Rob Brooks

Happy Hunting

Posted by Rob Brooks | Apr 27, 2023 | Bikes & Gear |

As the Royal Enfield-led press junket rolled out of the Laguna Mountains back toward San Diego, our group of 12 riders hopped on I-5 to merge with the fast flowing traffic. A couple of us toward the back of the caravan got separated from the main group while negotiating onto the freeway, so I found an opening, then throtted and upshifted hard into the moto mayhem. The spunky little 350cc single howled through its right side exhaust, and once in top (5th) gear, I pinned the throttle in an open lane, gunning for the front group of riders already about a half mile up ahead. The J-Series thumper took a deep breath, then started accelerating up to top end. Roaring down the interstate, the Hunter was stalking and apprehending automobile after automobile, in its quest for peak power. By the time I caught the group, the little beast had pegged 82 mph, rather impressive for so small a displacement motorbike.
“What a pint-size hooligan!” I shouted in my helmet.

My Mechanical Mistress

Posted by Rob Brooks | Apr 11, 2023 | Ride Life |

I have a “girl friend”, a separate love interest, that I simply cannot keep my hands off of. This passionate affair dominates my life, is never far from my heart and mind, and oddly, my wife not only tolerates it, she approves, even encourages it. What a great woman.

Three of a Kind

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

When editor-at-large Ted Edwards asked me several months ago if he and his cousin/riding buddy Dave could come spend a week riding over here in the southeast with us, I of course welcomed the opportunity. Ted had been urging us to get into more multi-motorcycle reviews, so I set to work on turning their time here into a 3-way bike comparo. I reached out to my contacts at several brands, and came up with a cool assortment of middleweight cruisers to ride and review together- the brand new Harley-Davidson Nightster Special, the Indian Scout Rogue, and the Honda Rebel 1100T. These machines hold enough similarities and yet differences that I figured a 3-way ride and comparison would be quite interesting and entertaining, especially with these two clowns coming into town.

Legendary Bikes: 1979 Honda CBX

Posted by Rob Brooks | Mar 30, 2023 | Legendary Bikes |

I was attending the annual Meltdown Vintage Motorcycle Show in Hendersonville, NC a few years back with my father, and as we walked among the old bikes lined up along the streets, I stopped and gawked at one of the wildest looking engines I’d ever seen shoehorned into a factory motorcycle before- a 1979 Honda CBX six-cylinder beast. I’d viewed them in pictures and a couple of museums before, but seeing one parked by the curb there, with its owner sitting behind in a small lounge chair sipping a local brew, I just had to linger and chat while my dad wandered off to check out some old Harleys.

A Day At The Races

Posted by Rob Brooks | Mar 27, 2023 | Industry & Racing, Ride Life |

When I learned that the American Flat Track series was returning to Georgia, and Senoia Raceway no less, I knew I had to get down for the weekend. I wanted to witness the races of course, after a few years with no races in my state, but even more, I yearned to revisit the track of my youth. I spent the weekend at my mother’s place (my father passed away in 2021), not 12 minutes from the track. I arrived at the raceway early enough Saturday to get good parking, roam the paddock, say hello to some friends, then go sit in the stands where we sat as kids that very first race night ages ago. Decades later with AFT press credentials, I now ventured out through the gate down onto the infield, to drink it all in before the early practices and qualifying would begin. Standing in the center of the “bull ring”, looking 360 around the oval bowl, the childhood anticipation was welling up in me again, an old familiar sensation of, “When’s the races starting, Dad?!”

Electric Adventure

Posted by Rob Brooks | Mar 6, 2023 | Bikes & Gear |

Turning right onto a state road near my home, I suddenly caught a glimpse in my left periphery of a pickup truck topping the hill behind me, his headlights bearing down rapidly in my mirrors. “Oh crap,” I exclaimed, as I rolled hard on the throttle to put distance between us. The Zero DSR/X responded instantly with arm stretching torque, nearly lifting the front with eager acceleration. 0-70 mph in seconds, leaving the four wheeled interloper far behind.

Helen Upson- A Kiwi Roams America

Posted by Rob Brooks | Mar 1, 2023 | Ride Life, Rides & Roads |

Helen is a tough, crusty old Kiwi, hardened by miles and years, but with an infectious smile and warm personality. Over coffee and hot chocolate, we discussed her adventures. And what adventures she’s had.

Indian Motorcycle to Defend Their Triple Crown

Posted by Rob Brooks | Feb 27, 2023 | Industry & Racing |

Racing has always been a big part of motorcycling culture. Whether in the dirt or on the track, the thrill of competition and speed is in the DNA of riders and moto brands alike. Indian Motorcycle has a long and storied history of full throttle racing, and their pedigree has fueled countless wins and championships over the past 122 years.

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.