B-King TEST RIDE

[solman]

I dunno.. looks like Suzuki blew it to me.. just off target by a 'snivas' again; took a fantastic concept and mucked-it-up in the delivery.

It looks faithful to the concept bike to me, except missing the blower.

I was thinking the same thing.  I noticed a few differences, but seems pretty close.  The two main diferences that I noticed is a repositioned rear shock and possibily a smaller rear tire.  I think the rake/trail on the front forks is a tad different too.

CONCEPT BIKE


PRODUCTION BIKE

[pmackie]

Although it is NOT my cup of tea, and I don't want one, I AM pretty impressed that Suzuki actually went out and put this concept bike into production. Good on em...

And I think it is a pretty good replica of the origional concept bike, with the exception of the lack of a turbo. The specs look decent, for this type of bike. Weight is right in there with a Bandit, power, with a modified 'Busa engine should be excellent, suspension and brakes are right up to date and handling is a wait and see, but it is an up to date bike, from the look of things.

I'm still looking for the mid size, lighter weight, sport tourer ala Honda VFR (which I don't really want either). The Triumph Sprint ST still has some sizzle though...

[China Greg]

And I think it is a pretty good replica of the origional concept bike,
I'm still looking for the mid size, lighter weight, sport tourer ala Honda VFR (which I don't really want either). The Triumph Sprint ST still has some sizzle though...
[/quote]

1) my comment about Suzuki messing-up a good concept was meant to mean that their general IDEA was good.. a Hyabusa-powered Naked. But I don't really dig the "concept bike" in the same way as the production model.. although I too can appreciate the attempt.
2) YES to your comment about a lighter-weight, sport-tour.. I rode a VFR 800 in California for a week one time, and it was very capable, but had all the Soul of a refrigerator. It needed more pizzazz.. and BUNGEE points, for cryin out loud. And that VTec suuurge was a distraction at 7000 rpm.

Sprint ST1050.. yeah, that one gets my attention too. I'd seriously GO for it, if it was a tad lighter, and maybe 100+cc bigger. Also, it's not cheap..(but you can get them discounted slightly, new, on EBay). I also worry that I might get jammed if a throttle sensor or something broke in Montana. Local Triumph dealer?? ..uhh, yeahhh..

Otherwise.. I really love that bike, despite the rooster-tail rear end. If you've never rode a Triumph 3-cylinder.. it's a really grunty treat!

[rkfire]

It's growing on me. It has a more masculine look than many of the new naked bikes. A modern V-max, except with more power. Truthfully, the exhaust doesn't bother me, I say ANYTHING other than the round cans they seem to put on EVERY bike.

[solman]

handling is a wait and see,

Not true for me, I have already ridden one.

[ippo]

It's growing on me. It has a more masculine look than many of the new naked bikes. A modern V-max, except with more power. Truthfully, the exhaust doesn't bother me, I say ANYTHING other than the round cans they seem to put on EVERY bike.

http://www.bigccracing.com/content/item.asp?item=69

More masculine......

[Slider]

It looks like a V-Max to me.
It appears to be a solo machine, only - no passenger footpegs or seat.
Does anyone know the weight?

[solman]

Stock form, it's over 500 lbs.  I believe that it does have passenger pegs.

[Red01]

Stock form, it's over 500 lbs.  I believe that it does have passenger pegs.

The US Suzuki site advertises 518 lbs (520 in CA) and yes, it has passenger pegs and a token cushion under the removable tail fairing, but I don't think anyone will want to sit back there very long.

[CWO4GUNNER]

Its funny how the numbers good or bad are obscured by what I'm looking at in the B-King, I suppose it shouldn't feel that way. I wish Suzuki had captured a bit more Captain bravado in the bikes looks then Boy wonder. A bit more in this direction and for a bit more reasonable price.
I suppose I had better get use to it as Suzuki's next concept bike will even be more happy and a real Captain flamo bike.

[Red01]

More often than not, those concepts never see production.  They are styling excercises and technology demonstrators used to gauge publuc response.

Here's a Suzuki concept from >20 years ago... Recall any production Suzi that ever looked close to it?

[CWO4GUNNER]

I must admit that the concept bike looks much more commanding then the production and allot of it seems to stem from the concept headlight which makes the whole look of the bike much more mean and confident. That production headlight is a little dorky making the whole bike look awkward IMO.

[China Greg]

Captain Flam-0, indeed.

The last real concept bike from Suzuki of any note (prior to the B-King), that made it to the streets would be the old 1100 Katana.

Lately my head is lost in a swirl of aluminum and plastic. I love my 1st Gen Bandit because it DOESN'T have all that Junior Rocket Boy crap.. especially when stripped-down a little, (fender eliminator, bar-end mirrors, flat drag bars, ..dump all the passenger gear).

My wallet is open and waiting for the possibility of Honda releasing that CB1100R, air-cooled, endurance-racer concept. Close to perfect for what I want, and the direction that I always hoped the Bandit series would go towards.
I hope Suzuki noticed that style excersize at the Tokyo show... but looking back on the trends at Suzuki in recent years... my guess is, probably not. Honestly, I have been quite disappointed in Suzuki's lately..
...simply IMHO...

[China Greg]

 The US Suzuki site advertises 518 lbs (520 in CA) [/quote]

That's pretty Porky these days, no matter how punchy the motor is. Fill 'er up with High Test, water, oil and a rain suit under the seat and it's.. what.. 560? I spent too much time on lardy, old GS1150ES's, (had two), that weighed about the same, trying desperately to hustle them around corners,.. sometimes unsuccessfully.

If it's over 500 pounds to BEGIN with.. it's not for me anymore.

[smooth operator]

The US Suzuki site advertises 518 lbs (520 in CA)

That's pretty Porky these days, no matter how punchy the motor is. Fill 'er up with High Test, water, oil and a rain suit under the seat and it's.. what.. 560? I spent too much time on lardy, old GS1150ES's, (had two), that weighed about the same, trying desperately to hustle them around corners,.. sometimes unsuccessfully.

If it's over 500 pounds to BEGIN with.. it's not for me anymore.
[/quote]  Befor th Bandit,I ad a GSX1100G(630lbs)it was great losing all that wt.when I got the Bandit.And lighter again w/ the SV. If I was doing some long trips, I'd go w/ the new Bandit. It would be comfortable enough for the wife too.But for a holigan bike,or a corner carver,I'll stay light too.  Dan