Rob Brooks

Confessions of an Old Hooligan, pt. 1

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jun 8, 2020 | Ride Life |

My brothers and I grew up in the house of a master mechanic. In the garage behind our home, there was always an automobile up on jacks, a motorcycle or two to the side, and enough extra bike parts hanging from pegs on the wall to practically build another. Accompanying all the machinery, there were stories in abundance. One would never know it by observing this stooped, white haired, soft-spoken senior chap, but in his younger years, Dad was a hooligan, a 50s greaser (think “Fonz” from the old “Happy Days” sitcom. I’m not exaggerating), even a bit of a renegade during his overseas stint in the USAF. Even now as he recounts these stories to me, some I’m hearing for the first time, I can see that glint of mischief in his eyes, as memory carries him back to those heady days of his youth and young adulthood. Here’s a few of my favorites, in his own words-

Beaubier Practices Perfect Social Distancing At Road America

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jun 1, 2020 | Industry & Racing |

Four-time MotoAmerica Superbike national champion and current defending title holder Cameron Beaubier completed as perfect a weekend as we’ve ever seen, dominating the premier class even more solidly than the day before at Wisconsin’s Road America raceway. Jumping out from pole position again to snag the holeshot, the Californian took command of the race and ran away again on rails, finally crossing the finish an astounding 13.4 seconds ahead of the field in Sunday’s drama-filled race. Beaubier didn’t just put on a show, he took the HONOS Superbike class to school- fastest lap records fell at his hand, claimed both day’s pole positions, and blasted away with both victories, snagging the full 50 points in the first weekend of racing.

Road Racing Returns at Road America

Posted by Rob Brooks | May 31, 2020 | Industry & Racing |

In one of the first live sporting events on TV since COVID-19 brought changes to sporting schedules worldwide, MotoAmerica motorcycle road racing got underway at the fabled Road America racetrack in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin this weekend. With no fans present, and strict social distancing protocols in place for all teams, track and series personnel, and media representatives, the Saturday races launched amidst silent stands and grounds. Yet the races are being carried across the globe, as MotoAmerica inked a deal to broadcast their races on Eurosport, exposing the American race series to a worldwide audience.

Harley-Davidson M-50S “Boy Racer”

Posted by Rob Brooks | May 27, 2020 | Legendary Bikes |

It was the summer of 1970 and I was fourteen years old. 1969 was the year of Woodstock and the man on the moon. I was too young for a drivers license, too old for parental rule, and too cool for school. I didn’t have a real job, but I earned some money working a paper route. My whole (young) life I wanted a minibike. If you were rich, you could buy a new Honda Trail 70, or maybe a Rupp minibike. If we could scrounge up enough parts, maybe we could build a minibike, but home-built minibikes always broke down. Our best bet was to buy a small, used motorcycle. I found a 50cc Harley and I had $50 to buy it. My first Harley-Davidson and freedom at a bargain price. A new one was $225, and a Honda 70 was over $300.

Nicky Hayden Tribute

Posted by Rob Brooks | May 22, 2020 | Industry & Racing, Ride Life |

I had followed his career and been a “Kentucky Kid” fan since his first days of moving up from AMA to MotoGP in 2003. I met his “kid brother” Roger Lee recently, himself competing successfully in MotoAmerica. From all I’ve seen and read, the Haydens are a close-knit, loving, down-to-earth Southern family, morally upright and all-American. The whole Hayden clan has been steeped in motorcycle racing practically since diapers, with parents Earl “The Squirrel” and Rose instilling a love of motorcycles and racing in each of their five children (3 boys and 2 girls). The “First Family of Racing” made American race fans proud and excited about the sport, whether in road racing, flat track, or motocross, as sons Tommy, Nicky, and Roger Lee each excelled in American and international competition.

MotoAmerica Season Opener Set for End of May

Posted by Rob Brooks | May 15, 2020 | Industry & Racing |

While MotoAmerica’s opening round at Road America will take place without fans in attendance, May 29-31, those same fans and more will have the opportunity to watch Superbike racing as it happens with the season-opener set to be one of the first live sporting events on TV since COVID-19 brought changes to sporting schedules worldwide. MotoAmerica’s two Superbike races will air live on FOX Sports with Saturday’s series opener set for FS2 (4 p.m. Eastern) while Sunday’s second race (2 p.m. Eastern) will be featured for the first time on FS1 as the lead-in for NASCAR’s round at Martinsville.

Harley-Davidson Prepares to “Rewire”

Posted by Rob Brooks | May 1, 2020 | Industry & Racing |

Harley-Davidson released a press brief this week, discussing their first quieter 2020 sales results and outlining some “near-term” strategic actions for restarting production and beginning to move into recovery. It’s no secret that H-D has suffered losses in recent years, and the COVID-19 world crisis has imposed devastating effects on them, as well as so many other motorcycle brands around the world.

Ducati, Others Prep To Reopen Motorcycle Production

Posted by Rob Brooks | Apr 27, 2020 | Industry & Racing |

Ducati Motorcycles in Italy has announced a graduated reopening of production this week, as workers begin returning to the factory. The company plans to slowly return to pre-COVID levels of manufacturing in the coming weeks, according to a report in Italian media site OmniMoto. After suspension of all operations back on March 13, Ducati has announced the reopening of operations at the Borgo Panigale plant, specifically on the facility’s workshop and engine assembly lines while following strict health protocols.

Motorcycle Market Malady

Posted by Rob Brooks | Apr 22, 2020 | Industry & Racing |

Deep in the global COVID pandemic, and amidst a nearly ten-year decline in sales, the motorcycle industry has continued to take a beating here in 2020. If automotive sales have declined, motorcycle sales have ridden off a cliff. Global sales have plummeted worldwide, in every category, in every country, for every manufacturer.