The first time I met Chris Warren, a.k.a. Big Blue, was in 2004 at the 2nd Annual Soul Brothers Drag Race in Kansas City. I was truly inspired by Chris’ attitude and demeanor towards his never ending passion for racing to get down the track quicker, and having fun doing it. Chris has always been someone I run up to and give that special biker hug and handshake because of the quality individual he is.
By day, Chris trades in his leathers for a pair of dress slacks and faces the same traffic most of us run into every morning just to get to work and pay the bills. And like many of us he can’t wait to get done with his day job so he can start working on his latest bike he will be racing down the track. Chris has worked his way up through the ranks from a 750 class bike to his current Hyabusas, of which he has two. Chris Warren has deserved this exposure for quite some time and it's been a real pleasure to be his friend over the past four years. Chris is a man of his word and a really nice guy!
I am pleased and honored to interview Mr. Chris Warren and would like to thank all of the people who have stood by him including all of us at Cycle Connections. Give 'em hell Chris and keep kicking ass at the track!
CC: Chris, what is your occupation?
Chris: Sprint IT Change Management.
CC: Do you have hobbies other than motorcycling?
Chris: Yes, I also enjoy spending time with my family, working on motorcycles, cars and just about anything I can get my hands on. I like to learn how to do new things, but I really want to learn how to do carpentry work so I can do more stuff at my house.
CC: Why do you ride?
Chris: I love driving or riding anything with wheels. I’ve been like that ever since I was a little kid. A lot of this has to do with my older brothers teaching me how to ride motorcycles and drive cars at a very young age. I was always around motorcycles and nice cars, so now that I’m older and can afford to have these things it’s like a dream come true. I would like to say thanks to my big brothers for turning me on to this hobby.
CC: How long have you been riding?
Chris: My big brother Kevin taught me how to ride like a mid 80s model Honda 750 when I was in elementary school. I was always big for my age, so I had the strength to handle a big bike, but being able to touch the ground was a challenge. My brother would ride on the back and when I came to a stop is he would put his feet down to stabilize the bike. He then had me riding a Kawasaki Z1R 1000 and that was a blast because that bike was fast. I think he let me get it up to 90 mph one day and boy I felt like I was flying. My other brother Craig, who is my race partner really got me involved with riding on his '96 GSXR 750 and occasionally he would let me ride his new '99 Hayabusa back when it first came out.
CC: What was your first bike?
Chris: My first bike was a 2001 GSXR 750 that I rode all summer long. I remember my Brother Craig telling me to quit riding my bike so much and pay some attention to my girl before I loose her, and he was right once again because after about seven months of me owning this bike she gave me my packing papers and told me to move out of our house.
CC: How many bikes have you owned?
Chris: Since 2001 I’ve had sevem bikes. I’ve had a 2001 GSXR 750, a 1998 CBR 600, a 2001 Suzuki Hayabusa, a 2003 VStar 1100 Classic, a 2004 Yamaha R1 and a 2000 Suzuki Hayabusa.
CC: How many bikes do you currently own?
Chris: I currently own a 2001 Turbo Suzuki Hayabusa and a 2000 Suzuki Hayabusa.
CC: What do you like most about your Hayabusas?
Chris: I love everything about my '01 Busa because it’s the bike I learned how to do all my work on. My best friend and I got these bikes one day apart in November of 2001 and we haven’t stopped building on these bikes since.
CC: What modifications have you made to your 2001 Turbo Hayabusa?
Chris: I have pretty much done everything to this bike and it’s been through many different personalities including paint, motors, nitrous, and now turbo. Below are a few of the mods I can think of are:
- Mc Express Intercooled Turbo kit somewhere in the range of 325 to 350 rwhp
- Race cut forks by Mccord Racing
- Fully adjustable lowering link in the rear
- Custom paint by Todd Tembrook at TT’s Specialties
- Polished frame, triple tree, bar ends, swingarm, motor covers, foot pegs and brackets by Warren Racing
- Stock bore low compression turbo motor built by Warren Racing and XSV Sports
- Candy blue chrome wheels by John at Sport Chrome
- Trac Dynamics Uunder braced adjustable swingarm
- Air shifter by Warren Racing and XSV Sports
- Race cut tranny by Gatlin Racing
- Boost controller by Boost by Smith
- Galfer brake lines by Dyno Mike’s Dynamic Chassis
- Braking wave rotor
- Custom race cut alligator seat by Rick at R&S Upholstery
CC: What is your dream bike?
