anybody had a b-king thinking of buying one myself to keep the 1400 company in the cave
more interested in knowing what they are like after a 100+ mile ride etc and any known problems ?
Yep, a few here have (or have had) both. Seth, Tony Nitrous to name a couple. Think Froudy had one as well ?
Tony's B-King
http://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?topic=1127.msg11554#msg11554
@Tony Nitrous
I had 1 i didnt like it .
It was uncomfortable and I was looking for a petrol station every 100 miles .
Fantastic motor great handeling and brilliant brakes.
It was no use for what I wanted it to do so replaced it with a 2nd gsx1400 .
Had mine nearly 11 years. Mad thing. Shit load of fun.
My 14 is a cheap pillion / lazy / tourer, I bought my King brand new.
It's a great performance hooligan bike.
163hp and easy to find more, alloy frame, great radial brakes, USD front and mono shock rear, ECU that's popular to flash to Busa specs, heap of Busa go faster options.
The bad ?
16.5ltr tank, not the best seat, not great for luggage or pillions.
It's not tourer or lazy bike, but its a real sledgehammer naked bike.
For a solo rider having days out its in its element.
Probably not a popular opinion on here, but if I had no bikes and went shopping tomorrow, it would be a lot higher on my list than a 14. Not everyone's cup of tea but it does what I want and suits where I ride.
Stock as rock, first time at the strip in a while, ran a few back to back 10.3's.
(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi64.tinypic.com%2F2pt721e.jpg&hash=3981436645926043c6165b458a0074dfe10634d8)
A local girl Bec ran a 9.9 on a similar stock bike.
I don't use it for touring, but I've done several 750K / 460 mile days with no dramas.
The 14 would have been more comfy and had less fuel stops, but not as much fun or hope of keeping up with my idiot mates.
(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi67.tinypic.com%2F2954swy.jpg&hash=2fb7fb88fde6c706a71fcfc403977e4ce186e308)
(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi68.tinypic.com%2F1zn4xoi.jpg&hash=97e0ad0129f7651650da4a99b91542467153202b)
Faults ?
2 reg/rec recalls, the part that was fitted under the 1st recall was recalled to be replaced again!!
A few early models had the clutch bolts work lose. If your paranoid, pull them out and thread lock them. There wasn't a recall but there is a dealer bulletin explaining it.
Some bikes had the throttle cables infront of the dash. The day I got mine I put a loose zip tie, LOOSE!, around it and the brake hose to pull it back. Mines been like it for 11 years. I only mention it as I've seen the cable rub and mark clocks in the past.
Basically very little. I could write a bigger list about 14's poor alloy finish, rear shocks etc.
There ya go, Tony keeping it real as always :onya:
Engine is 100% Gen-2 Hayabusa. It's not detuned. It makes a few less ponys due to no ram-air, different ECU map, smaller bore front pipes etc, although in this soft spec it's still over 160hp. All this can be bought back up to, and beyond Hayabusa specs. Ram air, remaps, exhausts etc are all common mods, along with de-cat kits, PAIR blanks and just about everything the performance junkies favourite fix, the Hayabusa gets.
Wheels are 100% Gen-2 Busa. I bought my spare wheels off a member on this site as he had just fitted chrome Busa wheels to his B-King.
Forks swap with a Gen-2 Busa although the slightly heavier B-King gets softer internals!
King get a radial front master, when the early Gen-2 Busa of the same age didn't.
Heaps of different underseat cans available, although using low Busa 4 into 1 systems is popular too. Gen-2 Busa down pipes / systems use a bigger bore internal diameter exhaust.
ECU flashes are popular. Flash in a Busa map in and there are heaps of tweaks without even remapping on a dyno which obviously will get more.
Stock rear tyre is a 200/50. 6" rim same as the Busa and 1400. It's a popular mod amongst King owners to fit a 190/55 in a sporty compound.
Tall folk have mentioned their knees touching under the tank pods. I'm 6' and its not a drama. Buell pegs are an easy fix as they step down where they mount and lower your feet.
Some folk like the BTL (back torque limiter / slipper clutch) some don't. I'm going to get mine locked up. I don't need it and its gives nicer hard launches.
Should I mention I like B-Kings ?
