Owners have filed 11 complaints
about the 2009 Suzuki Boulevard M109R with NHTSA between 2010 and 2015.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 16
Against the median year of the Suzuki Boulevard M109R. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
27.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
100% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2009 compares with every other Suzuki Boulevard M109R
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2009 Suzuki Boulevard M109R
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Transmission & Drivetrain
763.6%
Median failure at 2,500 miles
Electrical System
218.2%
0 crashes, 2 fires · median 5,818 mi
Fuel & Propulsion
19.1%
Median failure at 2,400 miles
Engine & Cooling
19.1%
Median failure at 19,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
19.1%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
763.6%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
327.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jul 2010peak 2Jan 2015
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 8,637 milesCharlotte, NCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUZUKI BOULEVARD M109 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,637.
NHTSA complaint #10543921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,556 milesWashington, DC1 injured
POWER TRAIN
THE REAR TIRE LOCKED UP AS I WAS STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT. LUCKILY I WAS NOT GOING AT HIGHYWAY SPEED, BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. I CONTACTED SUZUKI AND ALL I GOT WAS THE RUN AROUND. I DID RESEARCH AND FOUND THE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURING SINCE THE BOULEVARD CAME OUT IN 2007. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF 2ND GEAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS BIKE. I GUESS SOMEONE HAS TO DIE BEFORE SUZUKI STEPS UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING. SUZUKI FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #10462560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesCarrolton, VAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUZUKI BOULEVARD M109 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CONTROL UNIT WAS BURNED OUT. THIS FAILURE CAUSED THE BATTERY, HEADLIGHT AND REAR TAIL LIGHTS TO BURN OUT BECAUSE OF THE SURGE IN THE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 3,000.
NHTSA complaint #10442268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 17,000 milesLaredo, TX
POWER TRAIN
I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE WHAT THE OTHER OWNERS OF THE SUZUKI BOULEVARD M109R'S ARE CALLING CLUTCH SHUDDER. THE SYMPTOM IS WHEN ONE IS STOPPED AND BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE. THE CLUTCH DOES NOT ENGAGE RIGHT AWAY. FEELS LIKE IT IS STUCK SO IT BARELY GETS A GOLD OF THE PLATES CAUSING ONE OF TWO THINGS TO HAPPEN. 1. YOU RELEASE THE CLUTCH TOO MUCH AND IT LOOSENS TOO QUICKLY CAUSING THE BIKE TO SHUT OFF WHILE STOPPED. 2. THE CLUTCH BARELY ENGAGES CAUSING A VIOLENT VIBRATION SIMILAR TO WHAT A STANDARD CAR COULD DO IF THE CLUTCH ISN'T ENGAGED OR DISENGAGED CORRECTLY. AFTER THE VIOLENT "CLUTCH SHUDDER" THE BIKE MAY TURN OFF IN TRAFFIC OR GET ENOUGH SPEED TO ENGAGE INTO 2ND GEAR. AT THIS POINT EVERYTHING WORKS WELL. SUZUKI WILL ONLY FIX THIS IF THE MOTORCYCLE IS UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THE PART IS NOT THE SAME ANYMORE. IT HAS GONE FROM A FLAT WASHER TO A WAVY WASHER. THEY MUST HAVE CHANGED THE PART BECAUSE THEY KNOW PEOPLE ARE HAVING ISSUES BUT THERE IS NO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10672020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,800 milesZephyrhills, FL
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUZUKI BOULEVARD M50 MOTORCYCLE (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE DRIVE SHAFT FAILED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,800.
NHTSA complaint #10552738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,637 milesCharlotte, NCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUZUKI BOULEVARD M109 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,637.
NHTSA complaint #10543921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,000 milesDetroit, MI
POWER TRAIN
I RIDE A 2009 SUZUKI BOULEVARD M109R, I BOUGHT THE MOTORCYCLE BRAND NEW FROM CHICAGO CYCLE IN ILLINOIS, IN 2009, I NOTICED EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE THAT WHILE I WAS RIDING, AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE SECOND GEAR, IT WOULD END UP IN NEUTRAL, I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT ROSENAU POWERSPORTS AFTER BEING TOLD THAT THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE M109R MODELS, THE MECHANICS AT ROSENAU SAID THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO PROBLEM WITH MY YEAR MOTORCYCLE. WELL NOW, AT THIS TIME I CANNOT HAVE A COMFORTABLE RIDE WITHOUT THE TRANSMISSION POPPING INTO NEUTRAL TWICE WHILE IN SECOND GEAR IF I ATTEMPT TO THROTTLE THE MOTOR UP TO THIRD GEAR, ALSO THE MOTOR IS ERRATIC WHILE IN SECOND GEAR AND ALMOST THREW ME OFF BACKWARDS, (I HAVE SINCE INSTALLED A BACKREST, TO PREVENT ME FROM ENDING UP ON MY BACK AND THE BIKE FROM RIDING OFF INTO TRAFFIC BY ITSELF). I NOW HAVE TO HOLD THE GEAR CHANGER UP WITH MY FOOT WHILE IT IS IN SECOND GEAR, I CAN FEEL IT TRYING TO GO INTO NEUTRAL AND I HAVE TO SHIFT UP TO THIRD GEAR BEFORE THE TRANSMISSIONS SECOND ATTEMPT TO GO INTO NEUTRAL. ALSO BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, SOMEHOW SOMETHING INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION BROKE, IT WAS REPAIRED BY ROSENAU, WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. THIS YEAR I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CONTACT SUZUKI, WITH FAILED ATTEMPTS. I DID NOT PURCHASE THE VEHICLE WITH THE INTENTIONS OF PAYING FOR A COMPLETE MOTOR TEARDOWN TO REPLACE THE SECOND GEAR AND ALSO CANNOT SPARE THE REPAIR FUNDS. I WOULD TRULY APPRECIATE SOME KIND OF ADVICE, THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10469237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,000 milesGentry, AR
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUZUKI BOULEVARD M109R MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 19,000.
