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Ken’s Op-Ed: Riding the Tail of the Dragon, Pt. 2

Posted by Ken "Hawkeye" Glassman | Sep 19, 2024 | Ride Life, Rides & Roads |

It seems that while riding on the fabulous roads that lead to and from the Dragon, some of the riders in the group got separated from each other, which is not unusual. It was before GPS, but they all had maps, and the route was not very complicated. But one guy (I’ll call him Jack . . . short for Jackass) fell quite a bit behind, whether intentional or accidentally. At some point he decided to catch up to the group. So he began to speed up and got frustrated by the slower moving traffic on the two lane roads. “Jack” began to pass cars and other traffic by crossing the double yellow lines and passing on the left and right at breakneck speeds. Apparently, some of the folks he blew past were startled and other drivers got the crap scared out of them. Someone among them called the police on Jack for riding like a crazy man.

Ken’s Op-Ed: Riding the Tail of the Dragon

Posted by Ken "Hawkeye" Glassman | Sep 12, 2024 | Ride Life, Rides & Roads |

I first rode the Dragon way back in 2007 when they referred to that area as Deals Gap, and it boasted a small 1-story motel with a place to stop for some refreshments and food, and of course a souvenir shop. I took some photos, bought the t-shirt. It also had a huge old tree, with hundreds of pieces of motorcycle wreckage hanging ominously from it’s many branches recovered from the numerous crashes, (sometimes fatal) warning folks what had occurred on that road, and what may happen if ridden beyond one’s capabilities. The “tree of shame”, they call it.

Gear Review: Nelson-Rigg Weekender Motorcycle Tail Bag

Posted by Ken "Hawkeye" Glassman | Aug 13, 2024 | Bikes & Gear |

When I had my 2011 Triumph Bonneville America repainted last spring, the bike looked brand new. But the tail bag I’d used since the bike was new was looking a bit shabby and quite faded, and just didn’t look worthy of the rest of the motorcycle. So, I began the arduous search for a new bag.

Road Dirt Bucket List Bikes of 2024

Posted by Road Dirt Crew | Feb 7, 2024 | Bikes & Gear |

Launching into a new year is always fun in the motorcycling world, with the advent of new or updated motorcycles coming by the spring. We here at Road Dirt love the early press reveals of upcoming bikes, but we also enjoy reflecting on current, older or lesser known machines that we’d enjoy getting our hands on. We put the question to the Road dirt crew, “What motorcycles would you love to sample in 2024?” Several of the guys shot back some interesting picks, and we decided to share some of them here with you.

Riding The Dark Side: Car Tires On Motorcycles

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jan 24, 2024 | Nuts & Bolts |

We’ve done a fair amount of tire testing in the last couple of years, with Ted Edwards and Dave Wensveen logging thousands of miles across the western states. One unconventional option that we’ve never tried but still fuels debate in some circles is using automotive tires on motorcycles. While motorcycle tires are specifically designed for the unique demands of two-wheeled vehicles, some riders still think it’s worth exploring the possibility of installing car tires on their bikes. Most of us respond with, “Are you nuts?!” Yet we still occasionally meet riders who swear by them. So, let’s take a deep dive into the pros and cons of using automotive tires on motorcycles, and see where we can park this debate.

Contributors

Posted by Rob Brooks | Feb 19, 2019 |

The Road Dirt Crew Rob Brooks Founder, Senior Editor, Chief Cook & Bottle Washer Rob claims, “Motorcycles are in my blood, in my DNA.” This has not been independently verified. What is verifiable, nay...

Brake Free- Helmet Brake Light Review

Posted by Ken "Hawkeye" Glassman | Jul 8, 2025 | Bikes & Gear |

A couple of years ago, I was at a local motorcycle event and came upon a little booth and met the folks from Brake Free, demonstrating their new product, and boy was I ever impressed. The Brake Free Smart Brake Light is a stand-alone, helmet mounted device with 100 extra bright LED lights which makes it almost impossible for anyone behind you not to see you. It’s totally self contained, and requires no wiring to the motorcycle.

Pedal Power to Moto Power

Posted by Ken "Hawkeye" Glassman | Jun 26, 2025 | Ride Life |

I, like most of you readers, consider my motorcycles to be my “freedom machines”, an activity to get out with the wind in my face, enjoying the sights and sounds around me, and exploring new roads and places. And if you’re riding with buddies, the friendly interaction when you stop is another benefit. Rylee’s two-wheeler will become just that for her very soon. More than transportation, mastering the skill will give her satisfaction and confidence, and it ill be an exhilarating experience, that she’ll miss in the winter.

Helmet Review: HJC i31 Tevis

Posted by Ken "Hawkeye" Glassman | Jun 16, 2025 | Bikes & Gear |

The new version is called the HJC i31 Tevis. I’ve always had a solid color helmet rather than one with wildly colored graphics, but this time I decided to go with some colors, which match those of my newly repainted Triumph America. I loved the way it looked, but the trouble began with the first time I put it on. Or more accurately, the first time I attempted to put it on.