There are countless cartoons and movies featuring a confused character with an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other, each coaxing him to make a contrasting decision. For Kenny Caro this seemingly humorous scenario presented itself in real life while he was deep into a custom bike build.
Prior to the look it has now the GSX-R was a custom that any performance aficionado would adore. Alongside a full Brock's exhaust system were carbon fiber BST wheels, gearing, a TRE (timing retard eliminator), air filter and Power Commander. The bike was set up to go fast-plain and simple. Big bucks were involved, but the cash was stashed in places that only trained eyes could track.
Obviously, it's all become a bit more conspicuous since then.
Kenny found his first version to be a frantic bike that wanted to wheelie constantly and go everywhere in a hurry. For some riders that's not the ideal way to roll, and he considered some friendly suggestions to stretch the swingarm in order to tame it down.
Fate was on Kenny's side because Tricked Out Custom Cycles (TOCC) was practically in his backyard, and the tuning shop specializes in the art of stretching, slamming and customization. Once TOCC's Steve Kehler took the over-achieving Gixxer into his shop he set about changing its stance. A ten-over single-sided swingarm holding a 300mm fatty rear was installed, and those mods dictated a totally new direction. Kenny recalled the second version: "The wheelie problem was solved, but the new issue of propelling the added weight arose. Whenever you add something new it gives birth to more challenges, which then sparks more creativity with the goal of trying to solve each new issue."
Being recently born into blingland, the GSX-R took its time rolling over to Powerhouse Motorcycles where the engine was to be addressed. A Velocity Racing Stage 1 turbo system was installed along with a 40-shot of nitrous for good measure. That's on top of a thousand cubes of Suzuki stomp, mind you.