Rob Brooks

Buell to Build a Super Cruiser

Posted by Rob Brooks | Feb 17, 2023 | Bikes & Gear |

A couple of years ago we reported on the return of Buell Motorcycle Company, albeit without Erik Buell. Debuting the Hammerhead 1190RX and SX beasts, the reorganized and relaunched brand promised about 10 new models in the years ahead. The’ve been teasing an 1190cc desert/hill climb racer, the Baja DR (Dune Racer), and a soon-to-be revealed adventure tourer, the 1190 SuperTouring, among others. Now, in partnership with Roland Sands Design, Buell has pulled the wraps off a power cruiser concept, dubbed (for now) the Super Cruiser.

New Year, New Gear: REV’IT! Davis TF Riding Jeans

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

I’m what REV’IT! might categorize as a “Heritage”, “Metropolitan” and/or “Urban Sport” rider, among the classifications on their site. So the Davis TF riding pants are well suited to my style- both in clothing tastes and riding type. They’ve got this construction worker look and vibe to them, very utilitarian looking, and equally functional.

National Motorcycle Museum to Close Its Doors

Posted by Rob Brooks | Feb 1, 2023 | Legendary Bikes |

The highly acclaimed National Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame in Anamosa, Iowa will permanently shut the lights off in September of this year, according to an announcement released by the museum in late January.

Moto Morini Returns to America

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

I remember the Moto Morini motorcycles back in my youth. I never knew anybody who actually owned one, but I frequently beheld them in motorcycle magazines of the time. In my mind, Morinis ranked right up there in beauty, quality, desirability, and price of course, with the likes of Italian counterparts Ducati, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi and Cagiva, to name a few. Heck, the Italians had around 25 motorcycle/scooter companies back in the day, all of which had this exotic aura about them to us American riders.

Toni Elias Returns To MotoAmerica Superbikes

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jan 25, 2023 | Industry & Racing |

Toni Elias will return to the saddle for the 2023 MotorAmerica Road Racing Championship, with the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki team. Toni will once again compete in the Superbike class, and again on a Suzuki GSX-R1000R, a bike he has a long history with. The Spaniard looks to battle with the frontrunners this season, and he has proven he still has the mettle to compete at the highest level.

Robbie Knievel, His Father’s Son

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jan 18, 2023 | Legendary Bikes, Ride Life |

The first time I ever saw Robbie Knievel in action was his televised 1989 Caesar’s Palace fountains jump, in tribute to his world famous father, “Evel”. Unlike his dad, Robbie successfully completed the jump without crashing. Evel had attempted the jump in 1967, and we’ve all seen the slo-mo footage of his ill-fated landing and subsequent bone-crunching tumble down the ramp, head over heels. 22 years later, April 14, his son Robbie stuck the landing, rolled to a stop, and tearfully announced, “That was for you, Dad.” I remember thinking, “He’s a chip off the old block.”

Legendary Bikes: Harley-Davidson XA

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jan 12, 2023 | Legendary Bikes |

The first time I ever laid eyes on a Harley-Davidson XA was at my friend John Landstrom’s establishment, Blue Moon Cycle, about 7-8 years ago. John has a vast array of historic North American and European motorcycles in his collection/museum, and when I came across the XA in his World War II display, I wasn’t quite sure what I was looking at. Is it a Harley? Or a BMW? Maybe a Ural knockoff of a BMW, in Allied livery? I was so confused. John proceeded to share with me a bit of the history of the XA model, and I was intrigued, being a history buff. This was a piece of Harley history I was unaware of. I later encountered one at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, and knew one day we’d have to tell its story.

Riding Into The New Year

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jan 2, 2023 | Ride Life, Rides & Roads |

Sometimes, a motorcycle ride is not only enjoyable but therapeutic, even deeply soul satisfying. Such was the ride I took by myself on January 1, 2023, New Years Day. The perfect way to bid farewell to 2022, and welcome 2023. I needed it.

Motorcycle Gear: REV’IT! Backpacks

Posted by Rob Brooks | Dec 7, 2022 | Bikes & Gear |

Quality motorcycling luggage, whether traveling across a continent or across town, is an absolute essential for us riders. Durable, weather-proof, and adjustable gear for the road that doesn’t compromise comfort and safety, at an affordable price point, are all tall orders for moto gear manufacturers. Stores and online catalogs are full of cheaply priced (and cheaply made) pack gear that might fit the budget and fill the need for a season or two, but with no guarantees of longevity. I’ve personally experienced gear failures on road trips, a couple of which could have landed me on the pavement and in the hospital. Trustworthy gear is absolutely critical.