Black Yamaha 360 Enduro Motorcycles, page #41

Moto blog

MotoGP Lifts Rookie Rule, Caps Factory Prototype Entries and Adjusts Other Regulations

As expected, MotoGP organizers have officially lifted the rule barring rookies from racing for factory teams, but the Grand Prix Commission also tweaked some other regulations including a cap on factory prototype machines. We’ve discussed the lifting of the rookie rule already, with the main impetus being to allow a manufacturer such as Honda to sign up-and-coming Moto2 star Marc Marquez when he is expected to move up to the premiere class next season. As of Jan.

Yamaha to Produce $500 Motorcycle for India

The 106cc Yamaha Crux, seen here, made for the Indian market is currently Yamaha’s least expensive motorcycle at approximately $650. Yamaha has announced plans to produce a $500 motorcycle for the Indian market. The dirt-cheap motorcycle price war is on the boil.

Tommy Aquino Draws Moto2 Wild Card for Indianapolis Grand Prix

Former AMA Daytona Sportbike racer Tommy Aquino is coming back to the U.S. to compete as a wild card entry in the Moto2 race at the 2012 Indianapolis Grand Prix. The California native has been racing in Spain’s CEV Moto2 class this season for Canadian-owned FOGI Racing this year.

Autographed 50th Anniversary Yamaha YZF-R1 Giveaway for Bubba Shobert’s Race 2 Embrace Crusade

Yamaha is giving away a 50th Anniversary Edition YZR-R1 autographed by current and former Grand Prix racers to benefit Bubba Shobert‘s Race 2 Embrace Crusade. The one-0f-a-kind R1 will be on display at the July 27-29 U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca The unique R1 is painted in Yamaha‘s 50th Anniversary colors and features autographs from legends such as Kenny Roberts, Eddie Lawson and Wayne Rainey, as well as current MotoGP racers Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies from the factory Yamaha team and Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso from the Tech 3 Yamaha team.

MotoGP to Re-Visit Rookie Rule

MotoGP organizers are re-opening discussion for the series’ rookie rule which prevents new riders from entering the series with factory teams. Introduced following the 2009 MotoGP season, the rule was designed to give satellite teams the chance to field young up-and-coming talents  they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to sign. The theory was the rule would protect the satellite teams and spread out the talent pool.

Yamaha Offers VIP Package for US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca

Yamaha and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca are offering a special VIP ticket package for the 2012 U.S. Grand Prix for fans 0f the Japanese manufacturer. The Yamaha VIP package includes a three-day general admission ticket for the July 27-29 event to catch the MotoGP and AMA Pro Racing action.

Giacomo Agostini Celebrates 70th Birthday with a New 2012 Yamaha T-Max

Racing legend Giacomo Agostini celebrated his 70th birthday at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone this weekend, where he was celebrated by Yamaha. “Ago”, who holds the all-time record for Grand Prix wins (122) and Grand Prix World Championships (15), was feted in a ceremony that also included current Yamaha riders Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies as well as retired racers Loris Capirossi, Phil Read, John Cooper, Angel Nieto, Franco Uncini and Jim Redman, as well as MotoGP promoter Carmelo Ezpeleta and Yamaha Classic Racing Team principal Ferry Brouwer. Yamaha presented Agostini with a one-off T-Max scooter with livery inspired by his 1975 championship-winning YZR500 OW23.

Just for a moment; leading the British GP

Cal Crutchlow’s early exit at his home Moto GP last year meant we didn’t get to see his awesome potential at Silverstone. His two WSB race wins there in 2010 were pretty special as he dominated on the factory Yamaha R1, not least as he used some alternative lines and every inch of the track along the way. With his form matching the world's best in every event this year, on paper, this weekend should be his best chance so far to secure a podium or maybe even (making the dream come true!) take the first major class win in three decades.

Lorenzo to Remain with Yamaha Through 2014 MotoGP Season

Jorge Lorenzo has signed a contract extension with Yamaha that will see the 2010 MotoGP Champion riding the M1 through the 2014 season. Lorenzo currently leads the 2012 MotoGP Championship points chase with 115 points and is looking for his second premiere class title. Through five races this season, Lorenzo has three wins and a pair of second-place finishes, matching his pace from his championship-winning 2010 season.

The problem with electric bikes...

This weekend sees the running of the most famous car race of them all, the Le Mans 24hrs, and to be a driver of one of the front-running cars has got to be fairly high on the list of jobs that will make ladies swoon. Speed, danger, noise, fame, physical fitness and lots and lots of money, the key elements of any top-line race series, tend to ensure that its star competitors manage to appear cool. But the latest press picture from Yamaha – publicising the firm's link with (Yamaha shareholder) Toyota's Le Mans effort – manages to strip away every last shred of of swagger from the team's drivers by plonking them on Yamaha EC-03 electric scooters.