It all started when my mother ran over my 1964 metal flaked Honda 55 Super Cub with a single shotgun pipe. She stormed into our tiny stucco house in Long Beach and announced, “Get that damn thing out from under my car.” Her car was a massive ’59 Ford station wagon. It was 1965 and I was 15 years of age. That Honda was my first motorcycle. Mom and I didn’t see eye-to eye on a couple of issues. I ran away a couple of times. The day after I graduated from high school, I joined the Navy and after a couple of electronics schools, I packed my duffle and shipped off to the Philippines and aboard a heavy cruiser off the coast of Vietnam for three tours. I fell in love and got married; much to my mother’s chagrin (my loves have always played a major part, as you will see). During that time, I bought my first Harley — a ’69 kick-only XLCH with a magneto and no battery. And so began a life of running wild, building motorcycles, ditching wives, working for Easyriders Magazine and being involved in Bonneville racing. Screenshot One of the first bikers I ever met was on a small destroyer: the USS Maddox my last duty station. Andy Hanson was also building his first ground-up Big Twin in 1970, and his mentor was the late Bob George. Bob was an engine builder and an innovator. He taught me how to build engines. When I slipped away from the Vietnam War, honorably discharged, while dodging a pot smuggling bust, I returned to civilian life. I was innocent, I tell ya. The Navy let me out early if I took a trade course, so I took a welding class at Long Beach City College, that way I could rake frames. I took the certified welder course. Once clear of the Navy, I enrolled at the liberal arts campus at LBCC and started taking classes. I worked part time at US Choppers in Inglewood and built engines and bikes on the side. One of the bikes — a Knucklehead — belonged to a high school buddy, Brad. As we were about to finish this wild chop, a new magazine appeared on the racks: Easyriders. Screenshot I wrote the publisher a note about Brad’s Knuckle and Lou Kimzey came to see it. The next thing you know, I was the manager of ABATE — the first grass roots’ organization fighting for motorcycling freedom in America. Then I became an associate editor of Easyriders’ magazine. Long story short, I worked for this publishing company off and on for 30 years and built a few bikes during that time. Okay, so during that stretch, I introduced Bob George to the Jammer Cycle bosses: Joe Teresi and Mil Blair. Bob built a streamliner with two 90-inch Shovelhead engines and wanted to go after Don Vesco’s 314 mph motorcycle world land speed record (the granddaddy of records), but he needed financial backing. He couldn’t do it alone. It became the Jammer, then the Easyriders’ streamliner always piloted by Dave Campos. About this time, I ran off on my first wife and hooked up with a biker broad, who became the second Mrs. Ball, and we had a son. That didn’t last long either. Screenshot I became more of a crazed bike builder, joined a club, wrote more articles and hooked up with a club sweetie, the third Mrs. Ball. That was the era of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Nothing lasted more than a minute, and she was gone, but what a party we had. Then in the mid ‘80s, I met the most beautiful redhead on the planet and fell in love. I ditched five girlfriends and married the fourth Mrs. Ball. About the same time, Joe Teresi took over the streamliner effort and Paisano Publications. Keith Ruxton became the engine builder/crew chief and Easyrider’s readers went after that world land speed record. In 1989, we set a major record at 284 mph, but that wasn’t good enough. We returned in 1990 with Micah McCloskey, Dean Shawler, Kit Maria, and a solid bunch, bringing the land speed record back to America at 322.150 mph. We held that record for 16 years, longer than any of my marriages, so number four was history. I took a break and then met number five, Rebecca, and so 5-Ball was born as a tribute to her and to all the Mrs. Balls in my life. I finally came to the dire conclusion: marriages weren’t for me. There would only be five. I started writing motorcycle fiction books and they all fell under the 5-Ball brand. Then as the Internet fluttered to life, I started Bikernet.com, also a 5-Ball entity. At the time, about the mid ‘90s, I would build a motorcycle each year and test it on the roads to Sturgis, often with a bunch called the Hamsters. Then in 2006, we established the 5-Ball Racing Team and returned to BUB’s Bonneville with the first sport bike Panhead based around John Reed’s V-Bike and Berry Wardlaw’s 120-inch Panhead engine. It was a pure