(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi68.tinypic.com%2F30mwwad.jpg&hash=04424fd5997c9047d35519766bd40eed00bb4d2f)
Would never have guessed Tony :lol:
I personally don't get them.... Don't get me wrong, I love the looks and performance, but I don't see the point of them. I get the impression Suzuki just wanted to make a statement in the way Yamaha did with the MT-01, answering a question that no-one actually asked. 160HP on a naked bike is a waste of time as at full gas your head will feel like a medicine ball. If you want superbike performance, just buy a superbike which will do everything better. To top it off, they can't tour or carry passengers comfortably either. That leaves just looks, attitude and build quality.
Let's face it, Suzuki will never win any awards for build quality and if it's looks and attitude you're after it's not the one I'd go for. If I was after a large capacity naked hooligan machine with exquisite build quality and stunning looks, there's no way I could see past a KTM SuperDuke. Brembo all round, WP suspension front and rear and a great engine. I had one as a courtesy bike when I put my RC8 in for a factory recall and I've never grinned so much in my life. The only reason I don't have one now is I was after an old restoration project and the 14 ticked all the boxes.
Unless you want to tune it of course but that brings me to my earlier point that the stock engine is just too powerful to open up without fairing anyway.
Each to their own though.
Wow, a big worm can. Im sure Tony will answer.
I ride an old restoration project....... should l be offended ??
The KTM does look the part though.
Quote from: grog on Monday, 14 May 2018, 09:23 PM
Wow, a big worm can. Im sure Tony will answer.
Not really a can of worms is it, just my honest opinion. That's why I finished it with an "Each to their own" statement. :smoke:
Quote from: Kiwifruit on Monday, 14 May 2018, 09:42 PM
I ride an old restoration project....... should l be offended ??
The KTM does look the part though.
:coffeescreen:
I got the 14 because it's a great looking bike that does everything I want a bike to do with style. It also needed a horrific amount of work to restore which is exactly what I wanted. Offended? not quite.
If you are offended though, I'm sure the admin can create a virtual "safe" space for you to get over it :onya:
Sorry we have a firm "no safe space" policy here.
Good to hear Vlad :onya:
and that's what's it's all about lloydjames. Everyone can hopefully have their own opinion with out any one getting upset. I just think that the Bking looks like a big ugly mess, so I am not interested in it, like alot of other bikes, but performance is not my main criteria.
I've taķen my pills and done my breathing exercises.......l'm ok :boogie2:
Quote from: grog on Monday, 14 May 2018, 09:23 PM
Wow, a big worm can. Im sure Tony will answer.
My naked Busa is shorter, lighter and more powerful than my B-King... :grin:
(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi68.tinypic.com%2F15yxcma.jpg&hash=c244c2039184500ed3f964bf1c3a058fcfbf1989)
Hotting up B-Kings is very popular amongst owners, as is building nakeds / Streetfighters out of high powered lighter Sportsbikes.
If there was an affordable naked H2 I'd be interested, or in a cosmetic damaged one.
Bikes like the S1000R and Aprillia RSV4 Tuono Factory are great performance naked a but they don't have the brute / sledgehammer feel of the B-King to me.
B-Kings and other Supernakeds like the BMW and Aprillia aren't about top speed, build quality or practicality, they are about fun, and some folks fun is having a heap of horsepower to play with. A lot of 14 owners like a bit more power, the King is just a few steps up the ladder and having THAT tuneable big bore Busa smooth IL4 motor that the KTM, Ape and BMW doesn't.
It's fine not liking high powered bikes that aren't sensible. They aren't for everyone... ;)
I understand that fun part. Just can't get over ugliness :happy1:
BTW, in Germany the B-Kings have 184 HP out of the box.
Quote from: Andre on Tuesday, 15 May 2018, 04:13 AM
I understand that fun part. Just can't get over ugliness :happy1:
BTW, in Germany the B-Kings have 184 HP out of the box.
Yes, that was the B-Kings sales down fall for me.
Those big plastic cannons out the back that aren't actually the exhaust just covers and the big tank pods that are super wide. It's very common to see aftermarket cans and there are slimmer tank side pods too. Similar logic to the 200 rear tyre then it would have been better with a 190. It's just a strange Manga Cartoon over the top styling but there's a fun bike underneath.
163 / 184hp ? All down to where and how it's measured. They are all the same spec.
