Podcast 640: Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials

Attending the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials has been a bucket list event for us, so when an opportunity came up we took it. Now you might think Bonneville is all about speed, and for the most part it is, but what was most amazing was the community (or the salt family as we came to learn). You'll find everything from 50cc antique bikes to 3000cc fully shrouded custom built streamliners, and everything in between. We talked with some of the racers, like Chris Rivas who pilots the Bub 7 Streamliner, and James Hammond on his BMW S1000R that is also his street bike. We also talked to the legend Denis Manning, who built the Bub 7, specifically about the 3000cc 4 cylinder V-twin motor that he designed and built himself. We talked to volunteers Edwin, Larry, Sergio and Alan, and learn more about the scrutineering process, as well as how all of the bikes are categorized. We also recorded some of the sounds of Bonneville, like the rider's meeting, announcements, and bike inspections so that you could get a sense of what it's like to be there yourself. Listen and enjoy! https://bonnevillemst.com/ www.motorcyclesandmisfits.com [email protected] www.patreon.com/motorcyclesandmisfits www.zazzle.com/store/recyclegarage www.youtube.com/channel/UC3wKZSP0J9FBGB79169ciew womenridersworldrelay.com/ adifferentagenda.com/products/the-lost-tribe-25 motorcyclesandmisfits.com/shop Join our Discord at discord.gg/hpRZcucHCT

Wendy Crockett joins the Misfits for a weekend of dirt instruction, wrenching and podcasting. In this episode Jim and Liza give a small recap on the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials, and Jim tells a story about trying to fix a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, and ultimately running out of f**ks. Wendy and Liza taught a basic dirt bike class, and have some ideas of their own of what should be included in the perfect moto training camp. In lieu of Wendy being here, we all state what we think is the best long distance riding bike you can buy right now, and some of them are not what you would expect. And lastly we read listener emails. With Liza, Wendy, Miss Emma, Neil, Naked Jim and Bagel. www.motorcyclesandmisfits.com [email protected] www.patreon.com/motorcyclesandmisfits www.zazzle.com/store/recyclegarage www.youtube.com/channel/UC3wKZSP0J9FBGB79169ciew womenridersworldrelay.com/ adifferentagenda.com/products/the-lost-tribe-25 motorcyclesandmisfits.com/shop Join our Discord at discord.gg/hpRZcucHCT

Here's another one of Liza's favorites from the archives, daredevil Debbie Lawler. When Debbie beat Even Knievel's jumping record in February 1974 at the age if 21, the American press was riveted. While there had been a handful of women who raced motorcycles there hadn't been any female daredevils professionally jumping them - much-less upstaging the brashest stunt rider of the era on national TV. Newspapers labeled her the "female Evel Knievel," a "motorcycle madam" and "tigress on a cycle." We talk to her about how she got into jumping, how she got out and how awesome her dad was.

We all dream about the perfect garage. What would be in yours? All the best tools? Couches? A cigar bar and big screen TV? What about a clean checkerboard floor to display all of your bikes? Now take it bigger; what would your dream parcel be? Would your land have a track and a giant barn size shop? Maybe a bike wash station? Now dream even bigger. What if you could take over and old mall, make the Sears the bike shop, the Macy's and indoor track, the parking lot a supermoto track, and all of the shops could be apartments for you and your friends. We talk about our dreams and what would be in our fantasy garages. We also talk about Liza's Harley and what it's going to take to sell it in this market, what's in the box of goodies from a listener, Scotties Toot Scoot ride on a C70, and we read listener emails, one of which makes us really think about riding, the risks and what we overcome to ride. With Liza, Stumpy John, Miss Emma, Scottie and Bagel. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7774924 Black Beach/White Beach: A tale of two beaches www.motorcyclesandmisfits.com [email protected] www.patreon.com/motorcyclesandmisfits www.zazzle.com/store/recyclegarage www.youtube.com/channel/UC3wKZSP0J9FBGB79169ciew womenridersworldrelay.com/ adifferentagenda.com/products/the-lost-tribe-25 motorcyclesandmisfits.com/shop Join our Discord at discord.gg/hpRZcucHCT

We all love new technology; ABS brakes, fuel injection, traction control, etc. But when is it too much? Sometimes it's nice to have a simple bike that is all mechanical, and everything can be taken apart and fixed. Advancing or retarding the timing, changing the jets and being able to easily access the spark plugs. These are things that we like having control of. Now don't get your panties in a wad about modern technology. We know that overall it's made motorcycling safer and more accessible to many, but for those that like to diagnose, tweak and rebuild, sometimes the technology just gets in the way. With Liza, Stumpy John, Miss Emma, Neal, Scottie, Naked Jim and Bagel. www.motorcyclesandmisfits.com [email protected] www.patreon.com/motorcyclesandmisfits www.zazzle.com/store/recyclegarage www.youtube.com/channel/UC3wKZSP0J9FBGB79169ciew womenridersworldrelay.com/ adifferentagenda.com/products/the-lost-tribe-25 motorcyclesandmisfits.com/shop Join our Discord at discord.gg/hpRZcucHCT

