Suzuki S40 Boulevard - Specs, Features, Background Performance & More

It’s been more than 30 years since Suzuki Boulevard S40 motorcycles graced retail floors. Due to their lightweight 652 cc engine, the bikes were easy to handle. Reliable and stylish, the bike was competitively priced to successfully attract Suzuki’s target audience. With its thick rear tire, robust suspension system, maintenance-free shaft drive, well-built braking system, and excellent maneuverability, this bike became one of the most popular entry-level cruisers. Even today, the demand for this bike is surging. If you are looking to buy your first cruiser-style motorcycle, then look no further than the Suzuki Boulevard S40.

Here is a quick review of the Suzuki Boulevard S40 to help you determine if you should buy this bike. Read on to find out the necessary information, including the background, detailed specifications, prominent features, engine configuration, price, colors, and aftermarket Suzuki parts designed for the Suzuki Boulevard S40 lineup.

Suzuki began the production of Suzuki Boulevard S40 motorcycles in 1986. At the time of launch, these lightweight cruisers were named the Suzuki LS650 Savage. In 2005, these bikes were designated as the Boulevard S40. Over the years, the bike has seen changes in the speed transmission system, color scheme, and style.

In 2005, the Suzuki LS650 was rebranded as the Boulevard S40. The chassis and engine on both bikes remained the same. However, Suzuki played around with the emblem design and paint job of the motorcycles.

In 2006, the Boulevard S40 was introduced in the following colors:

The 2007 Suzuki Boulevard S40 bikes had beautiful tank lines and chopper styling cues. The emblem and color scheme of this year’s model made the cruiser a huge hit.

Along with classic colors, the cylinders and frame of the 2008 Boulevard S40 bikes received a luxurious black finish that gave this bike a sophisticated look.

In 2009, Suzuki introduced two-tone paint jobs for its Boulevard S40 cruisers.

No new changes were introduced to the 2010 Suzuki Boulevard S40 motorcycles. Even the price of the 2010 models remained the same. Most riders opted to customize their bikes with aftermarket Suzuki parts.

The 2011 Suzuki Boulevard S40 bikes had a striking color scheme. The engine configuration was the same but the fresh colors revived the bike.

In 2012, the Boulevard S40 bikes featured two distinct color combinations:

In 2013, Suzuki introduced the following colors for its Boulevard S40 lineup.

The color schemes for the 2014 Suzuki Boulevard S40 models include the following:

The price and colors of the 2015 Suzuki S40 Boulevard models include the following:

The 2016 Suzuki Boulevard S40 bikes had the classic thumper-chopper style and unique paint.

The 2017 Boulevard S40 bikes were launched in the following colors:

In 2018, Suzuki introduced a striking silver paint and a unique purple hue for its Boulevard S40 lineup.

In 2019, several more elegant color schemes were launched for the Suzuki Boulevard S40 bike manufactured this year.

Here is a quick overview of what changed over the years other than the cruiser’s name.

More than 30 years ago, Suzuki entered the cruiser market with the launch of its LS650 Savage cruiser, the Boulevard S40 motorcycle of today. At first glance, the bike has a simple retro chopper design and a single-cylinder engine. The powerful engine and robust half-duplex cradle were given the blacked-out treatment and a hint of chrome. The blacked-out parts of the bike include an upper fork clamp, headlight nacelle, tall drag-style handlebars, and rear fenders. The black rims of the wheel augment the blacked-out chopper look. The use of stainless steel on the spoked wheels looks striking against the black rims.

The narrow front wheel, stylish livery, and lustrous paint with subtle graphics give this bike a timeless look.

The telescopic 140 mm front fork is blacked out and provides wheel travel of 5.5 inches for a comfortable ride. The rear suspension is a swingarm with twin shocks and a five-way adjustable preload system. The rear suspension offers wheel travel of 3.1 inches and easily supports the weight of two riders. The front and rear suspensions work together to ensure adequate stability and control of the bike.

