Words and Photos by Vlad Saakyan
Upon a recent visit to Lebanon Valley Dragway, things seemed usual with the regular Wednesday warriors filling up the staging lanes. However once I saw a Hyundai run a 10 second 1/4 mile and I knew it was going to be a good day. That’s when I saw it out of the corner of my eye. A black on black on black Suzuki Gsxr 1000.
A really sinister looking thing, a bike that would fit right in a Star Wars movie, with Darth Vader riding being the rider. Of course no Star Wars movie would be complete without the Vader breath, which would be provided by the Blow off valve. BOV? On a bike? This guy be nuts.
Sitting barely an inch above the ground, the thing just leaked evil. The nitrous bottle mounted in the superextended rear swing arm didn’t help it look any friendlier. Add the side dump exhaust straight off the turbo manifold, a tire so sticky that the track is actually cleaner after it goes over it, custom tail fairing, and you got yourself a bat out of hell. I
If Vader was a real person, and he had to get out of the X Wing, this is what he would get right on… and he would look bitching riding in that helmet.