Brian's liking Suzuki's latest additions to GSX-8 surge. The 8T and 8TT naked/retro siblings to Robin's faired 8R stand out. His Road America report mixes poetry and pain, hitting over 130 mph on a naked bike in the wet. In the mailbag he says use real starting batteries: DEKA, Super Start, Big Crank or MotoBatt. He then explains his navigation style: north-up maps and a matrix he keeps in his head.

Robin fires off a heartfelt thanks to track day helpers: Jack's ramp, Mallory holding the bike on chocks and Adam's Snickers diplomacy. He passed on a sweet SV650 for his wife because it lacked ABS (always buy the bike you actually want). His Road America saga runs from U-Haul chaos to warm Wisconsin hospitality, riding wet slides through turn five into a 1/2 zen "this is going to be expensive" rear step out. His mantra ... fear and tension are not fuel. In the incommunicado segment, his route-first planning approach contrasts that of Brian's.

Joanne keeps it simple in the Armory. Flashy OEM dash screens are fine for stats and for maintenance via apps but navigation and rider-to-rider talk still belong to Cardo and Sena. Pick gear based on the crew you ride with. She's Team Cardo for IP67 waterproofing and current Bluetooth support, from Freecoms to the Pactalk Edge. Cross-brand pairing can work but mesh systems do not mix.

Jordan continues the origin story of USA pavement, beginning as wagon ruts that grew into the National Road. Railroads later sidelined it but in the 1880s, bicyclists brought it back. Towns then grew short spurs to tap the traffic. He traces the surfacing path from Baltimore Pike to concrete and asphalt. He pits old Portland cement longevity against today's "rebuild in four years" approach.