Apparently, the rider of this Yamaha R6 was riding on LA’s Mulholland highway, also known as “the Snake,” this past weekend when he crashed as a result of a highside and the bike immediately caught fire. First attempts to extinguish the fire were in vain, so the owner simply watched his bike burning until it remained only frame and engine. Now that’s a sad moment for any biker out there. Let’s just hope that his insurance covers that.
The Yamaha R1 Rossi Edition is a one-off custom motorcycle that will go up for charity auction right after its customizers “give it wide exposure.” The bike was created by a team led by Don Emde, 1972 Daytona 200 winner and founder of US based fundraiser Friends of Riders for Health, to raise money for the official MotoGP charity.
It was an expensive project achieved using aftermarket parts supplied by different manufacturers such as Rolands Sands (the aluminum wheels), Akrapovic (the Evolution exhaust system) and Ohlins (the FGRT808 front suspension and TTX rear).
Valentino Rossi’s AGV ‘Five Continents’ graphics done by Pole Position Racing Service in Italy make it a “Rossi bike” and all these changes bring it much closer to the race track rather than the street but, just for the record, The Doctor’s R1 is also street legal.
Although the bidding day hasn’t been announced yet, Emde told MCN: “One thing I want to have in place would be the ability for anyone to bid on the machine, via online or some off-site methods. That would be something we would announce on the website, www.friendsofriders.org”
This week, Yamaha announced four 2010 sports models and a maxi scooter, all which feature revised ECUs and new color schemes.
First and foremost, the 2010 Yamaha YZF-R6 gets a new, longer exhaust, remapping of the ECU and these attractive new color schemes. The middleweight supersport model is now claimed to benefit of slightly more low-end torque and have a healthier mid-range pull. Nice and discrete move with this one!
Those lucky Europeans get a redesigned 2010 Yamaha XJ6 Diversion F in blue and black. ABS is added as an option.
The naked 2010 Yamaha FZ1 and the Fazer are now set for more low- and mid-range power delivery and both come in two-tone paintjobs.
Last, but definitely not least, the 2010 Yamaha TMax is now an even more stylish solution for urban commuters as it comes in white, with a two-tone seat and titanium-polished wheels.
Expect to read more about these Yamaha models on this page in the near future.
Ben Spies has had a great season with Yamaha and after setting one lap record after another, he is currently the leader of the SBK Championship. To honor that, CMC – a Yamaha dealer in UK – has created a Ben Spies replica R1 painted in the racing bike’s colours. The engine now breaths out through an Akrapovic exhaust system, which should also add a few horses although they don’t mention a precise number. Speaking of numbers, the bike costs £12,499 ($20,225).
Yamaha Motor USA has released a video revealing the Ben Spies method of winning Superbike races on his Yamaha R1 motorcycle and the famous racer is the actual one explaining all about his well kept secrets. Ok, so not even I believe what I just wrote, but at least it’s an attempt not to blow Yamaha’s cover and allow you the joy of watching such a funny video, which features all Yamaha racing riders.
