If you grew up in the 1950s-1970s and rode motorcycles, you doubtless were familiar with the names Rickman and Metisse. These bikes and frames were highly prized, and quite popular here in the United States. Their dirt racing prowess was unmatched in their time, and set a new standard for off-road motocross competition.
And two Brit brothers were behind it all, Derek and Don Rickman.
As the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows roll across the country this summer and fall, so too does the J & P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show. The custom competition is actually in its 11th year now, but the partnership with IMS Outdoors this year means the show will expand to a nationwide, multi-venue, open-air competition, holding regional bike shows in nine cities as part of the IMS 2021 tour. The UBCBS, as it’s often called, has a rich history as the nation’s largest motorcycle builder competition, featuring hundreds of motorcycles and offering the chance to win tens of thousands in cash and prizes across the 2021 IMS tour this year. The opening round of the “bike build-off” took place at Sonoma Raceway this past weekend, and the bikes taking top prizes were stunning.
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Such is the passage of time, the dreadful metronome plowing forward keeping its pace, measuring out our remaining days toward our end. Time is uniform for every soul; a day, is a day, is a ticking away day. God tracks our days, life’s invisible odometer set from the beginning to expire at a mileage unknown to us. Who is able to stop the meter of time? There is no ceasing it, no killing the march, no rolling back of life’s odometer avoiding our conclusion.
But there is a way to pause it, to ever so briefly suspend the turning of life’s odometer. God cannot be tricked, but there is a part of time He does not count against us. It came to me in a river.
Now it appears the legendary brand is preparing to dip their toes back in the dedicated dirt arena. Triumph Motorcycles recently announced that development is well underway on a comprehensive range of all-new competition Motocross and Enduro motorcycles. Joining their globally renowned range of street, track and ADV motorcycles, this all-new competition MX and Enduro (Dual Sport) family will bring all of Triumph’s engineering expertise to dirt riders and racers worldwide.
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In compiling a list of the most beautiful motorcycles ever produced, surely the Zündapp K800 would make the top 20, if not higher. With beautiful lines, Art Deco styling of its time in the mid-late 1930s, and state-of-the-art engineering, the K800 is a stunning motorcycle to behold even today. Many are still on the road with Zündapp enthusiasts, not just on display at museums, they were so well designed and constructed.
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There’s a new Sportster in town. After getting a look at it via press releases, photos and some ride footage (coming soon), while we wax nostalgic over the long, storied history of the iconic motorcycle, we like what we see with this new iteration. Apparently the first in a whole new lineup of Sportsters, this S model strikes a mean pose that is quite appealing. Traditional styling cues are visible throughout, but that new Revolution Max 1250 v-twin coupled with those 2-into-2 right side high pipes and chopped tail, just strikes a nice pose. Looks fast, even standing still.
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Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle factory team rider Kyle Wyman won the 2021 MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers championship with a dominating performance at the Superbike Speedfest at Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca. Aboard his #33 factory Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special, Wyman took the holeshot, set a new class lap record, and led every lap of the race on the 2.238-mile road course. Wyman beat second place Tyler O’Hara on the #29 S&S Cycle Indian Challenger by 4.388 seconds at the finish. Michael Barnes finished third on the #34 Hoban Brothers Racing DTF/Horsepower Inc./Darkhorse Crankworks Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special. Travis Wyman was fourth on the #10 Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle factory Road Glide Special.
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The future of motorcycling is coming, and it is electric. Resistance is futile. EVs are here to stay, and nearly every motorcycle brand is working R&D to develop machines for this rapidly emerging segment. We sampled a few last year, Harley’s first LiveWire in early 2020, then the Zero Motorcycles SR/F and SR/S. We came away pleasantly surprised and impressed with all three. The Harley in particular had insane torque, acceleration and speed, and though introduced rather pricey for most tastes, the bike showcased a new direction the legendary brand was willing to venture into.
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If you haven’t yet made plans to attend one of the upcoming International Motorcycle Shows Outdoors taking place across America this summer and fall, you really should. And bring your riding gear, as you will have a plethora of opportunities to sample the latest bikes from a multitude of motorcycle brands.
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