Have you ever made a connection with a bike? It sounds strange, but anyone who has will relate to this. The attraction of a liter superbike is an incredible thing.
Its torque and power delivery is something that is hard to describe and can be quite frightening, especially if you're coming from a lesser powered machine.
We bought the GSXR 1000 K4 in August 2015. You can find out more about here.
We've done everything on this bike apart from taking it down a dirt track.
- Commuting
- City Riding
- B-Road blasting
- Track days
- Long distance European journeys
- Short weekend away
One thing we noticed immediately was that it's an extremely capable machine and it is a bike that left you wanting more after every ride. We never got off the bike wishing it was different. Full satisfaction after riding the Bthou, every time.
We rode the Bthou from London to Turin last year. We did the return journey in one go, 18 hours in the saddle was perfectly bearable with the only problem being fuel range! The bike was brilliant.
Basic maintenance is required on models of this age, naturally, like any other machine. Particularly with the K4, kickstand switches, throttle cables, fuel pump strainers are to be looked at if you're buying a used one!
It's all about ensuring that the bike is not going to let you down, not by trying to predict the impossible but by having a look through your owner's manual and service intervals (or Haynes manual if you have one). These checks will give you a good idea about the items that should and can be replaced affordably and easily, before "the bike lets you down" when instead, it's basic user error that is causing the problem!
One thing that we will say about the GSXR 1000 K4, and any 150-160+ hp bikes. On a track day, you have got to be a seriously experienced and talented rider to be able to use the full bike's power to really stretch its legs and bring it to life.
As we experienced at Bedford Autodrome last year, reaching an indicated 188mph on the back straight is easy. Opening up on a straight line is fine. It's understanding when and how to open the throttle on the exit of a corner, using the tyre just before reaching the limit of grip.
The reality is though, that it can be ridden gently. It can be ridden slowly, and it's not going to bite you back if you treat it with respect. Arguably, that's the same with any bike.
So here is a short gallery of that represent our time on the GSXR 1000 K4, formally known as, the Bthou. One of the first bikes we really made a connection with! Thanks for the good time :D
A few months ago Metzeler sent us an email inviting us to a VIP event, with no more information other than a 'please hold the date' - such teases. A few months of back and forth emails trying to tease out some more information the 'final plan' was released a week before the event. Metzeler invited us to join them and James Hillier at the FIM Speedway British Grand Prix with all the trimmings! We've been to a few speedway events before but nothing of this scale and certainly not with the pleasure of meeting an IOM TT Racer in the flesh! @Birotar_Jonjo was gleaming with joy with one question on his mind - 'James, please tell me how to not crash a Ninja!' So that was Saturday planned, on Sunday they organised an EPIC ride through what was promised to be some fabulous scenery. They also mentioned there would be some other surprises along the way but we'd have to wait to see what these entailed. Saturday 22nd June 2017. With an alarm ringing at 7AM and a meet-up point set (McDonalds at 8AM) it was time for us to convene for our usual pre-trip B-conference (with breakfast) before our 160-something mile ride to the rendezvous point.
@Birotar_Jonjo's R1200GS & @Birotar_Max's GSXR1000 chilling for breakfast
Did we say 8AM? Someone was a bit late but not to worry we
always factor in a bit of faff time…
The weather forecast wasn’t certain but it did say 40-60% chance of heavy rain,
basically it was going to rain, it is the UK after all. A uneventful ‘cruise’ round the M25 and across the M4 saw us
approaching Wales. Have you ever crossed the Severn bridge? It’s quite
spectacular.
We arrived at the meeting point on time (for a change) to
meet Simon, Barry and Jim from Metzeler, shortly after the others from the social
media world arrived. Great to finally put some faces to names after months and
in some cases years exchanging comments, likes and stories across social media.
We had a short ride to the hotel and just enough time to
freshen up and prepare for the evening’s entertainment, the FIM Speedway GP
held at the Principality stadium – Cardiff. It was at the Hotel Metzeler rider
and TT extraordinaire, James Hillier joined the group. Previously our experience of
Speedway is about 300 people, a tin shed and some ropey old tractor to re-level
the track. Well, we were in for a real treat because the 2016 GP hosted some
60,000 spectators and this year was to be no different.
We had a half hour taxi ride with Jim (Metzeler UK Boss) and James
to enjoy before the entertainment kicked off. It’s always a bit strange at
first... rubbing shoulders (literally) with a professional racer and proclaiming
you can’t find the hole (the seat belt – come on now!) but we all got on well.
The Streets of Cardiff as we entered the Stadium.
The streets of Cardiff were alive with air horns, flags and
people having a great time. From that point on the atmosphere was set and it
was clear this event was attracting a huge crowd.
Earlier on we mentioned Metzeler would provide all the trimmings, here we found
out that meant a VIP package including drinks and a three course meal,
nice! Pleasantries out the way it was time to take our seats with a great view of the
whole circuit, in particular we were sat on the start/finish line. The build-up
was incredible – fireworks, fire, flames, fire breathers, music, you get the
idea. It was a show before the show.
If you’ve not seen Speedway before it’s basically four people on motorbikes
with no brakes that race/drift around an oval circuit. It’s so simple yet so
addictive, the skill needed to hustle these lightweight machines around is
incredible. The smell, is something that will stick in your memory. The 500cc
single gear bikes run on pure methanol and vegetable based oil, the smell is
addictive, as is the noise!
The format of the Speedway means you get a good couple of
hours racing. Sixteen riders take part in each Grand Prix and over the course
of twenty heats each rider will race against every other rider once. The top
eight scorers advance to a semi-final and from each semi-final the 1st and 2nd
placed riders will advance to the GP final.
