Kobayashi Maru

We all like to think we are prepared for whatever will be coming down the road. Whether it be on the bike or simply life itself. Sometimes things happen, and after a moment of stunned WTF, you must take action – no matter what. Even if that action is to sit tight.

I have found that sometimes Plan B, C & D – work out best in the long run. Or, perhaps, I just talk myself into that.

This month I would like to talk about being prepared on your motorcycle, and when you are on the road. Let me throw out a few scenarios from our Grand Finale Road Rally.
 

But Will it Come to America?

At long last, Yamaha is introducing a sportbike powered by its CP3 three-cylinder engine. The catch? It’s not the YZF-R9 we’ve been waiting for, but a new XSR900 GP, a retro motorcycle inspired by Yamaha’s YZR Grand Prix racing machines of the ’80s.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that. The 2024 Yamaha XSR900 GP certainly looks the part, with its red and white cigarette brand color scheme and yellow number plates bringing back memories of Kenny Roberts, Eddie Lawson and Wayne Rainey.

Schedule Your Winter Trackday Getaway Now!

RideHVMC Rental Fleet
No Bike? No Problem!

Looking to join us at the beautiful, sunny, and warm Chuckwalla Valley Raceway located just one hour southeast of Palm Springs, California.

You no longer have the "I don't have a bike to ride" excuse to use! 

The RideHVMC Rental Fleet has expanded to five bikes of all different shapes and sizes.
How does it work?
Fly in to one of the several nearby airports, arrive to your own trackside cabin, and ride one of our bikes all weekend with tires and fuel included.

From October 1st through April 1st you are welcome to join them for Chuckwalla’s packed calendar.

The track  boasts one of the most genuine track riding communities in the country with their close-knit group of 10 members adding to the fun!

Royal Enfield just pulled the cover off of the new Super Meteor 650 at EICMA, expanding both its parallel twin and Meteor lines. The new cruiser takes styling cues from vintage RE Meteor models, like the previously released Meteor 350, but now centered around the brand’s 648cc 2-cyl engine.

The Super Meteor’s silhouette is traditional cruiser to a T, with a 16-inch rear wheel and 19-inch front. A sloping line leads from the bike’s gas tank down to the low seat, then back up for the rear fender and passenger seat. A steel tubular frame is visible throughout, with plenty of room around the engine for light to pass through.
 

James Toseland, a true legend, etched his name in motorcycle racing history as the youngest World Superbike champion in 2004, later securing his second title in 2007. With a passion for MotoGP, he was poised for more glory until an unfortunate injury led to his retirement from professional motorcycle racing in 2011.

But James's journey didn't end there. He turned to his other lifelong passion—music, and created his band 'Toseland.' From there, he embarked on a musical odyssey, touring the UK, supporting renowned bands like Status Quo, and even sharing the stage with Aerosmith in Europe. Today, he's a familiar face presenting World Superbike coverage for Eurosport and a regular on TV.

In this exclusive video, James Toseland shares his unique experience of riding and music. 
 

Before calling them, people threw them

"Dibs on that last slice of pizza!"; "I call dibs on the front seat." More than likely, you've heard expressions like these, but—really—why dibs? It kind of sounds like divs, but having dibs doesn't imply dividing or sharing—the person wants the whole thing. We'll call dibs on divulging the origins of the term (sort of).When someone says that they have dibs on something, they claim or declare rights to that thing before anyone else. Dibs in this sense is children's slang that goes back to the early 1900s. By mid-20th century, it had made its way into the more formal writing of some adult users of English, though even today dibs remains more prevalent among the young.