FMX pioneer Mike Cinqmars passes away

FMX pioneer Mike Cinqmars passes away

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International Motorcycle Show Yamaha Booth

The highlight of going to the IMS is to see the new year models, this year's hype was beyond "buzz" for Yamaha with the release of the new 2010 Yamaha YZF 450. When you hear sponsored rider James Stewart (JS7) to every magazine review, say words like best bike ever, revolutionary, state of art, unseen styling, the adjectives start to feel canned and like a PR barrage, seriously is this bike that good? I had to see for myself and I have to say with much enthusiasm it looks pretty amazing and I really haven't seen anything like it. Ultimately what sells it for me was being up close, being able to touch it, analyze it and sit on it. Yamaha also had a display bike with several key cutaways on the engine and various sections of the bike, to show off internally the revolutionary elements of the design. Kudos to them it made for a great display and further sold their product, heck I want one and I don't even really enjoy riding the 450's. Yamaha had both the color options available for viewing in white and the standard blue scheme, they also had an L&M Yamaha James Stewart replica.. hope they sell a version of this, it would be a cool branding concept.

2010 YZF 450 Technical Video

You have to understand I am a motorcycle guy that slants toward motocross and supercross essentially because that is what I grew up with and have ridden most of my life. But I have an appreciation for road bikes and especially road racing. One can't ignore the fact that Yamaha sponsors probably the greatest road racer of all time #46 Valentino Rossi, and yes they had a display bike from his 2009 racing livery.. sweet. It's pretty cool to get up close and personal with pretty much the "F1" of motorcycle racing technology, MotoGP. These bikes are so high end and customized with the pinnacle of technology, but I have to say they come off interestingly understated as well. Race machines are so stripped down to the core essentials of what one would need to go fast, placed up against a street legal machine, the race bike comes off sleek and efficient and definitely not overly complicated. Yamaha built a Valentino Rossi replica for the 2010 Yamaha R1 streetbike and it comes off like a cool piece someone would want to own. You can also take it to the extreme and spend an add't approximate 7G's and add the entire GYTR catalog to your "Rossi" replica, they had one on display and it definitely had a cool factor to it.

International Motorcycle Show Honda Booth

1. HRC Upgrades available in January 2010
2. Andrew Shorts Factory Honda CRF 450
3. Ashley Fiolek Factory Honda CRF 250
4.2009 Moriwaki MD250H

Honda Motorcycles

HRC Upgrades

Cycle World International Motorcycle Show - Long Beach, CA

Sunday Dec. 6th

Photo Gallery

Unfortunately had to pass on heading to Perris Raceway to support the Rossi Ride Day, tons of pro's, raffle prizes, & fun, all for a great cause (Ross Maeda's recovery). I wish I had scheduled my weekend better, instead we decide to take a little family outing to Long Beach to the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show. This event is like going to the ultimate dealership that carries most of the brands motorcycles and gear and they are showing off all the new stuff, while encouraging to sit, touch, and take in every detail of the new equipment. It is a great event from that standpoint, the only downside is that they didn't have a more offroad specific section and of the major manufactures KTM was missing. Also I would have liked to have seen Husqvarna, Sherco, Husaberg, Aprilia, & Gas Gas some of the more European targeted products are pretty interesting and would have been fun to see. I think this would have given a broader perspective on the options motorcycling has to offer.

Injured Riders Ride Day Updates!!

From Over at Vitalmx.com

Ross Maeda's Fundraising ride day will be this weekend, December 6th at Perris Raceway. Directions

Christian Craig Ride Day also at Perris Raceway on December 23rd
Directions

Racer X Online - The James Marshall Project

Racer X Online - The James Marshall Project

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James Marshall's Story

I was actually at San Diego when he crashed right in front of then #10 Ernesto Fonseca, I would say it wasn't the gnarliest crash I have seen, but it was horrifing when the pack went by and he didn't bounce up and wave to the crowd. It was very apparent something was seriously wrong. I know his journey has been long and it will continue to be filled with challenges, but it is inspiring to see what James has done with his situation and how he is focused on helping other. Impressive.

One Tank, One Day Contest

Details:
$1,000 Challenge To Aspiring Filmmakers, Web Video Producers and Other Indomitable Creatives
Create a short video about what can be done on a motorcycle or scooter with a single tank of gas in one day. In 5 minutes or less, show us what you would do, where you would go, who you would meet in one day on one tank.

Contest Link

A Day in the Dirt Links

From the websites of Vital Mx.com, Motocross Action Mag, and Transworld.
Photo Credit: Swap

Sunday

Saturday


Friday


Motocross Action Mag.com


Transworld Motocross