Suzuki Boulevard M90 (VZ1500 / Intruder 1500) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the Suzuki Boulevard M90. The Boulevard M90 is also known as the Suzuki Intruder 1500 or the VZ1500 depending on market
The Suzuki Boulevard M90 is the “reasonably sized” performance cruiser (reasonable next to the slightly unreasonable Suzuki Boulevard M109R). It hasn’t changed since launch other than in getting more colour schemes, and has always been powered by a liquid-cooled 54-degree fuel-injected 1,462 cc V-twin engine that puts power down through a shaft drive.
Maintaining the M90 is quite like maintaining its cruisier sibling the C90, although there are some spec differences. See below for pics of the M90 and C90 side by side.
This site has links for things like oil and spark plugs from which we earn a commission (which unfortunately nobody can save, not even us). If you appreciate this work, then please use those links. Thanks!
Suzuki Boulevard M90 / Intruder 1500 Maintenance Schedule
Below is the maintenance schedule for the Suzuki Boulevard M90 / Intruder 1500 / VZ1500.
Notes:
- Use the earlier of time-based or distance-based intervals.
- At the end of the schedule, repeat it in the pattern shown (every 3500 mi / 6000 km)
Legend:
- I= Inspect and clean, adjust, replace or lubricate as necessary.
- R= Replace
- T= Tighten
| mi x 1000 | 0.6 | 4 | 7.5 | 11 | 14.5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | 1 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | |
| Months | 2 | 12 | 24 | 36 | 48 | Periodic |
| Engine oil (Synthetic blend 10W-40 e.g. Motul 5100 10W-40) | R | R | R | R | R | |
| Engine oil filter (HF138RC) | R | – | – | R | – | |
| Air cleaner element | – | I | I | R | I | |
| Spark plugs (NGK CR6E x 4) | – | I | R | I | R | |
| Valve clearance | I | – | I | – | I | |
| Engine coolant (Suzuki Super Long Life, or equivalent blue coolant e.g. Motorex M3.0) | – | – | – | – | R | |
| Final gear oil (SAE-90 Hypoid oil. Mobil 1 Gear Oil is popular for the M90 and M109R) | R | – | I | – | I | Many owners change final drive oil every year or 2 oil changes. |
| Brakes (including pads) condition | I | I | I | I | I | |
| Brake fluid level (Castrol DOT 4) | – | I | I | I | I | Replace every 2 years |
| Brake hoses (cracks, leask) | – | I | I | I | I | Replace every 4 years |
| Exhaust pipe bolts and muffler bolts | T | – | T | – | T | |
| Fuel hose | – | I | I | I | I | |
| Evaporative emission control system (CA model only) | – | – | I | – | I | |
| Throttle cable play / lubrication (Protect All Cable Life) | I | I | I | I | I | |
| PAIR (air supply) system | – | – | I | – | I | |
| Throttle valve synchronization | I | – | I | – | I | CA: Inspect at break-in |
| Radiator hose | – | I | I | I | I | |
| Clutch cable play | – | I | I | I | I | |
| Tires (condition, tread) | – | I | I | I | I | |
| Steering | I | – | I | – | I | |
| Front forks | – | – | I | – | I | |
| Rear suspension | – | – | I | – | I | |
| Chassis bolts and nuts | T | T | T | T | T | |
| General lubrication (using lithium soap-based grease) | Lubricate every 1,000 km (600 miles) |
Tire size and tire pressure for the Suzuki Boulevard M90
The manual for the Suzuki Boulevard specifies the following tire pressures and stock tires, plus the following recommended tire pressures.
Stock, the Boulevard M90 ships with Bridgestone G853 / 852 tubeless cruiser tires.
| Wheel | Size | Tire pressure |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 120/70ZR18 M/C 59W | Solo: 250 kPa (2.50 bar, 36 psi) Two-up: 225 kPa (2.25 bar, 33 psi) |
| Rear | 200/50ZR17 M/C 75W | Solo: 250 kPa (2.50 bar, 36 psi) Two-up: 280 kPa (2.80 bar, 41 psi) |
About the Suzuki Boulevard M90
The Boulevard M90 is Suzuki’s “pretty big, but not the biggest” power cruiser.
Suzuki uses a powerful 1462 cc (normally rounded up to 1500 cc) V-twin to power the M90.
It’s the engine you’d expect for a cruiser, but it’s not just any old-tech V-twin liquid-cooled and has overhead cams — two modern touches that many American-made cruisers lack.
The Boulevard M90’s engine pushes out 132 Nm (97 lb-ft) of torque at very low RPM, giving the Boulevard M90 that all-important pull. And it also has horsepower of… well, it’s less relevant, as cruisers are more about low-end torque than top-end rush.
The Suzuki M90’s engine has two of 42 mm throttle bodies with dual throttle valve technology. This tech means there’s a second throttle valve that the computer opens up at certain times to help with throttle response across the rev range. It’s a bit of Suzuki tech seen in a wide range of bikes, all the way up to high-end sport bikes like the Suzuki Hayabusa.
Suzuki also has idle speed control to help with idling and cold starts, also while keeping emissions low, keeping the ECU in closed loop mode. And the Boulevard M90 has dual plugs in the heads (so yes, you need four spark plugs for this twin when it comes to replacing spark plugs) to keep emissions down and performance up by ensuring complete combustion.
The Suzuki Boulevard M90 also has a low-maintenance shaft final drive (rather than a belt as seen on many cruisers) and a five-speed transmission.
The transmission and drive are worth a special mention because they’re designed for smooth riding despite the powerful engine. The Boulevard M90’s transmission has large flywheels to dampen the power pulses slightly. And the primary drive gear is spring loaded to absorb hard shocks (e.g. during aggressive downshifts), preventing them from being sent back through the drive system.
Finally, the Boulevard M90 uses a clutch assist system, to give the clutch a lighter pull.
Basically, the M90 is the “reasonable power cruiser” that many people will enjoy more than the bigger Suzuki Boulevard M109R, if they dare admit it to themselves.
Maintaining the Boulevard M90 is much like maintaining other liquid-cooled shaft-driven cruisers from Suzuki.
The general service interval is every 3500 miles / 6000 km, at which point you change the oil and inspect the plugs. You change the plugs and inspect the valve clearance every 2nd service.
Along the way, make sure you regularly replace fluids like brake fluid and coolant (remember, it’s a liquid-cooled cruiser).
One of the best parts — the shaft drive. You only need to change the oil every 7500 miles / 12000 km. It’s an easy and infrequent task.
Manual for the Suzuki Boulevard M90
This is a screenshot of the maintenance schedule from the Suzuki Boulevard M90’s manual.
The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the Suzuki Boulevard M90.
You can download it from Suzuki’s official website here.