Everyone is wrong according to Miss Emma. What is often referred to as a retro bike, is in fact a nostalgia bike. In some cases, it might be a vintage, or a modern retro, or even a modern retro vintage. So what is the difference? And what category do "retro" bikes really belong in? Sit back and listen to the Misfits get into the minutiae of it. And while we are in it, let's just hop into another debatable topic. What is the official color of each brand of bike? Some are very clear and mutually agreed upon, and others seem to vary based on the era you remember fondly. We also talk a little bit more about AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days (or is it retro?) and read listener emails. With Liza, Miss Emma and Bagel. www.motorcyclesandmisfits.com [email protected] www.patreon.com/motorcyclesandmisfits www.zazzle.com/store/recyclegarage www.youtube.com/channel/UC3wKZSP0J9FBGB79169ciew womenridersworldrelay.com/ adifferentagenda.com/products/the-lost-tribe-25 motorcyclesandmisfits.com/shop Join our Discord at discord.gg/hpRZcucHCT

AMA Vintage Days does not disappoint. Bigger than ever with an attendance estimated at more than 70,000 and heavy rain storms in the forecast, it still was an amazing weekend. In fact, the mud seemed to add to the list of things to experience and brought us all together sharing our stories. But fortunately the rain came in spurts, leaving plenty of sunshine to keep the races and activities going. We enlisted the help of stunt Misfits to find the stories and conduct the interviews, as well as chatting with the group staying in the FEMA tent as we call it. Give it a listen and enjoy. https://vintagemotorcycledays.com/ www.motorcyclesandmisfits.com [email protected] www.patreon.com/motorcyclesandmisfits www.zazzle.com/store/recyclegarage www.youtube.com/channel/UC3wKZSP0J9FBGB79169ciew womenridersworldrelay.com/ adifferentagenda.com/products/the-lost-tribe-25 motorcyclesandmisfits.com/shop Join our Discord at discord.gg/hpRZcucHCT

Can a Chinese brand bike survive the Iron Butt Rally? 11,000 in 11 days. This is a question that will remain unanswered for now. Our friend and sometimes stunt Misfit Wendy Crockett attempted to prove that it is possible, but things did not go her way. And when we say it didn't go her way, the dead bike on the side of the road quickly because the smaller of her problems. So did the bike die because Chinese bikes are presumably cheaply made, or is it because it's just a first year model? This is more common than you think, and we talk about what may have gone wrong, other brands past issues, and which brands have the least issues when it comes to new designs. We also discuss Liza's Harley issue, Emma's CB1000 issues and if Neal has any secrets or not and we read listener emails. With Liza, Miss Emma, Neal and Wendy Crockett. www.motorcyclesandmisfits.com [email protected] www.patreon.com/motorcyclesandmisfits www.zazzle.com/store/recyclegarage www.youtube.com/channel/UC3wKZSP0J9FBGB79169ciew womenridersworldrelay.com/ adifferentagenda.com/products/the-lost-tribe-25 motorcyclesandmisfits.com/shop Join our Discord at discord.gg/hpRZcucHCT

There's so much going on this week so we packed it all into one episode. First up, Neal and Stumpy John took an adventure ride up to the Lost Coast in N. Cali. Everything up there is either ocean, redwoods, pot farms or vineyards, so you know the ride was epic. Next up, we spent the weekend down at Laguna Seca for the MotoAmerica races. For some of us, we've been going for years, so we focus on test riding bikes and all the things the races have to offer. For Jake 2.0, it being his first time to the races AND Laguna Seca, it was all amazing. We share our test ride stories on the CF Moto 450 Ibex, 800 Ibex and the Papeo. And Jake talks about seeing the corkscrew up close, and then what it's like to experience on the track. Liza introduces a new game called Wrong Answers Only, and pretty much regrets it immediately. Steph just got back from the Mods and Rockers rally, where scooterists and bikers all get along. Chris shares has stories on returning from the Scooter Cannonball. As a long distance IBR rider, did he have what it takes to do it on a scooter? And lastly, we read listener emails and answer some questions. with Liza, Stumpy John, Neal, Jake 2.0, Naked Jim, Bagel, Chris Comly and Steph Yue. www.motorcyclesandmisfits.com [email protected] www.patreon.com/motorcyclesandmisfits www.zazzle.com/store/recyclegarage www.youtube.com/channel/UC3wKZSP0J9FBGB79169ciew https://womenridersworldrelay.com/ adifferentagenda.com/products/the-lost-tribe-25 motorcyclesandmisfits.com/shop Join our Discord at discord.gg/hpRZcucHCT

Peter Egan is a legend in the world motorcycle journalism. He is best known for his work as an automotive and motorcycle writer. He gained prominence through his long-running columns and features in Road & Track and Cycle World magazines, where his storytelling combined mechanical insight with a nostalgic, often humorous style. Egan began writing for Cycle World in the late 1970s and later joined Road & Track in the 1980s. His writing stood out for its deep affection for classic vehicles, road trips, and the romance of travel and machinery. His popular columns, such as Side Glances (in Road & Track) and Leanings (in Cycle World), earned him a dedicated following. Peter joins us to share stories from his travels and talk about his newest book, Landings in America, where he and his wife traveled around the country in an old Piper Cub airplane with nothing more than a pup tent, a wad of cash, and a change of clothing. With Liza, Nak, Stumpy John, Miss Emma, Neal, Tim and Bagel. womenridersworldrelay.com/ wima-usa.com/2025-international-rally/ www.motorcyclesandmisfits.com [email protected] www.patreon.com/motorcyclesandmisfits www.zazzle.com/store/recyclegarage www.youtube.com/channel/UC3wKZSP0J9FBGB79169ciew adifferentagenda.com/products/the-lost-tribe-25 motorcyclesandmisfits.com/shop Join our Discord at discord.gg/hpRZcucHCT