He threw a letter from the US President in the bin! 😮 | BikeSocial Interview with Kenny Roberts Snr

[@gregborneman5523]

I love seeing how Kenny has mellowed and genuinely enjoyed himself at Goodwood. For my money, he's the best American racer ever, and we are proud of him.

[@sergioleone3583]

Glad it wasn't just me thinking King Kenny has mellowed (in a good way) over the years. Not soft, but more open, more of a smile here and there.

[@robnewbigging661]

Lovely to hear legends chat about their life moments

[@TheKievKen]

This is the best Kenny Roberts interview of the modern era. Great dry sense of humour and respect for reality without flowers and candy. Just straight talking. Thanks for this upload.

[@nodtripRS]

Love how KR senior talks, could listen all night. Still has the glint in his eye.

[@db5757]

I love that comment…”We hated each other…In a good way”. The mark of a true competitor, with total respect for a rival. I wish Barry was there too.

[@austinado16]

Kenny R., Wayne R., Kevin S., Eddie L., Wayne G. EVERYONE wants to see all of you, as much as possible. You will always be the gods and the legends of REAL moto GP, to those of us from the generation that lived and breathed everything you did, and to the future generations to come. The sport and the bikes, are what they are today, because of you all; your athleticism, your skill, your courage, your heart....... We can't thank you enough for doing what you do!!!

[@straightchad8059]

Don't forget John Kocinski and Randy Mamola too

[@StoffelDilligas]

@@straightchad8059 Replace John Kocinski with Alex Barros, or Lori's Capirossi. Barros being Schwantz team mate, and then beating Rossi on the V5 Honda twice in four races after competing on the last of the two strokes against the four strokes. Barros bridges the gap...

[@rwd323]

How can Mick Doohan not be mentioned - 5 consecutive titles!

[@Vasilis-d2t]

Fast Freddie Spencer........!!!!!

[@Team-fabulous]

It always lovely to hear Kenny speak warmly of his old adversary Barry..

[@martinlewis967]

Made me smile

[@rockypup1968]

The word Legend is banded around, but this man is definitely a true legend .

[@stevebigansky9372]

You can still hear the emotions in Kenny's voice when he start speaking about Barry- could u IMAGINE the chaos between those two guys if Barry was still alive??

[@markbooth6745]

Great interview, he's a legend. 🔥🔥👍It's a shame Barry isn't with us RIP.❤

[@cecilwilson5442]

That man is legend,, also remember when he rode the TZ 750 at the mile track on a show night,, awesome flat out,, he treated Wayne rainey like a son,, and when he talked people listened,, knowledge about motorcycles knew no bounds,, from ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️Northern Ireland greatly appreciated

[@petermolloy992]

Northern Ireland, the true home of bike road racing! How does such a small place produce so much crazy and brilliant talent?

[@pwashi860]

2009 Indy Mile, Sat night of the MotoGP weekend: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpybmX2NgK6JhNU

[@daisyduke4246]

No one has forgotten wayne rainey he is a legend .it brought a happy tear to my eye and many others to see wayne ride again

[@JamesBrown-ux9ds]

They never come back - but they never truely leave as well. Great interview, thank you for sharing!

[@paulbaldock6313]

Wayne: Nobody is interested in seeing me............Everyone wants to see you Wayne. Your one of the greatest just like Kenny.

[@karlsumner5594]

He’s a top top man is Kenny Roberts. Loved this interview, he made me laugh. I was there when Barry flicked the v’s at him at Silverstone. The pair of them must have had some very ‘memorable’ times. So good to see him looking well and as sharp as ever! Thanks for this interview.

[@bobklee2397]

What great interviews these are, KR is a legend as are many of the guys. This was a golden age of racing- super competitive and very hard racers, sounds like competitive parties too

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks for the kind words, another one coming tomorrow!

[@fishyfool]

You gotta understand, at the time (and still true today) there is/was nothing to do in Modesto but fight, fusk and race. Kenny grew up here.

