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Speed the Wheel: The Vanishing Art of Getting Lost

I tend to be slow at acquiring new-fangled electronic gadgets. Case in point, I have a four-year old cell phone and only recently started dabbling in social media. Although this could be mere stubbornness or laziness, I prefer to think I’m acting out of sentimentality, fearful that we risk

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The Photo

In 1972, I was 14 years old. The Buchanan family had recently moved into a home in Pacific Palisades, CA, on a street appropriately named Friends. The kid next door, Scott Johnson, was the same age as I. Once we discovered a shared love of motocross, with dreams of one

Tips

Drinking and Riding has Legal Consequences

Alcohol affects the skills that are essential to riding a motorcycle—balance, coordination, and responsiveness. Evidence suggests that it plays a significant role in fatal motorcycle crashes. In fact, research has shown that in fatal crashes a larger proportion of motorcyclists had been drinking prior to an accident than operators

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Speed the Wheel: Like Seeing Heaven

Over our lives, most of us will witness a number of memorable atmospheric events. Nature is an engaging host, serving up beautiful sunrises, dramatic sunsets, violent storms, double rainbows, and surreal cloud formations. It’s not always calm and serene, but the natural ebb and flow of the Earth’s

Accommodations

Review: Santa Barbara Inn—Santa Barbara, CA

Like an ambassador to the city, the Santa Barbara Inn puts on its best face to welcome visitors. From any direction, the ride there provides views ranging from manicured neighborhoods to wetland preserve areas and picturesque coastal views unlike any place else in California. Friendly staff greet you the moment

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A Professional Globetrotter: Royal Enfield's Paolo Brovedani

At the age of 63, when most of his colleagues are already enjoying their retirement, Italian engineer Paolo Brovedani packed his bags and moved from Peugeot in France to the Royal Enfield development center in England. After a successful introduction, he then moved to Chennai, India, in 2020 where he

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5 Hotels to Get You in The Christmas Spirit All Year Long

Do you wish the holiday season lasted all year long? Your motorcycle can’t change the seasons, but it can take you to places where the festive cheer never ends. There are many hotels across the U.S., from the South to Alaska, that draw in Christmas-starved visitors with a

Tips

10 Questions to Ask a Motorcyclist Before Becoming Their Passenger

Many of us were first introduced to motorcycling as a passenger. In the world of street riding, there is a broad range of skill levels and safe riding practices. Before putting your life in the hands of a motorcycle rider, it’s wise to first understand his or her competence.

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6 Hotels for a Two-Up Midwest Motorcycle Getaway

There’s only one thing better than being out on the open road on your motorcycle—and that’s doing so with the one you love. Whether you’re riding your own bikes or one is tucked in the passenger seat behind the other, adding a romantic overnight element to

Travel Guide

8 Ways to Have a Holly Jolly Motorcycling Holiday Season in Florida

The holiday season means banks of snow, cold weather, hot cocoa, reindeer… But it doesn’t need to be that way every year. Spending your holidays in Florida is a great way to extend your motorcycling seasons. December is a fantastic time to visit the Sunshine State, with warm temperatures

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So Much To Be Thankful For

Dear Reader, Without sounding like a broken record, this year has really flown by. Motorcycles have come and gone, several sets of tires have been gloriously burned, and I added a Ténéré 700 to the garage again. I let go of my first one too soon, and then all my

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RoadRUNNER Black Friday Deals

We're throwing our biggest sale of the year! Read below to find out how you can score up to 50% off ALL RoadRUNNER merchandise, books, and subscriptions! You won't see these deals again anytime soon... 50% OFF WEB SUBSCRIPTIONS With a RoadRUNNER WEB subscription, you'

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Five Common Sources of Motorcycle Accidents & Strategies For Avoiding Them

If you're looking to avoid an accident on the road, keep reading. These defensive riding techniques can help you in tricky situations and keep you shiny side up. Oncoming, Left Turning Vehicle This is probably the most common cause of motorcycle accidents. The driver of an oncoming vehicle

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Sidetracked: Turkey Scout

"Be Prepared!" The Boy Scout motto is a good mantra to live by. Unfortunately, even as a bona fide Eagle Scout my adherence to the wisdom often undulates. "Flat again! Come get me." These words, texted to the rescue team (my wife), articulate a reluctant tossing-in

Tips

Winterizing Your Motorcycle

Leaving a motorcycle idle for several months can wreak havoc if precautions are not taken. Here are a few minor things you can do to protect your bike and prevent problems when you’re ready to ride again. Gas Before storing your motorcycle for any extended period of time, top

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3 Quaint Inns for Your Next Vermont Trip

Vermont, one of the country’s earliest settlements, is alive with rolling hills and verdant forests. Its roads wind through the diverse landscapes, offering those who travel here stunning views and a magical atmosphere ripe for discovery. For two-wheeled travelers, there are numerous sights and historical landmarks to take in,

Events

BMW 100th Anniversary at Barber Vintage Festival

BMW is 100 years old. It reached the century mark the hard way—by making motorcycles every one of those 100 years. Okay, maybe the brand missed a couple years due to some weird international incident, but they never gave up on tooling. Either way, while many motorcycling brands brag

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Sidetracked: Kickstands Up At Eight!

It has been said that collecting a group of motorcycle riders to leave on time is like herding cats. Four motorcycles and a dozen ATVs are packed into the corral in Salinas de Garci Mendoza, Bolivia. The village is a half-day ride from the world’s largest salt plains known

Accommodations

Review: Frazier View Motel—Frazier Park, CA

Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, the Frazier View Motel in Frazier Park, CA, has recently been given new life under new management. Originally built by Romanian immigrants in 2014, it has always been a quality destination for travelers wanting a base from which to explore the rugged mountains

Tips

Group Riding Safely

Riding in a group can be a great way to enjoy the camaraderie of traveling with other like-minded motorcyclists. Caravanning in a large, unbroken procession, however, poses special risks. For example, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, where riders often tour in sizable packs, recorded one the highest number of fatalities in

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Sidetracked: Fly and Ride

The ad read, "2007 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure, low miles, pristine mechanically and cosmetically." I can't resist the allure of an older bike in good condition. Many of these machines hit the sweet spot in technology and reliability and, armed with a little knowledge and

Tips

Chain & Final Drive Maintenance

Motorcycle chains and final drives are strong, durable, and efficient, but they do need occasional maintenance. Fortunately, these are fairly simple procedures and can be accomplished by most owners in a reasonably short time. A quick inspection should be performed before every ride. On bikes equipped with chains, a thorough

Events

2023 Giant Loop Ride at Crane Hot Springs

The 12th Annual Giant Loop ride was the largest gathering of adventure motorcyclists this Oregon event had seen to date. Held at Crane Hot Springs near Burns, OR, this year’s ride welcomed nearly 650 participants. The campout/rally took place on June 1-4 and was a tremendous success. Open

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2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide

Harley-Davidson is proudly—and deservedly—celebrating its 120th birthday this year. When you think of brands that have come and gone during its lifespan, that’s really quite an impressive landmark. The Motor Company (as it is known) has stayed in the game by proffering a philosophy of refined evolution

Speed The Wheel

Speed the Wheel: Head Cold

My articles frequently have me meandering through some storied recollection from my past. This time, however, I want to borrow a story from older brother Barry’s treasure trove of two-wheeled memories. We recently reminisced about the good ole days of our carefree youths—which were monopolized by motorized obsessions.