2007 AMA Superbike Champion Ben Spies will test a Suzuki GSV-R 800cc MotoGP racebike on the Monday following the Malaysian Grand Prix (October 19-21) at the Sepang Circuit. “We’re going to fly in and watch the race, jump on the bike and see how it goes. So far that’s all I know about it,” said Spies, who will be accompanied on the trip by his Yoshimura Suzuki Crew Chief Tom Houseworth. Spies has experience with the Sepang Circuit, as he tested there in the past with his Yoshimura Suzuki AMA team, but that was not a factor in Spies’ MotoGP test being scheduled there. “Not that I know of,” said Spies, who is still hoping he will get to race the Suzuki GSV-R as a wild card before the end of the 2007 MotoGP season. “I’d like to, but it’s up to them. Hopefully, I’ll be able to race the bike.” As for his goals and expectations for the test, Spies said, “I can’t get too picky. I’ve got to just go out and ride. I need to try and get used to the bike, try to get comfortable on it. If I can get comfortable on it and make some laps, hopefully I’ll be able to go pretty quickly.” Reached by phone Tuesday and asked about the trip to Malaysia, Houseworth said, “I’m going over there so Ben’s transition is as smooth as possible, to help him explain what he needs on the bike. The terminology that he uses to explain what he needs done in terms of set-up is unique compared to any other riders I’ve worked with. He wants some different things, and it took me awhile to figure out what he needed and to go the right direction, we had to make drawings and diagrams to figure it out. Communication between us is now pretty good, I’ve adapted to what he says, I’ve got his terminology down. All I’m gonna do is try to help him communicate with the MotoGP crew.”