Suzuki B-King?

[eng943]

Anyone ever spend any time on a B-King. I'm looking for a toy bike to use for fun and maybe small 100-200 mile rides since I already have a R1200RT for the longer rides.

I've looked at several bikes, and have boiled it down to a new B-King. It's a raging bargain at 9K, and can be outfitted with a windscreen, etc.

Having never ridden one, can someone who has offer any insight? No suggestions on other bikes please, I've crossed that bridge.

 

[Redbandit14]

I only did a demo ride so I don't have a ton of miles on it. But i quite liked it ,tons of power standard ergos and when your on it you don't have to look at it A great bike for shorter rides i think. maybe even commuting.

[Cablebandit]

Yeah, it's a hoot.  The engine is ferocious.  The ergos are pretty neutral. Although the "tank" is pretty wide at the knees, you'd have no problems putting in several hundred mile days.

Plus if you replace the exhaust it looks much nicer.

[chornbe]

I just have one word...

Want.

[rgbeard]

I'd always hated the exhaust on them - but the Yoshi ad looks HAWT!!!

With those cans - WANT.

 

[scottzilla]

I just have one word...

Want.

Words fail me.  All I can muster is some puke.

[chornbe]

Eh, it ain't about the looks for me. I mean... I rode a Sportster with Givis, and you ride a KLR. If those two bikes had a baby it'd be uglier than a V-Strom.

Nah, the idea of, basically, a Busa with good ergos really does it for me. And to me, it's not really hideous. If anything, it's really close to being "different-cool" rather than ugly.

$.02

[scottzilla]

Eh, it ain't about the looks for me. I mean... I rode a Sportster with Givis, and you ride a KLR. If those two bikes had a baby it'd be uglier than a V-Strom.

Nah, the idea of, basically, a Busa with good ergos really does it for me. And to me, it's not really hideous. If anything, it's really close to being "different-cool" rather than ugly.

$.02

1st gear is neutered, 5th gear is electronically limited to the point that the bike does a quicker quarter mile time in 4th gear.  Hardly a Busa.

[Bad Dad]

I came very close to getting one, hell, I still might Some very good prices,  new 08's for $7695!!  Here's some pipes for it, not my cup o tea mind,   http://www.moto-works.jp/heat-magic/muffler.html

[chornbe]

1st gear is neutered, 5th gear is electronically limited to the point that the bike does a quicker quarter mile time in 4th gear.  Hardly a Busa.

You're picking nits...  

[tjhess74]

i want one too.  a dealer near me has three of them...two demos and a fresh one.  they are wanting between $10-$11k, so i offered them $8k otd on the demo one (200 miles) and they laughed.  i told them to give me a call when they are serious about selling them and want to stop paying floor tax.  i sent them multiple ads from other dealers within that price range for the same bike...havent heard back yet.

[Bad Dad]

i want one too.  a dealer near me has three of them...two demos and a fresh one.  they are wanting between $10-$11k, so i offered them $8k otd on the demo one (200 miles) and they laughed.  i told them to give me a call when they are serious about selling them and want to stop paying floor tax.  i sent them multiple ads from other dealers within that price range for the same bike...havent heard back yet.

                                Daphne, AL $7699. cycletrader.com

[jbs80106]

Food for thought, I recall someone on here commenting on just getting a 'busa, put some bar risers on it and some bags...'busa looks/performance, fairing (which I find useful for touring) and better looking for most,

Me, I LOVE the looks of the B-KING.  Never rode one, but sat on one at the dealer.  At 6'2 I was too big.  My knees didn't fit into the recesses at the tank but about 2 inches too far...plus I needed to do some stretches before straddling that tank!

[Dan K]

I've seen actual bars on a z14, not sure why you couldn't do it on a Busa.  Great motors.  actually handle pretty well too, altho I was in Florida for that drive, so the on ramps and exit ramps were almost the twistiest roads I was on...

- Dan

[UFO]

I'd hit that B-King above, hard.  Fuck the looks (which are okay IMO), that thing has got to be a monster.

But alas, I'm not rich and retired to enjoy every bike I'd like to own.

[JamesG]

You also bought an MTS1200 which means your sense of looks is seriously defective.  

[Orson]

No suggestions on other bikes please, I've crossed that bridge.

 

I know you secretly want to be talked out of it, otherwise you would have posted this in the Suzuki Section.

now you'll have the full weight of the "experts on everything" telling you how wrong you really are and just didn't realize it  

[JoBu]

Yeah, it's a hoot.  The engine is ferocious.  The ergos are pretty neutral. Although the "tank" is pretty wide at the knees, you'd have no problems putting in several hundred mile days.

Plus if you replace the exhaust it looks much nicer.

