Back in the Suzuki "fold".

[burkbuilds]

WW, yes, I think it's just right for me at this time. I am enjoying it. I have to admit that the

ZL600 was exhilarating to ride but the Boulevard fits my 6'1" -240 lb body a lot better. I

was surprised at the handling difference between those two bikes, the ZL almost seemed

to read my mind, just a little body lean and it responded so fast I sometimes just thought it

was doing it on it's own. With the Boulevard I found myself swinging way out in the curves

and I had to adjust a lot. It will ride the turns but I have to put a lot more effort and

weight into it to get it to lean over. It really wants to come back up to the top if I don't

put lean heavily into it, which is nice when you just want a relaxing ride but it does take

more effort in the S-turns.

[Maggie]

Nice ride. I think the C50 is the more modern version of my VZ800. Sadly, my VZ800 has a hole in the engine case and I am not sure it will ever run again. I have yet to unmount the engine and pull it apart to see what happened in there. Such a pretty bike, I really miss riding it. Hmmmm...maybe a C50...

[Water Warrior 2]

Originally Posted by Maggie

Nice ride. I think the C50 is the more modern version of my VZ800. Sadly, my VZ800 has a hole in the engine case and I am not sure it will ever run again. I have yet to unmount the engine and pull it apart to see what happened in there. Such a pretty bike, I really miss riding it. Hmmmm...maybe a C50...

The aftermarket also supports the C-50 very well. No real maintenance issues to speak of and they are a pretty good bang for your buck.

[burkbuilds]

Maggie, sorry to hear about your bike. If you decide to move on to another ride the C50T is a

very nice bike and would be similar in size to what you were riding.

WW, yes, my bike has the engine guards on it. I hope I never need them,

The riding position is nice with the floor boards and larger seat. I installed a drivers

backrest last night and rode it around a bit today and it helped with my comfort level. I've

decided to add Barons Handlebar risers (Model# BA-7410-00)to move the handles up

1-3/4" and back 1-1/2", which should be just about right for me and not enough to require

replacing any of the cables. Since Beth won't ride with me, I think I'll pull the passenger

seat and install the trunk I once had mounted on my Vulcan 500. I will have to fabricate

some mounting hardware but that shouldn't be a big deal since I've set up my son in law

with a machine shop in a building behind my house. He loves to do custom work for

people's bikes, and he'll help me make anything I need.

[Water Warrior 2]

WOW! A machine shop in your back yard. Awesome.

[burkbuilds]

Yes, it's nice to have all those machines available and a son-in-law who's really good at using them.

I decided to order a seat from Russell Day Long in California. It's supposed to be finished and back to me in February.

I copied Russell's basic design years ago for my Vulcan 500 seat and although I couldn't

compete with their stylish looks, the shape was super comfortable and I even rode it over 7

hours one day and reached my destination, helped unload my wife's car and went back out

for another hour long ride.

I hope the one I've ordered is equally comfortable.

[Water Warrior 2]

BB, I remember the 500 you had. It did serve you well.

[Water Warrior 2]

Originally Posted by burkbuilds

WW, yes, I think it's just right for me at this time. I am enjoying it. I have to admit that the

ZL600 was exhilarating to ride but the Boulevard fits my 6'1" -240 lb body a lot better. I

was surprised at the handling difference between those two bikes, the ZL almost seemed

to read my mind, just a little body lean and it responded so fast I sometimes just thought it

was doing it on it's own. With the Boulevard I found myself swinging way out in the curves

and I had to adjust a lot. It will ride the turns but I have to put a lot more effort and

weight into it to get it to lean over. It really wants to come back up to the top if I don't

put lean heavily into it, which is nice when you just want a relaxing ride but it does take

more effort in the S-turns.

Have you tried raising the fork tubes half an inch? This will quicken up the steering a bit. That and running the tire pressures a couple lbs more than 2 up specs.

The M-50 has different forks than the C-50 and handles very sweet in the twisties. The C050 is a little more of a relaxed touring bike with a bigger seat, floorboards and different bars too. The one I test rode a few years ago had the heel toe shifter and felt just right after 5 minutes of riding.
I think a lot of riders overlook the C-50 in their search for a new ride because it is only 805cc's. It's HP to Weight ratio is pretty good too.
Speaking of weight. Crash bars are pretty much a must have item if you drop it. I dropped Lynda's M-50 twice with the crash bars on it and it litterly rolled back up to vertical with little effort. The bike was stationary both times doing an oil change. Then I bought a bike lift after escaping any damage or scratches.