RoadRUNNER (Page 1)

Time of the Motordromes: When America Fell in Love with Speed

Motordrome. The name conjures visions of a futuristic arena for motorized death games in a Road Warrior sequel. In fact, it’s a relic from a bygone era. Motordromes sprang up across America at the dawn of the 20th century to accommodate the public’s insatiable fascination with a byproduct

Tips

How to Make Your Motorcycle Last Forever

Motorcycles are made better than ever. Their design, materials and machining are more accurate and precise – and reliability is greater than it’s been before. To that end, here are some tips on how to keep your motorcycle going as long as you want and save money too. The three

News

New Goodies on the Way for Can-Am Three-Wheelers

Can-Am keeps forging ahead with new things. The company recently revealed its first motorcycles in decades, but it hasn’t forgotten its three-wheeled riders. For 2023, Can-Am will roll out new features for its Spyder and Ryker models. In addition, the brand is introducing an expanded range of customizable apparel.

Accommodations

Revitalizing Route 66: One Motel at a Time

Originally running from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA, Route 66 is perhaps the most famous road in America. However, since its removal from the national highway system in 1985 in favor of the new interstates, Route 66 has struggled to recapture its former glory. Today, though it’s impossible

Destinations

Barbecue, Brews, and Music in Cleveland, Mississippi

On the first Saturday of October, more than 50 barbecue teams from across the nation meet on the greenway in the historic Mississippi Delta town of Cleveland, MS, to compete for over $25,000 in cash and prizes, and bragging rights, as kings and queens of the Delta BBQ Battle,

Stories From The Road

Crystalline Moments

Early childhood notwithstanding, the majority of euphoria I’ve experienced in my life has derived from motorcycles. When you’re a kid, the days are usually filled with nothing but happiness—unmitigated joy found in almost every activity. However, as we age, there is a dulling of the senses and

News

Explore Ecuador on New Self-Guided Tours

Have you ever wanted to explore the less trodden regions of South America in the saddle of your bike? Ecuador Freedom Bike Rental has launched a new tour that lets you do just that. The six-day, self-guided Northwest Ecuador Explorer tour, launched in mid-August, takes riders to the lesser-known areas

News

Suzuki Updates V-Strom Lineup for 2023

Suzuki recently revealed its plans for 2023 with its dual sport and supermoto bikes, in addition to a new Hayabusa. But the company’s not yet done treating its fans to fresh updates. The Japanese bike maker has now also unveiled its 2023 V-Strom lineup. The range includes the 2023

News

Can-Am Unveils First Bikes in New Electric Lineup

In early 2022, Can-Am dropped a bomb and announced it would return to motorcycles with a new lineup of all-electric bikes to mark the brand’s upcoming 50th anniversary. Recently, the brand revealed the first two models. The bikes are titled Can-Am Origin and Can-Am Pulse. The company states the

Tips

Traveling Solo: The Benefits and Risks of Riding by Yourself

I like sharing long-distance motorcycle travel with one or two other riders, but no more than three; more than that and group management becomes burdensome and potentially contentious. Two of the benefits of traveling with fellow riders are the conversations at mealtimes and the help when there is a mechanical

News

2023 Vespa Pic Nic Now Available in North America

Touring riders often go for cruisers and other large, high-powered bikes. But sometimes you can get just as much joy out of the other end of the scale. If you’re looking to go on a downsized ride, the 2023 Vespa Pic Nic is now available stateside. The Pic Nic

Columns

T.E. Lawrence: A Love Affair with Speed

I have long mused that perhaps the most challenging task for a motorsport journalist is how to adequately describe to a non-rider what it feels like to ride a motorcycle. To those of you reading this, you are probably already indoctrinated to the soul-seducing capabilities of motorcycles. So, in essence,

News

Suzuki and SkyDrive Partner to Create a Flying Car

Suzuki is an ambitious company. Motorcycles and automobiles aren’t enough for it anymore—now Suzuki wants to fly. To this end, Suzuki and SkyDrive recently announced a new partnership. Their goal is nothing less than to create a flying car. Also known as eVTOLs (an incredibly clumsy acronym for

News

Giveaway Location Revealed: Maggie Valley, North Carolina

The RoadRUNNER Shamrock Tour® giveaway will conclude at the end of September. The winner and two friends get to ride with our Editor-in-Chief Florian Neuhauser and the RoadRUNNER team to create a Shamrock Tour in one of the best motorcycling destinations in the U.S. Drum roll please....Maggie Valley,

Events

Head for the Hills Festival Gears Up for Its Second Year

Motorcyclists can again head for the hills of Pennsboro, WV, this fall to support our veterans. The second year of the Head for the Hills Festival is set to take place on September 15-17 at the Legendary Pennsboro Speedway. Hosted in collaboration between the West Virginia Chapter 37-1 of the

News

2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster

Imagine the howl of a liquid-cooled V-twin filling your helmet as you wind down Hwy 33 outside Santa Barbara, CA. The road opens up into a short straight while your tach crosses 7,000 rpm—still 2,500 rpm under the redline. You’re riding fast, and fast is the

News

Yamaha Unveils MT-09 Cyber Rally

Yamaha served a surprise to the motorcycling world at this year's Osaka Motorcycle Show in March. Remember the 2014 MT-09 Street Rally? The Japanese bike maker is now bringing it back — at least in spirit. The MT-09 Cyber Rally unveiled in Osaka lives up to its name in every way.

Do Good

Can-Am & Road Warrior Provide ‘Adventure Therapy’ to Veterans

Both motorcycle riders and manufacturers are famed for fostering a warm, welcoming community. In this same spirit, Can-Am and the Road Warrior Foundation (RWF) extend a helping hand to military veterans. Each year, the Road Warrior Ride lets veterans and active-duty soldiers experience the joy and rejuvenating freedom of traversing

Destinations

Explore West Yellowstone, Montana

For the next great ride, head for West Yellowstone, Montana, the scenic entry point to Yellowstone National Park. Not only are the views of the Montana skyline and mountain range from a bike epic, there also is plenty to do during the warm months (and year round!) when it’s

News

Cardo Opens a New Sound Lab to Boost Product Development

Cardo is upping its game when it comes to product development. The motorsports communications system manufacturer has opened its first full-scale R&D facility. Located in Straubing, Germany, Cado Sound Labs gives the company a place of its own where it can hone its audio systems. Cardo says the

Sidetracked

Rain on an Old Tin Roof

Thunder roared in the distance as I ducked under the rusty, corrugated sheet-iron structure. I was a lone 16-year-old boy wearing a faded Levi’s jacket, tight, high-water 501s, and a white T-shirt. Three hundred miles into the day’s journey, my 4 a.m. departure was taking its toll.

Accommodations

Review: Hidden Cave Ranch Bed & Breakfast

Hidden Cave Ranch is a working American Curly horse farm in Cumberland County, KY, just minutes from Dale Hollow Lake and Lake Cumberland. American Curlies are a hypoallergenic breed known for being mild-mannered. Jaro and Marion, who are originally from the Netherlands, moved here to raise Curlies and share their

News

The Quail Motorcycle Gathering 2022

After a two-year hiatus brought on by the pandemic, the Quail Motorcycle Gathering once again unfolded its stellar presentation of machinery over the 18th green of the Quail Lodge and Golf Club in beautiful Carmel Valley, CA. This preeminent motorcycle event, renowned for showcasing the rarest and most iconic motorcycles

News

Sweden’s USWE Sports Buys Soft Luggage Maker Giant Loop

Swedish action backpack manufacturer USWE Sports is looking to expand to the North American markets. To this end, the Scandinavians recently acquired Oregon-based Giant Loop. Headquartered in Bend, OR, Giant Loop is famed for its soft luggage designs for off-road motorcycling. Now, its product range will continue to live under

News

Triumph Acquires Electric Bike Maker OSET Bikes

The floodgates have really opened for electric motorcycles. Triumph, who just completed its TE-1 electric project, has now acquired electric bike manufacturer OSET Bikes. OSET, launched in 2004, is best known for its children’s electric off-road motorcycles. The company has sold more than 40,000 bikes featuring its own