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.
For those interested in serious power gains, the YRS Engine Kit Parts include many specialized engine components developed from the team's racing exploits. Each part not only provides additional performance, but also was designed to increase strength over the standard OEM design. These include race-spec camshafts and sprockets, valve cotter sets and retainer sets, high-compression pistons, different thickness cylinder head gaskets, heavy duty clutch drive and driven plates, clutch spring sets, race-spec wiring harnesses, close-ratio transmissions, inner rotor/magneto case cover, and the EM Pro Engine Management System.
Engine Services include the Yoshimura ISF Process for transmissions. This metal surface treatment process reduces friction allowing internal reciprocating parts to run cooler, reducing wear and operating costs. Other specialized engine services include blueprinting, cylinder head service (three levels), machine gasket service and a complete race-spec engine service.
"Although these new YRS parts are designed by the Yoshimura Racing Division and have race proven pedigrees, they are mostly moderate in price, and very accessible," added Russell. "Anyone can now have a smattering of parts, or all the way to virtually the same bike that Team Rockstar/Makita/Yoshimura/Suzuki is racing on," Russell said, He then added: "All of these parts are manufactured in either the United States or at Yoshimura Japan out of the highest quality materials available."
Most parts are available now at your local dealer or directly from Yoshimura. Please contact YRS directly regarding services.
YRS also introduced a new product line of YRS Race Suits. These one and two-piece suits are manufactured by Pilot, Inc. and sport Yoshimura branding. YRS Race suits are available from Yoshimura directly or through Pilot,Inc.
Lastly, YRS is in the process of designing a dedicated website for the YRS line, however many products can be accessed by going to www.yoshimura-rd.com and clicking on the YRS logo on the bottom of the homepage.