Touring

Mar/Apr '13

2013 Honda Lineup

> At a time when consumers are pinching every penny, some companies respond by doing the same, a few focus on bringing in repeat business, and others ramp up advertising. A brave handful will put all their chips on the table by offering a variety of original products. Honda has

Jan/Feb '13

2013 Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Touring: Italian Dominatrix

> It’s difficult to talk about something Italian without passion. Italy is known for delicious wine, rich cuisine, hand-crafted loafers, “bella figura,” super fast cars, and temperamental motorcycles. Whatever it is, a sense of passion comes standard. The 2013 Multistrada is no different—it attacks all the senses! The

Nov/Dec '12

Long-term Evaluation – 2012 BMW R 1200 RT: Jack of All Rides

> I don’t want to like this bike. BMW touring bikes, after all, typically appeal to people of a certain age, and liking the 2012 R 1200 RT is tantamount to admitting that I’m not as young as I used to be. That’s the stereotype at least,

Sep/Oct '12

Review: 2012 Triumph Explorer

One year after introducing the popular and acclaimed Tiger 800, Triumph has added its new flagship entry to the growing adventure-touring market—the 1215cc Tiger Explorer. Designed to go head-to-head with BMW’s R 1200 GS and Yamaha’s 1200cc Super Ténéré, the Explorer offers modern styling and a potent

Mar/Apr '12

2012 BMW K 1600 GTL vs. 2012 Honda Gold Wing GL1800

The near simultaneous 2012 introductions of BMW’s new K 1600 GTL and Honda’s redesigned Gold Wing GL1800 beg for a comparison. Both are flagship models for their respective brands, propelled by six-cylinder engines and designed for long-distance touring. We chose the K 1600 GTL rather than the GT

Mar/Apr '12

Review: 2012 Suzuki V-Strom ABS & ABS Adventure

Combining spirited V-twin performance with excellent comfort and good handling at a reasonable price, Suzuki’s versatile V-Strom models have created a near cult following over the years. We got to test ride the new 2012 V-Strom 650 ABS and ABS Adventure models at the U.S. press launch in

Jan/Feb '12

2011 Moto Guzzi Norge GT 8V

> Let's cut to the chase - I took the 2011 Moto Guzzi Norge GT 8V into the wilds of Pennsylvania and felt really connected to this bike. Despite the cold and the rain and the occasional muddy patch, the Norge didn't miss a beat and,

Nov/Dec '11

Review: 2011 Triumph Tiger 800 & 800XC

> When the invitation to ride the new Triumph Tigers first arrived, our initial reaction was that we’d already ridden the bike so what could be happening at this event that we don’t already know? Another piece of the puzzle: It was to be a two-day ride, back

Nov/Dec '11

2012 Victory® Cross Country Tour

> When Victory® introduced its newest touring model, a simple intro ride wasn’t enough. To truly appreciate all the Cross Country Tour has to offer we rode almost 1,000 miles through four states for a long distance evaluation. Along the way we encountered every type of road, just

Sep/Oct '11

2012 Harley-Davidson® CVO™

> Each year Harley-Davidson®, the iconic American motorcycle-maker, shows off its best and brightest parts, accessories and paint by creating a collection of motorcycles branded with the CVO™ (Custom Vehicle Operations) moniker. This run of limited-production bikes is packed with more than hand-painted bodywork, hoards of chrome, and exclusive new

Sep/Oct '11

2012 Honda Gold Wing® GL1800

After a one-year hiatus, Honda’s flagship Gold Wing luxury touring model has been updated for 2012 with a number of changes, including styling, increased luggage capacity, better wind and weather protection, revised suspension settings, and newer electronics. Such extras as advanced GPS navigation, linked braking with ABS, and the

Jul/Aug '11

Long-term: 2010 Victory Cross Country

> Unlike many motorcycle manufacturers, Victory has eschewed the alphanumeric formula for its machines and has instead chosen to name them. The Vision is indeed visionary, the Hammer is about as subtle as a blacksmith, and a well-appointed Jackpot is reminiscent of the Vegas strip. What are we to make

