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Classic Roads

Nevada’s Red Desert Jewel—Northshore Road

Not all beautiful motorcycling environments in America bristle with abundant plant life and teem with animals. The barren, rugged majesty of the desert makes for a charming ride as well. Northshore Road in southern Nevada is a unique one, even among the many great U.S. desert rides. Despite its

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Billings, Montana Shamrock Tour®: Exploring Montana’s Trailhead

"Is your bike running and in gear?” I said nervously to Luke, one hand on my camera and one hand on the clutch lever. We watched the grizzly make its way toward us, just a few feet away at this point. This was one of the many moments on

Destinations

Cuba, MO—Missouri’s Official Mural City

Many towns and cities along Route 66 boast some types of murals. But only one of them is officially dubbed the Mural City. That would be Cuba, MO. This small city of a bit over 3,000 residents sits in Crawford County, some 85 miles southwest from St. Louis. Since

Destinations

Visit the Route 66 Hall of Fame in Pontiac, IL

Hearing the words “Pontiac” and “Route 66” might bring to your mind images of cruising down the road in a luxurious American-made automobile. Pontiac, IL, might have nothing to do with the car marque, but the city is intricately linked to Route 66—for motorcyclists and car drivers alike. Well,

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Boring, OR—The Most Exciting Place to Visit

Booooooooooring! So you might think, but Boring, OR, is anything but boring. In fact, according to the town’s slogan, it’s the “the most exciting place to live.”  Alright, maybe that’s a bit of marketing hyperbole, but the sentiment stands. There’s plenty of fun stuff to see

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park—A Green Paradise

If you haven’t ridden in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park yet, what are you waiting for? Set time for a trip and get in the saddle, because you’re missing out. Covering 522,000 acres on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains National

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Understanding Motorcycle Engine Sizes and Power Dynamics

When considering a motorcycle’s performance, many riders focus on engine size, often expressed in cubic centimeters (cc). Engine displacement is certainly an important factor, but it alone does not directly determine how much power a motorcycle produces.  In this article, I will explore the nuances of engine displacement, power

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Ozarks: Coffee, Cuisine, and Cruising

I’ve spent my entire life in the Southwest. I’ve gone from growing up in northern Arizona to a brief stint in southern California and then to calling Colorado my home for the past decade. The thought of living anywhere near the South never crossed my mind. I mean,

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Buying Into Cool—The Mystique of Harley-Davidson

Destinations

The Birthplace of Route 66—Springfield, MO

Most riders would say Route 66 begins in Chicago (or Los Angeles, depending on your perspective). But although the Windy City is the road’s starting point, that’s not where it begins. To find the birthplace of Route 66, you’ll have to point your front wheel to Springfield,

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Mornings

“There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope.” —Bernard Williams Morning. When the day is fresh with promise. A clean canvas for life.  Motorcyclists universally enjoy mornings—they love rising early to ride. Whether it’s a spontaneous decision to go for a jaunt,

Columns

Motorcycle Airbag Vests: Your Inflatable Guardian

Gasp, screech, bang. If you hear that horrible series of sounds, you’re much better off in a car than on a motorcycle. At least in an automobile, you can rely on an airbag absorbing some of the impact. Honda put an on-board motorcycle airbag in the 2005 Gold Wing,

Classic Roads

Perfect Mountain Curves—Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway

The Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway (OHSB) is a tailor-made road for any motorcyclist on the prowl for curves and gorgeous forested mountain scenery. It’s not a very long road, but we’re talking about a serious “quality over quantity” situation here. This beautiful stretch of asphalt consists of an

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How to Find Reputable Motorcycle Reviews

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The Serpent of 62 and Other Great Roads Around Madison, IN

This is a story about a lifelong love of motorcycles and an appreciation for curves. It’s also a tale of how I was lucky enough to end up living in the midst of some of the best roads in the country.  Madison, IN, is known for a lot of

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Motorcycling Saved My Life

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The Evolution of Motorcycle Standardization

At the dawn of the 20th century—not long after their first documented invention in 1885—motorcycles had already taken on the classic characteristics that still shape them today. They had two wheels of relatively similar size, a frame, a centrally-mounted engine, the rider sat upright between the axles, and

Tips

How to Ship Motorcycles Within the US

To transport a motorcycle from point A to B, you would ideally hop in the saddle and ride to the destination. Sadly, that’s not always possible. Sometimes, you have to ship a bike, whether it’s for a fly-and-ride or you’re buying or selling a motorcycle. Shipping a

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Easy Rider: A Motorcycle Anthem of Rebellion That Changed Cinema Forever

Easy Rider was released to incredible fanfare in 1969. The movie made its director, Dennis Hopper, instantly famous, upended the trends of Hollywood, and altered the way studios conducted business—for a while anyway. Easy Rider was a low-budget film that broke from convention, confusing movie executives with its mostly

Destinations

Discover the Proud Route 66 History of Galena, KS

Back in its glory days, many small towns across America thrived on the steady flow of motorists on Route 66. Although the Mother Road is long gone, many of these places still hold on firmly to its legacy. One such place is Galena, KS. This small city of roughly 2,

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Interview with BMW Engineer Toni Decker

Toni Decker, born in 1963, joined BMW as a trainee in 1988 and started to work for the Bavarian manufacturer in 1990 as a design and project engineer. He is best known for being the project leader for the K-series of motorcycles. I sat down with Decker to ask him

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Pirelli-Metzeler Motorcycle Test Center

Most motorcyclists are familiar with the Italian island of Sicily as a vacation destination. In the off-season, Sicily’s mild temperatures, low-traffic roads, and spectacular landscapes tempt people to escape the Northern Hemisphere’s bad weather.  Some motorcycle companies have also recognized this and carry out their endurance runs and

Classic Roads

The Spine of Missouri—SR 19 in Mark Twain National Forest

You’ve ridden on the backs of dragons and demons but how about an entire state? That’s what you can do on SR 19, also called the Spine of Missouri. Well, I know at least one rider who has called it that. It’s a good and appropriate name,

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Italy and Slovenia: Carving Through the Limestone Giants

The Dolomites are probably the most beautiful mountain range where you can ride a motorcycle to an extensive degree. But how far can you stretch the ride? Is it possible to see all faces of the range over a single tour? Entering Italy from the north, it would be hard

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Explore the Jemez Mountain on Jemez Scenic Byway

This classic route combines New Mexico’s stunning western scenery with curvy mountain roads and fascinating historical sites. SR 4 is my favorite portion of the longer Jemez Scenic Byway.  This route is a surefire recipe for exciting both the senses and sensibilities. Although the designated route is just 90