What the Aussies think of the BK

It's been a while, been riding the BK and forgot the blog, but lots of people still visit.
If you're here and you want an Australian perspective on the beast, have a look here

Graffiti GSX1300

Banksy B-King... well almost
Double click to download full size image

How fast does it go then mister?

Top video...

B-King tinted flyscreen

Suzuki B-King with flyscreen. It was cheaper to buy this in the USA and have it shipped to the UK. Full marks to Race Shop Inc (look for fastwayfirebird400 on eBay) who charged $25 to send it and the screen cost just under 50 quid.
The cheapest I've found it in the UK is £71... plus delivery.


Fitting: You have to drill four holes in headlight cover. I considered silicone glueing it on to preserve the original but, hey, sometimes you just gotta do it, even though the bike's only just covered 2,000 miles.
And it turned out really well.
I covered the area with electrical tape, marked it, then drilled. Easy. Job will take you 20 minutes.
It took me the thick end of two hours because I decided to take the cover apart to check where the drill bit was going. It's a bit of a jigsaw but really well made and everything clips back together tightly.
But the fact was that there is just space behind so drill away then push in the rubber t-plug with brass bolt inside.
There's no risk and the plastic's about 4mm thick.
Four holes and two supplied sticky pads to ensure a consistent gap.

Like any flyscreen, keeping it propely clean on the inside will mean taking it off when the bike's washed which is made easy by the allen bolts. The polycarbonate appears reasonably scratch resistant and smooths the nose which is second only to the rocket exhausts that people who hate the looks seem to get most upset about.

And does it make any difference at speed?
Nah not really... but it looks cool. Love it

Motor Cyclist USA on VMAX v B-King

From the mag's excellent shoot out (click HERE to view)

Ari Henning Associate Editor
Off The Record
"These Goliaths have been at Motorcyclist for a month now, but I've intentionally avoided landing on one during our daily round of musical chairs. They're big and mean-looking, and I'm not too proud to say I was more than a little intimidated by them. Hence I was a tad uneasy when ace triggerman Gene Thomason ordered me to suit up and try my hand at firing them down the quarter-mile. Talk about a shocking introduction!
"After launching each bike, roping tire through four gears and accelerating to over 130 mph, I'd conquered my fear-and solidified my opinion. These things are big and mean. And fast!
"Yamaha and Suzuki have produced two devastatingly powerful musclebikes, either of which will make you the big dog on the block. Any block."
Age: 23 Height: 5'10" Weight: 165 lbs. Inseam: 33 in

Brian Catterson Editor-in-Chief
Off The Record
"I'm not gonna cop to being intimidated by these two musclebikes like our FNG did. I've ridden MotoGP bikes, fercrissake! But I have tended to shy away from them, preferring something smaller/lighter/more maneuverable for my cross-town commute. Until one evening, when everything else was checked out, I rode the B-King home-and didn't get off it for two weeks.
"Yes, it's mean-looking, but I wouldn't call it mean. In fact, it's a pussycat-as is the V-Max-so long as you exercise some right-wrist restraint. Grab a handful and you risk punting a pedestrian-or something far more solid. ABS is nice in that regard.
"Personally, I prefer the B-King because it feels more like a regular motorcycle. But if you're seriously considering buying one of these behemoths, that's probably the last thing you want.
Age: 46 Height: 6'1" Weight: 215 lbs. Inseam: 34 in.

Right click HERE for awesome full report

Suzuki's B-King and VZR1800

As a day job I work for a newspaper and here is a test I wrote for it following my visit to the Bedfordshire test day knees up (brilliant, see earlier post)

These two bikes are about fun, about machinery that makes the rider feel special… and yes, despite our Gatso-controlled roads, it is about travelling swiftly too.

Suzuki is a specialist in offering desirable, high-performance bikes for a range of different tastes.