fluke, but Valerie Thompson rode this monster into the record books at a top speed of 152 mph. I was standing on the salt the day the ER record was snatched by the Ack Attack streamliner, 16 years later (342 mph). We learned so much that year that we decided to return in 2007 with another Panhead. This time, we built an aerodynamic bullet and our notion was to build the world’s fastest Panhead. We did set another record in our class with a top speed of 162 mph during horrible salt conditions. I pulled away from the magazine world, but continued to write wild fiction books, and then a Bonneville book around our second Panhead world record, while building Bikernet.com. Hell, we didn’t know what we were doing, but we did know we were having the time of our lives, writing about motorcycles, building motorcycles, and living the two wheeled dream. I wasn’t much for trophies or organized sports. I liked to sit alone and write a story, or tinker in my shop. I didn’t ride with groups much, but enjoyed the open road alone, in search of the next redhead and a bottle of whiskey. I’ve tried to live by the code of the west and always be available to a downed brother or sister. And I endeavor to help folks in the industry, and with Chris Callen, we promote the Motorcycle Riders’ Foundation Industry Council. So, a couple of years ago, a young man approached me and wanted to build an apparel line around Bikernet. I leaned back in my tattered leather chair and kicked my boots up on my Panhead desk. After a shot of single-barrel Jack, the 5-Ball Racing brand was born. I told him there was no money in it, but Andrew Calogero persisted, while the 5-Ball team prepared for another run at the salt. While we grappled with designing and building the first streamlined Belly Tank trike for Bonneville, I hooked up another positive element to the growing team, Bob Kay, a man who has lived and breathed the motorcycle business as long as I have. Andrew is the operations and sales arm (rolled 5-Ball apparel into the J&P catalog), while Bob designed a carefully thought-out line of leather goods, and suddenly we had a 5-Ball Racing line of riding leathers. So, there you have it. We were just a handful of brothers and sisters living the chopper dream, snorting racing fuel, drinking whiskey and running amuck. This year, we hope to roll back to the salt with Ray Wheeler’s 124- inch, turbocharged, Hayabusa-suspended Twin Cam, the 5-Ball 1940 45 Flathead with a K-model top end (featured in Cycle Source with an engine built by Departure Bike Works in Richmond, VA), and the JIMS Machine, Paughco, Lucky Devil, 5-Ball streamlined trike. Hang on, because there’s never a dull moment around Bikernet or the 5-Ball Racing headquarters. Originally published in Cycle Source Magazine, January 2016 RIDE FREE FOREVER! –Bandit The post THE SORDID STORY BEHIND BIKERNET.COM appeared first on Bikernet.com - Online Biker Magazine.

​The 2025 JOINTS Custom Bike Show roared into Port Messe Nagoya on April 13, reaffirming its status as Japan’s premier […] The post Joints Nagoya Show Mega-Gallery appeared first on Hot Bike Magazine.

Our guest on Episode 79 of the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast is Gordon McCall, Director of Motorsports at Quail Lodge & Golf Club. McCall oversees The Quail MotoFest, formerly known as The Quail Motorcycle Gathering, which takes place Saturday, May 17, at the Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel, California. In addition to 11 traditional classes, there will be three featured classes: Italian Innovation by Bimota, Tribute to Yoshimura, and Celebrating 45 Years of the BMW GS. And the Legend of the Sport honoree will be Troy Lee. Tickets for The Quail MotoFest are available online or at the gate. LINKS: The Quail MotoFest, @TheQuailEvents (Facebook), @TheQuailEvents (Instagram) You can listen to or watch Episode 79 of the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, and YouTube or via the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast webpage. Please subscribe, leave us a 5-star rating, and tell your friends! Scroll down for a list of previous episodes. Ep. 78: Honda Gold Wing 50th Anniversary and Daytona Bike Week Ep. 77: Greg Sermabeikian, owner of Anthony’s Leatherworks and MX Boot Resole and Repair Ep. 76: 2025 Motorcycles with Greg Drevenstedt and Kevin Duke, Editor-in-Chief of American Rider Ep. 75: Sebastian Schoepe, CEO of EAGLERIDER Ep. 74: Mike Noyes, CEO of ALIV Worldwide Ep. 73: Austin Rothbard, founder and CEO of Twisted Road Ep. 72: Hunter Leonard, Leonard Motor Works Ep. 71: Bring It Bike Show, Americade Ep. 70: Paul Guillien and Ron West, Backcountry Discovery Routes Ep. 