Michael Dunlop picks Kawasaki for the roads

Michael Dunlop will race a full WSB-spec Kawasaki on the roads in 2011.

The 21-year-old from Ballymoney will race a Paul Bird Motorsport-prepared ZX10R at the North West 200, Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix.

The deal includes the supply of a new ZX10R that is built to the same spec as Stuart Easton’s MSS Colchester Kawasaki in BSB – which in turn is very similar to the WSB-spec bikes of Tom Sykes, Joan Lascorz and  Chris Vermeulen.

“I’ve been over at Birdy’s workshops at Penrith and was really impressed with the set-up. Tom Sykes’ bike was there and it looked mega,” said Dunlop, who’s superbike will feature factory-spec K Tech suspension, Brembo brakes, the specially developed PBM swing-arm and the all-important WSB-spec engine but will have reduced electronic strategies than the short circuit bikes. 

Dunlop said: “That is the way I wanted things to be in 2011. I have a great bunch of lads with me who have given me huge support as last few years. I wanted their names on any bikes I was riding. 

“I like Michael Dunlop Racing the way it is. I can put the bikes in the van and go where I want, when I want and if I break anything I know that I can fix it myself.

“I am still only 21 and I can go down the big team/ corporate way in a year or two but for now there’s still time to run wild!”