To B-King or Not To B-King ...

nomo · #1 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 01:37 PM

... that is the question . Well , it's almost the end of the riding season here in Canada , and stealers are slashing prices on in-stock models . I have the chance to get a new Suzuki B-King for a great price but am wondering if I'll quckly tire of a supposedly characterless I-4 , even one with a storming 165 rear-wheel HP and 97 ft. lbs. of torque . The controversial styling has grown on me , yet it's just a UJM under the skin . I'm not one to trade in bikes quickly , tending to keep them for long periods and even indefinitely , so I'm not eliminating anything from my little stable , but is the smoothness of the Four going to bore someone used to V-Twins . Does anyone have experience with this bike ? Like it ?

Munky · #2 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 01:41 PM

Grab a Yamaha FZ1 for cheap instead. Dealers in my area cant get rid of them for $7500.

In my opinion a much better looking bike. Has the same if not better comfort. The money you save on the bike itself can pay for the Euro "N" headlight conversion for the standard look. The FZ has a pretty good aftermarket sector for all your go fast goodies.

DesperateSP2 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 02:01 PM

Will they allow you to test-ride it?
Personally I have little sympathy for these no-fairings powerhouses ever since extensively test riding a BMW K1200R and finding it completely pointless.
The real problem with the B-King is, in my opinion, build quality. Despite the pretty high asking price (14.000 Euros around here) the plastics seem to have already been recycled at least twice and let's not talk about other parts. The SV650 (the earlier series at least) feels like a much better finished bike and it's half that price.
I know I sound like an old fart always looking for something to criticize but I had my fair share of very expensive bikes with questionable build quality and that is really something that I cannot stand, no sir.

XFBO · #4 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 03:25 PM

Not, Id rather have the V-Max between the two.

drthompson65 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 03:40 PM

Be like Mike and Nike - Just do it.

jwm2k3 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 10:29 PM

My opinion is that its super ugly

corse955 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 11:19 PM

Beaten repeatedly with a large ugly stick.

I can't imagine telling friends "Yea, I just bought a new B-King."

Would you like fries with that?, I can hear them say. Bastards they are.

I'm waiting for someone to total a 1098 R and pick up a fixer upper!

robfromsc · #8 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 11:24 PM

the b king ^

nomo · #9 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 12:55 AM

Valid points all which I'm considering . It's tough to grade plastics but I can say that my 05 RC-51 and 03 Shadow seem to have custom paint compared to the 'zook which looks flat , almost primer-like . The reports I've read place build quality of the new Busa and B-King at a high level , certainly above other Suzukis . Regarding price , I can get the bike for almost 40% off MSRP b/c it's not selling well , probably due to the strange styling which I like . Indeed , the 09 V-Max appears to be a monster and so highly appealing , but the price is prohibitive for me , especially considring I can get similar performance at almost half the price in the King . Will think about it .

boom boom · #10 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 03:31 AM

" I can get the bike for almost 40% off MSRP b/c it's not selling well , "

the answer to your question is right here......edsel, aztec...B-king.....

DesperateSP2 · #11 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boom boom

" I can get the bike for almost 40% off MSRP b/c it's not selling well , "

the answer to your question is right here......edsel, aztec...B-king.....

You got a point. The damn thing's not selling and won't sell five years from now: consider that before buying.
I am also particulary suspicious of the rags talking about "good build quality" since they only get to have the bike (which is usually slightly "tuned" when compared to production bikes) for a week or so and are not very prone (I am waiting for the floodgates to open on this) to jeopardize their line of work by talking ill about what they are there to sell.

BALLZ · #12 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 11:52 AM

I know someone who test rode one and said it handled outstanding compared to his '07 GSX-R1000. He also said it would rip your arms from the sockets. Seat was good on it but lack of wind protection he could not get over. Motor was great and pulled very good, brakes were outstanding. I considered one a few months back but locally they are still $11k +, too much for me. With the Yosh Carbon dual exhaust and fender eleimnator it becomes a different bike all together. From what I've read on their boads you pull a certain wire and it has full un-restricted power simialr to the Hayabusa up top. Stock I think it is restricted to 155 mph, still plenty fast on a bike not to mention 90+ lbs of torque will seem alot faster. If they had the thing $10k or below I would seriously consider one for commuting.

nomo · #13 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 01:26 PM

I agree , resale value probably isn't going to be good if it's not selling well new , but who knows , history may actually look fondly on the bike in years to come . Besides , I like owning bikes you don't see every day .
I've never owned a Suzuki bike so I'm a little concerned about quality , even though my Suzuki car has been great for the past 4 years .
It is my understanding that the B is not electronically restricted at all compared to the Busa ; its slightly lower HP up top is due to a smaller airbox and different exhaust . But top speed is restricted in 5th and 6th gears which is fine .

BALLZ · #14 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomo

I agree , resale value probably isn't going to be good if it's not selling well new , but who knows , history may actually look fondly on the bike in years to come . Besides , I like owning bikes you don't see every day .
I've never owned a Suzuki bike so I'm a little concerned about quality , even though my Suzuki car has been great for the past 4 years .
It is my understanding that the B is not electronically restricted at all compared to the Busa ; its slightly lower HP up top is due to a smaller airbox and different exhaust . But top speed is restricted in 5th and 6th gears which is fine .

Suzuki bikes are as good as the others in quality these days. I've owned alot of them over the years so I can say that. I have a '06 GSX-R1000 currently that has been the best of the lot not ONE problem in 4800 miles and 4 trackdays on it. Rock solid!! The speed restriction is what I was referring too. Easily defeated according to the info I've read. The B-king may turn out to be like the original Katana back in the early 80's. Not really recieved well back then but worth today waht they cost new. Get rid of the B-kings exhaust and replace it with the Yosh setup and its a totally different bike from a looks stand point. The engine is tried true and tested no issues there. Like I said if they would lower the price I'd be all over one for commuting to work on.

nomo · #15 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 04:53 PM

Thanks BALLZ (never thought I'd ever say this phrase

) for the info . I'm not too worried about Suzuki quality b/c the 'Busa mill has been modified to hell and back for years with no problems . I concur that the bike will be sought after in a few years b/c of its uncompromising performance and outlandish styling , just like the original Katana as you mentioned . Now gotta convince the wife we need a 195HP standard .

Gog · #16 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 05:17 PM

I was trying to read the specs, look at the pictures and I was about to go to youtube for a look/listen but I just slumped in my seat with that first sentence of yours naggin me....

Quote:

Well , it's almost the end of the riding season here in Canada

nooooo

bmxr · #17 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomo

Thanks BALLZ (never thought I'd ever say this phrase

) for the info . I'm not too worried about Suzuki quality b/c the 'Busa mill has been modified to hell and back for years with no problems . I concur that the bike will be sought after in a few years b/c of its uncompromising performance and outlandish styling , just like the original Katana as you mentioned . Now gotta convince the wife we need a 195HP standard .

Quoted in "Yamaha horsepower" just like the 145 of the original VMax?...

Man, I keep going to look at that bike and it is just SO ugly! Id rather get a used Busa and start pelling it aprt to end up with something just as fast, nicer, and more unique.

GAMBLER · #18 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 06:31 PM

I like the look... I like the power... I liked the fueling... I liked the gearbox... but after riding one it's just not for me.

the BKing is a pig! gotta be over 500lbs.

BALLZ · #19 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 06:44 PM

Suzuki does not show a 2009 model on their website. I heard a rumor that is was a one year bike, this could very well be true. If so that might explain the high MSRP tag it has.