FLASHBACK: It’s hard to believe this shot was from almost ten years ago. We were on a trip back to California from the Hot Bike Power Tour that started in Iowa. We rode and camped our asses off in some terrible weather. But before it got really bad in Yellowstone, Geoff Kowalchuk made this photo. Geoff has been shooting Biltwell riders, events, and products for years, but motorcycles are only one of his passions. Geoff’s also a talented skateboarder, and he’s made some banger images in that world, too. A retrospective with some of Geoff’s favorite photos begins on page 60, and his motorcycle images tell colorful stories in the rest of this jam-packed issue. We hope you enjoy it.
04 THE ADVXL
Our Third-Gen Sportster Redux Proves All Bikes are Adventure Bikes
10 LANE SPLITTER
Aggressive Style. Precision Engineering. No-Gimmick High Performance
12 GRINGO SV
The Next Evolution of Our All-Time Classic
14 GRINGO S
Leader of The Retro/Modern Revolution, now ECE R22.06 Certified
16 GRINGO No Bells. No Whistles. No Competition
18 BONANZA
Anything Less is Just Dangerous
20 KNOCKOUT!
The Bikes and Builders from the 2023 People’s Champ Chopper Build-Off
36 EL DIABLO FUN
Still Crazy After All these Beers
38 SEW GOOD New Biltwell Cut-and-Sew Essentials for Riding, Wrenching, and Relaxing
36 WELCOME TO THE FUTURE Plugging in and Shaking Down the Zero DSR/X Electric Motorcycle
50 FEATURE-RICH Rebuilding and Refining Biltwell EXFIL Luggage from the Ground Up
56 WORK TIME Little Changes Make The Biltwell
Work Glove 2.0 Better than Ever
60 FOCUS
Geoff Kowalchuk Photo Retrospective
68 THIS IS CHRIS MOELLER BMX’s King of American Metal
hADVXL
all bikes are adventure bikes
Words & Photos: Bill Bryant
After we built the original Frijole 883 to race the 2018 NORRA 1000 in Baja California, Mexico, we picked up a cream puff 2003 883 as a “spare parts” bike. We stripped it down and brought the frame and engine with us in the chase van during the race in case we needed to scrounge parts or completely swap out the frame or power plant.
As it worked out, the race bike was way more durable than we expected and most of the spare parts came back in the van unused. The next year, Rouser built the “Spare Parts Sportster” out of this donor and the leftover race parts. Our buddy Ricky flogged this version of the humble Sporto at Lapaglia’s practice track and then our crew raced it at the Mint 400 and the first two Biltwell 100 desert races.
Fast forward to 2023 and the bike was a little hammered, so it was time for a refresh. Our VP of Sales, Davin Wirtanen is a bad influence around here and his love for ADV bikes has been contagious. Harley introducing and loaning us a few Pan America motorcycles just poured fuel on the gravel road flame. I was considering a venerable KLR or Yamaha T700 as a pragmatic solution to this gap in my motorcycle quiver. Of course either would have been fantastic and realistic choices, but then I recalled the ridden hard and put away wet SPS bike.
In the spring of this year, Rouser traveled from his surf lair in remote Panama to come up for his annual work trip in Temecula, CA. We brainstormed about what it would take to convert this semi-retired race/thrash bike into a more universal all-rounder. First, we defined the mission: A street-legal bike that is capable of 300-500 mile days while having some modern features, extra fuel capacity and the ability to haul plenty of gear. Of course, it had to be off-road capable and not lose any of the race-proven provenance inherited from the original Frijole and also be comfy and competent on the highway.
We went round and round about how to solve the extra fuel capacity issue. We didn’t want a strangely huge plastic tank, it just wouldn’t look or feel like a Harley. The simplest solution? Pop a couple Rotopax on either side of the H-D Pan Am top box. This way we fit an extra two gallons in addition to the stock 3.3. This lends itself to roughly 200
miles without a gas stop. I need a snack about every 100 miles or so anyway. Rob built a rear rack to support the Harley Pan Am top box (by SW-Motech) and the saddlebag supports while I did a little TIG welding to stick it all together. We slipped the yoke of our EXFIL®-18 saddlebags over that rear support and rebuilt the exhaust system to keep its tucked-in
Continued on page 6
Continued from page 4
compact routing, but exit at a bagfriendly angle. (I was nervous that it was still too close to the bag, but a recent all-day trip proved that our work was not in vain and the bag stayed intact instead of melting.)
How’s it ride? Rob’s rebuild with the S&S 1200cc Hooligan kit makes this bike way more peppy than the original Frijole. Tim Statt at Giga Cycle Garage carved up some new trees with a slightly more relaxed head angle and we moved the steering stops to get a better turning radius than the old race bike. The gearing is perfect for mixed use. It’ll run 70mph all day on the highway without feeling taxed but still has plenty of grunt down low to get this 500-pound wannabe dirt bike out of tricky situations off road. Rob’s attention to detail on the build confused fellow riders on a recent ferry ride in the PNW. Most of them insisted that it must be a new motorcycle and had a hard time believing it’s a 20 year old Sporty.
The ergonomics are natural when seated and the standing position is totally comfortable for extended periods of time. Shifting is still GP-style to keep the shifter tucked and we kept the Rekluse clutch because it is such a fatigue-saver off-road. Rouser added heated grip liners which sounds pretty bougie for chopper types, but when it’s chilly, they sure are nice! Another modern touch is the Garmin Zumo XT2 navigator which also serves as a speedometer. Below the Garmin is a dash with aircraft-style circuit breakers and switches for ignition, heated grips, and Baja Designs lighting. The Manic rally tower includes a USB charger and voltmeter for convenience and peace of mind. Those Baja Designs lights
BTW, are killer. I run the yellows in the day time just to be seen.
Other race-proven bits are the Honda XR400 oil cooler mounted on the neck and the Anti-Gravity battery with rigid mount. Like the race bike, we rebuilt the stock oil tank to bolt on to the frame rather than hang from the failureprone stock rubber mounts. We ditched the push-in oil tank cap and welded in a threaded bung and custom aluminum cap. These oil tank mods are often overlooked by novice desert racers hopping up a Sporty–all it takes is one tip-over for the stock oil cap to pop off and all is lost in the middle of nowhere. Less racy, but visually important is the 2022 Subaru “Adventure Green” and flat black paint laid down by Pete “Hot Dog” Finlan.
This motorcycle may have been born and raised in the deserts of So Cal and Baja but it’s getting a new lease on life up on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State. I moved up here to the upper left in Port Angeles this summer and the ADVXL is the bike that gets the most use so far since it behaves so well in all environments. I’ve yet to take it on any multi-day epic adventures but that is absolutely the plan!
What if H-D had built an ADV bike twenty years ago? Would it have been anything like this?
Specs:
2003 Harley Davidson 883
S&S 1200 Hooligan kit
XR400 oil cooler
CV carb w/Rouser mods
Custom exhaust w/Cone Eng. muffler and JetHot coating
Rekluse Clutch kit
Buell XB valve covers and breathers
Dyna 2000i ignition
Cycle Electrics charging system
Antigravity battery
2005 CR250F front forks
Elka rear shocks
Giga Cycle trees
GPR stabilizer
Manic Rally tower
Baja Designs Squadron Pro driving, spot, and fog lights
Motogadget turn signals
Garmin GPS
Heated grips
Modified Hugo Moto skidplate
Modified Hugo Moto foot controls
Giga Cycle rear brake carrier
Galfer brake rotors
Metzler MC360 tires
Beefed up swingarm
Reinforced frame
Beefed-up oil tank mounts
Roto Pax 1 gallon tanks (2)
Harley Pan Am SW-Motech top box
Biltwell EXFIL®-18 saddle bags
tGadgets galore. No ADV rider would be caught dead without a bunch of farkles behind their tower.
qBelow the belt. We reworked and rewelded the Hugo Moto (RIP) skid plate. Note how the generic crash bar is mounted backwards to bring it closer to the engine and to protect our GP-style shifter in the event of a crash.
tDouble Stack. Nothing beats Baja Designs’ Squadron Pro lighting. ADVXL’s setup includes a spotlight up top and a pair of fog lights on the crash bar.
