RoadRUNNER September/October 2003
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Shamrock Tour
Shamrock Tour®: Port Jervis, New York
Only a few hours west of the frenetic streetscapes of New York City lonely passages twist through three sets of mountains – the Catskills, the Poconos, and the Kittatinny Ridge. We blew into Jersey's portion of the Big Apple's sprawl, hopped on two Ducatis, and fled the urban mess as fast as possible – which often approaches blinding speeds...
National Tours
Idaho
Standing in Idaho City's dirt-lined, deserted Main Street, it's tough to imagine how it was 140 years ago. With more people than Portland and over 250 thriving businesses, it was a bawdy, lusty town where whisky was cheaper than water – and life cheaper still. Why did more than 12,000 (mostly) men rush to this nascent – and very temporary...
Southern Arizona
Few places on earth offer more diversity. One moment I'm sweating bullets and then, less than an hour later at times, I've pulled over, teeth chattering, to hurriedly button the jacket liner into my shell so I can stuff my fingertips back in my gloves before they turn blue. Northeast out of Phoenix, the elevation is 1,000 feet and the temperature is...
Coastal Maine
Frosted with whitecaps, the cold sea reflects a slate-gray sky streaked with silver. The horizon has been lost. Looking east across the North Atlantic, my eyes gaze into infinity as the wind whips the tang of salted air into my nostrils. I turn up the thermostat on my Aerostich jacket liner – the day is cold and the damp air permeates everything....
International Destinations
Canada: Alcan 5000
Routine city riding is not the recommended training regimen for motorcyclists planning to take on the Great White North in the Alcan 5000....
France, Limousin: Saints and Sinners
Empty country roads, cultural treasures, deep green forests and waving meadows were some of the highlights of my tour through Limousin. But on a trip like this, you also have to be prepared for encounters with knights and nobility, saints, and quite a few sinners....
Riding Impressions
Suzuki SV650S & SV1000S
For 2003, Suzuki has sent some hot V2 irons into the fray for the sport crown. The S models of their SV line, available in 650 and 1000cc configurations, have the looks to win over a lot of happy customers. RR tried them out to see what more there is than meets the eye....
Aprilia Tuono & Kawasaki Z1000
For those who demand a comfortable riding position and still expect performance, Aprilia and Kawasaki offer two exciting sport bikes with high-mounted handlebars. We tested the new Tuono and the Z1000 on California back roads and freeways....
KTM 950
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Wolfgang Puck, Wiener Schnitzel, Apfelstrudel and Red Bull are probably the most recognized Austrian ”products“ in the US. But there is another great Austrian creation – KTM – well known in the motocross world, but not as widely recognized for their street or dual sport bikes, including the LC 4, Adventure...
BMW R1150R Rockster
BMW's boxer models are quite popular, and the GS, GS Adventure, RS, RT, and R of the 1150cc range are highly regarded as great touring and all-round bikes. Each of them typifies BMW comfort. This year another thrilling theme was added to the Bavarian brand's boxer lineup. They call it the R1150R Rockster....
Chronicles
City Portrait: Seattle's Coffee Culture
Two events herald my approach to Seattle from the north on Interstate 5. First, the ominous coalescence of scattered clouds quickens as I'm leaving the Olympic Mountains' rain shadow, proof that Seattle's soggy reputation is richly deserved. Second, the smattering of cars turns into a packed, four-lane steel stampede as I approach Everett, Seattle's...
Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School - Riding Skills Series
The Line is something that racers, and even street riders who take their riding seriously, are forever looking for and striving to improve. At the Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School we don't believe that there is only one correct line. Watch videotapes of Schwantz throughout his career and you'll see he often made use of unconventional lines allowed by the...
