Phil Gauthier

Phil’s Op-Ed: Breaking Down Barriers to the Ride Life

Posted by Phil Gauthier | Aug 26, 2025 | Ride Life |

At Road Dirt we talk, write about and live the “Ride Life”. It’s more than a slogan, it’s a way of life for us. We believe riding unencumbered by seatbelts & cages lets the soul truly experience travel in a special way. We love sharing how beautiful riding a motorcycle can be by soaking in the sun and wind and aromas you just can’t experience in a car (cage for those in the know). We hope that our stories will motivate people, young and old, to consider buying a motorbike and joining the riding community to experience the joys we all do on two.

Gear Review: BILT Nomad Modular Helmet

Posted by Phil Gauthier | Jul 29, 2025 | Bikes & Gear |

Modular helmets have been around since the 1980s, but in recent years their versatile design has become even more popular with motorcycle riders, specifically among older bikers, longer distance tourers, and riders who may not be in a position to shell out the bucks for $500+ premium helmets. So we decided to take a look at more affordable options in the modular space, and found one among our friends at Cycle Gear.

Triumph Tiger Sport 800: A Tall Order

Posted by Phil Gauthier | Jul 21, 2025 | Bikes & Gear |

As a 6’2” rider with a 34-inch inseam, finding a motorcycle that balances sporty performance with long-distance comfort is a tall order- pun intended. The 2025 Triumph Tiger Sport 800, a middleweight sport-tourer with adventure-inspired ergonomics, promised to deliver on both fronts. After a week of riding and testing across small town streets and winding country roads, I’ve put this bike through its paces to evaluate the rider triangle, comfort, and powerplant performance.
Here’s my take.

Motorcycle Gear: CoverSeal Weighted Cover

Posted by Phil Gauthier | May 27, 2025 | Bikes & Gear |

We recently were contacted by CoverSeal, a company that manufactures heavy-duty weighted covers for automobiles, tractors, and outdoor appliances like large grills and patio furniture. They have now developed a weighted motorcycle cover, and asked if we’d be interested in receiving one for review. We obliged, and within a week had a large, heavy box delivered to our doorstep at Road Dirt HQ.

Gear Review: Peak Design Motorcycle Bar Mounts, Part 1

Posted by Phil Gauthier | Nov 21, 2024 | Bikes & Gear, Nuts & Bolts |

Over the weekend I was able to do an installation and test ride using the Peak Design Qi2 cell phone mount with charging capabilities, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.

PCB Rains on Thunder Beach

Posted by Phil Gauthier | May 13, 2024 | Ride Life, Rides & Roads |

My riding brothers and I returned from the 2024 Thunder Beach Rally on Sunday May 5 and after much consideration, I have to say it will most likely be my last. This year’s spring rally seemed to be doomed from the get-go.

Phil & Rob’s Excellent H-D Touring Adventure

Posted by Phil Gauthier | Mar 15, 2024 | Bikes & Gear |

A couple of months ago Rob rang me up (that means phone call for you youngsters) to ask if I would like to ride to Daytona Beach Bike Week and give the new 2024 Harley-Davidson Road Glide and Street Glide a go, compliments of the H-D Marketing team. He went on about having a place to stay with his old high school buddy for free or some such drivel – not sure. As an official H-D Fan Boy, I couldn’t focus after I heard “new Road Glide and Street Glide”. Following a slight bump in my schedule we had to push our departure one day which cut our demo ride down a bit but I was still down to see what all the fuss was about with these new baggers.

Holiday Gifts: LEGO Yamaha MT-10 SP

Posted by Phil Gauthier | Nov 3, 2023 | Bikes & Gear, Ride Life |

Road Dirt editor Rob Brooks recently scored an amazing gift from Yamaha Motors USA in the form of a LEGO Technic 42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP motorcycle, and was generous in offering for my grandson Parker and I to build it. Rob did have one request attached to the gift – “Please do a Road Dirt review of the build to share with our YouTube audience”. We happily agreed and on a rainy Saturday in mid September prior to our beloved Georgia “Bulldawgs” football game, my buddy 8-YO Parker Burrell and I began the build.

Riding For Perspective

Posted by Phil Gauthier | Sep 11, 2023 | Ride Life |

I’m not sure if it was the feeling of autumn air or the fact that this has been a very busy year for me, but I was able to really enjoy the ride and reflect on so many things other than the tasks normally at hand. Riding seems to help me find new directions on various issues going on in my current season. The thought of just being able to ride and reframe some of these events and topics in a new way really did help create a healthy perspective and a refreshing of my soul.