Kern Rolls to Two Wins on BST Wheels at
VIR
In the first weekend using BST carbon-fiber wheels on his BMW
Superbike, Kern won the Unlimited Superbike and GTO races, confirming
the many competitive advantages provided by BST wheels' ultra-lightweight
design.
Says Nate Kern: "Once I got a feel for the wheels, their advantages were dramatic. The bike now steers with less
effort, turns in much quicker, gets off the corners better and
accelerates faster. If I had to choose one thing about the BST
wheels' advantage, I'd have to say how remarkably they transformed
the bike in turning transitions. They're unbelievable. They save
a lot on fatigue, don't beat me up, and I'm not as tired at the
end of a race"
Sport Rider Magazine June 2010 |
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The comments below were made by an S1000RR owner during
a phone call to UK BST Distributor HPS. Having bought
more than one set of BST wheels, he how asserts they are the best
performing, best value and most essential modification you can
make to a bike.
" I've spent some serious money on it [his S1000RR] and
it's now got as good a specification as any Evo Class race bike
at the minute, but the best thing I've ever spent on it
is the BST Carbons. I've put all the latest 2010 suspension
- you know the Bitubo stuff - on it and I've gone all the right
way and gone with Badovini's geometry [Ayrton Badovini won the
2010 FIM worlds Superstock Championship riding the S100RR, see
note 1 below] so we know what we're doing with the bike, but I
could never ...if you could imagine like Hall bends at Cadwell
where it's flick-flick-flick side-to-side, trying to keep the
power and keep it going through enough - I used to find the BM
really hard work ...you know a lot of weight [needed] through
the pegs to get it to turn no matter what geometry we used, it
just didn't like it - it would turn... if you know what I mean,
like turn on the brake, but to get it to flick side-to-side it
was a nightmare, it was horrible, you know through fast chicanes
and stuff. Put the BSTs; it's instant. You just flick ...you just
think of where the apex is and the bike's on it. I actually think
it would have probably coped - if I'd just set the springing up
- with the standard suspension and probably would have been good
enough for myself with just the BST carbons, but of course I went,
like everybody does, down the expensive suspension route [making
lots of other traditional modifications], but the carbons sorted
everything to be honest with you and the amount of people I've
let ride it, Richard Cooper - (see note 2 below) he rode the bike and qualified
4th at the Stars of Darley meeting - he was
gobsmacked. The first time he went into the corner
he nearly ran up the inside of the track, he just couldn't
believe how quick it was turning. Quite a few other people
have now ridden the bike [with the BSTs on] and they all say "I'm
going to get a set of them". I do a lot of track days - probably
at least one a week I would say most of the way through the year
so you get to know all of the track day junkies and you say to
everybody; forget Power Commanders, forget exhaust systems, forget
suspension, forget brakes, just bolt a
set of BST Carbons in - it's the single biggest thing you can
do. I kept spending money on other things but
I honestly think the standard BM would have been good enough if
I'd just bolted Carbons in it. And, I sold mine [his original
set] for £2000 (see note 3 below). The first time I really tried
them when I bolted them in at Cadwell and running exactly the
same tyres, same compounds and everything, same geometry, same
suspension, just bolting the Carbons in, I couldn't get on the
standard bike below a 1 min 44 sec lap, and I bolted them in and
was hitting 1:39s and the best I did was 1:38.09. Now
that's a good 5 seconds a lap on an average track day rider.
What other modification could you do to give you 5 seconds? Even
if you spent £20,000 [on other modifications] your talent might
not give you that [lap time improvement] anyway.
F.C. Lincoln, UK BST
S1000RR rider
1. BMW Motorrad and the BMW S 1000 RR are now able to celebrate
their first international title after Ayrton Badovini of Team
BMW Motorrad Italia STK secured an early title victory in the
FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, run as a support category to the FIM
Superbike World Championship. After the race weekend in Silverstone
lead the championship with 175 points and could not have be beaten
even of he scored any points in the three remaining rounds. The
Italian rider dominated the season and winning nine out of ten
races.
