000 km (26,000 mi). One day I rode from Whitehorse, YK, to Hazelton, BC, almost 1200 km in just over 16 hours. I was tired but not at all sore at the end of the day. The cooling system worked well when riding through temps. of about 110' F. in Nevada & Arizona. The bike easily carried a load of camping gear along with rain suit, assorted tools, clothes, etc. I traded it in at the 165,000 km mark as the stator was giving me problems but I liked it so much it bought another 3 years later which I use now.
I appreciate the honest review! I'm 6'2" and went from a `94 Road King to a new 2022 KLR 650 thinking that adventure biking was the bomb. Unfortunately, the reality is that larger and older riders like me can't stand narrow seats for more than 20 miles or so. And tossing around a dual sport in the mountains is fun for about 15 minutes. My wheelhouse is reliable and comfortable metric cruisers. Found a low mileage mint C90 locally on FB for $3200. Found your review and found it very helpful. I would prefer a Honda VTX 1800, but they are getting hard to find at the $3500 and less price point.
I love the VL1500LC Intruders. I have two myself, one 1998 and one 1999. The ride is so good. I did a 1000mile roadtrip this summer and it was glorious. I'm 6'8" and it fits me perfectly. Issues I've had: Very sensitive to low/old Battery. High compression engine, it just won't crank. Failed fuel pump, replaced. Failed foot brake switch, replaced Failed fuel level sensor, living with it. Failed clutch slave cylinder, rebuilt.
I love my 2005....Had to replace stator and rectifier....The chinese stator leaked because of the grommet....go with an American stator. I worked on it myself. This my 2nd Intruder...I like them. It's a beast. Perfect for my PawPaw speed.
Completely agree with your assessment. Ive owned a pristine 2000 VL1500 LC since 2018...great priced used, very long and rather ungainly, underpowered, and clunky shifting....however, its never let me down, very dependable, beautiful fit and finish. Ill most likely ride it til it dies. Thank you for the heads up on the weak points!
I’m 5’2” and have both a C90 and a Street Glide. I love them both. The C90 for sure has a longer frame, but I can whip it superbly in the bike classes. Especially in the dreaded u-turn box lol. But, owning both, the street glide is definently the better bike for comfort, power, and maneuverability. Another big issue that a lot of people don’t realize with the cheaper metric bikes is replacement and aftermarket parts. I searched for months for a mono shock when mine went out. Luckily all the cruiser models use the same shock for the most part. Brand name prices come with a large aftermarket and access to OEM parts.
I am now in the market for another bike and I have owned an Yamaha 1100 v star and considering buying the boulevard C 90. I am glad I stumbled upon your videos, they are filled with great information and articulated details. Your informative videos will most certainly help me filter out the pros and cons of whatever bike I decided to get.
Hey great tutorial on overall bike...my name is Murdoch, and did just that ...I picked up a used C90 2005 and I've enjoyed every moment with it and to present day..I take my kids out for a beautiful cruise...and they love it...had an ignition issue as well, with a blown fuse..but so far no major maintenance issues! Great video...much appreciated 🙏
My first bike, a 2006 C90 (I have ridden a few but not owned, usually on a Grizzly 660 4 Wheeler). I am 6-2 and 350. Buddy sold it to me for $2000 after he got a HD Street Glide. He was 2nd owner when he got it in 2018. Has only hair under 13,000 miles. Deleted, with G-Man Bully Tuner, and Cobra Dragsters. For all that, on setting 2, I can just mosey along happy. I love how it handles. Friend said he got really good mileage with it too. Has a Mini Ape handlebar on it that I raked back to match the rake of the fork, and ended up being just right for my arms. Reminds me of my Grizzly's stock location for handling.
I have a 2005 C90T I bought in 2008. Been a great bike. I did have to replace the magneto/stator and rectifier, starter a couple times and the clutch plates. Was an easy fix though.
I have a o6 c90 and i think the handling is rather good for a larger cruiser all the weight is down low and it feel very nimble for a larger bike. You are correct on the electrical system.... suzuki dropped the ball on that, they should have done a recall on the stator and rectifier. Thanks for the content!
just found your vid... yep, I'm having the starter electrical issues you mentioned (13 C90T). Changed out battery of course many times, regulator, reg/rectifier and rebuild starter. After watching this, guessing issue is really stator (since starting issue continues). Suppose I'll be searching for a "changing stator" vid next. Thanks for the review
The transmission is clunky but there is a way to get it to be less clunky, if you put pressure on the gear lever then pull the clutch to change it shifts really smooth it never been a problem down shifting.😃
I owned a 2003 Volusia (C50) right out of the crate and owned it until 2022. I also had to replace the stator, regulator, and rectifier after 17 years. Other than that, NO PROBLEMS. Suzuki did change a few things cosmetically. They swapped the filter covers between the two, made the blinkers bullet shaped from round, but never did fix the seat on the C50 (it sucked). I was undecided between the two and, fortunately, decided on the Volusia. It was about 600 lbs, light and fairly nimble. It got 52 mpg consistently unfortunately I do wish it had a 6th gear.
I have a 2008 C90T and I really do like it. It’s not a drag racer but this thing will pass a car easily at 70 like nothing. It’s very comfortable and handles just fine. You don’t need a 40 acre field to turn it around but it doesn’t turn an a dime either. Has only 9800 miles but have changed fluids and serviced it once a year and that’s it. Not a single problem. I would recommend this motorcycle to anyone. You can pick one up very reasonably.
I have the 98 intruder and agree. I am a big guy and it is for the comfort that I really like the bike. I live in a rural area with a few country roads that go back to my home town. The ride across the state is great. I have the gass stops timed out. Almost worth seeing the family.
Looking forward to getting mine. My wife’s uncle is selling me his. It’s a 2006 c90 with 16,000 miles. He’s selling it to me for $2k because he wants it to go to someone that will take care of it as much as he did. So he doesn’t mind taking the hit. So before I buy it at the end of this month I’m just trying to learn as much as I can about these bikes and what to watch out for. So thank you for the video.
If these metric cruisers were welcomed without getting dismissed as Harley Knock-offs, Cruiser segment would have seen much more innovation from Japanese Big Four ( as opposed to being dominated by Aircooled V Twins with a decade old technology from one company which possibly employs beauticians instead of Engineers in R&D department )!
Here in Texas, I get lots of harley riders complimenting me on mine! Myst say I was shocked to hear that anyone has had a different experiences. As a former harley owner for many years until life kicked me in the face. Re entered with a C90 and I absolutly adore it. Just wish G-Man would make some mire auxiliary fuel tanks.
0 to 60 in 4.5 seconds. There are faster cruisers but it’s plenty powerful. Tall gears so you will have to get used to that. 5th gear is good no need for 6th. Not to many videos on the c90 so you will need to get a manual to work on the thing. It handles fine you don’t have a big back tire
A bit of a clarification on pre-2013 C90 vs the new models is needed here.. The older design had the tank fitted under the rider seat (while the as-if tank was just a two-piece cover for primary air-filter) and the battery was placed under the front radiator (front bottom of the bike's frame). Both of these lowered the center of gravity of the whole bike and improved its handling, especially the on-the-spot one. Also, the pre-2013 models had 150/80 & 180/70 tires, while the new models sport the more chopper-esque 130/80 & 200/60 ones, IMHO a change which substracts from comfort and stability. The charging system is not really bad or weak per se, however, there is one major engineering oversight, which is the placement of some the connectors (from factory) between the seat and the fuel-tank line, where they can get squished and are also somewhat prone to overheating, and thus, melting. Primarily, this applies to the stator to regulator/rectifier one. That can result in a connector breaking down / a cable tearing off - and then shorting out against the frame. I would call it the weakest part of the bike - more when I consider, that just a 20cm / 8in cable from stator can easily reach the R/R directly. Please note that the stator itself is perfectly fine and it only breaks down (aka gets "toasted") only after the R/R fails. Thus, I'd recommend switching to a mosfet R/R, hand in hand with making the connection (between stator and R/R) right next to R/R (there's a lot of space under the cover). I did that as I experienced this "melted connector & loose cable & shortening out" issue - but since I did the above-described fix, the bike's performing perfectly. I looked into the so-called "Mod3" and some G-Man enhancements, but I liked neither enough to go along with any. Regarding comfort and maneuverability.. I'm roughly 170cm / 5'6" and weight some 60kg / 130lbs. I agree, that handling the bike on the spot is somewhat challenging, but once moving above 20kph / 10mph, it is a very stable and comfortable bike, both for the rider and the passenger. I can say, that the C90T - the tourer version - sports a huge windshield, which protects me from rain and wind quite a lot; but I also feel, that if I sit more straight up, the wind keeps on licking the top of my helmet, shaking it somewhat uncomfortably. Here I'd say that having the option to remove it quickly is lacking - I'd like to have it, especially during the ultra-hot days and for some short(-er) trips. Also, the bags included with the 2007 model are nice, but smaller than I'd wish for. But these are just my personal and rather minor complaints, frankly. LbnL - ride hard & ride safe.
It may have already been mentioned, but the 2013-2019 models shouldn't be categorized with the previous models. It is liquid cooled (you even posted a pic of one with the radiator). The electronics have been fixed. We always have to tell people with the newer model that they don't need to upgrade the electronics. The rear tire is a 200, not a 180. Many aftermarket parts aren't interchangeable. The newer model has only one disk brake up front instead of two. The gas tank on the 2013+ is real, as opposed to the previous model being under the seat and nearly 2 less gallons. The backrest isn't included on the 2013-2019, but the new hard bags are styled to the bike, unlike the previous models offering of the fake leather. More power had been posted by reviews as high as 78hp. The seats aren't interchangeable and no one offers a replacement yet. This is important to people, like myself who don't like the rider seat. Because it's been discontinued again, no one will make accessories. I have stated for years that the 2013+, Suzuki should have called them C90/2 and C90T/2.
I can concur on the utter lack of accessories. I bought a new ‘19 C90 BOSS in May and cannot find any sissy bars, engine guards……it’s been a pain finding much of anything. Love the bike so far nonetheless.
Everything Alex said about the C90 was, I felt, spot on... I'm 5'8", 290lbs, and it's a little piggy -- but it's a soft, comfy ride... bought a 2005 used with only ~15K miles for just under $3K...... and yep, the regulator/stator fried, leaving me stranded a couple times pushing the bike through intersections and down streets, wouldn't charge the battery... good exercise, but not fun at 2am... : ) oh, and you can add the rear end/swingarm gettin' jiggy while at speed on the highway, at times fishing around... a little weird, having the rear feel mushy sliding side to side, but I attribute that to an earlier single-shock design with not much bracing the swingarm..... I have Cobra pipes, use iridium spark plugs, and only use full synthetic oil and high octane fuel with injector cleaners/boosters in the tank, and I get pretty good power out of it if I open it up all the way..... not scary fast, but I can almost get out of my own way if I need to........ : )
Alex described my 2013 C90T to a "T". I very much appreciated his insight into some of the potential issues I may encounter, (thankfully I've been "problem free" so far). I had a 2004 Intruder prior to my Boulevard. Again, Alex is "spot on" when he says that these 'bikes are for "larger" people, (I'm 6'2" - 210 lbs). If you want a comfortable, enjoyable 'cruise' then consider the Suzuki Boulevard.
I'm a similar build and am trailering home a 2013 C90T on Wednesday. How's it hold up on full day rides? Like, 300 miles? My Dyna Fat Bob is my cruiser right now, and after an hour I'm beat. ITs my favorite bike in the stable right now, but its just not practical for what I want from it.
The last of the C90 2008 Suzuki had cured the rectifier/regulator and alternator issues, early models had much lighter wiring which cause most of the issues.
I've had a '05 C90 for almost 10 years now. Other than the mentioned charging system issues and a need for a 6th gear, my biggest gripe is the small fuel tank combined with comparably poor mileage. My bike gets about 35mpg max. With the 3.2 gallon tank (and an unreliable fuel gauge), I'm stopping for gas at about 100 miles. My '02 Bandit 1200 for comparison, with a 5 gallon tank (and jetted up), gets 45mpg, even when I'm leaning on it.
I am riding an 06 C90 these days and I don't think it's under powered at all. Mine has cobra pipes and a tune and it really has some git up and go. Bought it used a while back to have something my wife could ride on the back of as my Ninja isn't two passenger friendly. Has 46k miles on it and runs like a champ. Figure I will keep this one in my collection for a while because my wife really likes it for it's power and comfort.
Regulator rectifier, stator and ignition switch. Got it! I just bought one for $700! It's mint. It's also my first bike so I'll have a lot to learn. It has one issue and from what I have found in forums and observed myself from getting it started is that I need to change the battery. The bike shop I bought it from said straight from the get go that it would blow a fuse when trying to start it every now and then. When we tried to start it it blew three fuses back to back until I told the guy to try a booster pack. I am an automotive mechanic so my first thought was battery or short to ground. We connected the booster and she started right up without any problems at all. I plan on customizing the bike as I won't be riding it until next summer, this means I'll have some time with it in my shop. Have any of you seen this issue? If so, what was the problem? What was the fix? I'm ready to just say to hell with it and change the whole wire harness. It's not expensive and shouldn't be to big of an issue to do when compared to cars and trucks. The fuse that is blowing seems to be a large 30amp (green) and only when trying to start it. Any ideas?? Thanks in advance!
I know a couple riders that have close to 200K miles on their VL1500. I do not suggest buying the Shinko 230 Tour Master tire for the rear. It wears out extremely fast. And the VL1500 Hates cold weather the decompression adjustment will give you a cut in the winter time
Alex, you made it clear that this is a big dimension bike that's not for smaller riders like me (5'6" 155). What 1000+cc cruiser with decent pillion accomodations would you recommend for 200-300 mile trips? FYI, I'm going to sell my gorgeous low mile '07 Royal Star Midnight Venture that I bought in the spring because it's too top heavy with my wife on board and I can't firmly plant my feet at stops. My '96 Kaw Voyager XII fits me very well and handles so much better than the RSV in slow riding, but I'm not crazy about the 80s style and I would like to have the torque of a big v-twin.
