1 - 2022 | Road Dirt

Legendary Bikes: Kawasaki Z1 900 Super Four

Posted by Road Dirt Crew | Jan 31, 2022 | Legendary Bikes |

With the recent advent of the 50th Anniversary Kawasaki Z line, we thought a look back at the makings of this iconic motorcycle might be in order. Our friends at the Throttlestop Museum in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin have a pristine original Z1 900, and some fascinating details about it’s rapid, desperate development that arguably produced the world’s first “superbike”. If you’re a fan of 1960s-70s motorcycles, this story with fascinate you. If you’re not, you just might become one after this tale.

All-American Racing Team in Moto2 World Championship

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jan 28, 2022 | Industry & Racing |

There was a time when Americans dominated the grids and the podiums of world championship motorcycle racing. “King Kenny” Roberts, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, “Fast Freddie’ Spencer, Kevin Schwantz, Scott Russell, John Kocinski, Kenny Roberts Jr., “Texas Tornado” Colin Edwards, and “Kentucky Kid” Nicky Hayden among others all found glory on the international superbike stage. One wonders how Ben Spies would have fared had he stayed healthy, or what Josh Hayes could have achieved had he made the leap. After many years of drought, with few Americans finding success (the last American to win a superbike world championship was Hayden in 2006), American motorcycle road racing is making a comeback thanks to MotoAmerica and hence, more Americans are jumping to the world championships (WSBK and MotoGP) again.

Harley-Davidson Unveils 2022 ST and CVO Motorcycles

Posted by Road Dirt Crew | Jan 26, 2022 | Bikes & Gear, Industry & Racing |

Harley-Davidson adds performance and factory-custom style to its 2022 motorcycle line with the reveal of eight new models, each powered by the Milwaukee-Eight 117, the most-powerful factory-installed engine offered by Harley-Davidson. New models include the Street Glide ST and Road Glide ST in the Grand American Touring line, the more powerful Low Rider S, and the new Low Rider ST Cruiser models, and four super-premium models from Harley-Davidson Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO).

Old Man Gave Me The Finger

Posted by Ted Edwards | Jan 24, 2022 | Ride Life |

He was an old man with a tan wrinkled face and blue overalls, like Uncle Jesse from Dukes of Hazzard. He sported a long white beard like Santa Claus, a small black skull cap helmet with tan leather gloves and black work boots astride an early 70s vintage Harley Davidson Electra Glide. Naturally, I gave him an extra long look.
He gave me the finger.

Butler Motorcycle Maps

Posted by Ted Edwards | Jan 19, 2022 | Bikes & Gear, Rides & Roads |

Technology is everywhere- at our fingertips, on our wrists and in our bikes. Silicon wafers have their proper place but one time they should be put away is during trip planning. Here, old school is best.
As in maps, large maps, big sheets of two dimensional land spread across tables or floors, unfurled like a relentlessly expanding universe. These are what true planners use to fertilize their imagination and ripen plans of adventures to come. Deep thinking riders hoard maps like greedy pirates and cling to them like treasure. In the motorcycling world, Butler Maps have no equal.

Dunlop Roadsmart III Motorcycle Tires

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jan 17, 2022 | Bikes & Gear |

Winter time is a great time to conduct much-needed maintenance on your motorcycle. Fluids, filters, brake pads, and tires are all worth evaluating in the months when riding is limited. For me, a new pair of shoes was due on my 2017 Triumph Bonneville Street Cup. So I looked up my friend Phil Waters of Dunlop Motorcycle Tires USA, to get his recommendations on their offerings. Phil suggested the Roadsmart III series, citing its longevity coupled with good grip in an all-weather sport touring tire. While my Bonney isn’t a sport tourer, I use it as such, so thought his recommendation a solid one.

Dakar Rally Raid 2022

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jan 14, 2022 | Industry & Racing |

The 44th Dakar Rally Raid drew to a close on Friday, with England’s Sam Sunderland taking the coveted Motorbike title in dramatic fashion in one of the most hotly contested races in recent memory. Sunderland finished third last year behind (then) Honda riders Kevin Benavides and 2020 champ Ricky Brabec, but snagged the 2022 title from the jaws of defeat in the final day of the grueling cross-Arabian race. The 3 min 27 sec lead that Sunderland finished ahead of Chilean Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) at the finish back in Jeddah was the slimmest margin at the top of the leader board since the 1994 races. Sunderland finished eighth in the final stage, which was enough combined with his accrued points across the total 12-stage race take the Dakar 2022 title. It was a sweet win for the Brit biker, as his last win at Dakar was claimed in 2017, and the win was a first for his new team GASGAS and the KTM Group in the Saudi Arabia-held race.

Kawasaki Marks 50 Years of the Z

Posted by Road Dirt Crew | Jan 12, 2022 | Bikes & Gear |

Kawasaki just pulled the wraps off a set of four 50th Anniversary Z models, commemorating the iconic original Z machines- the Z900, Z650, Z900RS and Z650RS. Kawasaki has long utilized the “Z” moniker to make the statement that like the last letter of the alphabet, the Z line represents the ultimate in motorcycling. Whether that’s true or not is in the eye of the beholder (and rider), but the Z bikes have always been dominators in their respective categories. This family of motorcycles has certainly grown into one of the brand’s core lineups.

Supercross Season Kicks off With Ken Roczen Win

Posted by Road Dirt Crew | Jan 10, 2022 | Industry & Racing |

The 2022 Monster Energy AMA Supercross series kicked off Saturday night with Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen grabbing his fourth season opener win in the 450SX Class inside a sold-out Angel Stadium. Defending champion Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb charged hard for a second place finish amid the roar of 45,050 race fans. Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia, who was in line for a record-breaking fourth-straight season opener victory, put in a smart and fast ride to fill out the podium in third.