2. Richard Cooper has ridden for BMW in several World, European
and UK championships for several years:
3. This customer sold his previous used set of BSTs for £2,000,
meaning that the cost of having owned them (initial purchase price
less the amount recouped when selling) was only around £600. This
clearly demonstrates how far BST wheels are ahead in value from
the viewpoint of total cost ownership measured against the performance
gain they provide. |
Bill Hunter, 2 Wheels Magazine
"But nothing is as astounding as the effect
these BST 100% carbon fibre wheels have had on my bike. Nothing.
Short of inventing warp drive, I've just peaked in the development
of the XR. Actually amazing is an understatement,
I can't believe what a 'simple' wheel can do to the performance
of a motorcycle. . . . The XR1200 now feels more like a 650 Supermotard
bike to ride. It changes direction with just a drop of either
wrist and the acceleration and braking is also better off for
the rim change. And just look them them, what works of
art they are." |
Dear BST Engineers,
I'm the proud owner of a Ducati 999s ... something was missing.
The day I bought your wheels, my motorbike became a dreambike. These
wheels are the best a motorbike can get. Thank you for making such
a wonderful wheels.... Kind regards,
Triple nine.. Belgium - Brussels. Europe |
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2 Wheel Tuner
I've not really had a good go on a motorcycle with carbon wheels
before, but the BST's made the Rever Corsa machine super flickable.
You could carve the tightest of turns with ease and confidence.
It made you feel like you were on a smaller and lighter motorcycle
... Oh my God, I'm in heaven; the Ed Hardy daydream
was coming true." |
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Gary/Terry,
Please find attached the photos of my Harley Davidson
VRSCD-X Night Rod Special. I just got back from South
Dakota, trip was approximately 4500 miles. Bike performed and
handled flawlessly. I cannot believe the difference in my Harley
with Blackstone's on it. It is as close to a "point and shoot"
cruiser one could ever wish for. Normally, the big V-Rod is a
bit tough on handling, heavy in and out of corners, etc etc. With
Blackstone's it is simply a matter of thinking you want to turn
and it is done. Needless to say the acceleration is noticeably
quicker, too. This bike was making 142HP at the back wheel and
91ft-lb of torque the day it left on this trip. It is unbelievably
fast and dramatically quicker with Blackstone's on board.
If I can help more, let me know. I am one happy customer.
Len Perham, Monte
Sereno, California |
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Ron Amaral Hawaii:
AWESOME!! Woohoo!! Please share this email
with your employees, their hard word and dedication has produced
a TRULY AWESOME PRODUCT! It is only thru their hard work and dedication
that I'm able to truly have a VERY VERY UNIQUE AND OUTSTANDING
PRODUCT! As in Hawaii when we are thankful we say MUCH MAHALO!
which means thank you in Hawaiian! So Mahalo to your employees
and to you folks at BlackStone Tek!
That would be truly AWESOME to use my photos on your website and newsletter!! Could you reference the bike - 2006 Kawasaki ZX6RR aka: slimer (superlight). It is my ongoing project which BSTs are a big factor in. Please mention the location- Honolulu, Hawaii. |
Len Perham:
Gosh, Folks, they look absolutely magnificent on the bike. You have a very happy customer.
I forgot to mention my suspicion that when you hit the throttle hard it is getting horsepower to the
ground quicker because of the huge favorable change in the forces of inertia.
I suspect I can turn the quarter in the middle 10.5 plus/minus range.
This is one very fast Harley. |
Donnie Graves, California
Guys, got the wheel in time, installed and they made the Love
Ride. 22,000 rode this year and I can't tell you how many people
commented on and praised the BST's (including ZZ Top's Billy
Gibbons and Foo Fighters Dave Grohl) I'll
send you some good/cool photos shortly.
