D
anny Eslick's MPT Racing Suzuki
GSX-R600 does not have a trick
custom oversized radiator. It does
not have uber-expensive magne-
sium wheels and one-off handmade
rear-sets. The exhaust isn't some full-titanium
work of art that a mad scientist spent 150 hours
reworking to gain an extra two horsepower, and it
doesn't have a dash that rivals a NASA computer.
Basically, Eslick's Suzuki isn't a factory Honda or
Yamaha. Then again, MPT Racing doesn't have the
endless budget that the factory boys do.
What the MPT Racing Suzuki is, is a well-put-
together sampling of various aftermarket parts, with
some small amount of
factory help, that
team owner/engine
builder/crew chief
Grant Matushima
and rider Eslick
have turned into
a podium-produc-
ing weapon.
Suzuki invited a small
group of journalists out to
Buttonwillow Raceway in
Central California on a chilly
120-degree day to give the
MPT Racing Suzuki a spin, and to find out just how
Eslick has been able to stick it to the factory boys on
several occasions so far this season.
"It's not the fastest thing out there, but the bike
is good – it just works" Eslick said, as I was suiting
up to give the GSX-R its first ride of the day. I knew
it had to be pretty good, especially after watching
Eslick slide his way past Josh Hayes and his factory-
backed Erion Honda to finish on the podium at
Sears Points just a few weeks prior to me throwing
my leg over the yellow and black machine.
Out of the pits onto the sweltering track, and
immediately I noticed the MPT Racing Suzuki GSX-
R600 showed some serious prowess; mainly in the
areas of handling and stability. The bike turned on
a dime, was extremely planted once set on its side
in a corner, and had great connection between the
rider and the rear tire under acceleration. Where I
initially struggled with Eslick's machine was under
hard braking. Due to the combination of my light
weight and Eslick's preference to run a stiff fork, I
had trouble keeping the rear Dunlop rubber plant-
ed on the tarmac when I was deep on the brakes.
The fork was so stiff that I was able to get the
rear wheel floating in the air without even using the
entire length of fork travel. It also made for a
somewhat harsh ride around the bumpy
Buttonwillow circuit. On the other hand, the stiff
AUGUST 16, 2006 • C Y C L E N E W S
48
Danny Eslick's MPT Racing Formula Xtreme Suzuki GSX-R600
RIDING THE BIKE ALL
The MPT Racing Suzuki GSX-R600
turned on a dime. It took Atlas a
few laps to feel at home on the MPT
Racing Suzuki, but once up to
speed, he couldn't get enough of it.
This is the view the
majority of the
Formula Xtreme
field has been
seeing this
season.
BY STEVE ATLAS
PHOTOS BY RILES & NELSON