It produces the best mass-produced all-round sports bike in the world with GSXR1000, it also turns out the immense Hayabusa - the original 200mph bike (well almost), it’s 10 years but just relaunched with an all-new 1340cc, 181bhp engine.

And Suzuki also makes a couple of ‘budget’ big bikes too, the SV1000 and the 1200cc Bandit.

So, you can conclude Suzuki engineers like making big bikes…

And here are the two most outrageous: The VZR1800, a 125bhp power cruiser - which out poses them all - and the B-King, a rocket exhaust wearing naked bike with the same all-conquering Hayabusa engine, designed to look like a sinister Transformer toy.

Both are incredible. The fact they exist at all is something of a miracle in today’s over-legislated climate and the chance to ride both on the same day, was not to be missed.

Think cruiser and you immediately think Harley-Davidson. They sound right and still manage to dish up character from their lumpy V-twin engines. But they’re not fast.

The VZR1800 is outrageous, a giant hunk of gleaming metal and chrome that will turn more heads than any Harley.

Piloting it makes you feel almost insignificant, it is huge, almost comedy. Your legs are forced wide around a petrol tank that feels the size of a small car, then they jut out before you onto typical cruiser pegs as you stretch forward to the straight bars. The bike probably weighs as much as a Ford Escort** but release the oh-so-light clutch and as soon as you are rolling, you know you are on something special.

The stock exhaust still has a decent rumble and if you want to pose around town with your glittering chrome, this’ll do nicely. But get her onto the open road, wind on that throttle, in any gear, and the horizon accelerates toward you faster than any car… and most bikes. Your feet actually lift off the pegs. This is a quick, imposing beast which is a hoot to ride and surprisingly nimble around the twisties.

I got off after a 45-minute cross-country blast wanting one, simple as that.

And then I tried the B-King.

It looks crazy, it feels huge and weighs the same as three, full-grown men. All the brochures remind you that this was born from a crazy show bike. The looks have divided opinion.

Simply, it’s better in the flesh than any picture and here are some figures: 0-60 in 2.8 seconds and some nutter on Youtube has filmed the speedo showing 170mph. It’s a bit fast then.

It handles, brakes amazingly well and after another 45-minute ride, I decided I had to have one. Two weeks later there was one in my garage.

This bike has restored my passion for motorcycles and I reckon everyone should try one. It is a bargain too. When the B-King launched 18 months ago Suzuki wanted £9,000, now they want £8,000… most dealers will knock a few quid off too.

Second hand you can pick one up (and remember it won't be more than 18 months old) for under six grand. Yes, that's right, six grand, cheaper than a sports 600 and there's no way a B-King will have been thrashed... will it?

But the new prices won’t last, the pound has been getting weaker and bike prices have crept up.

So, take my advice: buy one now before it becomes more expensive, buy one now before we are all restricted to 100bhp like French riders – buy one now before the petrol runs out. It's an experience every biker should have.

Facts and figures

Suzuki GSX1300 B-King
Engine: 1,340cc, liquid-cooled four-cylinder four-stroke with 16 valves; 181bhp at 9,500rpm, 108lb ft of torque at 7,200rpm. Six-speed gearbox, chain drive. 0-60mph 2.8secs, 165mph (est), average fuel consumption 40mpg.
List price £8,121.

Suzuki VZR1800 (M1800)
Engine: 1783cc liquid cooled V twin, with 8 valves. 125 bhp, 118lb ft of torque, five-speed, shaft drive. 0-60mph 3.5secs, top speed 140mph (est), fuel consumption 40mpg.
List price £9,000

** In fact the VZR1800 weights 770lbs, about 200 MORE than the B-King. Somehow it feels easier to manoeuvre than the BK as the weight is all lower down.

Billet clutch cover for B-King

Another average picture but if you look carefully the cover's engraved with the B-King logo. It's billet which I had made as a one off. My guess is it's actually etched and I'm considering picking out the words in enamel.
The fella who did it supplied new stainless bolts too. Nice job and all up 25 quid.
Find him on eBay he sells Hayabusa covers with the symbol on and he'll engrave whatever you want. On reflection I would have had the logo bigger but we did the whole negoitaition by email and I'm pretty happy really.

