Road Dirt Crew

MotoAmerica, Harley-Davidson, and King of the Baggers

Posted by Road Dirt Crew | Apr 9, 2021 | Industry & Racing |

MotoAmerica, the AMA and FIM sanctioned American motorcycle road racing series, introduced a one-off exhibition race last year at the fabled Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca track in October. Dubbed King of the Baggers, the spectacle was a resounding success with fans and race teams alike, and Road Dirt had our own Ryan Nolan on hand to experience the roar of open-throated, American V-Twin Baggers thundering around the course as well. Expanding on that for 2021, MotoAmerica decided to up the race to a three-round series, and opened the competition to all AMA license holders, with championship points being tallied at each race round, and a national champion being crowned at the end of MotoAm race season.

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Celebrates 10 Years

Posted by Road Dirt Crew | Mar 31, 2021 | Ride Life, Rides & Roads |

The worldwide Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is marking its 10th birthday in grand fashion this year, in spite of a continued international pandemic. As countries around the globe try to return to some semblance of normal while still fighting COVID, the DGR plans to renew their global campaign to bring “dapper riders” together to enjoy a day ride together and raise funds and awareness for men’s cancer and mental health causes, via the Movember Foundation.

Harley to Tour the Pan America

Posted by Road Dirt Crew | Mar 24, 2021 | Bikes & Gear, Industry & Racing |

Harley-Davidson recently unveiled their take on adventure touring with the all-new Pan America™ 1250 and Pan America™ 1250 Special motorcycles. Adventure touring is becoming the fastest growing segment in American motorcycling, with its endless on/off-road possibilities and unrestrained freedom.

Legendary Bikes: 1977-79 Harley-Davidson XLCR

Posted by Road Dirt Crew | Mar 19, 2021 | Legendary Bikes |

The first time I ever beheld a Harley-Davidson XLCR Cafe’ Racer, I was awestruck. A friend had stowed a motorcycle magazine (don’t remember which one) in his book satchel, and during class had it opened inside his class textbook, acting like he was paying attention to the teacher. I sat behind and just to the left of him, sneaking peeks occasionally as he silently perused the pages. When he fell on a full-page, center-mag advertisement of the XLCR, my eyes widened. I poked him in the shoulder, keeping an eye on the teacher, and motioned for him to let me see the ad. He slipped me the magazine, which I tucked underneath my desk, then inched it into my lap to have a better look. The two-page spread was a visual feast to my youthful eyes. Wow. I’d never seen a motorcycle so cool, so mean, so utterly bad-@$$ looking. I was in love. “If ever I get to buy a street bike, I want that one,” I quietly mused to myself.

Under A Blood Red Moon

Posted by Road Dirt Crew | Mar 5, 2021 | Ride Life, Rides & Roads |

I freaked out as I didn’t understand what was happening above me.
The full moon was slowly turning from a bright white to a burgundy red color right before my eyes. It was like a scene from a bad horror movie where the plot was something along the lines of an evil witch/vampire/sorcerer who had been locked away in an eroding iron cell for centuries, only to regain their powers on the eve of a rising blood moon that only took place once every five-hundred years.

Buell Fuels A Comeback

Posted by Road Dirt Crew | Feb 19, 2021 | Bikes & Gear, Industry & Racing |

Erik Buell himself has no affiliation with the brand carrying his namesake, focusing his energies instead on an electric motorcycle and bicycle enterprise known as Fuell. Kind of strange, we agree. But, we’re glad to see the return of a legendary American sport bike company, and we wish them the very best. The Buell name has always been synonymous with innovation, cutting edge design, and of course, speed. We look forward to seeing and sampling their machines in the coming months and years.

The Fast Girls

Posted by Road Dirt Crew | Feb 10, 2021 | Industry & Racing, Ride Life |

Last year, in the midst of a pandemic, Royal Enfield launched a groundbreaking initiative called “Build. Train. Race.” The program was designed to involve women in building and racing their own custom flat track motorcycles, using the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 platform. They would then be trained by pro racers and teams, would procure sponsorships, then race their creations in selected American Flat Track rounds.

Legendary Bikes: Board Track Racing

Posted by Road Dirt Crew | Feb 5, 2021 | Industry & Racing, Legendary Bikes |

No one will argue that it takes guts to race any motorcycle. Modern motorbike racing continues to excite and thrill in a way that no other sport can match. Even the most hardened Formula 1 or NASCAR fans will concede that those who risk life and limb on board these two-wheeled rockets are of a different breed.

Harley Reveals HardWire Plan

Posted by Road Dirt Crew | Feb 2, 2021 | Industry & Racing |

Harley-Davidson saw their stocks tumble $96 million in the 4th quarter, even as they revealed their new “HardWire” initiative, a 5-year plan intended to scale back and focus on their primary “breadwinners”- the large displacement touring, cruiser and trike segments.