Image: Keith Muir.

Multiple Australian Superbike champion Josh Waters will switch to a GSX-R1000R for this weekend’s fourth round of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) presented by Motul Pirelli.

Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Waters, who won the 2009 and 2012 titles, was a late addition to the 2017 series in the newly-formed factory-supported outfit, beginning the season on-board the base-level GSX-R1000.

From Hidden Valley, Waters will be armed with the up-spec R model, which boasts upgraded Showa Balance Free Forks (BFF) that should lift his chances of breaking through for a first win of the season during the second half. However, the upgraded Balance Free Lite rear shock, quick-shift, launch control and further additions featured on the GSX-R1000R won’t apply in ASBK trim.

“The main difference for us is the forks,” Waters told CycleOnline.com.au. “We’ve ridden with the fork in Darwin and it did feel quite good, but it was difficult to get an indication as I was basically riding on my own that day. My memories of Darwin are really good and I enjoy every lap here. It won’t be easy as the field is really strong, but I’ll be trying my hardest and I’m really looking forward to racing here again.”

With the base model GSX-R1000 released last month, Suzuki Motorcycles Australia has indicated the R variant will arrive in time for an October release. Waters was been the dominant rider in Darwin when the series last visited the Top End in 2012, scoring an elusive clean-sweep that weekend on his way to the crown.

In his return to full-time racing this season, Waters has had a mixed campaign to date, currently sixth in the standings following Winton’s third round in April. His best race result came in the second encounter at Wakefield Park when his finished in P4.