Rob Brooks

2024 Honda SCL500: Scramble On

Posted by Rob Brooks | Nov 12, 2024 | Bikes & Gear |

On a beautiful, cool Autumn morning, my friend and Road Dirt colleague Phil G and I set out on a day ride together. Pointing north, we rode up toward the old historic towns of Dahlonega and Dawsonville in the North Georgia foothills. Caught behind a slow moving dump truck for several miles at one point, suddenly Phil lurched left and throttled hard on his Harley, roaring past the dump truck on a long, empty straight stretch. Already in sixth gear, I followed suit on the Honda SCL500, hurrying to catch up. The “Scrambler” howled as I pinned the throttle, and the diminutive twin hurtled forward, hitting 90 mph by the time I caught up with Phil’s Road Glide.
Impressive, for a little motorbike not a third of the displacement of Phil’s big Hawg…

Harley-Davidson Dealerships Closing at Alarming Rate

Posted by Rob Brooks | Oct 31, 2024 | Industry & Racing |

I read a notice today concerning the closure of a significant Harley-Davidson dealership in Southern California, the Los Angeles Harley-Davidson in Fullerton. As of October 31, 2024, this legendary motorcycle dealership is closing its doors. The news came after several other industry posts I recently read, confirming the closure of multiple large and noteworthy H-D dealerships across the country. Taboo Harley-Davidson in Alexandria, Louisiana shut down on October 16, New York City Harley-Davidson back in September, as well as about five to six others over the past couple of months.
What is happening at the Motor Company?

Recent Study: The Most Dangerous States For Motorcyclists

Posted by Rob Brooks | Oct 29, 2024 | Ride Life |

We recently were sent the results of a 10 year study concerning motorcycle injuries and fatalities state by state across America. Utilizing data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the law firm of Easton & Easton in Southern California compiled some eye-opening stats that we thought were worth sharing. Motorcycling is more than a hobby for many of us; in some ways more than even a passion. Motorcycle riding is a way of life, a lifestyle that we embrace, a culture we join and participate in. And because we love it so much and it’s so ingrained in our daily lives, we need to be aware of the dangers all around us and the inherent risks involved, so we can live and ride accordingly.

FIRST LOOK: 2025 Triumph Trident 660

Posted by Rob Brooks | Oct 8, 2024 | Bikes & Gear |

What is unique about any triple cylinder motorcycle engine, and it’s certainly true of Triumph’s 660, is the happy medium it takes between a twin and a four. The Trident triple delivers 90% peak torque from 3,600-9,750 rpm, giving the rider kind of a “best of both worlds” between a twin and four-cylinder engine. You get the lowdown pull and strong mid range of a twin, with the high revving top end power of a four. Plus, who doesn’t love the sound of a throaty triple?

MotoAmerica 2024 Wrap-Up at NJMP

Posted by Rob Brooks | Sep 30, 2024 | Industry & Racing |

The 2024 MotoAmerica motorcycle road racing season ended very differently than it began. Jake Gagne and the Attack Yamaha Racing team were preparing to take a record 4th-in-a-row Superbike championship, Rahal Ducati Moto was predicted to claim the Supersport championship with PJ Jacobsen, Kayla Yaakov and Corey Alexander all contending in the class, early pundits were predicting Kyle Wyman would return the factory Harley-Davidson team to the top rung in the King of the Baggers series, with the other series (Twins Cup, Stock 1000, Super Hooligans, and Junior Cup) all up for grabs.
By season’s end, the landscape looked much different.

2024 Yamaha MT-07: Scrappy and Brash

Posted by Rob Brooks | Sep 23, 2024 | Bikes & Gear |

I must confess- I don’t like riding this motorcycle.
From the torquey parallel 689cc liquid-cooled twin, the upright and comfortable “street fighter” riding triangle, to the thrilling, arm-stretching acceleration when twisting the throttle, and that deep guttural growl through the 2-into-1 exhaust, the 2024 Yamaha MT-07 just does me in.
I don’t like riding this motorcycle- I love riding it.
And therein lies my problem with this bike…

Honda’s New E-Clutch Technology

Posted by Rob Brooks | Sep 9, 2024 | Bikes & Gear, Nuts & Bolts |

Honda’s all new E-Clutch system really makes these bikes very versatile. You essentially get two motorcycles in one. You can engage the hand lever clutch and ride manual, or engage the E-Clutch and simply tap up/down through the gears. We sampled the CB650R about a year ago, and for my size, it was the perfect fit (not to mention the sexiest pipes in the industry). So Honda’s installing the E-Clutch system in this and the sport model makes this bike even more inviting, not just to younger, new, and potential riders, but also to somebody like me. I loved it.

2024 Royal Enfield Himalayan 450: Road and Dirt

Posted by Rob Brooks | Aug 26, 2024 | Bikes & Gear, Rides & Roads |

Ripping down Utah State 40 through the vast and beautiful Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, our motorcycle entourage suddenly arrived at our dirt turn-off. Pulling over before descending into the deep and somewhat narrow canyon, our Royal Enfield group leader gave us a few pointers about the route they’d scouted the day before, then down we rode into the ravine. The ride on 40 had been glorious, over the hills and around the lakes in this portion of northeast Utah. The warning signs at the beginning of the off-road section of our ride alarmed me, however. “Travel At Your Own Risk”, “Dangerous Road Ahead”, among others had me wondering why I was here. I’m primarily a street rider, and I feared this segment might take me way out of my wheelhouse and skill level.

ADV Racing at Sturgis TT

Posted by Rob Brooks | Aug 15, 2024 | Industry & Racing |

So it’s not surprising that another new category has been introduced, this time in American Flat Track. The category, called AdventureTrackers, made its inaugural debut at Sturgis, SD recently with its first race conducted on a road/dirt course of the Sturgis TT.
Not only was it a successful race, but it appears a new rivalry has emerged as a result, between Harley-Davidson teams racing the Pan America 1250, and teams running Triumph’s Tiger 1200 GT and Rally Pro bikes. A Honda Africa Twin team ran as well, and some big-name racers piloted these ADV bikes in the race. It appears the trial run of the class was a crowd pleaser as well, with lots of social media buzz about the race from Sturgis attendees on hand for it.