Onboard the Yamaha 500 GP '86 World Champion with Lawson

[@emeritusiv1366]

Came here because I was growing up in the 90s watching gp 500 with my dad and I missed the sound of 2 stroke engines. What an era! Glad I found this video.

[@Showmetheevidence-]

I love modern bikes, but come on… there’s just something awesome about hearing a 2stroke freely smashing down the gears, or climbing into the top of the rev range. 😊

[@danitadeluna8382]

& that smell.!!!

[@BrianJacobsen-vn6is]

Castor beens and race gas. Back when Men road by the seat of there pants pushed a 2 stroke to a podium or a high side. I'll take one set up for the street please

[@LordSamuelJ]

I dont care for most modern bikes. They just dont have the personality and come on, rider modes? Now any ameture can go fast. It takes the fun out of it

[@tokyosmash]

Nothing better than the smell of 2 stroke in race applications

[@MrDenisio77]

Immagina una 2t sviluppata nel 2023...

[@donniee1934]

OMG, I was young again screaming around the track on a 2 stroke. My youth is gone but the memories are still with me. Thank you for posting this video. You brought a tear to these 77 year old eyes

[@DietDrDoge]

As somebody who's 25 and has been riding for two years now (currently am on a 300) I've been wanting to get into track riding, and am also wanting to upgrade to a 600. Would you recommend I start on the track on the 300 or upgrade to a 600 and go?

[@georgeromaniajr.2680]

@@DietDrDoge listen to your heart

[@DietDrDoge]

@@georgeromaniajr.2680 300 got it

[@r2d2p59]

Witwe macher ist das teil

[@gasmasky01]

@@DietDrDoge imma do the same, take my 2t 125 to the track get a feel and then get a track dedicated 600

[@snakeplizzkn2113]

Dear lord! the on/off throttle is terrifying. What a beast

[@neville_bloody_bartos]

Terrifying yet strangely alluring.

[@RickyJr46]

Keep in mind, for these vintage events the bikes are jetted rich to tame engine response a bit.

[@someonesomewhere4446]

I'm loving it, not terrifying me at all ❤

[@Trrenik0kb]

2 stroke machines does that

[@sburns2421]

They had a choice of bias-ply with less grip, or radials with very little feel. Pick your poison And even if you could be fast using their tires, engine seizure without warning was always a possibility.

[@danwedderburn5550]

2 strokes make me smile. Im 61 yrs old & a 2 stroke moto x guy at heart from the 70`s & 80`s. The sound has never left me.

[@xxdarkness1473]

Awesome!! I always think i was born at the wrong time. Only 2strokes i've driven were 50 and 70cc's this would be a dream! Lucky you!!

[@amadora48]

these still exist? @@xxdarkness1473

[@TheScubaSmith]

Back in the late 90s when I was younger and bulletproof, I restored a 1985 Kenny Roberts Yamaha RZ350. Two-stroke twin, kick-start only, light and fast. The Modern 600s and 750s of the day could outrun me on the open highway. But when I got in the mountain curves, they didn't stand a chance. Watching this video brings back memories....ahh, that sound!

[@petrichor649]

Me too, lucky enough to have had a Suzuki superbike as well, but had more pure fun the Yamaha 350lc.

[@xxdarkness1473]

Nothing beats a 2stroke. Where i live we have stupid laws. To long to explain here. But the bmw gs1200 the police drive here, cant keep up with us 2stroke guys :)))

[@frostyriffs]

I miss my first 88’ RZ 350 and then a 90’ in Blue and yellow.

[@1950Bonanza]

I raced a RZ350 in the late eighties to mid 90's, however mine was a full tilt Spec II Stage 3, nearly 90HP to the ground when we were done with it. I easily smoked the 600's tire technology however left the 18" rims behind, as well as suspension. I still have the bike converted to street legal and detuned some. Still fast as shit, and puts a two stroke grin on my face every time I ride it. Also have a 72 Mach IV 750 Triple that I'm restoring, the widow maker. Should be exciting, and a damn good investment.

[@iangaffney2553]

Great to see and hear these bikes on the track again. would love to see 2 strokes back in World Championship racing.

