In 2007, Suzuki’s factory race team in AMA Superbike was run by Yoshimura and it starred two impressive teammates: Ben Spies and Mat Mladin. The season was an epic battle between the two that came down to the final race of the season at Laguna Seca – they were separated by just two points coming into the final race. Mladin came into the Corkscrew a little too fast about halfway through the race and Ben was able to sneak through to take a lead he wouldn’t relinquish, earning the Championship in the process:
Yoshimura Suzuki tapped Showa for the front end on their factory bikes. Per the seller, “this is a front end from the Spies/Mladin Yoshimura program. These forks and triple clamps are XR0 designation, and were not available for purchase (as Michael Jordan will attest) at any price. This set was the most rigid of all the Showa forks, with massive tubes needed to resist the brake force that Ben and Mat were known to generate.
56mm upper outer tube
60mm lower outer tube
49mm inner
These forks are in excellent condition and were serviced before storage. Everything is straight. All adjusters are working and can be adjusted with fingers (as intended). There are so few of these around that you will likely never see a set for sale publicly.”
This example has a serial number of XR0820 stamped in it. The seller states that he purchased it from Yoshimura several years ago.
Maintenance:
“These were serviced when I got them and have not been touched.”
Cosmetic Blemishes:
“These were used by Ben Spies on his superbike. As a result, they show normal signs of wear that are visible in the images.”
Currently located in Washington, DC, these forks are offered on a Bill of Sale only. Have any questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
