Ted Edwards

Southern Comfort

Posted by Ted Edwards | Apr 17, 2023 | Bikes & Gear |

Riding Three Cruisers In And Out Of Their Element Life is slower in the Deep South. Deep in...

Some Bucket List Bikes of 2023

Posted by Ted Edwards | Mar 20, 2023 | Bikes & Gear |

We neglected to share these earlier, but when editor-in-chief Rob Brooks asked me for my dream list for motorcycles I wanted to ride in 2023, I dreamt big. Emphasis on dreamt. He did ask for a wish list after all. I leave it up to him to fulfill it.

Safety vs. Joy

Posted by Ted Edwards | Feb 20, 2023 | Ride Life |

Riding a motorcycle is neither safe nor sane; they are temperamental machines draped in risk. Short wheelbase. Steep steering. Too much horsepower. Not enough brakes. Two skinny patches of rubber. A fuel tank between your knees. An fire-breathing engine between your shins. Delicate fingertip controls. They fall over when you turn, dive when you brake and loft the front wheel under greedy throttle. All of it screams you should have listened to your mother. Or father.

New Year, New Gear: Rhino Hanger

Posted by Ted Edwards | Jan 23, 2023 | Bikes & Gear |

Of all the motorcycle gear to get excited about, a clothes hanger is probably at the bottom of the list. A new leather jacket or new track suit is exciting. A new hanger? Not so much.
General use hangers are not up to the task of bearing the weight of that new leather jacket and will absolutely buckle under the girth of a new track suit. No one wants to find their precious and expensive gear lying in a heap on the floor (or worse, the ground) beneath a broken hanger, and few gear manufacturers include a hanger that’s up to the task.

New Year, New Gear: REV’IT! Stack 15L H2O Backpack

Posted by Ted Edwards | Jan 7, 2023 | Bikes & Gear |

REV’IT! has teamed up with the luggage and backpack experts at Kriega to create their own line of high quality packs that are comfortable, durable and waterproof. The biggest advantage of this partnership means all REV’IT! packs use Kriega’s Quadloc-Lite harness.

Two Points Of Contact

Posted by Ted Edwards | Dec 21, 2022 | Ride Life |

Both motorcycling and skiing are about managing two finicky points of contact with bravery and skill. The rush of wind and speed is the same with both. Lean angle with either always equals risk, speed will always equal radius and more speed will always equal more brakes. The sublime joy of two points of contact means you have to lean, you have to carve, you have to trust your traction, and yes, you have to be just a bit crazy.

Christmas Thanksgiving

Posted by Ted Edwards | Dec 12, 2022 | Ride Life |

Almost a foot of snow fell yesterday around my Pacific Northwest home. My motorcycles are all parked around the 1966 Ford Mustang convertible, hibernating, tethered to their battery tender umbilicals for the winter. About a month ago was the last time any of their engines spun, Mustang included, replaced by the monotonous drone of a snowblower. Staring at them makes me reflect on the things I am most thankful for from the riding year past.

Dunlop Roadsmart IV vs Pirelli Angel GT- 2022 Results

Posted by Ted Edwards | Nov 2, 2022 | Bikes & Gear |

The only way to scientifically compare the mileage of one motorcycle tire versus another and finally put the mileage question to rest forever is to completely control for every single variable: bike, rider, terrain, weight, speed, inflation pressure, etc..which is impossible for an average rider.
Unless you work for Road Dirt Motorcycle Media. Because we do those things.

Trying On A Motorcycle One-Piece Suit

Posted by Ted Edwards | Oct 3, 2022 | Bikes & Gear, Nuts & Bolts |

A motorcycle race suit is a substantial investment from your wallet towards your well-being and proper fit is crucial to safety. Comfortable race suits are more likely to get worn, while poorly fitting suits tend to stay on the hanger. Fit and flexibility also make the difference between feeling fresh or quickly reaching fatigue. Fresh riders are fast riders, fatigued riders make mistakes. I know this all too well.