2008 Suzuki Boulevard M109R problems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI BOULEVARD M109R. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V108000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600.

NHTSA complaint #10763617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

THIS BIKE HAS A PROBLEM SHIFTING INTO 2ND GEAR. WHEN STARTING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE BIKE CONSTANTLY REFUSES TO GO INTO 2ND GEAR. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN THERE IS TRAFFIC BEHIND YOU AND THEY EXPECT YOU TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD. HAVING TO FISH FOR 2ND PUTS US RIDERS IN JEOPARDY. DEALERS ONLY STATE THAT IS IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE BIKE. THIS CHARACTERISTIC PRESENTS A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER FOR THE RIDERS OF THIS BIKE AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO CORRECT IT.

NHTSA complaint #10578768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI BOULEVARD M109R MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR AND INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

NHTSA complaint #10573194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

WHEN RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE IT JUMPS OUT OF 2ND GEAR AT 2000-3000 RPM,S. I CONTACTED THE SUZUKI CORPORATION. I ASKED IF THEY HAD A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND THEY STATED NO. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE MY BIKE TO THE DEALER AND LET THEM DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. MY BIKE IS A 2008 WITH LESS THAN 7000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA complaint #10534178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

THE TRANSMISSION IS VERY HARD TO SHIFT INTO 2ND THE GEAR CAUSING MISSED SHIFTS SOMETIMES THAT COULD CAUSE STALLING. SOMETIMES IT WILL JUMP ON THE ENGAGEMENT DOGS IN AND JUMP OR SLIP AS THOUGH HITTING A PATCH OF ICE OR OIL GIVING A FEELING OF INSECURITY. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS AND SUZUKI MOTORCYCLES. WILL DO NOTHING TO REPAIR OR FIX THE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10491545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THE TRANSMISSION IS VERY HARD TO SHIFT INTO 2ND THE GEAR CAUSING MISSED SHIFTS SOMETIMES THAT COULD CAUSE STALLING. SOMETIMES IT WILL JUMP ON THE ENGAGEMENT DOGS IN AND JUMP OR SLIP AS THOUGH HITTING A PATCH OF ICE OR OIL GIVING A FEELING OF INSECURITY. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS AND SUZUKI MOTORCYCLES. WILL DO NOTHING TO REPAIR OR FIX THE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10491545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I WAS RIDING WITH MY BIKE GROUP. WE STOPPED AT A MAJOR INTERSECTION WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE. ON THE GREEN LIGHT I ACCELERATED AND WAS ALMOST HIT IN THE REAR BUY A PICK UP TRUCK DO TO THE FACT MY 2ND GEAR SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL. I THOUGHT IT WAS AN ISOLATED ISSUE. IT WAS NOT, MY BIKE SLIPS OUT OF 2ND INTO NEUTRAL CONTINUOUSLY. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO GET IN THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!! . I SPOKE WITH SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS AND THE RESPONSE WAS THE SAME ( THE M109R IS KNOWN FOR THAT) WHY WON"T SUZUKI RECALL OR FIX THIS ISSUE. THIS S%#T IS NOT FAIR!!!!!!!!! . I WOULD EVEN PAY HALF BUT NOT ALL. IF I CANT GET IT FIX FOR A REASONABLE AMOUNT , I WILL GET RID OF IT AND BUY ME A BIKE THAT THE COMPANY STANDS BEHIND. MY WIFE IS ALSO IS IN THE MARKET FOR A BIKE. I CAN TELL YOU WHAT BRAND IT WON'T BE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10479224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS RIDING WITH MY BIKE GROUP. WE STOPPED AT A MAJOR INTERSECTION WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE. ON THE GREEN LIGHT I ACCELERATED AND WAS ALMOST HIT IN THE REAR BUY A PICK UP TRUCK DO TO THE FACT MY 2ND GEAR SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL. I THOUGHT IT WAS AN ISOLATED ISSUE. IT WAS NOT, MY BIKE SLIPS OUT OF 2ND INTO NEUTRAL CONTINUOUSLY. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO GET IN THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!! . I SPOKE WITH SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS AND THE RESPONSE WAS THE SAME ( THE M109R IS KNOWN FOR THAT) WHY WON"T SUZUKI RECALL OR FIX THIS ISSUE. THIS S%#T IS NOT FAIR!!!!!!!!! . I WOULD EVEN PAY HALF BUT NOT ALL. IF I CANT GET IT FIX FOR A REASONABLE AMOUNT , I WILL GET RID OF IT AND BUY ME A BIKE THAT THE COMPANY STANDS BEHIND. MY WIFE IS ALSO IS IN THE MARKET FOR A BIKE. I CAN TELL YOU WHAT BRAND IT WON'T BE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10479224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

