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Honda VFR1200F DCT Tour Test / Sport Touring 101

by Greg Drevenstedt - Road Test Editor, Rider Magazine · August 29, 2010
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On Hwy. 1 at Sonoma Coast State Beach For the October 2010 issue of Rider, I wrote a test of the 2010 Honda VFR1200F DCT. We’ve reported on the VFR several times this year, first from the bike’s press introduction in Japan, then a test of the standard model and finally a test of the dual-clutch transmission (DCT) model, outfitted with accessories saddlebags, top trunk, windscreen deflector, heated grips and centerstand. As is often the case, particularly when we take a bike on the road for several days, we end... [Read the full story]

Sport-Touring

Rider Magazine Blog Sport-touring

Honda VFR1200F DCT Tour Test / Sport Touring 101

by Greg Drevenstedt - Road Test Editor, Rider Magazine · August 29, 2010
Leave a Comment 

On Hwy. 1 at Sonoma Coast State Beach For the October 2010 issue of Rider, I wrote a test of the 2010 Honda VFR1200F DCT. We’ve reported on the VFR several times this year, first from the bike’s press introduction in Japan, then a test of the standard model and finally a test of the dual-clutch transmission (DCT) model, outfitted with accessories saddlebags, top trunk, windscreen deflector, heated grips and centerstand. As is often the case, particularly when we take a bike on the road for several days, we end... [Read the full story]

Standards

Rider Magazine Blog Standards

I Get It

by Robert Pandya · January 29, 2010
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I get it. I understand how a cruiser rider simply can’t understand why you would ride a sportbike. Why a dirt bike guy thinks that cruiser is just a boat anchor with wheels. Why the guy who owns a BMW 1200 Cruiser thinks the guy on the Moto Guzzi is weird. Why one track day guy will discount another based simply on his tread wear pattern. [Read the full story]  Read More →

Touring

Rider Magazine Blog Touring

New Honda Gold Wing News

by Mark Tuttle - Editor, Rider Magazine · May 12, 2010
19 Comments 

When Honda announced it was ceasing motorcycle production at its Marysville, Ohio plant in 2009 so that it could consolidate building bikes at a new factory in Kumamoto, Japan, once over the shock we started speculating what that might mean for the motorcycles produced at Marysville, specifically the Gold Wing GL1800. We recently pow-wowed with a couple guys in the know at Big Red, and they cleared up some of the mystery for us. [Read the full story]  Read More →

Cruiser

Rider Magazine Blog Cruiser

New Honda Gold Wing News

by Mark Tuttle - Editor, Rider Magazine · May 12, 2010
19 Comments 

When Honda announced it was ceasing motorcycle production at its Marysville, Ohio plant in 2009 so that it could consolidate building bikes at a new factory in Kumamoto, Japan, once over the shock we started speculating what that might mean for the motorcycles produced at Marysville, specifically the Gold Wing GL1800. We recently pow-wowed with a couple guys in the know at Big Red, and they cleared up some of the mystery for us. [Read the full story]  Read More →

Dual-Sport

Rider Magazine Blog Dual Sport

Adventure GearLab 10: Giant Loop Fandango Tank Bag

by Greg Drevenstedt - Road Test Editor, Rider Magazine · August 29, 2010
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In the June issue of Rider, Arden “Knobbie” Kysely gave a rave review to a set of Giant Loop Great Basin Saddlebags. As luck would have it, a set of those saddlebags showed up at our office along with a Giant Loop Fandango Tank Bag. I had just exhausted the possibilities of lashing various non-dual-sport-oriented saddlebags and tank bags to my Kawasaki KLR650 for a 3-day ride in the Mojave Desert (click here to see photo gallery). The Great Basin Saddlebags and Fandango Tank Bag were a cinch to install, and they fit... [Read the full story]

Vintage

Rider Magazine Blog Vintage

Vintage Motorcycles at the Reagan Library

by Donya Carlson - Senior Managing Editor, Rider Magazine · August 13, 2010
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I recently visited the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California, to see its “Born to be Wild” collection of 40 vintage and celebrity motorcycles. This display is definitely worth checking out, and runs through November 9, 2010. The exhibit chronicles the history and culture of motorcycling, and there’s a wide variety of motorcycles to view. Curator Andrew Wulf gave me a tour of the exhibit, which will be in an upcoming video on www.ridermagazine.com. The exhibit is separated into three sections: Harley-Davidson, vintage,... [Read the full story]

