Product review - Blackstone Tek (BST) carbon fibre rims
By Hornet (read full report)
Oh. My. God!
I have to say, firstly, that I've only got the front on at the moment, as I'm still waiting for the 520 chain and front sprocket to get here that will match the Stealth sprocket I bought for the rear BST rim, so this little impression is based on only the front BST rim being on the bike with the rear being the standard rim with a very worn Bridgestone 016.
I've done a few mods to bikes and I've ridden a few that have been modded but I haven't seen or done anything that transforms a bike like my GSXR1000 has now been transformed. It really is a different bike and has changed all areas of handling - acceleration, braking and maneuverability.
The GSXRs have always been good at hoisting a front wheel, due to torque and/or geometry, and carrying it down the road, and the K9 is no different. In fact, the balance point is wide on the K9 and it's so easy to carry for... well, I digress. The thing is, within 4 or 5 metres of pulling out of my driveway the front wheel was heading skyward. It wasn't a violent snap of the throttle or anything, I just pulled out, straightened up and accelerated as I normally do.
The new rubber (Michelin Pilot Pure) meant I was taking it easy for a few blocks and also meant the profile was slightly different to the Bridgestone 016s that the Gixxer came with standard. Even so, the feeling as I flicked through the roundabout, turned down a sideroad and took some of those traffic calming chicanes was amazing. The front end feels so flickable. It truly makes the R1SP I have, with those gorgeous light-weight Marchesini wheels) feel sluggish by comparison. The only thing I can compare it to is riding a pushbike and just deciding to flick the wheel out around a pot hole or similar. If you think it, it does it.
Braking feels better somehow, too. It's like the brakes aren't working as hard to stop the wheel spinning or something. It felt as though I was able to wash speed off a little easier.
One thing I noticed with the R1, and can now fairly confidently put down the lighter Marchesini rims, is the bike feels a little more flighty. I suspected that in the same way that the handling is now more responsive and easier to change line with, it is easier for a bump mid-corner to knock you off-line. Obviously the tyre/rim combination has less momentum so it makes sense that it will 'feel' bumps more than a heavier rim would. It's not unnerving and certainly not something that worries me. I would describe it as being able to feel what the tyre and road are doing more now than you used to be able to before. Yes, the bike may change line easier if you hit a bump, but it is ever so much easier to change line yourself, too.
I cannot wait to see what effect the rear rim has when I put it on. It is probably a good way to test these rims as the 520 pitch Stealth sprocket for the BST isn't available as a standard 42-tooth, so I've opted for a 43. That will give it just a little bit more kick, but I'm wondering already if it is a mistake. The Gix feels like it's picked up a few horses already and the rear BST will make a bigger difference than the front did, as there is a bigger weight difference.
Anyway, the couple of kilometres I've done tonight, in the dark, on fresh rubber with only a front wheel to compare has made a huge impression. To anyone that has ever thought about BST rims, I can easily say that it will be the best bang for your buck that you will ever spend on your bike.
And they look absolutely gorgeous.
So I finally received my order with the front sprocket and the 520 chain so I put the rear on a few days ago.
I also fitted Gilles chain adjusters, plus the Stealth sprocket I had was painted so that the gold carrier in the centre is now black.
This bike is now easily the best I have ever ridden in terms of handling. The ability to throw it from one side to the other with minimal effort and the speed at which it does it is hard to describe. I can push harder now but with less effort. I'm not muscling the bike around as I used to but it does everything I ask, faster and easier.
As far as modifications go, this is the best thing I have ever done. I've wanted BST rims since my old 2002 Gixxer landed in my garage. It didn't feel right to swap the Marchesini rims off the R1SP so now I have the bike for it, and I'm glad I did.
If you ever have the chance to buy lighter rims, do it. If you can afford the BSTs, and the darker rim will suit your bike, then I will guarantee you won't be sorry.
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