I don't think I have done the M109R yet, I will add it to the list! Between the 109 and the C90 there is a big difference in the way the bikes feel when riding, as well as performance etc. The C90 will likely be a lot more comfy to most riders, but the M109R puts out a lot more power and is more "muscle" feeling
Just bought a 2001 with 25000 miles on it. I've been a Yamaha guy for thirty years but decided to go up from the 1300 venture and down from my fjr. A grsat bike but too top heavy for me, I bought it because of all the bells and whistles it has, but decided to go back to the classic style ride. I love the intruder for the weight balanced and low weight of the bike. Low center of gravity is great. Sixth seven HP is fine for the size, I may upgrade to stage two down the road but for now I'm happy. Compared to the 145 bhp on the Fjr, yes it's lacking the thrill factor but for comfort of riding position and overall comfort it's far superior to the Fjr for me. Got it for a great price and the old school styling and sound with the vance abs hines pipes it has on.
I had the 2001 LC1500 (what I called it) It IS the Tractor of the BIG Bikes! And asked What kinda Harley is this? I said...the one that doesn't overheat in Daytona!!
Resembles most to the iconic V-Twin sound of a Harley Davidson due to the same 45 degree angle set up and one-pin Crankshaft. I am not really sure about the firing order but should be very similar.
You might also have to adjust the Decompressor cable it runs in a steel tube coated inside with plastic after a while it will act like the starter or battery is going bad . If it strands you put it in 5th gear roll it backwards and pop the clutch . That will take it off the compession cycle and then try the starter again it is about an hours job to adjust it. There is a video of that on You Tube as well
I used to own a Suzuki Intruder 1500LC. I'm on the large side, and it fit me. I put around 50,000 miles on it with no problems. I have no interest in an EFI anything, and do not recommend anybody buy one. I am a recently retired auto/truck/heavy equipment mechanic with 37 years experience, and have worked on a lot of that trash. And trash it is. We had an average of 7-8 vehicles a day coming in with the check engine light on.
I owned a C50 for a half a dozen years and for the most part loved the bike, but after test riding a C90 was disappointed with the C90. Maybe my expectations were too high, but comparing the two, I stayed with the C50. The one thing I disliked about the one I had was the fact that it didn't have cruise control. In my mind cruise control should be standard equipment on any cruiser/touring bike. The C50 was comfortable because I bought a rider backrest for mine and it was solid. I didn't have to worry about it moving forward, backward, up or down. The passenger backrest on my bike worked well as a luggage brace. I never lost a thing with my luggage strapped to the passenger backrest. Overall the C50 and C90 were built to be cheap means of transportation.
Hell I got one, it does the job for me. I'm not out there ripping gears and cranking the throttle though. Could it be a bit more powerful? Yeah sure, but that's not what it's for. If you want a bike that you can sit comfortably on for hours and just cruise the c90 does that exceptionally well. Damn comfortable ride, looks great, and most of all is built to handle us fat old men who just wanna ride
Great review..these old big bikes will last forever with basic regular maintenance and provided we know of the potential for problems in key areas which this video has successfully pointed out, it helps dramatically to protect your pride and joy..big cruisers age well as the modern stuff may have a technological advantage but the style has changed little unlike sport bikes and adventure bikes that come and go out of fashion almost yearly! You can have 3 Vl's for the price of a Harley so if the ride is more important than the Badge on the Tank, then buy and enjoy for years to come.. thanks for a great insight into simple heavyweight cruising!
2004 model Suzuki vl1500 almayi dusunuyorum fakat bu motor hakkinda pek iyi seyler duymadim sizin oneriniz nedir Sizce almaya degermi cevaplarsaniz cok sevinirim
VL1500 LC is 3 valve C-90 is 4 valve also. The frame is a little different Faux Tank covers are different, Side covers are different. Seats are different There's a lot on these bikes aren't interchangeable with each other. Your basics are the same. Wheels, Tires front and rear fenders Handlebars. That's about it
If you want to put on that kind of mileage in one day, you may want to invest in a wider, better padded seat. The stock seat is "OK", but not as good as the one I had on my Intruder. Make sure you have a throttle lock installed. Otherwise I have no issues logging "long miles".
Clunky transmission? I believe its a hydraulic clutch. That being said; if it isnt adjusted correctly or the oil is old or corroded OR HAVE WATER IN IT LIKE MINE DID it may have a stiff shift or a rough shift. I bleed and replace mine yearly. Mine shifts impeccably well, only neutral to first clunks which is common place in most bikes anyhow.
Question. I was in a bad motorcycle accident with a 16 RK 103. I want to ride again but don't want a Heavy bike but want fuel injection.. in your personal opinion do you think the C90 is a good re-entry bike? I'm just looking to cruise at 65-70mph and get back in the saddle (I miss it SO much)
I bought a 2013 c90t B.O.S.S a couple months ago. You certainly are spot on about the clunky gear change. Drove me mad at first,but after checking out a few reviews on this issue,I've realised that's just the go of it. I've clocked up 3,000km's on it s far, and I must say,it's the most comfortable bike I've ever owned.
@@killinggma5378 i bought mine from an older bloke. Had 17,000k's on the clock. I paid $8,500 for it. He put a pillion back rest on it and after market exhaust on it, other than that you would swear the bike was brand new. Immaculate condition.
Had a 06 c50 and absolutely loved it. It was piped with power comander, could smoke Harleys all day. Then it got stolen so I bought a 06 c90. Good bike but performance wasn't any better except top speed. C50 would go 100-105 mph the c90 does 115+
I have a 2016 C90. it has been a great introduction to big crusiers. I will update it soon, probably to a touring bike. Mainly because I want a touring pack and ABS brakes. otherwise its been a good experience.
I bought a C90 a couple years ago. It's been a great first bike and low maintenance. A few upgrades from GMan and it's a solid ride. It gets a lot of compliments and offers 90% of the fun and performance of a Harley or Indian for a 10th of the cost. I'm 6'5" 220lbs, and it fits me and the wife (5'10" 125 lbs) very well.
That was your first bike ever? Do you recommend it as a first bike? I'm considering it tbh as a first bike. 2005 with 10k miles on it. What would you pay for that in 2023?
@@AD.H. no more than $3500
@@AD.H. It was. Honestly, it's probably a little large and heavy for most riders to be a 1st bike. I probably could have shortened my learning curve by starting with a smaller, lighter bike, but it is what it is. I paid $3700 for my 2008 C90T in 2018 (it had 16K miles on it and some mods). Given the current economy, lord1999ful is probably correct that $3500 should probably be the upper limit for a low-mileage, well-maintained example.
I sold my sporster for C90 and never looked back. Put some apehangers on it and I love it.
And Harleys and Goldwings are getting SMALLER?
I am the original owner of an 05 C90T with over 100,000 miles. The only thing I would like to clarify is that as of 2013, the NEW C90 was a total different animal from the 98 thru 09 and is water cooled. Thanks for a great review.
But you must add more about ur experience with it. I'm scouring all I can know. Considering an 07 with 35k miles on it. It will be my first and I am 5'10"
I bought a 07 c90t last summer great bike but heavy,alot better than my c50.
I bought my C90T new in 2007. At 6 ft 4 inches and 265 lbs it fits me well (as you indicated in your review). The original seat was uncomfortable for long rides (surprising for what is supposedly a touring bike), but I replaced it with a Saddleman seat with back rest and replaced the bars with Harley Heritage bars.... much better! One thing you did not mention is that the "gas tank" is actually the box for the air filter. The actual tank is under the seat, which lowers the center of gravity and makes this bike exceptionally stable (more stable in fact than other large bikes I have ridden). I don't ride on the interstate very often, but when I do wind and semis are never a problem. The tank at 3.7 gallons is rather small for a large bike, so it is a bit lacking in range.
