ROBERTS TAKES JORDAN FOR A RIDE
31 October 2004 - Suzuki GB PLC

Suzuki Team MotoGP rider Kenny Roberts took to the track at the weekend’s Valencia round with US basketball legend Michael Jordan, riding a new GSX-R1000 for the first time.

Roberts, who set the pace in Friday’s first practice before pulling out of the event because of injury, borrowed a fan’s bike for the occasion – a new-model Suzuki GSX-R1000 - the first time the 2000 Suzuki World Champion had ridden a 1000cc Suzuki street bike.

“Today was something you’ll never get to see again,” said an elated Roberts. “It was something real special, a spur-of-the-moment thing…”

Former Chicago Bulls star ‘Air’ Jordan, who owns a Supersport/ Superstock team in the USA, was making a first MotoGP visit, and when he said he’d like to ride the course, there was no problem in finding a race bike for him to ride.

He was joined for four laps of the 4.005km Valencia circuit by fellow-Americans Colin Edwards and Kurtis Roberts and former Suzuki rider Sete Gibernau, riding their racing machines - and Kenny on the borrowed street bike … his own Suzuki GSV-R racers stripped down in the pits.

Jordan, who has had race tuition in the US and regularly rides at track days, was obviously a lot slower than the MotoGP regulars, with their intimate knowledge of the track and their motorcycles. But it was still an impressive performance.

“He used all the right lines and rode real good,” said Roberts.

Jordan donned a Kenny Roberts Suzuki cap after the ride and posed for the cameras with Kenny and the other riders. “I’ve been into bikes pretty much all my life and I’ve been riding dirt bikes since I was five,” said the towering American superstar.

“That was fun, but I only got it up to fourth gear. I can’t imagine what these things are like wide open in sixth. They have so much power. I was trying to pull a wheelie, but in the end I was a bit too afraid, so I just started waving.”

Roberts was impressed by the man as well as his riding. “I’ve never met Michael before, but he’s the nicest guy and you feel like you’ve known him forever. Everyone loves him … he’s a real people magnet.”

It was also an impressive first ride on the GSX-R1000. “I’ve never ridden one before, not the old model or this latest one. The power is really smooth and I got my knee down without any trouble,” said Roberts.

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