Stainless reservoir covers B-King

Stainless clutch and brake fluid reservoir covers, look the business, they come from Germany, cost me £30, they've gone up because of the pathetic rate for the £ against the Euro. Look on eBay, they're around £8 delivered to UK.

Garage girl

So, this picture seems to one of the most popular from the pics I did the other night. Whatever you think of the exhausts... they make the pictures.
My lady, my bike... how happy am I?
(I've promised to fix her CBR 600 this weekend and she's promised I can do some more pictures. Fair enough then)
See all her pictures right click HERE

'How wide do you want that rear tyre Sir?'

This is a work in progress on the excellent www.suzukib-king.org forum. It's a 360. Nice

B-King and the Princess

I needed some pics of the bike and here they are, my gorgeous lady helped too.
See more pics HERE

B-King nose fairing

Saved myself a whole six quid by ordering the OE Suzuki nose screen from the States after a successful bid on eBay.

£65 delivered after the Dollar conversion, it's £71 plus delivery from Suzuki dealer in the UK, well that's the cheapest I could find it.

It arrived Saturday and closer study reveals my first challenge for the BK.

Now, I don't mind taking bits off, the bike: mudguard taillight... easy. Straight bolt on replacement, new engraved billet clutch cover or the hydraulic reservoir covers in stainless, simple... but the screen has a problem.

I'm going to need to drill into my pristine headlight cover... four holes.
I'm not keen so may go the silicone route and stick it on.

Added June 6th 2009 And here it is fitted right click HERE, it was easy

Here it is fitted, easier than thought see how click HERE

Pillion on the B-King... it ain't that bad

Travelled around 400 miles over the Bank Holiday weekend, all two up after my lady's CBR decided it didn't want to play.
Now I'd never seen myself using it much for two-up work, it lacks even the smallest luggage cubby hole and when I do take it a distance I intend to put a tail pack exactly where the pillion seat is (and some bloke in the USA has fitted a tank bag... which I'll look into)
Anyway the new tyre scrubbed in well and all I can say is that once you are used to the weight and setting her up properly for a series of bends, you barely notice the passenger and performance is unaffected.
Last night, after these pics were taken, a pal of mine fitted a non-slip cover to the seat. Makes life as pillion a little easier. But my lady (5ft 4ins) assures me it really is fine and she prefers it to other pillion positions.
So, the B-King really is a decent two-up motorcycle, shocker.
Ok, it's no Goldwing but we did a couple of hundred miles on Sunday with some pals, varied speeds, all A and B roads, probably two and half hours throughout the afternoon, and we were both pretty relaxed at the end.

Rye, East Sussex, Friday May 22

B-King for every occasion

"I like the B-King mainly because it can be anything you want it to be when it comes to enjoyable riding. This is a bike that delivers mass enjoyment on the road and is even surprisingly capable on the track. But you must always remain respectful to the power lurking inside, because like a lion keeper with one arm you may never be in total control..."

Tester Niall Mackenzie at Visordown.com
Pic: Cycleconnections.com

Quarter in 10.42 secs ... terminal 143.99 mph

'Speak softly, and carry a big stick'

Rear Sportmax Qualifier D209.... Ouch!

