Commentary

Motorcycle Commentary: Columns, Upside/Downside Race Reports, Personal Tales

Motorcycle Memoir | 1st Ride was the Worst - Even 40 years later!

September 14, 2016 September 14, 2016

Motorcycle Memoir | 1st Ride was the Worst – Even 40 Years Later!

by Gary Ilminen

Harley and the Davidsons Preview | Engaging Motorcycle Drama Set for TV Debut

September 5, 2016 September 5, 2016

Harley and the Davidsons Preview | Engaging Motorcycle Drama Set for TV Debut

by Nic de Sena

Jess McKinley Stoppie Ultimate Motorcycling

August 27, 2016 September 8, 2016

Top 10 Hooligan Motorcycle Techniques I Won’t Attempt Any Time Soon

by Gary Ilminen

Racing Past 60 | Two Wins at WERA West Round 4, Auto Club Speedway!

August 17, 2016 August 17, 2016

Racing Past 60 | Two Wins at WERA West Round 4, Auto Club Speedway

by Marc Rittner

Searching writing campaign—basically my means of writing what I feel while dis- covering the true person inside, even if it’s that maniac inside who needs to remain up until 3 a.m. sipping cab and writing about life’s beauty. I thrive on it, and it makes me, well, me. There’s also a byproduct—opening others to what motorcycling can do to an individual on a multitude of levels, from emotional satisfaction to allowing the mind to escape realities of life and reorder them in a methodical way. By sharing that energy and passion, others will naturally follow, and ulti- mately help grow our sport. This is why I hate meeting the proverbial hard asses and curmudgeons in the motorcycle BE A PIED PIPER industry or in any circle of riding. They do zilch for growth, and may even push some away due to their beat attitudes. It only gets worse daily due to the Social Media Hyperbole—some from fellow moto journalists. Regardless of what the position, from journalism to CEO of a major OEM to the weekly track rider, we are all in this together. The only way forward is through growing our sport by sharing our experi- ences with others. This past June during Laconia Bike Week, I took it one step further. I got a call from my friends at Harley-Davidson, and was asked to cover the Project Rush- more Experience, a slick marketing ven- ture that explains all the positive changes made to the Harley’s Touring lineup since 2014. I was about to ride solo, but a new friend, Andrew, whom I’ve only met six times, wanted to join. He’s educated (four degrees), well trav- eled worldwide, and has a passion for all- things motorcycle. He hadn’t ridden in a few years, though he did once own a Ducati 999. He didn’t own a bike, he never toured more than 100 miles, and I knew nada about his riding style. But, I love to in uence. I took a chance, and gave Andrew my beloved Honda VFR800F—never dropped—to pilot to Laconia with me. His total was just under 900 miles in three days of riding —not bad for a rst touring trip that included two 3 a.m. nights. I provided some riding instruction dur- ing the trip, and bartered his photography skills. It was a win/win/win. He got to ride and received training, I got a break from photography, and the industry got a new customer—he was about to sign the papers on his new ride the day I wrote this column. Andrew could have been a major mis- take and screwed my Viffer up. But, my initial positive view of his character proved correct. I now have a new friend and mad riding buddy who I know can go the distance when pushed, and the indus- try has another passionate rider who I see as a lifer. I challenge everyone to take a chance and nurture that person you know, or just met, to take motorcycling to the next level. Whether the riding style consists of burning a CVO’s tire on Main Street or crossing a stream on an oversized dual sport or perfecting a lap by a tenth of a second, the time to in uence is now.

August 12, 2016 August 12, 2016

Lieback’s Lounge | Be a Pied Piper

by Ron Lieback

Chrysler Sno-Runner Cryotherapy | Hope for Motorcyclist with Winter Doldrums

August 10, 2016 August 10, 2016

Chrysler Sno-Runner Cryotherapy | Hope for Motorcyclist with Winter Doldrums

by Gary Ilminen

Lieback's Lounge | Ron Lieback Motorcycle Column

June 16, 2016 June 17, 2016

Lieback’s Lounge | Sweet M&Ms Always Deliver Smiles

by Ron Lieback

Top 10 Motorcycle Model Names of All Time | Best & Worst

June 15, 2016 June 15, 2016

Top 10 Motorcycle Model Names of All Time | Best & Worst

by Gary Ilminen

Racing Past 60 | 'Luck' Holds Up for 2 Wins at WERA West, Round 3

June 2, 2016 June 2, 2016

Racing Past 60 | ‘Luck’ Holds Up for 2 Wins at WERA West, Round 3

by Marc Rittner

Aprilia Caponord 1200 Rally | Best Unknown Italian Bike Visits Death Valley

June 1, 2016 July 13, 2016

Aprilia Caponord 1200 Rally | Best Unknown Italian Bike Visits Death Valley

by Jonathan Handler

Racing Past 60 | Supermoto Spank - 4 Wins at AHRMA Rounds 5 & 6

May 24, 2016 July 26, 2016

Racing Past 60 | Supermoto Spank – 4 Wins at AHRMA Rounds 5 & 6

by Marc Rittner

Rossi's Engine Blows Up Mugello

May 24, 2016 June 1, 2016

2016 Mugello MotoGP Upside/Downside | Rossi’s YZR-M1 Engine Grenaded

by Don Williams

Honda Sabre motorcycle maintenance

May 17, 2016 May 17, 2016

Motorcycle Maintenance: More ‘When’ than Zen

by Gary Ilminen

2016 E. Rutherford Supercross Results - Ryan Dungey

May 15, 2016 May 15, 2016

2016 Supercross Commentary – Season Wrap-Up | Upside/Downside

by Don Williams

2016 Le Mans MotoGP Commentary | Upside / Downside

May 11, 2016 May 16, 2016

2016 Le Mans MotoGP Commentary | Upside / Downside

by Don Williams