Speed The Wheel Premium Content

Speed the Wheel: Like Seeing Heaven

Over our lives, most of us will witness a number of memorable atmospheric events. Nature is an engaging host, serving up beautiful sunrises, dramatic sunsets, violent storms, double rainbows, and surreal cloud formations. It’s not always calm and serene, but the natural ebb and flow of the Earth’s

Columns

A Professional Globetrotter: Royal Enfield's Paolo Brovedani

At the age of 63, when most of his colleagues are already enjoying their retirement, Italian engineer Paolo Brovedani packed his bags and moved from Peugeot in France to the Royal Enfield development center in England. After a successful introduction, he then moved to Chennai, India, in 2020 where he

Tips

10 Questions to Ask a Motorcyclist Before Becoming Their Passenger

Many of us were first introduced to motorcycling as a passenger. In the world of street riding, there is a broad range of skill levels and safe riding practices. Before putting your life in the hands of a motorcycle rider, it’s wise to first understand his or her competence.

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So Much To Be Thankful For

Dear Reader, Without sounding like a broken record, this year has really flown by. Motorcycles have come and gone, several sets of tires have been gloriously burned, and I added a Ténéré 700 to the garage again. I let go of my first one too soon, and then all my

News

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'

Tips

Five Common Sources of Motorcycle Accidents & Strategies For Avoiding Them

If you're looking to avoid an accident on the road, keep reading. These defensive riding techniques can help you in tricky situations and keep you shiny side up. Oncoming, Left Turning Vehicle This is probably the most common cause of motorcycle accidents. The driver of an oncoming vehicle

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Sidetracked: Turkey Scout

"Be Prepared!" The Boy Scout motto is a good mantra to live by. Unfortunately, even as a bona fide Eagle Scout my adherence to the wisdom often undulates. "Flat again! Come get me." These words, texted to the rescue team (my wife), articulate a reluctant tossing-in

Tips

Winterizing Your Motorcycle

Leaving a motorcycle idle for several months can wreak havoc if precautions are not taken. Here are a few minor things you can do to protect your bike and prevent problems when you’re ready to ride again. Gas Before storing your motorcycle for any extended period of time, top

Accommodations

3 Quaint Inns for Your Next Vermont Trip

Vermont, one of the country’s earliest settlements, is alive with rolling hills and verdant forests. Its roads wind through the diverse landscapes, offering those who travel here stunning views and a magical atmosphere ripe for discovery. For two-wheeled travelers, there are numerous sights and historical landmarks to take in,

Events

BMW 100th Anniversary at Barber Vintage Festival

BMW is 100 years old. It reached the century mark the hard way—by making motorcycles every one of those 100 years. Okay, maybe the brand missed a couple years due to some weird international incident, but they never gave up on tooling. Either way, while many motorcycling brands brag

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Sidetracked: Kickstands Up At Eight!

It has been said that collecting a group of motorcycle riders to leave on time is like herding cats. Four motorcycles and a dozen ATVs are packed into the corral in Salinas de Garci Mendoza, Bolivia. The village is a half-day ride from the world’s largest salt plains known

Accommodations

Review: Frazier View Motel—Frazier Park, CA

Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, the Frazier View Motel in Frazier Park, CA, has recently been given new life under new management. Originally built by Romanian immigrants in 2014, it has always been a quality destination for travelers wanting a base from which to explore the rugged mountains

Tips

Group Riding Safely

Riding in a group can be a great way to enjoy the camaraderie of traveling with other like-minded motorcyclists. Caravanning in a large, unbroken procession, however, poses special risks. For example, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, where riders often tour in sizable packs, recorded one the highest number of fatalities in

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Sidetracked: Fly and Ride

The ad read, "2007 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure, low miles, pristine mechanically and cosmetically." I can't resist the allure of an older bike in good condition. Many of these machines hit the sweet spot in technology and reliability and, armed with a little knowledge and

Tips

Chain & Final Drive Maintenance

Motorcycle chains and final drives are strong, durable, and efficient, but they do need occasional maintenance. Fortunately, these are fairly simple procedures and can be accomplished by most owners in a reasonably short time. A quick inspection should be performed before every ride. On bikes equipped with chains, a thorough

Events

2023 Giant Loop Ride at Crane Hot Springs

The 12th Annual Giant Loop ride was the largest gathering of adventure motorcyclists this Oregon event had seen to date. Held at Crane Hot Springs near Burns, OR, this year’s ride welcomed nearly 650 participants. The campout/rally took place on June 1-4 and was a tremendous success. Open

Speed The Wheel

Speed the Wheel: Head Cold

My articles frequently have me meandering through some storied recollection from my past. This time, however, I want to borrow a story from older brother Barry’s treasure trove of two-wheeled memories. We recently reminisced about the good ole days of our carefree youths—which were monopolized by motorized obsessions.

Fouled Plugs Premium Content

False Advertising

Vehicle manufacturers of all kinds have been letting their marketing departments bestow their creations with overzealous names for years. I’m referring to the practice of manufacturers mouth's writing checks their machines can’t cash. Think Suzuki Swift (it wasn’t). Or, as a newer example, the now-discontinued

News

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.

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Zero to Hero: (Re)Learning How to Ride Off-Road

It all started at the point of impact. Wind escaped my lungs with a force I’d never felt before. The crash happened fast. I barely had time to react before the damage to my diaphragm (as I’d later realize) had been done. In a split second, a preventable

News

Blue Rim Tours Ceases Operation—Long Time Guide to Continue Tours Through New Company

Uwe Krauss, a long-term RoadRUNNER contributor, is opening a new chapter and launching his own guided motorcycle tour company. He has plenty of tour guiding experience from working with RoadRUNNER’s offshoot Blue Rim Tours (BRT), and he’s more or less inheriting the operation as BRT is no longer

Columns

Sidetracked: Stealerships and the DIY Guy

Fourteen-year-olds are sensitive creatures. Merle laughs when I ask how to adjust the clutch on my 1969 Yamaha AT1. Instead of offering technical advice he mocks me, saying, "You want to race and you can't even work on your own bike." His words cut me to

Tips

Getting Your Bike Ready to Tour

With summer fast approaching, now is the time to make sure your mount is ready to hit the road. If you’re like many of us at RoadRUNNER, during the colder months you scope out touring destinations, research scenic routes, create packing lists, decide on touring dates, and have made

Tips

Close Encounters of the Four-Legged Kind

Among the most difficult hazards for motorcyclists to avoid are four-legged animals, which can appear suddenly, without warning and cause a rider to part company with his or her motorcycle. I learned this lesson the hard way early in my motorcycling career. Nowadays, I find myself continually scanning the road

Accommodations

5 Unique Wisconsin Hotels for Motorcyclists

As the home of American stalwart Harley-Davidson, Wisconsin has been associated with motorcycles since 1903. The state offers a variety of roads and a host of attractions, from historical landmarks to winding roads, quaint townships to sprawling farmland. A big part of the two-wheel touring experience is finding lodging that