7 - 2019 - Road Dirt

Plug & Ride with Stop & Go

Posted by Ted Edwards | Jul 31, 2019 | Bikes & Gear, Nuts & Bolts |

An old tire, a long wood screw, a power drill, a tire repair kit, and a rather enthusiastic motorcycle “do-it-yourselfer” with a quirky sense of humor…what could possibly go wrong here?

Jake Gagne at Laguna Seca

Posted by Ryan Nolan | Jul 29, 2019 | Industry & Racing, Ride Life |

Road Dirt correspondent and photographer Ryan Nolan and his videographer wife Natalie attended the Laguna Seca round of the World SBK and MotoAmerica races recently, and had the chance to catch up with Superbike racer Jake Gagne in a short followup interview. Against the backdrop of the fabled Corkscrew section of the track, Ryan and Jake discussed the race season thus far, the challenges and thrills of this world-famous track, and Jake’s hopes for the remaining race rounds.

After The Fall

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jul 26, 2019 | Nuts & Bolts, Ride Life |

There is a common saying among motorcycle riders- “It’s not a question of ‘if’, but ‘when’, you’ll have a crash.” Some 18 years ago, I experienced two firsts in my life, at the same time. I was involved in my first street motorcycle accident, and broke my first major bones as well. I checked both boxes at the same time, thereby joining the ranks of the “when” crowd.

Clutch Cable Adjustment & Replacement

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jul 22, 2019 | Nuts & Bolts |

The three most common types of motorcycle clutch actuation setups are cable, hydraulic, and most recent, ride-by-wire. Since the majority of clutches, past and present, are cable-actuated, we here at Road Dirt thought a tutorial on clutch cable adjustment, or replacement, might be in order.

Riding Laconia

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jul 16, 2019 | Ride Life, Rides & Roads |

Lloyd Clement is Road Dirt Associate Editor Phil Gauthier’s cousin, and lives up in beautiful New Hampshire. He recounts a day of riding to Laconia Bike Week last month, and the breathtaking routes found up in the White Mountains of New England. We hope you enjoy his recollections here.

On Track

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jul 11, 2019 | Nuts & Bolts, Ride Life |

It had been a dream of mine for some years to 1. own a sport bike, 2. ride it on the track at Road Atlanta, and 3. “hit the ton”, i.e. ride over 100 mph (legally of course). On a weekend in July of 2013, I achieved all three.

In Praise of Nylons

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jul 6, 2019 | Bikes & Gear |

For most of my riding years, I’ve been your typical “leather & denim biker” kind of guy. Even when I began to ride track days, I utilize a leather one-piece race suit. I own a couple of “old school” style leather jackets, a denim one, as well as both leather and denim chaps and pants, a couple of which have armor built in (see our “Diamond Gusset Jeans” article for my personal fave). The quintessential biker black and blue. In gear, not bruising, I might add.

Playing in the Dirt at the Lima Half-Mile

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jul 1, 2019 | Industry & Racing |

Defending Twins champ Jared Mees won a hard-fought battle for the front with contenders Jeffery Carver Jr., Henry Wiles, and rookie sensation Brandon Price. Current points leader Briar Bauman fell out of contention when his rear tire came completely off during the 10th lap, eliminating him from any chance of winning, and erasing much of his hard-earned points lead over Mees.