VIOLENT SHUTTER FROM A COMPLETE STOP. MULTIPLE TIMES BUT INTERMITTENT. HAD TO PULL OFF ROAD TO TRY TO ENGAGE 1ST GEAR. NEARLY REAR ENDED. IN THE UPPER GEARS, BIKE HAS A GRINDING FEEL, SOMEWHAT COMPARABLE TO HAVING LOW OIL. ( WHICH IS NOT MY CASE, OIL LEVEL IS RIGHT ON) AFTER READING NUMEROUS REPORTS ON THIS PROBLEM, I AM RELUCTANT TO BRING IT TO AN AUTHORIZE SUZUKI DEALER. SEEMS IT WILL BE A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND SUZUKI SHOULD STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I AM GLAD TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE MY CONCERNS SO IF ANY THING DOES HAPPEN, LIKE GETTING RUN OVER, IT'S DOCUMENTED.

NHTSA complaint #10463203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

DOES NOT SHIFT SECURELY INTO SECOND GEAR; CAN ALSO POP OUT OF SECOND GEAR SUDDENLY. THIS IS TRUE UNDER EVEN VERY LIGHT ACCELERATION AND CAREFUL, DELIBERATE SHIFTING.

NHTSA complaint #10455974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

AT ABOUT 9500 MILES, MY BIKE STARTED FALLING BACK INTO NEUTRAL FROM 2ND GEAR. WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD, BEING THAT 2ND GEAR BRINGS YOU UP TO HIGHWAY SPEED. ALSO WHEN MAKING LONG TURNS AND THE BIKE DROPS INTO NEUTRAL , ITS POSSIBLE TO FALL OR DROP THE BIKE DO TO INSTANT DECELERATION.

NHTSA complaint #10448400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

AT ABOUT 9500 MILES, MY BIKE STARTED FALLING BACK INTO NEUTRAL FROM 2ND GEAR. WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD, BEING THAT 2ND GEAR BRINGS YOU UP TO HIGHWAY SPEED. ALSO WHEN MAKING LONG TURNS AND THE BIKE DROPS INTO NEUTRAL , ITS POSSIBLE TO FALL OR DROP THE BIKE DO TO INSTANT DECELERATION.

NHTSA complaint #10448400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI BOULEVARD MOTORCYCLE M109R. THE CONTACT STATED THE MOTORCYCLE CLUTCH FAILED WHILE DOWN-SHIFTING TO INCREASE THE SPEED OVER 65 MPH. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE IN THE CLUTCH HUB. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,700.

NHTSA complaint #10426324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI BOULEVARD M109R. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE VEHICLE SHIFT FROM FIRST TO NEUTRAL GEAR ON ITS OWN. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN SECOND GEAR. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50.

NHTSA complaint #10405288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI BOULEVARD M109R MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN THE GEAR FAILED TO SHIFT FROM FIRST INTO SECOND GEAR. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS, THE GEAR BEGAN TO SHIFT CORRECTLY. ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT A HARD SHIFT. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR AT LEAST TWO TO THREE TIMES PER MONTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ UPDATED 07/22/11

NHTSA complaint #10402566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

M109R 2ND GEAR FAILURE. I PURCHASED THE BIKE NEW IN 2008 AND IT HAS ALWAYS HAD A PROBLEM WITH SECOND GEAR. I HAD A RECENT MINOR ACCIDENT DURING A MOTORCYCLE TRAINING COURSE FOR DOD. THE BIKE FREQUENTLY FAILS TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR.

NHTSA complaint #10399147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

2008 SUZUKI BOULEVARD M109R, 2ND GEAR FAILURE. WHEN RIDING IT WILL POP OUT OF 2ND GEAR AND INTO NEUTRAL. VERY UNSAFE WHEN YOU HAVE TRAFFIC AROUND. HAPPENS ATLEAST ONCE A DAY.

