Wayne Rainey rides Laguna Seca on a special Yamaha XSR900 GP
Wayne Rainey has ridden at Laguna Seca for the first time in 34 years, in what was just his third known appearance since being paralysed from the waist down.
Wayne Rainey was back on a Yamaha motorcycle for just the third known time since his life-changing crash in 1993, as he rode the Laguna Seca circuit on a specially-prepped Yamaha XSR900 GP machine.
Rainey is a former three-time 500cc world champion and three-time race winner at the Californian circuit, as he led a parade lap with other legends including Kenny Roberts, Freddie Spencer, Ben Spies and Kenny Roberts Jr.
Rainey was presented with a special XSR900 GP model by Yamaha Motor Europe and Yamaha Motor US, which also featured the Japanese brand’s Y-AMT (Yamaha Automated Transmission) system. Rainey’s XSR900 GP bike is the only known model that is equipped with Yamaha’s Y-AMT.
You might be interested in our review of the Yamaha XSR900 GP here.
Prior to appearing on track at Lagune Seca, one of Rainey’s other appearances on a motorcycle took place at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, in 2022. The American legend took to the famous Goodwood hill climb aboard a specially modified version of his 1992 championship-winning YZR500.
The XSR900 GP was launched nearly two years ago and is powered by a 890cc CP3 engine that produces 117.3bhp at 10,000rpm and 68.5Ib ft of torque at 7,000rpm.
Suspension is taken care of by KYB with a fully adjustable fork at the front that includes 130mm travel. At the rear is a KYB fully adjustable link-type rear shock, with 131mm travel.
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After graduating with a sports journalism degree, Robert joined Crash.net to lead the WorldSBK coverage in 2021, while also providing MotoGP coverage. Fulfilling that role for over three years, Robert was able to put his knowledge about all things racing to the test.