69: 2024 Adventure Bikes with Kevin Duke, Editor-in-Chief of American Rider Ep. 68: 2024 Motorcycles with Kevin Duke, Editor-in-Chief of American Rider Ep. 67: Ellie Cooper, author of Waiting for Mango Season Ep. 66: Motorcycle Cannonball team Jonas Zahn and Brenda Kuhl, PeglegSpeedShop Ep. 65: Tom Medema, RallyForRangers.org Ep. 64: Quinn Redeker, PoliceMotorTraining.com Ep. 63: Justin Bradshaw, REVER Ep. 62: Ed Conde, New England Riders Ep. 61: Steven Goode, Great American Scenic Byway Tour benefiting the Parkinson’s Foundation Ep. 60: Eric Trow, Stayin’ Safe Ep. 59: Nick Ienatsch, Yamaha Champions Riding School Ep. 58: Inna Thorn and Tim James, Backcountry Discovery Routes Ep. 57: Tim Card, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Fundraiser Ep. 56: Kyle Petty, Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Ep. 55: Guillermo Cornejo, Riders-Share.com Ep. 54: Kevin Duke, Editor-in-Chief of American Rider Ep. 53: Killboy, Killboy.com Ep. 52: Perry Steed, OperationPurpose.net Ep. 51: Forrest Hobbs, TransAmerica Trail “purist” Ep. 50: Dave Scott, Part 3 on the TransAmerica Trail Ep. 49: Gina ‘Brooklyn’ Neumann, Leather and Lace MC Ep. 48: Dave Scott on the TransAmerica Trail Ep. 47: Neale Bayly, motojournalist and philanthropist Ep. 46: Dave Scott, TransAmerica Trail Part 1 Ep. 45: C. Jane Taylor, author of Spirit Traffic Ep. 44: Moshe K. Levy, Moto Mouth Moshe Ep. 43: Can Akkaya, Superbike-Coach.com Ep. 42: Andre LaPlante, MotoVentures Ep. 41: Scott A. Williams, writer and contributor to Rider Ep. 40: Chris Peterman, Director of Motorcycles at CFMOTO USA Ep. 39: Hayley Bell, Founder and President of Global Business Development for Women Riders World Relay Ep. 38: Eric Trow, Rider Contributing Editor and Stayin’ Safe Principal Ep. 37: Bill Dragoo, Dragoo Adventure Riding Training (DART) Ep. 36: Gordon McCall, Director of Motorsports for The Quail Motorcycle Gathering Ep. 35: Rennie Scaysbrook, Pikes Peak record holder, motorcycle journalist, and racer Ep. 34: Cat MacLeod of Leod Escapes Motorcycle “Track and Tour” Ep. 33: Inna Thorn and Tim James of Backcountry Discovery Routes Ep. 32: C. Jane Taylor, author of Spirit Traffic Ep. 31: Alan Wilzig, motorcycle collector and owner of Wilzig Racing Manor Ep. 30: Scott Moreno, founder and owner of IMTBike Motorcycle Tours and Rentals Ep. 29: Greg Rice, long-distance rider and Iron Butt Rally competitor Ep. 28: Brian Case, Director of the Barber Advanced Design Center at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum Ep. 27: Steven Goode, motorcyclist who completed the Great American Deli Schlep to support MAZON Ep. 26: Nancy Gerloff and Mark Augustyn, creators of Mimi and Moto: The Motorcycle Monkeys Ep. 25: Jess Stone, designer of the K9 Moto Cockpit and founder of Ruffly Ep. 24: Eddie Braun, Hollywood stuntman who completed Evel Knievel’s Snake River Canyon jump, and star of the film “Stuntman” Ep. 23: Ryan McFarland, founder and CEO of Strider Bikes and All Kids Bike advocate Ep. 22: Americade interview with Bill, Gini, and Christian Dutcher Ep. 21: Peter Starr, motorcycle filmmaker, author, and MotoStarr podcast host Ep. 20: Jon DelVecchio, founder of Street Skills and author of “Cornering Confidence” Ep. 19: Lauren Trantham, founder of Ride My Road Ep. 18: Keith Code, founder and director of California Superbike School Ep. 17: Valerie Thompson, world’s fastest female motorcycle racer Ep. 16: Wayne Rainey, president of MotoAmerica and a motorcycle racing legend Ep. 15: Longhaulpaul (Paul Pelland), Chasing the Cure: a million-mile motorcycle journey for MS Ep. 14: Andy Goldfine, Aerostich founder and Ride to Work Day advocate Ep. 13: Dr. Gregory W. Frazier, America’s #1 extreme motorcycle adventurer Ep. 12: Daniel Calderon, Curator of Exhibitions at SFO Museum Ep. 11: Peter Jones, Rider columnist and author of The Bad Editor Ep. 10: Christian Dutcher, Director of Americade and Touratech DirtDaze Rally Ep. 09: Melissa Holbrook Pierson, author of The Perfect Vehicle Ep. 08: Rainer Buck, CEO of Edelweiss Bike Travel Ep. 07: Michael Lock, CEO of AMA Pro Racing Ep. 06: Alonzo Bodden, motorcycle enthusiast and comedian Ep. 05: Paul D’Orleans, publisher of The Vintagent Ep. 04: Eric Trow, Rider columnist and owner, Stayin’ Safe Advanced Riding Training Ep. 03: Clement Salvadori, traveling motorcyclist and Rider contributor Ep. 02: Kevin Wing, world-class motorcycle photographer and Rider contributor Ep. 01: Robert Pandya and Discover the Ride at the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows The post Gordon McCall, The Quail MotoFest | Ep. 79 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast appeared first on Rider Magazine.

