- This topic has 9 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 9 months ago by Jon D..
upgrading to next bike
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June 12, 2010 at 6:18 pm #4037Jon D.Participant
Hi folks, been awhile. Well at some point we will all upgrade, and these were my starting points for considering what attributes I wanted the bike to possess. An upright riding position, good cooling. enough displacement that I would remain happy with the power over a long period of time, and a good price. It takes me an hour to get to work on 2 lane blacktop.The wife and I take long 1-4 hour rides together and are planning a nice 10hr trip for the summer. Well, to make a short story long I made the trip to Kingman Ks. and brought home a 2008 Suzuki B king. I did have to make some mods. so that I would fit it better. Lowered the rear about 2 inches, changed the levers, and added a windshield. Oh yeah, got rid of that scorpion tail of a fender that Suzuki installed. kinda tightened the looks. Anyway, the Bike is a rocket ship and quite a joy to ride. So my advice to all is get the seat time and dream about the upgrade for a later time when you will really be able to enjoy it. Ride safe and God bless. Jon D.
June 13, 2010 at 5:12 am #27001briderdtParticipantThat’s about as big as you can go. The B-King didn’t sell well at all, for whatever reason (maybe it’s the whole too-much-power-in-a-naked-bike thing). Monstrous bike.
Wishing you many happy miles.
June 13, 2010 at 7:22 am #27002madjak30ParticipantThat’s one mean machine…not sure about the “Transformer” looks, but wow!!
I beleive that it is the fastest 0-60 and 1/4 mile bike available…it even beats the V-Max. What did you step up from?
I’m riding a GS500 right now and the power is fine for me, but as I go for longer and longer rides I am finding the bend of the knees a little tight. I have remedied it by just hooking my heals on the pegs and putting my butt on the pillion for a while to stretch (this is after about an hour) then I am good for a while again. I sat on the B-King and it is deceiving how comfortable the bike feels. It’s a little taller and quite “standard” in the position.
I’ve been drooling over the Bandit 1250S, but I don’t know if I want to stay with a “sporty” bike…I may try the cruisers…the Suzuki M50 looks pretty cool to me. I also like that the cc’s aren’t too big…I will have to check out how that will affect my insurance rate…
Anyway, nice ride…I’m jealous, but not ready for that kind of power, yet…lol
June 13, 2010 at 6:34 pm #27008RabParticipantYes, almost all beginners will “upgrade”, but I hope not to a bike like the B-King, which in my opinion is just another of the “let’s make it bigger and faster and more ‘badass’ just for the sake of it” bikes.
To get this into perspective, when I emigrated from Europe, the last car I had was a 4/5 seater and it’s engine was smaller than the one on this motorcycle with probably a lot less horsepower too.
I know a long time motorcyclist (in his early forties) who rides a 1250 Bandit and he’s come off that thing on at least 4 occasions to my knowledge in the last couple of years.
Unless you’re doing a lot of two-up riding and touring (which it sounds like the author is), no-one needs (or can even use) the power that a bike like this has, but if it makes some of you feel special, then I guess the marketing men have done their job…
June 13, 2010 at 9:11 pm #27009AParticipantB-king seems too much for anyone, when you can exceed the speed limit in first gear without hitting the rev-limiter, that’s when you know it’s overkill for anyone.. but that probably goes for most modern motorcycles.
June 13, 2010 at 9:37 pm #27010Jon D.ParticipantI rode a 78 yamaha xs 1100 years ago, then the yamaha fz6. I really enjoy the linear power delivery of the B-king. Goes from mild to wild depending on how aggressive I am on the throttle. No surprises though with the power band vs, the fz which came alive at around 7000 r’s. Much smoother ride and seating position not much different than sitting on a dirt bike. Fun. Take care and God bless, Jon D.
June 13, 2010 at 9:55 pm #27011Jon D.ParticipantKInda figured on some of the reaction I’ve gotten. I have a bad disc in my neck from a ride back in 1990 from Va. to Tx. Cruisers put to much tension in my shoulders from hanging on which in turn aggravates the disc. Don’t like crotch rockets and never have. The nakeds are the only bikes really left that have the old style sit on it and ride. I picked up the B king for just over 8,000 and it only had 979 miles on it. Water cooler and oil cooler so my long rides should not have an adverse effect on the life of the engine. First valve adjustments aren’t until the 13,000 mile range. The motorcycle shop that will do the work on it can pull up the codes with a paper clip vs. a 90 dollar trip to have any of the others plugged in to a computer. So price, life and maintenance also played a huge role in my choice. Any other naked vs. the 600 realm throws you into the 1000+ cc. range anyway. If you have respect, understand your limitations, and take the time to get the feel for any bike. Then and there you are way ahead of the game. I am 42 yrs old ,so my immortality ran out years ago, But I do like feeling like a kid every once in awhile and have a ride that I really enjoy. I pray that all of you choose carefully, ride within your means, and the 4 wheelers leave you be. Ride safe and God bless, Jon D.
June 23, 2010 at 4:16 am #27144LanceDParticipantFrom standard to cruiser? Interesting. I’m on a 800cc cruiser, and my second bike will probably be a standard (Street Triple R is high in the running). I guess you have to find your passion and many of us end up completely switching bike styles. Just curious what it is about cruisers that you think you’ll like better…. or what about a standard that you’re not satisfied with?
June 23, 2010 at 6:34 am #27146romaloParticipantYou wont regret the Street Triple R if you go for it. I was sold after a test ride. I chose standard based on riding position and found it easier to handle vs foot forward cruiser.
June 25, 2010 at 1:52 am #27185Jon D.ParticipantMy Suzuki is a standard. I not big on the other styles of bikes. I find standars/nakeds the most comfortable for me. I have friends riding Harleys and V-stars , heck, my father-in-law rides a Goldwing. I just do not feel as though I am part of the bike like I do with the standards. DO your research on all of the standards/nakeds prior to purchase. Maintenance and repair can be a factor. Whatever your choice, have fun and be safe. Jon D.
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