Don't get me wrong, I like my 14. I went and bought a 14 after several years of having a King. They are different enough to both fit different rolls.
I bought a new car and new ute last year. I like them both, but I don't find a need to think which one is best. Both good at what they do and both used for the right job.
The 14 and King are both better bikes in their own rolls or for different owners.
Quote from: Tony Nitrous on Tuesday, 15 May 2018, 04:01 AM
My naked Busa is shorter, lighter and more powerful than my B-King... :grin:
Is that a Gen 1 or gen 2 busa?
So here's a tangent question. B-King or Naked 'busa ? Which would you choose if you could only have one, and why? :)
Had one in between my two 1400's - more trouble (with the law) that they are worth
I tried a B-King a few years ago and found it very uncomfortable, as I have long legs I could not get them inside the scalloped part of the tank so I sat on it like I was taking a shit :lol:
Quote from: VladTepes on Tuesday, 15 May 2018, 09:36 AM
Quote from: Tony Nitrous on Tuesday, 15 May 2018, 04:01 AM
My naked Busa is shorter, lighter and more powerful than my B-King... :grin:
Is that a Gen 1 or gen 2 busa?
So here's a tangent question. B-King or Naked 'busa ? Which would you choose if you could only have one, and why? :)
My naked Busa is a Gen-1.
If I could only have one bike it'd probably be a naked Gen-2.
My Busa was built pre-B-King and Pre-Gen-2.
Busa is a little shorter and lighter than a King, noticeably lighter when it go's naked. Busa has a larger fuel tank.
Gen 2 engine and ECU are slightly more modern than the Gen-1 and the Gen-2 gets radial brakes.
Seats and bars and legroom are easy to change. Getting a motor that's as good as a Hayabusa or B-King isn't so easy.
Quote from: Beaker on Tuesday, 15 May 2018, 09:37 AM
Had one in between my two 1400's - more trouble (with the law) that they are worth
Mine and Beakers together...
(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi64.tinypic.com%2Fvqqipi.jpg&hash=b95eae979292ab26ecfdaba88e328c7fb8fb7e93)
How is it that the B-King weighs more than a Busa - given it has a smaller tank and no bodywork?
Is it all frame weight due to longer wheelbase? Or is the wheelbase difference just in rake/trail ?
No entirely sure.
Both fuelled up the Busa weighs more with its extra fuel.
Pretty sure empty or with equal fuel the Kings a fraction heavier.
It's also a fraction longer and gets slightly softer suspension which doesn't really suit it.
It's good out of the crate but has the potential to be much better, reasonably easily.
I still think the recent H2 Kawasaki would make a good naked bike.
Used prices are coming down, and I've seen a couple of damaged ones sold recently too.
I haven't seen a naked one yet but I'd bet there will be one soon if not already done.
A local guy I know has 4, and the new H2-SX supercharged tourer, and a 200hp turbo MT-09 and..... a few others.
(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi66.tinypic.com%2F104gknd.jpg&hash=510942adc813ccf95a7bf988e067ef0aef049c41)
Why does he need 4? So his mates can all keep up when he goes riding? ???
Quote from: owen426 on Tuesday, 15 May 2018, 07:32 PM
Why does he need 4? So his mates can all keep up when he goes riding? ???
The sells, buys, trades and races bikes.
One of the H2's may now be his son's, one was damaged when he got it.
He normally has various Busa's, ZX14's, etc coming and going.
What's a half decent Gen 2 busa cost these days (ABS model)
....another 3 and he has one for each day of the week. Although I can't quite understand why he would want 4 in the first place.....(am I missing something?)
X4 h2s thats the best looking retirment plan iv ever seen :drool: and im a defo bking fan its on the list
Quote from: gsxbarmy on Wednesday, 16 May 2018, 02:37 AM
....another 3 and he has one for each day of the week. Although I can't quite understand why he would want 4 in the first place.....(am I missing something?)
He buys and sells. One is his own bike, one used to be his but will be his sons, one is for sale, one is a damaged / being repaired bike. As I said, he Los has a 200+hp MT-09, the latest supercharged SX tourer, a Busa and I've just seen his mint GSXR600 advertised along with his Victory cruiser. He likes bikes, has fun and makes a few dollars.