More than 30 years ago, the Triumph Speed Triple was one of the first production streetfighters, a proper sportbike with its bodywork removed and an upright handlebar. For years, it has been one of Rider‘s staff favorites. For 2025, the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS has become the most high-tech model in Triumph’s lineup. It now makes 180.5 hp and 94.4 lb-ft and is brimming with the latest tech, including Öhlins’ latest-gen SmartEC3 semi-active suspension and a full suite of top-level electronic rider aids, including ride modes, cornering ABS and traction control, new wheelie control, and more. We traveled to Portimao, Portugal, to test the new Speed Triple on windy back roads and the Algarve GP circuit. It rained during both of our testing days, which gave us a unique opportunity to test the Öhlins suspension and electronics in less-than-ideal conditions. 2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS Specs  Base Price: $19,995  Website: TriumphMotorcycles.com  Warranty: 2 yrs., unltd. miles  Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse inline-Triple, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.   Displacement: 1,160cc  Bore x Stroke: 78.0 x 62.1mm  Horsepower: 180.5 hp @ 10,750 rpm (factory claim)  Torque: 94.4 lb-ft @ 8,750 rpm (factory claim)  Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/assist wet clutch   Final Drive: Chain  Wheelbase: 56.9 in.  Rake/Trail: 23.9 degrees/4.1 in.  Seat Height: 32.7 in.  Wet Weight: 439 lb (factory claim)  Fuel Capacity: 4.1 gal.  GEAR UP  Helmet: Arai Corsair-X  Suit: Alpinestars Missile V2 Ward  Airbag Vest: Alpinestars Tech-Air 7x  Gloves: Alpinestars SP-8 V3 Air  Boots: Cortech Apex RR Waterproof  The post 2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS Video Review appeared first on Rider Magazine.

2025 Indian Pursuit Elite (left) an Challenger Elite (right) Designed for those desiring a premium experience, the 2025 Indian Challenger Elite and Pursuit Elite are exclusive limited-edition models loaded with special features and unique details, as well as high-spec components. These models are limited to only 350 units of the Challenger Elite and 250 units of the Pursuit Elite, and they arrive in dealerships this month.  2025 Indian Challenger Elite Both models can be distinguished as Elite machines by their multilayered paint schemes that take 24 hours to complete. The Indian Challenger Elite’s design is inspired by Gene “Alabama Flash” Walker who set a land-speed record on an Indian PowerPlus in 1920. It includes a tri-tone paint scheme with Black Candy and Red Candy finishes and Crystal White Pearl Satin paint. Shattered glass particles in the paint add depth. It also includes a headdress logo and black Dark Horse finishes. The center console is individually numbered and includes an image of Gene Walker’s PowerPlus racebike.  The Indian Pursuit Elite was inspired by the 20,000 PowerPlus motorcycles produced for the U.S. Army in 1916. It also features a tri-tone paint scheme, with Black Candy and Black Forest Candy finishes and hand-painted Championship Gold accents. Like the Challenger Elite, the Pursuit Elite includes PowerPlus 112 engine covers, exclusive Elite badging, black Dark Horse finishes, and an individually numbered console.  Powering these two models is the liquid-cooled PowerPlus 112 motor that debuted this year in the Chieftain PowerPlus. It’s the same engine used in Indian’s King Of The Baggers racebikes and makes a claimed 126 hp and 133 lb-ft of torque, offering three ride modes. The bikes include inverted forks, dual radial-mounted Brembo calipers, Metzeler Cruisetec tires, headdress footboards for rider and passenger, and more premium components.  The Indian Challenger Elite and Pursuit Elite come with Indian’s Rider Assist package. In addition to the previously offered SmartLean technology, Rider Assist includes bike hold control, electronic combined brakes, blind spot warning, tailgate warning, and rear collision warning. Lighting includes Pathfinder Adaptive LED headlight, driving lights, and saddlebag lights. The windscreen is adjustable via a handlebar-mounted button, and the bikes include cylinder deactivation when stopped at idle, keyless ignition, remote locking storage, cruise control, and USB charging.  