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 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 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 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 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 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. 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Read more