[@hermanbinngavionohermanbin8371]

YES !!!! bring it back !!!!

[@johno7564]

The smog bunnies would complain that 2strokes aren’t good for the environment…

[@jimboy449]

​@@johno7564i mean they are right but there are Millionen other useless production company emitting more carbondioxide

[@Millermatic187]

I love these old 2 strokes. Trying to set it up coming into a corner so you can leave the corner while on the pipe was an art.

[@FlattardiansSuck]

Spot on. Like driving early V8's with big cams... miss the revs and you've got nothing... either no rpm left, or no torque. Pipes and air air box noise was great on these were great through, you could listen to engine. Yamaha are renowned for this.😊

[@ma3stro681]

No engine braking I assume … ?

[@VCC1316]

@@ma3stro681 No but a lot of engine breaking

[@vijayam1]

It was an honor watching this.. Simply 2 Strokes evoke emotions like no other..

[@olivertoeknuckleiii2093]

I was working at Sears Point Raceway in California in 1987. Eddie Lawson showed up for a regular practice day with Kel Carruthers, after he won the championship. He had this million-dollar bike in the back of an old Doge van worth $500. He just wanted to stay ‘warmed up’ during the off-season for his title defense. I can only tell you that the howl coming from this bike as he exited notorious Turn 10 at over 100 was amazing! The sound was…incredible. When the bike ‘came on the pipe’ and was producing peak BHP, it was fierce man! But the sound- oh! I wish I could describe the ferocity! But what really blew my mind is that within 10 laps, Eddie smashed to Superbike record set by Fred Merkel. On a cool, crips day at Sears Point, and without even trying, Eddie and that Yamaha were over 2 seconds faster than the Superbike record. That day was also historic for another reason- Eddie went out for hot laps with Bill Cooper from the Bondurant Driving School. Cooper was a legend. He planted a seed in Eddie’s brain that made him go car racing after retiring from MotoGP. Anyway….my greatest memory from that day was the ferocious wail emanating from those four titanium pipes! A tiny 500cc motor was the most badass thing on planet earth at that time!

[@jamesd2128]

Great memories !

[@daviddavidson4496]

The bloods would like a word

[@marcostuntfire1128]

thank you for sharing this memory ❤️💯

[@Rollin_L]

Great story, and I'll add one of my own. In the fall of 1982, shortly after the AMA season finale at Moroso Motorsports Park near West Palm Beach, I was racing at an AFM club race at Willow Springs in So Cal. Eddie Lawson drives up in his van with a pair of KR500s and mechanics from the Kawasaki team. He has just cinched his second AMA Superbike title and is rumored to be considering offers to go to Europe, as well as stay in the US. He has not yet signed with Yamaha to join Kenny Roberts. I talked with him briefly, but he was not giving anything up about what he was going to do, whether he had decided or not. Anyway, he did a number of practice laps, and entered the formula one class, but did only a few laps in the race and pulled in. I guess it was something similar to what you describe, just keeping himself in tune. But it sure surprised all of us to see him there.

[@kz6fittycent]

That's one of the coolest things I've seen a very long time. It would be so cool to see modern GP bikes race against previous era 2-strokes.

[@copee2960]

A time of legends...a time when the bikes were true monsters...the riders knew that they were " riding the lightening".

[@dwhxyz]

Glad I'm not the only one that sometimes attempts to find 7th and 8th gear 😅🤣

[@DiegoRuiz1991]

Apparently, my personal best in that regard happened to me in a YZ80 when I was like 11, a friend of my dad was behind me and said I tried to upshift from 6th "no less than 4 times" in a single stretch of road - Little me thought that hitting 100-110kph on a dirt road was much too slow, hahahaha

[@rt2255]

When even 6th is not enough you want 7th lol

[@zoeyshoots]

Lolz no doubt

[@paulipuhakka8788]

​@@rt2255my brother had both counter shaft,and rear sprockets milled out just for that reason 👍 (illegal for race day, but not for practice day!😳🤪😵 Lap times dropped 👍) Cheers from 🇨🇦

[@harryconnor5079]

Made my day that comment 😂😂

[@db5757]

Omg!!! I’ve missed that banshee shriek. Hearing that 2 stroke battle cry carries me back to my brief, but eventful youth. Thanks for the trip back…🏍️

[@Malc2169]

Bellissimo! Absolute joy to watch. Thank you. The world would be a better place if 2T 500s were to make a return to GP racing.

