All Tests – The Transformers motorcycle: protect or destroy? – Used SUZUKI

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The Transformers motorcycle: protect or destroy ?

All Tests - The Transformers Motorcycle: Protect or Destroy? - Used SUZUKI

With its look of transformers, the Suzuki B-King had to choose sides. But between destruction and protection, his – big – heart swings … And if, finally, the new "Muscle roadster" from Suzuki was capable of both at the same time. ? Test !

Like a recent Citroën, the Suzuki B-King could have appeared without any concern in Steven Spielberg’s latest blockbuster, transformers, in which the nice "Autobots" face the wicked "Deceptions" … From there to involve a "Motobot" Suzuki B-King…

Because the latest Suz cultivates a striking "Goldorak" look: its sharp optics would perfectly serve as a cockpit, its prominent tank draws colossal shoulders and its oversized double exhaust portends explosive performance. !

First offered as a concept bike at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2001 (read), then unveiled to journalists in Paris last winter (read), presented a few weeks later to the general public in Cologne (read) and finally exhibited in most Suzuki dealerships in France (read) before its official presentation in Rome (read), the Suzuki roadster has long – and carefully – prepared for its arrival !

But the time has finally come to dissect the beast and study its behavior on the pretty roads of the Var, where its press presentation took place. But first, why did you call him B-King ?

The King of "B"

Literally, B-King means King of the "B’s". Thus, from the very beginnings of its muscular roadster, Suzuki wanted its concept bike to be champion in three categories: Boost, Block & Beauty and Brain….

The first concept, "Boost", results in the search for the best possible acceleration thanks to a powerful engine. The Hamamatsu firm therefore did not hesitate to transplant the new 2008 model Hayabusa mill to the heart of its roadster. !

Boost

Indeed, who better than the new 4-cylinder 1340 cc developing a maximum power of 183.5 horsepower at 9500 rpm and a gigantic torque of 146.2 Nm at 7200 rpm could equip the Muscle Roadster than Suzuki wanted the meanest possible ?

With its new titanium valves, its new chrome molybdenum connecting rods, its new shorter and lighter forged aluminum pistons and its compression ratio increased to 12.5: 1 – against 11.5: 1 for the 2007 model -, this mill even reaches 198 horsepower in its "sporty" Hayabusa version !

Always equipped with the SDTV system (Suzuki Dual Throttle Valve) which operates the first throttles directly via the throttle but operates the second row of throttles electronically, the engine of the B-King also has the SDMS system (Suzuki Drive Mode Selector) inaugurated on the GSX-R 1000 (read), which offers the pilot an "A" mode and a "B" mode.

In its French version, the B-King is amputated by more than 80 horsepower and reaches the regulatory 106 hp at 9,200 rpm. However, the clamping was "particularly worked by Japanese engineers", insists Pierre-Laurent Feriti, communication manager at Suzuki France. Thus, the Muscle Roadster loses only 20 Nm compared to its free version.

Better still: the French B-King delivers its maximum torque (127.5 Nm) at only 5,600 rpm! Values ​​which place it far ahead of the GSX-R 1000 for example, which even in the "foul" version, must rise to 10,000 rpm to reach 116.7 Nm…

After all, the French market is one of the first to be targeted with 500 sales forecast before the end of 2007 (against 100 in Italy!) And 1000 sales in 2008. To be continued in the next Site market reports !

The second theme that Suzuki tackles to present its B-King, "Block and Beauty", concerns style. By "Block", the manufacturer means the elements that make up his new roadster: the large tank, the seat backrest and the prominent exhausts are contrasted by the front optics, the fender and the saddle, looking more compact..

Block and Beauty

As for the "Beauty" side of the beast, it is appreciated according to Suzuki in the "beauty of simplicity". But this point remains by definition one of the most subjective – and therefore questionable – because the muscular aspect of the B-King is far from being as fluid and" simple "as that of a Hayabusa.

The least we can say is that in terms of design, the B-King stands out from any other two-wheeler! Except of course its front part, whose style had already been timidly taken up by its little sister, the GSR (read).

The one who wishes to "see and be seen" on the handlebars "of a machine made up of sturdy and beautiful blocks", as Suz indicates, will therefore be satisfied: the descent on the promenade of the port of Saint-Tropez during our test fully validated this objective !