The only time she has failed me was in September of 2019 when my wife and I were heading back to our campsite after completing the Tail of the Dragon in Tennessee/NC. Electrical failure, so I did what is called "mod 3" on the wiring and replaced the stator and regulator/rectifier while I had it apart. No problems since. In the 17 years I have had her I have never considered "trading up" to something else. She has been reliable and I have been completely satisfied.
I have the same bike, bought it new in 2008 replaced the stator/rotor 3yrs ago. Very solid bike and almost maintenance free. I love it!
@@toddbarkalow905the same, excepted mine is a 2007, buy brand new, stator replaced in 2020, and no other problem. Due to the speed limits, the power is enough for me... i love my bike...
I picked up an 03 yesterday first time in 15 years I rode😅 after the first 15 minutes it was like riding a bicycle all over again definitely enjoyed my 45-minute ride home can't believe it only had 15k on the odometer.
I am 5'-6" and road these for over ten years. My wife and I have done cross country from Maine, to Colorado, and South Dakota. Had the carburetor model, and fuel injection of 2008. I recently bought my first Harley 2012 Street Bob. I would love to have my old Suzuki Boulevard back. The ride on the expressway long trip is beautiful.
2004 model Suzuki vl1500 almayi dusunuyorum fakat bu motor hakkinda pek iyi seyler duymadim sizin oneriniz nedir Sizce almaya degermi cevaplarsaniz cok sevinirim
It’s not meant to be fast. They make sport bikes for that kind of rider. This is meant for comfort on the long haul.
You should comment that on all youtube post for guys that wanna speed on a cruiser!!!!!👍
Very comfortable bike for older guys too I’ve had an R1 zx750 Honda 959 rr and a Yamaha Fjr which I still ride but getting on the VL 1500 just feels so comfy on hot ass day sometimes with a helmet and without it just all out a nice cruiser like Jeff said in his comment if your looking to go fast park the C90 and jump on your sporty bike 🏍
Thank you for your review...very enjoyable. I've owned my 2006 C90T since new and I will confirm everything you said to be true. I have well over 100,000 miles on this bike and have replaced the stator / regulator package twice. Other than that I find this bike to be bomb proof. Lots of fun to ride and plenty of power for my needs (riding style). I particularly love the seat height and the weight compared to my HD Electra Glide makes it so much easier to move around. Overall for its price point it was/is one of my better investments and I would recommend this bike to anyone wanting to hit the back roads for a relaxing ride in the country. I also use it to commute to work and cruise the highway at 80-85 mph and still have reserve power to avoid any problems that tend to arise. Godspeed!
Old thread ik but honestly from someone who is looking into a C90, obviously SPEED isn't what the Cruiser is for, but I started riding on a clapped out 07 Vstar650 and I want a bigger cruiser because I need the brute acceleration where I ride. I live in a Idaho, and in the mountains on a Weekend trip, getting stuck behind a 34ft RV towing a Jeep doing 35 through corners marked 50 and still hitting the dirt on the side is an absolute nightmare and I can't safely pass them basically anywhere because it takes 3 gears and an open lane to get ahead of them. I need the umph to ride safely, and that umph also correlates into a bike that can do 130mph. I have no cause to do 130, but with a bike that can do a 35-70 pull in a timely fashion(2nd gear only preferably) and then brake before I have to drag pegs for the next corner also, it comes with the territory.
So is it the same for the m90 is it slow.
Ride & owned a VL1500 since 98 , practically lived on her .
This review is pretty legit brother 👍.
Well done !!
Only thing that has ever left me stranded is the battery (it's too small) & the rectifier as mentioned once.
Other than that , an absolute comfort machine and workhorse on the road .
Like all bikes they have their idiosyncrasies ...but...of all bikes , she's the chosen sled for my wingspan.
Anyone over 6ft should handle them pretty well but I've seen both men & women under 5ft6 riding the big tanks fine😉🤟🇦🇺🍻
Cheers mate
The last bit about riding to Cali and back is exactly why I'm watching this video so I'm glad you said that, thanks
I’m not quite 5’9” and my first cruiser (and current bike) is a 2013 C90T. It’s certainly the biggest bike I’ve owned but I’m really enjoying it. Good info to look out for. Thanks!
Just bought one yesterday and wow really good power rides so smooth
As the owner of an 07 new I can say you’re bang on. The only thing missed is a minor deal too. The shifter bushing is not the best design and can cause a shift hang up, typically downshifting out of 3rd. But it can be upgraded for a couple bucks from G Man industries.
Yep. Makes a ton if difference. Also cleaning and regreasing the linkage pivots helps.
My 05 will, once in a blue moon..if I'm clunky with the shift , find a place between gears....not a problem if you're mechanically inclined. I feel those gears and can upshift without the clutch if need be. My first Intruder 2000 Model..had a weird "Jump" in the take off if you gassed it too much. The 2005 doesn't have that.
98 VL1500 since 2001, Australia. Stator yes. Rear indicator rubbers frequently split. Cranking issue - sorted with decompession mech system maint. Vacuum tube on manifold sensor (?) hardens/leaks gives jerky ride when maintaining any speed, easy fix. Steering head bearing. Still have the bike and love it.
And love the clunkiness of the gears.
As a big guy I admit it's a much better fit than most , over the years I've had C50,C90T and C109RT 06 and 08 respectively. The 109 was a beast and the wife and I went everywhere with it till I sold it in 2011. I am now back on a 06 C90 and find it fits just right, little underpowered as you stated but I'm not out to set any land-speed records. Your post nailed it!
Have a 06 C90 Black right now, how different is the C109RT? Thinking about pulling the trigger on one...
@@thestcroixkid VERY noticeable😮⚡!
I have a 2009 M90 and like it a lot. Been good for pounding out miles and can run 80mph all day. 6’2 260
Great choice for someone your size for sure! proven engine as well :-)
@@AlexSimmons11c have you had any problems with your bike im looking at a 2009 with 19,000 miles
Mine was 3200$ a great buy!
I rescued and restored a 1998 VL1500LC and it's beautiful...I love that bike.....at 46,000 miles the engine internals and clutch packs looked brand new.... excellent build quality, very comfortable, fits me like a glove (6'3"/280lbs). I have exhaust, intake and a carb jet kit and it's plenty fast for what it is(I have a ZX6R 636 for when I want to fly low)...this cruiser sounds great and looks amazing...mine is powder coated white, black seat(single) with whitewall tires and polished wheels.
2004 model Suzuki vl1500 almayi dusunuyorum fakat bu motor hakkinda pek iyi seyler duymadim sizin oneriniz nedir Sizce almaya degermi cevaplarsaniz cok sevinirim
Had one for 6 years, zero problems. I’m 5-11 and it’s roomy for me and comfortable up to a 3 hour ride. After that I feel like it may be a bit too roomy for my frame. Really like the bike for back road cruising with my wife. I can’t believe they are so cheap, I also can’t believe anyone would pay 2 or 3 time more for a Harley.
I have a 2005 C90T purchased new and have owned Harleys for 50+ years. There is no comparison between the two. The twin cams are very reliable, very nimble and can be comfortably ridden for hundreds of miles. My 2010 FXSTC has been super reliable. I would not classify the Suzuki as especially reliable since it has a few design quirks and fixing them yourself is not usually an option. I paid $10k for the Suzuki and it is currently worth ~ $3,500. I like the C90 but you have to be willing to accept that it has some fairly serious design problems. My Harley, on the other hand, just runs and runs and runs.
