Geoff & Barb Nickless

Through the Lens: Kenny Roberts at Barber Vintage Fest

Posted by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Oct 24, 2024 | Legendary Bikes |

At this year’s 19th Annual Barber Vintage Fest, a new display was unveiled. Three-time Grand Prix World Champion Kenny Roberts and his son, Kenny Roberts Jr. were featured in a new exhibit at the Barber Vintage Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham, Alabama. Three historic bikes are now on display for motorcycle fans to enjoy their racing significance. Kenny Roberts, Grand Marshal at this year’s event, and his 1980 Yamaha YZR500 (OW48) along with Kenny Jr.’s 2000 Suzuki RGV500, and the 1998 Modena KR3 500 ridden by Kenny Jr. were prominently featured. The Barber Museum is a bucket list trip for anyone who loves any type of motorcycle.

Through The Lens: Texas Heat At COTA

Posted by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Sep 25, 2024 | Industry & Racing |

Traveling to Texas to photograph a MotoAmerica event at COTA (Circuit of the Americas) is always fun but brings with it intense heat and humidity. This year was business as usual, with 99 degrees and 63% humidity! Everyone in the paddock and the loyal fans hunkered down to enjoy the races while trying to stay hydrated and cool.

Through The Lens: Tea Cup Two-Day Trials

Posted by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Sep 16, 2024 | Industry & Racing, Legendary Bikes |

Geoff and I are always trying new things and photographing a two-day vintage trials event in the wilderness of Mendocino County, California was our latest adventure. It is quite different than trying to capture the speed of road racing or the slide of dirt trackers. Figuring out how to make slow and precise look exciting is more difficult than it looks. The rugged terrain and slippery footing sent us both sliding down more than just a couple of times over the two days.

Through The Lens: Summer Road Racing on the West Coast

Posted by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Aug 5, 2024 | Industry & Racing |

This storm had been parked off the coast of Washington for a couple of days and like the local weather man said, “It decided to release the parking brake and move in!” The teams scrambled to make decisions about whether or not to run on slicks. Josh Herrin chose the slicks and placed 11th. Cameron Beaubier pulled out and decided that risking further injury to his heel was not one he wanted to take with Laguna Seca two weeks away. Riders using their clear face shields made for some great shots of their facial expressions as they powered through Turn 5.

Through The Lens: AFT in Chico

Posted by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Jun 5, 2024 | Industry & Racing |

Some hot competition on the dark clay in Chico After a two week postponement due to rain,...

15 Years of The One Motorcycle Show

Posted by Geoff & Barb Nickless | May 1, 2024 | Ride Life |

Recently up in the PNW (Pacific Northwest), we arrived in Portland, Oregon excited to attend The One Motorcycle Show. The custom motorcycle show celebrated its 15th anniversary this year and it did not disappoint! The One Moto Show is a gathering of all things motorcycle. There is something for everyone: race bikes, vintage bikes, handcrafted customs, electrics, restored bikes, motorcycle art, gear, live bands, beverages (cold brews-coffee and beer), and the folks from all walks of life that love belonging to the motorcycle family.

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.

Santa Rosa Indoor Short Track

Posted by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Feb 28, 2024 | Industry & Racing, Ride Life |

Last weekend, as yet another atmospheric river of rain pounded the west coast of Northern California, there was a gathering of off-season racers in the Sonoma Wine Country. Over 65 Amateur, Pro, and retired Pro riders from hometowns as far away as Southern California and Washington State made their way to Grace Pavilion in Santa Rosa, California at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. Former AMA rider Brok McAllister of McAllister Motorsports organized this two-day event, now in its second year.

Hot Shoe Hall of Fame 4.0

Posted by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Feb 1, 2024 | Industry & Racing, Ride Life |

Recently at the Notoriety Theater in Las Vegas, Nevada, the motorcycle industry celebrated the latest Hot Shoe Hall of Fame inductees, increasing the total number to 155. Gene Woods, a three time U.S. Open Speedway champion during the 1980s is the founder of the Hot Shoe Hall of Fame as well as the charity which provides new shoes, “Heart Shoes”, to needy men, women, and children in the area. Gene’s vision to honor and remember two-wheel racers and industry icons, combined with his own generosity, makes this a “must attend” event for anyone who rides or loves motorcycling. Each year it continues to grow in attendance and is a wonderful opportunity to see and reminisce with riders, racers and industry icons. This was our third year in attendance. We saw old friends and met new ones. Geoff shared vintage photos he took during the 1970s with inductees, and Saturday was a special time to check in and enjoy our motorcycle family.