The highest class in Grand Prix motorcycle racing used to called as 500cc class, but since 2002 it was changed as "MotoGP". This classic competition has produced some of the most memorable sport legends ever, such as Kenny Roberts, Eddie Lawson, and Wayney Rainey.
Although MotoGP bikes have a higher engine-capacity (800cc) and top speed, these motorcycles are much more secure than 500cc era. With less technological advancement in bikes and motorcycle apparel, those classic racing legends are have greater chance of risking their lives than nowadays racers.
Take Kenny Roberts for example. He is regarded as being one of the first riders to use his knee to balance the bike on the track in corners, and the first to use engine power to spin the rear tire exiting bends to help steer the bike. Now, these techniques are used everywhere in the top levels of motorcycle road racing, but with today's improvement of tire technology, they are much less exaggerated for racers.
Besides those techniques, Kenny Roberts, who used various Bell Hemlmets during his glory days, also known as three times 500cc World Champions (1978, 1979, 1980), made him the first American ever to win this championship.
Kenny Roberts rode on his Yamaha wearing a Bell helmetKenny Roberts as A Mentor
After his racing career ended in 1983, Roberts turned to team management, guiding young riders, such as Eddie Lawson and Wayne Rainey, his fellow American.
His guidances were not useless, because those two names managed to followed his footstep, each with three 500 cc World Champions! Eddie Lawson won in 1986, 1988, and 1989, while Wayney Rainey even more identical to his mentor, with three consecutive wins in 1990, 1991, and 1992.
Besides helped Eddie Lawson and Wayney Rainey, Kenny Roberts also tutored his own son, Kenny Roberts Jr., who succeeded to became 500cc World Champion in 2000.
Kenny Roberts and Rider Safety
Kenny Roberts not just a great racer, but he also remembered for being one of the first riders to take up the cause of rider safety. When Roberts arrived on the Grand Prix scene, motorcycle racers were competing at venues like Imatra in Finland that featured railroad crossings and hay bales wrapped around telephone poles.
He then adopted a confrontational stance with race promoters, challenging the previously accepted poor treatment that motorcycle racers of the day were accustomed to receiving. He managed to forced the FIM to take the riders seriously and make changes regarding their safety.
Well, if you want to follow Kenny Roberts' advice, you need to pay attention to your safety more seriously. For example, don't hesitate to buy a high quality helmets like Bell, HJC, or Shoei helmets, even if it's gonna cost you more. Plus, don't forget about proper bike clothing, especially for a long distance ride.
Try to check www.motorcyclecenter.com for your riding accessories. This online shop also will provide you with biker clothing & apparel dealer, cheap discount product prices, and discount motorcycle riding goods.
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