[@MrDriftspirit]

That s a fairy tale land wish.. But isn"t it nice that we can have our daily dose of 2 stroke here on yt!? Things must not return in truth to stay in mind...

[@jamesgarvey8402]

@@MrDriftspirit there’s no reason why it shouldn’t. The only thing that’s in the way are these people who are fanatical about environmental concerns. And they’re off the market most things. Ross is the same people that shy away from nuclear power. They discredit themselves before they even make an argument.

[@fast_odin]

That is an absolute privilege to see. Thank

[@cherokee60]

Nico kept pulling the lever on the main straight for another gear, hilarious. The absence of electronics sure made having it "on the pipe" a must.

[@rt2255]

The skill to ride a beast with 3000rpm power band was key. But what a great 3000 rpm it was from 70 to 200hp in a burst.

[@SirMountainpass]

My light-weight, modified MT09 SP (181,5 kgs wet, 119 whp) also has really quick / torquey in-gear acceleration and it also happened to my that I wanted (unconsciously) shift into 7th gear 😅🏁

[@Jules750..]

I was at sliverstone in 1986 in the pouring rain watching Eddie lawson splashing his way round on this very bike great memories of the two stroke 500 cc grand prix bikes era

[@ArdGeal]

Me too, bunch of us drove down from Scotland in a van, I was just turning 18 and had my Stan Stephens tuned RD125LC done out in Marlboro livery... ! (Then they took the race to Donington and ruined it!)

[@youtuberyoutuber1519]

Absolutly goosebumbs. Enginesound is amazing. Nice vid. Thx

[@paulipuhakka8788]

Oh how I miss those days 😭 ( I rode my brother's TZ750 on practice days) Cheers from British Columbia 🇨🇦

[@dune7824]

We've definitely gone backwards from these times. These bikes still had personality, excitement. Today, they've become refined to the point that they're rather dull.

[@StephaneyAllinson]

Wow just wow, incredible loved it. Rock steady Eddie was my favourite rider until schwantz took over the mantle. Just to see that 2 stroke on the track takes me way back. Thank you for that.

[@dan64654]

what an honor to ride bikes like that! i have a 750cc 4 cylinder 4 stroke, and a 300cc 1 cylinder 2 stroke. the 2 stroke is WAY more fun and exciting to ride! i love 2 stoke !!

[@LucaLuka-k8k]

Uno dei suoni più belli ,spettacolo

[@customrefinishersaustralia4747]

Hearing it come on to the pipe was beautiful. So many great memories of these bikes.

[@paulipuhakka8788]

Oh so missed aren't they 😢

[@holgerschulze4411]

It is always impressive how light-footed these two-stroke racing machines accelerate. Incredible.

[@madhatter9622]

What a weapon , those revs spin up quick , sounds glorious

[@dantton1987]

That was tear inducing. Sublime.

[@lanhet]

A motor, only the essential elements around, and a rider with a very precise right wrist and big balls...

[@MichaelBrown-kg4lu]

Brutal, raw and just incredible, I was fortunate enough to have watched live many of the 500 gps featuring, Lawson, Schwantz, Rainey, Gardner, Mamola, doohan, to name but a few 👏👏

[@bartstarr972]

Uh , Robert's ?

[@MrGroopachon]

Raw feeling between man and machine without electronics.

[@carolfortin1457]

Le son des 2 temps, c'est vraiment jouissif. Chanceux va! Merci du partage Niccolò!

[@odin6514]

All that i can say is thanking u for giving us opportunity to ride with bro niceee

[@JohnSmith-sj2dk]

I was 19/20 in 86, I owned an RG500, my brother had the rz500....great memories.

[@stefanvanrensburg6096]

Oh man, this brings back fond memories.