Thanks so much for your efforts and treatment. |
Christopher Cadogan:
The guys at BST back their product with customer service that's
second to none, their dealer Martin at Motowheels (I have not
only bought other items from him but send all my friends in Hotlanta
that see my BST carbon wheels etc and Speedcell battery to his
site). If you are serious about getting the best performance with
a product that has great dealers and customer service that back
their products then I will tell you pay a little more you will
get a look that every time you put gas in or stop at a red-light
people always go that bike is awesome and those wheels are out
of this world !!!!.
|
Norman:
Just thought you might like to see my finished project using BST
wheels. I can't believe how they have transformed the way the bike
handles.
Not only that, combined with the carbon ceramic discs, the weight
is just unbelievable. I've included a link should you wish to read
the whole story.
I've included my most recent pics too. I do have more! Should you
wish to use any pics please help yourselves.
Check it out on the MCN online news for the full article. |
BADoug:
Re: Carbon Rims...good idea?"
So much has been written about carbon rims, but: I've had my
BSTs for over six years with no problems. On my '01 K1, I logged
hundreds of track miles on every track on the West coast including
Reno Fernley and some, like Pacific Raceways (Kent, WA) have their
share of ruts. Plus, thousands of street miles and dozens of tire
changes have been trouble-free. Recently, I hit a two inch thick
steel construction plate on the Richmond Bridge hard enough that
I stopped at the Toll Plaza to file a complaint and inspect my
wheels. There was no visible damage and no subsequent air loss.
I don't think any stock or magnesium could have withstood that
impact (with my 200#). BSTs make such a huge difference in performance.
The suspension works better, the bike accelerates and stops quicker.
Of course, flicking thru turns is quicker. Plus, they save loads
of unsprung and total weight. IMHO, the best money that can be
spent on a motorcycle. |
Chris659 on the
same forum says:
Iif youre gonna get cf wheels dont bother with the dymags! go
bst or dont get anything! ive got about 6k street miles on mine
and have had no issues outa them. hell within the first couple
rides i hit a MASSIVE pot hole and it didnt do anything at all
to them! just because theyre not DOT legal doesnt mean that theyre
weak. they passed german testing which is more intensive testing
than standard DOT from what ive heard. the dymags are glued and
bolted together vs all woven together as one, theyre heavier,
theyre MOI isnt near what the bst's are, and IMO they dont look
as nice (seen both in person) unfortunately in december i had
a high side at 95mph and while my bike didnt flip down the ride
the wheels came out unscathed. those wheels were by far the single
best component ive added to my bike! if you want any more info
PM me....
|
Darryl King - Rocket III rider
from Largo, FL:
The rims are awesome, I have 280 rwhp on the bike now and they
are doing just fine. I gotten loads of compliments on them. Best
bang for the buck. I’ve written a couple of rider views
on the R3 web site telling everyone of the superior quality and
workmanship that was put into the BST’s." |
Travis Nesbitt, Racer, Part Canada:
Hello, I would like to thank your company for designing, manufacturing
the best racing wheels bar none in the racing industry today!
I am sport bike rider that is always looking for ways to get quicker
lap times. I learned very fast that when you are at the track
and you want to win and be up front you need to have the best
equipment possible. I always thought that there was no real difference
between wheel companies, was I ever wrong. I hope your company
never stops pushing the envelope in wheel technology, please never
stop putting the racer first! Your company's commitment to quality
is second to none. Your fitment, and durability makes all other
companies wishing they were in your league.
I was hoping to ask a question, I am getting ready for the 2008
Part Canada series, I was hoping maybe I could possibly get a
couple stickers for my CBR600RRs. I was hoping that I could show
respect and loyalty to the company the has helped me become a
better rider and winner. I just thought that it would be nice
that when people walk the pits or see me in the winner's circle
they would see that BST is the choice of winners!
Thank you again for all the support and giving all the private
riders a chance to have the same performance that the pro's get.
Thank you for putting the rider first! To me that's performance! |
Charles H Garrett - Rider,
Texas:
"I love your (BST) wheels, they make such a differance on
the street and track that you cannot even explain it to someone
that has never rode on them (BST wheels). Thanks again. Your efforts
are greatly appreciated and I have nothing but kindness for you.
