Kenny Roberts rides his 1980 Yamaha YZR500 at Laguna Seca

King Kenny takes his historic 1980 Yamaha YZR500 for a few laps at Laguna Seca.

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  Autos & Vehicles

[Ren Strokes]

@Southsidewhiteboy24, one more for you. In 20 years of 2 stroke GP races, one rider died on a 500. In ten years of 4 strokes, 3 have died ( all on brand H by the way ) the same brand who lobbied to rid the world of the evil 2 strokes and their biggest argument was that 2 strokes weren't safe. How ironic is that. Lastly, a 2 stroke makes almost twice the power, weighs less, is easier to fix, can be as clean ( look at the sled and outboard industry ) and is much more fun to ride, I say 2 strokes!!

[hudmut]

I sat and watched this so i could here some screaming 2 stroke like when they was worming it up before the laps and what do i get music so in return they get a big huff and a sulk from me.

[strada moto]

absolutely superb vid, 2t's rule



[nomorokay]

Yamaha started selling 2-stroke street bikes in the US in the Sixties. As a factory trained Yamaha mechanic, I'm surprised you haven't heard of the RZ350 YPVS. The Yamaha RZ350 street bike had power valves in 1983, and the RZ500 in 1984. Yamaha OW35K racebikes had powervalves in 1978 and weighed 300 lbs.

[netmatrix75]

Whats interesting is, this 500cc bike sounds exactly like a 2 stroke 135cc Yamaha RXZ in Malaysia!!!

[MrSooperdee]

i remember kenny and eddie in 80 or81 every lap out of old turn 9 (at laguna) wheelie past the foot bridge. they lapped everyrider some twice

[christopher phillip skeates]

kenny dose it for the crowd and thats all that matters .. skeatesy

[mattbackvass]

I'm not even arguing the weight. learn some reading comprehension old man

[mystic1754]

#1 piston , #2 connecting rod , and #3 crankshaft = 3 basic parts ....like I said and for the last time 2-strokes are about half the weight of 4-stroke .making bikes like Kenny's weigh 200 pounds , I was there at Daytona in 1984 and seen it run , and saw the spec sheet and talked to Kenny ! WAS YOU ?..Remember ? my XR500R 4-stroke engine weighs twice as much as my 2-stroke CR500R engine , for example ...you are you tube troll so go fuck yourself and you just now become gmail spam !

[mattbackvass]

your very first statement was that two strokes only have three moving parts per cylinder. When comparing the highest technology two strokes capable of producing powerbands and driveability equivalent to today's four strokes, that's a completely incorrect statement.

the last years gp bikes featured adjustable timing rotary inlet valves, completely variable exhaust valves, water injection systems in the tailpipes, and a plethora of adjustable electronics to keep the bike with a broad powerband.

[mystic1754]

so what are you trying to tell me that 2-stroke engines are just as heavy as 4-stroke engines / horse power ? are you trying to tell me that the power valves in a 2-stroke add up to the same weight as the valve train in a 4-stroke ? or are you trying to start another argument clear off the subject !