During the last Ice Age, some 10,000-plus years ago, winds picked up soils, which had been ground as fine as flour from glacial activity, and deposited them in dunes along what is today Iowa’s western border. In time, topsoil was formed and anchored by native grasses. The land became exceptionally fertile for farming, which attracted […]

Nashville is known the world over for its country music, and for many people that’s as far as it goes. I like the music too. But it’s the hills and smooth two-lane roads in the surrounding countryside that recently drew me there. The four loops of this Shamrock, based out of nearby Chapel Hill, TN, […]

Airbag technology has come a long way. The idea of absorbing impact with air goes back to the 1950s, but only in recent years has it become feasible and affordable for motorcycle usage—not just for racers, but for any rider. While helmets have proven their value with excellent head protection, the spinal cord and especially […]

I’ve had the idea for this essay in the back of my mind for what seems like years now. It’s a natural part of the independence and self-reliance of motorcycling to want to do at least some of your own maintenance. It’s that way for me even given my less than stellar mechanical aptitude. Dad […]

In 1972, Kawasaki set the pace for performance when it introduced the H2, a 750cc, 60-hp, two-stroke bullet that notoriously earned its “Widow Maker” nickname. The age of the Hyperbike is still upon us, and Kawasaki’s new H2 touring motorcycle, based on that simple ’70s two-stroke, hits the highways with 200 hp, saddlebags, a supercharger, […]

This is an entertaining and varied loop located due west of the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area. Dotted with interesting towns and land features, it also offers a sampling of several different road types from straights to sweeping curves and even a few hairpins. The ride can be enjoyed year-round, but the dog days of mid-summer […]

The 4th annual Flying Piston Benefit Builders Breakfast hit its stride on Sunday, August 5th welcoming a first-ever presenting sponsor, Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys, and unveiling the Strider Custom program. Custom builders and industry celebs joined with fans and influencers for the event, held to benefit technical education scholarships and Motorcycle Missions, a 501(c) 3 […]

In Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, the two bank- and train-robbing bandits sought these red canyons as their hideout from the law. I was mesmerized by Paul Newman and Robert Redford in this modern-day Western, but honestly, the scenery captivated me more. I knew that one day I would have to visit the wild […]

Regardless of whether I call it irony or karmic comeuppance, Murphy hit me while I was writing about him. Part 3 in this series included an embarrassing error. I wrote SOS in Morse code as OSO. Reflecting on how this happened and realizing it wasn’t a knowledge problem since I know the Morse code quite […]

Thousands of motorcycle riders visit the Harrison area each year to explore the many curves, twists and sweepers in the Ozark Mountains. In fact, the Arkansas Ozarks and Harrison are quickly becoming one of the most popular locations for motorcycle riding in the United States. The Ride the Ozarks Rally gives you another reason to […]

Some riders are under the misimpression that all of the great motorcycle roads are either on the West or East Coasts. Au contraire, there are also great roads in the middle of America, particularly in the state of Arkansas. The northwest portion of the state has a rugged Ozark landscape known as the Boston Mountains. […]

Both of these adventurers suffer from an enviable identity crisis. Either one can roam into the other’s terrain and feel quite at home. The crossover gap between the two machines widens in direct proportion to the difficulty of the terrain. The KTM 1090 Adventure R Wants to be a Dirt Bike.

This serene ride through rural America shows off the region’s beauty, and it also offers plenty of things to see and do in Hamilton and nearby towns. Country byways, Acton Lake, Miami University, and a KitchenAid factory serve up even more ways to stimulate the senses.

If you’re planning to ride the northern part of West Virginia, request a free map from the area highlighting more than 1,100 miles of expertly planned tours (by RoadRUNNER). There’s a total of seven routes to choose from, ranging from challenging curves, to scenic cruising, and even some dual-sport adventures. Seneca Rocks, Lost River State […]

At the Wheels & Waves festival in France, Indian Motorcycle confirmed that an FTR 1200, inspired by the company’s flat track racers, will go into production. The announcement comes after months of speculation about a street version of Indian’s FTR750 flat track racer, which has been winning in the American Flat Track series since its […]