My Greatest Yamaha Memory: Kenny Roberts

[@Denzilcleveridge]

That’s why Kenny Roberts is the greatest motorcycle racer that ever lived. Period.

[@Projects5309]

"Little Yellow Bike"..haha. that's what everybody thought by the ring a ding crackling sound that it made in the pits. The banshee scream that came out of it during the race certainly had to get people's attention. 🏁

[@squigmcguigan8965]

Kenny Roberts. Without a doubt. THE most influential rider of all time. He changed the style of riding, forever. He had the balls to stand up to the race organisers, and got the riders the deal they deserved. And made great strides towards better rider safety. Fantastic rider! Thanks Kenny for the memories.

[@bubbabillybob-c7v]

King Kenny, my hero as a kid. Grow up in the 70s, big time Yam-a-dog dirt bike rider (CT, AT, DT, and MX). All my stuff had yamaha tank decals or my artistry skills.👍👍👍

[@TheKitchenTechnician]

Yep. The most memorable motorcycle racing event in history in my opinion. I’ll never forget it. Just saying “The Mile” still gives me goosebumps. They call him The King for good reason.

[@stripervince1]

Hey Kenny, I bought my first RZ350 from Simi valley cycles in 1985, I think the salesman was Rod Cubes for a square deal. Lol New for $1995. I put $100 down and my payments were $60 a month for like 3 years. You signed my head light fairing at willow. I remember I got a big black permanent marker, and some clear tape to cover it. Got a pic of you signing it. The signature lasted a week before it faded out. Lol couldn't believe it lol

[@kevinshea2097]

Even Rossi was in awe of Kenney Roberts

[@billwelter4101]

And Rossi wouldn't ride it !

[@pattiefrost6047]

So very proud of my friend Kenny Roberts whom I’ve known since he was 16 years old. Mother Alice always said he will be “some-one some day” as we drove to the Texas Astrodome for the first Short Track and T.T. National.

[@markwood919]

Very cool pretty neat

[@RichardCummins-ni4em]

Read your book way back, helped me a lot and saved me hurting myself worse racing Superbikes in the 80's. I owe you.

[@dennisbergen7657]

KING KENNY ♥️

[@copperaudio9664]

I watched Kenny multiple years at Laguna Seca. He taught me to pay close attention, find your own lines, go like hell and never give up.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

So in 1975 a TZ-750 supposedly had 130 HP XR-750 Harleys had 75 HP .. The amazing thing is that by 1985 the Yamaha TZ-500's had a 150 HP .. Two Strokes were still progressing with Power valves .. Then thanks to the EPA Emissions rules Evinrude hired a German Engineering CO to come up with a Direct Injection System . Bombardiere bought Evinrude and now Skidoo snowmobiles have Direct Injection Two Strokes that get as good of fuel Economy and as low of emissions as 4 strokes.. and Now as of 2023 or so they have a Factory Turbocharged Two Stroke that can maintain full Horse Power I think 185 HP at 10,000 feet altitude.

[@quartusbuys6831]

Loved it when he said. Yamaha doesn't pay him enough to ride that bike.

[@mrsmith4662]

An incredible racer.

[@MrColdwatercanyon]

The King 👑. Used to see him at A&A motors in Redwood City as a kid . We never missed a San Jose Mile

[@plantfeeder6677]

Cracked me up he looks at his tee to see what the date was!😂 This guy has a sense of humor. I like him even more now. Still have the picture of that crazy TZ750 and him winning the mile. Greatest rider that ever lived. And Yamaha is a LOT older than 65 years as a company. Rock on Yamaha.

[@bobh.5423]

Growing up in San Jose, you knew about Kenny Roberts amazing talents.

[@garaldao61]

Well there were probably no words to describe it that day of August 1975 - And to see the King riding the beast once again so flawlessly was amazing . As a two stroke fan when I heard the bike start , the only thing that came to my mind : hmmmmm

[@davidvanbrunt4233]

Yamaha did a number on Harley that nite....then Indian bout 40yrs later !

[@donaldhipple4921]

Thanks Kenny, your entire career has been inspiring to watch. I saw you at Pocono in the 74 I believe. Yvan Duhamel, Gary Nixon and the smell of two strokes. Great. I need to get a new shirt, yours looks new still.

[@comontoshi]

A man of few words . . . 😘

[@danschlosser4833]

...I watched Kenny win a twisty race @ Charlotte Motor Speedway... his skill & speed were stunning.😮😮😮😮😮😊😊

[@peterhughes4832]

Ok I guess I should start by saying I'm 49' and just because I never saw this race I feel as though I was there, because I have read and seen ? Almost everything You have done Kenny. I am a big fan off yours Kenny. My brother is also a fan, as a matter of fact that is the reason I am a fan off yours. Martin fr

[@peterhughes4832]

Martin from the UK

[@donniebaker5984]

what did the back tire look like after the Indy mile win ?

[@ponytoes]

Watched him @ Sacramento, San Jose, & Sears Point....maybe Lodi Cycle Bowl too? They don't call him the king for nothing! I still have a signed poster and t-shirt

[@MrSkid1970]

Only kenny roberts, could ride a 120hp bike,with no brakes!

[@kelliebrooks9094]

Good stuff let them cut the film now....at the end they can just put to be continued...yours truly DR Cycylepath...

[@mikeskidmore6754]

Did I see 2018 as the Copywrite year?

[@jeffryan7439]

God I bet he is sick of telling that story LOL, But it’s the stuff of legend

[@davidciesielski8251]

Big bang be damned!!

[@jimski1]

No fear

[@americanwriter2533]

🤩🇺🇸👍⚖️👁️👁️⚖️👍YAMAHA🇯🇵🏁🏁

[@stephenrussell1221]

Barry Sheen

[@donniebaker5984]

Kenny got your ears on ? if you had not told the world up there on the podium they don't pay me enough to ride that thing and if it wasn't for pop Yoshimura spending 10 million of Honda money to try and prove for strokes can pass a two-stroke but failed with oval piston 500 at Daytona against your Square 4 2 stroke that also the Honda failed as Honda couldn't keep a back tire on it but cheer up it was inevitable as Kawasaki was there with their three cylinder 750s at the Indy mile as I heard it one of them seized a piston that could have been prevented and now Kaplan America has a Street legal tz750 in the museum and riding it around in the museum back loading dock parking area right here on you tube

[@ronaldrussell5481]

Huh?

[@tommccallan8802]

He qualified last and had to start at the back of the pack