Rob Brooks

Another Casualty of the Times

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jul 9, 2020 | Industry & Racing |

In the midst of a economically debilitating pandemic, and in light of the dramatic changes taking place in the print publishing world in recent years, the iconic motorcycle magazine American Iron has announced the current issue #390 will be their last. This comes as the most recent casualty in a series of print deaths across the past several years. We’ve seen the departure of Motorcyclist and Cycle World (two publications this author freelanced for), Cruiser, American Bagger, Hot Bike, Cruising Rider, even Motorcycle Consumer News, among others. Some of these have gone digital/social media, while others simply folded. This is not exclusive to motorcycle magazines, as the entire print industry continues to experience upheaval, especially in these current trying times.

God’s Own Racetrack, Part 2

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jul 6, 2020 | Ride Life, Rides & Roads |

Tuesday began with packing, cleaning up the beautiful Prairie Rose, fueling, then rolling out in the direction of Fossil and Antelope, two big goals for the day. Heading west on State 26, we rode through the canyons and high hill country of Malheur National Forest, breathtaking country. Truly reminded me of the landscapes in so many old westerns I watched in my youth.

God’s Own Racetrack, Part 1

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jul 1, 2020 | Ride Life, Rides & Roads |

The sign at the starting point of Idaho’s Winchester Grade should have been a clue, should have served as an early warning that we were riding into a danger zone- “Closed To Thru Traffic. Locals Only.” We ignored the warning. “Aw, that sign’s been there for years,” one guy quipped. “Yeah, just a little bumpy pavement,” declared another. “The views are worth the road,” chimed in a third. I was thinking, “I’ve got a bad feeling about this…”

Perfection A Fickle Mistress

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jun 29, 2020 | Industry & Racing |

The phrase, “perfection is a fickle mistress” could be appropriately applied to the MotoAmerica race weekend at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Only one rider remains undeafeated: Richie Escalante in Supersport.

Sedici Marco Mesh Riding Gear Evaluation

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jun 25, 2020 | Bikes & Gear |

European motorcycle apparel company Sedici has long been regarded for high quality riding products, specializing in street and track performance gear. They have partnered with Cycle Gear to carry their brand to American riders for a number of years, and since I’ve consistently had great experiences with the good folks at CG, I naturally sought them out when contemplating a new set of all-purpose, all-weather riding gear.

Tomac Takes Supercross Title

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

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac earned his first Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship Title in the 450SX Class at the season finale, Round 17 Presented by the Utah Sports Commission inside Rice-Eccles Stadium. Tomac won the title by 25 points after a smart ride to finish fifth in the race. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Zach Osborne won the event, taking home his career-first 450SX Class victory. Second went to his teammate Jason Anderson, who led 15 laps of the 25-Lap Main Event. Rounding out an all-Husqvarna and team podium, Dean Wilson turned an early lead into his first podium of 2020, the second of his career.

Confessions of an Old Hooligan, pt. 2

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jun 12, 2020 | Ride Life |

An Aging Father Shares More Tales From His Early Riding Years *Here’s a few fun tales...

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.