2018 Suzuki Boulevard C50

You want to enjoy cruising, not wrestling with a road-going battleship or spending a lifetime paying for it. That’s the exact wheelhouse, so to speak, of Suzuki’s C50. This middleweight machine shares its steel frame and engine architecture with its sibling, the C50T light tourer. While the chassis features are traditional, the liquid-cooled 805cc V-twin has a narrow 45-degree cylinder angle that contributes to compact packaging and visual appeal, while cleverly utilizing offset crankpins to help reduce the vibration inherent in such designs.

The rest of the C50 is a mix of premium features, such as four-valve cylinder heads and shaft final drive, and economical ones like a single front disc and a drum rear brake. Regardless of its mechanical makeup, the C50 presents a particularly clean design that clearly took much effort to achieve. From the leading edge of the valanced front fender through the fork, headlight, fuel tank, engine and pipes, seats, and tail end, visible components flow together in a styling masterwork. And that’s worth the money, right there.

Likes: Stylish cruising on a budget, but how about some brighter colors?

Dislikes: With a claimed curb weight of 611 pounds, the C50 could benefit from both front and rear disc brakes.

Verdict: A cool ride for casual riders.