NHTSA complaint #10398227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

INTERMITTENT CLUTCH SHUDDER, THIS OCCURS AT RANDOM BUT MOST PREDICTABLE ON FIRST TAKE OFF AFTER ENGINE WARM UP. IT IS A VIOLENT SHUDDER OF THE ENTIRE BIKE AND HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL WILL TAKING OFF AND WRECKING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL MOTORCYCLE. BY READING ONLINE FORUMS, WAY TO MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM FOR IT NOT TO BE A RECALL. SUZUKI DOES NOT RECOGNIZE AN ISSUE OR PROBLEM AND PROVIDES NO ASSISTANCE IN THE REPAIR. I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE EXPLORATORY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED SO THE PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE REPAIRED ON MY BIKE. I PERSONALLY FEEL THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE, I AM AN A.S.E. MASTER CERTIFIED AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN AND HAVE WORKED FOR A FLEET OF VEHICLES BOTH AS A MECHANIC AND NOW IN ADMINISTRATION FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS.

NHTSA complaint #10355752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI BOULEVARD M109R MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, OIL LEAKED FROM THE AIR CLEANER AND WOULD SPILL ONTO THE REAR TIRE. AS A RESULT, THE REAR TIRE WOULD BECOME SLICK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERFILLED, WHICH LED TO THE OIL LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO DEFECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL FILTER MUST BE REPLACED DUE TO THE LEAK. HE FELT THAT THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE THE OIL THAT COMES FROM THE AIR CLEANER CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS INJURY DUE TO THE REAR WHEEL BECOMING SLICK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,900.

NHTSA complaint #10278410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2008 SUZUKI M109R IN MID JULY 2008. FROM DAY ONE THE CLUTCH LEVER DIDN'T HAVE THE USUAL STIFF FEEL THAT I AM ACCUSTOMED TO FROM SUZUKI?S, I HAD JUST TRADED IN A SUZUKI M50. I TALKED TO THE DEALER ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAID THAT AS LONG AS IT HAD A 1/4IN PLAY IN THE LEVER THAT IT WAS NOT AN ISSUE. AFTER THE 600 MILE SERVICE I NOTICED THAT THE CLUTCH WOULD ONLY START GRABBING ABOUT AN INCH TO AN INCH AND A HALF FROM BEING ALL THE OUT. I TOLD THE DEALER ABOUT THIS AND AGAIN AS LONG AS IT HAD A QUARTER INCH PLAY THERE WAS NO ISSUE. AFTER ABOUT 3000 MILES I STARTED TO NOTICE SLIGHT VIBRATIONS WHILE RIDING UP HILLS BETWEEN 3200-4000 RPMS. I TOLD THE DEALER OF THIS ISSUE AT WHEN I DROPPED THE BIKE OFF FOR ITS SECOND SERVICE ALONG WITH THE CLUTCH LEVER STILL NOT FEELING RIGHT. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD CHECK IT OUT. AGAIN THEY CAME BACK FINDING NOTHING WRONG BUT THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE WOULD TAKE THE CLUTCH COVER OFF AND CHECK IT OUT AND MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENTS. AFTER HE DID THIS HE SAID HE MADE A MINOR ADJUSTMENT AND DIDN?T SEE ANY ISSUE. I WENT FOR A LONG DAYS RIDE ALL THROUGH SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, ON MY WAY HOME I NOTICED THAT WHEN I WOULD ACCELERATE HARD THE BIKE DIDN'T SEEM TO GO BUT THE RPMS WOULD RISE. I STOPPED OFF THE HIGHWAY, CHECKED THE ADJUSTMENT FOUND IT WAS OK AND CONTINUED ON. AFTER ABOUT 30 MILES THE CLUTCH WAS SLIPPING SO BADLY THAT I COULDN'T GIVE THE BIKE MORE THAN QUARTER THROTTLE WITHOUT THE ENGINE REVVING LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. I HAD THE BIKE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER GAVE ME THE BIKE BACK AFTER ABOUT A WEEK, THEY SAID THEY TORE THE CLUTCH APART AND EVERYTHING WAS OK NO BURN MARKS OR EVIDENCE OF IT BEING WORN DOWN. I WAS TOLD THE CLUTCH COULD HAVE BEEN INSTALLED WRONG FROM THE FACTORY AND IT SHOULD BE GOOD, I PROCEEDED TO RIDE THE BIKE HOME AND AFTER 20 MILES I HAD THE SAME ISSUE AS BEFORE, SO I RETURNED THE BIKE TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND THERE IT SITS.

