Video Documentary: Freddie Spencer Explains the Art of Motorcycle Racing

Two time 500cc world champion Freddie Spencer features in this excellent three part documentary, covering all aspects of motorcycle racing.

The information is pitched at people who don’t know too much about bike racing, however it covers the technical aspects well and there is enough good footage and a few highlights that make it worth watching.

Part one features a speed test at Laguna Seca between a Nissan 300ZX Turbo road car, a Suzuki GSX1000 street bike, and Spencer’s 1984 Honda Grand Prix bike. Naturally, despite a 30 second head start for the car and 15 seconds for the street bike Fast Freddie wins the race.

The documentary also delves into a bit of motorcycle racing history and covers the British dominance of the 40s through to the “Italian era” of 50’s and 60’s to the Japanese domination of the 70s and 80s.

A nice technical snap shop including time lapse footage of a  GP bike being stripped down completes part one.

Part two describes how two stroke and four stroke engines make their power, along with beautiful closes ups of three cylinder Honda Grand Prix engines.

In part three Freddie tells us about the importance of riding technique and body position.

Grab a coffee sit back and enjoy.