So, I was getting a little concerned: rear tyre pressure should be 42psi. Checked it, 30 pumped it up. 24 hours later it's down again.
Now, forgetting the childish guffaws from the back from anyone who thinks a tyre that keeps going down on you is funny, the slow loss of pressure was becoming a concern and you couldn't be sure it was safe.
I suspected a valve or the outside possibility that the tyre wasn't seated properly on the six-inch rim.
Anyway, a quick trip to my local branch of Laguna Motorcycles informed me it had a tiny hole.
"No we wouldn't recommend repairing it sir, a new one is £143."
Bugger...
And then two minutes later the fella (he wasn't a mechanic, he was 'technician') called back and told me the 200 section rear tyre on B-King is special and "...that's £173" (and he was right it's got NK on the end though I'm unsure why the one used on the ZX12 isn't ok)
The news spoilt my weekend I can tell you.
And, they had to order it in and it won't be ready for three days so I left it there.
Interestingly, I could tell the tyre was going down (stop giggling) and despite my relative inexperience with this hefty machine, it still handled ok.
So, while I spend the next two days worrying that those nice technicians will be 'test riding' the BK in their workshop **, I'm thinking:
A. I really could have bought it cheaper on the 'net, but by the time I take into account travelling, getting someone to fit it etc etc, that £173 is no TOO bad.
B. How come Maxxis can knock out a pair of Tyres for the BK at £135 and how much crappier can they really be?
The Sportmax seems to be the best there is for the moment, but anyone out there have any suggestions?
(Yep, I know, safety, OE, best there is at the moment etc etc)

** Note added Tuesday May 19 2009. Actually having just collected the bike, they've done a good job. Laguna on Ellingham Ind Est in Ashford. Nice blokes, nice enough shop too, and they looked after the bike well.

Couple of points:
Sportmax Qualifier D209 200/55 17. Speed rating W... which Dunlop says can't be repaired, no matter how tiny the hole (interestingly I picked up the old tyre and it was really light, only a few pounds, certainly a lot less than most tyres I'm used to lugging around off of old middleweights. That'll be progress then, eh?)

Bike test day that left me 'needing' a B-King

Some pics of me with the bikes I tried on the day I decided to get the B-King

Harley-Davidson Street Glide. New model, liked it, big vibes though and after the Goldwing (see below) I rode it like my old Sportster.... managed to get sparks off the undercarriage at 70mph then dropped it when I tried a slow speed u-turn. Oops.
Tons of attitude, crap suspension., outshone in every department by a Jap copy.
You either love it or loathe it... probably not for me (and I've loved Harleys for more than 30 years, I remember the launch of the XLCR and walking five miles as a teenager to see the one on display that was promoting a Brut competition to win one. Still love that bike but now know the reality of owning the old Sportster ironhead)


Honda Goldwing, (pictured behind the DN-01) loved it, easy to ride, obviously needs care when parking, a magic carpet that belies its huge bulk but a genius machine. Great radio too, stupendous price but worth every penny.

Honda DN-01. Like it or loathe it you have to admire Honda for making it a reality after the showbike. It looks brilliant, just needs a proper quick engine. It's the first bike I've properly grounded on a racetrack. The Honda guy was really cool about it and let me ride the Goldwing – I don't think he understood why I wanted to try it out anyway. Top people on the Honda stand at this press day in Bedfordshire.


Yamaha VMAX. Already mentioned here. Amazing machine. We should celebrate its existence. I love it but it's too costly for me (£16,000 in UK). On the day it was almost completely commandeered by some former TV Gladiator lass.. But much to her apparent upset, I got have a blast on the track.

And finally Suzuki's finest:

Suzuki VZR1800 (M1800). V twin super chop. I love this. Proper quick,it handles, turns heads. Buy one, if you can, test ride one just to say you've been there.



And then the B-King, pictured behind the VZR, a rarity still, as I've said here in these pages, I bought one just on the strength of 45-minute rides on each of these (the one I bought HERE). But the B-King is special, and it's a bargain.

And the Suzuki press folk are top notch too, sorting me some suspension info from their press set up boys.

For sale B-King 470hp

Coolest part of this ad is the dealer 'Life is too short to ride a boring mortorcycle'. Fair point I reckon. Anyway, look at this from the BikeTrader site today (have a BIG wedge of cash handy too).

