Over thirty years ago, Harris Performance Products Limited was established
by brothers Steve and Lester Harris and third director Stephen Bayford. The
Harris company now designs, develops, manufactures and markets road and
racing motorcycle chassis and components that are marketed in the UK and
exported worldwide. The enthusiasm of the trio for motorcycle sport is as
strong now as it was in 1972, they are great supporters of the adage "racing
improves the breed".
Their Hertford based workshops have the facilities and undoubted expertise
for working with ferrous and non ferrous metals, machining and welding, plus
the design, development and manufacture of fiberglass and carbonfibre
products, they produce a varied and extensive range of motorcycle components
and accessories. However, their skills go further, Steve and Lester Harris
who are still responsible for the design and technical aspects of the
business also act as consultants and manufacturers for other companies both
in and out of the motorcycle industry. Stephen Bayford is responsible for
the financial aspects of the company, the day-to-day administration and the
marketing of both the Harris marque and the non-Harris products distributed
by the company.
Harris policy has always been one of constant development and improvement of
their road and racing components, many after market accessories have been
developed for standard motorcycles marketed by the major manufacturers. In
addition to these, over 2,200 road bikes have been produced and sold from
one-off specials to the famous Magnum range.
On the racetrack, Harris machines have enjoyed success in all classes of
road racing including Grand Prix, World Superbike, World Championship
Endurance, Isle of Man and top Irish road races. Teams ranging from the top
works equips to the smallest club set-up have come to Harris for winning
machinery for more than three decades. In 1991, Harris were paid the
ultimate compliment of being one of only two companies world-wide to be
licensed by Yamaha Japan to buy factory race engines for installation in
Harris designed and built chassis for the blue ribbon 500cc Grand Prix World
Championship class.
The efforts made by Harris Grand Prix to compete with the "big boys" in the
500 class with what in 1995 was the biggest individual team with 3 x 500 GP
riders, not only attracted the praise and enthusiasm of the motorcycle media
and enthusiasts, but also attracted the attention of Suzuki. In 1995, Harris
were invited to create, organise and manage the official Suzuki factory
World Superbike Team and to race the latest Suzuki flagship, the GSX-R750
WT. In addition to managing this totally autonomous project, Harris were
contracted by Suzuki to distribute the GSX-R750 factory type race kit
components worldwide to Suzuki Superbike customers. The development of the
GSX-R750 completed during the racing seasons '96/97/98 through the
partnership between Suzuki Motor Corporation and Harris established the GSX-R
as a formidable race winner at all levels of the sport. Through 1999 and
2000, Harris retained their association with world championship, the
hands-on aspect of racing was maintained through an involvement with
Kawasaki Motors UK Superbike Team in 1999, and in 2000 the formation,
running and management of the Harris Honda Britain Superbike team,
developing the VTR1000 SP-1. Both of these teams included a "Scholarship"
aspect to help young Superbike stars, a policy Harris are anxious to
continue.
In 2001, Harris declined various offers to race with their own team at both
national and international level. Mid 2001 the company was invited by Sauber
Petronas Engineering AG to join them as their chassis partner in developing
a 4-stroke Grand Prix racer using the SPE developed engine. The first phase
culminated in a complete new racer being presented at the Malaysian
Motorcycle Grand Prix in October 2001. Harris have maintained their
association with SPE and there is a mutual desire for further development of
the Sauber Harris Moto GP project. During 2002, there was concentration on
further development and expansion of the core business, new products were
designed and developed and more non-Harris products introduced into the
catalogue of "Parts for Pros". This expansion necessitated a move of the
administration, sales, marketing, warehousing and dispatch aspect of the
company to a new premises in late 2002. Traditionally, Harris products have
been developed through the involvement and association with racing. This
policy continued during 2002 with many new products evolving as a result.
Many products benefiting from the information gained as technical support
and product sponsors to the Virgin Aiwa Yamaha Team and from the association
as Öhlins importers with the Crescent Racing Rizla Suzuki Team. Toward the
end of the year, Harris were approached by WCM to design, develop and build
a moto GP machine to accommodate an engine unit they were to develop. This
motorcycle contested moto GP during 2003 and Harris look forward to
continuing their association with the team. Harris has been the official UK
importer and race representative of Öhlins suspension for approaching 20
years, representing this technical suspension company in all aspects of road
and race, on and off road motorcycling.
Harris continues to diversify and is a technical partner to the official
Yamaha UK Supermoto team in this exciting racing discipline. The company is
also expanding its marketing operation of non Harris branded products, and
are proud of their association with the respected motorcycling names and
products to be found in this catalogue. With regard to product range and
service, the Harris policy is one of constant development and improvement.
These products, like those designed and manufactured by Harris, whether
supplied for road or racing applications are all... "Race Proven"!
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