The Motorcyclist's Guide to the Galaxy

Alternative Ways to Design Tracks for Motorcycle Routes

Over the last few years, we touring riders have become accustomed to using satellite navigation tracks (for brevity, the term “tracks” will be used to include “routes”). RoadRUNNER, for example, provides these useful digital assets for all travel and tour articles. Garmin has cemented the GPS Exchange Format, better known

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Transcending the Narrow Mind

Mark Twain is credited with saying: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness … Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” He was correct then and he’s correct today—only,

Travel Guide

Visit Billings: Where All Roads Lead to Pure Montana Experiences

The mountain passes and wide-open highways of eastern Montana offer some of the purest, most breathtaking views you can find on two wheels. The only sounds you’ll hear for miles are the rumbling of motorcycles echoing from within the deep canyons, the calls of migratory birds, and the

News

Can-Am Kicks

What on earth could Can-Am and the high-end sneaker manufacturer The Shoe Surgeon have in common for them to organize a collaboration event at SRGN Studios in Los Angeles? As it turns out, The Shoe Surgeon, aka Dominic Ciambrone, is the custom designer of athletic footwear for the

Tips

A Motorcyclists Life Riding with Young Passengers

A lot of motorcyclists like to share the thrill of riding with family members and friends. Some even enjoy introducing their kids to riding at a very young age. However, when it comes to young passengers and motorcycles, a lot of riders don’t know if there are age restrictions

Columns

The Future of Motorcycling: Interview with Head of BMW Motorrad, Dr. Markus Schramm

RoadRUNNER recently had a rare opportunity to sit down for a chat with Dr. Markus Schramm, the head of BMW Motorrad. During the interview, he shared his views on the current motorcycle market and what the future might hold, both for BMW and motorcycling in general. Grab a nice cup

Columns

Rise of the Retros: What’s Old is New

It’s no secret that the influx of vintage-styled motorcycles making their way to U.S. shores has increased over the past few years. Undoubtedly, Triumph paved the way for this invasion back in 2001, when the manufacturer re-introduced the legendary Bonneville. Interestingly, Kawasaki brought the W650 to

Columns

Old-School and Fit to Ride

There are many organizations out there dedicated to tracking motorcycle accident data. However, when we dig into many of the report details, we find a big black hole on some key information. In general, when we try to pull up data on motorcycle crashes, we slam into a kind of

Accommodations

5 Small Florida Hotels Ideal for Your Beach Moto Getaway

There’s something about checking into a hotel that defies description. Clean sheets tucked neatly. A comfortable bed. Fresh towels. Perhaps a pool or a hot tub. It’s your private temporary haven where you can lock out the world, unwind, and relax. If you’re Florida-bound on your

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Do a Pop-a-Wheelie!

We are able to instantly reach more people than at any other time in history. I think it’s a miracle of the modern age. However, it often leads to the spread of misinformation and bad ideas. While this spread of toxic content isn’t usually intentional or malicious, it

News

Motorcycle Travel Network Launches New Website—with Special RR Offer

Are you scrambling to find affordable lodgings for your fall motorcycle tour? The Motorcycle Travel Network (MTN) can help you with its brand-new revamped website. The MTN recently gave its online service a facelift and opened its new, sleek, user-friendly website to riders. The service connects riders in

News

Yamaha Reveals the 2024 Model Range

Yamaha recently announced its plans for its 2024 lineup. Fans of Japanese bikes will get to enjoy a whole new flagship sport tourer and an updated Ténéré 700. The highlight of the announcement is the 2024 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+. This brand-spanking-new sport touring machine features an impressive

Columns

Moto Mojo: Lithium Ion Batteries for Motorcycles

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are used in all sorts of common portable devices, including cordless power tools, cell phones, laptops, and tablets. Lithium-ion cells have made nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride batteries outmoded, and lithium-ion batteries are making inroads into the motorcycle market. The safest lithium-ion

Travel Guide

Montana's Backroads Between Two National Treasures

Some of the most stunning scenery in the world lies in the landscapes between Glacier and Yellowstone national parks. Montana's open highways, scenic byways and backroads of discovery offer the two-wheeled trip of a lifetime. The best riding in Big Sky Country can be found on a

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Thirdendary Roads

"Daddy, where is that car going?" My son spoke those words to me three decades ago as he stood tiptoe, looking out the window of our home on the edge of town. The curiosity of a child has inspired many an adventure. They are an elusive lot, adventure

Columns

The Social Rider: Collaborative Applications

In previous articles I described the rise of the Internet of Motorcycles era, in which different types of existing and upcoming communication technologies enable motorcycles and riders to share and collaborate on any type of information. What kind of possible applications could emerge? In this article a few futuristic yet

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Returning to the Thrill: Re-embracing Two Wheels After Years in 4WD

By 2014, my partner in life and crime Jason and I had sold our 200-year-old cottage, pared down the belongings, and packed our new world on two dual sports bikes. We've embarked on a few adventures, but this one stood out—a transformative journey that lasted

Columns

The Social Rider: Communication Systems

Movies and TV shows sometimes depict motorcyclists as lone wolves traveling into the sunset. But in reality, most riders are highly social and seek to become part of a group. Traditionally, groups focused on motorcycle type, the rider’s age, or riding style, but today social groups can be a

Tips

Heat Management: How to Keep Your Cool

It’s a gorgeous summer’s day. The sun shines, not a single cloud breaks the vast blue dome above you, and the temperature is perfect—at least for a day at the beach. But inside your riding leathers, you’re quickly starting to cook sous vide. As a resident

Columns

Sidetracked: My Brother's Keeper, A "Lost" Art

Getting lost in the backcountry is no joke. Whose job is it to keep the group together when the ride leaves the pavement? What responsibility does the individual have? "Where's Rick?" asks Ken, our ride leader. Our group of 11 men is on the way to

News

Preview: 2023 Special Collectors Issue

Our 2023 Special Collector's Issue is now available to PRE-ORDER. This issue showcases a regionally balanced mix of 10 never before seen motorcycle tours with trip planning information and spectacular photography. Interested in seeing what's inside? Check out the story previews below. Pre-Order Now

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Automatic Crash Detection

Apple recently introduced an interesting crash detection feature to the latest iPhone 14 smartphones and the Apple Watch lineup. Crash detection automatically recognizes severe vehicular crashes, including front, side, and rear collisions, as well as rollovers. Upon detecting the crash, the Apple device sounds a loud alarm and displays an

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Long Distance Riding 101

Did you do it? I did. Did you read the “Letter from the Editor” in RoadRUNNER’s Jun ‘23 issue, take the required picture of your odometer with said magazine cover, and go riding all summer? I can't think I've ever heard of another contest that

News

Iván Cervantes Sets 24-hour Riding Record on Tiger 1200 GT Explorer

How far can you ride in one day? Not as far as Iván Cervantes, I’m ready to wager that. The five-time Enduro world champion has set a new world record for the greatest distance traveled in 24 hours on a motorcycle by an individual. Cervantes rode a Triumph

Tips

Touring Tip: Traveling Solo

The Benefits and Risks of Riding by Yourself I like sharing long-distance motorcycle travel with one or two other riders, but no more than three; more than that and group management becomes burdensome and potentially contentious. Two of the benefits of traveling with fellow riders are the conversations at