Keepin’ it cool.uStashed on the neck is a modified Honda XR400 oil cooler. Note the GPR steering stabilizer mounted on top tree.
tTuck it in. Exhaust is tucked in with solid mounts to reduce the chance of damage during a get-off. We modified, reinforced, and added bushings to the Hugo Moto pegs mounts until we were happy with them. Our Punisher peg provide plenty of grip and fold up when needed.
DISCOVER YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE
Experience the ultimate in adventure touring with Metzeler’s KAROO™ 4 and TOURANCE™ NEXT 2 tires. Crafted for durability and performance, these tires offer superior grip and handling, allowing riders to easily conquer any terrain.
Upgrade Your Ride today and embark on a journey of endless discovery. Available at Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties dealers nationwide.
Lane Splitter ®
SPECIFICATIONS:
• CE-CERTIFIED POLYCARBONATE SHIELD FEATURES ANTI-FOG AND ANTI-SCRATCH TREATMENTS
• NEW DUAL DENSITY EPS SAFETY LINER FOR ENHANCED IMPACT LOAD ATTENUATION
REMOVABLE/REPLACEABLE COMFORT LINER AND CHEEK PADS FRONT, SIDE, AND REAR VENTS PROVIDE INTERIOR AIRFLOW
ECE R22.06 CERTIFIED US DOT FMVSS NO. 218 COMPLIANT NEW
AGGRESSIVELY STYLED. BEAUTIFULLY HANDCRAFTED. The latest edition of our Lane Splitter helmet is built for riders who demand comfort and protection in one stripped-down, highperformance package. Features include a rugged ABS outer shell, Dual Density EPS safety liner, replaceable comfort liner, and a CE-certified polycarbonate shield.
TAHOE BLUE
THREE OUTER SHELL SIZES FOR A FINE-TUNED FIT. Every new ECE R22.06-certified Biltwell full-face helmet now features three outer shell sizes. The new Dual Density EPS safety shell inside this year’s Lane Splitter features a revised shape to improve comfort.
METALLIC CHERRY RED
GLOSS WHITE
GLOSS STORM GREY INERTIA
GLOSS OLIVE GREEN
GLOSS BLACK/WHITE FLAMES
FLAT BLACK
GLOSS BLACK
Gringo SV ®
SPECIFICATIONS:
• DUAL DENSITY EPS INTERNAL SAFETY SHELL DISSIPATES IMPACT ENERGY WITHOUT COMPROMISING COMFORT
• RUGGED HINGE HARDWARE ALLOWS YOU TO RIDE WITH THE SHIELD OPEN AT SLOW SPEEDS
• ADJUSTABLE VENTS ABOVE THE EYE PORT LET YOU REGULATE INTERNAL AIRFLOW
FRONT, SIDE, AND REAR VENTS PROVIDE INTERIOR AIRFLOW
INJECTION-MOLDED ABS OUTER SHELL
ECE R22.06 CERTIFIED US DOT FMVSS NO. 218 COMPLIANT
New for 2024, Gringo SV takes the retro race aesthetic we reenergized ten years ago in a bold new direction. The result is a helmet with world-class comfort, function, and style. Features include adjustable brow vents for controlled ventilation and a new CE-certified molded polycarbonate shield.
NEW FOR 2024: SIERRA GREEN
CE-CERTIFIED SHIELD WITH UNBREAKABLE LOCK PIN. The 2024 Gringo SV and Gringo S feature a new shield with foolproof brass locking pin. The shield’s hinge assembly boasts rugged molded plastic hardware, aluminum washers, and stainless-steel screws for reliability and easy maintenance.
METALLIC SEA FOAM
METALLIC GRAPE
METALLIC CHERRY RED
GLOSS WHITE
GLOSS STORM GREY
FLAT BLACK
GLOSS BLACK
mechanism for trouble-free performance. Adding a third shell size also improved Gringo’s already lauded comfort.
NEW FOR 2024: VINTAGE DESERT SPECTRUM
NEW FOR 2024: THREE OUTER SHELLS FOR A BETTER FIT.
This year’s complete Gringo helmet range features three new molded ABS outer shells to meet more stringent ECE R22.06 safety standards. These new shells and advanced interior construction provide enhanced protection and a more comfortable fit.
METALLIC CHERRY
DOVE BLUE
GLOSS WHITE
GLOSS WHITE/BLACK TRACKER
GLOSS BLACK FLAMES
FLAT BLACK
GLOSS BLACK
Gringo ®
SPECIFICATIONS:
• SNAPS OVER EYE PORT ACCEPT ALL BILTWELL AND SELECT AFTERMARKET OPTIC ACCESSORIES
• NEW COMFORT LINER FEATURES BIOFOAM HEAD FORM PANEL FOR COOLNESS AND COMFORT
• DUAL DENSITY EPS INTERNAL SAFETY SHELL DISSIPATES IMPACT ENERGY
WORKS GREAT WITH SUNGLASSES AND BILTWELL GOGGLES
INJECTION-MOLDED ABS OUTER SHELL
ECE R22.06 CERTIFIED US DOT FMVSS NO. 218 COMPLIANT
When we introduced our first stripped-down full-face lid, Gringo kickstarted a retro helmet revolution. Eleven years later we did it again, this time with US DOT and ECE R22.06 certification for enhanced safety and comfort.
BUILT FOR PROTECTION AND COMFORT.
Despite its lean features and classic style, our new-andimproved Gringo boasts the same safety engineering as every full-face helmet in our ‘24 line. We fine-tuned Gringo S’s Dual Density EPS safety shell to improve fit and comfort. All three new outer shells feature larger eye ports to increase peripheral vision.
• SNAPS ON BROW ACCEPT ALL BILTWELL BUBBLE SHIELDS, VISORS, AND OPTIC ACCESSORIES
• EPS SAFETY LINER DISSIPATES IMPACT LOADS WITHOUT COMPROMISING COMFORT
• HAND-PAINTED GLOSS, MATTE, AND METALLIC FINISHES AVAILABLE
• RUGGED, INJECTION-MOLDED ABS OUTER SHELL
ANYTHING
LESS IS JUST DANGEROUS.
Some motorcyclers like next to nothing between them and the open highway. If you’re not afraid of wind in your face or bugs in your teeth, the Bonanza is your helmet. Same safety-tested materials and craftsmanship as every full-face lid in our line, minus the facial fortification.
WE DIDN’T INVENT THE OPEN-FACE HELMET, but we’ll take some credit for making them cool again. Bonanza is engineered to meet US DOT impact standards, then painted by hand to create a three-quarter lid that fits great and looks even better. This year’s line features something for everyone, including gloss, matte, and one limited edition scallop colorway, plus the return of an all-time classic— Root Beer Megaflake.