@@franksaxton3583 Yeah, resale value is horrible, Im kind happy about that since I got mine for CHEAP! Also picked up a Clymers manual after I bought it. Feel pretty confident I can address any issues that come up! And I've already saved probably 2000$ with changing and balancing tires, new stator/ rectifier, plugs and regular service issues!✌️
Very informational and spot on.. Im 6'9" and my 02 vl1500 fits me perfect..! I love it!!
I had two of these C90T motorcycles. 1998 and 2008. Rode them across country and enjoyed them greatly. The ride was great, the seats were great, and cross country cruising was nice. I am 5'-6" and could touch the ground. The C90T felt like a 750cc motorcycle by weight because the gas tank is located under the seat, which moves the center of gravity down. Really easy to handle. I took them both up to 95 a couple of times and they were really stable. Some told me that at idle they couldn't even hear the engine. The was my Harley buddies. The closest to Harley was like a Fat Boy, or Heritage. I have a 2003 Harley Heritage now, but wish I had my C90T back though. It was just better riding.
Picking a 2000 1500 up tomorrow with low miles. Your video couldn’t have come at a better time haha.
Glad to hear it! Enjoy!
I did a stage 3 upgrade on my 02'....I've never had it on a dyno, but it'll pull my 6'2" 250# butt quite well...The neck bearings and star shift gear are notorious for need to be replaced. Suzuki fixed the issue on the 05'-up...I love riding this bike....500 mile days are common.✌
Great Video, spot on about the bikes. I have a 2005 C90 that I got for a steal because... it had a bad Stator. I'm 6'3" 300 lbs and once you get the handlebars raised a little it is very comfortable. I didn't know about the switches but will keep that in mind.
I have a 2005 C90 model and have 57,000 km on the odometer. I am the 2nd owner. I am 5'10 "and 220 lbs and I am very comfortable on my bike with my wife too. We just did 5000km this summer in western Canada. I have a trailer too that I am dragging on the back of my motorbike. I climbed a big mountain and descended a big slope. And I never had a problem with my motorbike. A very good machine I am proud to have bought my motorbike .... I recommend it
I love mine too..but I call it a Motorcycle.
Wife rides the 99 intruder 5.4 she loves it i did notice rectifier problems other then that I can say your review hit it on the head
Bought a 2001 VL1500 recently for $1100 and it is actually a really nice bike. It runs perfect and looks decent. It even had new tires and battery. Unbelievable deal !!!
Good luck
pretty accurate. the new c90s are in fact water cooled. mine is (2019 model)
Thanks for the update Christian!
My 2005 c90 is liquid cooled
arnt most bike liquid cooled now? I have an 09 vulcan 900 n its liquid cooled
The boulevard is not liquid cooled. What you think is a radiator is a oil cooler for the motor
Good synopsis as usual👍Probably will be very smooth and run like a precision watch. Tough market as guess you guys across the pond would go HD? BTW....I remember when 1500cc was a reasonable sized engine for a family car!
Hahaha, in a lot of cases it still is! I have personally owned multiple cars with a 1.5L or smaller engine hahaha...and now we live in the world where a 2500cc motorcycle engine is acceptable (Triumph I'm looking at you). Haha.
just picked up a 2000 1500 intruder and im about to do the stator and rectifier this weekend , liked all the input , thx
Drain the oil...buy a gasket .remember where the gear fell out....and use a quality american stator.
I Have to say, that you are very accurate. I have not experienced some of the inconveniences you mentioned but I'll be aware. This is for a 2007 C-90T. On another hand, I have also a 2009 Yamaha V-Star 1300. Smaller engine, lighter motorcycle but more powerful. Why? Because C-90 is 3 valves per piston, V-Star 4 valves per piston. Personal opinion, V-Star 1300 is lighter, more agile to ride, more powerful, liquid-cooled, more comfortable and I feel better in the Yamaha. Still, I'll keep my C-90. Thank you again.
Hi Alex I own a suzuki boulevard c90t 2005 and I had to replace the rectifier and the stator twice. The first time the shop that did the job for me installed a rick stator, a cheap one in my opinion because the second time I brought the bike to a different shop and they ordered a oem stator and when they show me the difference I was like wow! I can't believe that that shop put this cheap stator on my bike and charged me crazy money for a job that only lasted a year or so. Now I have been riding for over 4 years and I have not have any issues. Great video, keep it up.
I had the same problem with Ricks stator. There ad looks good and shows a picture of a large building and it came in a fancy green box with there company name and logo, But there was a sticker on the box that stated made in Taiwan. It only last me 10,000 miles. I also did the Mod 3 charging system upgrade. The next stator I bought was a china stator and it lasted 25,000 miles. Twice as long as Ricks. For only $45.00 bucks compared to Ricks $150.00 bucks. From what I hear, It is important to switch to a series RR instead of the Shunt RR. and of course do the Mod 3 wiring upgrade.
@@Badwolf6466 I'm going to need to research the mod3 charging system upgrade. would be interested where you got/get both mod3 and stator... as I need to do this now due to electrical starting failure.
If you are new to this channel I encourage you to subscribe. Alex although being a Yamaha and Royal Enfield fan offers lots of unbiased opinion regarding motorcycles. HIs videos are especially helpful to folks who are new to motorcycles. What I like about his channel is that he is not ashamed to talk about the benefits of small bikes. He understands every bike has it niche and if you like or choose to ride something as small as a suzuki tu250 that's cool.
Far to kind as always Eric, thanks brother!
I own a C 90 you are close to spot on. All in all a very very fair review. I like it and I love mine.
Thank you for the info. I had a 98 and loved it. You are spot on the bigger rider. I am 6ft 6 and this wasn't my first choice when I got my 98. But after sitting on it, it was the best choice. One other note it handles cross winds well. One issue I has was the steering, I think there is a name for it but I don't remember it. when you turn from straight it feel think it has like a detent. It has something to do with the bearing in the tree. Other than that it was a great bike. looking to get a newer one now.
I run a 06 C90T. After 5 years with mine, you are right on the money. Great bike. 60k+ miles in last 5 years and nothing but maintenance done.
How many sets of tires?
@@gargolart 5 sets. I change at between 12k-15k.
What kind of oil and coolant did you use?
@@gargolart Oil is a blend. Can't remember brand. I have it done at local shop. No coolant. It is air cooled.
I own a vl1500, and you are about spot on, good video bud
I'm not a particularly large guy (176 cm, 85 kg) and I have had a couple of C-90 s. They are the most comfortable bikes I have owned. A few years back I visited nearly every capital city in Canada and the US (62 of 65) That trip was 80 days and 43,000 km (26,000 mi). One day I rode from Whitehorse, YK, to Hazelton, BC, almost 1200 km in just over 16 hours. I was tired but not at all sore at the end of the day. The cooling system worked well when riding through temps. of about 110' F. in Nevada & Arizona. The bike easily carried a load of camping gear along with rain suit, assorted tools, clothes, etc. I traded it in at the 165,000 km mark as the stator was giving me problems but I liked it so much it bought another 3 years later which I use now.
