Road Dirt

Flat Out Friday In Portland

Posted by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Apr 29, 2024 | Ride Life |

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin they have a winter tradition that gathers together everyone on a February weekend for all things motorcycle, called the Mama Tried Show. On Friday night, during the show, fans pack the Fiserv Forum for an annual race night called Flat Out Friday. Nathan Baron attended and covered these events for Road Dirt the past couple of years. We compared notes over the phone about the mischief and shenanigans Geoff and I experienced at Flat Out Friday when they made their inaugural debut on the West Coast, at the Portland Expo Center, as part of the 15th annual One Motorcycle Show.

Chasing George Wyman: Crossing Iowa Into Illinois

Posted by Richard Worsham | Apr 26, 2024 | Ride Life, Rides & Roads |

Around 2:00 pm I fueled up and grabbed a bite to eat in Iowa City, 60 miles short of Davenport and the Illinois state line. Just before Davenport, I-80 heads south through Peru, Illinois and Joliet, then back up through the south side of Chicago. I decided to take a more northerly route on I-88, following the course of the Rock River. Once into Illinois, I again altered course and left the interstate at Sterling to get back on Route 30. The slightly more direct path across Illinois promised lower miles and the reduced speed limit wouldn’t really hamper the Halcyon. It was wonderful to leave the interstate and get back on a two-lane road again across fields that looked more and more familiar to the farmland of northern Indiana. I was tired and sore and relished every break I could afford the time to take out of the saddle.

Rev Up Spring Maintenance

Posted by Ken "Hawkeye" Glassman | Apr 24, 2024 | Nuts & Bolts |

Spring is in the air! Or trying to get in the air, if you’re in the more northern latitudes. But we know we are close to warmer temperatures, and we’re going to want to get the motorcycle out and go for a ride. So it’s best to get started now and prepare yourself and your bike for the season. I know it may still be cold or rainy for some, but don’t procrastinate about getting ready now.

Predictably Unpredictable: MotoAmerica at Road Atlanta

Posted by Rob Brooks | Apr 23, 2024 | Industry & Racing |

For years now, the MotoAmerica motorcycle road racing series has opened its season at Road Atlanta, with unpredictable, sketchy conditions always a possibility. This year‘s season opener was no different, with a hot and humid Friday for practicing and qualifying, followed by a near perfect day on Saturday with gentle breezes, partly cloudy skies and temps comfortably settling in the 70s, then Sunday brought a chilly rain and temperatures hovering in the low 50s.
The only thing predictable about our weather this time of year, is it’s unpredictability.

Cleaning & Polishing Motorcycle Pipes

Posted by Rob Brooks | Apr 17, 2024 | Nuts & Bolts |

There are several inevitabilities in motorcycle riding and maintenance, and one of them is pipe discoloration. Over time, our pipes blue, yellow, darken, retain imprints and fingerprints, and just get downright unsightly. And whereas the rest of your motorcycle can be washed, cleaned, polished, and made shiny again, the same can’t always be said for your exhaust pipes. Due to extreme heat, time, exposure, and their own composition, keeping pipes clean and shiny is just a much more difficult job.

Motorcycle Tire Spotlight: Shinko 016 Verge 2X

Posted by Ted Edwards | Apr 15, 2024 | Bikes & Gear, Nuts & Bolts |

If you haven’t heard of Shinko Motorcycle Tires, I don’t blame you. Shinko does not have the brand name recognition or racing pedigree of major manufacturers like Dunlop, Michelin, Pirelli or Bridgestone. However, their rubber roots run deep having manufactured bicycle tires since the end of World War II, then purchasing motorcycle tire technology from Yokohama in 1998. They claim to manufacture about 200,000 tires a month.

Triumph Speed 400 Ride & Review

Posted by Rob Brooks | Apr 12, 2024 | Bikes & Gear |

The Triumph Speed 400 is that pint-sized chihuahua that comes charging into the dog park, confidently yapping at the bigger canines, who give him a wide berth out of sheer respect (yes, I’ve seen this at our nearby park). It’s that good.

Colorado’s Lane Filtering Laws: Some Thoughts

Posted by Rob Brooks | Apr 10, 2024 | Ride Life, Rides & Roads |

Colorado has become the fifth state to legalize lane filtering after Gov. Jared Polis signed SB24-079 on April 4, allowing motorcycles to filter between stopped cars in traffic and at stoplights.

Motorcycle Sport Touring Tire Shootout- Year 3

Posted by Ted Edwards | Apr 8, 2024 | Bikes & Gear, Nuts & Bolts |

Even the journey of ten thousand miles must begin with the single turn of a wheel. This is how year 3 of Road Dirt’s Sport Touring Tire Shootout begins.
When tires are new, they are round and perfect, just as their designers intended, showcasing the technology and engineering their manufacturers have poured into their design profiles. We all love new tires because when they replace flat spotted rubber, our bike’s handling comes to life.