AMA Legend Kenny Roberts inspired changes that made motorcycle racing what it is today. The legacy of Roberts’ riding style, in which he forced the motorcycle’s rear wheel to break traction to steer around a corner, essentially riding on paved surfaces as if they were dirt tracks, changed the way Grand Prix motorcycles were ridden. Roberts’ cornering method of hanging off the motorcycles with his knee extended forced him to use duct tape as knee pads. Eventually, it led to the introduction of purpose-built knee pucks used by all motorcycle road racers today.
Kenny Roberts’s battles with the Grand Prix establishment eventually led to the adoption of stricter safety standards for Grand Prix race organizers. Roberts was one of the first riders to challenge the FIM over how they treated competitors and helped improve prize money as well as the professionalism of the sport. It was not until Roberts planned his rival race series in 1980 that the FIM was forced to change how they dealt with motorcycle racers.The SUPER73 YAMAHA YZR500 Tribute began with an S2 model frame painted in YAMAHA yellow, mimicking details on this famous OG bike.
Daniel Lescot, Head of HALO Europe, created this beauty with pedal delete, a short front fork anodized bronze, a flattened triple crown, and a clip-on handlebar. Next, Lescot added a Magura mt5e double piston brake kit, complementing the cast front wheel coated in gold, 220mm Magura front rotor, and 180mm Magura rear rotor. All with the custom fairing of the SUPER73 logo. The tribute also includes a Maxxis SUPER SUCKER tire set and the custom RX short seat in full black Alcantara.