False Neutral

At nearly an hour and twenty minutes, this is our longest episode yet. We eventually get around to talking about British bikes, both classic and modern. Before that, however, we go back to catch some oddball bikes we neglected to talk about in Episode #14, and spend some time discussing a couple of bikes we do (and don’t) want. I’m searching for a modern supplement to the CL125S, while Garrett wants a new FZ-10…and my old leathers.

It's an all-American episode in honor of Flag Day! Hooni-friend Wayne Moyer joins your three regular hosts for a spirited discussion of American bikes and the state of the American motorcycle industry. From Harley and Victory to Motus and Rokon, It's a great episode — except for that unfortunate part when we lose Eric in a tragic house fire.

In part two of our very special Hooniverse Podcast Network crossover event, Brad (aka Tub of the Cammed & Tubbed podcast) joins us this week for a discussion of the odd differences between the car world and the bike world. It takes a while for us to even get to our topic, as we discuss hipsters and coffee snobs first, and it quickly takes a left-turn into a discussion of Porsches before we get around to talking about bikes. But regardless of what we discuss, everybody has a great time. Bradley is a genuinely nice guy and was terrific fun to have on the show.

After catching up on the bikes in our garages, we discuss the oddities of the motorcycling world: rotary, six-cylinder and turbo engined bikes, super huge and tiny bikes, and otherwise normal bikes with odd features. Be sure to visit Hooniverse.com for photos of all the bikes we discuss.

This week we focus first on visionary motorcycle designer and racer Michael Czysz, who passed away earlier this month. We discuss his legacy, while trying not to sugarcoat the facts of his life. Many of Czysz's achievements came on the Snaefell Mountain Course on the Isle of Man. The 37.75 mile road course is home to the annual Isle of Man TT, the world's oldest motorcycycle race, dating back to 1907, and quite possibly the world's most dangerous.  We delve into the storied history and unique stature of the Tourist Trophy, share a bit of island history, and discuss the effect of racing there over the years.

In this continuation of last week's sesson, we talk about what good (and not so good) values are to be found at the high end of the motorcycle market, both new and used. Our picks encompass standard street bikes, adventure (and faux adventure) bikes, sport tourers and even three-wheelers, somewhat unexpectedly nominated not by Spyder owner Pete but by Garrett.

We've previously talked about the bikes we like most, but not every good bike is attractively priced in comparison to its worth or the competition. Everybody wants to get a deal, so this week we explore which bikes are the best value. This week in Part One, we concentrate on the low-end of the market, around $8,000 or less, whether buying new or used.

Dirt bikes and off-road riding is our topic this week. After Garret gives us some MotoGP and Sportster Roadster news, we discuss our dirt bike riding experiences, two-strokes v. four-strokes off-road, having fun on mini-bikes, where to ride, and dirt experiences for everyone from novices to trials wizards.

Our conversation about the bikes we like best in various categories continues. This week in Part Two, each of us names the bike we most dearly love despite not wanting to own, and the best bikes to come on the market in the last couple of years. 

In this two-episode discussion of the bikes we love, we challenge each other to name our favorite bikes in a number of categories. This week, we discuss: 1) The one bike each of us likes best out of those we've owned in the past, and 2) The one bike that we have not ridden that each of us is seriously interested in acquiring in the future, given prevailing prices and availability constraints. Our answers might surprise you. We surprised each other at times.

Eric, Pete and Garrett discuss their project bikes, and commiserate over the difficulty of getting anything accomplished in a home workshop environment. Whether it's fabricating one-off custom bikes in a race shop or just going out to the garage to put an old, neglected bike back on the road, the wrenching skills, money and time available never seem to be quite adequate. But we still love doing it. Well, at least one of us does.

Our guest this week is Richard Varner, CFO and co-founder of the KRAVE Group. KRAVE, aka MotoAmerica, was recently awarded the commercial rights to the AMA's pro roadracing series. Richard discusses the state of pro motorcycle roadracing in America and what we can expect this season and into the future.Note: Due to the fault of absolutely no one, the sound quality this week leaves a lot to be desired. Unfortunately, this is the sometimes unavoidable result of four open mics and four internet connections of varying quality, all being mixed down "raw" into a single digital track in real time. We processed this episode in post-production to make the source material as listenable as possible. Give it a listen anyway, because if you have even a passing interest in motorcycle roadracing, what Mr. Varner had to share will be well worth hearing.

Popular YouTube vlogger Cager on Two Wheels joins us this week from Lisbon, Portugal. We discuss the differences between the riding environments in Europe and North America — culturally, legally and geographically. Our conversation progresses to how those differences shape which bikes become popular in various markets, and dream riding destinations.Some links mentioned in the podcast:Cager On Two Wheels YouTube ChannelTanshanomi's Kansas Spyder Trip Time LapseThe Smackdab Summer Soltice Ride websiteSchaff's YouTube Channel

Eric and Pete welcome Hooniverse contributor Wayne Moyer. Topics include Erik Buell, entry-level Harley-Davidsons, and the state of the motorcycle industry as a whole.

Eric and Pete are joined by Vince Ma for a discussion of custom bikes, bikes as art, and the tension between form and function on two wheels. For photos of the bikes discussed, visit Hooniverse.com.

Eric and Pete examine what makes a suitable first bike for new riders or those returning to bikes. After discussing general features and characteristics, they go on to name names, listing the specific models they would recommend. They discover that they agree on more than they differ.

Pete and Eric are joined by Garrett for our debut episode. We get to know each other by discussing our riding background and preferences. - 1) How did you get into motorcycling and who were your mentors? - 2) What motorcycle features are must-haves and which are deal-breakers? - 3) How much work on your bikes do you do yourself?