It is always interesting when a new production superbike hits the race track for the first time. Yamaha’s all-new 2007 R1, in both superbike and superstock form, arrived at Daytona for the annual Dunlop tire tests “fresh from the crate” so to speak. How did it do?
In superbike, Jason DiSalvo rode his R1 to the third quickest lap time (a 1:38.7), while teammate Eric Bostrom recorded the 6th quickest (1:39.1). Pretty impressive, particularly when you consider the fact that DiSalvo was quicker than Mat Mladin’s thoroughly-dialed Suzuki (and Mladin is very quick around Daytona).
In Superstock, the other Bostrom brother, Ben, was credited with the second quickest time — also breaking the 1:40 barrier, and only out paced by young superstar Ben Spies (Suzuki). Spies was also the quickest Superbike rider.
