Yamaha OW60

The Yamaha YZR500 OW60, the bike Crosby rode to a second place finish in the 1982 500cc motorcycle grand prix racing world championship

Yamaha OW60

I joined Yamaha with the Agostini Marlboro Team in 1982 and was faced with an extraordinary situation. Kenny Roberts had convinced Yamaha to build the 82 GP bike with unconventional steering geometry. I tested the bike in Japan and was disappointed with its performance.

We decided to make our own modifications and I used Suzuki geometry from the 81 XR35 bike, and it transformed this OW60 into a weapon. An alloy chassis and power valves made it a delight to ride. It had very similar performance to the 82 Suzuki’s but I liked its colour scheme much better!

Anyway, I rode this to a 2nd place in the 500cc World Championship. I felt though it was an intermediate bike made in 82 as a stop gap measurement while waiting for the V4 to be produced.

Will Shiftless Motorcycles Become Mainstream?

An article in the New York Times by Stuart F. Brown examines why shiftless motorcycles may bring new life to motorcycling. Consider the fact that many potential riders have never even driven a car with a stick shift. Riding a motorcycle without an automatic transmission becomes a daunting task. Here's an excerpt from the article:

"CAR sales, already in a deep funk, would probably be slower yet if automakers decided to offer no alternative to manual transmissions. Makers of street motorcycles have largely painted themselves into that corner. And with the effects of stalled credit markets flattening out a 14-year streak of steady growth — despite the allure of good gas mileage in a wobbly economy — it’s no surprise that manufacturers are mounting an effort to introduce more rider-friendly bikes." -- Stuart F. Brown

Read the full story for all the details.

Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Mel and Comanche

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery. See Mel on her 2004 Honda VTX1800. Also see Comanche with his 2008 Suzuki Boulevard C50T. Note the artistic treatment in this picture. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.

Kawasaki Issues Recall of 2008 ZG1400 Models for Rear Brake Problem

Kawasaki has issued a recall of certain 2008 ZG1400A8F/A8FL and ZG1400B8F/B8FL motorcycles.

Trapped road debris may interfere with free movement of the rear brake pedal, preventing full release of the rear brake which can lead to overheating damage and possible brake failure.

4628 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Harley-Davidson Issues Recall of 2009 FXD Motorcycles for Fuel Leak Possibility

Harley-Davidson has issued a recall of certain 2009 FXDB, FXDC, FXDF, and FXDL motorcycles.

These motorcycles have a fuel tank vent tube assembly, part no. 27389-04A, which may have been produced with a defective ultrasonic weld on the anti-slosh valve. If the valve separates and the bike is tipped over, it may leak fuel. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

349 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Triumph Recalls 2008-2009 Thruxton for Brake Caliper Defect

Triumph has issued a recall of certain 2008-2009 Thruxton motorcycles.

The installed front brake caliper bracket bolts may be too short, reducing thread engagement of the bolts into the brake caliper bracket.

87 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Yamaha Nouvo Elegance Modifies

Yamaha Nouvo Elegance Modifies