The motorcycle is very hard to shift into 2nd gear. Took it to the dealer and they claim the clutch is adjusted correctly. I was even told by the dealer that it is common problem with the Suzuki m109r clutch/transmission. Because of the shifting problem sometimes I am afraid that a car behind me will rear end me as it is so hard to shift from 1st into 2nd gear and than the motorcycle will slow…
2011 Suzuki Boulevard M109R powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2011 Suzuki Boulevard M109R have filed 7 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 Boulevard M109R | 40 |
| 2008 Boulevard M109R | 17 |
| 2009 Boulevard M109R | 7 |
| 2011 Boulevard M109R (this page) | 7 |
When does it fail?
Of the 7 powertrain complaints filed for the 2011 Suzuki Boulevard M109R, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Reported failure mileage clusters in the 0-25,000 mi band — 5 of 5 complaints with an odometer reading on file land there.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
Shifts very hard when up-shifting loud clash sound while in motion does this all the time every shift. I dont want to be rearended while attempting to shift
I bought my motorcycle march 2012. The motorcycle has always shifted hard from first to second gear. January 2013 I was riding and it started to loss power at 50 MPH I also noticed antifreeze on the left side. I took it to the dealer, they fixed the antifreeze problem . Then they said the clutch lever was to tight so it was partially engaging the clutch. I had the bike less than a year and had…
I bought my motorcycle march 2012. The motorcycle has always shifted hard from first to second gear. January 2013 I was riding and it started to loss power at 50 MPH I also noticed antifreeze on the left side. I took it to the dealer, they fixed the antifreeze problem. Then they said the clutch lever was too tight so it was partially engaging the clutch. I had the bike less than a year and had…
2011 Suzuki boulevard c50t. I have a hard time shifting, mostly from 3rd to 4th and 5th gear. You can't hear or feel it go into the next gear. Sometimes I have to force it to shift. If I come to a stop before I down shift into 1st gear I have a hard time getting into 1st gear. I have to pull the clutch in and out to get it to shift. Sometimes it will shift from 3rd to 1st by it's self when I pull…
I bought my motorcycle a Suzuki boulevard m10r limited 2011limited new on march 2012. The motorcycle has always shifted hard from first to second gear. On april 18, 2015 I was riding for about a hour everything was fine until I merged to a main highway and I noticed the loss of power at 55 MPH . Was stuck in the a center line where cars are going up 70 miles. I was attempting to pass a car but…
2009 Suzuki c109rt motorcycle shifts very hard and makes a very loud clunk as it goes into second gear. Often it is difficult to get it into gear. When down shifting, you often have to stop, let out the clutch and pull it in again to get the bike to downshift past second gear. Inability to shift may cause an accident. *tr
Had powertrain trouble with your 2011 Suzuki Boulevard M109R?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2011 Suzuki Boulevard M109R?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 7 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 7 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 4,156 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Suzuki/Boulevard M109R.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.