GLOSS STORM GREY
ROOT BEER MEGAFLAKE
GLOSS VINTAGE WHITE
GLOSS VINTAGE WHITE/BLACK SCALLOP
METALLIC CHERRY RED
FLAT BLACK
GLOSS BLACK
knocKOUT!
The bikes and builders from 2023 People’s Champ
Words by McGoo / Photos by Geoff Kowalchuk
Since 2019, the People’s Champ chopper build-off has been the crown jewel in Biltwell’s contribution to the Born-Free Motorcycle Show in Southern California. Hosted yearly on the eve of Born-Free at Cook’s Corner in Santiago Canyon, People’s Champ provides home-based and lesser-known builders an opportunity to showcase their creations at America’s premier custom motorcycle show.
The rules for participation in the People’s Champ chop-off are nonnegotiable and crystal clear. Show curators Bill Bryant, Josh Gilbow, and Mike Deutsch look for uniquely hand-crafted motorcycles. Dozens of hopeful builders send pics to Biltwell for consideration. From these submissions, The crew uploads 12 semi-finalists to the People’s Champ website. Voting to select six finalists is in the hands of the people, and happens online several months before the big event. After the competition’s
global audience selects the Top Six, Biltwell sends a film crew to the builders’ shops to do a comprehensive photo shoot of each motorcycle. Online voting for the winner of the People’s Champ happens the week before the bike show at Cook’s Corner, but there’s a catch: All six builders must ride their creations across Ortega Highway to Cook’s Corner Friday morning. Any bike unable to complete the 40-mile mountain pass is ineligible to win the ten-thousand-dollar grand prize.
In addition to the grand prize, the
People’s Champ gets to become the last invited builder at Born-Free on Saturday and Sunday. For making the Top Six, every runner-up receives $1000 and a special spot to park their bikes on the grass at Born-Free.
That’s how the People’s Champ works. Without further ado, here’s the winner and five runners-up from the 2023 People’s Champ custom motorcycle building competition.
SEAN JACKSON @axtion88jackson
SPRINGBORO, PA
Harley-davidson panhead
the champ
Sean’s attention to detail is revealed in his ’48 panhead’s fusion of vintage steampunk and modern elements. The frame, crafted entirely from polished 304 stainless steel, features about a million aluminum stand-off spacers. The hillclimber-inspired front fork is handcrafted from raw materials. What really sets Sean’s machine apart is its hand crank. Scavenged from a V12 Merlin airplane, this is a unique touch for a home-cooked Harley. Sean triumphantly rode it over Ortega Highway to Cook’s Corner, where global voters crowned him 2023’s winner.
RObert mayer @Bobby63Pan
PEASE, MN .............. 1963
Harley-davidson panhead
runner-up
Robert faced a significant challenge with his 2023 People’s Champ entry, juggling time and budget constraints while running his hot rod shop and caring for his newborn. Opting for the road less traveled, Bobby chose to craft his first frame from scratch—30 inches over, gusseted, with molded gas and oil tanks. Clearly, this is no off-the-shelf chassis. The hot rod influence shines through with vintage Pontiac taillights and stacked headlights. The stunning paintwork, complemented by subtle nickel plating, adds a classy touch.
Not
everyone who signs up for the People’s Champ build-off is insane, but it sure helps.
collin sells
@JustCollinAnthony
SEATTLE, WA
1929
Harley-davidson “D” model
runner-up
Collin embraced a bold approach for his 2023 People’s Champ entry, pushing well beyond his comfort zone. Overcoming challenges, he learned TIG welding, wheel lacing, and transitioned from an assembler to a true builder on this statement piece. Collin combined a vintage Harley “D” engine with totalloss oil system and proportions more common to a Schwinn Sting-Ray to realize his vision. The chromed frame, rigid front end, and hand-pumped oil delivery set his chopper well apart from the crowd.
With compact proportions, eclectic lineage, and extraordinary donor parts, Collin Sells’ showstopper is a breath of fresh air.
al hackel
@AlHackel
BLOOMINGTON, IL
2023
Hackel-Wright
runner-up
Al Hackel’s 2023 People’s Champ bike is one the most ambitious builds in the event’s rich history. Al—a welder and machinist by trade—crafted the frame and forks from scratch. Starting with a single jug from a WWII-era Wright R975-46 helicopter engine, Al carved the engine cases and Flash Gordoninspired valve covers from chunks of billet aluminum to showcase his ingenuity and craft. Other noteworthy bits include an incredible taillight, shift knob, and velocity stacks from Maritimer Glassworks. While Al wasn’t able to finish his bike before the mandatory ride-in, the partial build he displayed at Cook’s Corner still blew minds.
Never heard of
had anyone else
a Hackle-Wright? Neither
until Al Hackel brought his brainchild to Santiago Canyon last year.
barney bowman @Barnstormerr
STERLING, VA .............. 1946
Harley-davidson knucklehead
runner-up
Starting with a ‘47 knucklehead motor and a ‘50 panhead frame whose best days were a half century behind them, Barney’s chopper nails the stance and style he was aiming for. Notable features on Barney’s MoCo classic include high-shouldered 19- and 21-inch alloy rims and a purple Pea Shooter front fork. Barney painted his bike in his backyard, a commitment to DIY that tested his creativity, patience, and fab skills every step of the way.
Handcrafted bits abound from stem to stern on Barney Bowman’s classic knucklehead.
brandon oddy
Abbotsford, B.C. Canada
1965
H-D PAN/SHOVEL
runner-up
Brandon Oddy resuscitated his dormant panhead motor with help from friends, breaking its 30-year silence. Transforming a shovelhead frame with ‘80s era dragon scale detailing into this hardtailed masterpiece took elbow grease, but this motivated Canadian pulled it off. Extended fork sliders and a Sportster tank with scooped bodywork add sizzle to this chopper’s classic style. According to Brandon, his craftsmanship improved throughout the build process, to the extent he rode from Lake Elsinore to Cook’s Corner with zero concerns on show day.
Choppers are alive and well in the Great White North. Brandon’s ’65 panhead is proof.
the 2024 contenders
The Top Six for this year’s People’s Champ Custom motorcycle Build-Off
We solicited entries for this year’s People’s Champ months ago, and posted the 14 top qualifiers online last fall. After the digital dust settles from online voting, these are the six builders for the 2024 People’s Champ. Later this spring each builder’s bike will be featured on the People’s champ website. In the week preceding Born-Free Show this summer, we’ll open online voting one more time so you and everyone else in the choppersphere can pick the 2024 People’s Champ. Until then, feast your eyes on each builder’s bike in its early stages right here.
NAME: Joost “Joe” Gazendam
INSTAGRAM: @el_lobo_cycles
HOME: Copdock, England
BIKE: Harley-Davidson Shovelhead
NAME: Derek Savage
INSTAGRAM: @_dereksavage
HOME: Havervill, MA
BIKE: Harley-Davidson Knucklehead
NAME: Craig Westfall
INSTAGRAM: @Barnfiend
HOME: Buffalo, NY
BIKE: Harley-Davidson Evolution
NAME: Tony Medellin
INSTAGRAM: @tony_medellintattoo
HOME: Reno, NV
BIKE: Harley-Davidson Knucklehead
NAME: Nick Turner
INSTAGRAM: @SuperiorVintageIron
HOME: San Jose, CA
BIKE: Harley-Davidson Panhead
NAME: Andy Martin
INSTAGRAM: @andrewcjm
HOME: Dunedin, New Zealand
BIKE: Harley-Davidson Panhead
American expats in San Felipe lovingly call their adopted home “the drinking town with a fishing problem.” For one weekend in May next year, 2,500 bikeriders will turn this peaceful seaside pueblo into a drinking town with a chopper problem.
