RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel Magazine

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RoadRUNNER is an independently owned and published motorcycle touring and travel magazine. On our website, you will find exciting travel stories, reviews, news, and other resources for planning your next motorcycle tour. We offer a wide variety of free content, but only our active web subscribers get access to the entire 650+ tour database, complete with maps and GPS route files. Web subscribers also enjoy exclusive web-only stories.

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4 Unique Desert Motorcycle Rides | RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel

4 Unique Desert Rides

Deserts possess a unique magic, but their serene beauty often masks inherent dangers. Yet, when you’re equipped for the ride with plenty of water, sun protection, and working high-quality maps, they can deliver unforgettable moto trips. Deserts offer properly prepared riders astonishing vistas and amazing landscapes, with sunrises and

Ride Year Round in Christmas, Florida | Destination Christmas, Florida | RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel

Destinations Premium Content

Ride Year Round in Christmas, Florida

The winter months generally put an end to the motorcycling season. But what if I told you about a festive place where you can have a jolly ride even in the middle of the holidays? Welcome to Christmas, Florida. This small town of roughly 1,300 residents is conveniently located

Hagerstown, Maryland Shamrock Tour® | RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel

Nov/Dec '23 Premium Content

Hagerstown, Maryland Shamrock Tour®

The weather has beaten the Appalachian Mountains for millions of years. Long-term erosion has rounded their shoulders and worn away once-high summits. In addition, prodigious annual rainfall has stimulated second-growth forests, invigorated croplands in the valleys, and bolstered animal populations. More recently—geologically speaking—human settlements have created a bountiful

Vista House at Crown Point—Corbett, OR | RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel

Vista House at Crown Point—Corbett, OR

In 1918, long before the advent of interstate highways and expansive rest areas, architect Edgar Lazarus designed a “comfort station” atop Crown Point, which overlooks the Columbia River Gorge some 25 miles east of Portland, OR. Perched atop a stunning basalt promontory, approximately 700 feet above the Columbia River, is

Italy: Apples & Speck

Italy: Apples & Speck

Italy beckons many riders. Although some might be put off by recent reports of punitive noise regulations and reduced speed limits, those restrictions only apply on a few roads in the summer or near urban areas with high air pollution. The Italian Dolomites is still one of the best regions

Ducati’s Second Annual Giro Alpino

Roundtrip Tour Premium Content

Ducati’s Second Annual Giro Alpino

Overlooked by Mount Mansfield, Stowe is a recreation haven in northern Vermont. The town is likely packed with more miles of hiking and skiing trails than it has residents, considering its population of only around 600 people. An enormous fiery-red tractor trailer emblazoned with a huge white Ducati logo pulled

Arizona: Cowboys, Miners, and the Devil's Highway

Nov/Dec '23 Premium Content

Arizona: Cowboys, Miners, and the Devil's Highway

The red-sashed cowboy welcomed us to Tombstone, AZ. The outlaw challenged the Earp brothers as the O.K. Corral standoff began. “Wait, there are motorbikes in the street!” Joshua Manning and I were parked at Tombstone’s main street, the first stop of our epic Arizona route. The tour included

Latest Motorcycle Reviews

Review: 2023 BMW R 18 Roctane

Review: 2023 BMW R 18 Roctane

The BMW R 18 was quite an audacious move from the Munich-based company, bringing it to a new market segment. BMW has explored the cruiser category before, but without substantial success—although the R 1200 C from 1997 has a large fan base today and the prices for used machines

Review: 2022 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special

Motorcycle Review

Review: 2022 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special

The first impression is always the most important, whether you’re visiting your potential mother-in-law for the first time, going to a job interview, or seeing a brand-new bike at a motorcycle show. The Harley-Davidson Pan America sure made an impression when it stood undisguised and naked in a glass

Review: 2024 Honda Shadow Phantom

Motorcycle Review

Review: 2024 Honda Shadow Phantom

Honda is celebrating yet another anniversary in the company’s rich and influential history in motorcycling. It was 40 years ago in 1983 when the Japanese manufacturer introduced the Shadow, a motorcycle specifically targeting America's mid-sized V-twin cruiser market. Over the years, the Shadow has become legendary, with design cues

Review: 2023 BMW R 1250 RT

Motorcycle Review

Review: 2023 BMW R 1250 RT

Are you curious about what the “RT” stands for in the name of the 2023 BMW R 1250 RT? Well, the “R” is for “Reise,” translating from German as “journey, trip, or voyage,” while the “T” means “Touring.” For the past 20 years, the RT has routinely been one of

