Florian Neuhauser

Letter from the Editor

Thank You—A Letter from Florian

This time of the year is always one of reflection. It’s just natural after the whirlwind of a busy travel season. Last winter, I got ants in my pants and signed myself up for a whole bunch of trips. They were all epic, but with so much time on

Tips

4 Packing Tips for Motorcycle Tours

I currently have three motorcycles in my garage—a Yamaha Ténéré 700, Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE, and Honda Trail 125. Each machine is an entirely different experience, yet I have completed overnight tours on all of them.  Click here to find my current luggage setup for each of these bikes.

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

Letter from the Editor

Escape & Explore—A Letter from Florian

Each year, we send out our reader survey to learn more about you and your riding habits. One of the questions asks you to rank the reasons why you ride. Consistently, the number one answer is “the desire to escape and explore.” I second that. It has been a great

Motorcycle Review

Review: 2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801

Only a few motorcycles do a good job with balancing a classic style with a modern look. The new Svartpilen 801 is one of them. Walking up to the parked motorcycle, the classic lines immediately made it feel familiar, even though it’s clearly an ultra-modern design. From afar, I

Product Review

Review: REV’IT! Overshirt Tracer Air 2

When it’s 100 degrees out, you still need proper riding gear. We explained in our Aug ‘23 issue that hiding your skin from the sun’s rays actually keeps you cooler, so you have no excuse not to wear a jacket—or, in this case, something that looks more

Letter from the Editor Premium Content

Planes, Trains, and Motorcycles—A Letter From Florian

Traveling to attend new motorcycle press launches often requires some serious travel. I don’t know many people willing to fly halfway around the world to ride a motorcycle for a day. My usual rule is that I want to stay at a location at least twice as long as

Product Review

Review: MotoPumps Garmin Zumo XT & XT2 Locking Mount

Some items require more security than others—like an expensive GPS unit. A deft thief can quickly snatch your Garmin unit while you step into a gas station. The company, for some reason, doesn’t offer any anti-theft solutions for the new Zumos, despite the little lever on the top

Product Review

Review: Dainese Laguna Seca Two-Piece Leather Suit

When it comes to technical motorcycle leathers, shopping around usually doesn’t take too long since only a handful of companies make them. During my KTM Duke lineup test, I knew I faced a mix of road and track, so I needed leathers. I settled on the Dainese Laguna Seca

Letter from the Editor Premium Content

Community—A Letter from Florian

Riding a motorcycle represents the ultimate freedom, yet most of us crave human interaction. The lone wolf heading into the sunset far from civilization doesn’t tell an accurate story. Sure, many of us prefer to ride alone, but as soon as the lone wolf stops, the human connections are

Motorcycle Review

2024 KTM Duke Lineup

KTM is very good at staying on-brand. From the motorcycles coming out of the company’s factories to the lively events focused on the pure joy of riding, and even the culture oozing from every person donning that sweet racing jacket full of sponsor logos, there’s something electric in

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

Motorcycle Review

Review: 2024 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+

The sport-touring category is alive and well—but motorcycles don’t look like your dad’s Honda ST1300 anymore. The bikes in this segment have evolved, with more focus on sportiness and technology alongside a healthy dose of aggressive styling. If you’re a street rider who goes on trips,

Letter from the Editor Premium Content

Technology Ebbs and Flows—A Letter From Florian

Not that many years ago, every time I ventured out on a motorcycle tour for the magazine, I brought along a dizzying array of tech. Most importantly (at the time), my Garmin had the planned route, and if something came up along the way, it didn’t take me long

Product Review

Review: Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

As a travel publication, we churn through luggage pieces around here. When I saw this Peak Design backpack, it caught my attention with its sleek design, loads of features, and—most importantly—how it can be used for motorcycle traveling. There are no gaudy logos, chrome zippers, buckles, or a

Columns Premium Content

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

Product Review

Review: Klim Carlsbad Jacket & Pants

When I’m not riding with my motorcycle club on weekend rides and in faraway places, I lead motorcycle tours for a variety of tour operators. Since I spend so much time on a motorcycle, I look for the best gear I can find. I’m a street rider through

Product Review

Review: SW-Motech SysBag WP Pro Luggage

For many adventure bikes, soft luggage is the best solution. But, due to the design of the rear, you still need racks. When I recently had to get a Yamaha Ténéré 700 ready for touring duties and needed enough luggage capacity for clothes, layers, and camera equipment, I looked to

Product Review

Review: Schuberth E2 Helmet

Two years ago, I followed a friend into the Kentucky hollers for a “dual sport” route he came up with. It ended up being more of a hard enduro ride and we got more adventure than we bargained for. The deep ruts and streams, slick mud, and quite a bit

Accommodations

Review: MeadowView Marriott—Kingsport, TN

Located in the heart of Kingsport, TN, the MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort and Convention Center [https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/meadowview-marriott-conference-resort.en.html?aid=7932204&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2] sits close to some of the most scenic routes in the area. Just a short ride

Product Review

Review: Metzeler Tourance Next 2

Since 2013, Metzeler’s Tourance Next 90/10 tire has delighted street-oriented adventure riders. Designed primarily for on-road use, it set a real benchmark for what an adventure bike tire can do. Over the years, the competition has closed the gap, especially on the performance aspect, but a loyal customer

News

The Ultimate Hyper Naked: KTM 1290 Super Duke RR Returns

By the time you’re reading this, there’s a good chance the 2023 KTM 1290 Super Duke RR is already sold out. KTM has announced that it will produce only 500 units of the 2023 Super Duke RR, a follow-up to the popular 2021 model. The new model promises

Product Review

Review: Conti Road Attack 4

Marketing jargon is always littered with superlatives. The latest product update makes something naturally the best, until the next one comes out. We were already impressed by the handling and wet weather grip of the ContiRoadAttack 3. How much better could the ContiRoadAttack 4 [https://imp.i104546.net/gbLk4X], which

Product Review

Review: REV’IT! Expedition GTX Boot

REV’IT! has always marched to its own beat, blending high-tech riding gear with fashion. Many riders prefer a more subtle look while riding without sacrificing comfort and safety. Personally, I like a more casual style, because I’m always swapping between different types of motorcycles—cruising on an Indian

Product Review

Review: Joe Rocket Phoenix Ion Summit

With 100-degree temperatures, it was a no-brainer to pick a mesh jacket. I was so sure of our weather luck, I didn’t even bother to bring the liners or extra rain gear. This jacket [https://amzn.to/3j524JH] does come with a two-stage liner system (full rain liner and