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RoadRUNNER March/April 2009
Shamrock Tour
Off-Roadin’ in Eastern Ohio
Not long ago the idea of a dual-sport Shamrock Tour took root when Steve Mauk, a long-time off-road rider, ignited my imagination with tales of scenic gravel roads and trails winding through the overarching canopies of hardwood forests in his native Eastern Ohio. We collaborated on choosing a home base for this shamrock (Coshocton, Ohio) and the riding...
National Tours
Western Iowa
Iowa, as everyone in Wisconsin knows, is that big flat place to the west where they grow corn and where all the crummy weather comes from that hits us about three days later. That’s why our “gang” had to be nuts to even start a tour, heading straight into the worst weather in over 100 years. Biblical weather – torrential rain, lightning, hail,...
Eastern Tennessee
Sometimes a tour takes on a life of its own before the wheels even roll from the driveway. Unexpected, odd themes will bubble to the surface, acting as catalysts of sorts for the entire journey. Looking at the map, it dawns on me that I’m leaving the Triad of North Carolina for the Tri-Cities of Tennessee aboard a Triumph Tiger. Oh boy, here...
Southern California Sojourn
Thanks to its mild climate, Los Angeles, California offers great riding almost every day of the year. And with its endless suburban sprawl and a plethora of interesting things to do and places to see, LA is a haven for motorcycle and scooter riders. We decided to take a day ride along the beach on our Piaggio BV250 test scooter and took in four great...
California’s Highway 1
It’s July and I’m in Redding, California. I have to return my borrowed SV650S to American Suzuki in Los Angeles. I could strafe Interstate 5 through the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys under the blistering summer sun and get there in a day. Or I could add a day to my trip and savor the serpentine bends and ocean breezes of California’s coast...
Reader Ride: Klamath Falls Trip
I could hear the alarm growing louder the more I gained consciousness. I could see the sunlight peeking through the blinds letting me know that it was time to get up and get this ride started. A stiff cup of coffee and a shower finished, I was loading my gear on my bike and warming it up.My grandfather lives in Klamath Falls, a five-hour ride away,...
International Destinations
Europe: Royal Riding from Vienna to Nice
Teaming up with Moto Adventures to scout out roads for upcoming tours from Vienna to Nice, I arrive in Klosterneuburg, north of the Austrian capital. Company headquarters are located there between a church and residences dating from the horse and oxcart eras of the 12th century, but the carriages chosen for us – the BMW F 650, a KTM 900 and Ducati...
The Philippines
Not every day do you get the chance to ride a motorcycle on the other side of the world. So when that opportunity arises, you best take full advantage by riding fast, riding hard, and savoring every mile....
Riding Impressions
2009 Suzuki Boulevard M90
In the cruiser world, bikes often fall into one of two categories. Either they are staid and mature icons of comfort and style, or they’re raucous, straight-line bruisers creating drawn curtains and the frantic summoning of children. Is it asking too much for a taste of both?...
2008 Kawasaki KLR 650
Old soldiers may never die, but sometimes they do get a makeover! Kawasaki’s new KLR 650, with a host of changes, should now appeal to a wider range of buyers, from dyed-in-the-wool dirt riders to sport-touring aficionados....
2009 V Star 950
Once upon a time, the motorcycle tester’s job was much simpler. There were good motorcycles and not-so-good motorcycles. It was only necessary to decide the category in which each particular test subject fell. Major manufacturers no longer build bad bikes, however. Some models may not appeal to your personal preferences, and each has its idiosyncrasies;...
Chronicles
The Doctor's Notes by Dr. Gregory W. Frazier
Crashing, a broken motorcycle, and being robbed or lost are the four topics provoking the most questions when new adventure motorcyclists are considering their first long trips and asking me for tips. These situations are all part of the adventure, I usually reply, while also letting them know that some of the associated risks can be reduced by using...
