Autoblog

185-mph Vancouver joyrider's motorcycle impounded [w/video]

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Videos, Motorcycle, Canada

We're losing track of how many top gunners post high-speed-run videos on public roads on YouTube and then get busted. Police take that tomfoolery personally, and you'd think they put the entire department on the case judging by how quickly the perps get caught.

Latest on the list is a Canadian motorcyclist who took his Yamaha on the Trans-Canada Highway and ran it to about 300 kph. CBC News now reports that the unidentified rider in question is 25 years old, unlicensed, riding an uninsured Yamaha R1 registered in his mother's name. Then there's the small matter of his 25 previous infractions.

Police wasted no time tracking down YouTube poster "Joe Blow," but he's been uncooperative up to now. We have no idea why he wasn't in jail already after 25 violations, but we're guessing his Internet handle will soon be changed to "Three Hots and a Cot." Scroll down to refresh your memory with a video demonstration of his stupidity.

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185-mph Vancouver joyrider's motorcycle impounded [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vancouver motorcyclist's 185-MPH ride has cops' attention

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Videos, Motorcycle

In the pantheon of bad ideas and even worse ideas, capturing yourself on video gratuitously breaking the law and later flaunting your indiscretions to the local constabulary ranks right between sticking your face into a diesel truck's tailpipe and standing atop a motorcycle shooting off a gun on city streets.

In other words, it's dumb.

Funny thing is, people seem to make this egregious mistake rather often. Exhibit A: This motorcyclist in Moscow. Exhibit B: The video you'll see below.

First off, it's seriously stupid and irresponsible to risk your own life and the lives of others by riding at speeds of up to 185 miles per hour while weaving your way through traffic. But it takes even fewer brain cells to share video evidence on YouTube, especially considering that we can all see that you're riding what appears to be a 2006 Yamaha R1 painted up in factory blue.

According to CBC News, Vancouver Island police are trying to track down the rider in this clip. Scroll down below to see the video for yourself.

Continue reading Vancouver motorcyclist's 185-MPH ride has cops' attention

Vancouver motorcyclist's 185-MPH ride has cops' attention originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Such A Tease: Watch a Porsche 911 GT3 RS take on a Yamaha R1... on ice

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Videos, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Motorcycle

You've seen plenty of motorcycle-versus-car contests that take place on public roads or dedicated race tracks. But you've probably never seen one where the two machines are wearing Blizzaks... or even studded tires.

French motorcycle publication Moto Journal has decided to turn the two-wheeled contingent on its head by moving the battleground to the frozen stretches of Lapland on a replica race track of Le Castellet, also known as Circuit Paul Ricard, cut through the snow and ice. In the first round, a Porsche 911 GT3 RS goes up against a 1,000cc Yamaha R1. Up next is a Mitsubishi EVO IX against a Yamaha WR450F. Yes, this is going to be good.

If the idea of watching an R1 hit 160 miles per hour on the ice isn't enough to make you watch, perhaps we should mention that its rider is donning an Evel-Knievel-style cape, and that this appears to be just a teaser of a longer video or possibly even a series. Enough talking already. Check out the video in its entirety below.

Continue reading Such A Tease: Watch a Porsche 911 GT3 RS take on a Yamaha R1... on ice

Such A Tease: Watch a Porsche 911 GT3 RS take on a Yamaha R1... on ice originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch this rolling cliché of motorcycle drifting, stunting, fast cars and hot models

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Nissan, Motorcycle, Specialty

If you film it, they will watch.

Apparently, a video featuring a heavily modified Graves Motorsports Yamaha R1 ridden by stunt rider Bill Dixon isn't enough of a draw to attract the easily wandering eyes of the YouTube crowd. So, in addition to the blacked-out bike, which Dixon describes as "the epitome of badass," the film crew also brought along a couple cars, all of them black, including a Stillen-modified Nissan GT-R and some sort of supercharged-Hemi-powered police car.

Not enough? Fine. How about aerial shots from a helicopter and a couple of leggy models named Angela and Destiny, dressed in both impossibly skimpy (NSFW!) bikinis and Holloween-ready police girl outfits?

Yep, this video's got all the chichéd stereotype boxes checked. All that's left to do is watch. You'll find it after the break... and remember, it's probably best not to do so at work.

Continue reading Watch this rolling cliché of motorcycle drifting, stunting, fast cars and hot models

Watch this rolling cliché of motorcycle drifting, stunting, fast cars and hot models originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Mar 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MotoGP 2010 Sepang: A tale of two champions [Spoilers]

Devon Brozek — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 18:20:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Motorcycle, Celebrities

Starting from pole position certainly has its advantages in GP racing, especially if you take to the track with the goal of potentially clinching your first World Championship and playing it safe is the name of the game. Just the opposite would be true when staring from the second row, entering turn one in the middle of the pack and racing like you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Such was the case with two very divergent Yamaha riders.

For Jorge Lorenzo, the goal of winning his first ever premier-class World Championship was on the line at Sepang. The Spaniard and his crew came to the race with a plan to run safe and clinch the title. As Lorenzo put it, "There was a possibility of injuring myself. So we had to make the race, make 20 laps, and finish it." He would admit that the fall from pole position to eventually finishing in third was not his best performance, however nerves and conflict avoidance both played a part in his uninspiring ride. In any case, as the checkers waved, Jorge Lorenzo became the 2010 MotoGP World Champion at the age of 23.

