Buyers Guide Marisa’s Fly-and-Ride Packing Essentials Flying with motorcycle gear comes with my job. After years of traveling around the world with my precious riding gear, camera equipment, and other motorcycling essentials, I’ve got my packing down to a science. Here are the most common items I’ll pack for a fly-and-ride trip. For tips
Tips 5 Tips For Your Next Fly-and-Ride So, you have a dream destination in mind for your next motorcycle adventure, but it’s too far to ride. Instead, you decide to hop on a plane, rent a bike at your destination, and spend a week exploring new roads before heading home, refreshed and high on life. If
Product Review Garmin Zumo XT2: Moto Navigation Made Easy Finding a GPS device that truly meets motorcyclists’ needs is no small feat. Garmin’s Zumo XT2 has quickly become my go-to navigator, combining travel practicality with cutting-edge features that enhance every aspect of the ride. Right out of the box, the XT2 impressed me with its ultra-bright six-inch display.
Motorcycle Review Review: 2025 Kawasaki Versys 1100 SE LT The Kawasaki Versys has been one of the most underrated motorcycles since its inception. I remember swinging a leg over the Versys 650 back in the day, not thinking much of the little bike that didn’t seem to fit in any particular category at the time. Kawasaki called it
Inconvenient Iron Butt 1000 Miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway The distance between Cherokee, NC, and Waynesville, VA, is 476 miles if you travel along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Make it a round trip ride and your total comes to 952 miles—only 48 shy of a grand. Most riders take three or four days to complete this ride at
Roundtrip Tour Celebrating 50 Years of Flight: Riding Honda’s Legendary Gold Wing from Barber to Daytona Helmet buckled. Gloves on. I was squinting into the golden rays of the setting sun as I stood at the edge of the pavement at the Barber Motorsports Park—a sprawling gearhead paradise where the world’s largest motorcycle collection meets a 2.38-mile racetrack. If there’s such a
News World’s First Self-Riding Motorcycle Goes Rogue, Now Touring Without Owner In a development no one saw coming—except, perhaps, every science fiction writer ever—the world’s first self-riding motorcycle has gone rogue. Originally designed as an advanced AI-powered touring companion, the prototype Iron Phantom 900 AI, was supposed to revolutionize long-distance riding. Instead, it has broken free from its
Letter from the Editor The Fire Within—A Letter From Marisa Not too long ago, I had a conversation with a man in his mid-40s who told me he was "pretty much done with life." He wasn’t sick, nor was he going through some major crisis—he just felt like he’d done everything he was ever going
Tips Tips For Changing Your Own Oil Changing your motorcycle's oil is essential for maintaining engine performance and longevity. Oil changes are one of the easiest maintenance jobs on a bike, so almost anyone can pick it up in no time. Not only is it fairly simple, but it can save you some money over
Buyers Guide Do It Yourself Oil Change Basic motorcycle maintenance is a rite of passage, in my eyes. If you work on your own bike, you’ll be more in tune with how it performs. You’re also more likely to be able to fix issues when they pop up on the road. One basic maintenance task
Letter from the Editor Premium Content Fire and Ice—A Letter From Marisa Recently, I’ve been suffering from a terrible case of PMS (Parked Motorcycle Syndrome). While it’s not officially recognized in the medical community, every rider knows this affliction’s symptoms all too well. They include restlessness, longing glances at your bike in the garage, and vivid dreams of open
Product Review Review: Klim Marrakesh—Klim’s Most Comfortable Riding Gear When Klim introduced the Marrakesh jacket and gloves. I was sold the first time I tried them on. Generally, I don’t have much of a problem finding riding jackets or gloves that fit well. Pants, on the other hand, are a completely different story, so when Klim announced the
Product Review Review: Next Level Safety with the Cardo Packtalk Pro Helmet communication devices have come a long way since their introduction, packing an impressive array of features into tiny units mounted to the side of your helmet. Personally, though, I’m not a big fan of too much connectivity while riding. A little music? Sure. The ability to talk to
