Tours

May/Jun '24

South Dakota: Black Hills BDR-Xtended

Flashback to grade school photos of Mount Rushmore in my history book, and I was infatuated instantly. It’s a striking monument, carved from dense granite into an elegant display of our nation’s leaders. Even as a kid with no understanding of how this marvel came to be, I

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The Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway

Appearing in opaque shades of blue, bluish green, green, and yellowish green, turquoise is a mineral that has been a treasured gemstone for thousands of years. The stone’s value derives from its use in jewelry and other decorative applications. It is usually found in dry climates, which is why

Travel Guide

10 US Riding Destinations with Bizarre Names

Some riding destinations in North America have evocative, awe-inspiring names, like the Blue Ridge Parkway or the Sea to Sky Highway. The names for some other places are… Less so. Many locations in the U.S. have decidedly mind-boggling names. But that makes them worth taking your bike to—if

Destinations

Destination: Lynchburg, TN

Riding south from Nashville, TN, takes you through some of the most picturesque green rolling hills on this side of the Mississippi. Before long, you’ll find yourself in Lynchburg, one of the region’s cute small towns that makes for a perfect lunch stop while riding. While it may

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El Camino del Diablo—A Baptism of Fire

El Camino del Diablo, or the Devil’s Highway, has earned its ominous name. This Native American and pioneer trail snakes through the formidable Sonoran and Yuma Deserts in Arizona, uniting Ajo to Yuma amidst the Tinajas Altas Mountains. During our ride through the devilish road, our friends Beth and

Classic Roads

The Mother of All Roads: Historic Route 66

Some roads are famous. Others are legendary. And then there’s Route 66. Really, I see little point in writing this piece—you probably already love Route 66. It would be hard to overstate just how important the Mother Road is to American motorists, whether they hit the pavement on

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Japan—40 Years Later

In October 1984, I took the Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo to Hiroshima, totally unprepared for what became a three-year adventure of living in Japan. In October 2023, almost 39 years to the day after my first arrival, I got off the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Okayama. This time, I

Mar/Apr '24 Premium Content

Germany and Austria: The Walk of Fame

Sadly, you can celebrate a centenary only once every 100 years. I’m saying that because one could get used to high-class events like BMW’s 100th anniversary tour in the German and Austrian Alps. The three-day 100 Years of BMW Motorrad Anniversary Tour went from Munich to the Grossglockner

Mar/Apr '24 Premium Content

Red Rock Canyon Scenic Loop

The Red Rock Canyon Scenic Loop stretches for 13 miles through its eponymous canyon, just west of Las Vegas. The one-way road curves its way through the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, which encompasses nearly 200,000 acres within the Mojave Desert. Look At Those Rocks! What sets Red

Alaska Premium Content

Alaska: Exploring the Kenai Peninsula

Alaska is a bucket-list type of place and, motorcycle or not, it’s been on ours for many years. The Last Frontier is filled with nearly endless gorgeous mountain ranges, giant creeping glaciers, deep picturesque bays, and wildlife that can’t be found in the lower 48 states. It’s

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Florida’s Green Mountain Scenic Byway

The Green Mountain Scenic Byway is a 36-mile series of roads in central Florida that showcases the state’s history, culture, and natural beauty. Close enough to Orlando for easy access, yet far enough away to escape the theme park hustle and bustle, the roads and landscapes can make you

Destinations

The Wickedest Town in the West—Jerome, AZ

Motorcyclists riding into Jerome, AZ, can expect this small, charming mountain town to get the good times rolling as soon as you arrive. Had your visit taken place some 120 years earlier, though, you may not have received such a warm welcome. At the time, Jerome had the dubious honor

Classic Roads

A Bucket List Road—The Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway plows through the longest linear park in the U.S., stretching over 469 miles from near Waynesboro, VA, to US 441 in North Carolina along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Those hundreds of miles include some of the most stunning views you can find in all of

Mar/Apr '24 Premium Content

Fredericksburg, Texas Shamrock Tour®

At the heart of every great Shamrock Tour® is a vibrant hub to call home. I’m often so excited to swing a leg over my bike that I rarely think about what I’ll do when I swing it back. That’s why Fredericksburg is the perfect destination. Texas

Roundtrip Tour Premium Content

A Mindful South American Journey

As motorcycle enthusiasts, we must acknowledge that our passion for nature and adventure has a significant environmental impact. However, selling our bikes isn't the solution. This journey through Chile and Argentina aims to describe both epic adventures and simple acts with the potential to create a positive impact.

Travel Guide

10 Things To Do On Your Next Ride in Bloomington, Indiana

Just 50 miles south of Indianapolis, you’ll find a vibrant university town with youthful energy. Bloomington, IN, might not be the first place you think of when planning your next motorcycle tour, but for many in the Midwest, it’s a charming spot for a long weekend getaway—complete

Classic Roads

Gold and Antiques: California SR 49

Locals and historians call California SR 49 the Golden Chain Highway. It runs north to south and is in the middle of the state on the western side of the Sierra. Touring it is another excuse to see the area around Yosemite National Park. Technically, SR 49 starts in the

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Tuscan Tryst: Exploring Europe with a Zavorrina

Lesa and I have always traveled unconventionally. We began married life with an eight-month backpacking honeymoon adventure that included renting a BMW K 75 in Sydney and heading up into Australia’s Blue Mountains with a tent strapped on the back. We often joke that we’ve been on t

Destinations

Tennessee’s Oldest Town—Jonesborough

It’s pop quiz time! If you heard the name “Jonesborough,” how would you spell it? Whether you’d go for “Jonesborough” or “Jonesboro,” you’d be correct either way. The town has been officially known by both names over the years. And there are quite a few of those

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Ride The Beautiful Texas Bluebonnet Trail

Pardon my waxing poetic for a moment, but the Texas bluebonnet season is like life—it’s a beautiful affair that’s over far too quickly. That’s precisely why you should grab your handlebars and motor to the Bluebonnet Trail to enjoy both life and the flowers while they

Mar/Apr '24 Premium Content

Idaho Cold Plunges and Hot Springs

It was an idea from the bikepacking world. Our non-motorized riding ancestors developed the Idaho Hot Spring Mountain Bike Route,  consisting of mountain bike trails and forest service roads to create a 500-mile loop around a concentrated area of geothermal activity in northern Idaho. Since the route is for bicycles,

Destinations

Where the Trek Begins—Riverside, IA

Exploration and discovery are among the biggest drivers that drag motorcyclists to the road. There’s just something about finding a new place you’ve never seen before, especially if you found it by accident. Riverside, IA, is a small city famous for being the birthplace of a great explorer—

Mar/Apr '24

City Escape: Grand Junction, Colorado

When visiting Grand Junction, CO, do not miss the opportunity to ride this stunning loop through the Colorado National Monument. Red rock monoliths and infinite views will cause severe rider conflict. Will you ride the perfect twisty pavement or stop and take in the surreal views? Colorado National Monument contains

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Baja California—Monkey Business

With the picnic tables dotted among the ponderosa trees of Arizona long gone, we rode onto what looks like a nose-diving dragon—775 miles in body and 200 miles in girth—from Mexicali in the north to Cabo San Lucas in the south. The Baja peninsula, or Baja California, is

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Explore the Northern Rainforests—Olympic Peninsula Loop

The Olympic Peninsula in Washington State marks the most northwestern reaches of the contiguous U.S. It sports some of the most majestic sights in the country, from the rocky seaside to tranquil mountaintops and the depths of the rainforests. It comes as a surprise to some, but many of