Dual-purpose motorcycles: love ’em or hate ’em, but they serve a place in the grand scheme of our motorcycle universe. In an old issue of Rider Magazine (March 2007), Clement Salvadori writes a fine article entitled, “The Great Compromise” that compares a few of the prime contenders for dual purpose Read more
Generally speaking, I’m a practical guy. Typically, I’m attracted to practical bikes. Bikes that are multi-purpose: They serve reliably as a commuter. They hold their own when used to run errands. They’re fun for weekend get-aways. And I definitely like bikes that make long-distances go by comfortably. For me, cruisers Read more
I love simplicity. And a 2-stroke engine is that. It’s lighter and more powerful than its equivalent 4-stroke engine. Alas, it’s also not as efficient, not as reliable, and pollutes more than the 4-stroke. Hence, nowadays it’s rare in the world of road bikes. Two-stroke engines operate in two strokes, Read more
Hungry Valley, like all of the California “State Vehicular Recreation Areas” is part of the Cal State Park system. The most obvious resource of these areas are the trails, tracks, and riding terrain, but there is also camping and vault toilets and some have water, although Hungry Valley does not. Read more
Yesterday was a perfect day for dirt bike and ATV riding through Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area in Gorman, CA. It had rained for the two days prior, so the trails were moist and the whole park was void of dust. In fact, there was a good amount of Read more
North Dakota is the northern most state in the Great Plains but it sure isn’t all flat. There’s some fine motorcycle riding in many parts of the state, and one of the most accessible gems is Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The park is comprised of a Northern and Southern “unit,” Read more
Italy is known for many fine things, including a number of passionately loved motorcycles. Ducati may be the current diva in center stage, but did you know Moto Guzzi was the largest Italian motorcycle manufacturer from the 1930’s until the 60’s? Low maintenance shafts have been my preferred mode of Read more
I’m a motorcyclist. Not an ATV rider. But yesterday was the second time I’ve ridden a Honda EX400 quad. The first time was 6 years ago with a dozen guys on a bachelor-party adventure through the sand dunes of Pismo Beach, CA. That was a fun day. Although personally, I Read more
Need a little more warmth under that helmet? Or, perhaps you just want to look like a space alien? Add a silk balaclava to your traveling apparel. It’s super light, quite comfortable and I especially wear mine when the thermometer heads south and many riders are not on their bikes. Read more
Want the Department of Defense to help navigate you and your motorcycle around? Well, you can…by way of their Global Positioning System. DoD spends some US$400 million per year to maintain the system, and it’s available to you and I as a benefit for the public good. But do you Read more
Motorcycle gloves. They’re good friends of any motorcyclist with a few miles on the throttle. Over the years I’ve had (and still have) many different pairs. Summer gloves. Cooler weather gloves. Winter gloves (and snowmobile mittens). Waterproof gloves. Rain over-gloves — particularly appreciated when riding underwater or through seemingly similar Read more
Did you know Eagle Rider rents motorcycles that don’t say “Harley Davidson” anywhere on them? Of course they are famous for HD rentals, and I’m sure those chrome & iron Milwaukee machines account for the lion’s share of their two-wheeled rental revenues. But you ‘can’ rent machines that favor a Read more
The Los Padres National Forest is about 2 million acres of mountainous and ideal motorcycle terrain along the California central coast (and inland) from Ventura to Monterey. Sport-touring riders enjoy traversing coastal roads or carving canyons between mountains with elevations up to 8,831 feet (Mt. Pinos). One of the most Read more
So what motorcycle problem is Yamaha’s electric shifting trying to resolve? Can’t say I know, but the electric shifting option for their sport-touring wonder, the FJR1300, is definitely unique. As a refined example of 21st century, sport-touring technology, the bike itself is a fine ride. Out of curiosity, I took Read more
ADVENTURES OF RUNNING OUT OF GAS: OK. I did it. I ran my bike out of gas last week. It’s silly. It’s stupid. I was riding out in the country. The gas station was some 4 or 5 miles away…and I didn’t make it. But that’s not what this rant Read more