Thanks again and you have earned my business forever." |
Johh Harvey, President, Erospace Tech Inc. Kevlar fuelcels for high performance
sport bikes:
"
fantastic performance!!!!!!!!!!! would have never believed it
until I rode it. WOW!!! " |
Robert D. Cole, Executive Vice
President of Craven Thompson & Associates:
"Here's a couple of pictures of my BST's in action. I've
won several races and a championship with them. I am very happy
with their performance and hopefully have sent several customers
your way."
|
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Baldy on the
gixxer.com site:
MG6, Yep, they are real carbon fiber. The front weighs 2495g
and the rear (including the carrier) weighs 4627g (the wheel 3833g
and the carrier 794g). I weighed a rear Marchesini and it was
6980g total weight. The front Marchesini was 4400g. (notice that
the rear BST is only slightly heavier than the Marchesini front).
The real difference is where the weight is distributed. On the
Marchesinis, the weight is throughout the entire rim. On the BST's,
there is hardly any weight on outer edge. Most of the weight is
in the hub/carrier.
This translates into an even larger difference in rotating mass.
I handed the rims to one of my buddies and he remarked, "It
falls up". It was like an optical illusion when you picked
it up. You can't imagine that something could be so light.
My first impressions of riding the bike is that it falls into
turns. It feels like a 125 it turns in so easy. Mid corner adjustments
are a "think it and it comes true" item. The bike also
accelerates harder/quicker and brakes harder/quicker (via seat
of the pants). A buddy rode my bike and couldn't belive the difference.
Now I've just got to go through and sort out my suspension settings
again. Because of the wheels, Harris swingarm, Penske shock and
Traxxion forks, I can literally feel every little squirm that
the bike makes. Feedback is awesome.
Another thing that I forgot to talk about was the need to be
very smooth. Since the gyroscopic effect of the wheels is a lot
less than the Marchesini or stock wheels, if you are not smooth,
you are going to feel it. I particularly need to lessen my death
grip on the bars.
As far as crash worthiness, a guy up here hit a rock (bigger
than a softball) at 70 mph. The lip of the rim was fugged up but
it did not break the bead and the tire held air. If it had been
a metal rim, it would have taco'd and the guy would have had an
ugly accident. Martin at Motowheels (where I got the rims) said
that at a parts show a rep from BST was bouncing a bare rim on
the cement floor all day and it did no damage. He also said that
it broke the testing equipment twice (the equipment used to test
the road worthiness of wheels) in Europe somewhere. |
John Gregory of Gregory Designs:
So the frame on your home page looks like the MotoCzysz frame.
I heard it was from South Africa, but had no idea it was from
you... Good on ya, mates!" May 2007. |
Mark Sidler of Nova Scotia, Canada:
"The wheels are absolutely stunning. Thank you for making
a superb product." March 2007.
|
Jack Anstice of Australia:
I tested my BST wheels at Phillip Island which is the fastest
track in MotoGP!! I went from being average in the medium-slow
group at trackdays to INSTANTLY being FAST in the fast group, possibly dropping about
7 SECONDS per 4.5 kilometre lap.
Turning my average speed of 135 km/h into a jawdropping 177 km/h.
These wheels are ridiculously good.
Anything road-registered is like it is going in reverse as I fly
past them!". |
Arthur Bell:
Once I got used to the new placement of my body, the amount of
effort it took to change direction for turns was day and night.
It was SOOOO much easier to turn in, I found that I could move
my braking markers much closer to the turn and carry more corner
speed and stop much faster, I am guessing that has to do with
the reduction in rotation mass!!
I love my wheels, love how easy the bike is to turn, and for the
narcissist in me, I LOVE the look!!" |
Greg Hoover of
Hawaii:
"The wheel arrived yesterday safe and sound just in time
for the weekend. I have it installed and everything is just fine.
