Road Dirt Crew

The Wild World of Motorcycle Sidecar Racing

Posted by Road Dirt Crew | Oct 16, 2023 | Industry & Racing, Legendary Bikes |

It’s a physically demanding sport, especially for the copilot, hence our comment about Tina. Battling G-forces back and forth to keep the rig planted on all three contact points, both riders must be both strong and flexible, and be in complete sync with each other. Mike and I observed it up close trackside at Barber, as teams tore around the highly technical course at breakneck speeds. I’ve ridden at high speed around tracks like this on a motorcycle, experiencing the g-forces on a bike, but can hardly imagine the exertion it takes to keep riders and machine planted while speeding around a course, battling those forces on a sidecar. These racers, particularly the passengers, are another level of tough.

Elvis Presley and Triumph

Posted by Road Dirt Crew | Oct 11, 2023 | Legendary Bikes, Ride Life |

With the discovery of the original checks in the Graceland archives, signed by The King of Rock & Roll himself as well as recollections from Jerry Shilling, a close friend of Elvis, it can be confirmed that Elvis bought nine Triumph motorcycles as gifts, so he and his closest friends could ride together in the hills of Los Angeles.

SuperMotocross Crowns First Ever World Champion

Posted by Road Dirt Crew | Sep 25, 2023 | Industry & Racing |

Team Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence won both motos at the inaugural SuperMotocross World Championship Finals inside Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where Supercross got its start. The Australian racer earned the wins on the night and the points needed to become the sport’s first SuperMotocross World Champion.

Chasing History

Posted by Road Dirt Crew | Sep 8, 2023 | Industry & Racing |

Before the 2023 Progressive American Flat Track season began, the prospect of tying Scottie Parker’s all-time career championship record loomed large. Despite fierce competition against the ultra-consistent, young talent of Dallas Daniels, Mees reminded everyone that he’s still at the top of his game. With each checkered flag, Mees and his Indian FTR750 inched closer and closer to his career goal of tying Parker’s historic all-time championship record. At Springfield, Jared grabbed that goal.

FIRST LOOK: Triumph Motocross Motorcycle

Posted by Road Dirt Crew | Sep 5, 2023 | Bikes & Gear |

Triumph Motorcycles has been teasing their work on a motocross motorcycle for a few years now, and we even published a piece on the R&D of it. Triumph is taking the plunge into the dedicated off-road space, not just with a dual sport or another ADV, but a competition-ready race machine. As the R&D has progressed, Triumph has shared videos of the chassis and the motor, which can be viewed on their YouTube channel. They shared a few photos with us of Ricky Carmichael and Even Ferry ripping around a dirt track astride a pair of the motocross motorbikes.

The Thrice Crowned King

Posted by Road Dirt Crew | Aug 30, 2023 | Industry & Racing |

Recently at Pittsburgh International Raceway, Yamaha Racing rider Jake Gagne claimed his third consecutive MotoAmerica title in spectacular fashion, the champ winning all three Superbike races across the weekend, a “threepeat to solidify his threepeat.” This, with two more race rounds and four Superbike races left on the schedule. Gagne left no doubt about his dominance and dynasty in the MotoAmerica Superbike class, writing a new page in the AMA Road Racing history books.

J.D. Beach: Determination Defined

Posted by Road Dirt Crew | Aug 25, 2023 | Industry & Racing, Ride Life |

J.D. Beach may very well be one of American motorcycle racing’s most versatile riders. He’s also one of its friendliest. We met JD during the AFT race weekend held at Senoia Raceway back in May, and chatted briefly with the affable racer between late afternoon race heats. Commenting about his love of motorcycle racing, JD quipped, “Dirt, track, motocross, you name it, I love riding and racing it all! I’m getting a little older, but as long as I’m still enjoy myself, I guess I’ll keep doing it.” And he does it well.

A Superbike Slugfest At Laguna Seca

Posted by Road Dirt Crew | Jul 10, 2023 | Industry & Racing |

On a completely resurfaced track at the legendary Laguna Seca Raceway, on which riders in every class struggled to find and hold grip as well as the race lines all weekend, Gagne and Beaubier battled for points and position across an unusual three-race weekend, with Gagne taking race 1 on Saturday, but Beaubier doing the double on Sunday. Six race rounds into the season, the “MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest At Monterey” was a thriller in every way. Crashes, lead swaps, photo finishes, and a former champ tightening the screws on a current champ came to define the weekend in coastal central Cali.

First Look: Triumph’s Speed 400 and Scrambler 400x

Posted by Road Dirt Crew | Jun 28, 2023 | Bikes & Gear |

With nearly every other motorcycle brand in the world producing small displacement motorcycles and selling them by the millions, Triumph’s decision to finally enter the fray is long overdue. The two highest-selling categories in U.S. motorcycle sales, according to several brand reps we have contact with, are off-road/dual-sport/adventure, and small displacement street. For our purposes, we’ll define small displacement street as road motorcycles 500cc and smaller. And Triumph just announced a pair of entrants for the 2024 model year- The Speed 400, and Scrambler 400x.
It’s about time.