Nov/Dec '12 - RoadRUNNER

Colorado: Conquering Mountains on Victorys

In mid-August, it’s a crisp 42 degrees as we ride out of Estes Park. The heated grips and seats are on high. We had to wipe down our motorcycles to free them of the wet layer of morning dew, and my foggy windshield hasn’t quite cleared up yet.

Nov/Dec '12 Premium Content

Bowling Green, KY Shamrock Tour®: Caves, Corvettes, and Cool Roads

Millions of years ago, a shallow sea covered south central Kentucky. Deposits of tiny marine animals and plants formed layers of limestone. Over many millennia the sea receded, leaving thick layers of limestone. Rainwater mixed with carbon dioxide in the air and soil to form a mild acid, which dissolved

Nov/Dec '12 Premium Content

World Travelers – India: Assaulting the Senses

I’ve gotta ask: have you ever dreamed of twisting the throttle and watching the road roll beneath you as you ride through a country unlike any other? You know what I mean–riding into a landscape that 1.2 billion people call home, and where sights, sounds, and smells

Nov/Dec '12 Premium Content

Québec: Postcards From the Province

Big trips are curious things–miles and miles of road interrupted by moments of poignancy and snippets of time that persist in the mind as the years march on. “Remember that time…?” we say to ourselves and our riding partners. “You should have been there,” we say to others. Photos

Nov/Dec '12 Premium Content

Northern California: Grapes to Gold and Back Again, Part II

In Part I, I crawled out of the lap of luxury atop a frozen wave of lava rock to find the State of Jefferson, a little bit of lumber, history, and plenty of snow. Part II swings me west toward the California coastline and then back south into wine country.

Nov/Dec '12 Premium Content

Florida Byways: Riding the Heartland of the Sunshine State

When thinking of Florida, most riders tend to focus on either the Keys in South Florida or Daytona Beach. With the exception of Orlando, we tend to bypass the central portion of the state. After living here for almost 20 years and not seeing all that Florida has to offer,

Nov/Dec '12

2013 Honda PCX150: City Slicker

Scooters are great for urban rides, so I borrowed Honda’s 2013 PCX150 for a day. Starting at California’s Huntington Beach Honda, I take the long way to the Lyon Air Museum near John Wayne Airport, stop for lunch at Memphis Soul Café in Costa Mesa, and then take

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, and

Nov/Dec '12 Premium Content

Reader Ride – Texas: Palo Duro Loop, The “Other” Grand Canyon

You can ride the rim of the Grand Canyon, but you can’t take your motorcycle down to the bottom. Want to get the “feel” of a canyon without taking a donkey ride? Visit Palo Duro Canyon in Texas, America’s “other” Grand Canyon! At 120 miles long, 600 to

Nov/Dec '12

2013 Honda Metropolitan NCH50: Nifty and Thrifty!

After a multi-year hiatus, Honda’s 50cc Metropolitan scooter returns completely revamped with fresh styling and a new fuel-injected engine. Appearance changes include updated bodywork, a new headlamp and gauge setup, plus a different handlebar and taillight, all of which give the diminutive machine a clean modern look. We had