Looks exactly like mine.  The only other mods I did to the bike were gold AGV levers and the clear film to protect the tank from tankslappers.  I know a lot of people think they are fugly, but I dig the looks (especially with the Yosh cans).  It is a very comfortable bike to ride and there a few windscreen options out there to help with the wind.  But I really don't find it to be an issue.  The seating position if pretty neutral with a slight forward lean.  I think I would be fatigued a bit sooner if I was sitting up in a more vertical position.

The engine is smoooooooooooth and the tranny is quite slick.  The handling is solid and confidence inspiring.  I do think I will change out the rear tire for a 190 to quicken up the steering a bit (stock is a 200).  It is an easy bike to ride at a relaxed pace but oh my goodness, when you do choose to dial up the power...pure heaven.  

I also like the fact that the bike is unique.  And it really does show much better in person than it does on film.  There were two color options (black and black/silver) but my preference was for the Darth Vadar look.  

If you get a chance to take a test ride, do it.  Chances are you'll really enjoy yourself on it.  

Oh, the first time I demo'd one, it was back to back with the new V-Max.  IMHO, there was no comparison.  The V felt like a pig of a bike compared to the B-King.  Well, other than the sweet motor...but the power delivery just wasn't as nice, you sat more "on" the bike rather than "in" the bike as you do with the B-King.  I didn't think the brakes felt as good (though that could be a simple pad swap) and the handling wasn't even close.  

Cheers,

Joe

[UFO]

You also bought an MTS1200 which means your sense of looks is seriously defective.  

I also owned a Hayabusa...so...yeah.

[Giaka]

You also bought an MTS1200 which means your sense of looks is seriously defective.  

Nah his taste are just further from vanilla than Scotty’s.    I like the B-King, I have personally seen a few modded ones and they look great in my opinion. Stock, not so much.

[nater]

I'd hit that B-King above, hard.  Fuck the looks (which are okay IMO), that thing has got to be a monster.

But alas, I'm not rich and retired to enjoy every bike I'd like to own.

That's cause you spent the wad on the Duc  

[Hardware]

One of the guys I just did a 2500 km trip with rode a new left over '09 B-King.  He had some brand of sport-bike soft saddle bags and an aftermarket windscreen that really changed the look of the front end of the bike.  He also had a throttle lock of some type.

He had no complaints comfort-wise although he needed to fuel every 200 kms or so.

If I could afford one, I'd love one as a second bike.

[Baz]

I test rode one once at our demo days.

It was a load of fun, but I found it did not fit me well. (My knees were always bashing the lip on the tank) For a bike just to run around town on, I say sure, but there are also many other bikes that would be as much or more fun. I would add one to my stable if the opportunity came by.

The one I rode had aftermarket cans as pictured below. I think they are a fine looking beast.  

In fact after my test ride, I was dreaming of a way to put that Engine in my FJR. A while ago it was rumored that Suzuki was planning a
B-King/Hayabusa/Sport Touring variation around this engine. Obviously it was just a rumor.

[JoBu]

It was a load of fun, but I found it did not fit me well. (My knees were always bashing the lip on the tank) For a bike just to run around town on, I say sure, but there are also many other bikes that would be as much or more fun. I would add one to my stable if the opportunity came by.

In fact after my test ride, I was dreaming of a way to put that Engine in my FJR. A while ago it was rumored that Suzuki was planning a
B-King/Hayabusa/Sport Touring variation around this engine. Obviously it was just a rumor.

Good point about the fit.  I have a friend at work who is about 6'4" or 6'5".  He absolutely loves the B-King but simply can't fit on it as his knees won't fit into the cut-outs on the side of the tank/air box.

Funny you mention putting the engine in your FJR.  I had the exact same thought.  Not that I can knock the FeeJay's motor, but the B-Kings is just so much nicer...smoother and much more powerful.  Yeah, it looks like Suzuki is really scaling it back and playing it safe, for the most part.  Perhaps when the economy picks up??  I'd love to see Suzuki's take on a sport-touring rig along the lines of an FJR or a C-14.

Cheers,

Joe

[applewins]

I own a B-King and the knee issue is easily resolved with Buell footpegs. It's well known and published on the B-King forum. I have soft bags, small screen and sliders. I couldn't ask for a better sport touring machine. The engine is a kitten and a beast at the same time.

[Big D]

Good point about the fit.  I have a friend at work who is about 6'4" or 6'5".  He absolutely loves the B-King but simply can't fit on it as his knees won't fit into the cut-outs on the side of the tank/air box.

+1. I'm 6'5, with a 36" inseam. Buell pegs would help if you were close to fitting, I wasn't anywhere near. I ended up with a ZX-14. With Buell pegs, Corbin seat, and a Spiegler handle bar conversion, it's quite comfortable for a land missile.

[applewins]

Yep, 36" might be a little tough. I have a 33" and problem solved with Buell pegs. When the bike originally was introduced I wanted one but was amazed that a 6'2" person didn't fit because of the tank. Your 14 is an awesome bike with great reviews. I'd love to do some side by side roll-ons with one some day.
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