Review: 2023 Suzuki GSX-8S

Motorcycle Review

Review: 2023 Suzuki GSX-8S

Having already struck a first-inning home run with the V-Strom 800DE earlier in the year, I was eagerly anticipating the street version of Suzuki’s new parallel-twin that powers both the Strom and the GSX-8S. Swinging a leg over the 8S, it was immediately apparent the motorcycle wasn’t going

Review: 2023 Kawasaki Z650RS | RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel

Motorcycle Review

Review: 2023 Kawasaki Z650RS

Bike manufacturers are building more and more modern retro motorcycles striving to capture a bygone era—one in which Kawasaki figured prominently. Now, that Japanese company has crafted an exemplary return to the stylings that attracted an entire generation to two wheels. The 2023 Z650RS possesses the design cues and

Review: 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE | RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel

Motorcycle Review

Review: 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE

When Suzuki introduced the V-Strom in 2004, its name was derived from a combination of its V-twin engine and the German word “strom,” which translates to stream or power. The V-Strom is still with us, having proven itself a formidable machine in the street/adventure realm. In fact, the bike’

News

MetMo Driver

It’s a screwdriver! No, it’s a drill! It’s both and more—it’s the MetMo Driver. This ingenious device combines a modern ratchet screwdriver with an old-timey hand brace (the predecessor of electric drills). Compatible with any ¼-inch hex bits, MetMo delivers ultra-high torque at 56 lb-ft.

LS2 Thunder Carbon Helmet

LS2 Thunder Carbon Helmet

The LS2 Thunder Carbon road racing helmet is the latest addition to LS2’s product catalog. This full-face helmet provides sturdy protection with its 9K carbon fiber shell (available in three shell sizes). The 3mm-thick visor is made of high-grade polycarbonate that doesn’t distort your vision and features a

RoadRUNNER Black Friday Deals

RoadRUNNER Black Friday Deals

We're throwing our biggest sale of the year! Read below to find out how you can score up to 50% off ALL RoadRUNNER merchandise, books, and subscriptions! You won't see these deals again anytime soon... 50% OFF WEB SUBSCRIPTIONS With a RoadRUNNER WEB subscription, you'll have access to all the

Hippo Hands

Sometimes even the thickest gloves can’t keep your fingers from freezing. That’s when you need Hippo Hands motorcycle hand covers—a pair of little tents for your hands that attach to the grips. Hippo Hands offers hand covers for any bike, from dirt and ADV machines to cruisers.

2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide

2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide

Harley-Davidson is proudly—and deservedly—celebrating its 120th birthday this year. When you think of brands that have come and gone during its lifespan, that’s really quite an impressive landmark. The Motor Company (as it is known) has stayed in the game by proffering a philosophy of refined evolution

Pirelli Sets Sale Date for Diablo Supercorsa V4 Tires

Pirelli Sets Sale Date for Diablo Supercorsa V4 Tires

Pirelli first announced its new Diablo Supercorsa V4 in September, leaving us waiting for news about when we can get our hands on them. Now, we know—Pirelli will launch the tires in January 2024. It might be tempting to think of the new tires as a sequel to the

Texas Formally Outlaws Lane Splitting | RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel

Texas Formally Outlaws Lane Splitting

Some states in the U.S. are taking steps to allow motorcyclists to lane split and filter, while others are working to put a stop to the practice. Texas has now positioned itself in the latter camp. On September 1, lane splitting officially became illegal in the state of Texas.

City Escapes

City Escape: Grants Pass, Oregon

City Escape: Grants Pass, Oregon

Oregon is a very green state and this route takes you to some of its greenest parts. You’ll start with a northbound jaunt on the I-5, but don’t let the interstate put you off. I-5 is a roller coaster of a road, with sweeping curves that bounce you

City Escape: San Diego, California

City Escape: San Diego, California

Known as the birthplace of California, San Diego offers a diverse array of entertainment. The city and its various interesting and colorful enclaves are easily navigated by motorcycle. Its location in the southern part of the state grants San Diego great riding weather almost year-round. A major port, there are

City Escape: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

City Escape: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s capital Harrisburg isn’t the biggest city—but it can still get stifling. So hop in the saddle and head south along the Susquehanna for this City Escape that takes you on a unique tour of the Pennsylvania countryside. I mean, how many other rides pass both America’

