Handlebars

By now, many (if not most of you) have seen the now infamous Harley guys episode on South Park. I’ve got to admit, it was a great satire on the wonderful world of poser bike owners. You know the kind... the ones that shine their rides up to run 10 miles into town for a coffee or beer at their closest watering holes, all the while revving the motors and trying to look the badass. Weekend warriors. Full story »

This year’s racing is so heated it’s tough to tell who’s going to do what anymore. I’m not talking about the Matt Mladin show with AMA either, I’m talking about the big kids from World Super Bike and Moto GP. This is one amazing year with Yamaha making out like a bandit in the showings. Good for them, too, because they are actually re-engineering their bikes to get more out of them, compared to most of the others that are sticking with the old-school engines that have worked well in the past. Full story »

Not to sound bulletproof, but I really do think I’ve seen just about all that can come out of the dangerous curves of the mountains, and more specifically US 129. The Dragon is her name, not the Dragon’s Tail, or the Trail, or the name of a local e-commerce website with the word Tail in front of it. The road’s name is simply the Dragon, or for seasoned riders, Deals Gap. Full story »

Not sure if you have been watching or not, but this year’s racing is spectacular. Watching AMA, WSB, and MotoGP, you find yourself sitting on the edge of your seat in anticipation of the outcome. Both series are in the midst of riders jousting for position on the points ladder, and it’s been pretty close so far with some stiff competition throwing down fast lap after fast lap. Full story »

With times getting tougher for many these days, it’s natural to want to shave a few bucks here and there in your second-tier requirements like recreational riding. I keep hearing about great deals online from others who spend hours clicking pages in the hopes of saving a few bucks here and there, and it made me wonder how many people don’t realize just how important it is to keep your money local with a reputable dealership or bike shop. Full story »

Ask anyone that is in the know, and you will be told that the only thing better than sex is the smell of two-stroke race gas. For as long as bikes have been going fast around a racetrack, there’s the smell of burned race fuel out there that brings out the savage in many a man, both young and old. If you’ve not had this experience, you really need to sign up for it. The intoxicating smell will change your life forever. Full story »

It was a stellar day for early March and we found ourselves threading our way through Turkey Creek’s maze of retail sprawl. At one point in time we were sharing a red light with a lightly dressed rider sporting a pretty sweet R-1, but the gear or lack of it made me quickly realize that this was the perfect time for an installment about riders’ gear and why you should wear it Full story »

Someone asked me a crazy question last week. My good friend and riding partner asked me why I ride. Almost immediately I responded with “I love the freedom it gives me,” but after spitting that out I realized it’s so much more than that. Motorcycling, to me, is about all I need for a hobby after my loving wife, caring family, like-minded friends, and a good meal. Motorcycles have been part of my life for so long I couldn’t bear the thought of not having one. Full story »

Perhaps we local sportbike riders are a bit spoiled compared to many of our two-wheeled brethren in other parts of the country; not only do we have the blessing of beautifully twisty mountain roads with great asphalt, we also manage to evade the winter woes of extreme cold and severe weather. East Tennessee generally stays mild enough that we can regularly get in a few hours of riding throughout the winter months. Full story »