Quote from: bryant8 on November 13, 2009, 01:05:09 PM
Not sure if Ben Spies is back in Dallas after the season, but I'm pretty sure I saw him running WRL this morning while I was on the pedal bike

I know he has a place (condo, etc...) in our general area since Giannis ran into to him at the Best Buy at Central/75 and Park Lane earlier this year. G-man said he was very nice and chatted him up about racing and stuff. Wouldn't surprise me to see him buzzing around White Rock Lake. He needs to get in shape for MotoGP!!

Quote from: bryant8 on November 13, 2009, 01:05:09 PM
...I'm pretty sure I saw him running WRL this morning while I was on the pedal bike

Quote from: fastwin on November 13, 2009, 08:19:35 PM
... Giannis ran into to him at the Best Buy at Central/75 and Park Lane earlier this year....

Should we start a "ElbowZ-sightings" thread?

No offense since iI was born and raised here but if I had his $$$ and a nice contract with Yammyhammer Dallas would be the last place I would want to call home. There are airports all over the country, for that matter the world. I think Tres Piedres, NM has some space available I bet!! Beats BigD...

Quote from: fastwin on November 14, 2009, 06:30:20 AM
No offense since iI was born and raised here but if I had his $$$ and a nice contract with Yammyhammer Dallas would be the last place I would want to call home. There are airports all over the country, for that matter the world. I think Tres Piedres, NM has some space available I bet!! Beats BigD...

he reads this board you know    you're now officially on his shit list. 

Yeah, I overheard him talking to a buddy while we were standing in line at the post office;


Spies:  Damn that fastwin guy!  Why is he always picking on me?  Doesn't he know I have feelings too?  Fragile feelings, I tell you..."

Spies Friend:  Dude, suck it up - give 'em The Elbow next time you see him.  Duh.

Quote from: fastwin on November 14, 2009, 06:30:20 AM
No offense since iI was born and raised here but if I had his $$$ and a nice contract with Yammyhammer Dallas would be the last place I would want to call home. There are airports all over the country, for that matter the world. I think Tres Piedres, NM has some space available I bet!! Beats BigD...

Sorry , -1 there. 

Let's not forget, even though Ben was born in Elvis-town, he was raised in Longview. Yes, he's been around the country and the world, but so far he's only seen it from the inside of his motor-home - I imagine a racer's travels are probably like being in the Navy, you cruise to exotic ports o' call, and then spend most of your time there on board and on duty. When he finally gets home after a long season, the bright lights of Big D probably hold the same attraction for him that they have always had for anyone who grew up in East Texas.

Besides, I don't think a guy that alternates between wearing longhorn skulls and the Lone Star Air Force roundel on his helmet is going to leave Texas anytime soon.

Certainly no slam on Texas, never, no way. But think of all the cool places to live in Texas other than Dallas. I could think of about a hundred even before my coffee kicks in. Too many jerks in this town that think WAY too much of themselves and they drive that way to prove it. Dangerously so.

there are punks in EVERY town.  D aint the best at everything but if you want to improve your evasion skills this is the town IMO

Quote from: fastwin on November 15, 2009, 06:05:33 AM
Certainly no slam on Texas, never, no way. But think of all the cool places to live in Texas other than Dallas. I could think of about a hundred even before my coffee kicks in. Too many jerks in this town that think WAY too much of themselves and they drive that way to prove it. Dangerously so.

I agree, there are much better places in Texas to ride a street bike than Dallas. I wonder if Spies even owns a street bike? Maybe so, but it's probably one of these:

Quote
Yamaha PAS er (Special exhibition vehicle) 
from the Yamaha press release of their 41st Tokyo Motor Show 2009 display booth:
http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/global/news/2009/10/21/tms-02.html



[LengthxWidth]= 1,600mm x 525mm
[Seat height]= 820 - 1,000mm
[Wheelbase]= 1,080mm
[Tire size]= 20-inch front & rear
[Motor rated output]= Front wheel hub motor 100W center motor 150W
[Battery type]= Lithium-ion battery

The “PAS er” is a prototype model developed on the concept of a more advanced hybrid relationship between the rider and the motor. It adopts a two-wheel-drive mechanism that applies the electric motor “assist” is applied to both the front and rear wheels and an automatic electronic gear shift (transmission). Together they contribute to a smooth, enjoyable ride even over changing road surface conditions. The motor of the front wheel is also designed with a regenerative function that charges the battery during deceleration or downhill riding.
There is also a sensor to monitor the rider’s rate of heartbeat and adjust the assist level to help maintain an appropriate level of rider exertion. To accompany this function, there is a large LCD meter panel with a speedometer and multi-information display showing calorie consumption, etc. The model also adopts shaft drive and styling defined by a simple design.

It still doesn't have a kick stand....

I once read that Freddie Spencer had never ridden a motorcycle on the street only on a track. Maybe he knows something that we don't.

Quote from: fastwin on November 15, 2009, 01:35:31 PM
I once read that Freddie Spencer had never ridden a motorcycle on the street only on a track. Maybe he knows something that we don't.

On the track at least everyone is an expert, is focused on going to the same place, and is going in the same direction. [moto]

Back to race stuff, I renewed my MotoGP subscription for the Winter, but I don't know why, exactly. Maybe so I can watch all the races again. I might solve Stoner's mystery disease, or figure out why he crashed on the warm-up lap at Valencia. I can determine who, besides Rossi, wears their boots inside their leathers, and why. I can follow the Moto2 build-up, to see whether that series is really going to make it out of the gate (KR had already bowed out before Valencia, blaming a lack of sponsor money - not a good omen).

I really need to get a life....

You and me both.

It's official. Back to the big blocks in MotoGP for 2012.

http://www.cyclenews.com/articles/road-racing/2009/12/11/motogp-1000s-in-2012

Why did we go to 800cc anyway? Wasn't it to make them more "rideable"? Now we go back to mega horsepower motors just a couple of years later. What happened to the big deal about saving everyone money? Any guess what the combined cost of developing 800cc bikes and developing new 1000cc bikes after next year will be for all the competing teams? Jeez... talk about cubic money! Sounds like DMG was involved.

Everyone raise their hand if they didn't see this coming?

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=38945

I believed Bayliss when he said he was retiring for good. Mladin I didn't. I fully believed he quit AMA series because of DMG. That's it, period. He and Bayliss still have it in them and could do very well but I think Bayliss having three World Championships and his health was good enough for him. Mladin still has the fire in his belly. It will be interesting to watch and see if this happens. 

I wonder which offer involves the "machinery" that Mat finds so "interesting"?
Could it be:

http://www.suzuki-racing.com/news_page.aspx?SRS_ID=7&OBJ_ID=17707

Damn! and I was hoping Ducati.

Hey, Claudio Domenicali! Fillipo Preziosi! Attenzione! You had better make Mat an offer quick. Either that, or ask Davide Tardozzi if they have any retirement villas left on Lake Como.