Thanks to you and everyone at BST for your excellent customer
support. Aloha, Greg." |
Larry Fore:
I just received my wheels from Kosman Specialties and mounted
them on my drag race V Rod. Unbelievable the smoothness of the
power. Lost 26#'s of weight." |
Sandy Kosman of Kosman Specialties, California:
"It's not often that I am overwhelmed by something I have
purchased, but this time I am - (1) the finish on the wheels was
great (2) machining was great (3) packaging was great." |
FAST Bikes (UK) FB Longtermers: Moby's CBR1000RR.
"By far the biggest change I made to the 'Blade was the
addition of the BST Carbon Wheels and Braking Wavy discs... The
handling was absolutely transformed from slightly heavy and slow
steering, to light and rapid. Flicking the bike between corners
takes no more effort than on a CBR600, and the amount of input
through the bars is minimal - you can pretty much steer it through
the pegs.
Acceleration was improved, as was braking, and the bike felt lighter
than the weight saving would suggest it should ... get a ride
on your bike with carbon wheels, and tell me it's not worth it." |
Australian Motorcycle News:
"Adding the BST wheels had some really positive effects
on the Project CBR, which we have had for 18 months. On the road,
the reduced weight is noticeable the moment you accelerate away
from standstill, and the lightweight 600 feels even lighter still
in the steering, as well as super fast ... Braking distances are
shorter too, and the looks are hard to top." |
Australian Motorcycle News On their long term project Honda CBR600RR:
"The weird bit is how it handles - 5.25kg doesn't look too
impressive a number, but when that weight is hanging off the suspension
in the form of the BST carbon fibre wheels given to us by Geelong
Composites to play with, it makes a big difference. The moment
any forward momentum occurs, whether you're pushing it or riding
it, it feels lighter, with less effort needed to get the Pirelli
Super Corsas spinning, it accelerates harder, in other words -
though there's nothing weird in that - then you turn a corner
... so much less steering effort was required ... less spinning
mass is the reason. ... I was able to leave hitting the brakes
until substantially after the standard bikes braking marker. ...
the BST carbon fibre wheels have a far greater effect on the bike's
performance that I expected ... " |
Fast Bikes (UK):
"Quite simply the best addition I've made to the 'Blade
this year. They cost me more than a small island off the coast
of Spain, but they're
worth it. Improved handling, acceleration and braking - and they
look cooler than a family of penguins in an ice bath."
|
BST distributor RAM (Race
Application Monaco) has fascinating information about the performance
of BSTs at the Calafat race track
The MV was kitted with dynamic data recording equipment which
was used to literally draw the bike's trajectory and show the
difference that BSTs make on the circuit - better performance
in the turns as well as faster acceleration gave faster lap times.
Click here for
the MotoSprint article written by Claudio Corsetti after he rode
with BSTs, and his analysis of the difference, as well as the
trajectory drawings. |
Sport Rider (USA):
"These 5 spoke carbon-fiber wheels are easily the lightest
17-inch hoops in the test, and also have the lowest MoI of the
17-inchers." |
R1 rider in the UK:
My friend and I race identical 2000 R1s in the UK PowerBike
Championship.
My friend fitted BST wheels to his bike which I've just tested
at Brands short circuit and was shocked after only a few laps
to find myself lapping three seconds faster than ever before.
I also couldn't believe how the bike now turns faster and holds
a tighter line. I've tried two makes of magnesium and aluminium
race wheels before, but could tell no worthwhile difference and
my lap times hardly altered.
That's why I'm ordering a pair of BSTs from you now! |
Ducati 999 rider in the UK:
I was expecting a small difference but they've completely transformed
the bike. Instantly the front steers almost as quickly as my 954
FireBlade did, overcoming the 999';s biggest problem of disappointingly
slow turn-in, and you can feel stronger acceleration. |
|
Direct Imaging Resources – Tested the BST wheels.
After waiting several weeks because of bad weather to test our
newly acquired BST wheels, I must say I am much more impressed
than I thought I would be.
