RoadRUNNER September/October 2007
Shamrock Tour
Shamrock Tour®: Tupelo, Mississippi
Yesterday's soupy clouds have dissolved in Mississippi blues. Nearby, two boys playing tag dart past, disappearing around a signal corner – one side of the shotgun shack in which Elvis Aaron Presley entered this world on January 8, 1935. As their shouting fades the sound of rustling leaves returns. Resting in the shade of the trees under that...
National Tours
Mountain Magic
As many people live in California as in the whole of Canada, so you'd expect the state to be pretty crowded. And around the major conurbations that's certainly true. But much of the Golden State's northern territory is wild, mountainous, thinly populated, and etched with roads that are just right for riding. Like the ones you find at the northern end...
Along the Trans-America Trail
When we landed this assignment, I couldn't have told you why taking a trip across America on the "worst" possible roads sounded so appealing. Maybe it's because off-road riding doesn't even exist back home, in densely populated Germany. Or perhaps it's because we've learned on other trips that we more often meet the authentic characters of this world...
Kansas
For motorcyclists, tours on mountain roads have their obvious joys: there's beauty in the scenery and passion in the pavement. When you're riding the serpentines of twisty highways and climbing through passes, every moment on a bike is unavoidably invigorating. But having toured so many mountain roads, I came to wonder what a journey would be like in...
International Destinations
Eastern Europe: For the Children of Chernobyl
With the dissolution of that old ideological barrier known as the Iron Curtain, travel restrictions have eased and Western bikers now enjoy much greater access to the roads in Eastern Europe. Even so, a tour of Ukraine and Belarus doesn't yet qualify as a care-free adventure, especially when your travel plans include a visit to Chernobyl. But going...
British Columbia's Hot Springs
When explorer David Thompson of the Northwest Company was mapping the Columbia River in 1811, he liked nothing better at the end of a hard day's travel than to relax in one of the many hot springs lining his route in what was later to become British Columbia....
Canada: Nova Scotia, A Seaside Sojourn in the Maritimes
I have traveled around the globe. I have seen the Canadian and American Rockies, the Andes, the Alps and the Highlands of Scotland, but for simple beauty, Cape Breton outrivals them all!– Alexander Graham Bell...
Riding Impressions
2007 Victory Vision
There's always risk involved when launching a new motorcycle. That's especially true when the model unveiled falls squarely in the upper ranges of the luxury-touring segment. Only a few high-stakes players can sit at that table, and their fan base is very well defined and often fiercely loyal. So, entering this realm is a huge gamble. But when you've...
2007 BMW G 650 X Model Series
It wasn't so long ago that a BMW was considered your father's motorcycle, conservatively styled, quiet, and a little square – the tweed jacket of the motorcycle world. And although understated competence still generates some appeal, the cool contingent wants more pizzazz from today's fast-paced market, and they won't look twice at anything that...
2007 Yamaha YZF-R1
Place the tip of your thumb and forefinger three millimeters apart. That's about 1/10 of an inch, and how much Yamaha engineers raised the rear swingarm pivot on the 2007 YZF-R1. Chew on that for a second – not 2mm, not 4mm, but 3mm, to reduce chain tension under power. That's just one instance of the continuous refinement characterizing the 2007...
Honda NSS250A Reflex®
I'd be lying if I said working for RoadRUNNER wasn't a great gig. Riding motorcycles for a living is a terrific way to make a buck. But the traveling and great events are only part of the equation. I'm still expected to meet deadlines and show up at the office. And though the routine there isn't at all exceptional, nonetheless I feel fortunate because,...
Chronicles
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...
When The Pavement Ends
If you do enough motorcycle touring in North America, sooner or later you'll end up where the tarmac turns to dirt. Though it may be just a break in the highway for construction, or a side road leading to your campsite, you'll need to modify your riding technique to stay upright, especially when surface conditions change – as they almost certainly...
