Rob Brooks

Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally 2026

Posted by Rob Brooks | May 5, 2026 | Ride Life, Rides & Roads |

Celebrating its 26th year, the Thunder Beach rally has been held annually since 1999. Originally called the “Bike & Beach Bash”, the event was first organized by the HOG chapter of Macon, Georgia, along with local PCB organizers. By year two, the name was changed to Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally, and has since become a twice yearly event, in April-May and the fall rally in October. The week-long event has grown into one of the largest free motorcycle rallies in America, with its own flavor of vendors, stunt shows, custom bike contests, concerts and scenic day rides.

Bagger Pit Crew Life

Posted by Rob Brooks | Apr 21, 2026 | Industry & Racing |

You hear them before you see them.
I am down by the wall on the front straight at Road Atlanta, as the King of the Baggers riders approach the hill and bridge after turn 10B. The bikes haven’t come into view yet, but their growl is already wafting through the paddock and down pit lane. Suddenly they are visible, one by one diving under the bridge then plunging down the hill and throttling hard right onto the front straight. I set the pit board over the fence, displaying Harley-Davidson Factory Racing team rider Bradley Smith’s position, gap to the rider behind him, and laps left. He’s holding off Indian’s Troy Herfoss for 3rd, as the whole field of bikes roar past at over 160 mph, then lean right up the hill at turn 1.
I feel them in my chest, as they blast past me at speeds these bikes shouldn’t be capable of.

First Impressions: 2026 Royal Enfield Classic 650

Posted by Rob Brooks | Apr 14, 2026 | Bikes & Gear |

Pulling into our church parking lot Sunday morning, no sooner had I found a space and pulled off my helmet, when an elder gentleman (pony tail, braided beard- clearly a fellow biker) and his wife chatted me up. “That’s a beautiful old Triumph you’ve got there… oh wait, that’s not a Triumph!” he exclaimed. “A Royal Enfield! I haven’t seen one of those in years! What year is that?” I replied, “A 2026, if you can believe it.” It led to a pleasant conversation into the church building, about the beauty and nostalgia of so many motorcycles in Royal Enfield’s lineup, and particularly this gorgeous new Classic 650.
We’ve only had this motorbike for a week now, and it has elicited this kind of response everywhere we’ve ridden and parked it.

Beautiful Bikes: Aprilia X 250th

Posted by Rob Brooks | Apr 2, 2026 | Bikes & Gear |

Aprilia is actually producing a limited run of commemorative motorbikes, mostly for the American market, but a few to be offered worldwide. The Aprilia X 250th is a drop-dead gorgeous facsimile of the GP machines the Trackhouse Racing team are rolling, and for a cool $150K you can own one yourself. Of course, it’s not street legal, running a V4 65°, 1099cc mill with SBK racing specifications. It’s clearly meant to make the same technology developed in racing available to those who intend to compete at top levels in factory derivative series, or for those who want to own an RSV4 or Tuono V4 with top tier performance.
And who want to shout “‘Merica!” every time and everywhere they ride or display it.

DGR Turns 15

Posted by Rob Brooks | Mar 27, 2026 | Ride Life, Rides & Roads |

The annual worldwide distinguished gentleman‘s ride celebrates 15 years this May. This yearly charity ride raises awareness and support for men’s prostate cancer research and treatment, as well as men’s mental healthcare. Benefiting the Movember Foundation, this ride is near and to our hearts here at Road Dirt, as several of us have found ourselves dealing with those issues in our own lives.

Route 66 Turns 100: Tour With EAGLERIDER This Summer

Posted by Rob Brooks | Mar 19, 2026 | Rides & Roads |

EAGLERIDER is sponsoring an epic adventure on the world famous route in this 100th anniversary year, leading a tour from the road’s beginning point in Chicago, all the way across the continent, to the terminus at the Santa Monica Pier. Billed as the “Route 66 Centennial Tour”, EAGLERIDER is inviting only 66 riders worldwide to join them on the 16-day epic journey, riding out of Chicago on June 23rd and arriving in Santa Monica on July 8th.

First Look: Royal Enfield Classic 650

Posted by Rob Brooks | Mar 17, 2026 | Bikes & Gear |

Studying up on this new machine, and talking with a few of my fellow moto journalist friends who attended, it seems that this outstanding powerplant has been refined even more, and placed within a beautiful, very traditional looking package in this Classic 650 model. The Royal Enfield R&D folks know better than to leave well-enough alone, fortunately.

Life Saving Helmet Tech

Posted by Rob Brooks | Mar 12, 2026 | Bikes & Gear |

Back in January, Fox 10 Phoenix covered a serious motorcycle crash in Arizona where a rider went down on a rural road and was completely hidden from view. He may not have been found in time if not for an automatic emergency alert triggered at the moment of impact. That same incident has since been featured in People Magazine, bringing national attention to how modern safety technology can step in when riders are compromised in a collision and can’t call for help themselves.

Indian’s New CEO Mike Kennedy: A True Biker

Posted by Rob Brooks | Mar 6, 2026 | Industry & Racing, Ride Life |

Following Indian Motorcycle’s recent split with Polaris, becoming a completely standalone motorcycle manufacturer again, the 125 year old legacy brand brought on Mike Kennedy as CEO to oversee operations. It’s refreshing to see a true motorcycle guy take the helm at Indian, especially given other manufacturer’s hiring of European shoe guys and pizza guys to run their operations. Kennedy is a true biker, a lifelong motorcycle rider, and a veteran in the powersports industry.