[@mauriceclemens3286]

Kenny is a year older than me and he’s been a hero of mine for decades. I went to the US Motorcycle GP 2weeks after Wayne had his accident in Italy. I was looking forward to seeing Wayne race and was gutted to hear he would never race again. I’m just happy he survived the accident.

[@squigmcguigan8965]

Kenny Roberts. The most influential racer of all time. He completely changed revolutionised the style if riding on the track. And laid the foundations for better deals & respect for the riders from the race organizers. Thanks for the great memories Kenny.

[@jamiejmasters4818]

Well said, Kenny's battles for track & rider safety don't the attention they deserve historically.

[@clarkballantyne7982]

KR Jr was a champion too. The apple didn't fall far from the tree. Let's not forget the young man 👍

[@johnnyblue4799]

"My brain never shut down, but my body says NO!" - That's the sad part of getting old. This is so unfair. People should get mentally old and the body should stay young. Then you wouldn't care that much!

[@williamschroeder3070]

I'm about the same age as Roberts; used to follow him in Cycle News while I was in the Army, you know the guy had something special. Saw him race at Daytona in 1977 and 1978 - it was something to watch him and the Yamaha go around the high banking. Yeah, it's disappointing that so few Americans are in MotoGP these days, it's just that the young guys have lost interest in bikes and are more into watching things instead of doing things. Great interview, thanks for posting it.

[@stevenmeyer9674]

While Americans are showing less interest in M/C. The number of Americans cyclists on World Tour Bicycle road racing teams is at an all time high.

[@markjohnson8352]

Brilliant! Thanks again, Bennetts Bike Social. Another legend, another of the names that will live on forever.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Our pleasure! More to come

[@MarkATaylor]

They definitely do care Kenny, legends all of you.

[@firestorm755]

What an absolute honour for you to be able to interview these guys. Wow. These are the racers that I watched growing up and Kenny is right it could only be better if Barry was there too!

[@bennettsbikesocial]

It was an honour, Phil. We were extremely lucky, and thankful, for the time we got to spend with them!

[@akaalkhater]

"Oulton Park is like a 150mph motocross" 😂 you gotta love that!

[@roddas26]

Absolutely brilliant. Thank you.

[@rumpelstiltskin6252]

form Australia we loved Barry Sheene what a character, there may be moments or characters in your time you wish you never new.but in the end, it is a part of your life that will always be A part in our time of our existence, like it or not.

[@yonniboy1]

Kenny revolutionised 500 GP/MotoGP, He even invented knee sliders as he leant the bike further over than anyone else grinding his knees on the track so started strapping first cardboard and later leather round his knees over his leathers, IMO Wayne Rainey who was just hitting his peak at the time of his accident, although already one of the greatest could've become even greater. it was wonderful to see him back on the YZR500, a beast of a bike unlike todays MotoGP bikes that are so tractable you could literally ride them down to the shops.

[@stevek8891]

I met him at Goodwood a few years ago, he is a really nice guy. Total respect for him.😊👍

[@turboslag]

Imagine the banter if Barry was still with us and he and Kenny were interviewed together?! I think the British sense of humour confuses the Americans sometimes and Barry took advantage of that. It was like he was trying to do a mind job on Kenny, which is an indication of how seriously he regarded him as a rival. The days of the American super riders, the determined British and 500 2 stroke GP bikes (I refuse to call them Moto GP bikes, I hate that term!) was an era the likes of which we will never see again, a golden age.

[@forddriver8827]

Incredible story. Kenny Snr is awesome.

[@tomupchurch4911]

This man along with Kel Caruthers for many years inspired me at levels I can't even describe... just when you thought you'd seen it all he'd reach deeper and raise the bar. Thanks Kenny.

[@robertveronese4405]

Kenny will always be the king! The first American to race and win the championship his first year! I saw him race in Laguna Seca, he is in a class by himself!

