Taking The B-King for Track Test

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by Davecm203

A B-King at a track day is like a bull in a china shop. I do hope that the reason he has not logged on is because the track day did not go well.

Could you explain this please, because it sounds like you are saying you hope he crashed, and I sure hope you ment something else.

[Tony OW31]

I was refering to the bull in a china shop comment, because having raced gsx1100's cb1100r's TZ750's etc back in the day, when everyone thought they were fantastic. The bking is far more suited to the track than these, and it makes me smile when young blokes think that the only things suitable for trackdays are the latest and greatest race reps.

[Davecm203]

Originally Posted by Tony OW31

I presume you weren't around in the late 70's early 80's then?

Uh, yes. I am 40 years old. Those old 70's 80's bikes did not make that kind of horsepower and torque. But, I was talking about today's standards. And I was not saying that it was a bad thing. I would actualy like to see it for myself. Hell, if I had one, I would be tempted to go on a track day myself.

I had a buddy years ago that took his Busa on a track day. It was ammusing. Like wathcing a bull in a china shop.

[bking_1965]

I've been busy....
Actually, I didn't bookmark the forum link and couldn't find it until tonight.

The track day went well, lots of fun but wayyyy too much torque in the low end to accelerate out of the turns. It was very easy spinning up the rear wheel. I had to wait until I was completely out of the turn to get on the throttle. There was alot of "oh sh*t going on for the first few laps. Brakes and suspension was pretty good for a heavy pig. After tweaking the stock setup on the suspension it handled very nicely.
I'm 185 with gear on and the front end seemed too stiff even after letting out the rebound to the lowest setting and I had the drop my rear preload nearly 50%. Suzuki must've set the stock suspenison up for big heavy dudes out of the factory
I started to have more fun coming out of the corners after putting it in "B" mode, although the rear end still wanted to get away but not as bad as in the "A" mode.

I'm going back to the track next Monday, but I'll be taking my 07 CBR600RR and 06 GSXR100 out this time. ...I'm not a "young bloke" but I have to say the new generation sport bikes are tops in handling when it comes to the track. I also have two old school track prepped bikes; Honda CB1100F and a Kawi Z1R. I have fun on all of my bikes but the late model bikes are the one's I have alot more fun with due to the out of the crate near perfect handling/braking/power characteristics. That's why they cost 4 times as much as the bikes of the 70's and 80's.

The Bking is a great bike, it's actually my current favorite in the line up.

Here's some recent pics of the Yosh eliminator kit. I have an Ermax tail kit coming in. It has the integrated tail light embedded in the rear tailpiece. Will post pics once installed.




Ermax Fly Screen

[Tony OW31]

that's weird, I agree with you on the rear being too hard, but I find the front waaay too soft, even with the preload as hard as possible, and the compression damping on max, it still bottoms out even under moderate braking, never mind track style braking, I wonder if the American versions get stiffer front springs and damping or something?

[Rickster]

Tony, it could just be poor quality control, the last Suzuki I changed out the front springs on had a differend spring in each leg. I think sometimes on hidden components like that, you just get whatever is handy, especally if the bike was made late Friday afternon.

[Tony OW31]

It wouldn't be a Suzuki issue tho', they get the suspension fully assembled from the suspension manufacturer and just bolt it on, I think I'll strip the forks down and see what's in there.

[SNAFU]

Very nice pics. 1965.

What forum do you B-king riders hang out at? I would like to lurk and see what you guys are doing for mods and see what the feedback is like on this bike.

[Tony OW31]

Originally Posted by SNAFU

Very nice pics. 1965.

What forum do you B-king riders hang out at? I would like to lurk and see what you guys are doing for mods and see what the feedback is like on this bike.

B-King (English)

[SNAFU]

Thanks Tony.

[bking_1965]

Here's some updated pics with the new tail piece. It looks soo much nicer

[Davecm203]

Originally Posted by Rickster

Could you explain this please, because it sounds like you are saying you hope he crashed, and I sure hope you ment something else.

Sorry, just noticed. I did not word it correctly. I meant that I hope that he DID NOT wreck and that was the reason he has not been on. I would NEVER wish someone to wreck.

[Davecm203]

Originally Posted by Tony OW31

The bking is far more suited to the track than these, and it makes me smile when young blokes think that the only things suitable for trackdays are the latest and greatest race reps.

Not trying to argue that. I used to love to take my Super Hawk. (Don't anymore becuase it was stolen.) You can track day anything and have an absolute blast. But, I can lap a lot quicker on the gixxer. After all, that is what it was designed to do. (Oh, and I am 40 years old.)

[Rickster]

It does look nice, and that brake light looks super bright.

[tjpetrella]

Where did you get it?? That windscreen is nice fat and tall. It doesn't look goofy like that black Ermax one I seen on line. Love my B-King, but the wind is kickin my backside at highway+ speed.

TJ