Our “My Yamaha Photo Contest” is well underway, with submissions coming in from all over Canada, and in reference to nearly every one of our product lines … still missing some sweet pics of sporty sport boats though.
For those of you who don’t know, the Photo Contest is being run on our Facebook page. It’s easy to enter; all you need to do is become a fan of our page, upload some sweet pics and hit “submit now” on the Contest page …
Ben Spies and his YAMAHA Italia Team celebrate their first ever World Superbike Championship.
It’s a question that has troubled experts and bench racers alike since the beginning of motorcycle racing: is it the rider or the bike?
Anyone with some racing background and experience, obviously says it’s the rider who ultimately determines the results. Sure, equipment is important – you need reliability, performance and confidence – but a good bike can only take you so far. A team is a valuable asset as well, but at the end of the day, it’s the rider turning the throttle.
[In the tune of "Bicycle Race" by Queen.] “Dan Pecora wants to ride his motorcycle … he wants to ride his bike…. ” And he wants to ride it a lot! So who is Dan Pecora? He’s your average Joe kinda guy who really, really likes to ride motorcycles, and after reading an email of his where he marveled at some new Yamaha models, I decided to call him up for a few words on the blog….
Well, after my successful first race weekend I was officially hooked. I was very happy with my performance. The only thing that frustrated me was the horsepower difference from my current bike to the newer bikes of the other front runners. When we hit the back straights, I was being left behind, and it took everything I had to push harder and carry more speed than the others into every corner to regain back that difference, only to lose it all over again down the back straight and have to repeat everything all over again. The decision was made to get a newer bike and upgrade–I needed more HP….
Last week we featured a video tour of the Team Toyota Yamaha OTSFF pits and rig. Today, we’re introducing you to the racers, Kevin Lacombe, Tony Kasper, and Royce McLean. It’s a pretty unique combination we have between these guys.
Lacombe, who finished on the podium in both classes last year, is obviously our flagship rider and is the most capable of taking down the green goblin, Jordan Szoke. Flanking him is Minnesota’s Tony Kasper, an accomplished racer in AMA racing and snocross, and 14-year-old phenom, Royce McLean.
Learn a little more about these racers by watching the video below …
After distracting security guards with shiny things and cute puppies, Bryan Hudgin and I managed to sneak into the pits of Team Toyota Yamaha OTSFF at the opening round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championships in Calabogie, ON. Get a feel for what it’s like to be “factory” by watching the video below …
Along with our road racing team, we’ll also be following Team Toyota/Yamaha/Red Bull/Blackfoot/Fox Racing at some nationals (which kick off this weekend in Kamloops, BC), so stay tuned for some behind the scenes action from those guys as well. And if there is anything specifiic you’d like to see, hear or smell, let us know and we’ll plug it into the script.
Well, it only took 25 years and 24 days, but I finally enjoyed my first, live road race. I know, I know … I should have sealed the deal much earlier, but with my past duties at RXC, my weekends were always tied up at the MX track.
Fortunately, with this swanky new job at Yamaha Motor Canada, I had the opportunity to attend Calabogie Motorsports Park on May 24 for the opening round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championships.
The trip started out in Marmora on Sunday morning, where I was picked up by Yamaha’s PR Specialist, Bryan Hudgin, in James Stewart’s truck of choice, a Toyota Tundra. During our two and half hour journey from Marmora to Calabogie, Bryan and I exchanged stories about college, road trips (we both shared some very eventful ones from our respective stays on the CMRC National MX tour, but we’ll save those for another column), and what it all means. Deep stuff, for sure [laughs].
We arrived to the track shortly after ten o’clock and received a rather unwelcoming welcome from the front gate people. It seems that our VIP badges, Yamaha wear, and heavily labeled truck weren’t enough to warrant us access to the pits. Instead, we were asked to drive down into the gravel pits and park with the public. Nice!
Other than their staff not recognizing ‘big wigs’ when they see them, Calabogie is a welcomed addition to the series. This was only Calabogie’s second year as part of the national circuit, but will probably remain on the schedule for many years. They have an impressive facility that features a 5 km track, 5-star chalet overlooking the front straight, and pristine landscape. In my very limited knowledge of RR, I thought that the track didn’t cater to the spectators very well (I know, it’s not MX …) but I’m sure the racers love the long and fast layout, and the many unique sections and corners.
Rather than explaining every detail of my experience, let’s take a look through some pics instead. As always, feel free to offer some feedback. Maybe share with us your first road racing experience??
Quigley Down Under? No, unfortunately, Tom Selleck didn’t make an appearance in Calabogie, but some really fast dudes did on street bikes. This section was pretty cool to watch from; it was the final corner before the finish and we saw some pretty exciting passes coming out of it. It’s kinda neat driving into the track, too. You’re driving down these back roads, in between gravel pits, feeling like you’re in the middle of nowhere, and then, all of sudden, you climb over this huge hill and see a brand new racetrack. Just neat is all….
