This was made from one of my favorite photos taken 30 years ago at the Pro Star US Nationals. It shows focus and concentration, two qualities needed to win races. I don't have the bike anymore, but I still have those leathers and sneakers...

What kind of motorcycle is that ?
Seems like Yamaha used to make one.
Back in the 80's I used to have a Triumph Trophy That I believe was 3 cylinders.

It originally started out as a 1982 Suzuki Katana 1000. It was extensively modified however. It's 1300cc's and running a rear drag slick made for a car.

The original would look like this:

I bet that Drag Bar got a work-out !

yes, the US gave drag racing to the world along with the internet and thousands of other cool things. Some of us appreciate that.

I've still got a motorcycle license and think about getting a harley sometimes. Around here a lot of old guys (like me) kill themselves on their harleys.

That katana would be really good on a salt lake.

Cool bike racer-x .
I never got further than tuning a monkey Honda

A.k.a. born-again bikers...You can't really learn to ride a motorcycle past 30. Even re-learning (if you stopped riding for an extended period of time) is dangerous when you get old. I know plenty of old bikers (myself included) who ride to work daily in the Paris traffic and will likely never have a serious accident because riding has become part of their nervous system. Slower reflexes and declining eyesight are compensated by experience and skill.

I've been riding motorcycles on the street since 1976, before I had my licence actually. Also rode in the dirt, which is an excellent way to learn how to ride a bike. I've had many close-calls on the street. The key to staying alive is to always be aware of your surroundings for potential danger. It's actually more dangerous these days with everybody on their Cell Phones while driving.

As for racing, I did that for about 8 years and was quite successful at it too. I often think about getting back in, but my reflexes aren't what they used to be.

The declining eyesight is reversible. I had cataract lens surgery a few years ago and now have close to 20/20 vision.
I think I have good reflexes but probably don't.

Anyway, the thread is about racer's drag racing career not about us.

I'm definitely NOT a biker, but in the last two years at my UK Grammar School in the early sixties, I road one of these (Victoria Luxus) to/from school.