City Escape: Colorado Springs, Colorado

City Escape: Colorado Springs, Colorado

This City Escape takes you both back in time and into paranormal territory. Start by visiting the Penrose Heritage Museum, which showcases the region’s history through the personal collection of Spencer and Julie Penrose. Then, to travel back through time, head west, but not on US 24. Hit up

Shamrock Tours

Hagerstown, Maryland Shamrock Tour® | RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel

Nov/Dec '23 Premium Content

Hagerstown, Maryland Shamrock Tour®

The weather has beaten the Appalachian Mountains for millions of years. Long-term erosion has rounded their shoulders and worn away once-high summits. In addition, prodigious annual rainfall has stimulated second-growth forests, invigorated croplands in the valleys, and bolstered animal populations. More recently—geologically speaking—human settlements have created a bountiful

Lockhart, Texas Shamrock Tour® | RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel

Sep/Oct '23 Premium Content

Lockhart, Texas Shamrock Tour®

Nine out of 10 doctors recommend that you not attempt the following trip. I suggest you listen to the tenth one. Risk It for the Brisket Lockhart, TX, is the Barbecue Capital of Texas. Seriously. The Texas House of Representatives passed a resolution saying so in 1999, and the State

Kalispell, Montana Shamrock Tour® | RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel Magazine

Jul/Aug '23 Premium Content

Kalispell, Montana Shamrock Tour®

Kalispell, MT. Population, 26,000. Like me, you may have never heard of this small town just 34 miles south of Glacier National Park. It’s known as a hub town for the park, but it is so much more. After spending a week in the area on a Shamrock

Santa Maria Valley, California Shamrock Tour® | RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel Magazine

Santa Maria Valley, California Shamrock Tour®

You think you know a place, but a simple detour can miraculously reveal some genuine charms you had no idea existed. Since 2000, I’ve been riding past Santa Maria and its neighboring Orcutt on my regular jaunts to northern California, never venturing beyond the gas stations along US 101

Products Reviews

MetMo Driver

It’s a screwdriver! No, it’s a drill! It’s both and more—it’s the MetMo Driver. This ingenious device combines a modern ratchet screwdriver with an old-timey hand brace (the predecessor of electric drills). Compatible with any ¼-inch hex bits, MetMo delivers ultra-high torque at 56 lb-ft.

Review: Arai XD-4 Helmet

Review: Arai XD-4 Helmet

My Arai XD-4 arrived neatly packed in bubble wrap. As I pulled it from its box, the Depart Black/Silver Frost paint scheme was even more impressive in person than in pictures. The smell of fresh paint and new, unsoiled padding wafted up into my nostrils. The only thing that

Review: Haven Tents | RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel

Review: Haven Tents

For years, my wife has loved hammock camping, and she suggests using hammocks on nearly every trip we go on. However, we almost always end up packing the tent because I have difficulty getting a good night’s sleep in a hammock. No matter how much I adjust and fiddle,

5 Awesome Motorcycle Phone Mounts | RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel

5 Awesome Motorcycle Phone Mounts

Your smartphone has become a vital motorcycling tool. Of course you can call and text with it, but it also helps you navigate to your next destination, capture the best riding moments on photo and video, find the best hotels and restaurants, and much more. But having your phone in

Buyers Guide: 10 Best Riding Shoes for the Casual Motorcyclist

Buyers Guide: 10 Best Riding Shoes for the Casual Motorcyclist

Using your motorcycle as daily transportation for school, work, or running errands, motorcycle-specific traditional riding boots can be cumbersome. Thankfully, Many gear companies offer casual shoes that provide efficient protection while riding and comfort when walking. Here are 10 casual boots that were developed specifically for today’s urban riders.

10 Handy Amazon Finds for Any Motorcyclist’s Garage

10 Handy Amazon Finds for Any Motorcyclist’s Garage

You never thought you’d need it, but now you can’t live without it. Every motorcycle enthusiast has purchased some kind of gadget or tool that fits this description. But there’s always another handy thingamajig out there that you never knew you wanted. Amazon is a great place

Review: Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L | RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel

Review: Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

As a travel publication, we churn through luggage pieces around here. When I saw this Peak Design backpack, it caught my attention with its sleek design, loads of features, and—most importantly—how it can be used for motorcycle traveling. There are no gaudy logos, chrome zippers, buckles, or a