World Superbikes: Makoto Tamada and Regis Laconi test Kawasaki PSG-1 in Jerez

Makoto Tamada and Regis Laconi got their first taste of the all new 2008 PSG-1 Kawasaki at Jerez in Spain last week, but only got to complete limited laps due to rain and cold temperatures.

Tamada a former World Superbike race winner, has begun adapting back to a superbike after spending the last five years in MotoGP riding for Honda and Yamaha.

Regis Laconi begins his third year with the team and has previously tested the 2008 ZX-10R at the Autopolis circuit in Japan during the summer.

After his completing three days on the bike, Tamada said: “I have already reached a good feeling with the bike. We worked very well on lots of things such as suspensions, telemetry, frame geometry and we reached some goals we wanted.

“I have been very surprised discovering the power of the ZX-10R, it is not an easy bike but telemetry helps us to make it easier to be managed. I’m happy to make this change from GP to Superbike.

“I like the team’s members, they work well and they want to put me in the best conditions to work in the right way.”

For 2008 the San Marino based PSG-1 squad will switch to the benchmark Magnetti Marelli Marvel 4 advanced electronics having spent the two previous seasons working with the British Pectal PI system.

Engine development continues to be handled by French engine specialist Akira who have successfully been developing their engines since 2005 and have already achieved good results with the 2008 specification motor.

Team Boss Virginio Ferrari spoke to MCN about the teams first test.

Ferrari said: “The biggest problem has been the weather but it was necessary for us to test the new bike in an effort to improve our performance next year.

“We’ve lost a lot of track time but initially the feeling of the riders is that it is better than the 2007 machine – both riders have a positive impression.

“We ran the new bike on the dyno with the new electronics and we have been very satisfied with the results.

“The torque in the middle of the power curve is much better and we have in excess of 210bhp. The Magnetti Mareli system is the same used by the Kawasaki MotoGP team so to begin with our electronic technicians is receiving data from the MotoGP team to help us get up to speed.

“Unfortunately this test was affected too much by the weather so now our focus is on the Phillip Island test in January where we will have more time and more new parts to test.”