[@76-UVB]

Enjoyed listening to King Kenny, he was a tremendously stylish rider I was fortunate to watched him and Bazza go at each other many times on the track, thanks for the upload.

[@johnyrevenge6356]

I just love Kennys honesty and acceptance of his own perceived failings (real or imagined).

[@MGB618]

I had a great privilege of personally meeting Barry Sheene in Australia on a few occasions, all I can say is what a genuine and nicest person one could ever meet. It was like I knew Barry all my life, definitely he just had this amazing charisma that would light up any room. I so respect Kenny and feel he wouldn’t be the easiest guy to approach in his hay day, however Barry could connect with him even though being his number 1 nemesis. We all miss Barry, so sad he passed away much, much too soon.

[@96BxelA]

What a legend, what a character.

[@clarkballantyne7982]

What a family of heroes 👍👍👍👍👍

[@Tikkarifle]

Best KR interview I have seen.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@jiyushugi1085]

Never forget watching him at the national on the Ascot half-mile, a night race. The factory Harleys were all there and Kenny was on the factory XS650 (750) twin. His bike was fitted with a ribbed front tire, not a normal treaded tire like everyone else was running. I was standing at the inside of Turn 1/2 and Kenny would come through there on a high line where all the sticky clay-like Ascot dirt was the thickest. He had the throttle pinned, both feet on the pegs and fighting that unruly beast as it tried to spit him off all around the turn. Scary. Springsteen won the national but Kenny showed everyone how to ride the Yamaha!

[@trevormartin5459]

Thanks for taking the time to do another brilliant interview.Michael.I'm old enough to remember the match races.I was at a few of them.Brilliant times.🙂👍

[@bennettsbikesocial]

My pleasure Trevor, glad you enjoyed them :) My Dad reminded me of the match races the night before this, and i was lucky to find some races on KZbin... it would be awesome to bring them back!

[@clarkballantyne7982]

He wasn't King Kenny for nothing, he earned that reputation. The GOAT of his generation. He brought a new riding style to racing which is still used today.

[@chathamabs2011]

Fantastic channel and great series of interviews. 👌

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Glad you like them!

[@mchristr]

The most impressive thing about Kenny Sr. is when he jumped on the TZ750 at the 2009 Indy Mile. Fifty-seven years old, he dumps the clutch and just pins the throttle. Who does things like that?

[@tanglediver]

Excellent! Hey Kenny, glad you kept the telex after all!! :D

[@TomChame]

Excellent interview and channel, thanks.

[@gaz-gemw5801]

Watched these guys, when I was young lol. Loved all of them, my Heroes, fantastic video, thank you. 😊😊👍🏻🇬🇧👍🏻

[@yamaladave]

King Kenny Roberts, that is all you need to know!

[@blkcoupequattro]

Back when noise restrictions were not a thing at the local race track, and California was real Hot Rodder;s paradise. Kenny Roberts was local Nor Cal craft in the motorcycle community house hold name .....

[@henryhartley9993]

A true legend....

[@gitaneVYS491R]

Enjoyed that, could easily have listened to much more.

[@comontoshi]

When racing was racing and not about “electronics” . . . . the golden age indeed!

[@chrisbraid2907]

Yeah motorcycle engineering was done in the machine shop and Electronic ignition was the big deal … Suzuki was a sweet handler back then too Ask Kevin … I loved the beautiful power band of the RG500 I once rode …

[@northernowl7087]

What a man did it his way absolute legend could listen to Kenny all day 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧 kenny just had the edge on sheene

[@practicalplinking6133]

I remember a short track in the Cow palace where Rick Hocking put a wheel on Kenny and pushed him out and off. Kenny caught him in a few laps , put a wheel on him hard enough to make Hocking slide chin first into a haybale !! The ability and talent of Roberts was incredible !!

[@copperaudio9664]

"My body is behind my brain" So true Kenny. I know exactly what I want to do, but the body doesn't do what I tell it like it used to. 70 and I still ride. Thanks for all the memory's Kenny.