El Diablo Fun
Still Crazy after All These Beers
Words: Harold McGruther / Photo: Sheldon Ivester
The dusty town of San Felipe naps quietly on the eastern shore of the Sea of Cortez in Baja, Mexico. One hundred and fifty miles of unpredictable two-lane tarmac connect this sleepy pueblo to the US/California border due north. This little town and the amigos who work and play there have hosted every El Diablo Run since its inception in 2006. On that cherry-poppin’ chopper fest, 47 men and women braved border crossings, runaway farm trucks, and the world’s deepest potholes to eat tacos, drink beer, and talk choppers under Mexico’s blistering sun. Despite its small size and intentional lack of crass commercialism, nascent social media of the time poured jet fuel on early EDR mythology, and a timeless style of twowheeled adventure was reborn.
El Diablo Run numero dias rolled into San Felipe in May 2023. Roughly 2,500 bikers from the USA, Canada, and mainland Mexico converged in Baja aboard every kind of motorcycle you can imagine. As always, an impressive number of handbuilt choppers made the journey, as these are the men and machines the EDR was conceived to celebrate. The friendly, hard-working city officials and businesspeople in San Felipe roll out the red carpet when EDR comes to town, and their beach front boulevard or malecon is the center of activity for one day. Food, live music, street vendors, fishing, sunbathing, and a good old-fashioned bike show add spice to this fiesta, and by sundown everyone is stuffed, drunk, and happy.
If this sounds like fun, you’re in luck—The Biltwell crew and a few thousand friends are heading to San Felipe for EDR XI next year. No date has been made official, but it will be a long weekend in May 2025 so pencil it in. For more information, follow the QR code to the official El Diablo Run website.
SEW GOOD
BILTWELL CUT-AND-SEW ESSENTIALS FOR EVERYDAY LIVING
We’ve been doing street wear and riding gear for a minute—everything from printed tees and collab flannels to our original Prime Cut vests. Good as all that stuff was, our Spring ’24 line takes Biltwell cut-and-sew apparel to a whole new level.
HI-TEST FLANNEL
The goodness starts with three new flannels. Available in two plaid and one solid colorway, every long-sleeved shirt is precisely crafted and hand stitched with woven 100% cotton. Other brands use synthetic blend materials for their shirts, and that’s great—synthetics launder nicely, and are very durable. For our money, however, nothing feels better next to your skin than pure cotton. At 6.5 ounces per square yard, this heavyweight material provides the perfect combination of softness and durability for work and play.
EL DORADO SHIRTJACK
When you’re on the clock or on the prowl, our all-new El Dorado Shirtjack is the perfect top layer for a little extra warmth in blustery conditions. On the bike, wear our clever lined poly/cotton coat under your vest to create the perfect kit for spring and summertime rides. No matter how you wear it, the El Dorado Shirtjack works overtime, every time, and looks good doing it.
4-SPEED VEST
Our guys at Biltwell have ridden in every kind of motorcycle and work vest you can imagine—canvas, denim, synthetic, full leather, hybrid, you name it. After logging the miles and scrutinizing the spec sheets, we always come back to some dream version of the canvas vest. Reason: Done right, nothing goes from bike to bar to campsite better than a canvas vest. One ride in our 4-Speed Vest and we think you’ll agree. To learn more about this and every new garment in our Spring ’24 line, read on…
WORN SEPARATELY OR IN LAYERS WHEN CONDITIONS DEMAND IT, OUR NEW 100% COTTON FLANNELS, LINED POLY/COTTON SHIRT/JACKET HYBRID, AND HEAVY-DUTY CANVAS VEST ARE CUT-AND-SEW ESSENTIALS YOU’LL WONDER HOW YOU LIVED WITHOUT AFTER ONE RIDE.
CHRISTIAN (5’11”, 200 LB.) IS WEARING OUR MOSS PLAID HI-TEST FLANNEL IN LARGE
HI-TEST FLANNEL
BUILT FOR RIDING, WRENCHING, AND LIVING
Biltwell Hi-Test Flannels are handcrafted with 100% heavyweight cotton to go from job site to date night without breaking a sweat. Construction details include single- and double-needle polyester stitching for durability, and roomy tailoring for a comfortable fit. All three flannels feature rugged stainless-steel snaps, with black pearl inlays on plaid colorways for extra pop. Moto-specific upgrades include elastic thumb loops inside the cuffs, and hidden snaps in the collar tips to kill collar flap during fast getaways.
HIDDEN SNAPS ELIMINATE COLLAR FLAP
CHEST POCKETS WITH FLAPS AND SNAP CLOSURES
LOOPS KEEP SLEEVES WHERE THEY BELONG
SPECIFICATIONS :
• SUPER COMFORTABLE 6.5 OZ. 100% HEAVYWEIGHT COTTON
• PLATED STAINLESS-STEEL SNAPS ON PLACKET, CUFFS, COLLAR, AND POCKET FLAPS
• HIDDEN SNAPS ON COLLAR TIPS ELIMINATE FLAPPING AT HIGH SPEEDS
• ELASTIC THUMB LOOPS KEEP SLEEVE CUFFS PULLED DOWN OVER WRISTS
• DISCRETE SLOT ON CHEST POCKET FLAP MAKES STORING GLASSES FAST AND EASY
• POLYESTER SINGLE-NEEDLE, DOUBLE-NEEDLE, AND OVERLOCK STITCHED SEAMS THROUGHOUT
• HIGH-QUALITY EMBROIDERED INTERIOR TAGS AND EXTERIOR BRAND DETAILING
• SOLID BLACK AND WOVEN PLAID COLORWAYS
• XS-XXL SIZES
BLACK
MOSS PLAID
ELASTIC
RUST PLAID
WESTY (6’, 200 LB.)
IS WEARING OUR NAVY EL DORADO SHIRTJACK IN LARGE
EL DORADO SHIRTJACK
LOW-KEY HIGH-PERFORMANCE
Our clean, understated El Dorado Shirtjack is packed with features that will make it the most popular top layer in your closet. Its tailored chassis is constructed with 7.5 oz. cotton/nylon blend twill canvas to resist wind and mild weather without sacrificing fit or flexibility. Inside, a 100% fleece polyester liner offers moisture-wicking comfort. Silky smooth recycled polyester lines both sleeves. Five pockets—four outside and one inside—provide plenty of space for personal cargo.
HIDDEN ANTI-FLAP COLLAR SNAPS
SUBTLE TONE-ON-TONE EMBROIDERED BRANDING
KEY LOOP INSIDE INTERIOR CHEST POCKET
SPECIFICATIONS :
• ABRASION-RESISTANT 7.5 OZ. 76% COTTON/24% NYLON TWILL CONSTRUCTION
• 100% POLYESTER FLEECE BODY LINING PROVIDES WARMTH WITHOUT OVERHEATING
• SMOOTH 57% POLYESTER/43% REPREVE® LINING ON SLEEVES
• HIDDEN SNAPS ON COLLAR TIPS ELIMINATE FLAPPING AT HIGH SPEEDS
• ELASTIC THUMB LOOPS KEEP SLEEVE CUFFS PULLED DOWN OVER WRISTS
• RUGGED INTERIOR POCKET FEATURES AN ELASTIC LOOP FOR KEY FOB STORAGE
• POLYESTER SINGLE-NEEDLE, DOUBLE-NEEDLE, AND OVERLOCK STITCHED SEAMS THROUGHOUT
• EXTERIOR POCKETS WITH SNAP FLAPS ON CHEST AND LINED HAND POCKETS HIDDEN ON OUTER SEAMS
• XS-XXL SIZES
ELASTIC
NAVY
OTTO (6’2”, 185 LB.)
