Anyone familiar with the Suzuki B-King?

[JulesMaximus]

I was reading about this bike in the latest moto rag I got in the mail and it looks like a monster! It has the Hayabusa engine but it's a naked bike (which I like). I could see getting an aftermarket exhaust, bar end mirrors, maybe doing something with the headlights like a dual headlight kit.

0-100mph in 5.7 seconds
1/4 mile in 10 seconds at 139mph

It's a big heavy bike but man, what a rocket. It would be fun to have this bike for cruising and keep the SV for the canyon carving or get a new 2009 Ducati Monster 1100S. 😀

Rear

Side

 

[Greenman]

I've read a little about them, very nice machine, and probably a blast to ride, but I don't care for the looks at all. Since you like naked bikes, you should also check out the V-Max, 198hp, and the strangest looking thing I've ever seen. The 20k price tag is a little steep, but if you want a unique bike you have to pay the price.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Greenman
I've read a little about them, very nice machine, and probably a blast to ride, but I don't care for the looks at all. Since you like naked bikes, you should also check out the V-Max, 198hp, and the strangest looking thing I've ever seen. The 20k price tag is a little steep, but if you want a unique bike you have to pay the price.

Yeah, I don't like the look of that bike though.

 

[lghost]

In person the B-King looks like a delivery van from the front, and a power rangers toy from the rear. Sitting on it felt awkward as hell (I did not ride it, it may be better in motion). I was considerably less enthusiastic about it after seeing it up close. I think there is a point where adding HP (and weight) to a naked bike becomes silly, you want the Hayabusa engine I think you'd likely be a lot happier with a Hayabusa as it is more comfortable, more practical, and performs much better with some ability to split the airstream. If you are just digging naked bikes becuase they are sexy (and they are, I ride a SV right now), the Street Triple is as fast as I can imagine wanting a naked bike to be.

OK, maybe the Monster 1100...

Anyway, I think the B-king is one of the least attractive naked bikes, and it relies on the power you can't really use to sell. Put it next to a Monster, a Shiver, Brutale, S-Triple, SV, etc... and it looks clumsy and gimmicky. The B in B-King stands for 'buyer's remorse' I suspect.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: lghost
In person the B-King looks like a delivery van from the front, and a power rangers toy from the rear. Sitting on it felt awkward as hell (I did not ride it, it may be better in motion). I was considerably less enthusiastic about it after seeing it up close. I think there is a point where adding HP (and weight) to a naked bike becomes silly, you want the Hayabusa engine I think you'd likely be a lot happier with a Hayabusa as it is more comfortable, more practical, and performs much better with some ability to split the airstream. If you are just digging naked bikes becuase they are sexy (and they are, I ride a SV right now), the Street Triple is as fast as I can imagine wanting a naked bike to be.

OK, maybe the Monster 1100...

Anyway, I think the B-king is one of the least attractive naked bikes, and it relies on the power you can't really use to sell. Put it next to a Monster, a Shiver, Brutale, S-Triple, SV, etc... and it looks clumsy and gimmicky. The B in B-King stands for 'buyer's remorse' I suspect.

Yeah, I hate the exhaust on the stock bike. That would have to go immediately.

I also ride an SV currently and like it very much. Street Triple or Ducati Monster 1100 is in my not so distant future.