The Ad says:

"Full Description

Manual 6 speed, This is possibly the highest specification and most powerful B-KING TURBO in the UK, producing a genuine 470 BHP at the rear wheel yet still being totally reliable and very rider friendly ( if youve got the B--LS ) Built for ourselves by the world famous Jack Frost owner of the legendry holeshot racing stable now based in Ireland. who we believe to be the best in the business, Hence no time or expense has been spared what so ever in creating this ultimate road legal missile. Over £12000 spent on building the motor alone. So not just a big turbo kit from the states bolted onto a virtually standard motor. Hence must not be confused with cheaper imitation B-KING TURBOS that have recently started to appear. After all mr frost is not the current uk landspeed record holder and has been since 2004 for nothing is he. Please ring for full specification and all info of this destined to be world famous machine. serious inquiries only please as this is a very very serious and unique peace of motorcycle engineering. reluctantly for sale due to new and latest vmax twin turbo project. offers in the region of £25,000"

Chequered Flag Extreme Cycles

Website: Go to Dealer's Website

Contact number: (01422) 202665

In the black

Tail tidy has seen off the long mudguard but this pic - shot on my phone at a service station on the M4 less than an hour after collecting the bike - has a bit of attitude (and Photoshop work).
I'm beginning to change my mind about the original pipes though.
So here it was, full tank of super unleaded and ready for another 130 miles maximum before I'll have to stop... 50 minutes running then. She's no tourer but I've still managed 40-odd to the gallon (UK gallon of course), or around 8 or 9 miles to the litre.

B-King versus VMAX

I've ridden both the B-King and VMAX, and as I've said, I wanted a B-King.
So, I bought one (if I'd have had the cash of that Remington bloke in the 1970s, I would probably have bought the company). 500 miles later, I still can't believe it sits quietly in my garage... remember that feeling?
It isn't just the cost that makes it so attractive, the B-King really is the fastest naked bike though I'm still constantly amazed at how much its looks are hated.
Compared with the VMAX, the B-King rides on more race-biased tyres and it handles superbly... this bike is easy to ride and flatters even average riders.
The VMAX is still phenomenal and the fact it even exists means we should all hanker after one in our garage.
It as easy to ride fast as the B-King, but cornering takes a little more forethought.
But remember,Yamaha wants 16 grand for one, that's twice the price... and the B-King's controversial looks mean it's still reasonably exclusive.
Buy a B-King and if you can afford a VMAX, buy two B-Kings so your mate (or missus) can keep up.
However, to see what US tester Motorcyclist thought in a direct face off between the two machines right click HERE.
The BK wins in a straight drag race over the quarter (BK:10.13 secs, VM: 10.41s and in the 60-80mph roll on in top gear BK:2.49s, VM 2.66s).
And Motorcyclist finishes off the full test with a look at the custom options for the B-King (and VMAX) including the utterly brilliant machine pictured above.
Right click HERE for the German manufacturer which manages to cram on even bigger tyres... and a strange belt to at least make it look as though it's supercharged.
Nice work.

R&G Racing tail tidy... easy 'ish fit

R&G Racing tail tidy.


Follow the instructions in the pack.

The original tailpiece and mudguard, which weighs several pounds comes off cleanly.

You might as well keep all the connectors in the old tailpiece should you wish to put it back on.

Remove the indicators complete with their wire plugs, they remove easily.

But: The stock indicators do not fit unless you bend the locating pin on the indicators.
Trim the new tail light locating bolts really tight after fitting to the tidy.And you do NOT need to take off bodywork as suggested in the instructions.

Be brave with the wires, you can cut three inches from the tail light wires, it makes it all easier to fit later. and keep neat under the tailpiece.

Bullet connectors are a pet hate and I prefer to solder but the kit is good and includes the electric mini boxes that make LED indicators flash at the proper rate, if you're replacing those too.

Looks nice enough... little bit disappointed with the tail light, I'll put a better pic on soon. Simple oval with a few LEDs, and the number plate LEDs are pretty dim.