[@mylexicon2]

As primitive as the 500s were compared to a modern 4-stroke, they offered so much more in the way of visceral thrills and excitement. They don't make 'em like they used to!!

[@TheRalliowiec]

Yup, they make em better!

[@hermanbinngavionohermanbin8371]

Negativity aside..this Frankenstein are meant for POWER and not to please political figure 😂🎉

[@paulpaillet5399]

in theory yes but they are not pleasant to ride very dangerous and jumping in all directions anarchically

[@cutoverpark9596]

@@paulpaillet5399That has nothing to do with it being a 2 Stroke…

[@paulpaillet5399]

@@cutoverpark9596 don't agree high rpm and light weight gives what I've said a kind of crazy thing, but that's only my pov

[@oettaminovog7963]

Wow Nicolò!!!era da una vita che non sentivo un due tempi!!! sempre scorbutica, come guida.. ma che nostalgia!!! non amo particolarmente le due ruote, sono un vecchio drogato delle quattro ruote, ma ebbi il piacere di sentirle,in una Misano, prima maniera, e non nego che fu molto emozionante..tu pensa, il grande e compianto Fausto Gresini si laureò proprio lì, campione del mondo 125! Bella esperienza, dev'essere stata, la tua..💪👍🤙

[@diegobizzarri8547]

I watched my first live race at Mugello and I perfectly remember how incredible is the sound of the two-stroke engine. Love this video

[@dimcadmis8085]

Sounds terrifying on board!

[@Cpnsl]

@@dimcadmis8085 Oh no

[@attilabori4734]

And don't forget the smell...❤️

[@JohnBoyDeere]

Watched Eddie and Kenny on YZR500's (OW70's) at Daytona bike week in 1983. OMG, it was pure poetry in motion. 1-2 with Kenny going in for fuel at the half and Eddie continuing on, then Eddie dropping in for fuel while Kenny was coming out. As Kenny came around, Eddie came out and dropped right in behind Kenny as seamless and perfect as one could ask! The icing on the cake was Kenny Roberts doing a full on wheely out of the back chicane all the way around into the front stretch after the checkered flag. Absolutely breath taking!!

[@BobbyOfEarth]

1986 was my sixth and final year of Superbike competition, and I'm amazed they had anything even close to the technology required to record that session with such clarity and high resolution, back in 1986. Still, that was boss, man.

[@jamesosborne4132]

It was recorded recently - not back then.

[@BobbyOfEarth]

@@jamesosborne4132 Oh...

[@zoeyshoots]

@@jamesosborne4132I thought I was watching fast eddy

[@ncgsc]

I just retired from World Superbike myself in 2022. I was Jonathan Rae teammate

[@eduardoguedesbh]

If death had a vehicle for its service, this would be it. The heart races just hearing this sound.

[@dannyhuizer5077]

The most beautifull bike ever build...the colours the livery, the sound ,and on top steady Eddie the great.

[@LeeTillbury]

Awesome Nicco! Bad luck on the 8 hour, keep the faith for the Bol d'or and the championship 👊🏻✊🏻

[@RickBowne-b8w]

I have rode 500cc 2 stroke,and this video makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up, and goosebumps all over! I love it!?.......

[@keithmaggs2017]

I had a 500 rd lc. I just love the sound going up and down gears in the sweet spot.

[@CrispyTurtl3]

The fact they allowed a camera on your helmet at all is a huge surprise to me.

[@gianfrancobox]

Ciao Nicolò , perché non ci fai un video raccontandoci le sensazioni che hai avuto guidando la 500 2t ? 😊

[@N3tTurbino]

Appoggio la proposta.... PLEASE!!!

[@Virtuoso23]

Ho notato che non allunga a tutta. Ma chi avrebbe il coraggio? Un mezzo prezioso e rarissimo, che quando arriva a regime di massima fa 180 CV, su una moto da neanche 130 kg.

[@mrsnezbit2219]

​@@Virtuoso23io ho provato ad usare un 250 e anche quello è difficilissimo per uno abituato al 4t, usarlo in coppia sempre è da animali

[@jmfz28]

Da quando è sceso dalla moto non ha più ripreso la parola.

