Not all riders just stick to the well-worn paths—some make it their mission to explore every angle motorcycling has to offer, from hosting fellow riders to chasing twisty roads across the country.
Phillip H., one of Twisted Road’s most active members as both a renter and a host, embodies that spirit.
Based in Austin, Phillip blends his passion for riding with a creative and hands-on approach to life, whether it’s carving up Hill Country backroads, renting out his meticulously maintained bikes, or making sure his garage always has something interesting to tinker with.
His story highlights what makes Twisted Road such a vibrant community: a deep love for motorcycles, the thrill of discovery, and the satisfaction of sharing his Aprilia RS660 with others.
Let’s learn more about Phillip.
Tell us about yourself.
Originally from Chicago—a terrible town for motorcycles thanks to the short riding season and endless straight roads—I finally settled in Austin almost 20 years ago. Ever since, I’ve been riding the Hill Country and Texas tracks.
For fun, I mostly ride, tinker in the garage with woodworking projects, and go to music and comedy shows—the original draw that brought me to Austin in the first place.
I secretly wish I’d started track riding in my teens. Maybe I could’ve been a contender—but I spent way too much time at the skatepark, chasing girls and hitting parties to have that kind of discipline.
By day, I spend my time critiquing design and analyzing digital marketing data.
How long have you been riding, and how did you first get into motorcycles?
I spent a lot of my youth on dirt bikes and snowmobiles, but street riding never made much sense in Chicago. When I lived in Seattle,
I was close to the ACE Café and caught the café racer bug. I took my license training there and was dead set on getting a Honda CB400 to convert into a café racer.
Then life happened. A snowboarding injury set me back several years. Once I got to Texas, I finally bought a vintage 1984 Honda XR150R (which I still regret selling). That bike eventually led to a revolving stable of street-legal bikes, dirt bikes, track riding, and fly-and-ride rentals with Twisted Road.
What’s your favorite motorcycle, and why?
I currently own a LiveWire S2DM electric bike and an Aprilia RS660 (which is available for rent). I recently sold a Triumph Street Cup, which rented well on Twisted Road.
My favorite on-track bike is definitely the RSV4, which I had the chance to ride at a demo day at the Circuit of the Americas, a MotoGP track!
As for my favorite street bike? I’m still undecided. The Triumph Thruxton 1200 R is a top contender, but I’m not done exploring, so I’ll keep renting street bikes on Twisted Road until I figure it out.
What moto trips have you taken?
My first proper motorcycle trip was to Twisted Sisters in the Texas Hill Country. The technical riding there gave me the confidence to handle bigger bikes.
I also rented a Ducati Supersport in San Francisco and rode north to Stinson Beach, then down to Alice’s Restaurant for a pint, before cruising along Pacific Coast Highway. The highlight of that trip? Somehow getting a table at House of Prime Rib—which, if you know, you know. (Also, don’t go—it’s way overpriced!)
My favorite repeat trip is flying into Los Angeles to ride the Angeles Crest Highway. It’s a stunning route with perfect weather (minus the occasional forest fire).
On my most recent trip, we rode from Sunset Blvd to Newcomb’s Ranch, then to Griffith Observatory, and finally to the Bike Shed downtown. It also happened to coincide with the Luft 10 car show, so we shared Angeles Crest with a parade of vintage air-cooled Porsches.
One of my earliest fly-away rides was in Colorado Springs, where I rented a first-gen Triumph Daytona 675R. It was an incredible ride along Pikes Peak and Golden Highway—but I’m glad I just rented it. That bike was brutal, and I had to stop every hour for a break.
What hobbies do you enjoy when you're not riding?
Besides woodworking, my main focus is being a fun dad and husband. Trying to put kids through college feels like as much work as school itself!
What’s your dream motorcycle trip?
Definitely the Swiss and Italian Alps. New Zealand would be incredible, but it feels out of reach. Japan is also high on the list.
How did you discover Twisted Road?
After owning a couple of street bikes, I realized there were just too many bikes to try—and I couldn’t possibly buy them all.
I’d already used Turo, so I searched online and found Twisted Road. Austin had a solid presence on the platform, so I gave it a shot and was hooked. Over time, I’ve had 3-4 bikes listed and rented around 10 bikes myself.
As a host, what’s your most popular bike, and why do you think riders love it?
The Triumph Street Triple was very popular—even the Twisted Road crew rented it once for a work retreat. Revzilla even booked it once but canceled at the last minute.
The Triumph Street Cup also had plenty of fans—it was approachable, easy to ride, and very photogenic. I’ve since sold both.
Currently, I have a track-prepped but still street-legal Aprilia RS660 for rent. It’s perfect for mid-level riders who want to experience an aggressive, focused sport bike.
What’s the best thing about being part of the Twisted Road community?
Connecting with like-minded enthusiasts and being part of the community is the best part. I find hosting even more satisfying—there’s something special about sharing a bike and knowing Twisted Road customers will appreciate it like it’s their own. These machines have souls curated by their owners, and it’s awesome to share that.
As a renter, I love the chance to ride in places where I couldn’t possibly trailer my own bike.
What advice would you give to new Twisted Road members?
Go into every rental with respect for the owner and the machine, and the experience will reward you. It’s incredibly special that owners make their bikes available—treat them well, and ideally, return them in better shape than you found them.
Also, ask a lot of questions. The owners don’t just know their bikes—they know the best roads and local highlights. Take advantage of that knowledge.
Want to rent Phillip’s Aprilia or check out his social? Here are the links:
