Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

According to Tom Houseworth, Yoshimura Suzuki Crew Chief for Ben Spies, electronic quick-shifters are “the best bang for the buck” that a privateer can buy.

In a phone call to Roadracingworld.com Wednesday morning, Houseworth said, “Don’t people understand that once they’re set up, and their bikes are set up, with their engine and their suspension, that those things (electronic quick-shifters) are worth half-a-second a lap?

“That thing is the best bang for the buck. What else are you gonna spend $800 for that will get you half-a-second?

“Once your bike is set up and you have the engine you think you need, the suspension is tuned up, you’re set up and ready to go, what’s the next step? The shifter is the shit. Those things are worth half-a-second.

“I think some of them are worrying about spending their money in the wrong place.”