Road Dirt

Record Your Ride Right

Posted by Phil Gauthier | Aug 4, 2019 | Bikes & Gear, Nuts & Bolts |

One of the few things (almost) as good as riding a motorcycle is the ability to share the roads, sights and experiences with others through video and with today’s tiny high-resolution cameras the options for riders are many and the sharing of content through the web is fast and simple. But just because you can simply strap on a GoPro or mount a Smart phone on your bars doesn’t mean you should be sharing any and every video in your social media channels. There are a few basic production elements you should consider prior to uploading or posting your video so viewers enjoy your recorded ride as opposed to blowing their beer nuts while watching a jumpy, poorly produced video.

Best Roads of the Upper Left, Part 2

Posted by Ted Edwards | Aug 2, 2019 | Rides & Roads |

We all have our local roads that we hold dear, the hidden gems, the secret stash of perfectly paved paradise that you safeguard lest the masses descend and destroy your hidden haven. It might be as short as a few miles or as long as fifty, but it’s your well-worn friend in the dance. You keep its location secret, its very existence guarded, the details only revealed on a “need to know” basis to those worthy of your trust and possessing proper riding abilities.
I will now violate that trust…

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.