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2024 Polaris Slingshot- A Fresh Take

Posted by Ken "Hawkeye" Glassman | Jun 20, 2024 | Bikes & Gear |

Here’s what is most important about the Slingshot: I’m grateful that there is a company out there THAT MAKES A VEHICLE LIKE THIS TODAY. I used to say that about Chrysler cars, with their incredible (if unnecessary) horsepower. And about Ford, and Chevy too, who made several performance models for everyday prices. But they don’t anymore. This isn’t a car, it isn’t a motorcycle, IT’S A FUN MACHINE. It’s loud, brash, unrefined, raw and industrial. It’s a bare knuckle, in your face roadster, and Polaris makes no attempt to apologize for it. It’s a vehicle that begs to be driven it like you stole it, every time you take it out. You have to drive this car, not be driven by it.

2024 Polaris Slingshot Preview

Posted by Rob Brooks | Dec 22, 2023 | Bikes & Gear |

Polaris developed and debuted the Slingshot in late 2014, and immediately the “autocycle” as they dub it, created a swirl of publicity, both positive and negative. Motorcycle purists panned the machine, claiming (rightly so) that it’s not a true motorcycle. Three wheels, a steering wheel, a cockpit that you sit down in, seat belts strapping you in, and options like airbags and roll cages, even lock-on roofs, pretty much scream “not a motorcycle.” Yet the Slingshot has garnered much praise as well, adding a different sort of entrance and flavor in the powersports world. They’ve since gained a sizable cult following here in the States, and can be seen on the roads in about every location imaginable across the country.
And they are proudly made in America. Huntsville, Alabama to be exact.

Swinging a Slingshot

Posted by Rob Brooks | Sep 22, 2021 | Bikes & Gear |

For the past couple of years, several of the Road Dirt crew have periodically nudged me, saying, “We should review a Polaris Slingshot.” I’ve resisted, declaring, “We are Road Dirt MOTORCYCLE Media. The Slingshot is not a motorcycle.” I was bound to eat my words eventually.
A couple of months back, Polaris reached out to us via Kelly with The Brand Amp (their marketing partners), asking if we’d be interested in sampling a 2021 Slingshot SL for a couple of weeks. To the guffaws and “I told you so” ribbings of my compatriots, I of course agreed, and subsequently dined on my words.
As we would say down here in the Deep South, “That thing is a hoot to drive.”

Making History at the Daytona 200

Posted by Road Dirt Crew | Mar 8, 2026 | Industry & Racing |

At the 84th running of the legendary Daytona 200, the history books got a rewrite thanks to a trio of factors- Herrin, Yaakov, and Ducati. Tim Lester was there to capture the history-making moments for us.

EAGLERIDER Motorcycle Rentals- Go Ride

Posted by Rob Brooks | Aug 13, 2025 | Bikes & Gear, Ride Life |

The idea for EagleRider was birthed in 1992, in the imaginations of two AT&T employees, Chris McIntyre and Jeff Brown. The coworkers and friends wanted to take sabbaticals from their jobs and travel around the country on Harleys. At the time, neither owned a motorcycle yet, so they tried renting bikes from dealerships, unsuccessfully. Discovering there were no rental services across the country, the two had the idea to start their own. As they both put it, “We saw demand, but no supply!” They figured that plenty of men and women riders, when traveling, would jump at the chance to rent a motorcycle when away from home. They figured correctly. Chris and Jeff were soon joined by Peter Wurmer and Robert Pitts, and the friends opened their first rental shop in Peter’s garage in San Pedro, CA, with four motorcycles the guys purchased themselves.
And to quote English historian John Wade, “The rest is history.”

Return to Iron Horse

Posted by Rob Brooks | Apr 7, 2025 | Rides & Roads |

4 1/2 years. That’s how long it’s been since the last time I rolled in and set foot on the grounds of Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge in Stecoah, North Carolina. Had it really been nearly that long? My memories of our last trip here in many respects feel like yesterday. Phil, Ted, my friend Lyle, and myself, all enjoying one of the most beautiful, colorful autumns in recent memory, up in the mountains of western North Carolina. We stayed in one of Iron Horse’s creekside cabins, waking to the gentle burbling stream every morning. Delightful meals, even more delightful people, nightly campfires, and exceptional hospitality by owner Jerry Goss and his staff. We even rode a trio of Yamaha Nikens, those mechanical silverback gorillas, across the famed Tail of the Dragon, along the Cherohala Skyway, and a stint on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Iron Horse owns and operates Wolf Creek Rentals, just down the street from the lodge. More on that shortly.
I remember it all as if it were yesterday. And yet it’s been almost five years. Too many years.

Through The Lens: Tea Cup Two-Day Trials

Posted by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Sep 16, 2024 | Industry & Racing, Legendary Bikes |

Geoff and I are always trying new things and photographing a two-day vintage trials event in the wilderness of Mendocino County, California was our latest adventure. It is quite different than trying to capture the speed of road racing or the slide of dirt trackers. Figuring out how to make slow and precise look exciting is more difficult than it looks. The rugged terrain and slippery footing sent us both sliding down more than just a couple of times over the two days.

Harley-Davidson Freewheeler Trike

Posted by Rob Brooks | Feb 23, 2024 | Bikes & Gear, Ride Life |

I must admit, I had never ridden a true trike before, as in single wheel up front, dual wheels/dual axle in the rear. I’ve taken Can-Am Spiders for a spin, we’ve reviewed the Polaris Slingshot before, but my first time on Mike’s trike was an education. Lena, Mike’s wife, recently let me borrow their trike for a couple of weeks, so I spent my first day familiarizing myself with the handling and maneuvering characteristics.
Riding a trike is wholly different than riding a bike.

Into The Woods With A Honda Pioneer 1000

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jul 1, 2022 | Bikes & Gear, Rides & Roads |

So here I am, deep in the woods on miles of mountainous Tennessee trails, bouncing/banging around in Honda’s all-purpose UTV. These trails, of which there are over 600 miles criss-crossing this portion of the state, would be entertaining for trials motorcycle riders. We are climbing over rock formations, negotiating deep gullies, fording mountain streams and large mud puddles, and climbing up/down steep mountain trails.
I’ve never done anything like this before. And I’m thoroughly enjoying myself.