False Neutral

Our final episode. We update you on our projects one last time. We choose a single current bike as your three hosts' mutual favorite, along with the one bike we'd each like to have in our living room as art. We wrap up with a few letters from listeners and our final thoughts. 

It's been a fantastic 7 years. Thanks to everyone who listened.

Your trio of hosts marvel at Garrett's amazing Vespa sale on BaT and update you on our project bikes. We then discuss the new Chinese-built Moto Morinis that will be coming to America, along with KTM's 790s and 890s and several electric motorcycles. To wrap up, we announce that the False Neutral will be coming to a end in a couple of months and explain why.

Our old friend Jim joins us for a discussion of large adventure bikes, specifically the Suzuki V-Strom and the Honda Africa Twin. Jim does a lot of trail riding in his home state of Colorado. He has a lot of first-hand experience with Honda's DCT transmission and he shares the pros and cons of the automatic. As usual, the rest of us share updates on our project bikes.

This month we catch up on Eric's scootering adventures in Vietnam, then discuss Iconic Motorbike Auctions with returning guest Abhi Eswarappa.

Eric had a last-minute conflict and couldn't join us for this month's episode, so we make do with a smaller cast and somewhat abbreviated run time. Garrett and Pete discuss our project bikes (as usual), including updates on both of Garrett's RZ350s. We also consider what large adventure bike Garrett might look for to add to his stable of motorcycles, then wrap up by talking about Can-Am's newly announced foray into electric bikes. 

This episode, we have two months worth of events to cover. Our hosts have been in a four-wheel mode, building, repairing, and shopping for cars. We update you on some recent and upcoming travel, and of course discuss what's up with our project bikes, including another look into the wild world of Predator performance mods. 

This month's episode is almost entirely Workshop Update. Garrett freshened up his vintage Vespa Super Sport and unexpectedly focused his attention on the rat-rod RZ, while Pete has been developing a project concept around his Benelli frame. In the process of discussing these, we talk about how the Internet has changed parts chasing. It's springtime, so we're all pining for new bikes.

What ADV bikes make great commuters? After a recap of Garrett's family dirt bike excursion, and a quick Workshop Update, a listener's question launches a discussion about the current crop of adventure bikes. Thanks to James for his great question. We love to hear from listeners and we're eager to answer your questions. 

This month, we look at a lot of bikes with odd combinations of influences: race bikes that are really baggers but aren't, Buell's new adventure-tourer that is neither an adventure bike, nor a tourer, nor new (along with one that is all of those things), a scooter-minimoto hybrid, and a few other things that really shouldn't go together. 

Eric, Garrett, & Pete talk about the bikes they still want to own, the projects they still want to build, the roads they want to ride, and the motorcycle-oriented destinations and events they would like to experience. And of course, there's a workshop update.

After tying up a couple of loose ends from our new bike discussion last month, we mention a couple others we missed from CFMoto, Yamaha, and Husqvarna. Garrett updates us on the CT70K0's successful shakedown and Pete shares his (slower) progress on his current project, a surprisingly cooperative pile of spare parts. 

This month's episode discussion starts off with a question from a listener, then bounces between our projects and various other motorcycles, both new and old. Along the way, Garrett fills us in on his new laser engraver, and we discuss some of the YouTube bike videos we've been enjoying lately.

The focus of this month's episode is less on building motorcycles and more on buying them. We discuss BMW's balloon-payment financing model, how special financing deals can make a brand-new vehicle more attractive than buying used, depreciation, and the wisdom of paying cash. We wrap up by discussing new bikes that might get us into a dealer's showroom, and used minibikes and karts that have surprising pricetags.

This month we're joined by Mike Festiva, who has a great YouTube channel documenting his creative budget vehicle builds, including a number powered by the Predator engine. In fact, it was his video that inspired Garrett's friend to build the Predator KX, and in turn Pete's current torque-converter bike project. Our discussion covers a wide range of vehicles, from two wheels to six, including mini bikes, trail bikes, street bikes, and Mike's amazing "Mini Pinzgauer" project.

Eric was in the broadcast booth this past weekend, announcing the Daytona 200 for the trackside crowd and the NBC Sports streaming broadcast. We recorded this episode before he left Michigan for Florida and we talk about his (at the time) upcoming broadcast. Garrett is back in good health, has finished settling into his new home, and is ready to get back to bikes. He was nearly ready to pull the trigger on a new Royal Enfield 650 Continental GT when another model currently available at fire-sale prices piqued his interest. Pete is continuing to slap leftover parts together, and having surprising success with it. He also put a brand-new, long-distance touring vehicle in the driveway, but it's not what you'd think. We discuss a couple of new bike models we've been watching lately, including a less-ugly variant of the Harley Pan-American, the Triumph Trident 660, the revised 2021 Triumph Bonneville Bobber, and the reborn (yet again) Buell.