The acceleration is just astonishing (we have removed 11 lbs.
of rotating weight other than the wheels, ie: wave rotors and
Ti bolts, 520 chain and sprockets, cryogized alum. clutch plates,
machined flywheel) ... one of the best power improvements we have
ever made and we never had to open up the motor.
The ability to flick it through the esses was very much like
a racing bicycle... hardly any effort at all.
We rode about 300 miles and it felt much like we only went 200.
Before adding the wheels, I had to wrestle the bike through the
corners... now it's soooo much easier.
Both the rear and front suspension felt like we had just rebuilt
them... with less unsprung weight, they reacted like there was
nothing attached to them. I am VERY impressed with the results.
After waiting for the last year to get these and then having to
wait even longer to get the correct flange, it was all worth it!!!
We can highly recommend these wheels to anyone riding on the
street and doing track days. They will even make you a smoother
rider..... the first 30 MPH corner I came to and opened the throttle
at the apex, the front tire came completely off the ground as
I was at full lean. That got my attention... now I have to be
much smoother with the gas with faster lap times.
Please relay my appreciation to the other members of your organization
for producing such a great product. And again, thank you so much
for helping us get the proper flange so we could get this project
on the road again.
Best regards,
Randy McCarter
Direct Imaging Resources
You can use anything that I have said or referenced to in any
way you wish ... glad to help. And, it was all so easy ... just
the plain truth.
One thing I didn't mention was the way in which I could slow
the bike down for the corners. With such a reduction in rotating
weight, I barely had to use any brakes. In fact, I was letting
off the gas at the same markers I used with the stock wheels and
it was WAY too soon. You can take these wheels in 50% deeper before
hitting the brakes.
Everyone keeps asking me "How much difference in weight
are they?"; ... what I tell them is "The BST wheels
have such a great reduction in weight from about 2 inches past
the center line to the outer part of the rim that no other rim
can compete. That is the most important area of weight reduction
when it comes to comparing rotating weights"
|
Superbike January
2003:
Jamie Wilkens (test rider): "what else can you do to a
bike - for that money - to make it so much faster?" |
Claudio Corsetti of MOTO SPRINT said:
"These wheels were the only thing the SPS needed to get
close to perfection, never mind the 999"
And he added: ";These wheels are better than 20 extra bhp
in the engine! " |
| Results from Calafat -
40 press riders
put all makes and models to the test, and the BlackStone
Tek / RAM Ducati 996 SPS 2000 steals Pole Position!
The RAM/DUCATI, a stock specimen in all respects, when shoed
with BST Carbon Fiber Wheels, lowered her best lap time from 1'
32" 25/100 to 1' 31"05/100 meanwhile bettering by 4
Kmh the end of the straight speed, from 234 to 238 Kmh!
. . . neither the 2003 GSXR 1000, nor any other 2003 sportbike
present, were able to better the lap time of the RAM/BST/DUCATI
996 SPS.
(See www.ram.mc for details) |
Doug Polen riding
at Suzuka on BlackStone Tek wheels:
"I used both front and rear wheels at Suzuka and love the
performance advantage" |
Although I've had sets of magnesium wheels on motorcycles and
cars, your carbon fiber wheels are amazing. They are a high quality
product that looks great. But the best part is the improvement
in performance.
My '01 GSXR1000 now turns in quicker, and more precisely,stops
quicker, and most impressive: accelerates much faster (something
the Gixxer really needs).
Please accept my complements and best wishes in the future. You
may use my statements.
Doug Abadie
Berkeley, California |
Dear Dino
Congratulations on the pole position and proving that the 996
is still the king of superbikes, even though with some considerable
help from BST. The BST wheels rock! They improved my 996S so drastically
that it now feels feather-light, handles even more superbly (if
that is possible for a bike so excellent already), accelerates
like the wind and stops on a dime.
Many thanks for the wheels, Dino.
All the best,
Ilian |
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