The Monster Energy Yamaha team has begun preparations for the 2017 Motul MotoAmerica Superbike Championship.

With new technical rules for 2017 resulting in major changes to the electronic and chassis parts and modifications allowed in the MotoAmerica Superbike class, four-time MotoAmerica/AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes kicked off his pre-season preparations with a one-day test December 8 at Buttonwillow Raceway Park, in Buttonwillow, California.

“Without getting too specific, we’re just trying to get our feet wet in some areas and take it on to the next step after the first of the year. It wasn’t anything Earth-shattering,” Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. Motorsports Racing Division Manager Keith McCarty. “Some of these things [new parts to suit the new rules] require long lead times and with the holidays coming up you just lose all of this time. So we wanted to make sure that we’re going to be ready when we need to be ready.”

According to sources close to the team, Hayes rode his Yamaha YZF-R1s essentially as it came off the track at the 2016 season finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park in September with the exception of new engine management electronics to suit the 2017 rules. After the electronics get sorted, Yamaha will look to test the aftermarket forks and swingarm and chassis modifications that will be allowed in 2017.

Because the test became possible at the last minute and only one updated bike was available for evaluation, only Hayes rode and two-time and defending MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier did not attend the test.

To learn more about the 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike technical rules changes, click on the related article links below.