New kid in the class For 2009, we’ve partnered with Andre Laurin and his OTSFF Motorsports Group (who we also work with in snocross racing) to attack the Superbike Championships. While some pundits are skeptical regarding our new alliance/team and experience, our potential was easily visible in Calabogie. We found the podium in both classes with our veteran leader, Kevin Lacombe, and newbies, Tony Kasper, and Royce McLean, showed signs of brilliance in their first Canadian road racing debuts. And once we have more time on the all-new YZF-R1, and the riders adapt better to its new power delivery, look out!
The Calabogie crowd Since this was my first road race, I really can’t really say what a good crowd is, but here’s how I normally define a good crowd at a MX race. Let’s see if Calabogie makes the grade:
1. Fans interacting with racers – check.
2. Lots of attractive girls – check.
3. Lots of attractive girls who don’t pay any attention to me – check.
4. Fans surrounding the track – check.
5. Fans eating cheeseburgers and consuming beers without shirts on – check. (And nope, for once, I actually did have a shirt on.)
Boy Wonder
I’ve seen a lot of young, accomplished Canadian MX riders graduate into the pro ranks far too early (I still think our system needs to be reworked) that end up falling apart because they can’t deal with the pressures of pro racing. No matter how well you do in amateur stuff, it doesn’t mean anything when you line up against the men.
However, Alberta’s Royce McLean is a little different than most of the young guns that I’ve come into contact with. The 14-year-old is a naturally gifted rider, who also knows how to overcome the pressures and distractions as well. McLean was never shook all weekend. He ran competitive lap times and never lost composure anywhere – on or off – the track all weekend.
While he was shooting for a top-5 finish in the 600 class, McLean settled for a 7th behind veteran Steve Crevier, and fellow Yamaha supported rider, Andrew Nelson. He even signed up for the Superbike class for extra track time to work on his bike setup, and managed to finish just outside the top-10 in 11th. Not bad.
Keep an eye on this kid as he gets more track time and experience against the pros….
Kasper “The Ghost” and “Smiley” Nick Two more new faces at the Canadian races and under the Yamaha tent are Minnesota’s Tony Kasper (left) and Nick Cristofaro (right). Kasper has had some good results in AMA Pro Racing, and is also a top snocross racer, while Nick, who hails from Brampton, is a former MX technician for the OTSFF team and also enjoys working out and playing soccer.
Kasper’s weekend didn’t go as planned after sliding out on his R6 in the 600 final while running fifth. His goal was to finish on the podium, as he knew that would surely make Nick smile for the first time in 2009. Just hassling you, Nick.
I’ll let you create the caption for this one….
Good luck to Team Toyota Yamaha/OTSFF, and to everyone who will be trying to be beat them, at Round 2 in Montreal on June 11-14!
Is there really such a thing as a “free ride?” There is at Yamaha’s Motorcycle Power Tour events! (Although, our goal is that participants will realize the features and benefits of our bikes and eventually purchase one … but in the meantime, the ride’s on us.)
On Sunday, May 10, just over 40 riders signed up to test ride some of our finest motorcycles at Kelly’s Cycle Centre in Hamilton, Ontario. Those in attendance got to try out many of our Star series cruisers, including the all-new V-Star 950, sport models like the YZF-R1 with its new cross-place crankshaft, and we also had some scooters on hand for those looking for a fun, safe and quieter ride.
The crew at Kelly’s put some real aggression and enthusiasm into the event, and we were thrilled to see that reflected by the riders who put all of the bikes through their paces in every demo session. In fact, our team was showing off “guns” the size of Ron Burgundy’s after filling up the fuel tanks so much! Kevin, Chris, Orton, and Aaron of the Power Tour staff made sure that the day ran smoothly and on time, and they even captured some of it on film. You can watch it below….
And just to clarify, we’re pretty sure that the comment from the guy in the R1 testimonial (“It has, absolutely, God awful power …”) is actually a compliment. He was probably just a little nervous being behind the Yama-Tube lens (don’t fool yourself, it’s not easy being on the big screen) and mixed up his wording. But who knows, maybe that could be our new catch phrase for the 2009 YZF-R1?!?
Joe from Hamilton isn’t the only rider who had a memorable time with the R1. Click here to read a review of a Suzuki rider who has fallen for the all-new R1.
Anyhoo, we appreciate all of you who stopped by Kelly’s for the demo ride and enjoyed our new models.
So where is the next stop on the Power Tour? Find out by visiting Yamaha-motor.ca. Don’t be shy, get out to your local demo ride and answer the question that everyone is asking, “What kind of Yamaha are you?”
Holy CR%P!!!
I just got back from my lunch break. Didn’t eat just went for a ride with one of my colleagues here at YMCA’s head office. Aaron had some errands to run and I had not had the chance to take out the all new 2009 Yamaha R1.
I had just finished hearing Dave MacDougall rave about the phenomenal response the 25+ Sport Bike riders had after testing the R1 at his recent MC Power Tour at POWERSPORT JUNCTION In Guelph. Dave seemed pretty stoked about the feedback he was getting from the riders so I thought, “What the heck… I’ll take it for a spin” (Gotta ride before I can talk about it… right!!?)