I appreciate the honest review! I'm 6'2" and went from a `94 Road King to a new 2022 KLR 650 thinking that adventure biking was the bomb. Unfortunately, the reality is that larger and older riders like me can't stand narrow seats for more than 20 miles or so. And tossing around a dual sport in the mountains is fun for about 15 minutes. My wheelhouse is reliable and comfortable metric cruisers. Found a low mileage mint C90 locally on FB for $3200. Found your review and found it very helpful. I would prefer a Honda VTX 1800, but they are getting hard to find at the $3500 and less price point.
Solid for money. Not rocket. Handling is predictable. I bought used. Not bad choice. Best for me, cheap and reliable.
Realistic presentation
I love the VL1500LC Intruders. I have two myself, one 1998 and one 1999. The ride is so good. I did a 1000mile roadtrip this summer and it was glorious. I'm 6'8" and it fits me perfectly.
Issues I've had:
Very sensitive to low/old Battery. High compression engine, it just won't crank.
Failed fuel pump, replaced.
Failed foot brake switch, replaced
Failed fuel level sensor, living with it.
Failed clutch slave cylinder, rebuilt.
I love my 2005....Had to replace stator and rectifier....The chinese stator leaked because of the grommet....go with an American stator. I worked on it myself. This my 2nd Intruder...I like them. It's a beast. Perfect for my PawPaw speed.
Didn’t realise they were air cooled, happy now I chose an M50 instead of a M90
Completely agree with your assessment. Ive owned a pristine 2000 VL1500 LC since 2018...great priced used, very long and rather ungainly, underpowered, and clunky shifting....however, its never let me down, very dependable, beautiful fit and finish. Ill most likely ride it til it dies. Thank you for the heads up on the weak points!
I’m 5’2” and have both a C90 and a Street Glide. I love them both. The C90 for sure has a longer frame, but I can whip it superbly in the bike classes. Especially in the dreaded u-turn box lol. But, owning both, the street glide is definently the better bike for comfort, power, and maneuverability. Another big issue that a lot of people don’t realize with the cheaper metric bikes is replacement and aftermarket parts. I searched for months for a mono shock when mine went out. Luckily all the cruiser models use the same shock for the most part. Brand name prices come with a large aftermarket and access to OEM parts.
I am now in the market for another bike and I have owned an Yamaha 1100 v star and considering buying the boulevard C 90. I am glad I stumbled upon your videos, they are filled with great information and articulated details. Your informative videos will most certainly help me filter out the pros and cons of whatever bike I decided to get.
Hey great tutorial on overall bike...my name is Murdoch, and did just that ...I picked up a used C90 2005 and I've enjoyed every moment with it and to present day..I take my kids out for a beautiful cruise...and they love it...had an ignition issue as well, with a blown fuse..but so far no major maintenance issues! Great video...much appreciated 🙏
My first bike, a 2006 C90 (I have ridden a few but not owned, usually on a Grizzly 660 4 Wheeler). I am 6-2 and 350. Buddy sold it to me for $2000 after he got a HD Street Glide. He was 2nd owner when he got it in 2018. Has only hair under 13,000 miles. Deleted, with G-Man Bully Tuner, and Cobra Dragsters. For all that, on setting 2, I can just mosey along happy. I love how it handles. Friend said he got really good mileage with it too. Has a Mini Ape handlebar on it that I raked back to match the rake of the fork, and ended up being just right for my arms. Reminds me of my Grizzly's stock location for handling.
I have a 2005 C90T I bought in 2008. Been a great bike. I did have to replace the magneto/stator and rectifier, starter a couple times and the clutch plates. Was an easy fix though.
How many miles? How many miles was it at when the clutch went out?
@@PracticalTacticalSheepDog about 25,000
Had a 2001 1500 LC and loved it. Yes at 5'5[[ it was alittle large but very comfortable. Passed it on to my son at 5'10" and he is still riding it.
I have the vl1500 & you're pretty much on point with everything, especially with clunky gear box. Thumbs up.
i agree im riding with the sports bikes and she keeps up.
I have this bike and love it. Would not get rid of it ever
I have a o6 c90 and i think the handling is rather good for a larger cruiser all the weight is down low and it feel very nimble for a larger bike. You are correct on the electrical system.... suzuki dropped the ball on that, they should have done a recall on the stator and rectifier. Thanks for the content!
just found your vid... yep, I'm having the starter electrical issues you mentioned (13 C90T). Changed out battery of course many times, regulator, reg/rectifier and rebuild starter. After watching this, guessing issue is really stator (since starting issue continues). Suppose I'll be searching for a "changing stator" vid next. Thanks for the review
The transmission is clunky but there is a way to get it to be less clunky, if you put pressure on the gear lever then pull the clutch to change it shifts really smooth it never been a problem down shifting.😃
Really?
I owned a 2003 Volusia (C50) right out of the crate and owned it until 2022. I also had to replace the stator, regulator, and rectifier after 17 years. Other than that, NO PROBLEMS. Suzuki did change a few things cosmetically. They swapped the filter covers between the two, made the blinkers bullet shaped from round, but never did fix the seat on the C50 (it sucked). I was undecided between the two and, fortunately, decided on the Volusia. It was about 600 lbs, light and fairly nimble. It got 52 mpg consistently unfortunately I do wish it had a 6th gear.
Very good and responsible review. Keep it coming ... .. ..
I have a 2008 C90T and I really do like it. It’s not a drag racer but this thing will pass a car easily at 70 like nothing. It’s very comfortable and handles just fine. You don’t need a 40 acre field to turn it around but it doesn’t turn an a dime either. Has only 9800 miles but have changed fluids and serviced it once a year and that’s it. Not a single problem. I would recommend this motorcycle to anyone. You can pick one up very reasonably.
I have the 98 intruder and agree. I am a big guy and it is for the comfort that I really like the bike. I live in a rural area with a few country roads that go back to my home town. The ride across the state is great. I have the gass stops timed out. Almost worth seeing the family.
Looking forward to getting mine. My wife’s uncle is selling me his. It’s a 2006 c90 with 16,000 miles. He’s selling it to me for $2k because he wants it to go to someone that will take care of it as much as he did. So he doesn’t mind taking the hit. So before I buy it at the end of this month I’m just trying to learn as much as I can about these bikes and what to watch out for. So thank you for the video.
If these metric cruisers were welcomed without getting dismissed as Harley Knock-offs, Cruiser segment would have seen much more innovation from Japanese Big Four ( as opposed to being dominated by Aircooled V Twins with a decade old technology from one company which possibly employs beauticians instead of Engineers in R&D department )!
Can't argue with that haha
Here in Texas, I get lots of harley riders complimenting me on mine! Myst say I was shocked to hear that anyone has had a different experiences.
As a former harley owner for many years until life kicked me in the face. Re entered with a C90 and I absolutly adore it. Just wish G-Man would make some mire auxiliary fuel tanks.
0 to 60 in 4.5 seconds. There are faster cruisers but it’s plenty powerful. Tall gears so you will have to get used to that. 5th gear is good no need for 6th. Not to many videos on the c90 so you will need to get a manual to work on the thing. It handles fine you don’t have a big back tire
A bit of a clarification on pre-2013 C90 vs the new models is needed here.. The older design had the tank fitted under the rider seat (while the as-if tank was just a two-piece cover for primary air-filter) and the battery was placed under the front radiator (front bottom of the bike's frame). Both of these lowered the center of gravity of the whole bike and improved its handling, especially the on-the-spot one. Also, the pre-2013 models had 150/80 & 180/70 tires, while the new models sport the more chopper-esque 130/80 & 200/60 ones, IMHO a change which substracts from comfort and stability.
