We just got back from a thoroughly enjoyable bike test that took us into the Victorian high country today, testing the BMW K 1300 S and the Suzuki B-King.
Knees down, eyes squinting, and plenty of hard-riding, it was an intriguing ride for numerous reasons, one of which being that it was the first full test Mark Fattore and I have undertaken. And I don't want to blow my own horn here, but I get the distinct impression that my apex speeds were a little higher...
While it was not a comparo per se, as the 1300cc Suzuki B-King is a nakedbike and the BMW K 1300 S is a fully faired hyper bike, it was an eye opening test that we'll write up for publication next week(ish).
Both models are powered by big bore inline four-cylinder engines and the B-King is propelled by a version of the Hayabusa's 1340cc four banger. And yeah, it can dance.
The BMW's 1293cc engine outputs 175hp and can easily keep pace with - and sometimes outpace - the B-King.
My thoughts on both bikes are positive and while I will concede that the BMW is a better bike on paper and has heaps of high-tech doodads to fiddle with, at the end of the test I found myself wanting to ride the B-King.
Mark Fattore's initial thoughts are that the BMW is the better bike, but if you ask me it all depends on perspective.
The BMW has better top gear roll on acceleration and doesn't leave your knees splayed out, but for mine the smoothness of the Suzuki engine and it's communicative front end are more appealing aspects, and I reckon it's a better urban bike too. But on the open road the BMW is easier on the arms and back.
Suffice to say both bikes are very capable but, as evidenced in our full-throttle test, they each have their own distinct appeal.
Stay tuned to the Bikesales Network for a full report on our big-bore adventure soon.