Comments on: Kenny Roberts and the YZR500 at Laguna Seca (with video) (News)

By: RD

RD — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:36:35 +0000

I’m sure my buddy Micheal Barnes (still grinding away after 20+ years in the AMA) would disagree with the broken bones comment above. Was awesome to hear that old dog ripping. I loved Kenny’s first words after he got off. “IT WAS RICH” LOL Pig wouldn’t even wheelie for him

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By: Scott in the UK

Scott in the UK — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:19:52 +0000

Indeed. Every single damn one of them used to limp in those days from frequent crashes. And far more guys careers were finished by a crash in those days, than by just being not on the pace (as in these days).

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By: Fat Billy

Fat Billy — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 21:30:05 +0000

I was at Indianapolis and saw him ride the TZ 750 dirt tracker on the mile. He was flying on the track. He offered Valentino Rossi a ride and Rossi declinded. Kenny said Yamaha didn’t pay him enough money to ride the thing. It was outlawed bt the AMA. He started last at the Indy race 30 yrs ago and passed everyone to win by 1/2 a bike link. Riding these two bikes at near 60 says a lot about King Kenny.

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By: baldheadeddork

baldheadeddork — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 01:01:09 +0000

I know broken bones may not seem like much (especially when they’re not yours) but Wayne Rainey wasn’t sitting down in that tape because he was tired.

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By: JB

JB — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 16:58:52 +0000

Let’s not forget Cal Rayburn on his big V-twin taking on the Yamaha World Champion at the Race of the Year in 1972. That maybe the start of American interest in MotoGP.

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By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 15:00:45 +0000

Nice video,except for the background music. Let the 2 stroke sound be the background music!

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By: Scott in the UK

Scott in the UK — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 08:56:10 +0000

Really nice to see the man who started Kenny on his path to world domination get a few words in – Kel Carruthers, Gladesville boy (like me) and an old biker compadre of my late father. They use to do some mad things on the Sydney streets late at night……

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By: Scott in the UK

Scott in the UK — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 08:50:02 +0000

Why wish for broken bones? My favourite era of racing was 1985 – 1995 but too many of those guys paid for our vicarious thrills with permanent limps and missing fingers and toes. Yeah it was great racing, but at what cost? And where are the mediocre riders out there on the MotoGP grid? If people that win the WSB go to MotoGP and do poorly – are they mediccre? Is Ben Spies mediocre? (IMHO he’s good but learning).

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By: Morris Bethoven

Morris Bethoven — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 02:42:33 +0000

150 hp in a 200 pound chassis! That ought to be enough excitement for any 60 year old. He seems to be handling it well, though.

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By: Joel

Joel — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:46:19 +0000

A good friend of mine and I saw Mr. Roberts riding the TZ750 at the Indy Mile in ’09 and that is without question, the coolest, most impressive and awe inspiring motorsports event I’ve ever seen. He would have easily made the Main that night. My friend and I also had the good fortune of meeting him after the MotoGP race the next day. He humbly accepted our handshakes as we congratulated him on those incredible laps aboard the TZ. I would have loved to see him ride the YZR too. He looks as good on tarmac as he does on the dirt!!

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