The charging system is not really bad or weak per se, however, there is one major engineering oversight, which is the placement of some the connectors (from factory) between the seat and the fuel-tank line, where they can get squished and are also somewhat prone to overheating, and thus, melting. Primarily, this applies to the stator to regulator/rectifier one. That can result in a connector breaking down / a cable tearing off - and then shorting out against the frame. I would call it the weakest part of the bike - more when I consider, that just a 20cm / 8in cable from stator can easily reach the R/R directly. Please note that the stator itself is perfectly fine and it only breaks down (aka gets "toasted") only after the R/R fails. Thus, I'd recommend switching to a mosfet R/R, hand in hand with making the connection (between stator and R/R) right next to R/R (there's a lot of space under the cover). I did that as I experienced this "melted connector & loose cable & shortening out" issue - but since I did the above-described fix, the bike's performing perfectly. I looked into the so-called "Mod3" and some G-Man enhancements, but I liked neither enough to go along with any.
Regarding comfort and maneuverability.. I'm roughly 170cm / 5'6" and weight some 60kg / 130lbs. I agree, that handling the bike on the spot is somewhat challenging, but once moving above 20kph / 10mph, it is a very stable and comfortable bike, both for the rider and the passenger. I can say, that the C90T - the tourer version - sports a huge windshield, which protects me from rain and wind quite a lot; but I also feel, that if I sit more straight up, the wind keeps on licking the top of my helmet, shaking it somewhat uncomfortably. Here I'd say that having the option to remove it quickly is lacking - I'd like to have it, especially during the ultra-hot days and for some short(-er) trips. Also, the bags included with the 2007 model are nice, but smaller than I'd wish for. But these are just my personal and rather minor complaints, frankly.
LbnL - ride hard & ride safe.
Nice video. I have a 02 VL1500 LC(lounge chair) and I LOVE IT. You missed 1 change, earlier models had 1 front disc, there are 2 now👍
It may have already been mentioned, but the 2013-2019 models shouldn't be categorized with the previous models. It is liquid cooled (you even posted a pic of one with the radiator). The electronics have been fixed. We always have to tell people with the newer model that they don't need to upgrade the electronics. The rear tire is a 200, not a 180. Many aftermarket parts aren't interchangeable. The newer model has only one disk brake up front instead of two. The gas tank on the 2013+ is real, as opposed to the previous model being under the seat and nearly 2 less gallons. The backrest isn't included on the 2013-2019, but the new hard bags are styled to the bike, unlike the previous models offering of the fake leather. More power had been posted by reviews as high as 78hp. The seats aren't interchangeable and no one offers a replacement yet. This is important to people, like myself who don't like the rider seat. Because it's been discontinued again, no one will make accessories. I have stated for years that the 2013+, Suzuki should have called them C90/2 and C90T/2.
I can concur on the utter lack of accessories. I bought a new ‘19 C90 BOSS in May and cannot find any sissy bars, engine guards……it’s been a pain finding much of anything. Love the bike so far nonetheless.
Everything Alex said about the C90 was, I felt, spot on... I'm 5'8", 290lbs, and it's a little piggy -- but it's a soft, comfy ride... bought a 2005 used with only ~15K miles for just under $3K...... and yep, the regulator/stator fried, leaving me stranded a couple times pushing the bike through intersections and down streets, wouldn't charge the battery... good exercise, but not fun at 2am... : ) oh, and you can add the rear end/swingarm gettin' jiggy while at speed on the highway, at times fishing around... a little weird, having the rear feel mushy sliding side to side, but I attribute that to an earlier single-shock design with not much bracing the swingarm..... I have Cobra pipes, use iridium spark plugs, and only use full synthetic oil and high octane fuel with injector cleaners/boosters in the tank, and I get pretty good power out of it if I open it up all the way..... not scary fast, but I can almost get out of my own way if I need to........ : )
I have a 05 c90t. I did the mod 3 to it. Never have anymore problems with the stator/reg anymore
@@SoBeSpartan how to do it ? can you give me a link please
Alex described my 2013 C90T to a "T". I very much appreciated his insight into some of the potential issues I may encounter, (thankfully I've been "problem free" so far). I had a 2004 Intruder prior to my Boulevard. Again, Alex is "spot on" when he says that these 'bikes are for "larger" people, (I'm 6'2" - 210 lbs). If you want a comfortable, enjoyable 'cruise' then consider the Suzuki Boulevard.
I'm a similar build and am trailering home a 2013 C90T on Wednesday. How's it hold up on full day rides? Like, 300 miles? My Dyna Fat Bob is my cruiser right now, and after an hour I'm beat. ITs my favorite bike in the stable right now, but its just not practical for what I want from it.
On / off switch problems can be resolved by cleaning the internal copper contacts with lite weight sand paper.
Very comfortable bike for long hauls. I'm 5' 5" so yes, it was a bit large for me, but not too heavy.
Good review 👍
Haaa! Not the C90 I was thinking about when I saw notification! I've been watching a lot of Ed March lately! C90adventures on TH-cam. He's a trip!
That he is haha
I have a 06 c90t. 0 problems only routine maintenance. Best bike I have ever owned
I really appreciate this type of video. Continue making them.
Fantastic bike! I put 30,000 miles on a 06 C90T before I went to a Goldwing. I am now looking to buy another C90/C90T
The last of the C90 2008 Suzuki had cured the rectifier/regulator and alternator issues, early models had much lighter wiring which cause most of the issues.
I've had a '05 C90 for almost 10 years now. Other than the mentioned charging system issues and a need for a 6th gear, my biggest gripe is the small fuel tank combined with comparably poor mileage. My bike gets about 35mpg max. With the 3.2 gallon tank (and an unreliable fuel gauge), I'm stopping for gas at about 100 miles. My '02 Bandit 1200 for comparison, with a 5 gallon tank (and jetted up), gets 45mpg, even when I'm leaning on it.
I completely agree the fuel tank and its range are far to small.
I am riding an 06 C90 these days and I don't think it's under powered at all. Mine has cobra pipes and a tune and it really has some git up and go. Bought it used a while back to have something my wife could ride on the back of as my Ninja isn't two passenger friendly. Has 46k miles on it and runs like a champ. Figure I will keep this one in my collection for a while because my wife really likes it for it's power and comfort.
I have A LC 1500cc 1998, It is a nice bike low center of gravity cruises excellent,
Regulator rectifier, stator and ignition switch. Got it! I just bought one for $700! It's mint. It's also my first bike so I'll have a lot to learn. It has one issue and from what I have found in forums and observed myself from getting it started is that I need to change the battery. The bike shop I bought it from said straight from the get go that it would blow a fuse when trying to start it every now and then. When we tried to start it it blew three fuses back to back until I told the guy to try a booster pack. I am an automotive mechanic so my first thought was battery or short to ground. We connected the booster and she started right up without any problems at all. I plan on customizing the bike as I won't be riding it until next summer, this means I'll have some time with it in my shop. Have any of you seen this issue? If so, what was the problem? What was the fix? I'm ready to just say to hell with it and change the whole wire harness. It's not expensive and shouldn't be to big of an issue to do when compared to cars and trucks. The fuse that is blowing seems to be a large 30amp (green) and only when trying to start it. Any ideas?? Thanks in advance!
