Do I think that some people would be interested in a Spies replica bike? Yes. Do I think Yamaha should or will do one in the US? No. WSB and Ben Spies (as of right now) have a smaller following than MotoGP/Hayden. Hayden was a star in the AMA when the AMA was a more popular series (hence the hayden RC51). Honda found success with selling bikes dedicated to their american racer so when he moved to GP, it was an easy decision to continue the tradition and offer the Repsol bike. Does honda have any desire to advertise for repsol on their bikes? No. Not unless the oil co. is paying them to do so. But, that sponsorship was a recognisable symbol as "Nicky's bike" so they kept it. Spies has been on a Yamaha for 1 year and many potential buyers don't necessarily relate Spies to the R1. Not yet. Bellgardia R1 doesn't mean shit in the US unless you're a real WSB fan. Rossi has been on the Yamaha for a while now and he's fuckin Rossi. So that's a whole other matter in itself.