(Note added May 25. In fact the taillight is pretty cool. It's bright and mates following say it's almost hypnotic. The number plate light is still not bright enough though.)

7/10 overal, neat kit, actually all well produced and it does exactly what it says on the tin.

I still reckon someone should make a tidy that incorporates the B-King original lamp, which really is a neat piece of work anyway. But if you are replacing the twin pipes, there are a host of light alternatives that can be incorporated into the tailpiece.

See the R&G tail tidy for sale at their site, right click HERE









Before: Heavy, ugly... but the original light is actually quite a good bit of kit, you can see how much it lightens the back end once removed and AFTER: the LED tail light is simple, but actually quite bright.

Gold B-King that changed the mould

Original design concept... saving up for gold paint job. Love it
Here's what they said when the bike was shown in Tokyo in 2001. Right click HERE

Suzuki's stroke of unfaired genius

My six-month old Suzuki B-King picked up a week ago. Genuinely awesome machine which I bought after a 45-minute test ride during a press day in Bedfordshire.
After a Goldwing, then Harley Street Glide and a Suzuki M1800, the B-King felt like a middleweight ... with enormous controllable a power.
When you wound open the throttle, it really did feel as though you spun the world on its axis. It was the second in a series of big grins that day (the M1800 was immense and the V Max, see below, is also incredible)
And in the words of Captain Steven Hiller: (Will Smith in Independence Day as he tried the alien ship for the first time):"I have got to get me one of these."
I tried the V Max on the same day. Different, similar straight line performance (though the Yam felt heavier and somehow even more substantial) but the B-King's tyres are sports tyres and that was the clincher (OK and the fact that there is no way I can find the 16 grand).
Within a fortnight I was an owner of this 2008 B-King, for about three grand less than the original list price when the bike was launched 18 months ago.
And now a week later after around 400 miles, I can honestly say that initial impression was a little misguided – this is a big bike, it weighs getting on for 600lbs BUT it is an incredible machine, brilliantly balanced and it's a hoot to ride.
But here's the biggie: holiday time and sit on the runway in your jet, ready for take off. The pilot holds it on the brakes, winds up the jet engines. The roar intensifies and then he releases the brakes. And you are accelerating hard.
I love that feeling, no matter how cheap the flight, the feeling is I thought something special.
Well the B King is better. Much better, one twist of the grip and I swear your organs move back in your body. Surely the most addictive part of the BK. Any gear, any time... probably best in a straight line though.
I really don't care about the divided opinions on the looks, it has a mountain of attitude and is a true future classic, it's a great bike, more power than you could ever need. I've been riding 30 years and have NEVER ridden a bike like it.
Brilliant poise, phenomenal grip, instant acceleration in any gear, fantastic brakes....
OK, you can see I like it and it has completely restored my love of motorcycling. What surprises me is how few people have had a go.
Sports bikes are cool, no argument but the B-King will be the bike that people will hanker for in future, when the petrol's running out and we have a 100bhp limit (like our French cousins suffer already), maybe less.
My advice is get one, while we still have unleaded fuel at a price we can all afford, get one while it is still legal to have 181bhp on two wheels (well something like that, most people agree it's 170 at the rear wheel anyway), get one while you can still buy a machine that will reach 170mph, do 0-60 in 2.8 secs... You get the idea, you know it makes sense.
AND if they've got one in stock, dealers will deal. Brand new £7,400 OTR at Robinson's in Canterbury (£8,1121 list and that's down from £9,000 at the launch in 2007)
My only tip so far, up the standard spring pre-load on the front forks from 4 to 3 and maybe a quarter of a turn more rebound damping on the rear... and that's it... well it is if you weigh 13 stone (no idea what that is in kilos, work it out yourself)
Oh yeah, the lad on the bike's my son, fresh out of hospital after an eye op. He said the stretch to the ground is too much for his 11-year-old legs.

See this review at www.reviewcentre.com right click HERE (it's almost identical)