SUZUKI GSX1300 B-KING (2007-2012) Review

Had the B-King since new for 8 years, and only now are there bikes being brought out by the various manufacturers that I would even consider to replace it... that's been the problem, in the same category, once you've had a B-King, what do you have??

Suzuki b-king. Insane performance, insane styling. Seems like you either hate it or love it. Well i love it! Simply the best bike i've ever had. Still after several years of riding this thing i find my self staring at the bike when i come home after a Days riding. i can't help myself. I love the beefy transformers look of it, especally now when i have modified it with new exhaust and couple of other styling mods. when i first saw the bike at my Suzuki dealer i was offered to borrow it while they fixed my gsx1100r. It looked like a huge monster to me and i asked how much it weighed and got the suprising answer that it weighed less my 1100r. Still that didn't do all that much to stop me from wondering how in the hell a was going to maneuver that thing! (Checking the specs now and it seems like the b-king is actually heavier then the 1100r -94) Well anyway off i Went and all that weight and bulk just disapeared. Rode it for a week or so and it was the most fun i ever had on a bike! Eventually i got my old bike back and i didn't really like it anymore. It felt low on Power and the handling wasn't at all like the b-kings handling so i Went out and bought one soon after.

Mostly looks as good now as it did when I got it apart from the lacquer on the mirrors. Moved to a 190/55 rear for a laugh and its been great with Dunlop D211 gp's once the suspension was set to match. Engine when its working properly is insane but the bike had been plagued with spark plug failures...it hated being parked up and the iridium plugs just die without warning so now I remove them each winter and keep a spare set. Overall its a great bike that quite simply does most things beautifully and offers great comfort without looking like a sofa. Such a shame more people didn't take a liking to them...a few mates have them and can't get enough of them having all moved from 1000's. Small fuel tank is the main drawback but still good for 160miles at sensible pace. Headlight is naff so I avoid using the bike on backroads at night...tried all sorts of bulbs but the way the light projects is just poor. Dead easy to ride , even a learner mate was able to do his u-turns on it and had a laugh taking it around the local test centre circuit and an examiner said he would have passed him had it been for real. I love it and its a joy just to lift the cover off it.

Awesome to ride everyday, surprised my mates when I let them have a go and once you've got ride of the awful standard exhaust it looks not half bad either. Go out there and try one

Personally I think Suzuki deserve praise for productionising a concept bike. Irrespective of the looks the bike is an absloute cracker to ride.

Went from a CB1300 to this beast. Love it. Big and comfortable with interesting looks, I ride everyday and think this is one of the most under rated machines on the market...Second hand buys are the best value for money. This always puts a grin on my face. Though it eats rubber, drinks fuel and insurance is cruel I may just keep this bike for another year.....

best bike i have ever owned, i love it's unusual looks!!

what a machine! looks fab with scorpions fitted, a real head turner and its super fast!! I am very pleased with the B-King