NHTSA complaint #10468955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,556 milesWashington, DC1 injured
POWER TRAIN
THE REAR TIRE LOCKED UP AS I WAS STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT. LUCKILY I WAS NOT GOING AT HIGHYWAY SPEED, BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. I CONTACTED SUZUKI AND ALL I GOT WAS THE RUN AROUND. I DID RESEARCH AND FOUND THE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURING SINCE THE BOULEVARD CAME OUT IN 2007. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF 2ND GEAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS BIKE. I GUESS SOMEONE HAS TO DIE BEFORE SUZUKI STEPS UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING. SUZUKI FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #10462560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesCarrolton, VAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUZUKI BOULEVARD M109 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CONTROL UNIT WAS BURNED OUT. THIS FAILURE CAUSED THE BATTERY, HEADLIGHT AND REAR TAIL LIGHTS TO BURN OUT BECAUSE OF THE SURGE IN THE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 3,000.
NHTSA complaint #10442268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1 milesChapitco, MD
POWER TRAIN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUZUKI BOULEVARD M109R. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT IN BETWEEN GEARS INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10407283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,200 milesDetroit, MI
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUZUKI BOULEVARD M109R MOTORCYCLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR. THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR WHEN ABRUPT FORCE WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,715.
NHTSA complaint #10398829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,500 milesMount Vernon, NY
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I OWN A SUZUKI 2009 M109R AND MY 2ND GEAR STARTED TO SLIP LATE LAST YEAR AND AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BAD SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR THAT SUZUKI IS KNOWN FOR BUT AFTER SEVERAL TIMES OF THIS HAPPENING I TOOK IT TO MY DEALER WHERE I BROUGHT THE BIKE FROM AND THEY SAID "THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE PULLED TO CHECK THE GEARS" THE COST WOULD BE BETWEEN $2,500 TO $3,000 IF SUZUKI DON'T COVER YOUR WARRANTY. I TOLD THEM I JUST BROUGHT THE BIKE AND ONLY HAD 2,500 MILES ON THE BIKE AND THERE SHOULD BE NO WAY THE BIKE SHOULD BE CAUSING ME PROBLEMS WITH THE LOW MILEAGE ON THE BIKE. WELL AFTER 1 1/2 MONTHS SUZUKI FINALLY AGREED TO FIX THE BIKE AND THE TOTAL DOWN TIME FOR 3 MONTHS FROM THE TIME I REPORTED IT AND GOT THE BIKE BACK....I CAN TELL YOU FIRST HAND I LOVE THE BIKE BUT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF SUZUKI OWNERS THAT WERE NOT AS LUCKY WITH THERE WARRANTY AND HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A BAD SUZUKI GEAR DESIGN. SUZUKI KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUES BUT WILL ONLY DEAL WITH IT ON A CASE BY CASE ISSUE BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE A RE-CALL ON ALL 2007-2009 BIKES. SUZUKI REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION ON THERE 2011 MODEL AND DIDN'T EVEN RELEASE THE 2010 MODEL BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THEY HAD THE YEARS BEFORE. SUZUKI NEEDS TO STEP UP AND RESOLVE THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR CAUSE A MAJOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10398213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,400 milesMount Hope, WV
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUZUKI BOULEVARD 350PK9 MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, HE NOTICED A STRONG, OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR. THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE FUEL CAP WAS LOOSE. THE DEALER WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE FUEL CAP WAS NOT DEFECTIVE AND WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT IF THE GAS CAP WAS NOT OVER FILLED, THEN GASOLINE WOULD SPILL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE GASOLINE ODOR PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNSURE HOW TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,400.
NHTSA complaint #10342625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.