The Backroads Report May 17th 2025 #370

Published: Sat, 05/17/25

Updated: Sat, 05/17/25

Welcome to the Jungle

The Day the Weather Died

It seems sometimes that the smart tech we have gotten so used to these days has gotten … dumber.

Newer GPS models don’t play nice with others, and some apps that were spot on when they first came out, work far less dependably as time rolls on. You must wonder why an app, that worked brilliantly back in 2018, was snatched away and its replacement….?

Well, sucks compared to what it replaced.

My case in point is Dark Sky. Support for the Dark Sky API ended on March 31, 2023, and was replaced by Apple’s WeatherKit API.

Gag me, now.

Jungle

Welcome to the Jungle proudly brought to you by

Law Office of Paul Gargiulo, P.C.

A Fast Cup of Coffee

Faemina x BbKRT coffee machine: the ultimate racing coffee machine! Created thanks to the collaboration of the reputable coffee manufacturer Faema and the iconic Bimota motorcycles, the Faemina x BbKRT coffee machine is the ultimate expression of Italian passion, technology and style to the service of coffee and tea lovers and race enthusiasts.
Just $7,500! Buy two.

Faemina

Backroads Summer Solstice Rally

Just a Month Away!

https://backroadsusa.com/backroads-events

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. If you haven't already booked your rooms, well, we told you….

More information in the June issue and suggested (remember that word) routes are available on our Event website.

Ride Safe. Ride Smart. Ride the Backroads.

Backroads Summer Solstice Rally

Powersports Leaders Advocate for Industry on Capitol Hill

Leaders from across the powersports industry convened in the nation’s capital on April 8 for the 2025 Powersports Capitol Hill Fly-In, holding 95 meetings with members of Congress and their staffers. The annual event brought together staff and member company representatives from the Motorcycle Industry Council, the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association, and the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America to advocate for the millions of Americans who ride motorcycles, ATVs, and side-by-sides. Participants met with lawmakers from 29 states to share the industry’s position on a range of federal issues, including tariffs, trail funding, public land access, and regulatory developments.

Powersport Capital Hill

Learning to ride - Riding to learn

If you want to play an instrument well, how do you go about it? Focused academic study perhaps, or take lessons, join a band, watch YouTube, connect with friends – or maybe just muck about until something clicks. Well, the same might be said for learning to ride well. Some of the best racers and riders in history were essentially self-taught… especially prior to the industry becoming so specialized. But really, the best way isn’t through such trial and error – it’s formal training.

Motorcycle.com

2025 Yamaha XSR900 – First Look

We’ll just have to keep on making due with the less-faired XSR900 stateside for 2025. Not the end of the world, I suppose since the XSR900 is built on Yamaha’s excellent -09 platform. For 2025, the biggest XSR gets a new five-inch TFT display, smartphone connectivity, customizable YRC ride modes, Yamaha’s third-generation quickshifter and more.

Yamaha

World Record Hot Wheels Loop!

https://makezine.com/article/craft/physics-latest-record-breaking-hot-wheels-loop/

The Physics of the Latest Record-Breaking Hot Wheels Loop

When you are trying to send Hot Wheels cars through a giant loop, you can tell you’re getting a good run by the sound. If it’s consistent and quiet, like a drop of water sizzling on a hot skillet, you’ve got a shot to make the loop. When you hear scraping or it’s loud, you know it’s not working right.

It takes a lot of Hot Wheels to get it to work right.

Hot Wheels

Red Knights Battalion 6 Run

Saturday June 7th

Moroney's Harley-Davidson

To Benefit Arthur C. Luv Children's Burn Camp

A truly great event for a very serious cause - to help young burn victims heal and move on.
This ride will benefit the Arthur C. Luv Children's Burn Camp.
Although we have always felt our firefighters are brave amazing... at the Arthur C. Luv Children's Burn Camp the Kids are the real Superheroes!

The Arthur C. Luf Children’s Burn Camp is a safe, natural outdoor environment for kids ages 8 to 17 from around the world who have survived life-altering burn injuries.

We urge you to read about this camp on their site:
https://www.ctburnsfoundation.org/childrens-burn-camp/

Red Knights

Nelson-Rigg Luggage

If you are looking for luggage - saddlebags, tankbags, tailbags, and more - for those longer trips during this summer, then log onto the Nelson-Rigg site.

They have offerings for cruisers, sportbikes and ADV rides - and everything in between. The new Hurricane Series is outstanding and 100% water-proof. A full review on the way!

Nelson-Rigg

Bluebird of Bitterness

Pitch Meeting!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCx-xa2UNOs

Back to the Future

We are going to keep doing some more Pitch Meetings, becase it's super easy, barely and inconvenience.

This week a compilation of all the Back to the Future movies....

These movies sold more DeLoreans than John ever did.

Back to the Future

$https://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/trackclk/N4492.3492528BACKROADS/B25215450.384955996;dc_trk_aid=549863339;dc_trk_cid=186346052;dc_lat=;dc_rdid=;tag_for_child_directed_treatment=;tfua=;gdpr=${GDPR};gdpr_consent=${GDPR_CONSENT_755};ltd=;dc_tdv=1$

Progressive

https://www.imtbike.com/tours/morocco/morocco-adventure/

Ride to Work Day

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

The Escape of the Week

Americade

Lake George, New York

There is a reason this is the Greatest Rotorcycle Touring rally on the planet. Lake George and the Adirondacks will become the epicenter for riders and their bikes. Huge vendor area, demo rides, and so much more.

Americade