Rob Brooks

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.

Better On A Bike

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jul 16, 2024 | Ride Life |

I’m no poet, but while seated in an aircraft at 35,000 feet somewhere over the Arabian Sea west of India, these words began to materialize in my head. Returning from a 16-day mission/relief trip to Indonesia with 127 Legacy Foundation, I longed to unwind on a motorcycle and ride off into uncrowded countryside. Through exhaustion, overseas illness, and jet-lag, I mused, “I’m always better on a bike.”

Motorcycle Gear: Alpinestars Tech-Air 3 Airbag Vest

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jun 17, 2024 | Bikes & Gear |

A couple of years ago about this time, I had a low speed slideout while making a left-hand turn onto another road. I hit an unseen patch of gravel that had washed out onto the road from a storm the previous day, and I hit it while leaning left to negotiate the turn. The Yamaha XR900 I was riding lost traction, and I went down pretty hard on my left side. The bike was fine, mostly, as the handlebar and a couple of left side frame sliders prevented any real damage. My HJC i10 Robust helmet took a knock on the left side, so I had no head or neck injuries. I rode the bike home with no problems. Over the next day or two however, my left side shoulder, ribs and hip became a little sore from the impact.
It wasn’t long thereafter that I took an interest in the growing array of wearable airbag offerings on the market for motorcycle riders.

This Old Bike And Me

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jun 7, 2024 | Ride Life |

I took my old 1978 Kawasaki KZ 650 out for a ride on a recent Sunday afternoon. The skies were clear, a warm gentle breeze was blowing, and I needed some alone time on a motorcycle. It had been a few weeks since I had last ridden the old bike, and it took a little coaxing to get her to fire up and settle into a smooth idle. Opening the petcock, adding some choke, thumbing the starter a couple of times, a little throttle massage until she was warm, then we were off into the rolling countryside south of our north Georgia home.