[@rogergregory5981]

Trans Atlantic races were the best absolutely remember seeing him first time he was in them at Brand's

[@jasonduplantis6442]

True Story. I met Kenny Roberts SR, while working our booth at the AIME Expo in Orlando Florida in 2014 or 13. I was preparing to race my first pro event the next up coming season. Friend of mine new Kenny and introduced me to him as "Jason, he races" Kenny then says "Road Racing in the US is dead"...... I died a little that day LMAO.

[@sergioleone3583]

Great interview. And maybe it's me, but he's mellowed a bit it seems!

[@philmoorcroft4321]

first class interview yet again love the format and content please keep these coming

[@paulhewson4600]

Being from the 70's through the 90's and owning some of the old "race/street" bikes theses MotoGP riders of today would loose there minds if they had to hop on one of the bikes from back then and were told , "now go do 170mph and drop your knee in the hairpin with dirt and gravel on the track everywhere and no rider assist buttons to push" Brakes and the front end and suspension in general sucked,,,,,great interview!

[@BanjoLuke1]

He was the first (to my knowledge) to bring the style of dirt track to tarmac. It started with him. I may be wrong. The crazy riding on 500s that followed somehow all came from him. The mad ones who pushed grip beyond logic were all somehow his protégés: Lawson, Spencer, Mamola, Kocinsky, Rainey, Schwantz. And the Antipodeans too: Gardener, Doohan et al. It started somehow with this man.

[@rogerthat10-47]

It's nice to see his face, I saw far too much of both their "ArseEnds" back in the day. I'm so pleased to see WR back on a bike, I? lost the ability to walk through illness(not accident) I was told I'd never walk again let alone ride, I instantly took the arse & sold all my bikes, my beautiful wife(SuperNurse) told my Dr's that "We won't be having that" she gave me a month too sulk then put me through 5 months of hell, but I was walking, kind of, 2 years later riding, not like I used too, but riding is riding, & now I'm still taking money off stupid kids on LitreBikes on my RGV500. Thanks, guys, you gave me memories that will never fade, it's a real shame that Barry Sheen couldn't be with you.

[@Hissing-Syd]

Your really out beating 1000cc bikes on a 500?

[@nghonleong]

King Kenny.......ever the legend and i like the respect he had for Barry Sheene......GO BARRY! (GB, lol)

[@William-Bill-Munny]

Barry's one liners were epic........ he is so very missed to this day.

[@joeblow5037]

I was always a Fast Freddie fan. I remember those 2 racing and Kenny crashing and bending the crap out of a pipe. Dang if he didn't bend it back in place and catch up 😲 Little foggy...I just remember the pipe sticking at a weird angle. What a competitor. No one wants to be beat by a kid 🤬 haha

[@maxflight777]

We should all throw government letters in the bin ! Though I accept Reagan was admired ! When someone asked Elon Musk; “How can the government help your business?” … “Stay the fuck away” was his straightforward answer ! 👍

[@michaelcarberry594]

"If I qualified 17th...the next step is suicide...I dunno..." Man I love that guy. I actually have an KR autographed program from the 1/2 mile at Harrington Delaware 1977. Not an easy thing to get.

[@maxflight777]

*Super interview*

[@koolsolutionszx12r55]

The only book report I ever done in school was on King Kenny Roberts. The rest I half assed or just didn't bother. He's still the King to me

[@seanyuke3249]

Ripper interview. I was and am a Sheen fan. But over the years, the more I've listened to Kenny, the more I've liked him.

[@lawsonfan5797]

Him and Barry.....you see the way the media would portray something like the 2 finger salute at Silverstone, but Kenny and Barry would be laughing like schoolboys about it.

[@speedfinder1]

Interesting and very professionally presented interview.

[@chrishipwell9116]

My take aways from this interview: - if I qualified 17th, my next step may be suicidal. I was crakin up - flustrating. Kenny makes bikes and words! Miss the old days of the two strokes. Hasn’t been the same since.

