Seven-time Grand National Champion and fastest man to ever ride a motorcycle–367.382 mph–watched me unload the semi-official Cycle World Honda CRF450R from the van at Yavapai Downs Fair Grounds, a beautiful mile-long dirt track near Prescott, Arizona, where I was about to try to qualify for my first AMA Pro-Singles mile dirt-track race ever. Not to mention ride my first mile ever…

“You’re not racing with that stock pipe,” CC flatly stated.

(more…)

When our Associate Editor packs up the steel shoe, it won’t be long before it’s Crying Time.

by Mark Cernicky and the Buckaroos

(more…)

Action photo by Jamey Blunt

Perris, California, that is. An hour east of the OC and about 6o years back in time, thousands of riders have raced their way around Perris Raceway, established 1957. Perris is in fact one of, if not the, longest currently operating race track in California. The motocross track’s been there since it was called Scrambles. Lesser known is Perris’ dirt oval, just recently completely rejuvenated, lengthened and inaugurated. Over the years, Perris’ dirt has been roosted by all the greats.

On Saturday, August 21^st, the SCFTA— Southern California Flat-track Association— hosted a grand re-opening race that included an informal Ascot/On Any Sunday Racers Reunion.

(more…)

In 1938, Estonia’s Renard Cycles built a simple motorbike powered by a 98cc Sachs engine in a tube bicycle frame painted black with gold pinstripes, emblazoned with a fox head. In 1944, the factory located on the slopes of Lasnamäe Estonia, was completely destroyed by a direct hit. Dormant all those years, the memory of those motorcycles emerged from the ashes in 2008, when Estonian entrepreneurs/enthusiasts revived the Renard brand.

In April of this year, in Hanover, the “new era” Renard Grand Tourer was unveiled. The Grand Tourer looks to have quite a bit of Confederate inspiration in its carbon-fiber girder forks and certain lines, but goes its own direction in the use of an 1151cc Moto Guzzi “Quattrovalvole” V-Twin, complete with Euro 4 Engine Management System and around 125 horsepower. And instead of the typical frame, the Renard uses a Kevlar reinforced carbon-fiber monocoque which contains a 4.8-gallon fuel tank as well as a seat 33 inches from the ground. That chassis, says Renard, with its large surface area, is also designed to damp out shocks and vibrations from the engine and the road surface. The monocoque, says Renard, weighs just over 24 pounds, helping to keep the total weight of the GT down to 419, dry.

(more…)

Rhyme time with Cernicky. | Photo by Jeff Allen

After a short ride on Gregg DesJardins’ Kenny Roberts TZ750-replica, dirt-track-style Yamaha R1 (February, 2010), I was thinking I’d found my new favorite streetbike. It for sure was my favorite custom. I was having way too much fun on this legitimate “street tracker” you can powerslide on pavement.

It’s a bike that must be ridden with a lot of conviction. But the GD R1 also inspired a bit of poetry in my head while I was hackin’ my way along some seriously cool backroads:

(more…)