IS WEARING OUR BLACK 4-SPEED VEST IN LARGE OVER A BILTWELL HOODIE
4-SPEED VEST
BUILT TOUGH FOR DURABILITY AND COMFORT
Our 4-Speed Vest’s heavy-duty cotton canvas exterior features generous sizing and elasticated expansion panels so you can layer it over a shirt, hoodie, or reinforced riding jacket. The two-way zipper with Hypalon pulls lets you fine tune fit at the collar and waist. Its breathable, custom printed polyblend liner will keep you warm and comfortable. Two interior and four exterior pockets make hauling gloves, glasses, and other EDC essentials easy.
EXTRA-COOL SUBLIMATED LINER
SPECIFICATIONS
:
• SUPER-TOUGH 13 OZ. 100% COTTON CANVAS EXTERIOR
• 3” WIDE CANVAS ACCORDION SIDE PANELS WITH STRETCH NYLON/ELASTANE CONSTRUCTION
• HEAVY-DUTY VISLON TWO-WAY WEATHERPROOF ZIPPER WITH HIGH-TRACTION HYPALON PULLS
• TWO LOWER FRONT POCKETS WITH DOUBLE-NEEDLE STITCHING AND RIVETED CORNER REINFORCEMENTS
• OVERSIZED HIDDEN POCKET ON RIGHT CHEST WITH 8-INCH VERTICAL ZIPPER
• TWO INTERIOR PATCH POCKETS, ONE WITH INTERNAL ELASTIC LOOP FOR KEY FOB STORAGE
• POLYESTER SINGLE-NEEDLE, DOUBLE-NEEDLE, AND OVERLOCK STITCHED SEAMS THROUGHOUT
• XS-XXL SIZES
“I’m not the core demographic for this technology. But I am kinda lazy.”
welcome to the future
Plugging In and Shaking Down the Zero DSR/X
Words: Bill Bryant / Photos: Geoff Kowalchuk
Will electric motorcycles mix with leaky old Harleys like asteroids and dinosaurs? I have no idea. I’ll let experts debate whether e-motos will save or destroy the world. I don’t own electric or hybrid vehicles. In fact, I lean towards old choppers, FXRs, and drive a 50-year-old truck, so I’m not the core demographic for this technology. But I am kinda lazy. The idea of a motorcycle that requires almost no maintenance and will never need a carb cleaning sounds appealing.
Zero let us borrow their DSR/X flagship for a week. I enjoyed putting miles on someone else’s brand-new motorcycle, commuting on the freeway, navigating city streets, and hitting the unofficial trail network connecting my ‘hood to work about ten miles away—a realworld shakedown.
GROWING PAINS
The riding experience started clumsy. With nothing for my left hand and foot to do, and half of my brain switched off, all that was required was to twist and go. In a few minutes, the oddity disappeared, and the bike felt natural.
Riding the Zero creates “cognitive underload,” the total opposite of task saturation. It’s relaxing, allowing more focus on surroundings, late braking, and proper line selection. This could reduce fatigue over time, especially for new riders struggling with traditional controls and their operational tasks.
SHOCKING POWER
Speaking of the throttle… oh my. This thing rips. The five factory map settings are tuned to interact with ABS, traction control, and other computerized things. The difference between other bike’s maps has been well documented elsewhere. User-programmable maps allow riders to create their tune. Being a newbie to electric propulsion, I expected a crude power delivery. This bike hits, but it is predictable and wellmannered. Zero made a bike suitable for beginners and skilled riders alike.
Handling is predictable. While it’s not a race bike, the Zero makes it easy for a moderately skilled rider to double the speed limit on challenging roads. The chassis felt lighter than its claimed 544 pounds. With my 30-inch inseam, the standover height never felt top-heavy or tall. The ergonomics felt perfectly suited for my five-foot-nine-inch frame. If it could go all day, so could I.
BUILT FOR COMFORT AND SPEED
Fit and finish on the Zero are tight. This is a well-built motorcycle. It doesn’t rattle or squeak. Thoughtful features include a huge storage compartment, a well-designed windscreen, heated grips, and a “parking” mode for loading on a trailer or truck.
Off-road performance was surprisingly good. You won’t make the night program at a supercross, but neither will you be afraid of a hard scramble down a rutted dirt road. The wide Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires felt planted and confident. The stock suspension was plush on small, fast stuff, and the rear stayed hooked up in all conditions. Continued on page 22
Continued from page 21
DECISION POINTS
Range anxiety and price are crucial in the electric mobility equation. The 180mile range doesn’t lend itself to real adventures with the current charging infrastructure. The fully kitted DSR/X retails for around 25-thousand dollars, which is hard for anyone who prefers old machines to swallow. Charging needs to be cheaper than gas, and all maintenance expenses limited to rubber and other consumables for the cost to feel comparable to many ICE choices.
To make an argument for owning any electric motorcycle—not just Zero’s premium DSR/X—demands being really honest with yourself about what you plan to do with it. If you have a sub-100mile commute, can charge regularly, and want to ride with little concern for maintenance, this would be an easy machine to enjoy anxiety-free. The “fun way” to work from my house is about 25 miles of twisty country roads perfectly suited for a bike like this. I know the neighbors would appreciate the quiet exit early in the morning instead of my straight-piped shovelhead chopper. That said, 25 large could buy three very capable, gently used gas-powered motorcycles, ones that cover a wider range of riding styles and surfaces— think one pampered CRF450, one farkled-out KLX650 adventure bike, and a shovelhead project to keep you busy in the winter. Like I said at the top, this is a conundrum that will keep pundits busy for years.
“Riding the Zero creates cognitive underload...”
“To make an argument for owning any electric motorcycle—not just Zero’s premium DSR/X—demands being really honest with yourself about what you plan to do with it.”
READY TO EMBARK ON A REAL MOTORCYCLE ADVENTURE?
F FINANCING OPTIONS AVAILABLE
F YOU RIDE OUR MOTORCYCLES
F WE HANDLE 100% OF THE LOGISTICS
F SEASONED & PROFESSIONAL GUIDES
F CULTURAL & HISTORICAL EXPLORATION
F 2 STREET RIDING EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
F FREE OFF ROAD COACHING
Come ride with us! Explore the stunning landscapes of Nepal, India, Mongolia, and Bhutan with our full-service trips where Motorcycle Sherpa provides the bikes and covers all the logistics. Our expert guides boast years of experience in these regions, ensuring a safe and exhilarating journey every time. Led by our founder, Bear Haughton, each trip promises an unforgettable experience. Plus, we’ve now made it more accessible by offering financing options. Don’t wait for that someday bucket list – live this real-life adventure today!
feature-rich
rebuilding our EXFIL®luggage line from the bottom up
Words: Harold McGruther
Companies that make motorcycle luggage are common as house cats, and just as easily distracted. Show us a bag designer with an REI card in his fanny pack and we’ll show you a 50-liter yurt/knapsack hybrid with removable shoulder straps, 27 two-way zippers, a solar-powered air fryer, and carbon fiber trundle bed. All jokes aside, the art and science of building sensible, ridetested gear for two-wheeled adventure reached its peak in 2014 when Alibaba dropped its app for the masses. Ever since, luggage juggernauts and motivated upstarts alike have waged an arms race to deliver ascendant levels of
feature creep and cross-functionality to the #adventure set. Bag companies that don’t participate in this dick measuring contest often commit a different sin that’s arguably worse. After landing on a product that does its job adequately, they sell it forever, evolution and technology be damned.