[@daniels.2720]

Flustrating > flustered + frustrated = my guess haha

[@dungspreader]

Transatlantic Races ! The British bike press and the racing organisers hated Kenny. I saw him race at Mallory when it started snowing. He was the only racer who didn't slow down or slide off. Our Brit "short circuit scratchers"were supposed to teach this Yank a lesson . But he gave them a masterful lesson in bike control . He was and still is The King .

[@georgefrempter596]

All Thumbs Up 👍👍 THXs

[@impalaSS65]

Love his unforgiving attitude 17:11. Reminds me of a lap he did somewhere on a (the?) YZR500 and it was WAY too rich, it ran like crap, he was visibly frustrated afterwards.

[@ralphvalkenhoff2887]

Watched him , fast Freddie, Sheen, Rainey and the rest in Assen Dutch tt . Time of my life as an American kid dominating the euro GP.

[@captaintoyota3171]

King Kenny, we need more men like him around racing

[@chrish8871]

Nobody cares..? Holy fuck this is Wayne Rainey he’s talking about. In no particular order lol. Schwantz, Lawson, Gardener, Rainey, Doohan, Mamola, The glory years. Legends. Forever burned into the history of the sport. Wayne won more in that era. Legend of legends of that era.

[@rudranauth.persaud6248]

Beautiful interview

[@patrickquinn9826]

This man is a legend. Such fun and what a racer.

[@snakepliskin1185]

King Kenny! Awesome!

[@wonderwing5139]

My Hero!!!

[@mohba01]

Thanks bennetts social. Thanks for making such great interviews of Wayne, kevin and roberts , it means a lot to people of my age.

[@maxflight777]

Hail at Mallory, when racing on slicks ! Jeez …. Can you imagine ?

[@zogzoogler]

I am 43 years old and my middle name is Kenny. Thank you Mr Roberts Legend, it was almost Barry.

[@travelon2androamingtherock301]

Enjoyable interview. I'm leaving it there.

[@gpracer270]

Where is the button for 100,000,000,000 Thumbs up?

[@spscorse]

Wow great interview thank you

[@davidpalin1790]

A true legend 👏

[@elwoodbluesmorris2120]

It's like giving a fallen angel his wings back.

[@dogpaw775]

still the only 'King Kenny Roberts'. Bazza and Kenny show, what would come next?.

[@heintmeyer2296]

Always and forever the king!

[@AVTheLimit]

The King 👑

[@goagin]

King Kenny probably the reason knee pucks were developed. Remember watching him race with duct tape wrapped around his leathers. His 75 Indy mile win with the TZ road race engine in the flat track frame class-ic. Even if the Harley crew weren't smokin & jokin on the front end don't belive they could have won. Got it to hook up at the right time.

[@Shinysideup]

Great video

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@StephenLMW]

Kenny Roberts was influenced by the late great Jarno Sarrinen’s riding style it obviously helped him during his career and it helped him win 3 world titles Barry Sheene and Kenny Roberts where truly great rivals but also great friends and it’s such a shame Barry is no longer here to tell his story RIP Bazza and Jarno 🇬🇧🇫🇮

[@A-FrameWedge]

I don’t know how he could of been influenced by Sarrinen as he died before Roberts got to Europe, and they didn’t televise races in the U.S.

[@johnoneill1575]

@@A-FrameWedge they raced against each other at Daytona '73 I believe,where after Saarinen won he said "that rider #10 (Kenny) will be world champion" .They were both on TZ 350's

[@StephenLMW]

@@johnoneill1575 thank you mate I was going to say that

[@A-FrameWedge]

@@johnoneill1575 Your right I found a YT video of Kenny Roberts seeing Saarinen at Ontario. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJfCaYWurctksNk&feature=share

[@philipmcdonald2]

Loved that!!

[@brianoreilly1866]

Great to hear from #1!

[@stephenwilliams926]

He definitely has got the T-shirt.

[@timdryden3778]

Cool guy.