MOTOGP WERKS - www.motogpwerks.com
BUDDHA PAINT - www.buddhapaintoc.com
PERFORMANCE MACHINE - www.performancemachine.com
ORIENT EXPRESS - www.orientexpress.com
BERINGER BRAKES - www.frogspecialties.com
EUROCOMPONENTS - www.eurocomponentsusa.com
VANCE AND HINES RACING - www.vanceandhines.com
NITROUS EXPRESS - www.nitrousexpress.com
SUZUKI ACCESSORIES - www.suzukicycles.com
DUNLOP TIRES - www.dunlopmotorcycle.com
VORTEX RACING - www.vortexracing.com
EARL'S PERFORMANCE PLUMBING - www.holley.com
DRASTIK PLASTIX - www.drastikplastix.com
CLASSIC COMPONENTS - www.chromeplating.com
ROARING TOYZ - www.roaringtoyz.com
LOCKHART PHILLIPS - www.lockhartphillipsusa.com
BARNETT CLUTCHES - www.barnettclutches.com
ONEOFF CREATIONZ - www.oneoffcreationz.com
NRC MOTORSPORTS - www.nrcracing.com
ROLAND SANDS DESIGNS - www.rolandsands.com
LITE EYES - www.lite-eyes.com
HT MOTO - www.hydroturf.com
VEYPOR - www.veypor.com
DRASTIK PLASTIX - www.drastikplastix.com
RIS DESIGNS - www.risdesigns.com
GALFER - www.galferusa.com
EK CHAINS - www.ekchain.com
TEK9 CYCLES - www.tek9cycles.com
WEB CAM RACING - www.webcamshafts.com
K&N AIR FILTERS - www.knfilters.com
D2MOTO - www.d2moto.com
CLEAR ALTERNATIVES - www.clearalternatives.com

Back in 1993, Yamaha gave us a glimpse of a possible future in the shape of the sport touring GTS1000. Powered by a detuned FZR1000 motor, it's best remembered by the forkless front swingarm that separated suspension and steering tasks, along with its sheer weight and eye-watering purchase price.

You shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but unfortunately the Yamaha FZ6R has fallen subject to that unfair assessment by quite a few enthusiasts.inline_mediumwraptextright27012418/features/0910_sbkp_2009_yamaha_fz6r0910_sbkp_z+2009_yamaha_fz6r+front_view.jpgTrue

Whether it's a big wheelie celebration after a race win or a huge stoppie at a traffic light, sportbike stunts are all around us. A handful of riders have even managed to make stunt riding a profitable career, while others are content with "weekend warrior" status at their favorite parking lot.

Troy Bayliss
World Superbike, Ducati 999r
The Australian was a fearless competitor during his World Superbike tenure, and has three world championship trophies to prove it. There's no question of his speed, but his "spreader" wheelies leave a bit to be desired. At least he tried.

Finally, your hard work has paid off and you've got the title to a shiny new sportbike in hand. OK, maybe not so shiny and certainly not new-but it's new to you. The excitement is overwhelming. With the pedal nearly to the floor you're almost home. The bike in the back of the truck will soon be unloaded so you can saddle up and take it for a rip.

What is your motorcycling background?
I started like most guys in Southern California riding Elsinore's racetrack every weekend with my buddies. About six years ago I got a job working for Lockhart Phillips doing the graphics for the catalog. Eventually I moved to marketing for Lockhart Phillips and I learned a ton about customizing motorcycles and aftermarket parts for both racing and bike night applications. Once I started working at Suzuki over two years ago, I was given opportunities to attend some press events and go out with the guys on some long rides. Now, I commute to work and try to get a track day in when the opportunity comes up.

Easily lost in the limelight of its big brother, the Ducati 748 is far more than a downsized 916. Though aesthetics and dimensions are nearly identical, the 748 was designed to be a nimble and high-revving middleweight that capitalized on the nine-one-six's already stout chassis. Aimed directly at the 600cc, four-cylinder Japanese bikes and designed to win World Super Sport championships, the 748 compromised little for performance, even at the expense of civility.

Powell Browne
Age: 27
Model Year: 2005
Miles Done: 4,000

Mods: Bridgestone BT-016 tires

Best Upgrade: "The BT-016 tires have unlocked the peg-scraping handling abilities of this bike."

Favorite Aspect: "All day comfort with the power to stay with the supersports in the canyons. It's an economical all-rounder with little compromise."

How has your life changed since getting a factory ride?
It hasn't changed as much as you might think. I am still the same person with all the same goals in life, except now one of my biggest goals is under my belt. The most noticeable difference in being a factory-sponsored rider is the respect you receive from everyone including other sponsors, friends, fans and even the occasional online gangster.

If only everything could be so easy...

The new Speed and Strength My Motorcycle is My Weapon jacket has hit the scene with plenty of admiration, and now you can get one for yourself by simply telling the world how your ride is your weapon. Shoot us a shot or two of you and your ride, and tell us how/why it's your weapon.inline_mediumwraptextright25716350/features/0909_sbkp_win_free_motorcycle_gear0909_sbkp_01_z+super_streetbike_my_weapon_contest+calltoarms_jacket.jpgTrue

Most sportbikes were born at the track. Whether it's a 600cc middleweight or a heavy-hitting liter bike, they all feature fancy trickle down race technology. Naturally, there have been compromises made for the street and to keep prices within an acceptable range, but their performance still far exceeds what many of us ever dreamed was possible even a few years ago.

By now we've all seen the spy shots of Honda's new V4-powered super tourer that is rumored to replace not only the current VFR800, but the lumbering ST1300 too. While the performance of the new machine is likely to be stellar, there's no disguising the fact that this bike features "challenging" aesthetics, as well as the long-awaited all-new powerplant.

What is your biking background?
I have been riding dirtbikes since I was young. I started riding on the street about eight years ago when I was with the Motorcycle Industry Council. Now, I have the pleasure of bombing the 405 freeway for 100 miles a day to work.

THE UPGRADE PARADE:

Mugello
Located in a very beautiful corner of a very beautiful country, Mugello is the epitome of La Dolce Vita, in racetrack form. The track itself, located near Florence, is a peach: 15 turns in its 3.26-mile length. Nestled in the hills, it goes up and down like a roller coaster, and has one of the longest straights around. The MotoGP bikes slipstream up to 200 mph-plus before braking hard for the uphill turn one. The track's proximity to the Paso della Futa, one of Italy's finest riding roads, only adds to its appeal.

It arrived in 1980 with a background of gasps - the public didn't quite know what to make of the fastest Suzuki ever. Styled by German design house Target, the bullet-shaped nose and angular profile was unlike anything prior, and motorcyclists the world over either loved it or hated it - there was no fence-sitting here.

People don't realize you have a roadracing background? Tell us more.
I've been racing for 14 years and have numerous regional and national championships. I'm currently in the AMA GT series. I think if I was of a smaller stature, I could have gone a lot further. Unfortunately being 6'2" and 210 pounds isn't conducive to motorcycle racing. That's really my passion though.