The trim level of the B-King is announced for its part as "exceeding the standards of current production". And it is clear that the equipment, wiring, paints and plastics have obviously been treated by the Japanese manufacturer.

It is only unfortunate that the brake light and rear indicators are not as well integrated into the assembly as the front components. Likewise, some will find the chrome "console" – located on the tank – a little too sparkling for their taste. But Suzuki – or the props – will undoubtedly offer their customers many rear light kits and other consoles with a mat or carbon finish. !

Last remark concerning aesthetics: between the first version of the B-King (Tokyo 2001) and the one that will land in the dealerships (first half of September), the rear tire has gone from 240 to 200 mm. But what passes for a "big sausage" on a Superbike gives the impression of being only a "vulgar" 180 mm under the exhausts of the new Suz! So everything is relative…

Most often shown in its gray-black color with fender, tank, saddle and two-tone backsplash, the B-King will also be available in black. In this case, the swingarm changes from aluminum gray to black, the same as that of the frame. Only the calipers, the right crankcase of the engine, the footrests and the top of the tank offer silver touches to the disturbing mount, which Batman himself would not resist (and whose night trips will be discovered in the next Moto & Motards! )…

Brain

Last "B" mastered by the B-King: that of "Brain", "brain" in English. Suzuki wanted to ensure that the B-King "actively communicates with his pilot". But here too, the Japanese engineers had to review their copy…

The B-King had to be equipped with an original starting system: no need for a key anymore thanks to a sensor analyzing your fingerprints and only switching on the ignition if they correspond to those of the owner! In the event of an attempted theft, the B-King immediately dialed her owner’s cell phone number and put him in contact with the thief, using the microphone and speakers installed on the dashboard. !

Still using his phone, the victim had to be able to sound the horn and turn signals to draw attention to the thief, while the motorcycle’s microphone recorded all the sound clues that could allow the police to identify the thieves. And of course, the B-King had internet access to send and read emails or receive the latest weather information….

"We admitted that we needed to continue our research before such ideas actually benefited users and therefore did not incorporate them into this model.", admits Suzuki, which however continues to work to allow bikers to read Site during their breaks at red light !

The dashboard therefore remains quite classic with a large tachometer in which is placed an LCD screen where information such as the time, the odometer and two daily trips, the interval between two revisions, the time are located. travel speed, average speed, fuel level, engine temperature or mapping mode used ("A" or "B").

On the left are several warning lights – neutral, high beam, oil, overheating, etc. – while on the right, a second screen clearly displays the speed and the gear engaged. The key is inserted into the tank console, on which the mapping selection keys ("A" or "B") are located..

It remains to be seen what the B-King is worth on the road. Very impressive to see, is this maxi-roadster so impressive to drive? And what intentions hide this motorcycle straight out of the universe of transformers : does it seek to protect or destroy us ?

Accessible !

When straddling it – over the high backsplash and the outlets of the pots -, one realizes with joy that the saddle only rises to 805 mm from the ground. The roadster thus spares the majority of bikers. But despite everything, the accessibility of this motorcycle is limited by its weight (235 kg dry anyway) and the confusing volume it represents..

When stationary, the nose gear is heavy and the first maneuvers are not done without some apprehension. An anxiety that flies away, however, as soon as the B-King sets in motion: at very low speed, you quickly integrate the heaviness of the steering and sneaking into the traffic becomes a simple formality.

The driving position is much nicer than it looks. Above all, the knees are not so wide apart as the width of the tank suggests in the studio photos. Likewise, if the access to the ground is easy for the "short on legs", the "long femurs" are pleasantly surprised not to feel their kneecaps butting against the sides of the Suz..

The handlebars are close enough not to tire the forearms and the footrests – a bit high – offer a large and stable contact surface. The levers are adjustable: four positions for the clutch lever and six for the front brake.

The saddle lacks thickness but its shape and size allow it to be wedged effectively during the big accelerations delivered by the new engine. For the less experienced, it is better to select mode "B" in order to take charge of this big nasty roadster…

By pressing button "B" – when stationary and in neutral – the 1340 cc engine sees its power and torque curves smoothed: "in Full version, the pilot benefits from 70% of the engine’s capacities", explains Pierre-Laurent Feriti, to whom the Japanese designers did not specify the values ​​of the French version….

