RoadRUNNER (Page 1)

RoadRUNNER

Simplify, Simplify

Speed The Wheel

Simplify, Simplify

In his relatively brief life, Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) wrote a number of philosophical, sparsely-worded proverbs inspired by his observations of life. One of the most quoted ones is: “Simplify, simplify.” It was the result of a two-year stay at Walden Pond. With the quote, Thoreau suggests that doing away

People Skills

People differ wildly. I’m not complaining. I prefer living in a world of not-mes. The existentialist writer Kurt Vonnegut wrote an essay about everyone having a special skill, and how a fulfilled life is found in discovering and doing what you do best. Some people are passionate about numbers,

Review: Western Motel—Shamrock, TX

Review: Western Motel—Shamrock, TX

Caleb, Florian, and I rolled into Shamrock, TX, weathered from a week on the road in the sweltering heat of summer and ravenous appetites.. We pulled our Harley-Davidsons into the shade of the welcome awning at the Western Motel, which from the outside is decorated in a typically western theme.

Do Motorcyclists Ride a ‘Route’ or a ‘Route’?

Shiftin' Semantics Premium Content

Do Motorcyclists Ride a ‘Route’ or a ‘Route’?

Routes are an integral part of the motorcycling lifestyle, whether you’re roaring down Route 66 or getting rerouted due to roadwork. But which way do you say that word—”route” or “route?” There are two prevalent ways to pronounce this most important of words; one that sounds like “root”

Friends in Odd Places—A Letter from Florian

Letter from the Editor

Friends in Odd Places—A Letter from Florian

All of us probably have too much stuff. Whether your material possessions have simply accumulated over time or you’re a little too trigger-happy late at night, we have more than we need. I’m still entertained by the spring and fall yard sales I see but rarely participate in.

Discover the Joys of Italian Bikes with EagleRider and Ducati

Discover the Joys of Italian Bikes with EagleRider and Ducati

Many motorcyclists dream of carving twisties astride a shiny red Ducati. They dream of it, because—let’s face it—Italian iron is pricey and outside many riders’ budgets. Fortunately, there is a way for you to climb in the saddle of a new Ducati without shelling out wads of

The Beginning of a New Journey

Christa's Journal Premium Content

The Beginning of a New Journey

In 1999, we settled in Clemmons, NC, embracing the adventure of a new home in a new country. Bit by bit, we found our footing, building friendships and growing more comfortable with our surroundings. We loved the rolling countryside, the proximity to both the mountains and the ocean, and the

Common Motorcycle Crash Modalities

Shop Talk Premium Content

Common Motorcycle Crash Modalities

It’s been said that there are two types of riders—those that have been down and those that will go down. I’m not sure I agree with that 100%, but I do think that there are old riders and bold riders, but not old bold riders. It’s

Episode 4: Man's Best Friend

Episode 4: Man's Best Friend

Staying Aware of Motorcycle Recalls For Your Safety

Staying Aware of Motorcycle Recalls For Your Safety

Riders understand the exhaustive work that motorcycle manufacturers put into their products. Unfortunately, mistakes happen. Occasionally, defective motorcycle parts roll off the line, or distributors or suppliers may damage them before they make it onto your motorcycle. These faulty parts can lead to serious accidents. Consequently, motorcycle manufacturers issue dozens

Why Are So Many Motorcycle Roads Called ‘Dragon?’

Shiftin' Semantics Premium Content

Why Are So Many Motorcycle Roads Called ‘Dragon?’

