Road Dirt

We had the opportunity to talk with MotoAmerica Junior Cup motorcycle racer Jasmine Nichols, of Panda Racing. We discuss her rather late entrance into motorcycle racing, and how she's worked her way up through the ranks to now race at the premier national level. This is the audio recording of the video interview we had with her, which can be found at the end of our race report on the MotoAmeri...

We recently had the opportunity to ride and review, across several days, three midsize motorcycles- the 2023 Harley-Davidson Nightster Special, Indian Scout Rogue, and Honda Rebel 1100T. Road Dirt senior editor Rob Brooks was joined by editor-at-large Ted Edwards and guest tester Dave Wensveen, and after riding in numerous settings and conditions, the three of them sat down over coffee to discuss...

We share a sort of "Moto Noir" tale penned by our resident veteran motorcycle rider and writer Joshua Placa. We think you'll enjoy this dark story of hard rain, dark and dangerous city streets, and unrequited love, astride a massive beast of a motorcycle. Let us know what you think in the comments! For Joshua's story with mood-fitting photos, click here: https://roaddirt.tv/midni...

We had about a month with Zero Motorcycle's DSR/X sport adventure bike, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Electric is growing on us. Give a listen why. For our main site article with photos and video footage, click here: https://roaddirt.tv/electric-adventure/ For Zero Motorcycles, click here: https://www.zeromotorcycles.com/

A few years ago, I had the privilege to meet and interview one of the most interesting people I've ever met- world motorcycle traveler and proud New Zealander Helen Upson. We caught up with Helen as she was touring the United States on her custom 2009 Yamaha V-Max, and she recounted her decades long love affair with motorcycling, her far and wide travels on two wheels, and some of her other intere...

Motorcycling involves risk. In an age that prioritizes "bubble wrap" safety, bikers stand, or rather ride, counter to the culture. Here's Editor-at-Large Ted Edwards' take on the "Safety vs. Joy" debate. For his written story with photos, click here: Safety vs. Joy *Like, subscribe, share, and leave us a comment!

Former AMA Pro motorcycle racer Ron Mass passed away in January, with too little remembrance and recognition. We felt a short tribute was overdue. For our online story with photos from Ron's heyday of racing in the 1970s, click here: https://roaddirt.tv/goodbye-ron-mass/ *Be sure to like, subscribe, share, and comment!

Robbie Knievel, famed motorcycle daredevil jumper and son of the legendary Evel Knievel, passed away in mid-January at 60 years of age. We take a look at Robbie's life and most famous jumps, reflecting on a few of our faves in the process. For our full story with great photos from Robbie's epic career, click here: https://roaddirt.tv/robbie-knievel-his-fathers-son/ For more Road Dirt: like, subscr...

Rob shares a special day he spent out riding his Triumph Bonneville on New Year's Day, offering some reflections on 2022 and projections for 2023. For the story with photos, click here: https://roaddirt.tv/riding-into-the-new-year/ Special thanks to our sponsors, Chuck Watwood and the good folks at Law Bike: https://www.lawbike.com/about  

Road Dirt senior editor Rob Brooks reflects on the incredible year that was 2022. From new motorcycles, new adventures, and new relationships the Road Dirt Crew experienced, to returning to old familiar paths and ways like Joshua's and Ted's expansive travels, and even Rob's new old motorcycle (1978 Kawasaki KZ650), 2022 was amazing year. There were some spills, but more thrills, we must admit. We...

Editor-at-Large Ted Edwards shares what he's most thankful for over this past year, as we head into the Christmas holiday season. For Ted's written story with photos, click here: Christmas Thanksgiving Much thanks to our holiday podcast sponsors, Little Rider Enterprises! Check out their great children's books here: Mimi and Moto

In the Holiday Season, we share an occasion for generosity in the motorcycling community, and reflect on the giving hearts that so many riders possess: bringing Christmas cheer to children and families in need. For the written story with photos, click here: To Give Is To Gain For more on the holiday work of the Salvation Army, click here: Salvation Army Please visit our podcast sponsor! Mimi and M...

