ABS was first developed in 1929 for aircraft and entered into general use on automobiles in the 70’s. In 1981 BMW introduced ABS on a motorcycle. Here in the 21st century, ABS is now becoming more routinely available on motorcycles, either as standard equipment or as an option. But what Read more
I just returned from another 1000+ mile weekend ride to, through, and back from Death Valley National Park. (This trip was inspired after writing Death Valley: Divine Motorcycle Riding a few days ago). March is often one of the best months to visit with an average high temperature of 80 Read more
Death Valley National Park is the hottest, driest, and lowest of all the national parks. Located in eastern, Central California, and about 2 hours west of Las Vegas, it’s also the largest national park in the lower 48 states (second only to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Southern Read more
Smooth. Introduced in March 2006, the Kawasaki ZX-14 Ninja is that and more. More power that is. Arguably the world’s fastest superbike, taking the title that Suzuki’s GSX1300 Hyabusa has held since 1999. Of course the original 1999 Busa was also faster than any of its later brethren, since ’99 Read more
AN INQUIRY INTO VALUES: “You see things vacationing on a motorcycle in a way that is completely different from any other.” There’s an understatement! Robert M. Pirsig wrote those words in his famous book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values in 1974. I read the Read more
Winter riding in Southern California is only chilly in the morning and evening. I delayed getting myself some heated gear because the need just did not seem so vital. But I’m sure that anyone who owns heated riding clothing would attest that once you’ve ventured down the road of warmer, Read more
GREAT TOURING BOOTS AND WALKING AROUND BOOTS: It’s hard for me not to love my boots. Cruiserworks, in North Carolina, makes a line of very practical riding apparel for your feet. I’ve been wearing the “Men’s Tour” boot version since 2003. These boots have ridden coast-to-coast several times, as well Read more
I’ve done a lot of riding over the years — and most of it without ear plugs. Throw in a whole bunch of rock concerts from a long time ago, and you have a recipe for aural attenuation (reduced hearing). Some guys/gals don’t like ear plugs — and I can Read more
DO MOTORCYCLISTS HAVE A DEATH WISH? Per the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, nearly 80% of reported motorcycle crashes result in injury or death, as compared to 20% for automobiles. In other words, you are 4x more likely to get hurt or killed if you crash on a motorcycle, as opposed to Read more
In a perfect world, none of us would ever enter a turn too hot. But given the perils such may present, should you be more concerned about riding a twisting road that is curving to the right as opposed to one that is curving to the left? “Yes.” Practically speaking, Read more
Stimulating. Aromatic. Soothing. Those could be apt descriptions for riding any kind of motorcycle along this easy, coastal-valley paradise. Those words could also be a reference to the wares of over 70 wineries and tasting rooms that the Santa Ynez Valley Visitors Association lists on their website. There’s not too Read more
A very pleasant Southern California afternoon jaunt could begin in Santa Barbara, with an 8-mile blast up San Marcos Pass, which marks the southern and most adventurous stretch of California State Route 154. This pass will take you from close to sea level up to 2600 feet as you carve Read more
The northern stretch of California State Route 245 is not for those inclined towards bouts of vertigo. Starting near Kings Canyon National Park in Central California, this road cascades down and down while twisting and turning its way along the western slope of the Sierra Nevadas, ultimately mellowing out by Read more
Ride a street motorcycle? If it’s got more than two cylinders, there’s a good chance you are piloting the offspring of this Honda CB750. The waves created in 1969 when Honda launched its CB750 KO are still splashing to this very day. With the introduction of its transverse, inline, 4-cylinder Read more
Sooooo, considering a dual-purpose motorcycle, are you? They sure aren’t for everyone. See the earlier post on Dual Purpose Motorcycles for the good and bad for this category. If you remain undaunted by the inherent compromise between street and dirt that these bikes offer, then which would best serve your Read more