NHTSA complaint #10252368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

2008 C-50 SUZUKI TRIKE MOTORCYCLE. WHEN GAS LEVEL DROPS TO 2 GALLONS ( 4.1 GALLON TANK) ENGINE DIES UPON MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS. THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND INTERSECTIONS. VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA complaint #10243220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

"VIOLENT SHUTTER/VIBRATION WHEN ACCELERATING " BIKE IS 2 MONTHS OLD AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. NOW AT 2000 MILES AND VIOLENT SHUTTER/VIBRATION WHEN ACCELERATING HAS BECOME UNSAFE. AT IDLE YOU CAN HERE CLUTCH NOISE (KNOCK), WHEN YOU PULL THE CLUTCH IN IT GETS QUIET. ALTHOUGH DEALER HAS TEST RIDDEN BIKE AND AGREES THE EXCESSIVE VIBRATION SEEMS ABNORMAL, THEY SIMPLY ADJUSTED THE CLUTCH TENSION AND CALLED IT GOOD.

NHTSA complaint #10242094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

2008 SUZUKI M109R (AKA VZR1800) BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE LOUD RATTLE IN CLUTCH BASKET WITH BIKE IN NEUTRAL AT APPROXIMATELY 6000 MILES. THE RATTLE GET NOTICEABLY LOUDER UNDER ACCELERATION. I TOOK BIKE TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING DEFECTIVE IN THE CLUTCH, AND THAT THE RATTLING WAS DUE TO TORSION SPRINGS IN THE CLUTCH HUB VIBRATING WITH THE ENGINE, AND THAT THIS WAS 'NORMAL'. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF THIS IS TRULY 'NORMAL' OPERATION, THAT THE NOISE WOULD HAVE BEEN PRESENT FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT THE MOTORCYCLE. HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO UNUSUAL NOISES COMING FROM THE CLUTCH UNTIL AFTER 6000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. INVESTIGATING AN ONLINE FORUM, I FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER RIDERS WHOSE BIKES EXHIBITED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. MANY OF THEM HAVE ALSO BEEN HANDED THE 'ITS NORMAL' ANSWER FROM THEIR DEALERS. IF IT WERE 'NORMAL' OPERATION, ALL M109RS WOULD HAVE THE SAME SYMPTOMS, YET OBVIOUSLY THIS IS NOT THE CASE.

NHTSA complaint #10241181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

2008 SUZUKI M109R (AKA VZR1800) BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE LOUD RATTLE IN CLUTCH BASKET WITH BIKE IN NEUTRAL AT APPROXIMATELY 6000 MILES. THE RATTLE GET NOTICEABLY LOUDER UNDER ACCELERATION. I TOOK BIKE TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING DEFECTIVE IN THE CLUTCH, AND THAT THE RATTLING WAS DUE TO TORSION SPRINGS IN THE CLUTCH HUB VIBRATING WITH THE ENGINE, AND THAT THIS WAS 'NORMAL'. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF THIS IS TRULY 'NORMAL' OPERATION, THAT THE NOISE WOULD HAVE BEEN PRESENT FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT THE MOTORCYCLE. HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO UNUSUAL NOISES COMING FROM THE CLUTCH UNTIL AFTER 6000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. INVESTIGATING AN ONLINE FORUM, I FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER RIDERS WHOSE BIKES EXHIBITED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. MANY OF THEM HAVE ALSO BEEN HANDED THE 'ITS NORMAL' ANSWER FROM THEIR DEALERS. IF IT WERE 'NORMAL' OPERATION, ALL M109RS WOULD HAVE THE SAME SYMPTOMS, YET OBVIOUSLY THIS IS NOT THE CASE.

NHTSA complaint #10241181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.