Our new World Travelers
In May 2003, Lisa and I left our jobs, sold everything and on two BMW motorcycles set off to see the world. The plan seemed simple enough – ride, eat, sleep and repeat until we had our fill of the 122 countries and 7 continents the planet has on offer. The decision to depart on our journey six years ago was not a simple one. A number of tough circumstances...
Product Reviews
Maier Hand Guards
As the name implies, KLR650.COM specializes in parts and accessories for Kawasaki's iconic KLR 650 dual-sport motorcycle. They recently sent us a pair of Maier hand guards, which I fitted to a pair of heavy-duty aluminum brush guards I had previously purchased from them for my 2006 KLR 650. Because the OEM KLR hand guards are more about fashion than...
BMW ProTouring Boots
My BMW Allround boots have kept my feet warm and dry for many years, so I was keen to try the ProTouring boots, which BMW claims have a wider range of temperature suitability. Like the Allround, they're made from 1.7-1.9mm full-grain cowhide with a Cordura®/Goretex® flex panel front, and are reinforced at the shin, toe and ankle for extra protection....
Aerostich Combat Touring Boots
Many adventure and dual-sport riders may find that Aerostich's Combat Touring boots have just the right combination of extra protection over street boots, without the bulkiness and stiffness of motocross-style boots. Manufactured exclusively for Aerostich by Italian boot maker Sidi, the Combat Touring boots are constructed of high-grade materials and...
Alpinestars Stella Tech 6 Boots
The Stella off-road boots are designed for technical, high-performance motocross/off-road riding for experienced women riders. A single boot weighs 3.9 pounds, and although the boot is somewhat difficult to get in and out of, once on the foot, the inside proved to be soft and comfortable, and the lower boot height and smaller calf circumference made...
BMW ProWinter 2 Gloves
In winter riding, few things are more demoralizing than cold, soggy hands. BMW's ProWinter 2 gloves defeat the wet and chill in two important ways. First, they're made from wind- and water-proof Gore-tex® with a toasty microfiber lining and a layer of aluminum. Second, they keep wind and water out with Velcro® wrist closures and one-hand-adjustable,...
BMW Tourance 2 Suit
Even the toastiest two-piece motorcycle suit will sometimes allow a chill draft around your back. But BMW's new Tourance 2 suit avoids this utilizing a nifty zip-on, zip-off suspender with a built-in kidney panel. Although this is BMW's entry-level outfit, each component is made from the same wind- and water-proof coated, breathable, abrasion-resistant...
Rev’It! Cayenne Pro Jacket and Pants
This jacket-and-pants combo places in the top five we have tested so far. The functionality, safety features and styling of the jacket are superb; and its lightness and the warmth of the inner liner make it a joy to wear in most climates.I was most fascinated by the cool attributes of the jacket. The Cayenne pro has an elastic loop at the end of the...
HJC FS-15
For reasons I'm not at liberty to divulge, I won't be making the jump to World Superbike competition like superstar racer Ben Spies, but we do have something in common. I wear a helmet he helped design. During the 2008 AMA Superbike season, Spies wore prototype variations of the new HJC FS-15 and worked with company engineers to fine-tune the finished...
Zen and Now
In 1974, Robert Pirsig released the unlikely bestseller Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Do a quick "Google" search on the title. There are college courses, international conferences, even groups of followers called "Pirsig Pilgrims," all corollaries of the book's unique philosophical investigation of life and motorcycles.Mark Richardson is...
Motorcycling Across Michigan, Motorcycling Across Indiana, Motorcycling Across Ohio
When people think of great motorcycling, the Midwest doesn't often come to mind. And dispelling that misperception is precisely why Bill Murphy wrote three books about riding in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Calling upon the 35 years of experience he's gleaned while roaming these regions, Murphy meticulously highlights numerous tours that feature maps...
Meguiar’s Motorcycle Cleaning Products
Meguiar's has been a family-owned company since its startup in 1901. Most people are familiar with their high-quality car care products, but they also make cleaning products specifically for motorcycles as well.The EZ Clean Spray & Rinse solution does exactly what the name suggests. For those riders who don't have the time to spend an hour or two...
