3 - 2022 | Road Dirt

Lane Filtering Gains Traction

Posted by Rob Brooks | Mar 30, 2022 | Industry & Racing, Ride Life |

Arizona has approved a bill that will allow the practice of lane filtering in stopped traffic across the state. The law goes into effect at the end of their 2022 legislative session, meaning September. The practice, which essentially means motorcyclists passing in between vehicles and lanes when traffic is at a standstill, was signed into Arizona law a few days ago, and gives riders the option to pass around automobiles stopped in the same lane. Utah has been experimenting with a similar initiative since 2018, and has since extended their research another five years to fully gather data on the safety success of lane filtering in their state.

The Curious Tale of a Lost Indian

Posted by J. Joshua Placa | Mar 28, 2022 | Legendary Bikes, Ride Life |

This is a story of questionable family heritage, grime and time and grit-encrusted motorcycle bits from the Big Band era, and one Renaissance man of sorts, a modern mix of urban adventurer and enlightened rogue. At one time or another he ran a machine shop, had a new convertible in the street, a Harley chained to his Queens, NY porch and a cigarette boat in Flushing Bay, or more accurately, under it. He skied, scuba dived, wrenched, built a wooden boat from the mud up, owned a ramshackle boarding house and later small apartment houses. He was the direct descendant of New York City bootleggers and other characters colorful and strange. But mainly, at least to me, he was the cool guy who rode motorcycles; big, bad, chuffing, puffing, skirt turning, bad-to-the-bone post-war Harleys. He was Uncle Johnnie, my own personal action hero in leather and rolled up Levis, and right out of a graphic novel.

Top 10 Motorcycle Brands in America for 2021

Posted by Rob Brooks | Mar 25, 2022 | Industry & Racing |

Still in the thick of the Covid pandemic last year, the motorcycle industry nonetheless had another banner year, posting positive sales numbers by 2021 year-end. In the US of A alone, motorcycle sales across all categories were up by 21.8% since 2019, with even scooter sales up by 19.6%. Dual-sport and ADV sales skyrocketed, up 18.6% over 2020, which itself was up a whopping 46.2% over 2019, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council. People followed the “social distancing” mandates by hopping on motorcycles and rolling out into the wide world of fresh air and open spaces.

A Triumph T120 and a Gibson Les Paul

Posted by Rob Brooks | Mar 23, 2022 | Bikes & Gear, Legendary Bikes |

Music and motorcycles. They just fit together, like crimson and clover. Like Jack and Diane. Bikers love great music, and many musicians love the freedom of riding motorcycles. Think Elvis to Keith Urban. From the Mods and Rockers of London, to the “Easy Riders” and biker clubs across the States, music and motorcycling are inseparable.

Indian Motorcycle’s FTR “Championship Edition”

Posted by Rob Brooks | Mar 21, 2022 | Bikes & Gear |

Indian Motorcycle’s re-entrance into the world of American Flat Track racing has been nothing short of stunning these past several years. The FTR750 has dominated the motorcycle racing series, reestablished the fabled “Indian Wrecking Crew” of yesteryear, and has birthed a street-going version in Indian’s FTR 1200, itself a popular seller. With five consecutive AFT championships under their belt, the American motorcycle company rolled out a special commemorative model of the FTR, dubbing it the “Championship Edition”.

Royal Enfield Reveals The Scram 411

Posted by Rob Brooks | Mar 16, 2022 | Bikes & Gear |

Royal Enfield pulled the wraps off a new motorcycle they’ve developed, called the Scram 411. A more street-oriented version of the widely popular Himalayan, the Scram 411 is being billed as an “ADV crossover” by the brand. In the vein of the scrambler genre many motorcycle manufacturers have been churning out in recent years (Ducati Scrambler 800, Triumph Scrambler 1200, etc.), and the long history of on/off road, high-piped scramblers of old (remember the old single thumper Honda scramblers of the 60s-70s?), Royal Enfield thought their Himalayan, with its 411 single-cylinder motor and Harris Performance chassis, would be the ideal platform for their own interpretation of the style. In their words, “the Scram 411 combines spirited agility on urban streets, with competent rough-roading capabilities. Focused and purposeful changes in the riding geometry and ergonomics make it ideal for in-city riding, as well as unpredictable, challenging trails off the urban grid.”

Brandon Paasch- Young Man With A Plan

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

Brandon Paasch was a man with a plan. And he executed his plan perfectly, again, to clinch his second consecutive Daytona 200 win, this time astride a TOBC Racing Triumph.
Sometimes lightning does strike twice.

The Daytona 200- America’s Festival of Speed

Posted by Rob Brooks | Mar 11, 2022 | Industry & Racing, Legendary Bikes |

With the 80th running of the acclaimed Daytona 200 this year (weather permitting), we thought a dive into the archives to view the long and storied history of this legendary motorcycle race was in order. From it’s actual origins in Savannah, Georgia in 1932, to the sands of Daytona Beach, ultimately riding the high banks of the Daytona International Speedway, the Daytona 200 has attracted many of the top motorcycle racers in the world to come make their mark on the “World Center of Speed”.

Through the Lens: Wayne Rainey

Posted by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Mar 9, 2022 | Legendary Bikes, Ride Life |

As motorcycle racing series are all revving up for the 2022 season, we thought it appropriate to shine the “Through the Lens” spotlight on Wayne Rainey, multi-year AMA and GP World Champion, and founder/president of the MotoAmerica motorcycle road racing organization. We’ve covered MotoAmerica since its inception and launch in 2015, and have personally interviewed Wayne on several occasions. Humble and friendly, Wayne is also focused and driven, from his early racing successes to restoring American motorcycle road racing to its former and future glory.