Like most motorcycle-related things, it started with a phone call from Dangerous Dan. “Hey, Mark, you got a minute for some motorcycle nonsense?” is a standard opening, one
for which I have no defense. “My friend Ryan,” he said, “and a bunch of his chopper-riding buddies meet at his workshop on Thursday nights for a bike night and I was wondering if you’d like to come along.” That was the verbal equivalent of chumming over a school of Mark sharks and started a mental feeding frenzy.
I’m not a “chopper” guy, at least not in the way the people from that Discovery Channel
show are concerned. Hanging out with a bunch of poseurs who might be able to endure their S&S-motored, tart’s-handbag money pits long enough to get to the nearest gin joint is not my style. DD assured me, however, that Ryan and the gang were the real deal and that’s how I found myself in their company a couple Thursdays ago.
After a 6-month tour showing ten films in six cities across the United States, the VAHNA Magazine film festival has concluded with the top three films announced, including the Overall Winner and grand prize recipient of a 2024 Triumph Bonneville T120
motorcycle. In May of 2023 VAHNA Magazine and Journal (formerly META Magazine) launched the inaugural VAHNA Motorcycle Film Festival presented by Triumph Motorcycles. This annual film competition and festival tour celebrates the art of motorcycle cinematography and offers aspiring filmmakers a platform to showcase their unique storytelling abilities and creative vision to the
world.
SHAD, the leading brand in motorcycle accessories and pioneers in expandability, kicks off the sales of its long-awaited set of expandable side cases: the SH38X Expandable cases.
The SH38X Expandable cases, which were revealed during the last edition of EICMA in Milan, are the only expandable side cases on the market that can adapt to
the latest generation of high-end motorcycles. They are the ideal accessory for any biker who appreciates having extra load capacity (up to one helmet) at certain times. It is also ideal for riders who want to reduce the width of their bike with the mounted case, thus making it safer on rides and with more agile handling.
Over the years, I’ve put a lot of miles on BMW F-series GS models, including the press introduction of the
updated F 850 GS in 2018 and nearly 2,000 miles on a long-term loaner when I took one to the inaugural Get On! ADV Festival in South Dakota. And while I enjoyed my time with the F 850 GS, it always felt out of step with the rest of the mid-sized adventure class.
There's not a person on this planet that doesn't recognize the classic Superman symbol, right? The S-Shield, the
'Superman S,' whatever you want to call it, seriously, present it to anyone with a pulse, they'll know what it is. But for as recognizable as the classic design is... I'm sure you've seen other versions that have you scratching your head. Some of them aren't red and blue, they're... red and black? Wait, why is one of them backwards and purple? Hold on, is that a communist hammer and sickle? Yea, it is. We're going to get to the bottom of all of these different designs. Where'd they come from?
What do they mean? I've got you covered. Let's get to it!
So, we have seen what one man can do with, well, junk in Austin but Vince Hannemann is not the only fish in this very small pool. At a tiny crossroads in the small town of Bowman, South Carolina they have a guy named Jody Pendarvis and his own junk creation – the UFO
Welcome Center. When I heard of this Welcome Center my interest was piqued and knowing Rathjen and Kamil were down in that region – well, more or less – I set them on a task. It is hard to miss this place and Rathjen told me when they were riding into town Shira was tracking their route on her phone. The Durango had come to a stop and Shira told Rathjen that she was pretty sure the UFO Welcome Center was down this block and around the corner. Rathjen pointed out the windscreen and said – “No, I
am pretty sure we’re here – unless the town has two.” It is hard to miss this “creation.”
I’m not sure how we might use this photo, but I think it is funny. I’m not sure why it appeals to me so much. Maybe partly because it violates the PC stuff about never riding after drinking? Or maybe because it tells an important truth about the awkward clunky/bulky/pain-in-the-assed-ness of these suits unless one is comfortably inside one, in motion on a
motorcycle.
This photo would probably bring out the worst in some of our audience because so many people have been killed or seriously harmed by drunk drivers and riders. Or died due to driving or riding impaired. To be clear, I am very much against drinking and riding (and, of course, driving). So it’s tough to figure out a use for this image, even though it tells a real truth about one-piece armored riding
suits.
Motomarathon is a new sport. It’s about riding as many twisties and scenic roads as possible, over four full days. Routes are kept secret until the night before each event. Through a series of self-recorded checkpoints, riders
verify completion at the end of each day’s ride.
These are going to be awesome riding events!
One from the Shawnee, PA region in June and the other to the north in Rutland, VT this September.
The electrifying hum of motorcycles, the animated chatter from the paddock, the anticipatory hush in the pit lanes, and the unmistakable roars from the crowd - these are the exhilarating sounds of the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas MotoGP™ race. Sounds that are meticulously captured
and delivered to racing fans worldwide, live and on-demand. And the real star behind the scenes? Audio-Technica microphones.
This month we will take a look back at the machines from the past, with some really great two-wheel Spring events. We'll all get high... very high; and we will celebrate an old friend's 100th birthday!
