Rob Brooks

Long-Term Review: 2023 Honda CB500X

Posted by Rob Brooks | Aug 11, 2023 | Bikes & Gear |

I was riding the Honda CB500X back from spending the morning with my daughter and 3-month old grandson, throttling down a sparsely trafficked four lane county road. I glanced at my right mirror and noticed another motorcycle making for me in the right lane. I could tell by the silhouette it was another adventure bike by the wide panniers on either side. I gassed the little twin ADV, making him/her give chase. The stretch of road was undulating but largely empty, so we had some good natured fun diving across our pair of southbound lanes as he/she gradually gained on me. On a long straight the rider finally caught me and coming alongside on my right, I glanced over and saw my companion/competitor was a guy on a BMW 1250 GS. He was pointing at my Honda, pumping his thumb vigorously, clearly thrilled with our little chase through the curves.

Something Different- Indian/Super 73 eFTR Hooligan

Posted by Rob Brooks | Aug 3, 2023 | Bikes & Gear |

Developed in partnership with Super 73, a pedal-assist e-bike company with vast experience in the space, Indian Motorcycle has managed to carve itself a little niche with the most unique eFTR Hooligan. Looking out across the ever-expanding electric bicycle landscape, there’s clearly nothing else like it, that we’ve found so far. It’s styling screams something different, something in a class by itself. Is it a small electric motorcycle, with pedals? An electric bicycle with old school minibike styling? Is it both? Neither?

The Tracks of My Father, Part 2

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jul 17, 2023 | Bikes & Gear, Ride Life, Rides & Roads |

I had the opportunity recently to retrace one of the last motorcycle rides I was ever able to make with my father. Neither of us knew it at the time, but within a year of that special day, he would sell his motorcycle and exit riding altogether for health reasons. Within a couple of years after that, I would say my final farewell to him. So the memory of that day trip with my father has become all the more precious to me in the years since.

Motorcycle Culture in Indonesia

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jul 5, 2023 | Ride Life, Rides & Roads |

My wife and I made a 15-day trip to Indonesia a few years back, for a foundation we do some work with. I’ve made the trip several times with 127 Legacy Foundation, an organization that aids and sponsors orphanages, women’s shelters and medical clinics across the equatorial island nation, and I’m always fascinated with the culture of motorcycles over there.

Janus Motorcycles- The Past Meets The Present

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jun 16, 2023 | Bikes & Gear, Legendary Bikes |

Richard Worsham is the founder and CEO of Janus Motorcycles, a small bike building outfit in the northern Indiana town of Goshen. Founded in 2011, Richard and company build one-off bespoke single thumper motorcycles that look a century old, but sport modern components. The motorbikes have a design and vibe that hearkens back to an earlier time not only in motorcycling, but also in America. Reminiscent of motorcycles from the 1920s-30s (think Brough Superior, early Indians, etc.), Janus Motorcycles garner attention everywhere they are ridden. And being HQed in Goshen, a region rich in good old American manufacturing yet with a classic small town spirit, Janus Moto is successfully marrying the best of the new with the tried and true.
And Richard is realizing his childhood dream.

Motorcycle Gear: REV’IT! Restless Jacket

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jun 9, 2023 | Bikes & Gear |

I must admit, I’ve found myself more often reaching for my REV’IT! Restless brown leather jacket lately, for its comfort, versatility, protection, and just downright good looks when out riding. This might be my new favorite go-to coat for the street. It’s just so retro-cool. Makes this old fart look sharper than he is.

Long Term Review: Indian Scout Rogue

Posted by Rob Brooks | May 30, 2023 | Bikes & Gear, Legendary Bikes |

The first time I threw a leg over the 2023 Indian Scout Rogue and sat on the bike, gripped those 10” mini-ape bars and thumbed it to life, I’m not exaggerating when I say that the opening guitar riff of George Thorogood’s “Bad To The Bone” started playing in my head. The bar reach, the vibration, the low rumble of the twin exhaust, the somewhat forward footpegs, and the matte blacked-out everything save the chrome pipes just elicits a hooligan cruiser vibe. My voice dropped an octave and gained some gravel when riding the Rogue.

Long-Term Review: Honda Rebel 1100T

Posted by Rob Brooks | May 22, 2023 | Bikes & Gear |

Now we’ve ridden this new Rebel 1100T Bagger for about two months, and in a three-bike middleweight shootout, the auto Honda shines once again. We’ve ridden the motorbike on long stretches of state and interstate highway, throttled it through the famed Tail of the Dragon and other similar roads in the Southeast, and commuted locally on the Rebel. In all circumstances and occasions, that DCT transmission just performs. Make no mistake, we all still love the full hands and feet interaction of a manually-clutched bike. But this auto tranny is a pleasure to ride.

Vanessa Ruck: The Girl On A Bike, And A Mission

Posted by Rob Brooks | May 12, 2023 | Ride Life |

Vanessa Ruck is on a mission- To courageously squeeze every drop out of life, and to help others overcome their adversities and step into courageous living as well. To quote her directly, “I’m on a mission to prove nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough.” Gauging from the many adventures in her young life, and the inspiration she is to so many who know her and follow her travels, Vanessa is realizing her dream. She is the one and only, “The Girl On A Bike.”