Aaron had the new FZR6r and I had the … Yamaha R1…
Let me say it again… HOLY CR%P. This bike is awesome, Crossplane crankshaft with uneven firing order, Selectable drive modes… (What!) Inverted front forks, Radial front disc brakes, Variable intake, and new compact Deltabox chassis with fully adjustable suspension. I try to keep abreast of the latest technology but, put all this technology in one package… sick!
I fired it up… the sound was unlike anything I have ever heard, let alone ridden. Is it a twin? A triple? Doesn’t sound like an inline 4? I moved off casually, not knowing what to expect… a mid range surge… a top end rush…It delivered controllable power to the ground anywhere in the power band… NO, forget power band, there is no power band! Just start the beast and you’re in the power band. 20kph, 60kph, 100kph and above. Anywhere u twist the throttle it produces gobs of earth shattering torque and horsepower… I need to go change my pants…
Ok I just bought some stock in a dry cleaning business. I figured the cleaning business is going to boom if they are located next to a Yamaha dealership!
The R1’s power plant is so unbelievably good the guys and gals that purchase this bike are going to need to have their leathers laundered professionally EVERY single time they take their bike out for a ride.
Why aren’t our governments talking about this as a stimulus for the economy? ‘…No ticky / no laundry’
… No need to spend trillions of dollars bailing out the cage drivers, Put one of these in every driveway and we’ll have the sport population working over time to afford to buy more accessories, (and new riding gear). They’ll sell their cars and put snow tires on their new R1… they won’t want to give it up, it’s that good.
They’ll spend billions flying their bikes to far away places to find more roads, Infrastructure? They’ll lobby their politicians to build new twisty roads to the nearest 7 11 corner store… Take the long way home…
I have to stop. I need a dictionary. Think I’ll just use metaphors and similes to finish this blog:
More power than a locomotive, more reliable than my best friend. Cornering? Felt like it was on rails!! More of a rush than my 1st date kiss with a gal from Florida. Put a silly grin on my face bigger than that of the Cheshire Cat. The adrenaline rushing through my veins… feeling the ‘Fight or Flight’ syndrome… guess which option I chose.
I couldn’t finish the ride! I got off at an intersection and told Aaron he had to take her home. I’ve been riding long enough to know when I’ve had enough. It takes a bigger man than me to ride this bike on the street. While I’m riding it I’m invincible, I can do no wrong, it is confidence inspiring it makes up for all my short comings as a man, but then at the stop light, I couldn’t keep my hands and legs from shaking. “Aaron u take it”. The beast just purred and idled its unique 90deg uneven firing purr (sounded like it was laughing at me)
Can’t wait for the next track day. I’m a changed man… I have always considered my self to be educated and able to convey my thoughts and emotions easily through the spoken word… but this new R1 is beyond description. You’ll have to ride one for yourself and explain the silly grin that follows.
Hi, my name is Andre Harris (you can call me Dre’); I’m the Events and Show Coordinator in the marketing department of Yamaha Motor Canada.
I’ll be one of the folks blogging here; often I’ll blog about sport bikes, though I’ll cover anything motorcycle-related (especially if you ask me to!
Now, a bit about my background…
I’ve worked at Yamaha Motor Canada for going on five years. I like my job – the company is full of enthusiasts, and I get to travel and meet like-minded individuals. And I get to sample the latest and greatest of a wide selection equipment – from dirt bikes and sport bikes to large-displacement cruisers, even beginner bikes.
And quite often, I’m testing one-of-a-kind equipment,before it even goes into mass production! Cool, eh?
I’ve been riding since 1974 (I’m NOT telling you my age! I was out of diapers, but not old enough to get a mature rider insurance discount
My first bike, way back when, was virtually unheard of in Canada, but it was all I could afford – brand new for $600! It was a Jawa CZ 175 [JaWa the first two letters of the developer’s name- Janecek – and first two from a competitor’s model Wanderer; the CZ for Czechoslovakia.)
I was asked recently if I have a favourite bike; I don’t think so – really, any bike with an attitude (but not too obnoxious!) The MT-01 torque sport bike, Vmax, and Roadliner all come to mind.
My hobbies? If it’s got a motor and handle bars… I want to ride it!
Why am I blogging? ‘Cause I want to share my passion (obsession?), relay my stories and experience – and generally be part of the never-ending quest for what it is about motorcycling that we true enthusiasts like so much!
when they see them, Calabogie is a welcomed addition to the series. This was only Calabogie’s second year as part of the national circuit, but will probably remain on the schedule for many years. They have an impressive facility that features a 5 km track, 5-star chalet overlooking the front straight, and pristine landscape. In my very limited knowledge of RR, I thought that the track didn’t cater to the spectators very well (I know, it’s not MX …) but I’m sure the racers love the long and fast layout, and the many unique sections and corners.
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