Author Topic: Best Motorcycle Value ... A Cruiser! Figures! (Read 3585 times)

Desolation Angel · « **on:** June 05, 2006, 11:15:10 AM »

Suzuki M109 Chosen Best Value Motorcycle for 2006
January 26, 2006
Source: USRiderNews February 2006 issue

The Suzuki M109R was chosen the winner in this category for setting a new standard of performance at an affordable price. This bike could have easily been nominated in both the Engineering and Styling categories. The new 109-cubic-inch (1783cc) engine features the largest bore of any street legal, gasoline powered engine on the planet – bike or automobile. As such, it is also the only oversquare V-twin powerplant to be found on a maxi-cruiser type motorcycle with a 112.0 x 90.5mm bore and stroke arrangement. Suzuki is claiming 123 horsepower at the crankshaft! And the futuristic hot rod styling leaves no question about the machine’s performance aspirations. The look of this bike says “get the h--- out of my way.” But with a MSRP of $12,399 it is the only 100-cubic-inch class cruiser to be had for less than 13 grand, which earns the M109R our pick as the best value in big-bore cruiser land.

Sven · « **Reply #1 on:** June 05, 2006, 11:20:06 AM »

Blah blah blah. This bike has been all over the cover of every mag and the reviews all say its a lot of fun. We've already dissected its looks here, and I ain't likin' it any more now than I did before.

Desolation Angel · « **Reply #2 on:** June 05, 2006, 11:37:41 AM »

With TT&L it'll be $13,000. How is that the best value? I can buy some new cars for less than that!

Seanybiker · « **Reply #3 on:** June 05, 2006, 11:50:38 AM »

ewww never hear of them yokes before. the front light is bloody manky.

jbrough7 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 05, 2006, 12:38:53 PM »

I sat on the M109 and I swear it's about 8 ft. wide! Still say a brand new Bandit for $6800 CDN is unbeatable!

Sven · « **Reply #5 on:** June 05, 2006, 01:21:17 PM »

Quote from: jbrough7

I sat on the M109 and I swear it's about 8 ft. wide!

Exactly!

WEINERDOGBONE · « **Reply #6 on:** June 06, 2006, 07:25:49 PM »

Quote from: Seanybiker

ewww never hear of them yokes before. the front light is bloody manky.

If manky means ugly, I'm with you on that Brother.

Seanybiker · « **Reply #7 on:** June 06, 2006, 07:56:48 PM »

Quote from: WEINERDOGBONE

If manky means ugly, I'm with you on that Brother.

thats exactly what it means.

Russtang · « **Reply #8 on:** June 07, 2006, 09:53:25 PM »

Best value in my mind?

Kawi Ninja 250. Light, nimble, peppy...brand new less than $3k

WabashMX5 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 07, 2006, 11:31:29 PM »

Quote

Kawi Ninja 250. Light, niumble, peppy...brand new less than $3k

I'm with ya. Loved mine; still have fond memories of it; still think it's the world's best learner bike. (And if my wife decides that our old Kawi 454LTD is too heavy for her to learn on, we'll have an excuse for another "baby Ninja"!)[/quote]

billybandit · « **Reply #10 on:** June 08, 2006, 07:30:05 AM »

The important thing is that the M109R looks like a clown that's been hit with a Harley Davidson.

As for the Ninja 250 - it's not a Ninja!!!! Grrrr how dare Kawasaki call it that. For one thing it's a twin. The other thing is:

NINJA

"NINJA"

It looks 60 years old and tacky. Sorry to any owners I may have offended

Desolation Angel · « **Reply #11 on:** June 08, 2006, 09:46:15 AM »

I also like Suzuki's GS500F as a starter bike. '70s technology, also a twin, but looks nice, rock solid dependable, super easy to work on, and highway capable.

Having had a GS450 and knowing their capabilities, I guess I'd pick the Suzi over the little Kawa as my starter.

jbrough7 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 08, 2006, 09:59:33 AM »

I looked at the 500 but when sitting on it, the fairing looked like it was designed 200 years ago. Young guy I went through the safety course with got one and loves it.

Desolation Angel · « **Reply #13 on:** June 08, 2006, 10:06:11 AM »

Quote from: billybandit

...As for the Ninja 250 - it's not a Ninja!!!! Grrrr how dare Kawasaki call it that...

That's funny! I've heard this same comment for years on a GS board ref Katanas. Goes like this....

"The late '80s to present Katanas aren't real Katanas! Grrrr! How dare Suzuki call them that! Grrrr! And that Katana 50 scooter they sell in Europe! How dare they besmirch the Katana name by sticking it on a scooter! Grrrr!"

Hey, a name is just a name and the manufacturers get to pick what their vehicles are called regardless. Of course it's a Ninija or a Katana! If that's what it's named, then

. '06 Mustangs aren't 1964 Mustangs...'06 T-Birds aren't 1950s T-Birds...the current Ford 500s aren't the same as the original Galaxie 500s, but who cares? It is what it is named.

Personally, I always thought Ninjas were Katana ripoffs, anyway, since the early '80s, appearance-wise. Never quite as cool.

Seems appropriate to stick that moniker on a 250!

But you forget I told you about that 50cc scooter bearing the Royal name!

Red01 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 08, 2006, 10:49:00 AM »

Quote

billybandit: As for the Ninja 250 - it's not a Ninja!!!! Grrrr how dare Kawasaki call it that. For one thing it's a twin.

Since when does being a Ninja mean it can't be a twin? The current EX250 has been a Ninja since it's inception in 1985 as the GPz250. (The US doesn't get the ZZR250, the EX250 we get is the 2nd gen version most of the rest of the world stopped getting way back in '91... even Canada got the 3rd gen version [ZZR250] in '00). This makes it a Ninja before ANY of Kawasaki's ZX series - and second only to the original GPz900 Ninja of 1984. In the USA, Kawasaki also calls the EX500 twin a Ninja as well as the new 650R (ER-6F outside the US).