New & Cool Gear

UltraGard Motorcycle Cover to Support Breast Cancer Research

BBP Breast Cancer Awareness Motorcycle CoverCOVER YOUR TA-TAS. To encourage early detection, network support and a cure for breast cancer, Big Bike Parts has teamed up with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. BBP has created a Limited Edition UltraGard Motorcycle Cover to help raise funds to support breast cancer research. This Limited Edition cover will be available in Medium Street/Cruiser Cover ($39.99) , Large Cruiser Cover with expandable windshield and sissy bar pockets ($49.99) and Large Touring Cover ($49.99). These Supporting The Cause covers are pink over charcoal with a pink ribbon noting your support. Big Bike Parts will donate $5.00 from each purchase to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

For more information, visit www.bigbikeparts.com

Kawasaki Performance Oils

Kawasaki Performance OilsSLIP SLIDIN’ AWAY. Comprised of the latest formulations of superior quality lubricants and specifically engineered to Kawasaki’s highest standards, the new Kawasaki Performance Oils line includes full-synthetic, semi-synthetic and mineral based formulations in multiple grades of motorcycle oils, plus new ATV/UTV and PWC formulations. This is not a simple re-branding of the old product, but an entirely new lineup of super quality modern powersport engine oils. In accordance with strict Kawasaki guidelines, significant improvements have been made across the entire line.

For more information, see your nearest Kawasaki dealer.

Motorsports Films

Motorsports FilmsNEED FOR SPEED. If you’re hooked on watching motorsports on TV, then here’s your pusher. Motorsportsfilms.com features a comprehensive collection of the best motorcycle DVDs from around the world. Titles include Isle of Man TT 2009, ISDE 2009, Endurocross 2009, World Superbike 2009, MX of Nations 2009 and many more, including automotive titles. Try before you buy with previews of the best-selling shows. Navigation and checkout are fast and easy, plus shipping is FREE for all U.S. orders. The site has been designed to be easily searched and checkout is configured to be quick and direct. All major credit cards are accepted, as is PayPal, and Google Checkout. Follow Motorsportsfilms.com on Twitter and Facebook for the latest releases, discount codes and more.

For more information, visit www.motorsportsfilms.com

Gear Lab

Adventure GearLab 10: Giant Loop Fandango Tank Bag

Giant Loop Fandango Tank BagIn the June issue of Rider, Arden “Knobbie” Kysely gave a rave review to a set of Giant Loop Great Basin Saddlebags. As luck would have it, a set of those saddlebags showed up at our office along with a Giant Loop Fandango Tank Bag. I had just exhausted the possibilities of lashing various non-dual-sport-oriented saddlebags and tank bags to my Kawasaki KLR650 for a 3-day ride in the Mojave Desert (click here to see photo gallery). The Great Basin Saddlebags and Fandango Tank Bag were a cinch to install, and they fit perfectly. And their bright yellow color matched a traffic warning sticker that I had just pasted on the KLR’s front fairing that says “student driver” in Thai! Read the rest of Adventure GearLab 10: Giant Loop Fandango Tank Bag »

Twist of the Wrist II DVD

Twist of the Wrist II DVDOne of my first assignments for Rider was to attend and review the California Superbike School. My palms got sweaty and my chest tightened at the prospect of riding an unfamiliar sportbike on an unfamiliar racetrack for two days and interviewing the legendary Keith Code. I hadn’t even ridden on a track before! That proved to be a pivotal experience for me. After years of learning to ride through trial and error, Code and his coaches took the mystery out of cornering by breaking it down into a simple—though not necessarily easy—step-by step process. Read the rest of Twist of the Wrist II DVD »

ContourHD1080p Helmet Camcorder

ContourHD1080p helmet camcorderOne thing a helmet cam has to be is simple to use, and the ContourHD1080p has that down. This rugged little tube of anodized aluminum starts recording when you slide the long top switch forward and stops when you slide it back. It’s easy to do with gloved hands and built-in stops at either end let you know the job is done correctly. Two small lasers beams let you align the lens to ensure horizontal shooting. Believe me, tilted helmet cam videos are something you’ll only watch once. The lens rotates 192 degrees to compensate for pretty much any mounting situation. Read the rest of ContourHD1080p Helmet Camcorder »