No matter how well organized a tour may be, there’s no way to truly predict the weather. This was especially true on a recent tour in the Adirondacks. Though the forecasters promised clear skies during the planning stages, those rosy prognostications quickly went south as I ventured north. Thankfully, part of the trip’s strategy involved […]

If motorcycle history interests you, then you’ll appreciate Gordon May’s Royal Enfield, The Legend Rides On. Tracing the history of the marque from its beginnings in Redditch, England, in the late 1800s, to the iconic Bullet model produced today in the modern, Chennai, India factory, this fine coffee-table book is packed with lush photography and […]

I guess the timing was perfect – Joe Rocket’s Speedmaster back protector arrived when I was doing a bit of soul searching about the level of protection I employ while riding. On a recent motorcycle trip in Europe, after noticing how many riders were including back protection as part of their normal routine, I decided […]

I always use BMG’s Rapido Gloves for my longer tours. Smooth on the inside, without any seams in the wrong places, they fit comfortably around my hands. BMG uses Grade-A semi-aniline leather with carbon leather molded knuckle protection. Strategically placed padding ensures good protection, and air vents at the fingertips provide suitable airflow. The thumb-and-forefinger […]

You’re way off the beaten path and your tire goes flat, potentially a nightmare situation for the unprepared. Plugs and patches will fix the offending flaw, but playing the inflation game can be a whole new experience in frustration. Now, there’s no reason to be caught flat-footed and infuriated when BestRest Products Cycle Pump can […]

Being out on the road does not mean your bike needs relentless exposure to the elements. When you’re snug in your room or tent, why should your faithful ride have to rough it? The folks at Dowco have a perfectly valid answer to that question in their Guardian® Ultralite™ Plus motorcycle cover. Yeah, we’ve all […]

As I spend months each year on the road, I’m always looking for the perfect three-season, waterproof, textile jacket. Recently, I think I found it. Made of 100-percent waterproof, 840-denier, Hypertex™ material, First Gear’s Jaunt jacket incorporates rain-beating features like fold-over, storm-proof pockets, and a rain gutter on the front flap. For warmer days, the […]

I was still a good hundred yards away when the turkey started across the road. No problem, I thought: it’ll see me and scram. It saw me alright, but decided it would try to outrun me instead. Turkeys aren’t known for their swiftness, and it was up against 110 horsepower. By then it was too […]

Step 1 – Start Out Modestly You’ve decided to try motorcycle camping, but please don’t go overboard by spending a lot of money on all of the latest camping equipment and planning a seven-day excursion for your first trip. On that first trip: (1) travel light – buy or borrow just enough equipment for a […]