Road Dirt photo-journalist Ryan Nolan flies out to Los Angeles to ride the Yamaha MT-10 SP, around town, along the highways, and up in the mountains. Ryan gives his ride impressions, describes some of the unique features of the bike, and his assessment of it as a do-everything, well-rounded naked sportbike.  For Ryan's story with photos and ride footage, click here: Riding the Yamaha MT-10 SP...

Editor-at-Large Joshua Placa points the Indian Super Chief Limited into the urban frontier that is Los Angeles, asking the existential question, "What is Los Angeles, really?" With his typical wit and wry sense of humor, Joshua weaves an entertaining tale of city life on a motorcycle, from the congested streets of NYC to the sprawling burbs of LA. For his story with photos, click here: In Search o...

We share the audio portion of a video interview we had with Mark Augustyn and Nancy Gerloff, the authors of the popular "Mimi and Moto: The Motorcycle Monkeys" kids book series. We discuss their own motorcycling backgrounds, the inspirations behind writing this book series, and what they plan to write and publish next. Looking for some enjoyable Christmas gifts for the younger kids or grands in yo...

We share a portion of a conversation we enjoyed with Kevin Baxter of ProTwin Performance and Baxter's Garage. Kevin is a noted custom motorcycle builder, and one of North America's premier high-performance V-Twin engine tuners. We discuss his latest creation, the award-winning Curve Bike, diving into the bike's very personal inspiration, the unique features he built in, and the accolades the bike...

Joshua Placa plunges deeper into the Arizona ghostlands and visits the legendary town of Tombstone, famous for gunfights, gambling and ghosts.  For his written story with photos, click here: Haunted Highways- Tombstone's Undead For part 1 of this series, click here: Haunted Highways- Arizona's Ghostlands

Road Dirt Editor-at-Large Joshua Placa chases ghostly tales of the Old West in this first episode of our Halloween series on the podcast! For the written story with ample photos, click here: Haunted Highways- Arizona Ghostlands Give us a like, subscribe and share if you enjoyed this!

We sit down for a chat with Brian Stokes- former AMA Motocross, Supercross, Formula Extreme and Supersport racer, crew chief, team leader, who also has supplied motorcycles to movies and television shows, and now maintains the marketing and media fleet for Triumph North America. Whew! Brian lives the motorcycling life, the #RIDELIFE as we call it, and shares his story with us here.  For the v...

If you’re riding through a rough patch, on a motorcycle ride or in life, the key might be to make up your mind and throttle through. Motorcycle riders are characterized by a “can-do” spirit. We examine how and what we can improve, then we “get back on the horse” and roll out. It all begins in the mind and the will. We share Rob's personal experience with this from a road trip this summer, and how...

We sit down for a chat with 4x AMA Pro Superbike champion Josh Hayes during the final MotoAmerica motorcycle road racing weekend at Barber Motorsports Park. After a brutal crash in practice that broke his left leg in several places, Josh returned to the track and talked with us about his racing life, his family, his work now as a coach and mentor, and his aspirations in 2023.   For our main m...

Ted Edwards account of the breathtaking beauty of riding old motorcycles along the Pacific Coast of Oregon and California. For his written story with plenty of photos, click or copy/paste here: The Old Bike and the Sea

On this episode, we share the wit and wisdom of Joshua Placa, veteran biker and moto-journalist, in the first installment of a series he calls, "The Budget Biker". We hope you enjoy this entertaining, maybe even idea-inspiring, tale from the open road. For the written story with photos, follow this link: The Budget Biker: Eat Right, Ride Cheap

Road Dirt's Ted Edwards talks with Max Flinders, MotoAmerica road racer competing in the Superbike class. Max and Ted discuss the struggles of being a "privateer" racer, with few sponsors, no crew besides family, and the hardships of going it alone.  Yet for a passionate racer like Max who loves the sport, what keeps him motivated? What keeps him on the road and on the track, pursuing his dre...

Storms find me, seeking me out like Sidewinder missiles, tracking me down whether I’m out for a day ride or on a multi-day road trip. There’s a cosmic determination to soak me at least once while I’m out two-wheeling, it seems, especially in the summer months. Here’s a few of my "wet tales", in no particular order other than how they come to mind.  By the end, leave one or two of yours in the...