Hey guys...well, I think I found a pretty nice M50 at a really great price.  It's a 2007 M50 Limited Edition in silver with dark grey flames.  The mileage is a little high (about 20K), but from everything I can tell the owner has taken very good care of it...he bought it new, it's been kept inside, all maintenance done, etc.  The only cosmetic flaws are a little boot rash on the blacked-out crankcase, and a small scrape on the gas tank.  I've given it a test ride, and it started, ran, accelerated, braked, and rode just like the one that had only 8000 miles on it...I can't tell any difference, except the price!    I've let the owner know that I'll take it, and we'll complete the deal sometime later this week (it's about 2 hours away).  This M50 is a REALLY comfortable ride...it's wide, with a big comfy seat, the controls are comfortably forward, and it just doesn't feel like a 550 lb bike.  It feels like it fits me so well ergonomically that I could ride comfortably all day (we'll see if that's actually the case, I suppose).  I believe I'm making a pretty good choice here.  

Now, the bad news...I was planning to keep the S40 in the "family" for my lady friend...but in talking about it, what she really wants is a trike...she feels like it'll be easier and safer for her, and well, maybe she's right.  So, I posted the S40 on my local Craigslist for a fair price.    

But then some more good news...it already sold...within 2 hours of posting it, in fact.    Within 15 minutes, I had 3 txt's inquiring about it.  This one fella contacted me about the GZ250 that I just sold for my lady friend, but I pointed him to the S40.  He and his wife came over to give it a look and ride it around my cul-de-sac.   We agreed on a deal, and we'll complete the deal Wed.  So, it's going to someone who will appreciate all of it's great attributes just as much as I did.  I have to admit, I'm kinda sad to see it go though.    At least it's going to a good new owner.  And yes, I've already pointed him to this forum.  

I am definitely convinced that the S40 is the all-around best bike that anyone could ever possibly start out with.

Dave

Why do you seem surprised? If you wanna cATCh the Rowboat wrong, youll hafta go to the tall table.

Hey guys!  OK, I picked up the M50 Saturday.  The owner had the latest maintenance records waiting for me, plus saddle bags, plus a sissy-bar bag, plus a hydraulic motorcycle lift.  I'll see if I can post a pic, but the pics don't quite do this bike justice...it sure seems the owner took quite good care of it. I am really pleased!

I got a little seat time around my neighborhood, then took it out for a short ride in my local area after I felt comfortable, then tossed my lady-friend on the bike and rode around the neighborhood some more until I pretty much ran out of daylight.    Yeah, it's heavy compared to the S40, but man...this is a comfortable bike.  I proceeded carefully, but wasn't close to dropping it, even with my lady friend on the back.

Of course, I'm an idiot.    With it parked in my driveway and the engine off, I wanted to see how far I could lean it without it getting too heavy for me to hold it upright.  Ummm...LOL...not that far.    Lean it probably 20 degrees and it gets real heavy real quick...I ended up busting my a$$ in my driveway with the engine off.    (I'm glad lady friend didn't video that...I know it would already be on youtube and facebook by now.    Ever noticed how women always laugh hysterically at us when we do something stupid and end up on the ground?   ).  I also discovered how heavy it feels to pick it up after dropping it...whew...glad I've been shown how to pick it up by putting your back against it.    OK, so I now know the answer to two of my questions...1) how far can I lean it before it's too heavy (not very far), and 2) how hard is it to pick up if I drop it (pretty hard!).  OK, so now I know.  

Now that I've completely embarassed myself   let me see if I can link to a pic or two..  

2007 Suzuki Boulevard M50 - 2nd pic

Congrats on the new wheels, may she never hit the ground again!  

Dave,

Just enjoy! I went from a Savage to the VStar 1100. I miss the "flickability" of the savage. I could burn up the big bikes in the twisties.
I have to "think" to ride the VStar fast. I rode the Savage fast because it
was easy. I felt I could correct while in a turn. Oldfeller knows what I mean.

Jim

LOL.    

My lady friend affectionately refers to me as "Hemar", which is Arabic for "donkey". I can't say a thing in protest, because I know it's true.  

From the little bit of seat time I've had so far, this M50 only feels massive sitting still.  From what I can tell so far, it's very responsive in terms of handling.  (In fact, in all the reviews of various years, it consistently gets great marks for having a supple but still controlled suspension and stable handling, even versus the Vulcan 900's.)  It's definitely not as flickable as the S40, but still no wallowing pig. That said, I think it'll be quite a while before I'm pushing any of it's limits.  

Dave

Now THAT is just too funny.  I wonder what he'd do if he had a passenger?  

Dave