Owners/ ex- owners only : Suzuki B-King or Triumph Speed Triple ?

C

CYCLOPS

New member
I ride a cruiser at the moment but am being tempted into streetfighter territory for my next bike. I'm not that interested in top speed blah, blah, but pure rideability and enjoyment. These are the 2 bikes that are grabbing my attention. Your opinions please !
Edit: I'm riding a 650 at the moment but I need a milemuncher.
Edit: I'm riding a 650 at the moment but I need a milemuncher.
LOL! Philip P, I love Marmite !

I disagree about ugly, I think its one of the most beautiful bikes I've seen ! When I sat on one it felt like it was made for me, but the Triumph has a better pedigree, and I think will outlast the B-King.
 
Sorry not an ex owner but I have ridden both.
At 6' 1" the B king is too small in that my knees hit the tank bulges - other than that it is just plain ugly - and I am a Suzuki fan.
Superb bike and nothing like the B King but also a bit small for me - if it fits you, test ride it and there is a chance of "love"
I have a GSX1400 K5 which is mainly used for longer distance touring of which it is very capable. I plan over the winter to get another, preferably the K2 version with the twin exhausts and the white wheels to turn ot into a street fighter. There are simply loads of bits available to do that from lights to rear jack up kits. Might be worth you considering?
 
Take advantage of demo rides at a bike show or if your local dealership lets you do a demo ride of theirs. I'm also interested in these two models, new or used, and some dealerships even still have B-Kings with ABS available. Cool. Plus, the B-King hasn't been that big a commercial success for Suzuki. The people who want 'Busa power just buy a 'Busa.

If you can't get a free demo ride there is a chance that a rental agency has one of the bikes, but you'd probably pay over $200 for just a couple days of use. That is a great way to really find out what it's like to live with, though.

There are also aftermarket footpegs available for the B-King to increase the leg room for us taller folk :-)
 
The B king is butt ugly and uncomfortable, it was released as a street-fighter version of the busa and NEVER lived up to its claims. It was meant to attract those who were still buying the gsx1400 and it didn't work.
it isn't going to be phased out but it is likely to be supplemented by a big muscle bike but not for a few years yet As they made huge mistakes. Suzuki took 3 years to bring the bike out from it's debut and by that time it was too soft.
The 1250 Bandit is a better buy though only 100 BHP fitting an aftermarket can will liberate up to 12 BHP this brings the bike up a class and it really is a performer ( who wants to be going 100mph + without a fairing).

With regards to the Speed Triple the 1050 is to much... it's too big to over rated and to expensive.
The 955i or 509 ( 900cc carb) speed triple is the best, it is responsive and lively though the gearbox is a bit agricultural, in my mind and in my experience of riding both the 955i was the best.
HOWEVER:- having ridden the Ducati monster I would if I could afford it Buy one of those instead.
OR
Having tried the STREET TRIPLE again 100BHP+ but only a 675cc engine it performs as well and is a tighter bike than the current 1050 speed Triple.
In fact I know of at least four people who had either the 509 or the 995i who traded them in for the 1050 and as soon as the 675 Street Triple was launched have traded the 1050 for that instead and all have said that it has put the smile back on their face as the 1050 though awesome was TOO MUCH.
hope this helps

PS DON'T Buy a B-King Without taking it on a LONG Test Ride. 20 minutes is NOT enough. You will want 2hours.
PPS The Speed/ Street Triple you'll know within 5 minutes if you like it
It's like MARMITE it either makes you smile or grimace in disgust!!!
 
I have just bought a 400 Burgman, having ridden a 900 diversion for the past 14 years.
It is a very different ride, but more enjoyable and much more practical for commuting.

oops sorry , I nicknamed my Burgman Burger King, so I thought you mean't a Burgman.
I now see there is a B-King bike, sorry.
 
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