On this episode, Garrett, Eric, and Pete discuss few more new models for 2021: Honda's 1100 Rebel, the return of the Suzuki Hayabusa, what Indian is getting right, and Harley continues to get wrong. We then discuss recent garage purchases we've made, are currently considering and, in Pete's case, bought sort of by accident. We wrap up with a quick review of the Chinese-made cobbler's sewing machine Pete bought mid-episode last month.

This month, our usual workshop update ends up taking the whole episode, because we constantly drift into topics such as tuning for methane fuel, gray market JDM imports, and sewing heavy upolstery.
Here are a few web links we reference in this episode:

• http://www.moto2imports.com/
• https://rmdmotors.com/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zawvl5ZZIdI
• http://saltwhistlesailing.blogspot.com/2015/04/first-project-with-my-sailrite-sewing.html
• https://www.ebay.com/itm/SINGER-Heavy-Duty-4432-Sewing-Machine-18-lbs-Gray/293946716722
• https://www.amazon.com/Machine-Cobbler-Mending-Leather-Stitching/dp/B08R55S2CX

This month we discuss which new bikes for 2021 we're most excited about, along with a few we're a bit more ambivalent about. We also look forward to some new stuff we plan on doing in our workshops in the coming year.

This month, Eric, Garrett, and Pete interview our special guest, Victor Pagan, who is building a Super Single class roadracer out of a 1997 CR250 motorcrosser. After an overview of the conversion process and the challenges he's still working through, we revisit our own projects, including the Predator-engined KX project Garrett's involved with. Along the way, we briefly discuss Bultakenstein, the new Aprilia RS660, and our continuing fascination with the Yamaha Blaster ATV motor. Also, is there a new bike in Pete's or Eric's futures?

Your three hosts are all back in the (vitual) studio, after a 1-month hiatus. This month we discuss small, unusual motorcyles: custom minibikes, bikes powered by Harbor Freight's 212cc Predator industrial motor, and Thai 150cc drag bikes. Eric gives a final wrap-up of his stint with the Royal Enfield 650 twin, and Garrett's been watching The Long Way Up. That leads to a discussion of the prospects for Harley's electric (or not) future.

This month we catch up on what your three hosts have been up to. Eric's been testing a new Royal Enfield 650 Continental GT. Pete and Garrett have been busy in their workshops. It seems that everyone else has been, too — we discuss the current shortage of used parts and used bikes, thanks to most Americans having nothing better to do with their time. Also, Garrett sold his FZ1 and bought something, um, surprising.

We're very excited to have flat-track racer, teacher, fabricator and all-around evangelist Johnny Lewis joining us this month. Johnny runs the Moto Anatomy training facility and has hooked up with Royal Enfield's flat-track program to create the Royal Enfield Slide School and participate in the Build-Train-Race project. Along the way, he has been teaching flat track techniques around the globe, as far away as India. We discuss the new RE 650 and 411 flat trackers and the challenges of teaching riders how to "crash without crashing." It's a fascinating conversation for anybody, regardless of your familiarity with American flat track.

This month Eric and Pete are joined by fellow Hooniverse podcaster Ross Ballot, one of the hosts of Off The Road Again, Hooniverse's newest podcast that focuses on 4x4s and all things off-road. Ross is an avid ATV'er. On this episode, we compare and contrast side-by-sides and ATVs, discuss how they've inherited many of the roles previously held by dune buggies and Jeeps, and try to explain just what makes sitting behind a set of handlebars so magic.

This month there's a lot going on in our workshops. Pete's doing his usual hacking, and Garrett is doing his usual professional-level restoration work. Along the way, our discussion leads to all three of us fawning over how great two-strokes sound, which even incorporates an audio clip [please comment on how you do or don't like this feature].

Despite the Coronavirus lockdown, all three hosts managed to do some cool stuff with and to their bikes this past month. After updating each other on our workshop activities, we discuss how dealerships are surviving the shutdown, what bike bargains are out there that we are not taking advantage of, the fate of this year's Smackdab Run, and what we've been watching on YouTube while we're sequestered at home.

It's just your three hosts this month, and we update you on our projects (and workshop spaces) before we talk about electric bikes, then a couple of new bikes including the BMW R18, Harley Pan-American, and the Indian FTR Rally.

This month, Pete and Eric talk with Bree Poland. Bree has a fascinating personal motorcycle odyssey, from riding dirt bikes as a kid, to umbrella girl, to owning her own supersport road racing team, and finally to her current position as Senior Marketing Manager for Royal Enfield North America. We talk not only about Royal Enfield's remarkable recent renaissance, but how and why people get excited about motorcycles, and how we as a community can tap into those reasons. some of the social programs she has helped instigate: the Build Moto Mentor Program in Milwaukee, the Build Train Race female flat track program, and even commissioning graffiti murals in Colombia. Her enthusiasm not only for Royal Enfields but for connecting people with and through motorcycles is infectious, and definitely makes this month's episode worth listen to.

