May/Jun '09 - RoadRUNNER

RoadRUNNER

May/Jun '09

May/June 2009

Shamrock Tour® - Paso Robles, California

May/Jun '09 Premium Content

Shamrock Tour® - Paso Robles, California

Known for its great variety of country roads, hillside vineyards, valley vistas and ocean bluffs, California's central coast has long been a favorite locale for photo shoots. And for motorcyclists, the town of Paso Robles is a perfect base from which to launch a shamrock tour of this

May/Jun '09 Premium Content

Lake Michigan

"I love this state. When I was in the Marines, I couldn't wait to come back here," says the state trooper as he hands back my license. Thankfully, that's all he's handing back - no reprimands, no strings and no tickets attached.

North Central Oklahoma

May/Jun '09 Premium Content

North Central Oklahoma

In Choctaw, Oklahoma means 'land of the red people'. The recorded history of the region began when Spanish explorer Coronado traveled through in 1541, searching for Eldorado, the "Lost City of Gold." The Indian Removal Act of 1830 forcibly, and cruelly, relocated many southern Native American

India, Nepal & Bhutan

May/Jun '09 Premium Content

India, Nepal & Bhutan

"Of the gladdest moments in human life is the departure upon a distant journey into unknown lands. Shaking off with one mighty effort the fetters of Habit, the leaden weight of Routine, the cloak of many Cares and the slavery of Home, man feels once more happy. The blood

Coastal Carolinas

May/Jun '09 Premium Content

Coastal Carolinas

As fall leaves swirl, the prospect of closing out the riding season becomes all too real. Shorter days and colder temperatures effectively squelch the freedom to just ride away on a whim. But occasionally, autumn will tease out one last enticing forecast that offers just enough room to roam. Bidding

Western Norway and Russia

May/Jun '09 Premium Content

Western Norway and Russia

The ocean crossing from the Scottish Highlands to Norway has taken 22 hours. Waiting for the okay to progress ashore, I sit astride my BMW GS on the ferry's worn polished deck and do my best to ignore the cold, gnawing wind. My thoughts drift back to countless

Reader Ride: My Sunday Escape

May/Jun '09 Premium Content

Reader Ride: My Sunday Escape

Life is full of responsibilities, but the moment I turn the key on my motorcycle, the cares and pressures of everyday life begin to slowly subside. At the end of a 70-hour week, the open road irresistibly calls out with the promise of freedom and excitement. I have been fortunate

2009 Aprilia Mana 850

2009 Aprilia Mana 850

> Wouldn't you like to have a motorcycle that comes with a helmet compartment where the gas tank normally is, an automatic transmission and parking brake? The spirit of innovation must have been almost palpable when Aprilia's engineers set about designing the new Mana 850. Recently

2009 Yamaha FZ6R

2009 Yamaha FZ6R

> Despite gloomy economic news, there are some bright spots to be found. As budgets tighten and used car lots fill to overflowing with once coveted gas guzzlers, two-wheel alternatives are now beginning to appeal to a much wider cross section of folks. Motorcycling as an efficient, economical form of

Ducati Factory Italy

Ducati Factory Italy

> I was struck dumb with amazement, and when Lord Carnarvon, unable to stand the suspense any longer, inquired anxiously "Can you see anything?" it was all I could do to get out the words "Yes, wonderful things." * I remember feeling the kind of excitement Howard

2008 Buell XB12XT

2008 Buell XB12XT

> When Erik Buell added the Ulysses XT, re-focused for "adventure sport touring," to the range for 2008, we signed up to find out whether he had hit a Homer. I'll admit to some misgivings when I rode my first Ulysses, a factory-fresh 2007 XB12X. Aimed

2009 Piaggio BV Tourer 250

2009 Piaggio BV Tourer 250

> Smack dab in the middle of the scooter-displacement range, Piaggio's BV Tourer 250 blends the traits of the smaller, lightweight machines so popular in Europe and Asia with the bigger road-burners found in the US. First introduced in 2006, the BV250 is virtually unchanged for 2009 -