On the Mark

by Sylvia Houston - RIDER

I’m no stranger to Yamaha’s R-series sportbikes. I’ve owned an R3 and an R7, and there’s an R6 parked in my garage. Honestly, I approached my first ride for this Yamaha R9 review with a fair amount of skepticism and not expecting it to impress me much. But from the moment I threw my leg over the R9 and took it for a spin, I felt immediately confident – there was no awkwardness, no hesitation. And as I picked up the pace throughout the day, the bike remained stable, comfortable, and, most importantly, predictable.

RIDER

 June 19 - 22nd, 2025

You didn't think we'd NOT be doing some special things in celebration of our three decades exploring the backroads of the USA, did ya?!

The format might be a little different but the riding, the venues, and the things we will toss in during the ride will be pure vintage Backroads Motorcycle Magazine!

We promise a most excellent time, and you should book your rooms now... today - we mean now - as they are ARE ALMOST GONE.

Stay tuned for more news as it rolls around the twisties at us!

Ride Safe. Ride Smart. Ride the Backroads.

Backroads Summer Solstice Rally

GPX.Studio

Who Does Not Want to See this?

Following two spectacular years, the 2025 International Fireworks Championship, held in Traverse City, MI, returns on Friday, September 5 & Saturday, September 6, promising another unforgettable experience!

The 2024 festival was bigger and better than ever, featuring pyrotechnic teams from Australia, the United Kingdom, India, the Philippines, Finland, and the USA. Each night had its own audience-voted winner—Team Finland wowed the crowd with a Finnish Techno finale on night one, while Team India captured hearts on night two with a Bollywood-inspired spectacle. The Judges’ Choice Award for overall best display went to Team United Kingdom, dazzling spectators with a breathtaking showcase of pyrotechnic artistry.

This year, six incredible teams from around the world—China, Poland, Serbia, Portugal, Canada, and the USA—will light up the sky in an epic battle for fireworks supremacy.

International Fireworks

Sunday - April 27th

10 am to 1 pm

This has become an event that truly starts the region's riding season off in the best way. It is a gathering  not just of Nortons, but so many great machines that are all, almost all, ridden to the show that morning.

We'll be there and hope you will be too!
 

Gathering of Nortons

They are awesome! And this becomes apparent when you do not have one and use a Grunge Brush instead. Nothing bad about the brush, but the B-Rags are far superior in my opinion... Backroads

One of the worst things to do is to oil a ‘dirty’ chain which prevents the chain lubricant from being where it needs to be… on the chain components. 
With the GreaseNinja ‘B-Rag® chain cleaning is no longer the most tedious and messy chore of motorcycle maintenance. The ‘Brush Rag’ is a disposable, flexible brush specifically designed for cleaning the motorcycle drive chain with kerosene or other chain cleaners. The B-Rag is approximately 5” x 5” in size with a hand strap on the back of the brush. The ‘Brush Rag’ consists of flat bristles on a flexible backing, allowing it to be ‘wrapped’ 360 degrees around the drive chain for efficient chain cleaning.
 

Grease Ninja

West Virginia!

Have you ever wondered if there are diamonds in West Virginia? Guess what, there are! And the most famous one is the Jones Diamond. Back in 1928, 10-year-old Punch Jones was spending the afternoon playing horseshoes with his father Grover Cleveland Jones. When his horseshoe ended up in the water, it just happened to land right by a 34.48-carat diamond in the creek. Now, how's that for a story? Read on if you're curious to know more about the largest diamond found in West Virginia.
 

Jones Diamond

Date: Saturday, April 26th 2025
Place: VMA Hall, 66 Lake Rd, Congers, NY
Sign In: 9AM – 10:30AM

Light breakfast will be provided at sign-in. Register day of event for $25 per rider + $10 per passenger
This is a charity event – to benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation – leading the way in funding childhood brain cancer research to cure the kids, supports families affected by this disease, and advocates for policies that help patients, survivors and their loved ones.

 Lunch will be available for purchase at the midpoint. A drawing for door-prizes will take place at the end of the self-guided tour.

Route sheets and .gpx uploads provided.
 

Ramapo MC

Bluebird of Bitterness

                Not Expecting This, Were You?

Often considered one of the oldest professions—dating back to at least 2400 BC in Mesopotamia—sex work has taken many forms throughout history. Ancient Rome held festivals revolving around sex work, many American cities once had red-light districts, and waitresses in frontier towns often walked a fine line between service and sex.
 

Atlas Obscura

The AACA Museum welcomes dirt, road, competition, scooters, mopeds, and minibikes. Join them for their cycle-themed flea market, bike show, and group ride through the PA countryside. 

Coinciding with their awesome Husqvarna Motorcycle Exhibit, they are hosting another FREE SPECTATOR outdoor event for motorcycle lovers of all ages! 

Each $10 flea market vendor will receive 1 museum general admission. Regular museum admission tickets are available at the door.
 

AACA Motorbike Day

Progressive

Tuesday, June 10th

Show the world that motorcycles and scooters are great for everyday transportation! On Ride to Work Day, ride your motorcycle or scooter to commute, shop/run errands, or simply to enjoy the experience.

Ride to Work Day

Go Look for Aliens

       10 Places That Will Make You Believe Aliens Are Real

Welcome to Where to Wander, our selection of the best under-the-radar destinations in 2025. To see more surprising sites around the world that have fewer tourists and more locals, check out all of Atlas Obscura’s favorite places to travel this year.

Depending on how you look at it, it’s either a terrifying or strangely comforting thought to believe that we’re not alone in the universe. Humans have been staring up at the heavens in search of otherworldly foes and friends for as long as anyone can remember.

But what if evidence of extraterrestrial activity were already right here on Earth?

The Truth is Out There

It Better End Soon

Chicago Live at Tanglewood 1971

It Better End Soon