ITERATE OR DIE
Fortunately, SOP for the other guys isn’t how we do things at Biltwell. Instead, we constantly iterate and innovate to make sure every EXFIL bag satisfies the evolving tastes of modern bikeriders. We start with the needs of our eclectic
in-house team, most of whom ride different kinds of motorcycles. Our resident gear guru Bill Bryant, for instance, has an early ‘90s H-D FXR, a ‘50s panhead, a Husqvarna 501 enduro bike, and a lifted ADV Sportster in his quiver. Building a line of bags that swaps seamlessly from one chassis to the next is a challenge Bill lives for, and one he and the rest of our design team are really good at. The bags featured herein are just the latest EXFIL models to receive major upgrades and subtle refinements. To see the complete EXFIL line, visit biltwellinc.com/ collections/luggage.
EXFIL-3 2.0 Motorcycle Utility Bag
UV-treated exterior resists fading so you can leave this “glove box” on your bars permanently in nice weather
Right sized for hauling EDC essentials: Wallet, phone, keys, knife, decoder ring, you name it. MOLLE on the chassis and six hook-and-loop straps combine forces to make universal mounting easy.
• UV-treated 1680 ballistic polyester construction
• Discrete cord pass-thru ports for on-the-fly charging
• Easy access mesh outer pocket
• Fleece lined interior
EXFIL-7 Handlebar Bag
Built tough to haul tool rolls and everyday essentials, plus MOLLE loops allow extra stuff to be fastened top, front and back
The bag that launched a luggage revolution. EXFIL-7’s
• UV-treated 1680 ballistic polyester construction
• Hi-vis orange interior makes spotting contents easier
• One main and three secondary compartments
• Rugged rust-free nylon zippers throughout
Hi-vis interior makes finding your stuff easier than ever
panel lets you operate phone for music and navigation.
• Hi-vis orange interior
• Three magnets secure bag to metal gas tanks
• Hidden port for routing cables to charging plugs
• Touch sensitive clear top panel
Discrete pass-thru for charging cable on front
EXFIL-60 Medium Sissy Bar Bag
Front flap hides internal pockets and allows on-the-go stashing of extra layers without loosening mounting straps
Sixty 12-oz. cans is a significant volume, more than enough space for a multi-day motorcycle adventure. PVC coated exterior and roll-top closure are practically impervious to wet weather.
• 1680D ballistic-grade nylon construction throughout
• Water-resistant PVC coating on outer panels
• Three 1.5-inch-wide mounting straps and QR buckles
• Removable shoulder strap
Mini Tank Bag
Sometimes, simple is the best feature!
EXFIL-65 2.0 Motorcycle Dry Bag
Our PVC-coated, ballistic-grade nylon duffel offers damn near impenetrable protection from harsh elements, and enough room for a week’s worth of clothes and camping gear. Roll-top closure features a quick-release reinforced nylon buckle for secure fastening.
• Laser-cut MOLLE for expansion and tie-down options
• 2-inch-wide reflective side straps with reinforced handles
• Fart Valve Technology bleeds inside air to reduce bag size
• Double-thick bottom and PVC waterproofing throughout
EXFIL-80 2.0
Ultimate Sissy Bar Bag
Roll top, built-in mounting straps, hidden rain cover and a bunch more features make this one of our most popular bags for real road dogs
When it absolutely has to be waterproof, the EXFIL-65 is a fine choice
With its padded backrest, integrated tool pouch, MOLLE expansion capability, massive main compartment, and myriad clever mounting options, our new-and-improved EXFIL-80 is the granddaddy of gear bags for motorcycle adventure.
• Three 1.5-inch-wide mounting straps with QR buckles
Protect your prized Biltwell brain bucket with this purpose-built bag. Soft brushed fleece interior features thick padding on top, sides, and bottom. Rubberized mesh vent panel keeps fresh air flowing to eliminate dampness and odor.
• Box stitched and riveted handles
• Mesh panel allows air circulation for evaporation
• Heavy-duty one-way nylon zipper
• Tone-on-tone screen printed Biltwell branding
• Black polyester nylon construction
• Handy loop for hanging on your wall
HELMET BAG
Protect that investment in this all-new, fleece-lined helmet bag
Nylon material under zipper prevents scratching the helmet inside. Mesh panel on the end allows sweat and funk to evaporate
Voile® Straps Modern Cargo Security
Simply the best way to strap gear to your motorcycle. Impervious to weather and infinitely practical, you’ll wonder how you lived without em
• Two lengths: 20” and 32”
• Stamped aluminum buckle on 32” model
• Molded nylon buckle on 20” model
• Available in Black and Orange
20”
32”
Known by many names (Roper and Trucker both come quickly to mind), this classic glove style has been a favorite among working-class heroes for generations. Our original Work Glove featured leather construction. While certainly durable, cowhide isn’t the supplest material available, and can become even stiffer over time. Today’s new-and-improved Work Glove 2.0 features buttery soft goatskin construction for maximum comfort, plus suede cowhide in the palms for added durability and traction. Padded expansion panels on the index and second fingers improve dexterity for operating hand controls. The glove’s one-piece palm construction features an external seam around the perimeter to eliminate chafing and pressure points against the fingers. Available in two colors and six sizes, Work Glove 2.0 is the perfect addition to every motorcyclist’s riding kit.
WORK TIME
LOTS OF LITTLE CHANGES MAKE OUR WORK GLOVE 2.0
EVEN BETTER
THAN THE ORIGINAL
Bultaco vibes in this hero shot are strong. If you’re not familiar with the legendary Spanish motorcycle marque, give it a Google.
THE CHANGES WE MADE FROM ONE GENERATION OF OUR WORK GLOVE TO THE NEXT WERE SUBTLE, BUT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE. HERE ARE THE BIG FOUR…
External finger seams to eliminate internal friction and chafing
A simplified stretch cuff with suede pull tab
Padded expansion joints on fingers to improve dexterity
100% goatskin construction
FOCUS: GEOFF KOWALCHUK
Words: Bill Bryant / Photos: Geoff Kowalchuk (duh)
When we embarked on building the Biltwell brand, we didn’t really know what we wanted—we just knew it wasn’t the fake tough guy bullshit that has been so popular for the previous 50 years. Our passions took two paths: Riding to neat places with friends, and building the best bikes we could for those adventures. None of us had the skill or budget to build anything that would hold up to modern custom bike standards, but we’ve proved ourselves to be pretty good at riding to cool places and doing fun things.
I’ve often joked that if Biltwell could be the crappiest surf or skate brand, it would be the best motorcycle accessory company ever. To that end, we leaned into our strengths and did things our way. I grew up in Southern California, and was a ravenous reader of surf and hotrod magazines. My crew and I never cared much for reading about formal contests. We just wanted to see stories about surf trips, and beautiful pictures of waves in far off places. We knew we’d never win the Op Pro, so competition stories simply weren’t relevant. But driving to Baja in a crappy old van to eat tacos, camp, and surf along the peninsula? That seemed inspirational, and more importantly: Attainable.
As the Brand Manager at Biltwell, I try to shape the way our graphic designer Luis Aguirre and I present pictures and tell stories to impart the same aspirational vibe surf magazines have created for decades. This has given us license to skip past the chest pounding and macho bluster that have cluttered custom motorcycle media since forever.
