Yoshimura R&D of America, Inc., has opened a new division intended to offer many parts and services to the general public that were previously only known to professional racers competing on a National level. Brant Russell, Vice President of Marketing for Yoshimura R&D of America Inc., revealed the details and philosophy of the company's new division - now known as the "Yoshimura Race Shop" (YRS) - and explained how Yoshimura R&D's highly specialized performance race parts and services are now being offered to the general public. "The super secret days of racing are over," says Russell. "The fact that we are now racing production based Superbikes makes it a good time to open our doors and offer parts and services to the general public. Yoshimura is the undisputed 'Leader in Performance' with the highest number of wins, poles and pages in record books. It's time to share our success and lineage with our customers. That is why YRS was created."
The new YRS is divided into four categories: Hard Parts, Engine Parts, Suspension Parts and Engine Services. Currently the initial thrust will be in the GSX-R line of Suzuki Motorcycles, especially the GSX-R1000. However, YRS will also offer a large line of products for other popular sportbikes like the Honda CBR1000RR and the Yamaha YZF-R1. In addition, there are many products available for the DR-Z400SM based on Yoshimura's Supermoto racing efforts with Kevin Schwantz and others. The product line is anticipated to expand quite a bit over the next few years.
The new hard parts have been given a special "Yoshimura look" with the company's well-known logo on all of the parts, and a new copper-colored "Magnasonian" finish. "Branding is important to Yoshimura," explained Russell. "We chose a color that would stand out and be unmistakably 'Yoshimura' but also complement any sport bike color combination out there."
Many of the parts now available come straight off the Yoshimura R&D GSX-R1000 race bikes of Mat Mladin, Blake Young and Tommy Hayden. Included in this category are case savers, extended fork tube caps (allowing a much greater range of chassis and ergonomic adjustability), adjustable swingarm pivot kit, rear suspension linkage it, chassis protectors, axle adjuster blocks, as well as more cosmetic items like steering stem nut and rear fender eliminator kit.