Motorcycle Culture
Two August Agustas
Early morning light bathes the seductively shaped sculptures in warm radiance. Curvaceous bodywork, distinctively flared fuel tanks, brilliant red paint and the assertive thrust of those symmetric silencers denote great style and speed. The marque badges, with their iconic lettering, simply proclaim the obvious: MV Agusta....
THE DOCTOR'S NOTES by Dr. Gregory Frazier
A Brazilian Honda rider was left with a broken right leg after taking a beating from robbers in Panama. Adding to his misery two weeks later, he crashed while riding in Colombia when he passed out from pain. His next two weeks were spent sprawled on a hospital bed, in a coma.Leading up to that, the poor guy had rigged a leg rest for his leg cast on...
New Kymco Models
Now that gas prices have smashed through the roof, interest in alternative transportation is soaring sky-high too. For a company like Kymco, known for economical and reliable scooters, those circumstances have created the perfect opportunity to go all in and ride to the rescue....
The 2008 Triumph Urban Sport Models
It’s not often that motorcycle manufacturers choose to debut their latest models on the east coast. So when Triumph asked if we’d be interested in joining the coming-out party for their latest Urban Sports models in the Great Smoky Mountains, our response was immediately affirmative....
The Centenary Isle of Man TT
In the film It's a Wonderful Life, George Bailey says the three most wonderful sounds in the world are "airplane engines, train whistles and anchor chains." You won't catch me arguing with that sentiment, but of course I need to add one other sound that intimates a promise of places unknown: motorcycle engines. And while I'm at it, why not hoof clops...
2007 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction
Take one motorcycle museum, mix in a Hall of Fame induction ceremony and host a vintage motorcycle display, and you're all set for a weekend of motorcycle nostalgia, social networking, and reminiscence....
Motorcyclist Down!
Every time I see a motorcyclist spread-eagled on the pavement or hear about a fatal crash, I ask myself whether this pastime I love so much is worth the attendant risks. There's no doubt that safe riding skills can substantially reduce the probability of having accidents, but they can't eliminate the risks. This is where protective riding gear comes...
Motorcycles – Hobby or Passion?
At a dinner party recently a friend introduced me to a woman sitting near me at the table."Dave's hobby is motorcycles," he said."Well, I wouldn't put it that way," I immediately replied, without thinking."Oh, how would you put it?" the woman asked as we shook hands.This had me stumped for a few seconds. I hadn't really given it any thought. It just...
Best Western and Harley-Davidson Reward Riders
One of the curious things about traveling by motorcycle (and particularly by Harley-Davidson) is the mixed bag of perceptions and receptions that one encounters along the way. Some friendly folks stride right over before you even have time to kill the ignition and eagerly chat you up about where you've been, where you're going, and what kind of bike...
Peter Calles's Magnificent Obsession
As a nationally and internationally recognized collector, former amateur racer, and daily motorcycle commuter, Peter Calles is living his dream. A total of 17 exotic Italian models and other vintage machines are on display throughout Peter's house, located in suburban Washington, DC, and another 10 timeless rides occupy the garage, turning his residence...