Great photos make a big difference, and it became obvious early on that I was running out of talent for creating the
images we needed to tell Biltwell’s story. Back in 2017, Mike Ellis, Biltwell’s GM at the time had a brilliant idea: Why not hire the best freelance photographer
we’d been working with full-time? I wasn’t sure there was a business case to justify the idea, but I loved Geoff Kowalchuk’s images, and his work ethic was equally inspiring. We gave Geoff the opportunity, and since then we’ve been on many memorable trips together. Today we use Geoff’s photos in everything from ads and catalogs to social media, products, and apparel.
Growing up in Los Angeles, Geoff’s passion for photography blossomed while practicing his first love: Skateboarding. Geoff started bringing a camera on his skate sessions in 2004, and his craft began to crystalize. Like surfers, skaters travel in search of challenging terrain, and documenting
those skate adventures helped shape Geoff into the shooter he is today. Over the years some of Geoff’s friends turned him onto motorcycles, and eventually he bought a Sportster. Shooting from the saddle while hauling ass down congested freeways didn’t scare Geoff much, but he did learn he’s somewhat afraid of heights. That occurred while climbing high onto a bridge to shoot a pack of riders crossing the beautiful Feather River in NorCal. Geoff got the shot, but he wore his helmet during that highwire act just in case.
Skating is tough work, and Geoff’s had multiple surgeries to repair the damage the sport has inflicted on his knees. At 36, Geoff still skates every day, generally with his wiener dog Koopa in tow. Geoff’s creative, skate-influenced eye and pack animal work ethic give him an edge at getting photos other shooters can’t. Partly because Geoff sees things other people don’t, but also because he’s willing to go places and do things the rest of us won’t. Geoff’s photos are a fundamental part of how we’ve built our little brand, and we’re proud to work and and hang out with him. Thanks, Geoff!
This was a milestone for me because it was the first time shooting with a professional model, hair/makeup artist, stylist, and assistant. It was tough and nerve-racking, but with everyone’s professionalism we were able to successfully get everything done and land a magazine cover to go along with the article.
Alysha Nett
Canon 5D Mark IV / Canon 35mm f1.4 / 1/200 / F4.0 / ISO 320 Pomona, CA
Skateboarding has been my life for the last 26 years and being able to use it as the subject matter to learn how to use a camera was more valuable than any photo class I’ve ever taken. Skating is already so photogenic so the ability to enhance an image with lighting and composition is what makes photography so amazing.
Arthur’s Pass Bird’s Eye
DJI Mini 4 Pro / 1/800 / F1.7 / ISO 400
Arthur’s Pass, South Island, New Zealand
This is everything I love about drone photography. The ability to give a different perspective showcasing a variety of colors, textures, and terrain to enhance the subject matter. Didn’t hurt to have a beautiful country like New Zealand as a backdrop too.
I really like this photo because it was a reshoot after I previously shot a boring, terrible, close cropped vertical image during high noon. This second one was end of day and I was able to play with light and sneak a strobe behind one of the vertical supports to spread shadow over the foreground.
R5
This was for a Dice Mag article on Otto’s Evo. I love Otto so much and being able to get a portrait at the end of the shoot with him, his bike, and his wife’s horse, Moose, was a treat.
/ Sigma 85mm f1.4 / 1/1000 / F2.0 / ISO 400 Murrieta, CA
Eggslut
Sandwich Stack
Canon R5 / Sigma 85mm f1.4 / 1/125 / F16.0 / ISO 400 Glendale, CA
When Eggslut was building out their new Hong Kong location they requested a fashion inspired photo for a two story storefront image. With a fancy looking purchase/ return Amazon jacket, my girlfriend’s hands, and a few sandwiches, we were able to get this shot within an hour. Also turned out to be my best work painting nails.
Ravi Patel - Wheelie
Canon R5 / Canon 15mm Fisheye f2.8 / 2s Remote Trigger / F13.0 / ISO 800 Riverside, CA
Got the idea for this when one of my favorite skate photographers, Anthony Acosta, shot some long exposure delayed trigger photos of my friends David and Frankie. Ravi, pictured here, can wheelie on command so with a handful of attempts on my end, we got this unique take on this quintessential motorcycle maneuver.
Fist Bump
Canon 5D Mark IV / Canon 70-200 f2.8 II / 1/160 / F7.1 / ISO 500
Santa Barbara, CA
This was at the end of a few day trip in Santa Barbara to shoot new helmet colors. Bill had this idea and the road in front of our campground was a perfect spot to get it done. Wobbling around shooting with a 70-200 was a little tough, but with enough attempts, everything aligned and we got the shot. It was wild to see how much this photo resonated with people and how viral it went. To me it was special because it’s my friends/co-workers, Bill and Flynn Bryant, father and son, whom I’ve had some of the best times in my life with hanging out and traveling the world. Forever grateful for Biltwell and the family I’ve been able to be a part of.
Shooting from the bike is nothing new and groundbreaking. I think anyone from my generation got inspired like I did from watching Josh Kurpius’ Harley video 10+ years ago showing him standing on his bike at highway speed shooting photos. I was just a kook who wanted to do what he was doing. Motorcycles are dangerous and shooting from a bike adds an extra element to that, but it also provides a unique perspective that is hard to achieve when shooting from a car or side of the road. I’m not promoting or advocating this style of shooting to anyone, but if you are going down this route, here are some tips I’ve learned over the years for on and off the bike.
When shooting on the bike I use custom functions on the camera to be ready for all photo ops whether it’s shooting side by side or a distanced shot from behind the pack. When getting a riding shot next to someone I like to keep my shutter speed around 1/100 and have an aperture of at least f/8. Set your AF mode to “all autofocus points” and shooting function to “high speed shutter” so you can point and burst shoot without taking your focus off the road which will usually give you at least one crisp photo with each set. When shooting from behind the pack, I like to use a single centered autofocus point and use AF tracking to hold focus while
quickly framing the image using the display. Do only what’s safe and comfortable. If it isn’t, just don’t shoot it. No photo is worth crashing for.
When traveling to new places, it’s hard to know what spots would be good to get off the bike and shoot at without slowing down the pack. The best thing I’ve learned is to leave early from gas stations and scout ahead. Know the route or at least the next 1020 miles and take your time to find the best spot to park your bike and get a photo. Gear plays a big part in traveling comfortably with a camera. I use our Exfil-11 Tank Bag with a piece of egg
crate foam inside as a vibration dampener for my camera. This allows me to relieve my shoulders of any strain by resting my camera in a bag when not shooting. The foam also works well as a base for camera cubes in saddlebags or other luggage. Quick access to gear will always make life easier.
Never hurts to have a shot list. Whether it’s scenic destinations to stop at or specific photos you want to take, a shot list always helps. Too many times have I come home from a trip to remember that I wanted to get a specific portrait or night shot. I have the memory of a goldfish so
the checklist feature in my notes app is always a necessity.
With trial and error and the occasional close call I’ve learned to just utilize all the advancements in today’s cameras. I use displays instead of viewfinders, take minimal risk while shooting from the bike, and am always aware of my surroundings on the road in case I need a way out. I’m no master of my class, just a nerd from Rosemead who likes to go places with my friends and make as many memories as possible. –Geoff
THIS IS
BMX’s King of American Metal
Story by McGoo
In the seminal rockumentary “This is Spinal Tap,” fictional filmmaker Marty DiBergi quizzes make-believe metalhead Viv Savage about life in the topsy-turvy world of hard rock. After some rumination and a stiff belt from the wine bottle in his bubble bath, the quixotic keyboardist conjures a personal credo for the ages. “Have a good time all the time.”