Our old friend Bradley Brownell is seemingly everywhere on the Internet nowadays, including Jalopnik, Radwood, and a bunch of other media outlets. This month your three hosts talk to him about the Indian FTR1200, the Scout Bobber, Radwood, and his mini-travel-trailer project. It's a great episode; give it a listen!

This month, Garrett has finally started up his sleeper RZ350, but there's yet another unexpected setback! Pete's air compressor also crapped out, but its replacement arrived, as well as some new parts for both his projects. Somewhere along the way, we gush about how much we like the new Triumph Rocket 3 R.

After an update from Garrett on the (nearly done!) RZ, then surprising new project developments from him and Pete, we delve into the new 2020 MY bikes, including some concept bikes from the EICMA show.

arrett's RZ350 is sooo close to complete, Eric broke down and pulled the top end from the sad-trombone XS400, and another project that will never be completed has dropped in my lap.

After our Workshop Update, we talk about new bikes that are here or coming soon, and then discuss recent competition, both off-road and on asphalt.

Making up for our lack of project updates last month, this one's an almost-all-workshop episode.

• Garrett has created a very sophisticated airbox mod for the Kenny Roberts RZ using CAD software and his 3D printer.
• Pete has, at long last, finished his Honda CL125S...aaaaand it's gone. He talks about the nostalgia he felt when he rode it, and why it's already sold.
• Eric delved into the top end on his XS400.

We wrap up with a quick discussion of a couple of bikes we recently checked out at dealers.

This month's episode is a bit different, and somewhat experimental. Garrett is busy with exams this month, so Pete and Eric are joined by guest Steve Faux, a moto vlogger from Lincoln, Nebraska. Steve joins us via mobile phone while out riding his Harley. We discuss the remarkable Honda Fury psuedo-chopper, cruise control, helmet laws, ape hangers, and the proper mindset when making Internet videos and podcasts. [We've done our bests to enhance sound quality over Steve's phone connection, but his voice is slightly garbled in a couple spots.]

After updating listeners on Garrett's continuing Kenny Roberts Replica RZ build, including his plan to 3D print a new airbox, Eric shares new tribulations with his never-running-right XS. We go on to discuss Harley's joint partnership with Chinese manufacturer Qianjiang, and how side-by-sides are currently keeping the powersports industry afloat in North America.

After our usual project bike updates, this month we discuss three listener questions:

• What's your "wild card" bikes, which you'd like to own for a short time just to satisfy your curiosity?
• Can you buy a good beginner bike for $1000, and would a Kawasaki KLR650 be one of them?
• What should you do with used helmets?

This month the crew is all dealing with various pipe-related issues. Garrett had to cut out and replace a frame tube due to a previous welding hack, among lots of other work on his RZ350 project, while Eric and Pete were both busy with other non-motorcycle plumbing issues that couldn't have been more different. We also discuss motorcycle crates, some new bikes, torque curves, and the nature of being an adult.

We've been busy in our workshops this month. Garrett finished his powdercoating oven and rebuilt Eric's carbs, Pete bought a TIG welder. Along the way, in between talking about welding and plasma cutters, we tie up a few loose ends from past episodes, and discuss bikes including the Ducati Paso, Triumph Speedmaster, and Honda GB500.

This month's episode starts as usual with updates on our various project bikes, along with some dreamed-up future project ideas we'll surely never get around to actually attempting. After that, we each try to name one bike we could live with as our only motorcycle. Spoiler: your three hosts come up with very divergent and rather unexpected choices. We wrap up with a discussion of last month's giant Mecum Las Vegas classic bike auction.

Be sure to check out Hooniverse.com for links and photos that accompany each False Neutral episode.

This month all three of your hosts have managed to make real progress in our garages. Eric's XS400E and the Don Vesco RD both fired up for the first time in many years! Garrett has also been busy with the T500 Titan. We go on to discuss Honda's automatic bikes from the '70s and '80s, the Fat Hippo that won Hooniverse Car Of The Year honors, and how Harley-Davidson's Livewire electric bike stacks up to the competition.

In reponse to some feedback from listeners, we start this month's episode with a discussion of our motiviation for continuing this podcast, and what we expect ourselves and our listenters to get from it. Then we talk about what's been going on in our workshops, including some cool updates on the ex-Don Vesco RD350 Garrett is readying for auction.

The topic of this month's episode was supposed to be the new bikes from EICMA, but Garrett followed through on his predicted purchase of not one but three Yamaha two-stroke twins. One will be a fairly mild, original looking Kenny Roberts Special. The other two, an RZ and an RD, will be wildly modified with monster motors. Between the three projects, we spend a lot of time talking about modifying two-strokes and no time talking about 2019 bikes.

In the October episode, Garrett updates us on his pending estate purchase(s?) before moving on to discuss the new Indian FTR1200 [Spoiler: we're impressed], the new Suzuki Katana, the ergonomics of the Husqvarna Vitpilen 701. We go on to examine which bikes are (and are not) on our bucket lists and bargains in small non-current bikes including the utimate 250cc Great-Plains tourer.