Mode "B": Protect

In fact, the relaxed version of the flanged motor (sic) delivers reasonable performance in a completely linear fashion. Useless for thrill seekers – the very target of this product – mode "B" will allow novices who have tanned their buddy to test the monster not to get out of the first turn…

The B-King shows here an undeniable instinct of protection, especially as its cycle part is irreproachable! Neutral in bends even in the event of hesitation on the brakes on the part of an insecure driver, the large roadster wisely traces its curve.

The cast aluminum frame and swingarm not only looks good but efficient and gives the B-King excellent handling and traction. The steering damper takes care of the grain but does not seem essential on the road.

For those who wish to roll up quietly, the new Suz shows good will with its well-tuned Kayaba suspensions and always effective despite the heavy weight of the machine and its performance as a real sportswoman in "A" mode..

From 2000 rev / min, the 4-cylinder resumes without flinching and allows you to stroll even on very small roads. To share these walks, the passenger must agree to bend their legs and wear a backpack containing the lock – absolutely avoid! – or other personal effects. Against the wind, however, it benefits from the protection of the pilot, posted much straighter than on a sports car..

In sixth, the B-King hangs the 90 km / h at 3,000 rev / min. On departmental, it is therefore useless to play the box to double. Moreover, gear changes are easily executed, without necessarily having to resort to the clutch lever..

On the motorway, the regulatory 130 km / h is therefore reached well before 5,000 rpm. And fortunately, because at this specific regime unpleasant vibrations appear in the feet, as well as to a lesser extent in the hands. The ballast placed under each footrest is not enough to completely eliminate this inconvenience, which only the most "rollers" will note around 150 km / h.

Because during acceleration, this defect goes almost unnoticed, especially if the "A" mode is engaged: the pilot is too busy concentrating on the road and clinging to the handlebars. !

Mode "A": Destroy !

In "A" mode, the B-King reveals a whole different personality. Although it does not display such an angry character as in its free version, the Muscle Roadster throws its driver from one turn to the next without any restraint by appealing to its formidable torque..

From 3,500 rpm, the Suz is already pushing hard! Many will regret that this acceleration ceases around 7,500 rpm and yet, on open roads, the performance of the B-King is already phenomenal! With its maximum torque located at 5,200 rpm, there is no need to brutalize the 4-cylinder to enjoy great sensations..

On the contrary, it is very often the B-King which manhandles its pilot and forces him to jump on the brakes on the outskirts of a bend which seemed far away a few seconds ago … In this case, it is better to do proof of coolness because the weight of the beast and the two 310 mm front discs – pinched by Nissin four-piston radial-mount calipers – quickly surprised the front tire !

The rear brake – 260 mm single piston – also locks its wheel without worry and can cause beautiful skids, manageable thanks to the wide and straight handlebars and the reservoir correctly wedged between the thighs. To avoid losing the front on a slippery road, Suzuki has already planned an ABS version of the B-King which will arrive in 2008..

These remarks taken into consideration, the B-King can still drive hard provided the pilot gives himself the means. Because the simple anticipation and the displacement of the bust of the pilot are not enough any more when it comes to diving from one turn to another !

The B-King, although manoeuvrable and stable for its displacement and its size, offers an excellent training for those who want to work their "biceps – triceps – pectorals – back" set! The efforts are inevitably proportional to the driving rhythm adopted and to follow a sportswoman, it is better to be physically sharp !

That said, before the pilot’s muscles, other components will certainly have cried halt to massacre. Starting with the tires because the soft rubber of Dunlops To qualify holds the pavement well but only tolerates a very sustained rhythm.

Even if the anti-skidding system avoids spinning the rear tire under braking, nothing can counteract the wear of the rubber due to the heavy acceleration inflicted on it by the B-King, or rather its pilot. On the contrary, it will take a lot of dexterity for the rider to overcome the long lugs of the footrests. !

Another potential victim of the excellent performance of the Suzuki roadster: the points license … Because the speed limits are reached very quickly! If on motorways the absence of protection prevents great excess, on small roads when exiting bends, it is very difficult to contain oneself and not to take advantage of the fiery B-King … Caution and vigilance, therefore !

Finally, the piggy bank of future buyers must be broken: offered at € 13,699, the new Suzuki maxi-roadster is not within the reach of all budgets. Which is "unfortunately" logical in view of the material and performance offered by this new Suzuki…

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