Folks, it’s cold out. While I may be the type of batshit to ride my motorcycle all winter, most people aren’t — it’s okay if you park your bike for the frigid months. Still, you’ll need something to tide you over until next riding season, and I have just the recommendation: Full MotoGP races from the past couple decades, all free on YouTube.
You may have long known that MotoGP’s YouTube channel is full of old races, but I only learned about it yesterday. I spent the day on the couch, resting my back after a long workout that ended with lifting my 500-pound GS the day prior, and I needed something to watch. Dreams of Yamaha ChampSchool filled my head, and just for kicks I decided to check if anyone had pirate clips of old MotoGP races on YouTube — only to find full, hours-long, official videos awaiting me.
The videos are clearly just broadcast captures, often picking up mid-word from the commentators, but they always have the full race included within their runtime. Want to see Rossi, Marquez, and Bagnaia battle it out while you wait for warmer weather to arrive? It’s all here waiting for you.
The races range from 1996 at the earliest to 2020 at the latest, though new races are still being added so that range may expand. Just last week, MotoGP added the 2011 Spanish GP — if there’s a particular race you’re missing, it may well show up soon.
Parking your bike for the winter doesn’t have to mean abandoning the sport altogether. Even if you don’t ride, watch a few races this winter. See if, by the time warm weather rolls around, you don’t find yourself wanting to take the MSF and get yourself a Yamaha R3.