The evening concluded with a huge firework show, the crowd
had been fully immersed from start to finish. After a few (more) beers it was
time to head back to the hotel. Once again we were with Jim and James, now this
taxi ride is something we really wish we could have got on camera although we don’t
think it’s something we could have gone live with…pure comedy, a reminder that
even the most professional of riders/businessmen are just normal (and very
funny) people. If you ever get to meet
James, ask him if there’s a McDonalds in the Punjab, guaranteed it’ll bring a
smile.
To conclude Saturday we all shared a drink or two at the
hotel before calling it a night at some time past midnight.
Sunday 23rd July. Metzeler had put us up in a very nice hotel and it would be rude not to take advantage of this, with the alarms ringing early and being told we had to be ready to ride at 10am we made sure we had enough time for a morning swim and sauna, got to keep fit and healthy, right? Not wanting to be too healthy we enjoyed a nice cooked breakfast knowing the weather wasn’t going to be on our side today.
James Hillier's Kawasaki Z1000S fitted with Metzeler Road Tech 01s
With everyone suited up and ready to ride the heavy rain continued, no problem though we’re used to riding in any weather. To follow was some amazing Welsh roads with stunning views. The rain had eased off by now to all but a drizzle so we all stopped off for an ice cream and to enjoy the views. It was at this point we managed to get a few words from James on camera after the wild sheep had stopped playing chicken with the passing cars!
Interview with Jame Hillier! Coming soon
Welsh Sheep
Ice creams finished, interview done it was time to head back into the valleys
and enjoy more of what Wales could offer. We enjoyed a good couple hours of
wide open roads to tight woodland twistys, but then the Bthou started playing up,
cue loss of power, cutting ignition and generally being a pain. Initially it
looked like an electrical problem so we taped up some connections under the
seat and the bike seemed fine again, good because it was a long way home!
James Hillier's AGV!
We finished the ride for the day around 2pm, we all stopped for a drink and chin
wag before packing up to head home as yet again the rain clouds rolled in. From
where we stopped it was about 170 mile ride home, James joined us for part of
the journey and for the first and only time we can say we were ahead of a TT
rider on the open road! On the way back we had torrential rain and hail, yes
hail, in July. We managed to get our heads down and power on though making some
good progress through the traffic.
Bthou playing silly buggers and the GS coming to the rescue!
About 60 miles from home the Bthou started playing up again, certainly not fun
when you’re on the outside lane of the M4, we managed to nurse her to the
services but couldn’t find anything obvious contributing to the problem. We’d
left the heavy rain behind us but it was soon catching up so with nothing
obvious wrong with the bike and the clouds getting darker there was only one
option – get back on, heads down and hope for the best! Never simple is it, we
had to stop 3 or 4 times on the hard shoulder but the bike would always sort it’s
self out. We’re thinking a blocked/dodgy fuel filter…
Anyway, we made it home safe and sound in the end after what
was an amazing weekend. Being side-by-side with tyre industry professionals and world class racer James Hillier opened our eyes to the true science that goes into tyre production and development. We're not experts because of it but we've certainly discovered that the knowledge and experience in Metzeler/Pirelli is what makes their tyres market leaders. We highly recommend you take the time to find out more about Metzeler & Pirelli tyres when you're next due to change your tyres. You will not be disappointed! And if you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with us - we'd be happy to help.
Metzeler Road Tech 01 Rear Tyre
We’d like to thank Metzeler for inviting us, providing the hospitality, guiding
us around some amazing roads and providing some great laughs along the way!
R&G Super Bike Fork Protection on Suzuki GSXR 1000
The thought of spending money on crash protection can seem strange because it feels like preparation for things to go wrong.
We believe that it's easy to look at the price of crash protection as a 'cost' but if you love your bike/s as much as we love ours, then you should consider crash protection as an investment rather than a big expense.
We're sure you will have heard of R&G Racing before, but if you don't already have any of their crash protection on your bike, you won't know how easy their kits are to install. The good news is, they're not just easy to fit, but also, they really do protect the bike against expensive damage in the event of an off.
Trust us on this one, we've been lucky enough to test them out!
This is Birotar Jonjo attempting to power out of the final turn in Cartagena, Spain
Unfortunately, Jonjo wen't down later on in the day.
This R&G Engine Casing protection prevented potential engine damage to the BirotarUK ZX6R
The Ninja is still ridable after Jonjo's off - we can't say the outcome would be the same if the R&G Engine Casing Protection wasn't fitted.
Anyway, you're here to see how easy the Fork Protection is to install, but first, here's what comes in the package:
R&G Fork Crash Protection box
R&G Bung close up!
R&G Fork Crash Protection Box Contents
Included in the R&G Fork Crash Protection box you'll find:
1 x Instructions
1 x Stainless Steel Rod
2 x Crash Bungs
2 x Fork Adapters
2 x Nuts
2 x Washers
2 x R&G Stickers
Fitting the part is incredibly easy and will take less than 10 minutes!
Step 1: Simply slide the Rod through the fork spindles
Step 2: Slot the adapters onto the end of the rod and push them in so that they sit flush against the forks (note: the two adapters are different, make ensure that you check the adapters are on the correct side before moving onto step 3 - the large neck bobbin goes on the left).
Step 3: Add the bung to the end of the rod
Step 4: Slide the washer and nuts to each side of the rod and tighten. There is no need to over-tighten the nuts, they will hold on tight.
Step 5: Step back and admire your hard work!
We couldn't believe how easy this kit is to install, and we're sure you will too. Hopefully, we won't ever have to test them out...
Watch the video of these Fork Protectors being installed on the Bthou:
