Destinations

The Small Town That’s Got It All—Maggie Valley, NC

Scenic rides, beautiful nature, nearby entertainment and restaurants, fascinating history… Maggie Valley, NC, really does have it all. This small town is situated amidst the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, roughly 35 miles from Asheville, with easy access along US 19. Don’t let its size and relatively remoteness fool you—

Motorcycle Review

2024 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S: Tarmac to Trails

Every flat tire has a silver lining. Actually, not all of them, but it does sometimes apply. Case in point—I was geared up, packed up, and ready to roll out for a combination project involving a couple bikes, a tour feature, and a dedicated review. Yet, the moment one

Classic Roads

Simply a Nice Ride—Indiana SR 450

Motorcyclists flock to certain roads because there’s a new famous sight and attractions behind every bend. Others, meanwhile, are more understated—they’re simply a good ride. Indiana SR 450 is one of these roads. This calm strip of two-lane begins just north of Shoals, IN, roughly 80 miles

Destinations

A Motorcyclists Guide to Fontana Dam, NC

Fontana Dam, NC, is a hidden gem for motorcyclists exploring the scenic byways of the Appalachian Mountains. Nestled along the border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this small but historically significant town is not just a gateway to nature.  It’s also a prime spot for two-wheeled adventurers

Motorcycle Review

2025 Indian PowerPlus 112 Lineup: Performance Baggers for Everyday Champions

Indian Motorcycle is taking what it has developed for the track and bringing it to the street with the new PowerPlus 112 lineup. This is the platform that powered the 2024 King of the Baggers champion, and delivers not only high horsepower and torque, but an all around performance-oriented bagger

Motorcycle Review

Review: 2025 Husqvarna Vitpilen 801

A Duke of a Different Color Blame my Midwest upbringing, but whenever I hear of Husqvarna, I first think of chainsaws, then dirt bikes, and finally street bikes. While tinkering around on the Husqvarna website, I was surprised that the company produced its first street motorcycle 56 years before its

Motorcycle Review

Review: 2024 Harley-Davidson Road Glide

A New Motorcycle on an Old Road I don’t often fall in love with a motorcycle right when I swing my leg over it—especially, to be frank, if that motorcycle is a Harley-Davidson. Yet, the 2024 Road Glide and I clicked right away. It was like when you

Buyers Guide

2025 BMW R 1300 GS Adventure Sweepstakes Build-Out

In case you haven’t heard, we are giving away a brand-new motorcycle to celebrate our 25th year in publication. But, the winner won’t just get a stock bike. We’re handing out a fully accessorized adventure machine with lots of gear and extras! Here’s how we have

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

Destinations Premium Content

Great Smoky Mountains National Park—A Green Paradise

If you haven’t ridden in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park yet, what are you waiting for? Set time for a trip and get in the saddle, because you’re missing out. Covering 522,000 acres on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains National

Letter from the Editor

25 Years—A Letter From Florian

Dear Reader, It is with great pride that I announce RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel is celebrating its 25th year. As an independent, family-owned publishing company, we’ve always considered you, our readers, our extended family. We have ridden together through some seriously great times and also some hard and

News

New Year, New Motorcycle

Enter to Win a 2025 BMW R 1300 GSA RoadRUNNER is celebrating a monumental milestone—our 25th year publishing the best motorcycle travel magazine! To show our appreciation for the incredible community of riders and adventurers who have supported us through the years, we’re kicking off 2025 with an

Classic Roads

Discover the Fun and Characterful Tail of the Gecko

Motorcyclists love a good reptilian tail. Just look at all the riders flocking to experience the Tail of the Dragon in Tennessee. But you don’t need a mythical beast to have a good time on a motorcycle. Sometimes, a more unassuming reptile will do just fine. Like a gecko.

Motorcycle Review

2024 Yamaha MT-09 SP: The True Master of Torque

It has been 10 years since Yamaha introduced the MT model line, and I first tested one in 2016 before the U.S. designation changed from FZ to the current one. I took the new 2024 MT-09 SP to the same roads on the Tennessee-North Carolina border, and it provided

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

Tips

Everything Florian Packs for a 7-Day Motorcycle Trip

Motorcycles are fantastic vehicles for thrilling travel, but cars do have one undeniable advantage—a trunk. Taking all your things along can be a challenge, especially for longer trips. Packing a motorcycle for a week-long tour is just like any other art form in that it needs practice. Many motorcyclists,

Destinations

Everything in One Place—Athens, OH

Athens is your gateway to a whole bunch of excellent riding roads. No, not the Greek capital—we’re talking about Athens, OH. This welcoming city sits on the Hocking River in southeastern Ohio, some 20 miles from the West Virginia border. Athens, named after the ancient Greek city, is

Motorcycle Review Premium Content

Comparison: BMW R 1250 GS vs. R 1300 GS

Having ridden BMW GS models for more than 20 years, it’s difficult to overstate the massive number of changes in the 2024 R 1300 GS. More than redesigned, the legendary GS platform has been reimagined in the 1300. Rather than an attempt to improve on the engineering of previous

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

Motorcycle Review

Review: 2024 Kawasaki Z500

Our first date was at the Julian Pie Company in California. We had our “meet cute” in the heart of San Diego only a few days before. I was in town to become more acquainted with Kawasaki’s latest offering. She was there as a model. The connection was immediate,

Motorcycle Review

Review: 2024 Triumph Tiger 1200

Asking for directions in Scotland can be challenging. “Jist follaw thes road ‘til ye see a lairge sign fur th’ change-hoose ‘n’ caw left,” is the closest approximation I can give of the advice I received. Fortunately, a driver provided me with transportation from the airport to the hotel, and

News

Preview: 2024 Special Collectors Issue

The 2024 RoadRUNNER Special Collector's Issue is now available to PRE-ORDER. This issue highlights eight completely new motorcycle tour stories, alongside trip planning information and stunning photos. This collection of articles takes you from the (surprisingly snowy) desert canyons of Arizona to Jolly Old England. Follow our moto

Jul/Aug '24 Premium Content

The Boys of Summer, Part 2: New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois

Tom Zachary had a 19-year career in Major League Baseball (MLB), from 1918 to 1936. He played for eight different teams and, with 720 strikeouts and an earned run average (ERA) of 3.73, was considered an exceptional, well-rounded pitcher. On September 30, 1927, however, Zachary’s career culminated in

May/Jun '24 Premium Content

The Boys of Summer, Part 1: Massachusetts, Connecticut & New York

My father is a New York Yankees fan. Born the year after Mickey Mantle put on the pinstripes (so 1952), he grew up in the Yankees’ Golden Era. The Bronx Bombers were in the midst of a five-year World Series win streak, an effort that would lead them toward 27

Tips

How to Create and Edit GPX Files with GPX.Studio

These days, most motorcycle touring riders use GPS routes and tracks to navigate on motorcycle tours. Whether you use your phone or a dedicated navigator, the routes typically come as GPX files. Finding pre-made GPX tracks can be easy. RoadRUNNER, for example, offers print subscribers GPS files back to the