The Elite models also come equipped with premium PowerBand audio, including Bass Boost and four 100-watt speakers on the Challenger and six 100-watt speakers on the Pursuit. The 7-inch display features Ride Command functionality for smartphone connectivity and offers Apple CarPlay. Riders can also manage the standard Electronically Adjustable Rear Suspension Preload through the Ride Command system.  2025 Indian Pursuit Elite The 2025 Indian Challenger Elite is priced at $39,999, and the 2025 Indian Pursuit Elite is priced at $49,999. Visit the Indian Motorcycle website for more information.  Check out more new bikes in Rider’s 2025 Motorcycle Buyers Guide   The post 2025 Indian Challenger Elite and Pursuit Elite Preview  appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Got rain? Cortech Apex RR Waterproof boots kept my feet dry, and Pirelli WSBK rain tires provided good grip. (Action photos by Kingdom Creative) In March, I flew to Portugal for the global launch of the 2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS. My first press launch for Rider back in 2008 was for the Speed Triple 1050, and I’ve always been a fan of the bike, so I was eager to ride the latest version. What I was less excited about was the rain in the forecast for our two days of testing – one on the street, one on the track. So I packed my Cortech Apex RR Waterproof motorcycle boots, and I’m glad I did. All black except for a white Cortech logo on the TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) shin guard, the Apex RR boots have a sporty style. They have replaceable TPU toe sliders, a TPU shifter guard, and outer TPR (thermoplastic rubber) ankle protectors. Additional protection comes in the form of thermoplastic molded heel cups and toe caps, dual-density molded and contoured ankle protectors, and a “uni-directional anti-twist molded nylon midsole.” In other words, these boots have a lot of high-tech materials and features designed to protect your feet, ankles, and shins from impacts, twisting forces, and other crash-related gyrations. The outer material is Italian microfiber, which brings to mind an ultrasoft cloth used for buffing an expensive Ducati but is actually a type of synthetic leather. Accordion panels at the front and back of the boot allow the foot to flex during shifting, braking, and walking. Inside, there’s a waterproof, breathable Hipora three-layer membrane and a polyester mesh comfort lining. The non-slip rubber sole flexes enough for comfortable walking and good feel on the pegs but is stiff enough to provide a solid foundation. The removeable, replaceable insole is well-cushioned and provides both arch and ankle support.  On the inside of the boots are large hook-and-loop closure panels and zippers that go all the way down to the sole, making it easy to open the boots, slide your feet in, and close them up again. Large zipper pulls covered with loop material keeps them securely stashed behind the closure panel. The Cortech Apex RRs were immediately comfortable, and they have worked well on a variety of motorcycles, including a Honda Gold Wing luxury-tourer, a Honda Rebel 1100 cruiser, and the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS sportbike. As predicted, we got two solid days of rain in Portugal at the Triumph launch, and the Cortechs kept my feet dry while providing good comfort and control on the bike. My only complaint has to do with the tag that’s just inside the top edge of each boot. When my leather suit was tucked into the boots, moving around would cause the tag to stick up out of the boot like one of those pesky tags inside the collar of a T-shirt that always wants to hang out rather than stay put. Read all of Rider’s apparel reviews here The Cortech Apex RR Waterproof motorcycle boots are available in men’s (whole sizes 7-14, 8.5, and 12.5) and women’s sizes (6.5, 7, 8, 8.5, 9, and 10) for $149.99. These are very good boots that won’t break the bank. Shop for Cortech Apex RR Waterproof Motorcycle Boots The post Cortech Apex RR Waterproof Motorcycle Boots Review appeared first on Rider Magazine.