Bikes & Gear

Evaluations & Recommendations

Top Five Fave Bikes of 2025

Posted by Road Dirt Crew | Dec 29, 2025 | Bikes & Gear | 0 |

National Cycle- Motorcycle Windshield Leaders

by Road Dirt Crew | Mar 2, 2026 | Bikes & Gear, Industry & Racing | 0 |

Willey came of age in the early 1900s, amidst World War I, the international flu pandemic of 1918, and the Great Depression. An avid pilot and motorcycle rider (clearly the adventurous type for his times), Willey saw a need among riders for quality accessories. He decided to start a company that would apply expert craftsmanship in manufacturing parts for use on motorbikes, and in 1937 he launched Nation’s Cycle Center in Maywood, Illinois, near metro Chicago.

Beautiful Bikes: Ducati Formula 73

by Road Dirt Crew | Feb 26, 2026 | Bikes & Gear, Legendary Bikes | 0 |

We recently wrote about some motorcycles debuting this year that caught our eye. Some we hope to ride, others are what we categorized as, “unobtainium”. Either way, all are beautiful, and we love beautiful motorcycles. This latest offering from Ducati is another example, both historic-looking and drop-dead gorgeous, as well as out of reach for the majority of us proletariat. Nonetheless, it caught our eye, so we felt compelled to share a little bit about the Formula 73, as the Italian motorcycle manufacturer has dubbed it.

Bikes That Catch Our Eye for 2026

by Road Dirt Crew | Jan 29, 2026 | Bikes & Gear, Legendary Bikes | 0 |

Every January, the motorcycle brands start debuting their new year models, with previews and “sneak peeks“ for the motorcycle media. Year after year, it kind of gets monotonous and boring- different colors, new paint schemes and patterns, some new tech in the electronics package, maybe a little tweak in the brakes, suspension or powerplant, and/or more farkles in the OEM accessory parts bin. So many of the motorcycle media outlets feel the need to kiss up to the brands, running glowing previews of every detail of a “new” bike, even if the specs were the same as last year, just wearing a new colorway.
Same pablum and blather, different year…

Winter Work: Harley-Davidson Super Reach Seat

by J. Joshua Placa | Jan 20, 2026 | Bikes & Gear, Nuts & Bolts | 0 |

After much meditation, thought, internal debate, posterior pain, and consulting with my witch doctor, I finally concluded it was time to find a touring machine, one with some built-in creature comforts. For me, this translated to a smooth, powerful motor and a seat that will stay comfortable for many a mile. Unfortunately, the 2012 Road King Classic I picked up came with an aftermarket saddle that was, as hard as it is to believe, too cozy.

Top Five Fave Bikes of 2025

by Road Dirt Crew | Dec 29, 2025 | Bikes & Gear | 0 |

Looking back over the past 12 months, we decided to compile a short list of our favorite bikes this year. Everything we rode we absolutely enjoyed, but here are a few that we particularly had a blast with. Leave us a comment below on any of these you got to ride or purchase, or any others you may have enjoyed.

Gear to Go: Harley Jacket and Gloves

by J. Joshua Placa | Dec 18, 2025 | Bikes & Gear | 0 |

On my recent expedition to Tombstone, AZ for Helldorado Days, Harley outfitted me with two of their best sellers, the Triple Vent Passing Link II Leather Coat and Circuit II Weatherproof Leather Gauntlet Gloves. For an enthusiast, your leather is much more than just a protective second skin, it’s a lifestyle statement. It has to look good, feel good and fit your personal fashion and function needs.

Harley’s 2025 Street Glide Ultra

by J. Joshua Placa | Dec 11, 2025 | Bikes & Gear | 0 |

You may scoff and say I’m just getting soft, but I prefer to believe riding smarter is better than riding harder, at least in the long haul. Making slightly fewer dumb decisions is a nice perk of getting older. Comfortable bikes relieve road fatigue and extra storage space makes packing and unpacking quicker, easier and less tiring. Sit the roomy hard bags and big tour pak on a counterbalanced and rubber-mounted 117 cubic inch (1923 cc) power plant, load it with tech I can’t figure and you have Harley-Davidson’s luxury liner, the 2025 Street Glide Ultra.

A Day at Blackhawk with the Yamaha R9

by Ryan Nolan | Dec 8, 2025 | Bikes & Gear | 0 |

As I started my first flying lap, braking into T1 I immediately felt at home, the braking power was strong and predictable and I had a good feel with the front tire as I dove into the turn. The handling was light and flickable just as I remembered from my first ride. Having the power band smoothed out allowed me to keep up my corner speed and get the power down as I exited each corner. After another lap I had clicked off an 1:18 without really pushing, so I knew I had a lot left in the tank. Beginning my next couple of laps I started to catch traffic so slowed up a little and decided to dive into the pit lane to try and get some clear track.

New Gear: REV’IT! Trench 2 GTX Jacket

by Drew Perlmutter | Nov 24, 2025 | Bikes & Gear | 0 |

This fall, I spent some time riding with Rob Brooks about town. We meandered through the backcountry and stopped for lunch. “Hey, I’ve got a jacket you might like,” he mentioned. “It’s not really my style, but I bet it’d suit you a lot better.” I was curious what that meant, but gladly took him up on it.