June 2026 - Brian Rathjen & Shira Kamil

Fast Facts:

• Owners of Backroads Magazine 

• Have been riding for 50 & 35 years

• Have published over 360 issues of Backroads Magazine

Hometown/State?
Brian: Queens, New York
Shira: Cliffside Park, New Jersey

First motorcycle?
Brian: Kawasaki 400 S3
Shira: Honda CM 450

Current motorcycle(s)?
Brian: BMW R 1250 GS, Kawasaki Z900RS, Kawasaki KLR 650R
Shira: Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT, Honda 919

All-time favorite motorcycle?
Brian: Ducati Multistrada V4
Shira: My trusty Honda 919

How long have you been riding?
Brian: 50 years
Shira: 35 years

Why did you first start to ride?
Travel and adventure.

What makes you most excited about motorcycling?
For us, publishing Backroads is knowing we have gotten hundreds of riders on the road to places they may never have thought about before or would ever have ridden to.

How did you first learn about Aerostich?
Decades ago (many decades- sorry Andy) we began seeing these riding suits, and saw the value and protection offered by this unique and easy-wearing safety gear.

Favorite Aerostich gear?
Shira: Roadcrafter two-piece.
Brian: The suit that fits me best… Although the suits are custom-made, my body makes custom alterations itself, depending on the season and ice cream consumption. It’s Shira’s fault.

Who or what was your biggest influence in motorcycling?
Brian: Jim Bronson
Shira: As he’s taught me so much and improved my riding tremendously, I’d say Reg Pridmore and CLASS.

Where are your favorite places to ride?
Brian: In the United States, I really love northern Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and West “By God” Virginia.
Shira: I love where we live, which is why we live here. But I agree with Brian on that section of the United States. Anywhere there is water, mountains, trees, and no people is great with me.

What is the best motorcycle advice or tip you’ve received?
Look down the road. It slows things down and opens up your vision. Don’t be afraid to talk to people when on the road – you will never know what you will learn or who you will meet.

What are your hobbies and interests outside of motorcycling?
Brian: Guitars, good books, and Hot Wheels!
Shira: Gardening and Cooking (thus Brian’s problem with his gear fitting)

Aerostich-related or Aerostich-specific stories?
Brian: I was at a local “Bike Night” when a local “biker” (sadly typical half helmet, tee shirt and vest) asked, “Hey dude, are you dressed for the winter?” I took in his lack of gear and simply said, “Nope. I am dressed for the fall.” Like Drax, it went right over his head. 

Yay or Nay? - Brian

Backroads? Yay!
Freeways? If we have to. They are the Warp Drive of our civilization – use when needed.
Gravel Roads? Rodney Atkins sang in his song about the Backroads – “Put a little gravel in my travel.” As long as there is a shower, beer and bed at the end, I’m okay with that.
Roadside Motel? For sure
Camping? Nay! Not unless forced to. Camp is a four-letter word we stopped using decades ago.
Helmet Audio System? Yay! Indeed.

Yay or Nay? - Shira

Backroads? OH HELL YAY!!
Freeways? A necessary evil, but sometimes a yay.
Gravel Roads? NAY
Roadside Motel? If it’s clean, sure, why not. But, any port in a storm.
Camping? That’s a four-letter word.
Helmet Audio System? Yes, helps to pass the necessary evil of the freeway.

Is there a Facebook and/or Instagram handle you would like us to tag?
How about our website: www.backroadsusa.com

Do you support a particular charity? How might riders donate to it?
Benny’s Bodega. Set up like a store, Benny’s Bodega offers hardworking people who are struggling a place to “shop” for basic needs items free of charge. Their target population is the A.L.I.C.E (Asset limited, income constrained, employed) population, the people working hard but not making enough to get by, while simultaneously making too much to receive any government assistance, Veterans and Senior Citizens. The Bodega operates with no government funding, the doors stay open and the shelves are stocked from donations given by supporters! Their tagline is People Helping People. How simple and good is that?

For more information about how to support Benny's Bodega, visit: https://www.bennysbodega.com/