Yamaha XVS11WR Motorcycles, page #58

Moto blog

Yamaha Reveals YZR-M1 50th Anniversary Grand Prix Livery

Yamaha marks its 50th year in World Championship Grand Prix racing this year, and what better way to celebrate the anniversary than with a special edition livery? The special edition WGP50th Anniversary Yamaha YZR-M1 livery reaches back into Yamaha’s past for its classic red-and-white colors inspired by its first factory team in 1961. Reigning MotoGP Champion and current points leader Jorge Lorenzo and 2010 MotoGP Rookie of the Year Ben Spies will ride the special edition WGP50th Anniversary livery on their Yamaha YZR-M1 racebikes at the June 25 Assen round and the July 24 U.S.

Pedrosa: most wins, least successful

Should Dani Pedrosa win at Le Mans this coming weekend he will become the most successful rider In the premier-class not to win the coveted title. After his triumph in Estoril the Repsol Honda rider currently finds himself on 13 wins and in joint first and a win, at a circuit that sees him rank as one of riders with the most victories in all classes, would make him a clear leader. Joining Pedrosa at the top of the ranking is Max Biaggi and Randy Mamola, two riders who became associated with the number two.

Maybe the Evo class is the future for WSB?

Did we see the future of World Superbike racing last weekend at the BSB event? Possibly, but only if everyone is on Evo spec machines in 2012. By setting the 2nd fastest lap in race one and running second for a while in race two, the brilliant Alex Lowes proved that with a good grid position an Evo spec machine can be competitive for part race distance at least.

Tapout Themed Yamaha R1 Unveiled at UFC 129 Fan Expo

The Ultimate Fighting Championships recently held the largest event in its history in Toronto and the folks at Tapout decided to use the occasion to unveil a 2011 Yamaha R1 project bike. The bike was designed Toronto’s Flat Out Industries. As you may expect, it prominently features Tapout logos all over the bike, including on the wheels, along with a pretty sweet red, black and white color scheme.

Stats ahead of Estoril MotoGP round

The MotoGP circus moves into it's tenth appearance at the Estoril circuit, with the Portugease circuit playing host to a Grand Prix event in each of the previous nine years since the introduction of the four-stroke MotoGP formula at in 2002. Below is a reminder of the highlights of the previous nine MotoGP races held at Estoril: 2002 – Having won the last 500cc GP race at Estoril in 2001, Valentino Rossi (Honda) won the first of the MotoGP races held at the circuit. This was a race that was run in very wet conditions and Sete Gibernau had led for most of the race only to crash out with four laps to go.

Jefferies' TT V&M R1 for sale

We got a tip-off about a former David Jefferies TT R1 for sale on eBay. The owner says it's from the 1998 TT but I'm pretty sure it was the one he raced in 1999. Here's a little bit more background about the V&M TT effort in 1999: In 1990 Jack Valentine gave up racing to concentrate on running V&M Racing, and after being sacked by Honda at the end of the 1998 season, the team set about to do some giant killing.

1.5litre V8 two-stroke

I don't know about you but I've yet to ride anything with two wheels and an engine that I didn't enjoy in one form or another. From minimotos to 1800 Goldwings, there's always some fun to be had even if it is just the novel experience that makes you grin. I am not one for a pidgeonhole, that's for sure.

Donington Park and the Roman rebel.

We know the sun always shines on the righteous and that’s exactly what happened last weekend at Donington Park. Yes its good honest people back in charge of the Derbyshire circuit so we saw summer sunshine for Friday’s free practice and also for WSB race two on Sunday. The circuit is better than ever with a new Esses section in place, and while the paddock remains unchanged, work has already started that will see gradual revamp over the year ahead.

Max Biaggi loses the plot . . and very nearly his teeth !

I’ve just got back from Donington Park and the second round of the World Superbike championship. The racing was exciting, going off without a hitch, and the weather was unseasonably kind, but the meeting will be remembered by those in the fairly close knit WSB paddock for reasons other than the temperature or the race results. It’ll be remembered by most, especially those who witnessed it, as the meeting where Max Biaggi finally lost his already feeble grip on reality.

Behind the scenes in Qatar

Just because you have the name Jorge Lorenzo on your screen and you've won a world championship doesn't mean you'll get an easy time at scrutineering. In Qatar the technical inspection staff made the factory Yamaha mechanics remove bodywork and unbolt some electrical components in order to get a better look at the guts of the 2011 M1. Everything was in order of course but what a great opportunity for the scrutineers to exercise their power and have a poke around the most high tech Yamaha on the planet.