It's been years since American race fans have had a home-country hero to root for on the World Superbike stage. This is what makes Ben Spies' both-barrels-blazing entry into the 2009 championship so exceptional. As of this writing, only seven rounds into his rookie season, Spies had already broken Doug Polen's 18-year-old record of six consecutive poles and won seven of 14 races, putting him just 53 points behind Noriyuki Haga in the championship chase. To accomplish so much so soon, working with an unfamiliar team on an unproven bike, is remarkable. To dominate on racetracks he had literally never seen before-even challenging circuits like Phillip Island and Monza-is almost unfathomable. In a world where American hegemony is fading, Spies reminds us that we're still capable of greatness.

2009 Moto Guzzi V7 Café Classic

Left to right:
2009 Star V-Max
2009 Suzuki B-King

2009 Yamaha YZF-R1

Left to right: all 2009 models
Yamaha YZF-R1
Ducati 1198
Kawasaki ZX-6
Suzuki GSX-R1000
Honda CBR600RR

Motorcyclist magazine features wallpaper on the new 2007 Ducati 1098 superbike.

Honda wallpapers
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