Chris: I really don’t know if I have a dream bike because my favorite bikes are bikes I either currently owned or have owned, which would be the Hayabusa and the GSXR 1k. I think I would like to have a nice custom chopper one day and a real nice cruiser to take road trips on.
CC: What is your most memorable riding experience?
Chris: I have so many experiences riding and racing with my crew, so it would be hard to say what is my most memorable. I think some of my best memories are being with my best friend Conrad, and learning how to race against my brother Craig and Carson. These two guys taught us everything we know about racing and they always pushed us to do well and didn’t take any mercy on us. I always like racing them because I know how good they are and I want to be where they are with my racing skills.
CC: Do you have a least memorable riding experience?
Chris: I would have to say my least memorable experience is when I went out and street raced this guy on this road that was dark and unfamiliar when I said I wasn’t going to street race anymore. Well, I guess I’ll just say I’m lucky to still be living and even though I didn’t wreck I broke three toes plowing through some road construction signs. I’ll never forget my brother’s face when he saw what happened to me and my bike and I felt like the biggest idiot in the world, but I guess you learn from your mistakes.
CC: To what motorcycle clubs or organizations do you belong?
Chris: I’m not in a motorcycle club, but I’ve been racing with the same group of guys since I started racing in 2001 and I would have to say they are my club or group. I have a lot of guys I race with that I’m very close to, but this group of guys have been with me through it all and they have all taught me a lot. Their names are Craig Warren “My Big Bro,” Conrad Bell “My Best Friend,” and Carson Mccord.
CC: Are you a part of any race team?
Chris: My race team is called Warren Racing, but I’m racing out of the XSV Sports camp. You can check out the XSV Sports web site at www.xsvsports.com.
CC: What motorcycle rallies & events have you attended, and which is your favorite?
Chris: Wow, I’m not sure. I love all the rallies that I’ve been to. Myrtle Beach Black Bike Week and the Kansas City Roundup I guess I would say are my favorites. I really enjoyed the Roundup because it was local and I got to see so many fellow riders from all over the world and everyone was getting along. Thanks Boonie and A Ward for working your hearts out on this wonderful event.
CC: Do you have a favorite bike night hangout?
Chris: I think Paddy O’Quigley’s in Lee’s Summit’s is the one that I’ve always gone to, so I guess I would have to say it’s my favorite.
CC: How many tattoos do you have, and do you have a favorite?
Chris: I have two tattoos, one on my chest and the other on the ball of my shoulder. My favorite is the one on my shoulder only because it hasn’t faded and my other one is basically all faded away. I love them both because they are lions and that is my favorite animal and also my sign “Leo.”
CC: Do you have a favorite tattoo artist?
Chris: Not sure, but my buddy Kimo Russell is an up-and-coming tattoo artist, so I hope to get one done by him here soon.
CC: Do you prefer riding in a group or by yourself?
Chris: I prefer riding with a group of riders that I’m used to riding with and I know they are experienced and no how we all ride together. I’m not real comfortable riding with people that I don’t know.
CC: Who are some of your closest riding buddies?
Chris: My brother, Conrad Bell, Carson Mccord, Boonie, Hitman D Dub, A Ward, Jevon Spearman, and Andre Taylor. I’m sure I’ve left some people out, so please don’t be mad I’m just tired.
CC: Is there anything else you would like to share with your fellow riders?
Chris: I would just like to say thanks to all the people I know out there that have helped me learn more about bikes and lend a helping hand with my bikes. I want to give special thanks again to Conrad Bell at XSV Sports and Carson at Mccord Racing for helping me learn more about working on bikes. These guys have helped me through all of the different projects on my busa and I wouldn’t be able to do it without either of you. Also, I want to give props to the following companies Velocity Packaging, XSV Sports, Mccord Racing, Dyno Mike’s Dynamic Chassis, Spaz Racing, and Boost by Smith. For any parts please check out www.xsvsports.com and if you don’t see what you need please e-mail me at chris@xsvsports.com or Conrad at sales@xsvsports.com.
Interview by Dave Miller
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