The day started off differently for The Doctor, as he came to Sepang with a completely different aim than teammate Lorenzo. Valentino Rossi was out for nothing short of victory, which would mark his 46th career win. If you must ask why this is so significant to the legendary Italian, well, just start by looking at he front of his motorcycle. As he was entering the first turn in 11th position, Valentino certainly had his work cut out for him! With the precision of a surgeon, The Doctor sliced through the pack with a very inspiring ride that he would later call "one of the best of my career" and landing himself square at the top of the podium. Rossi never ceases to amaze.

So goes the tale of MotoGP Champions past and present. And yes, there were other riders in Malaysia, like Ben Spies and Andrea Dovizioso, who both finished in the top five. You can make the jump for the complete list of top-ten finishers. Now lets see if anyone other than Casey Stoner shows up in Australia.

[Image: AP Photo/Ching Kien Huo]

Continue reading MotoGP 2010 Sepang: A tale of two champions [Spoilers]

MotoGP 2010 Sepang: A tale of two champions [Spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Moscow motorcyclist's crazy high-speed commute

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Motorcycle, Russia

Morning commute in Russia on a Yamaha R1 - Click above to watch video after the jump

Driving to work in the morning can be a tedious and annoying affair. At least, we imagine it is, since we are chained to the wall of a basement staring at a computer screen for 23.5 hours per day. One vehicle that can make any commute quicker is a motorcycle... perhaps even a stupid-fast literbike like the Yamaha R1.

Combine a rider with a need for ~~death~~ speed, a 25-mile commute through Russian traffic and a powerful two-wheeled samurai sword, and you get a video showing the "quick" way to work. Sometimes this two-wheeler even becomes a one-wheeler as rare empty stretches of road disappear when the nose goes skyward.

According to our tipster Andy (Thanks!), the title translates to "A couple minutes of my life could be more interesting than the whole life of the other people." It's certainly interesting, but we prefer pushing vehicles to our limit on a track. Regardless, the music choice is excellent and the riding would make Trinity jealous. We don't condone this type of action, but that doesn't mean we can't all check out the video, which you can watch after the jump.

Gallery: 2009 Yamaha R1

[Source: The Insider - (Russian language site)]

Continue reading Video: Moscow motorcyclist's crazy high-speed commute

Video: Moscow motorcyclist's crazy high-speed commute originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Adventures in excess: Golf cart powered by Yamaha R1 engine

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Videos, Motorcycle

Click above to view video after the jump

It must take a certain kind of person to yank the small and economical 3-horsepower engine from a golf cart and replace it with one from a 2007 Yamaha R1 literbike. For the record, the team behind the transformation did a few dyno passes and managed to record 125-horsepower at the rear wheels. As you might expect, hilarious antics ensued, such as smoking tires and multi-geared wheelies on the dyno, which were then duplicated outside. After viewing the video, we want one, along with a really, really good helmet and full-body armor. Watch the video after the break.

[Source: Youtube via Motorcycle News]

Continue reading Adventures in excess: Golf cart powered by Yamaha R1 engine

Adventures in excess: Golf cart powered by Yamaha R1 engine originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yamaha introduces 2009 R1 with crossplane firing order

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:02:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Motorcycle

Click above for more shots of the 2009 Yamaha R1

As is often the case when one of the big four Japanese bike manufacturers introduce a new literbike, there's way too many new features and detail improvements for us to include in a write-up. For the '09 Yamaha R1, though, there are some huge differences which are sure to become major talking points over the next few months. For starters, Yamaha is now the first manufacturer to move its modified firing order technology from the Moto GP tracks to your driveway. Featuring a staggered crossplane crankshaft that locates each connecting rod 90° from the one before it. According to Yamaha, this arrangement allows for the high RPM power of an inline-four with the steady powerband of a twin-cylinder bike. We look forward to finding out for ourselves how effective this is. Other useful technology is the adjustable power button which changes the engine map between three different settings.

Also new is a magnesium subframe, new projector headlamps with integrated ram air ducts and a stubby new rear tail section. Some of the styling changes will take a bit of getting used to, but we are pretty pleased that Yamaha has seen fit to offer a paint scheme from each of its past major color motifs: Yellow and black, red and white and the current blue, plus one thoroughly stealthy version in black and red. Check past the break for more, along with commentary from Yamaha racers including Valentino Rossi.

Gallery: 2009 Yamaha R1

[Source: Yamaha]

Continue reading Yamaha introduces 2009 R1 with crossplane firing order

Yamaha introduces 2009 R1 with crossplane firing order originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Outlaw biker on Yamaha R1 posts video on YouTube and gets busted

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 14:03:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Safety, Videos

Have you ever typed "turbo hayabusa" into YouTube? If so, then you have undoubtedly seen some of the most insane speed in the world. We are not against motorcycles or riding them fast, but we are against doing it illegally on public streets.

This is exactly what Jeremy Parrott from Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset U.K. did. Not only that, he taped himself doing it on his Yamaha R1 and uploaded the video to YouTube. He also neglected to mask his identity, as he started filming as he left his own home. The video in question showed Jeremy doing 100mph on public roads while passing other drivers, including in front of a school. It even showed him doing a few high-speed wheelies.

Jeremy was caught by a person he passed while filming -- a person who also watches videos online and recognized the action! The driver in question posted this message on YouTube, "Unfortunately I am one of the cars he passed that day doing a phenomenal speed and pulling a wheelie. I didn't see him until he was by my side, he was very close as well and the slightest drift to the right on my part and it could have been a bit rough." The video was forwarded to the police and is now on file as evidence.

What's the moral of the story? If you're going to post footage of yourself breaking the law, make sure your home address is not included. No, that's not it. How about this: Don't ride 100 mph on the street in the first place. Take it to a trackday -- it's legal.

[Source: The Mirror]

Outlaw biker on Yamaha R1 posts video on YouTube and gets busted originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 17 Feb 2007 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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