The peanut-shaped fuel tank of the Suzuki Boulevard S40 bikes can hold up to 2.8 gallons of fuel. The fuel capacity of the tanks allows comfortable long urban rides and daily commutes. The classic emblem and the gorgeous paint on the front and rear fenders and decorated side covers enhance the aesthetic of the fuel tank.

The easy-to-read speedometer of the Suzuki Boulevard S40 cruisers is tank-mounted. Quickly look down to make sure that you are riding under the speed limit.

The blacked-out engine of the Suzuki S40 Boulevard is air-cooled, four-stroke, and sports a single-cylinder with four valves. The cylinder head and cooling fins of the engine are visible and add to the powerful look of the bike. The four-valve configuration in the single-overhead cams (SOHC) setup reflects the reliable engineering of the bike. The Suzuki S40’s engine has a high-mass crankshaft that helps produce strong low-end torque and linear power for comfortable, hour-long cruising. The bike features an electric starter to activate the engine almost immediately even in cold weather. The engine has a simple retro-style exhaust that produces a distinct exhaust note.

In 2005, the four-speed transmission was updated to a five-speed transmission. The updated transmission system and the low-maintenance belt drive allowed for smoother gear shifts. The wet, multi-plate manual clutch supplies uninterrupted power to the transmission system. The front and rear forks keep the bike stable, while the 58.3-inch wheelbase and 5.8-inch trail offer a smooth and comfortable riding experience.

The narrow 100/90 x 19 front and wide 140/80 x 15 rear tube-type tires complement the chopper-style frame of the bike. They provide excellent traction and improve the stability of the bike.

The hydraulic 265 mm single disc front brake and rear drum brakes provide confidence-boosting stopping power.

The low-slung 27.6-inch high rider seat allows for a comfortable hour-long ride. If you ride longer than that, you may find the seat inadequate in terms of comfort. The forward footpegs and tall handlebars offer a comfortable riding position, but unfortunately, the comfort is short-lived, making this bike unsuitable for interstate tours and exploration trips.

The Suzuki Boulevard S40 is not equipped with factory-installed accessories. However, a wide range of custom accessories is available to enhance the look of the bike. These include crash bars, saddlebags, custom seats, luggage racks, handlebars, fairings, and sissy bars. These accessories can be easily bought online from well-reputed and economical brands such as VikingBags.

For the 2019 Suzuki Boulevard S40 models, the motorcycle company is offering a 12-month unlimited mileage limited warranty.

The lightweight Suzuki Boulevard S40 has a top speed of 85 mph.

The Suzuki Boulevard S40 engine is carbureted. The fuel injection system features a special Mikuni BS 40 single carburetor.

The 2019 model of Suzuki Boulevard S40 is priced at $5,799. However, the price is variable and depends on the location.

The Suzuki Boulevard S40 has a horsepower of 30.0 hp at 5500 rpm. The 625 cc engine also generates a low-end torque of 45 Nm at 3000 rpm.

The Suzuki Boulevard S40 offers a fuel mileage of 52.9 mpg.

Suzuki Boulevard S40 is an affordable ride and a great purchase if considering its technical specifications and style features. However, it is not a comfortable tourer, and when compared to the latest, more lavish cruisers, the need for customization arises. Here’s how you can mindfully customize your bike for improved comfort without wasting a single cent.

The bike is quite comfortable for short riders with its 27.6-inch high saddle, forward footpegs, and tall handlebars. However, the low-slungseat doesn’t allow three to four hours of consistent travel. If you want to travel long-distance, then replace the in-built saddle with a more comfortable one to increase riding comfort and prolong your riding time. The custom passenger seat, backrest, and sissy bars for Suzuki serve the same purpose. Furthermore, adjusting handlebar height by installing custom handlebars would lower the center of gravity, allowing you to handle the bike without much difficulty. This in turn would alleviate the stress/pressure on your arms, nerves, and back.

For a more contemporary look, install a pair of leather saddlebags and luggage racks. The saddlebags would allow you to carry your luggage around the city and on long motorcycle trips safely and in style.