2005 Suzuki Boulevard S40

Make Model	Suzuki Boulevard S40
Year	2005-06
Engine	Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC
Capacity	652 cc / 39.8 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	94 x 94.0 mm
Cooling System	Air cooled
Compression Ratio	8.5:1
Lubrication	Wet sump
Induction	Mikuni BS40
Ignition	Transistorized
Starting	Electric
Max Power	23 kW / 31 hp @5400 rpm
Max Torque	50 Nm / 5.1 kgf-m / 37 lb-ft @3400 rpm
Clutch	Wet, multiple discs, cable operated
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Belt
Front Suspension	Telescopic 38 mm stanchions, coil spring, oil damped
Front Wheel Travel	140 mm / 5.5 in
Rear Suspension	Twin shock, 5-way adjustable spring preload
Rear Wheel Travel	80 mm / 3.1 in
Front Brakes	265 mm Single disc
Rear Brakes	Drum, rod operated
Front Tyre	100/90-19 57H, tube type
Rear Tyre	140/80-15 67H, tube type
Rake	35°
Trail	147 mm / 5.8 in
Dimensions	Length 2180 mm / 85.8 in Width 720 mm / 28.3 in Height 1105 mm / 43.5 in
Wheelbase	1480 mm / 58.3 in
Seat Height	700 mm / 27.6 in
Ground Clearance	135mm / 5.3 in
Dry Weight	160 kg / 352 lbs
Wet Weight	172 kg / 380 lbs
GVWR	356 kg / 785 lbs
Fuel Capacity	10.5 Litres / 2.6 US gal

There’s a good reason so many road bikes in the ’50s and ’60s were big single-cylinder machines: they’re incredibly fun to ride! The Boulevard S40 adds a shot of advanced Suzuki technology to this timeless design to create a bike that combines exciting performance with rock-solid reliability. One of the S40’s major attractions is its lightweight responsiveness. Weighing just 352 pounds, it’s great for cruising down the boulevard or getting outside the city limits.

Wherever you ride, one twist of the throttle rewards you with a blast of low-end and mid-range torque. And when you’re up to cruising speed, you’ll really appreciate the engine’s smooth performance. The Boulevard S40 for 2007 - designed for you to enjoy the simple pleasure and pure excitement of motorcycling.

Engine Features

40 cubic inch, SOHC, single-cylinder engine with TSCC cylinder head and high mass crankshaft - produces strong low-end power and torque
Zinc-plated cylinder mounting bolts - high quality plated finish is corrosion resistant and blends with black engine color for a more detailed appearance
Black engine case and cylinder with polished cylinder head fins for a finished appearance
Headlight switches off during start-up to reduce load on the battery
Electric starter with automatic decompression system for quick, easy engine starting
5-speed transmission with low-maintenance belt-drive system - the drive belt is quiet, durable, simple to adjust and clean

Chassis Features

Custom flat handlebar design provides a clean, sport appearance
Sleek, one-piece saddle adds to the S40’s already streamlined appearance
Low seat height - only 27.6 inches - great for smaller riders or entry-level riders
Hydraulic front disc brake and drum-type rear brake provide strong, reliable braking performance
Front fork guards protect the inner fork tubes from road debris and help reduce dust seal and oil seal wear
Polished upper fork bracket features an attractive and durable clear coat finish
Push-to-cancel turn signal switch for easy turn signal operation
Standard 4-way emergency flasher and high-beam passing switch
Bright multi-reflector turn signals designed for high visibility and attractive appearance
Rear reflector integrated with the taillight for a clean, finished appearance to the rear section of the bike
Attractive tear drop-shaped fuel tank with flush-mounted speedometer
Custom-style rear view mirrors for more attractive appearance - similar to larger Boulevard models
Polished spoke wheels for a classic look like larger cruiser models
Wide 15" rear tire and slim 19" front tire for a classic cruiser look.

Review

For 2005, the Savage was swept under Suzuki's new Boulevard banner that is now used for all the company's cruiser motorcycles. The 650 single was re-designated with the Boulevard line's cubic-inch nomenclature as the S40. It was lightly restyled, with flatter bar and seat, and the short passenger backrest was discontinued. However, it remains the largest single-cylinder cruiser around, and the only belt-drive model among Suzuki's cruisers.

Though large-displacement singles are relatively simple, narrow, light, and tractable compared to multis of the same size, they also tend to vibrate and aren't as powerful as bikes with more cylinders. However, those positive characteristics plus the Savage/S40's low weight (380 pounds wet), low (27.6 inches) seat height, low price and clean Intruder-style looks make Suzuki's 650 attractive to beginners, riders of shorter stature and those shopping for motorhome lifeboats. The engine is a paragon of simplicity. It's air-cooled and has a single carb, one chain-driven overhead camshaft and two intake and two exhaust valves. Fortunately, Suzuki did incorporate the slight complexity of a counterbalancer, which reduces but doesn't quite eliminate vibration.

Although it feels a bit out of breath at 65 mph, the S40 doesn't shake with anything like the ferocity of an unbalanced 650cc single. If you don't plan to cruise at 75 mph, there is enough power. Though it offers good fuel economy (over 50 mpg on the highway), its limited power means that it's not particularly happy out on a wide-open interstate. The powerband is broad though, and you don't need to make much of an effort to keep the rpm up to tap its power potential around town. However, it won't accelerate as hard any of the other 500 to 650cc cruisers except the Honda VLX, which is still a bit stronger on top end. Ours tended to backfire rather frequently during deceleration. The gearbox and clutch perform admirably. The final-drive belt is quiet, clean and probably absorbs a little of the big single's power pulses.

Because it's low, lightweight, and short (58.4 inches) between the axles, the Boulevard S40's handling is very responsively. It's narrowness short legs to reach the ground at a stop easily. Its steering is quick and precise, yet the motorcycle is acceptably steady at all speeds. Lean angle is respectable too, especially by cruiser standard. Its only weakness is the somewhat pedestrian suspension components. The S40 is lightly sprung and damped with the result that it surges a bit on roads with bigger bumps. Although we wouldn't call the S40 a wobbler, it takes longer than most comparable motorcycles to stabilize if you give the handlebar a good shake at highway speed. Because it's light, the modest brakes, a single disc up front and a drum on the back, are well matched to it, and offer good feel and control.

Average and larger (over five-foot-ten or 32-inch inseam) riders feel somewhat confined. However, shorter riders find that Suzuki's single fits them quite handily and are less likely to complain about the stiff saddle or ride quality. Passengers don't get much room, but riding two-up kind of overloads the S40 anyway. Both the suspension and acceleration suffer when you add a passenger. The narrow bar makes wind pressure less of an issue at highway speeds.

Overall, the Boulevard S40 fills the vast gap between the 250s and the other cruisers in the 500 to 650cc range. Although its displacement makes it a 650, its physical size, weight, and position it like a smaller cruiser. Its feature list is also more like a 250's; there isn't even a tripmeter. In terms of performance, Suzuki's 650 single is neck-and-neck with the more expensive 600cc Honda VLX four-speed V-twin, but slightly ahead in comfort. However, the smaller twin-cylinder, six-speed Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD will leave both those bikes and the Yamaha V-Star 650s for dead in an acceleration contest.

Because the same basic bike has been around for a couple of decades, dealers are familiar with their needs, and there are online American and European owners clubs to turn to for support. There are also a fair number of accessories available.

Suzuki's Boulevard S40 makes great urban transportation because it is narrow, maneuvers easily, has willing power characteristics, gets terrific fuel mileage and is inexpensive to insure .

Art Friedman