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Articles by Billy Bartels
Speed and Strength True Grit Armored Moto Shirt Review: Old-School Style Meets Technical Riding Gear
Home » Motors » Speed and Strength True Grit Armored Moto Shirt Review: Old-School Style Meets Technical Riding Gear Speed and Strength’s True Grit Armored Moto Shirt pulls off the trifecta of looking old school and casual, while also being a well-equipped piece of technical riding gear. Back in the 20th century, motorcycle gear was one of three things: old school, technical, or casual. Old school is what you think of with The Wild One and Easy Rider — lots of leather, chaps, engineer boots, etc.
Back in the Bucket - UTV Sports
Power steering was a huge difference from my last drive in a UTV, which was an interesting adaptation. While I never felt a strong connection to what the front end was doing, it also didn’t do anything surprising or particularly dangerous. This 700 didn’t have enough oomph to do anything squirrely unless the ground was particularly loose, and at those times, the steering felt a bit vague. But the rest of the time, over rough or rocky terrain, the ease of use was spectacular.
Building with Purpose - UTV Sports
Do you love military-themed customs and turbocharged RZRs? If so, you’ve gotta see Dirt Exhibition’s latest build! Starting with a 2021 Polaris RZR Pro XP, it’s got all the goodies; including an MT Audio System, Evolution Powersports performance upgrades and looks like a tiny M1 Abrams tank thanks to a wrap by Just Your Way.
Church of MO: 1997 Kawasaki ZX-6
After a month with the underrated ZX-6 it came time to return it to Kawasaki, and Editor-in-Chief Plummer asked: “Who’s been riding it?”Over in the corner of MO Central sat Graphics Editor Billy Bartels with a big smile on his face. “That would be me,” he replied, in a rather surly tone. What happened? Had our de-facto cruiser guy gone over to the dark side? Or had he just come to his senses? Read on, grasshopper, and learn the truth. By Billy Bartels, Graphics Editor I don’t drag knee.
Church of MO: 1997 Honda Magna 750
Go Back Once upon a time, Honda’s mighty V-fours ruled the road. Now, they don’t even make one anymore. In the case of the last Magna 750, that’s maybe not such a bad thing. Maybe have a look at a Rebel 1100 DCT instead? Take it away, old Billy Baroo. Supposedly, there are only two types of motorcyclists — those who like to cruise easy in comfort and those who like to make fast, regular trips to the chiropractor.
Church of MO: 1998 Suzuki Intruder VL1500LC
American Suzuki recently invited us to a showdown in Tombstone, Arizona to introduce their brand new giganto-cruiser, the Intruder VL1500LC. A dozen desperate hombres were rounded up in Old Tucson, packin’ as much heat as they could muster. We were shown the beast that was to be our mount, and we shuddered to think what kind of day it was to be. Before the Suzuki fellas let us mount up they wanted to tell us about the new beasts, just so we knew what we were getting ourselves into.
Church of MO: 1997 Honda 750 Magna
Supposedly, there are only two types of motorcyclists — those who like to cruise easy in comfort and those who like to make fast, regular trips to the chiropractor. However, Honda figured out a long time ago (1981 actually), that there were a select few that wanted to lounge in comfort and tear up the asphalt. For these hybrid riders Honda created the V45 Magna and, a year later, the V65 Magna. Long and low, the Magna impresses with its 28-inch seat height.
Church of MO: 1998 Suzuki Intruder VL1500LC
American Suzuki recently invited us to a showdown in Tombstone, Arizona to introduce their brand new giganto-cruiser, the Intruder VL1500LC. A dozen desperate hombres were rounded up in Old Tucson, packin’ as much heat as they could muster. We were shown the beast that was to be our mount, and we shuddered to think what kind of day it was to be. Before the Suzuki fellas let us mount up they wanted to tell us about the new beasts, just so we knew what we were getting ourselves into.
Church of MO: 1998 Sportster Sport
If hype kills, then absolute hype kills absolutely. The hoopla surrounding Harley-Davidson’s release of their re-designedSportster Sport was deafening. With its dual-plug heads, a new digital single-fire ignition system, manifold air pressure sensor and a 10:1 compression ratio, we had our hopes up for a bike we believed to be the best handling and most competent H-D Sportsterever to come out of Milwaukee.
Church of MO: 1996 MZ Skorpion Replica
Motorcyclists have good reason to be skeptical of limited-edition race-replicas. Often the name is attached by a marketing department eager to cash in on a factory’s racing success. Unfortunately similarities between most replicas and their racetrack cousins often end with the name and fancy paint, while genuine component changes are minimal or even non-existent.
Alpinestars shows new product to the people
For off-road and motocross riders in southern California, winter is a magical time when the rains (hopefully) come and turn rutted-out hardpack into pliable, grippy, wonderful dirt. January is also when Supercross makes a total of three stops between Anaheim and San Diego, so double win for the dirty folk. On the other hand, sport and custom riders frequently take the winter off.
Hooligans unite!
Music, mayhem and eyeballs at the Lost Highway Festival “Sponsor a music festival? What’s the expected ROI on this investment? No idea? How did you get into my office? Why do you have face tattoos?!” While basic (or advanced) business acumen is needed to hang your shingle in the motorcycle business these days, there is no business in the nation that needs an X-factor quite like motorcycles. Synergy is the name of the game. And excitement. And hustle. The Lost Highway Festival is a curious beast.
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