Hard Parts

A collection of 32 posts

Hard Parts

Adventurizing the KTM 500 EXC-F

What aftermarket motorcycle accessories would you need to turn two 2023 KTM 500 EXC-Fs into long-distance touring machines? I faced that puzzle ahead of an upcoming round-the-world trip. From bigger tanks to luggage systems and a rally tower with the latest navigation tech, we didn’t leave a bolt unscrewed

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HC Concepts: Engine Development

Business has become difficult for service providers in vehicle development. Large companies are slashing budgets and refrain from outsourcing completely new and lucrative drivetrain projects.  Among other things, uncertainty about the impending ban on combustion engines in the EU (tentatively scheduled for 2035) has contributed to this, even though there

Triumph

Building a Unicorn Triumph 400X Scrambler

Over the past eight years, I’ve been enjoying small-displacement rides on a 24-horsepower 250cc motorcycle. Whether I was headed to a campground or hotel, it has carried my gear, sipped gas, and helped me keep a leisurely pace.  I also own a large ADV bike to use when needed,

MV Agusta

MV Agusta Is Developing 5-Cylinder Motorcycle Engine

MV Agusta surprised the audience at EICMA 2025 by revealing the Italian motorcycle brand is developing a brand-new five-cylinder engine concept. Recently, the company shared more details about the powerplant, dubbed the Quadrato engine. The Quadrato engine platform is intended to serve various on-road motorcycling segments, from supersport to touring

Buyers Guide

2025 Holiday Buyers Guide

In the spirit of the season, we’ve gathered some of our favorite finds from RoadRUNNER partners into the 2025 Holiday Buyers Guide. Whether you’re shopping for a fellow rider or treating yourself, you’re sure to find something special for the season. Happy holiday shopping! Tourmaster Sentry Evo

Product Review

Ride in Comfort with a Custom Seat by Corbin

Every bottom is unique. Even the cushiest and most comfortable stock motorcycle seat can leave you wishing it was a bit firmer, had a smidgen more back support, or simply looked better. If that sounds like a familiar conundrum, Corbin offers a solution. This veteran-owned motorcycle seat manufacturer has just

Product Review

Review: Light the Night with Clearwater Valkyrie Light Kit for 2025 BMW R 1300 GSA

Auxiliary lighting can be one of the most important motorcycle upgrades you make. It’s not just about being able to see the road ahead, but also about drivers being able to see you.  Clearwater Light manufactures a variety of LED auxiliary lights that enhance visibility and safety. The Valkyrie

Product Review

Review: See Clearly with Doubletake Adventure Mirrors

Few motorcycle accessories are as easy to install as a pair of Doubletake mirrors. Installing them is as simple as removing the stock mirrors, screwing in the one-inch RAM ball mount, and attaching the mirror using the double socket arm.  That’s it. Done. Despite being such a simple swap,

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

News

Riding With a LegUp—Landingear That Is

Operating a huge and heavy touring motorcycle is challenging enough at highway speeds. But once you slow to a crawl at the parking lot, things can really get difficult. Whether it’s due to age, injuries, or simply being born that way, some riders experience difficulties with keeping their motorcycles

News

Diamond Motorcycle Joins Forces with Utopia Products

Nothing goes with a cushy motorcycle seat like a comfortable and supportive backrest. Custom bike seat manufacturer Diamond Motorcycle has now joined forces with the backrest maker Utopia Products to provide riders with complete seating solutions. As part of the collaboration, riders can now complement their new Diamond seats with

Buyers Guide

2024 Holiday Buyers Guide

You may have seen the 2024 Holiday Buyers Guide published in the Nov/Dec '24 print issue of RoadRUNNER. Here you will find all of these products, along with links to purchase these items for your convenience. Happy holiday shopping! Alpinestars - Tech-Air 5 Airbag System Protect yourself during

News

Doubletake Mirrors

When riding, it’s not enough to know what’s ahead—you must also be aware of what’s behind you. Doubletake Mirrors now offers an all-new mounting system that keeps your rearview mirrors where they should be. The mirrors mount to the handlebar with an oversized 1.125-inch universal

Product Review

Review: Nomad-ADV KTM EXC Nomad Travel Tower

Nomad-ADV is a family venture operated by the father-son duo Mike and Aad Schram. Mike's technical expertise and distinction as the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe on a motorcycle, coupled with Aad's four decades of motorcycling and engineering experience, form the foundation of Nomad-ADV'

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: Carpe Iter Dashboard

Revving up for another epic sojourn through the vast landscapes of the Americas, I found myself on the open road once more, embracing the wind, the twisties, and the excitement of a two-wheeled adventure. In the age of instant connectivity, where some miles warrant a hashtag and capturing the money

Buyers Guide

8 Items Florian Can’t Ride a Shamrock Tour® Without

RoadRUNNER Shamrock Tours® are four-day trips out of one base location that are easy to tackle for both veterans and beginners. For such multi-day trips, it’s given that you should pack some pieces of gear, like a rain suit and spare clothes. That said, there are plenty of less

News

New MachineArtMoto Accessories for Your BMW Bike

BMW motorcycles are great straight out of the factory and they will take you far—but perhaps not far enough. MachineArtMoto has recently rolled out some new aftermarket accessories to enhance your BMW riding experience. The collection of parts includes AdvanceGuard handguards to keep wind and debris off your mitts,

News

MotoTote Sport Motorcycle Hitch Carrier

Transporting a motorcycle to your ride location can be difficult—unless you have the MotoTote hitch carrier. This heavy-duty all-steel bike carrier fixes securely to the back of your truck with zero wobbling. The wide bike mount accommodates up to 600-pound sport bikes, scramblers, and dual sport motorcycles with five-inch-wide

Buyers Guide

5 Awesome Motorcycle Phone Mounts

Your smartphone has become a vital motorcycling tool. Of course you can call and text with it, but it also helps you navigate to your next destination, capture the best riding moments on photo and video, find the best hotels and restaurants, and much more. But having your phone in

Buyers Guide

2023 Holiday Buyers Guide

The 2023 RoadRUNNER Holiday Buyers Guide is a curated collection of products from RoadRUNNER partners that motorcycle riders will love. If you have a motorcyclist you're shopping for this holiday season, you won't want to miss these products which will be sure to bring a smile

Buyers Guide

10 Warmest Accessories for Winter Touring

It’s cold, windy, wet, and dreary—in other words, perfect weather for a motorcycle ride. You just need to don appropriately warm cold-weather riding gear. High-quality warm accessories won’t clear the roads of snow, but they can let you squeeze a few extra weeks out of the riding

News

Hippo Hands

Sometimes even the thickest gloves can’t keep your fingers from freezing. That’s when you need Hippo Hands motorcycle hand covers—a pair of little tents for your hands that attach to the grips. Hippo Hands offers hand covers for any bike, from dirt and ADV machines to cruisers.

Buyers Guide

9 Auxiliary Lighting Systems for Motorcycles to Light Your Path

Proper lighting is vitally important for us motorcyclists. To stay safe, we need to both see and be seen.. To best identify threats in the night, whether that be irregular road surfaces, objects, animals, cars, or peopleyour bike need the best throw and reach of illumination. But that’s not

Product Review

Review: Corbin Saddle for Honda Trail 125

The Honda CT125 (aka Trail 125) is a throwback model with a fascinating history and it has been a huge hit since being re-launched in 2021. Its looks make motorcyclists go into the garage at night to talk to it and non-motorcyclists stop and smell its roses. While the bike