Jul/Aug '11

2012 BMW K 1600 GT and GTL

> Pieter de Waal, the vice president of BMW Motorrad USA, told us how the sporty new K 1600 GT and GTL models started out as a clean-sheet approach, with a five-year gestation. Although both the GTL and GT share most major components, they maintain separate personalities. The GTL offers

May/Jun '11

2011 Harley-Davidson FLTRU Road Glide Ultra

> When the Motor Company introduced the Road Glide Ultra as a new model for 2011, and we had a short ride on it at the latest model introduction, I knew it deserved a full test. By combining the regular Road Glide with the large Tour Pack trunk used on

May/Jun '11

2011 Triumph Cruiser Lineup

> Triumph gives customers seven new models to choose from in 2011, and they  will be pleased with the direction that new CEO Greg Heichelbech is taking the fast-growing motorcycle manufacturer. Just outside Phoenix, Triumph presented the new Thunderbird Storm, along with the Speedmaster, America and Rocket III. Thunderbird Storm

Mar/Apr '11

Review: 2011 Kawasaki Vulcan® Vaquero™

> Kawasaki's latest touring-cruiser Vaquero (which means "cowboy" in Spanish) was appropriately introduced amid longhorns and cattle ranches in the Lone Star State north of Houston. The Vaquero shares Voyager's wide upper fairing, but with a shorter windscreen and revamped lower bodywork, plus new,

Jan/Feb '11

Three New Harley-Davidson® Models for 2011

> For 2011, The Motor Company has introduced three exciting new models: the Road Glide® Ultra, plus a pair of Sportsters®, the SuperLow™, and XR1200X™. Harley's lineup now boasts 32 models, including long-haul touring machines, urban brawlers, contemporary customs, retro-style bobbers, sport roadsters, and standards. As mentioned in

Nov/Dec '10

Review: 2010 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager

When Kawasaki invited us to ride the Vulcan 1700 Voyager in sunny California, I jumped at the chance. What could be better than touring the Golden State’s vast highways and beautiful byways on a comfortable machine equipped with everything touring riders need to rack up the miles? Besides nice

Nov/Dec '10

2010 Ducati Multistrada

Motorcycle of the Year > Every so often, a motorcycle manufacturer comes out with a new design that moves the state-of-the-art forward a significant and noticeable amount — a "game changer" if you will. With the new Multistrada 1200 S, Ducati's engineers have significantly advanced motorcycle design

Nov/Dec '10

2011 Victory Lineup

Transports of Delight The New American Motorcycle, as Victory likes to call itself, is now moving comfortably into adolescence. It's been 13 years since the first 92 cubic-inch Victories went on sale, and the 2011 range now comprises 12 models across the cruising spectrum from boulevard bruisers to

Sep/Oct '10

2010 Honda NT700V Long-term Evaluation

Squint and the NT700V looks like a scaled-down ST1300. And with sport-touring styling and credentials, plus an attractive price, the versatile NT clearly helps to fill the gap left by the departed VFR800. Although the NT700V was introduced in Europe as the Deauville back in 1999 and has since sold

Jul/Aug '10

Kawasaki's 2010 Lineup

Kawasaki recently invited RoadRUNNER to attend a two-day ride highlighting the light side of their model lineup. Austere times and higher gas prices have given pause to the gluttony of just a couple years ago, when all the attention was on huge, heavy models. For two great days we rode

Jan/Feb '10

Review: 2010 Can-Am Spyder RT

When the Can-Am Spyder hit the road in 2007, it garnered every type of opinion imaginable. Some were good, others bad, but none indifferent. Its Y-shaped wheel stance (two in front, one rear) is reminiscent of a snowmobile, or maybe a trike reversed. Well, like it or not, the Spyder

May/Jun '09

2008 Buell XB12XT

> When Erik Buell added the Ulysses XT, re-focused for "adventure sport touring," to the range for 2008, we signed up to find out whether he had hit a Homer. I'll admit to some misgivings when I rode my first Ulysses, a factory-fresh 2007 XB12X. Aimed

Nov/Dec '08

Review: 2008 Triumph Sprint ST

> Traditionally, Triumph has been a nonconformist's brand. From the giant Rocket III to the bad-boy Street Triple, the British manufacturer has consistently gone its own way. Even their stylish sport tourer is motivated by the "oddball" 1050cc triple. Sure, different is good, but distance is