2007-10 Suzuki B-King |
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Performance | |
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The amazing thing is not how much power the B-King makes, but that it manages to make that much power and still be untemperamental in traffic and relatively manageable to control. Despite its civility, it gets a half-point off for making too much power. It would have been a full point if not for the selectable decreased power mode. Newbies and adrenaline junkies lacking self control still need not apply. |
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Handling | |
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The B-King is wide, tall and heavy, and you'll wrestle with every ounce of it crossing a parking lot. Once at speed, however, it doesn't feel so big. Strong brakes with optional ABS are nearly a match for the engine. Nearly. |
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Looks | |
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It's supposed to look aggressive and radical. It actually looks more silly and nerdy than intimidating, like one of those pudgy dweebs who wear their Star Trek uniforms to sci-fi conventions. |
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Reliability | |
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It's remarkable that that much power can hold together. The only time you'll break anything on the B-King is when you toss it down the road. |
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Practicality | |
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It's too big to be truly called practical. I don't mean that as a criticism; it simply has so much more of everything than any situation really requires. But the ergonomics are roomy and the seat is better than it looks. I guess it is something you can live with relatively painlessly, day-in-and-day-out, if you really want to. Well, until it kills you. |
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Desirability | |
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While I like the basic concept of a monstrous four-cylinder standard, it's been done a lot better in the past. The B-King's overdone styling is better in person, but still a turn-off. And frankly, I don't think I'll ever want that much motor, no matter how skilled a rider I become. |