Product Reviews
Spidi JK Ladies Textile Jacket
When it comes to women's jackets, they have to look stylish, but at the same time they have to offer good protection. Worn on or off the bike, the Spidi JK Ladies Textile Jacket, made of soft but strong Tactel®, has more than enough Italian flair to fit in almost anywhere. The high-tenacity 6.6 nylon and breathable Flex Tenax material underarm enhances...
Joe Rocket Alter Ego Jacket and Pants
My first motorcycle jacket was a Joe Rocket Ballistic purchased in 1998. Bright yellow Rock Tex™, it felt sturdier than anything that I had previously owned and got me through my first season of wobbling.Much has changed since then – I wobble less – but Joe Rocket still strives to make stylish, value-priced gear. The aptly-named Alter...
Olympia Voyager Sport Touring Jacket
Olympia's Voyager Sport Touring Jacket has a unique waist-length design, perfect for riding enduro motorcycles. The Voyager also outperforms most other jackets in versatility. The outer shell is constructed with coated 500- and 2000-denier Dupont™ Cordura®, a breathable membrane that also adds double-waterproof protection. The inner layer...
LDComfort Undergarments
With long distances to be covered, riding in the right underwear is as crucial a consideration as the motorcycle ridden. And LDComfort is trying its best, with advanced fabric engineering, to ensure that their customers can stay seated comfortably for a whole day's ride. Offering a nice alternative for those long hauls, their lightweight, high-performance...
Vanson Traveler Pants
In protective riding garments, leather may always be the material of choice. But while ex-cows may be tops in abrasion resistance, their hides leave a lot to be desired when it comes to breathable characteristics. And when you live in the South or find yourself at the sun's mercy in any other area, that can be a real issue. Enter Vanson's Traveler Pants,...
Gaerne G-RT Aquatech Touring Boots
It's only when you're thoroughly waterlogged that you truly appreciate the notion of being waterproof. On a recent, quite memorable trip from RoadRUNNER's world headquarters in North Carolina to Lake George for Americade, it rained in every way imaginable from my driveway until I finally called it quits in Pennsylvania. Through it all, the only pieces...
Nolan N102 N-Com Helmet
The list of features on Nolan's new state-of-the-art helmet is impressive, including a pivoting chin bar with a stainless-steel, one hand operable latching mechanism; a retractable sun shield; a quick-release chin strap with velour padding; chin curtain and neck roll to reduce wind noise; a built-in spoiler for increased stability; innovative, top and...
Shoei Multitec Helmet
There's no denying the convenience of the flip-front helmet. Unfortunately, the design that makes them so appealing also fosters increased wind noise and often compromises that nice, snug feel. The folks at Shoei recognized these shortcomings and set out to make a better flip. And boy, did they score big with the Multitec. The main issue with all helmets...
Dowco Guardian WeatherAll Plus Motorcycle Cover Guardian Motorcycle Cover Alarm
About the only way to improve upon Dowco's Guardian Weatherall Plus motorcycle cover would be to add an automated "bike detail" function that could wash, wax, and polish the ride while you rest easy on your couch watching The Long Way Round. The heavy-duty polyester cover is treated with tape-sealed seams, ClimaShield® Plus waterproof fabric protection...
Garmin Zumo 550 GPS
Built specifically for motorcyclists, the new Garmin Zumo 550 has many useful features for navigating in town or across North America. Text- and voice-guided instructions provide riders with turn-by-turn directions to their destinations, and the touch screen is bright and clearly readable in daylight and easily manipulated with gloves on. With the Zumo...
OGIO Metroid Backpack
Businesswomen and men, students, or anyone who likes to be super organized will certainly appreciate OGIO's Metroid backpack. It comes outfitted with 10 pockets, holds a volume of 2,250 cubic inches (36.8 liters), and weighs only 3.25 pounds. Laptop-toters have a side-entry, padded sleeve to use, which fits most 15" laptops, and a front pocket with...