Picture a dragon in your mind. Naturally, you’ll think of an exhilarating motorcycling road with tight, technical twisties. That’s what pops to your head if you’re a rider, anyway. In a motorcyclist’s mind, a “dragon” is a challenging road instead of a fire-breathing reptilian creature. But

Becoming Vintage—A Letter from Marisa

Letter from the Editor

Becoming Vintage—A Letter from Marisa

Depending on who you ask, 20 years is when a motorcycle becomes “vintage.” Some insurance companies say 25 and some collectors start the clock at 15, but 20 feels like a pretty solid milestone. That’s especially true in today’s world, where bike manufacturers would prefer you trade in

Fuel Injection Mapping: A Guide to Engine Cartography

Fuel Injection Mapping: A Guide to Engine Cartography

Fuel injection mapping is a critical aspect of tuning modern internal combustion engines. It involves adjusting the air-fuel ratio (AFR) and other parameters to optimize performance, fuel efficiency, and reliability. Whether you're looking to maximize power for track use or enhance efficiency for daily commuting, understanding fuel injection

5 Tips for Riding a Motorcycle as a Passenger

5 Tips for Riding a Motorcycle as a Passenger

Sharing the thrill of a motorcycle ride as a pillion rider can be a great experience for your loved ones. However, it’s also a responsibility. You may not always be able to prevent a motorcycle accident from occurring, despite riding absolutely perfectly. As such, should know what to do

EagleRider Announces New Membership Tiers and Buddy Pass

EagleRider Announces New Membership Tiers and Buddy Pass

EagleRider, the largest international motorcycle rental and tour organizer, has revamped its Club EagleRider membership system. The updated membership model aims to bring riders more flexibility when renting motorcycles—and allow them to bring a friend along for the ride. Club EagleRider works on a credit-based system. Each membership tier

Honda Celebrates Producing 500 Million Motorcycles

Honda Celebrates Producing 500 Million Motorcycles

May 22, 2025, was a big day for Honda. On that date, the company’s 500-millionth motorcycle rolled off the assembly line. The bike—a Honda Activa scooter—was manufactured at the Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India facility in Vitthalapur. To commemorate this momentous milestone, Honda staged an official ceremony

Episode 3: Where the Buffalo Roam

Episode 3: Where the Buffalo Roam

Walking Under Ladders and Other Motorcycle Superstitions Realized

Speed The Wheel Premium Content

Walking Under Ladders and Other Motorcycle Superstitions Realized

When you believe in things That you don’t understand, Then you suffer, Superstition ain’t the way —Stevie Wonder Superstition is a strange confluence of emotion and unfounded fears that can embed itself deeply in the human psyche. It fosters anxiety, despite there being no scientific justification for it.

Recreating Magic!—A Letter from Florian

Letter from the Editor

Recreating Magic!—A Letter from Florian

Next year, Route 66 is celebrating its centennial. The world’s most famous highway is turning 100. In anticipation of this milestone, Marisa, Caleb, and I set out last year to follow the iconic road’s 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica. I’m proud of the level

End of Route 66 Hotel Roundup

End of Route 66 Hotel Roundup

Every great journey eventually comes to an end—even a ride on Route 66. Once you push past Adrian, TX, the number of miles left to go keeps only getting smaller. But there are still many miles to go, and you’ll need to sleep somewhere along the way. We’

A Brief Description of Motorcycle Chassis & Suspension Geometry

Shop Talk Premium Content

A Brief Description of Motorcycle Chassis & Suspension Geometry

It’s been said that a motorcycle “functions entirely in accordance with the laws of reason.” I believe that to be the case. But what are those “laws of reason?” Here, I will focus on some of them, specifically physics and geometry. After all, it is the sacred geometry that

Make Time for Break Time

Make Time for Break Time

Riding a motorcycle is much more fatiguing than driving a car. On top of that, you typically get sore muscles during the first few days of a long trip, particularly when most of your previous riding has been on weekend day trips. Environmental factors, too, can diminish a rider’s

The Unexpected Turn

Christa's Journal

The Unexpected Turn

The memories of our journeys along Route 66 and the Pacific Coast Highway stayed vivid in mine and Christian’s minds (see column in Apr ‘25). Back in Austria, we returned to our daily routines, working and making ends meet, but the thrill of those adventures refused to fade. One

Episode 2: The Truth is Out There

Episode 2: The Truth is Out There