Team Suzuki's Josh Waters rode his ASBK bike on 16.5-inch wheels and Pirelli tyres this week. Image: Andrew Gosling/TBG Sport.

Australian fan favourite Josh Waters believes his recent experience using Pirelli’s World Superbike-spec tyres will be invaluable come next week when he makes his international race debut for the Japanese-run Yoshimura Suzuki team.

Waters has taken part in recent Australian Superbike tests at Phillip Island with his regular Team Suzuki domestic squad, the team fitting 16.5-inch wheels and Pirelli tyres to the GSX-R1000 that he’ll race in selected rounds of the ASBK in 2011.

The tests have been planned to make the 23-year-old as comfortable as possible on the Pirellis ahead of his debut on the highly-modified WSBK bike, and he’s confident it’s been a big help so far.

“The World Superbike GSX-R will be a lot different, so we were using the test to make the transition easier,” Waters explained. “I’ve never ridden on anything different, so I must say a big thank you to Suzuki and Phil for letting me ride my ASBK bike on the Pirellis.”

After a Superbike career on Dunlop tyres at Team Suzuki since stepping up to the category in 2009 when he won the title, Waters enjoyed the learning curve of riding on a new brand of rubber.

“They felt different, but they’re obviously good because you can see the times that the international guys do,” he added. “They’re completely different to what I’m used to, plus different to what my team in Australia is used to as well.

“I didn’t want to go and change the bike too much to suit the tyre, so I’m looking forward to getting on the Yoshimura WSBK bike.”

Now almost fully recovered from his scary testing crash suffered in the U.S. last season as a guest for Rockstar Makita Suzuki, Waters says the seat time he’s had of late is just what he needs in the lead-up to his WSBK debut.

“It’s been good riding a lot again because obviously last year I missed a fair bit of riding, so I’ve been catching up and every time I ride I feel more normal on the bike again,” the Mildura resident concluded.

Waters will be joined by Australian Team Suzuki manager Phil Tainton at next week’s pre-season test, a factor which could prove a real boost for Waters come race time. He also plans to lend his knowledge during the race weekend, too.

“I get a long pretty well with the team, so if Josh wants me there then I will be there for him if the team is okay with that,” Tainton said. “It’ll be a busy weekend as both Troy [Herfoss] and Brodie [Waters] will also be racing in the ASBK series, but I’m looking forward to it.”

Waters will make his debut on the Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 next Monday ahead of next weekend’s opening round of the 2011 series.