The origins of the Kettle Club can be traced back to as far as the late 1980’s, when the concept of forming a single type club devoted to the iconic GT 750, was first muted by some within the Suzuki Owners Club (SOC). But it was not until the mid-90’s, when an amalgamation of devotees from the SOC and the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club (VJMC) got together and decided to make a go of it. A camping weekend was arranged, adverts were placed in the motorcycle press and elsewhere, and in the August of 1995 a group of 16 enthusiasts pitched up at a site in Standlake, Oxfordshire. By the end of that weekend, the Kettle Club UK had been formed.

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That group of 16, known within club folk law as ‘The Standlake Few’; could not have imagined the degree of interest that would arise in the wake of this enterprise. One of the founding members and now President of the club, Dave Pitcher, recalls riding away from that meeting wondering what it was that they had done and whether anyone else would want to join this club of theirs? His doubts were soon to be quashed however; people from all over the UK, Europe and beyond, began to sign up and to such a degree, that the ‘UK’ aspect of the club’s title was dropped in 1999.

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The club held its first Rally and AGM in the summer of ’96, attracting 60 owners and machines, quite a feat for a fledgling club and in that same year, it made its debut at the Stafford Motorcycle Show; a venue upon which the club would stamp its mark amongst classic motorcycle clubs, in the years to follow. In fact the very next year the club triumphed in winning its first ‘Best Club Stand’ award, with a display numbering 31 machines - the first of many such awards that would adorn the club’s trophy cabinet. Also in ’97, the Kettle club appeared as ‘featured club’ at the ‘Festival of 1000 Bikes’ Brands Hatch, considered to be the best, track based event of its time. Although this ‘Japanese’ intrusion had been initially opposed by the VMCC organisers, they eventually conceded and the sight of 61 Kettles hurtling around the track made quite the spectacle, so much so that a VMCC spokesman was heard to comment; “Wow, how can we top that?!” and as history has shown, they were never able to. The fact that the club also walked away with yet another ‘Best Club Stand’ award, was just further endorsement of the club’s burgeoning reputation.

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In 2005, 6 intrepid members took part in a mini re-enactment of the ‘Maudes Trophy’ run. Their target was to complete just one of the 3 laps of Great Britain originally achieved by Suzuki GB, but none-the less; the group covered the 3,200 miles with only minor issues (punctures, etc.) a testament to the reliability, practicality and stamina of the GT750, something that has been proven time and time again to this day.

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THE CLUB AS IT IS TODAY

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Of course over the years the club has partaken in all manner of things that are deemed the life’s blood of a successful motorcycle enthusiast’s club; ride-outs, track days, shows, international Rallies and the likes, and it continues to do so. All of these things have helped promote the Clubs image in the eyes of the public, motorcycling or otherwise, and this has inevitably helped to swell its ranks. But something rather miraculous occurred from 2015 on. From that year, the club’s membership has grown by a staggering degree so that now, so many years on from the ‘Standlake Few’, the Club is now in all probability the world’s largest, single type Japanese motorcycle owners club! 

 

2020 not only marked the 25th anniversary of this great club, it also marked the 50th year of the launch of Suzuki’s 2-stroke flagship at the Tokyo Motor show in October 1970. Suzuki boldly revealed Japan’s first serial manufactured, water-cooled 750 to a motorcycling world still reeling from the launch of Honda’s ground-breaking CB750/4. Being masters of the 2 stroke however; Suzuki’s vision for the 3 cylinder GT was a little more Avant-garde than its competitors; being designed from the outset as a ‘Grand Tourismo’. Later, it had the distinction of being the first Japanese bike to be equipped with twin disc brakes. With up to 70bhp (claimed) in its later versions, the bike compared favourably with the competition of the era, earning praise from the international motorcycling press for its smoothness, comfort and touring prowess and let’s not forget that it was also endorsed by the racing legend Barry Sheene himself, who actually owned one!

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Today, the bike is considered by many to embody everything that represents the 70’s era of motorcycling, all in a single package. In its standard guise the Kettle, with its large, distinctive radiator, multiple exhausts and lashings of chrome and polished alloy; draws a great deal of attention and admiration wherever it parks up. Modern tyres and suspension only help to enhance its capabilities and many members within the club regularly venture far afield, using the bike as it was intended. From Finland to New Zealand; from Canada to Australia, mainland Europe and Great Britain; the song remains the same. From the distinctive ‘burble’ of a standard exhaust system, to the GP soundtrack from a set of expansion chambers. J models to B models. Dunstalls, ROCA’s or Sanders & Lewis; Kettle ownership covers a broad spectrum.

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The Kettle Club exists for the Suzuki GT750 and is supported by a loyal and devoted group of members, who share a passion for the machine that they enjoy, ride and maintain. If you would like to join us, contact the Membership Secretary by clicking on Membership Application, under the Club link at the top of the page.

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We hope you enjoy the site and that you too, might join us in the very near future.