[@selladargento2055]

Finalmente si torna a vedere una moto da GP come Cristo comanda !!

[@cristianr3712]

Awesome!! Hope soon you can get a ride on another of these bikes so you can do more laps, would be great to see a very high level rider like yourself with modern riding techniques trying to extract the most out of those 2Stroke bikes.

[@drasticthompson1995]

The 2 strokes were pushed to their limits in the golden era you cannot go any further. That’s why all the bikes are controlled by computers now! 80-early-mid 90’s All dirt track riders holding the crown pretty much! The sliding stopped and AMERICA stopped winning in GP!

[@cristianr3712]

@@drasticthompson1995 Sounds like you haven't watched motoGP lately, the posture now is totally different and much more agressive compared to the 500 era, which means faster times can be achieved with current riding style, even Rossi had to adapt his riding because he was being left behind.

[@t0k4m4k7]

@@cristianr3712I'd say tyres now would make the biggest difference, followed by more extreme braking into the apex and finally riding style. I sure would want to see a top rider gaining proper confidence in a 500

[@cristianr3712]

@@t0k4m4k7 Also true

[@drasticthompson1995]

@@cristianr3712 I watch a lot more racing then you. The 2 stroke riders were the best ever they were riding untamed monsters. Today they ride electronic’s and when they fail they all crash! I have been watching racing since the 80’s

[@Kresnov]

I didn't realise I could hold my breath for 4 minutes.

[@stephenwilliams6939]

Pure animal, sounds absolutely terrific, I had an Rd500lc back in the day ,supposedly a race replica, was nothing like this 😂

[@naruyen4798]

I still loving 2 stroke It’s the reification of pure wildness, nothing else

[@ioannisspagos5405]

Nothing compares to this sound !!!

[@amirbeknazarov5609]

Thank you for your Videos. That's DOPE - pure Adrenaline, when you downshifted that sound like a Music for my ears...

[@zzzzxxxxxz6017]

That bike sounded very happy

[@FebriyogaPratama]

Those scream, power and rpm was monster💀💀

[@turkishexpress]

Crazy how high that thing revs and how it becomes alive up top.

[@fabios.253]

Wow, thank you for that...after you started I've noticed how much I was missing this sound and the sensation that the pilot do more than accelerate and brake, like todays.

[@lucabaldi1673]

With an YZR 500 like this the Flying Kiwi Bruce Anstey won a Classic TT and get the TT record for a 2 strokes GP, yet unbeaten.

[@enochthewitness-2023]

this sounds awesome, thanks for uploading the video. Nothing beats a 2 stroke snarling and sputtering while it wants its power to burst out in full force.

[@migui35]

Uma máquina fantástica, tocada por um grande piloto. Parabéns Canepa! 🇧🇷

[@HEKTIC458]

I come back & listen to this every few days ❤

[@danmoffa713]

That was great to see the old 2 stroke being ridden properly, I bet you really enjoyed giving it death 👍

[@bigg7047]

Oh this takes me back. Use to love that power band…

[@vitesse72]

Non ci credo Nicolò, la moto dei miei sogni. Ma è così brutale come si diceva? Peccato x i rapporti troppo corti. FANTASTICO

[@simonegiannini2421]

Sicuramente era carburata bella grassa per evitare danni...penso che messa a punto come si deve sia ancora più micidiale!

[@achilleconte4385]

​@@simonegiannini2421sbaglio o i rapporti erano cortissimi?

[@mr.midlifecrisis8547]

There is no modern comparison to these bikes. Absolutely beautiful.

[@IsmaE.C.A]

Me encanta la forma en que montas la moto lo haces muy suave y preciso una pregunta ¿que cámara usas para grabar? se ve genial saludos desde México 🇲🇽❤

[@ronaldrussell5481]

You better be " a mean motor scooter and a bad go getter" to ride one of those things, especially in traffic and battling for position ... awesome!

[@yashamin5848]

Always bringing world class content❤

[@R3LLIK24]

Noticing how he strategically let's the bike chill out before a straight away. Genius driving

[@giuseppeiemme4771]

Un leggero ON-OFF!