I know a couple riders that have close to 200K miles on their VL1500.
I do not suggest buying the Shinko 230 Tour Master tire for the rear. It wears out extremely fast. And the VL1500 Hates cold weather the decompression adjustment will give you a cut in the winter time
Alex, you made it clear that this is a big dimension bike that's not for smaller riders like me (5'6" 155). What 1000+cc cruiser with decent pillion accomodations would you recommend for 200-300 mile trips? FYI, I'm going to sell my gorgeous low mile '07 Royal Star Midnight Venture that I bought in the spring because it's too top heavy with my wife on board and I can't firmly plant my feet at stops. My '96 Kaw Voyager XII fits me very well and handles so much better than the RSV in slow riding, but I'm not crazy about the 80s style and I would like to have the torque of a big v-twin.
Thank your thorough review man !! Loved it !!. Have you done one on the M109R yet ? I’m trying to decide between a C90 Boss or a M109R BOSS !
I don't think I have done the M109R yet, I will add it to the list! Between the 109 and the C90 there is a big difference in the way the bikes feel when riding, as well as performance etc. The C90 will likely be a lot more comfy to most riders, but the M109R puts out a lot more power and is more "muscle" feeling
Just bought a 2001 with 25000 miles on it. I've been a Yamaha guy for thirty years but decided to go up from the 1300 venture and down from my fjr. A grsat bike but too top heavy for me, I bought it because of all the bells and whistles it has, but decided to go back to the classic style ride. I love the intruder for the weight balanced and low weight of the bike. Low center of gravity is great. Sixth seven HP is fine for the size, I may upgrade to stage two down the road but for now I'm happy. Compared to the 145 bhp on the Fjr, yes it's lacking the thrill factor but for comfort of riding position and overall comfort it's far superior to the Fjr for me. Got it for a great price and the old school styling and sound with the vance abs hines pipes it has on.
I had the 2001 LC1500 (what I called it)
It IS the Tractor of the BIG Bikes! And asked What kinda Harley is this? I said...the one that doesn't overheat in Daytona!!
Resembles most to the iconic V-Twin sound of a Harley Davidson due to the same 45 degree angle set up and one-pin Crankshaft. I am not really sure about the firing order but should be very similar.
You might also have to adjust the Decompressor cable it runs in a steel tube coated inside with plastic after a while it will act like the starter or battery is going bad . If it strands you put it in 5th gear roll it backwards and pop the clutch . That will take it off the compession cycle and then try the starter again it is about an hours job to adjust it. There is a video of that on You Tube as well
I used to own a Suzuki Intruder 1500LC. I'm on the large side, and it fit me. I put around 50,000 miles on it with no problems. I have no interest in an EFI anything, and do not recommend anybody buy one. I am a recently retired auto/truck/heavy equipment mechanic with 37 years experience, and have worked on a lot of that trash. And trash it is. We had an average of 7-8 vehicles a day coming in with the check engine light on.
I owned a C50 for a half a dozen years and for the most part loved the bike, but after test riding a C90 was disappointed with the C90. Maybe my expectations were too high, but comparing the two, I stayed with the C50. The one thing I disliked about the one I had was the fact that it didn't have cruise control. In my mind cruise control should be standard equipment on any cruiser/touring bike. The C50 was comfortable because I bought a rider backrest for mine and it was solid. I didn't have to worry about it moving forward, backward, up or down. The passenger backrest on my bike worked well as a luggage brace. I never lost a thing with my luggage strapped to the passenger backrest. Overall the C50 and C90 were built to be cheap means of transportation.
Hell I got one, it does the job for me. I'm not out there ripping gears and cranking the throttle though. Could it be a bit more powerful? Yeah sure, but that's not what it's for. If you want a bike that you can sit comfortably on for hours and just cruise the c90 does that exceptionally well. Damn comfortable ride, looks great, and most of all is built to handle us fat old men who just wanna ride
Todavía viajo con mi R&W del 99, mas de 200K de placer, y vamos por más!!
Great review..these old big bikes will last forever with basic regular maintenance and provided we know of the potential for problems in key areas which this video has successfully pointed out, it helps dramatically to protect your pride and joy..big cruisers age well as the modern stuff may have a technological advantage but the style has changed little unlike sport bikes and adventure bikes that come and go out of fashion almost yearly! You can have 3 Vl's for the price of a Harley so if the ride is more important than the Badge on the Tank, then buy and enjoy for years to come.. thanks for a great insight into simple heavyweight cruising!
2004 model Suzuki vl1500 almayi dusunuyorum fakat bu motor hakkinda pek iyi seyler duymadim sizin oneriniz nedir Sizce almaya degermi cevaplarsaniz cok sevinirim
Can't wait to get mine tomorrow morning
I’ve had a c90 for 5 years very good bike people sometimes think it’s a Harley I do wish it had six gears like the Harley
VL1500 LC is 3 valve C-90 is 4 valve also. The frame is a little different Faux Tank covers are different, Side covers are different. Seats are different There's a lot on these bikes aren't interchangeable with each other. Your basics are the same. Wheels, Tires front and rear fenders Handlebars. That's about it
If you want to put on that kind of mileage in one day, you may want to invest in a wider, better padded seat. The stock seat is "OK", but not as good as the one I had on my Intruder. Make sure you have a throttle lock installed. Otherwise I have no issues logging "long miles".
Clunky transmission? I believe its a hydraulic clutch. That being said; if it isnt adjusted correctly or the oil is old or corroded OR HAVE WATER IN IT LIKE MINE DID it may have a stiff shift or a rough shift. I bleed and replace mine yearly. Mine shifts impeccably well, only neutral to first clunks which is common place in most bikes anyhow.
Question. I was in a bad motorcycle accident with a 16 RK 103. I want to ride again but don't want a Heavy bike but want fuel injection.. in your personal opinion do you think the C90 is a good re-entry bike? I'm just looking to cruise at 65-70mph and get back in the saddle (I miss it SO much)
I bought a 2013 c90t B.O.S.S a couple months ago. You certainly are spot on about the clunky gear change. Drove me mad at first,but after checking out a few reviews on this issue,I've realised that's just the go of it. I've clocked up 3,000km's on it s far, and I must say,it's the most comfortable bike I've ever owned.
David, I have a 2006 C90 with nearly 70,000 miles on it. The trans has always been clunky, shifting at higher revs seems to smooth it out.
How much did you pay? I’m looking at one for $4000 with 25k on it.
@@killinggma5378 i bought mine from an older bloke. Had 17,000k's on the clock. I paid $8,500 for it. He put a pillion back rest on it and after market exhaust on it, other than that you would swear the bike was brand new. Immaculate condition.
Thanks for the input on my new/ used daily. Peace Out
Had a 06 c50 and absolutely loved it. It was piped with power comander, could smoke Harleys all day. Then it got stolen so I bought a 06 c90. Good bike but performance wasn't any better except top speed. C50 would go 100-105 mph the c90 does 115+
Great review, thanks
Thanks for great discussion.
Super informative thank you
Ty. Your 100 percent right
I have a 2016 C90. it has been a great introduction to big crusiers. I will update it soon, probably to a touring bike. Mainly because I want a touring pack and ABS brakes. otherwise its been a good experience.