Big Bear Choppers Kevin Alsop is currently on a world tour visiting BBC dealers in a number of countries including New Zealand, Australia, Taiwan and Kiev in the Ukraine before concluding with a visit to his European distributor in Switzerland.
If you haven’t been living under a rock for the past decade you will be aware that at Big Bear Lake in California, Kevin’s state-of-the-art factory rolls out a range of 15 models varying in style from the rigid Devils Advocate to the bagger-with-a-difference, the GTX.
We caught up with Kevin at Wildcard Customs in Maroochydore Queensland, the latest dealership to be appointed by BBC and where proprietor Chris Hill has done a bang up job in setting up a stunning showroom, a modern well equipped workshop and a comprehensive parts and accessories section.
With the slogan “American Muscle, Aussie Brilliance” the boys at Wildcard are off to a flying start in terms of bikes sold since being appointed a BBC dealer a few short months ago. Staff and principals have spent time in the US, training at the Big Bear facility and are well equipped to answer questions on the range, supply product and assemble knocked down models to factory standards.
I caught up with the Wildcard Customs team during Kevin’s down under visit and had a ball riding through the lush Queensland hinterland (think Florida with a much prettier coast line and mountains just a few miles inland) on a number of these very refined motorcycles. I spent the most time on the Venom and the Miss Behavin Prostreet models and came away impressed with the power, smoothness and handling of these no-compromise, too-cool-for-school choppers.
Putting through the downtown traffic of Mooloolaba on the last Saturday of the school holidays on either bike was like being up on stage under a bright spotlight. Young boys hooted and hollered, giving the thumbs up, schoolgirls giggled and waved, soccer mums smiled and got moist while old men wished they were young again and able to re-live a misspent youth on one of these coolest of cool machines.
And whether carving corners or blasting down the highway at speed, the BBC bikes were predictable and did everything they should and did it well. In fact these fat tyred bikes ride a good deal better than one might expect – especially if one has ridden some of the other choppers out there.
With two days of testing and photography over it was time to get unserious and have some fun, especially given that the next day was Saturday which dawned fine and sunny, the norm in this part of the world, and perfect for two more days of riding these great machines. Unfortunately I had to fly out to another city for a prior commitment and had to let associate HEAVY DUTY photo-journalist Glenn Priddle perform the not-so-onerous task of riding fast through this beautiful county and drinking copious amounts of good Aussie beer (NOT Fosters) at the end of the day. So I’ll let Glenn sum up the weekend.
“I had met Kevin at Big Bear Choppers in California the last year and been given a tour of his facility which impressed me greatly, particularly his quality control procedures which are extensive to say the least. In fact I would recommend any potential US buyer who wasn’t quite decided to visit the factory personally as this would ensure total peace of mind regarding the value of their purchase. Seeing first hand the great lengths BBC goes to in selecting top grade materials and then using state-of-the-art machinery to produce quality products at every level would reassure the purchaser that these bikes are top shelf from front to back.
Powered by the S&S built Smooth® 100 cube motor, a motor built to BBC’s particular specifications and which transfers that smooth power to the ground via an industry-leading Baker Drivetrain 6-speed transmission, these bikes are punchy to ride, handle great and look as cool if not cooler than anything out there. So you can imagine how pleased I was that Doc couldn’t make the ride and handed me the task of going riding for the weekend with Kevin, the Wildcard Customs boys, plus a number of happy BBC customers astride their choppers.
Eight BBC choppers were on the ride up to Toogoolawah in South east Queensland as we headed up the mountain to Maleny on a picture perfect day and traffic was light as we travelled along the Blackhall Range, cruising thru little villages that put you in mind of England.
Up here you have a fantastic view of the Sunshine Coast on your left with the Pacific Ocean sparkling in the background, while on your right is the lush and verdant hinterland. This county is bikers’ heaven, with beautiful winding roads that snake up and down dale. And no matter how many times you see them, the magnificent Glass House Mountains are always breathtaking.
Once down the mountain and on the plains you ride along roads which are surrounded by farms that are well-stocked with healthy cattle that graze on the rich green pastures. And let me tell you, the boys flogged the Big Bears bikes up and over the mountain at a pace that surprised me. I wouldn’t have believed that they would handle like that if I hadn’t been there.
We pulled up in Kilcoy to gas up and after refuelling a very relaxed Kevin dropped a big burnout and snaked it up the road to the amusement of onlookers. That evening we partied as only bikers do and talked a lot of bull, but everyone agreed what a great ride we’d had.
The best part was that as we were all booked to stay overnight at the pub in Toogoolawah, we were going to do it all again the next day.
And we did it all again the next day, though with a little slower start than usual.
But once we were up and running we enjoyed another great ride, swapping bikes from time to time so that each of us could experience the various models on the run. I for one can’t think of a better way to spend a weekend and I’m sure that all the blokes who went felt the same. Count me in next time for sure!” ~Glenn
Wildcard Customs have achieved considerable success since becoming an authorised dealer a few short months ago and have achieved full Australian compliance for the bikes they sell, meaning that financing and insurance is readily arranged.
Wildcard Customs have a great web site at www.wildcardcustoms.com.au where you can view heaps of information on Big Bear Choppers including quite a number of informative videos.
Aussie readers of Bikernet.com can call Wildcard Customs to speak with proprietor Chris or sales manager Kelvin. Just give them a buzz on 07 5443 5548, as they are friendly guys and keen to do deals on these great bikes.
–Doc