[@鈴木貴幸-t7x]

カネパ選手、2stのYZRでもこれだけ走れるのには脱帽です! さすがyartチームのエースですね!

[@flobou2707]

This is insane! It Looks Like These two Strokes only know full gas or no gas...really hard to drive the right way...

[@rt2255]

Was called skill, few could do it at top level but man was it sweet to watch and hear the masters do it. No 4 stroke comes close

[@donaldwayne4219]

Wildest sound ever! Tingling all over just listening to that. Love the big 2 strokes

[@rikyoh130]

What a sound, amazing.

[@macthesmac]

Love the sound and how it pulls as much as the rider wants.

[@5AXISDLOCKHART]

I love the sound. I miss my RS250. I'm guessing the orders were, do not crash the bike and don't hurt yourself. In that order.

[@MRR-qv3bw]

This was the year that I was born! Awesome video!

[@michaelruijzendaal5518]

500 cc 2 strokes GP bikes are the best sounding bikes ever.....

[@jonclements289]

Well bugger me that was intense! Bloody awesome riding and a fantastic bit of footage ❤

[@rogerw3818]

The awesome thing about that video is the bike isn't being tasked as hard as it would have been back in '86.

[@ngc-ol9nb]

😳😳😳 One of the very best motor sound I've ever heard, thank you for sharing :-) And impressive ride!

[@mvp_4292]

2stroke never die

[@htothejay]

Violent!!! Sound and ride, wow wow wow!

[@hennievangalen3789]

Looking for that 7th gear and already traveling at 200mph..

[@paul8161]

Now thats what I call a sound track!. Amazing zing as he revs it out into the redline. 👏

[@tonidjugum5553]

Wow, literally ripping the track ❤

[@TeamDriftEVO]

There is only one weay to ride a 37 year old bike - THANK YOU for sharing this with us.

[@alfredoluisbaute1579]

Que maravilla de máquina japonesa ...una bestia de moto de dos tiempos ...recuerdos muy bonitos cuando eran las carreras de motos de dos tiempos ...y esos escapes suenan como música ...una verdadera maravilla de máquina japonesa ...de verdad esas motos suenan mas bonitas que las motos de ahora...es una pena que las quitaron de los mundiales...deberían de hacer carreras otra vez de esas motos solo para recordarlas del recuerdo de los años 80 ....

[@alfredoluisbaute1579]

Una maravilla de máquina japonesa.

[@dynamodav]

Reminds me of my old ‘87 tzr 125! Magic

[@Musko1]

I have owned and ridden a 2008 Aprilia RSV 1000r Factory...also have ridden a 2015 Yamaha R1M and they scared me and I respected both.. however these older generation 2 strokes 500cc.. terrify.. me. I don't think new riders today understand the monsters these guys rode in the 80s...

[@Molinainn]

Probablemente el mejor video que haya visto (y vaya a ver) en mi vida…

[@kx8960]

Dayum! I know the new MotoGP bikes are faster, but this SEEMS faster. LOVE the sound of them, and the smell of the castor oil. I was blessed to have seen these awesome 2-strokes race every year at Laguna Seca when I lived in CA. DEFINITELY the golden era of MotoGP. No electronics, just pure rider skill.

[@redlineninethausend]

The poor Bike.... digital throttle😢 0/1 👎

[@AshleyMay-uv9cl]

Smashing the vocals what a sound 😮

[@martinjurovic8314]

Get this to a Philip Island track day , I would love to have it fly by anytime, sing along as it goes by......on my r6

[@Unknown-bv7lv]

Raced the Honda NSR 250 for 10 years 2 strokes are another level when it comes to race excitement

[@DonutMaster001]

Omg that sound! Pure unbridled power.

[@Phil-dg1yg]

insame! what we were not entitled to in 86! to be in the place of a 2-stroke pilot, world champion in 86.. what magic!

[@Gentin79]

Grande Nik sono Yena ero il tuo gommista in SBK nel 2012... Chissà se ti ricordi...bei tempi 😜 comunque la settima non c'è l'ha sta moto 😜ciao bel

[@roceye]

Jesus, that closing speed.