If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up to much space!
This morning a lap of honor was ridden by every bike in the MotoGP paddock, 125’s, Moto2 and MotoGP bikes were lead around the Ricardo Tormo Circuit by Kevin Schwantz, who rode Marco’s Grisini Honda.
After the completed the lap they all assembled on the grid, along with everyone in the MotoGP paddock as they unveiled a banner that covered the enire Press Office Tower. There were also two minutes of fireworks to say goodby. Have a look.
First up is a video to remind you that all those videos you shoot with your camrea phone, Flip camera or actual video camera aren’t good! No seriously, this video of a 70’s Yamaha done up in Cafe Racer style shows how well done video of motorcycles can be high art.
Take some time to really look at how everything is shot, the music, the angles, etc, this person who put this together has some real skills!
The second video is also very beautiful, just in a different way. Michelin put together this production from last weekends 24 Hours of Le Mans motorcycle race. What I really impressed with is not just the the film, but that Michelin shows and highlights the winners who were not on Michelin rubber! Little things like that are to be noted and praised in an era where every bit of PR has to be spun to show you in the best light. Enjoy this one as well!
For the Ducatista among you, you have your moles, your informants, you know everything there is to know about the new Superbike coming from Ducati. For everyone else, well the wait is almost over! We’ve known for some time that the bike will be an 1199cc V-Twin, it is a completely new design for the engine, no more remenants of the current V-Twin which can trace it’s lineage back to the 1970’s. How does 195bhp and 395lbs (wet) grab you?
We also know that the bike will be much more expensive than the current 1198. In recent years the price difference between the Ducati and it’s Japanese rivals has shrunk, but now expect the entry level 1199 to come it at $20,000 U.S. with higher spec version coming in at $25K and close to $30K.
The bike will also have a name. Where every Ducati Superbike up to this point has been known by it’s engine size, 900SS, 851, 888, 916, 955, 998, 999, 1098 and 1198, this one will be known as the 1199 Panigale, as a nod to Ducati’s home.
Below you can check out a promo video from Ducati, where you can see Troy Bayliss ripping it up around the Mugello Circuit.
Perhaps you’ve heard the stories about the legenday Imola 200. It was a non-championship race for a few years that drew the elite of motorcycle road racing and saw a wide variety of of machinery from Grand Prix two strokes to big bore Superbikes of the day.
The Paul Smart replica Ducati, takes it’s cues from the bike in this race. It was the first taste the Europeans would have of the man we call King Kenny, and the Spanish called “The Alien”
This past fall, many of the racers and their bikes were brought back to the track to have some fun, and let everyone remember what it was like “back in the day”.
Enjoy the video.
or, more productive and entertaining things to do in that meeting your in who’s purpose is to schedule another meaningless meeting
You can download the app here, it’s free, as in beer.
Or just have a look at the video
This wraps up the three part series by Yamaha, sorry but I could have about 10 more of these. Lawson’s story about hacking off the Yamaha people at the end is classic Lawson!
Anyone who has clue one about me knows that when it comes to motorcycle racers I admire, above all others is Eddie Lawson. I only saw Eddie race a couple times on TV, yet I read about him as much as I could. I did get to meet him several years back at Daytona, adn he was nice enough to answer a couple questions for me with out giving me the famous Lawson stare letting you know, you’re an idiot and I will not answer that question because it’s beyond stupid”.
While this is clearly a marketing video put out by Yamaha to promote the R1 and Ben Spies in MotoGP, any chance to hear Lawson talk about “back in the day” is appointment viewing for me, as it should be for you.
Rossi maybe the GOAT, but Lawson IS GOD.
Our friend Liam Shubert (MotoLiam) was on OnTheThrottle.TV talking MotoGP last night, previewing some of the changes to the machines for 2010 and answering questions. The OTT boys continue to be on the cutting edge for the coverage of Motorcycle roadracing.