Yamaha Racing

The old adage, “Race on Sunday, sell on Monday” was practically a mantra for motorcycle brands and their dealerships back in the 1970s-1990s. With the popularity of motorcycles here Stateside and the sell-out crowds at motorcycle races, the manufacturers often developed race bikes then would incorporate what they observed and learned into their street legal machines. Even the livery of their factory race motorcycles would be painted on street (and dirt) bikes, making them even more desirable to potential buyers. Cases in point- the HRC Repsol Honda replicas, the Kenny Roberts Yamaha paint schemes, among others. The brands still do that occasionally today, with the “Ago Superveloce”, Suzuki’s MotoGP Winners series, and the 2022 Yamaha XSR900, a throwback to the factory YZR500 two-stroke French rider Christian Sarron raced in the late 1980s.

Last Ride of Valentino Rossi

by Rob Brooks | Nov 15, 2021 | Industry & Racing, Ride Life | 0 |

I tuned in to NBC Sports Sunday to watch the final MotoGP race of the season, taking place at the famed Valencia track in Spain. It was a fantastic race, with Ducati taking a first-ever sweep of the podium as Francesco Bagnaia took the checkered flag, with Jorge Martin and Jack Miller rounding out the all-Italian brand winners circle. But what I followed was the number 46 of Valentino Rossi, the legendary veteran in his final race as a competitor. It was a bittersweet moment, watching Rossi cross the finish line one last time, taking a respectable top 10 finish for the Petronas SRT Yamaha team. The day and the race was all about him, and deservedly so.

A Soaking Weekend At The Barber

by Road Dirt Crew | Sep 20, 2021 | Industry & Racing | 0 |

Despite a weekend at Barber Motorsports Park that featured horrendous weather and difficult racing conditions, the 2021 MotoAmerica Superbike Series ended as it should have with Jake Gagne winning a record 17th race to put an exclamation point on a season like no other.

5 Questions With Jake Gagne

by Ted Edwards | Jun 29, 2021 | Industry & Racing, Ride Life | 0 |

Jake Gagne has won every race he has finished in the 2021 MotoAmerica Superbike championship, in dominating fashion. His string of seven consecutive victories astride his Fresh N Lean Attack Performance Yamaha R1 has him standing firmly atop the Superbike points race. He’s drawing comparisons to five-time MotoAmerica Superbike champ Cameron Beaubier, even as Jake smashes lap records set by his predecessor. Man and machine are truly dialed in with each other, as evidenced by Jake’s mastery so far this season. He’s riding like we’ve never seen him ride before.

The Fast Boys Finale

by Ryan Nolan | Nov 7, 2020 | Industry & Racing | 0 |

I had the privilege to attend the final MotoAmerica round at the famous Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca race track, a definite thrill for me. It was an amazing weekend on so many levels, from thrilling on-track races in all classes, surprising announcements from Cameron Beaubier and Toni Elias, the off-the-chain King of the Baggers competition, and my own opportunity to turn some laps on the fabled track (more on that in an upcoming story).