The February issue of Cycle World just came in the mail, and pages 2/3 are a full color spread thanking Vale for his efforts. :up: I'm sure this cost a TON of money in a bad economy. Funny; I really don't remember the Lawnmower Factory doing the same.
They also let him test the Duc while he was still under contract (albeit with certain conditions and restrictions). Part of it could be that they are good people. The other part could be that they don't want an entire chapter in Vale's next book to be about what a shitty company they are. Honda wasn't painted in the best of light in his autobiography.
Yamaha is just scared of him. Lets face it, Vale is more powerful than that company. Its like if, daveK wanted to come to my house, and lay in bed with my woman, well I would have to let him, in fear of being trash talked.
Seriously.... I've priced full page ads in CW, and it is REALLY expensive. Like, Im sure that 2pg ad cost more than my yearly salary AND the money I make from my business.
I disliked Honda before I read it. After reading it... well, I won't buy a CBR, not cuz of the bike, but because I can't stand to support HRC.
The Evil Red Empire. I've been pissed at them since the early 80's when they would flood the AMA grids with factory bikes, even ridden by motocross riders, spending and spending - just to try to beat 2 rider Muzzy/Kawasaki. Did'nt work..... Or, when they hired Vance & Hines away from Suzuki to run a then new CB1100F in NHRA Pro Stock bike, about 1982. After V&H had the NHRA record with the Honduh, maybe 6 months total - HRC cancelled the sponsorship - they had what they wanted. I Hates HRC.
Plus they fixed his shoulder before sending him over to Ducati....I am sure Honda would have torn his other shoulder before Yamaha could get him. Yamaha might as well capitalize off of him as long as they can....
Remember four years ago when Yamaha ran a full page ad congratulating Nicky Hayden for winning the MotoGP title on a Honda?