Classic Roads Premium Content The Hidden Gem of the Nantahala Forest—Wayah Road and Wayah Bald Road Wayah Road winds through the breathtaking scenery of North Carolina's Nantahala National Forest. Beginning near Franklin, NC, Wayah Rd stretches approximately 28 miles, connecting US 64 and US 74. This route leads riders through the dense forest, alongside rushing streams and through countless twists and turns. It also
Product Review Review: Insta360 X4 Documenting the open road isn’t just about snapping a few photos. It’s about capturing the thrill, the freedom, and the unique perspectives that only two wheels can provide. That’s where Insta360 X4 comes in. The Insta360 X4 feels solid and rugged, clearly built to endure the rigors
Letter from the Editor We’re All In This Together—A Letter From Marisa Motorcycling is often seen as a solitary pursuit—a rider, a bike, and an open road. But ask any experienced biker, and they'll tell you that motorcycling is also deeply rooted in community. There’s a shared understanding among motorcyclists, a feeling of camaraderie that transcends background, language,
Travel Guide 10 Things to Do Near Albuquerque, NM If you’re visiting Albuquerque, you might be wondering what there is to see and explore. From the winding roads of the Turquoise Trail to the ancient petroglyphs of Petroglyph National Monument, there's no shortage of sights to see and adventures to experience within a day's
Accommodations Review: Jemez Hot Springs Inn—Jemez Springs, NM Tucked away amidst the serene landscapes of Jemez Springs, NM, the Jemez Hot Springs Inn offers a tranquil escape for travelers seeking relaxation and rejuvenation. My recent stay at this enchanting inn was nothing short of delightful, as every aspect of the experience exceeded my expectations. From the moment I
Roundtrip Tour Premium Content New Mexico: The Land (and Sky) of Enchantment There is an inexplicable sense of magic in the air as soon as you enter New Mexico. This sacred land is a Southwestern gem, a place where the natural world, culture, and spirit are entwined. I wanted to find out what made this place so magical in the first place,
Accommodations Review: Hidden Springs Inn—Reserve, NM If you blink, you just might ride right through the town of Reserve, NM, without even realizing it. That’s exactly what happened to me the night I planned to stay at the Hidden Springs Inn. After an exceptionally long day of off-road motorcycling, it was well after dark by
Letter from the Editor The Road to Recovery—A Letter From Marisa Motorcycles are dangerous. It’s not a secret that our beloved sport is inherently risky, but that’s part of what draws us to these two-wheeled machines. The thrill of riding a motorcycle comes from a mix of factors, with danger and risk adding an adrenaline-fueled edge to the experience.
Motorcycle Review Review: 2024 BMW F 900 GS I’ve been riding the BMW F 800's since they were introduced in 2008. In addition, I owned the F 650 GS Dakar for several years, and have put many miles not only on the early F 800s, but every iteration of these models since then. Although I
Accommodations Review: Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground—Tellico Plains, TN In the rolling hills near Tellico Plains, TN, the Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground (CMTC) offers a haven for motorcyclists seeking adventure and relaxation in the Appalachian Mountains. Kellie and Wayne have owned the CMTC for over a decade now and are outstanding hosts. Not only are riders welcomed with a
Accommodations Review: Rabbit Ears Motel—Steamboat Springs, CO The sun was setting as I cruised into the small town of Steamboat Springs, CO, along US 40. It was late in the fall and most of the town had begun to shut down for the evening. As I rounded the corner and began to think I would have a
Letter from the Editor Premium Content Heat Waves and Highways—A Letter From Marisa Cross-country motorcycle tours are always a transformative experience. Long days in the saddle, lots of distance to cover, gone for weeks at a time… It can test you in ways you could never imagine, and it can teach you a lot about yourself (and the people you’re riding with)