Rob Reiner’s heavy metal magnum opus fooled a fair number of moviegoers in 1984, but one 14-year-old BMXer from SoCal who saw the flick on VHS didn’t take the bait. For the four decades I’ve known him, the comically gifted Chris Moeller has always been in on the joke. Forty years later, having a good time all
the time is what this father, husband, serial entrepreneur, and Team Biltwell pro does best.
MAD DOGS AND ENGLISH, MAN
So how did a varsity wrestler and GATE student at Huntington Beach High cultivate the personal insouciance and professional chutzpah to launch an entire BMX revolution? As with other cultural shape shifters, Nature and Nurture came into play. Long before he was bitten by the BMX bug in the early ‘80s, Chris’s parents used to drag their clan to Saddleback Park, the legendary motocross mecca on the OC/Riverside county line. Chris was raised on dirt bikes, but being a
grom from Huntington Beach, surfing and skating were also in his DNA. Of course, every kid who skated in the ‘80s hung out at Big O skatepark, and Chris was no exception. Orange County was the epicenter of the action sport universe in those days, and Big O and the YMCA BMX track on the other side of the 55 freeway provided gravity for a generation of shredders. On these stomping grounds Chris met 20-inch legends Stu Thomsen, Greg Hill, Eddie Fiola, and a BMXer from Riverside county named Jeremy McGrath. “I might have raced Jeremy once or twice, but I don’t remember it. “We mostly rode BMX together at some dirt trails in Fullerton around ‘84. “Years later I was riding some trails near Lake Elsinore,
Continued on page 70
Photo: Geoff Kowalchuk
Continued from page 68
and Jeremy jumped the six-pack on his 250. “Last year Jeremy raced BMX at a vintage event in NorCal and did great.” As Mad Dog’s tale about Supermac confirms, once BMX sinks its teeth into you, it never lets go.
BUSTING ASS
Fearlessness on the the bike and a one-legged ass kicker’s work ethic off it fueled Chris’s rapid ascent in the nascent BMX industry years before he started his own company. Odd jobs in his teen years included packaging number plates for Rich Long at GT, stickering forks for Chuck Robinson at his eponymous bike brand, and laminating membership cards for Bob Morales at the American Freestyle Association. The side hustle that changed Chris’s life was being a crash test dummy at “BMX Action” magazine. Chris’s co-workers at Wizard Publications included artist and ‘zine pioneer Andy Jenkins and Spike Jonze, a similarly gifted prankster and eventual Oscar-winning filmmaker. This monkey work offered no challenge or reward to Chris’s fertile mind, but gave him enough cabbage to call BMX his full-time job. It also showed him the right and wrong ways to run a small business. Decades after some of these companies and their founders were dead and gone, Chris Moeller and S&M are still going strong.
Being surrounded by successful entrepreneurs and generational talents was a master class in ass-
WHEN HE ISN’T WORKING OR RIDING, MAD DOG COMPETES IN VINTAGE MOTOCROSS AND DESERT RACES ON OLD HUSQVARNA IRON
Continued on page 71
People who’ve ridden the El Diablo Run say it changes your life, no one more so than Mad Dog. Chris met his wife Melissa over boozy coconuts and a busted shovelhead in San Felipe in ‘07, and never looked back.
Photo: Geoff Kowalchuk
Photo: Justin Kosman
’ s King of American Metal
BMX
Continued from page 70
kicking, and Chris took copious notes. Of course, it wasn’t all fun and games. Bike testing is hard work, and Chris paid for all those magazine covers—more than 20 in his glory days—with flesh and bone. “Riding BMX and racing vintage motocross for 40 years has taken its toll. “I’ve broken my hands, and have plates and screws in both of them. “I’ve had ACL replacements, a hernia mesh repair, and more staples, stitches, casts, and concussions than I can remember.”
Many of Chris’s fractures and dislocations went untreated over the years, and that led to other problems. “After years of excruciating pain— hardtail choppers and kick starters certainly didn’t help—I eventually had my left hip replaced. “A few years later surgeons replaced my right hip, followed closely by a major shoulder rebuild due to an irreparable rotator cuff injury.” In every instance, persistent pain or a lack of strength and mobility was the tipping point. As Chris told me when I was rehabbing my own total knee replacement two years ago, “Take care of those injuries when they happen the first time, and do the PT!”
HEAVY METAL
The late ‘80s were The Golden Age for America’s BMX industry, with brands like GT, Haro, Mongoose, Hutch, Diamondback, CW, Redline, JMC, and others selling nearly a million frames and mass-produced complete bikes every year. Mad Dog’s job at BMXA was to thrash these bikes for photos. Moeller’s manic riding style gave credence to the moniker a wrestling coach saddled him with in high
school, and a regrettable but enduring persona was born. “Mad Dog is one of the lamest nicknames ever—right up there with Flyin’ Brian, Insane Wayne, and Radical Rick. “The editor at BMX Action pushed the whole Mad Dog thing hard. “Keep in mind that guy’s name was ‘gOrk,’ a word that describes dudes with a really long neck.” I know from experience that a childhood nickname can take you far in the bicycle industry, so I’ll never bust Chris’s balls on this one.
When Moeller finally grew tired of destroying shitty BMX bikes, he and his friend Greg Swingrover convinced Cook Brothers, an early BMX brand and fab shop in SoCal, to build two custom frames. Moeller’s K-9 D-zine prototype featured larger O.D. 4130 chromoly tubing, double-thick axle dropouts, and a reinforced head tube to resist collapsing like a folding chair when stunts went sideways. Chris and Greg showed their beefy BMX bikes to friends, and 35 trail kids and street riders took the bait. In 1987, S&M Bikes was born.
TAKING IT TO ELEVEN
After Swingrover aged out of the business, Chris wiggled out of some shady relationships with fab shops and distributors and assumed sole ownership of his brand. Several years later Moeller purchased a 10-thousand-square-foot warehouse in Santa Ana and began building frames, forks, and handlebars on US soil. Today S&M is pedaling furiously towards its fortieth year in business in the capable hands of fellow riders and lifelong friends. With a ton of help from his equally hard-working,
self-made wife Melissa, Chris works remotely on marketing, product design, and myriad other small business responsibilities from their second home in Pagosa Springs, CO. There were no BMX jumps in this rustic vacation destination when he moved there, so a couple years ago Chris bought a chunk of land and enlisted dirt sculptor Dave King from Pennsylvania to help build The Pond, the private trails Chris rides almost every day. When he isn’t working or riding, Chris races vintage motocross on a ’74 Husqvarna CR250, and he’s prepping a Husky WR400 to race the Biltwell 100 in the Mojave desert. Mad Dog has stood on the top box in his class at our annual desert race three years running, so we like his chances of making it a four-peat on his latest open-class desert sled.
After 40 years of hard-core riding, non-stop nonsense, and daily hustle, Chris Moeller is the undisputed king of American BMX. Getting there wasn’t easy, and often required doing and saying things people didn’t want to hear. Fortunately, Spinal Tap gave Chris another pearl of wisdom, this one from the band’s lead guitarist Nigel Tufnel. “When anything you’re doing needs that little push over the cliff, turn it to 11.”
In the stormy sea of modern BMX companies, Mad Dog is the captain of a hardworking crew on a tight little pirate ship.
