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Dads, Lads and See-through Motorcycles

by Robert Pandya · November 20, 2009
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My old man is a Doctor (retired now) and never shared any mechanical fascination with me. He treated the family car and the lawnmower with the same sense of utility to get a job done. They didn’t have to be pretty or the hottest thing on the market; in fact, he has never cared about such things. His passion was his work, and he was really good at that. It occurred to me once as he toured me through his hospital that he really is a mechanical guy – but completely through biology as he explained how lungs worked, heart... [Read the full story]

Sport-Touring

Rider Magazine Blog Sport-touring

Animal Crossing

by Greg Drevenstedt - Road Test Editor, Rider Magazine · August 28, 2009
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About a year ago, I rode a Triumph Speed Triple on a 400-mile test loop for our liter-class sport-standard comparison (“Sport Science,” Rider, December 2008). The previous day I had ridden a Kawasaki Z1000, and the following day I would ride a Yamaha FZ1, on the same loop. Reviewing my notes recently, I came across this: “Several squirrels ran out in front of me, and I almost hit a bird with my faceshield at [censored] mph. This has been a recurring theme. I’ve encountered more animals in the past year than ever... [Read the full story]

Standards

Rider Magazine Blog Standards

Animal Crossing

by Greg Drevenstedt - Road Test Editor, Rider Magazine · August 28, 2009
5 Comments 

About a year ago, I rode a Triumph Speed Triple on a 400-mile test loop for our liter-class sport-standard comparison (“Sport Science,” Rider, December 2008). The previous day I had ridden a Kawasaki Z1000, and the following day I would ride a Yamaha FZ1, on the same loop. Reviewing my notes recently, I came across this: “Several squirrels ran out in front of me, and I almost hit a bird with my faceshield at [censored] mph. This has been a recurring theme. I’ve encountered more animals in the past year than ever... [Read the full story]

Touring

Rider Magazine Blog Touring

Goldie and Me

by Greg Drevenstedt - Road Test Editor, Rider Magazine · October 15, 2009
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For Christmas last year, I got a shiny new motorcycle: a dark red 2009 Honda Gold Wing GL1800. Like any excited kid, I played with my new toy almost nonstop and I wasn’t inclined to share it with anyone else. But since it was a test bike, I did have to share it, and eventually I had to give it back. We shared some good times, Goldie and me, with the odometer climbing from 837 to 10,500 during our 10-month friendship. [Read the full story]  Read More →

Cruiser

Rider Magazine Blog Cruiser

Adventure Cruising

by Robert Pandya · November 4, 2009
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Having access to too many bikes can be a burden. The problem is that no matter what bike you are on, you will see a country road that would be great to explore, a highway that will get you there faster or a dirt track that looks like it heads up that mountain. The problem is you are on the wrong bike. The “right” bike is of course sitting in the garage, impatiently awaiting the next ride. On a recent trip from Houston to Austin I was on a bagger ideal for highways and winding byways. But somehow adventure... [Read the full story]

Dual-Sport

Rider Magazine Blog Dual Sport

2009 FirstGear Adventure Ride

by Mark Kincart · November 19, 2009
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September of 2008 marked the start of a new tradition at FirstGear. It was a crisp fall weekend in the mountains around Gunnison, Colorado, and three adventurous fellows—Dave Funk (Tucker Rocky), Greg Drevenstedt (Rider magazine) and myself—explored some of the back country. Gunnison, the cozy Rocky Mountain town that I call home, is the perfect launch site for an adventure ride. It’s close to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and innumerable roller-coaster roads with and without pavement. Dave, Greg and I... [Read the full story]

Vintage

Rider Magazine Blog Vintage

Avila Beach Concours D’Elegance (ABCDE)

by Clement Salvadori - Contributor, Rider Magazine · October 29, 2009
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These car guys are beginning to get it…motorcycles are an asset to any automotive show. First those Pebble Beach fellows allowed motorcycles in earlier this year, and now the Avila Beach crowd has done the same. On Sunday October 25th some two dozen magnificent examples of motorcycle art rolled on to the 18th green at California’s Avila Beach golf course, ranging in age from the truly antique to the heyday of the classics in the sixties and seventies. [Read the full story]  Read More →

New & Cool Gear

VholdR ContourHD1080p Helmet Cam

Vholdr 1080_helmet_webSHOOT LIKE A PRO. VholdR has released the ContourHD1080p, said to be the world¹s first helmet camera to shoot 1080p video and enable you to share it online. Four HD settings (1080p, 960p, and two at 720p), two frame rates (30 fps and 60 fps) and four configurable settings (metering, contrast, exposure and microphone gain) give you plenty of options. Use the provided software to upload and share your 1080p video with others. Easy to use with single button operation and dual lasers for alignment, the lightweight, water-resistant unit records up to 3 hours of 1080p video on a single charge. Yours for $329.99.
For more information, visit www.vholdr.com

Safe Ride LED Warning Light

Safe Ride_webSTOP! Motorists failing to recognize when motorcycles slow down in traffic can lead to dangerous collisions. Visibility is greatly increased with Safe Ride, a lighted early warning system for the back of your motorcycle. Its patented microprocessor-controlled G-force sensor activates a bright, strobing red LED to warn following vehicles that the motorcycle is decelerating before the brake light goes on. It works for any reduction of speed, including downshifts and throttle roll-offs. Safe Ride draws minimal power (170 milliamps), its LED can last up to 100,000 hours and it is fully water-, shock- and vibration-proof. Easy to install, prices start at $159.99.
Powersport Innovations, 17683 Summerlin Road, Fort Myers, Florida 33908; (239) 481-0274; www.powersportinnovations.com

Moto Mask Anti Fog Coating

Bike Brite antifog_bkgrd_webCLEAR AS A BELL. A fogged-up face shield is annoying and dangerous. Bike Brite¹s Moto Mask Anti Fog Coating fights fog on face shields, windscreens, goggles and glasses. The coating causes the fog to spread out and absorb into the invisible film. Moto Mask comes in a 4-oz spray bottle and is easily applied with any cloth. It can be applied to a dry or wet windscreen and be used on Plexiglas, Lexan, polycarbonate or acrylic. Price is $7.99; available in early 2010.
For more information, visit www.bikebrite.com or call (800) 927-4833

Gear Lab

Klim Dakar Pants

Crossover gear is what I cAK_Klimall motorcycle accessories that are designed for one kind of riding, but work well for another type as well. Klīm (pronounced clime) Dakar pants are a perfect example. Designed for off-road adventures, they make an excellent touring pant, too. Read the rest of Klim Dakar Pants »

Rotopax

RotopaxHave gas, will travel. But how to carry it? When the pioneers were crossing the American west in Conestoga wagons, the key to survival was water. Today, we can cross the same rugged country that challenged the pioneer spirit at a rate they never dreamed of. But doing so requires fuel. Read the rest of Rotopax »

Scorpion XDR Recon Gloves

Scorpion XDR Recon glovesGloves are curious items. Like other riding apparel, they typically offer protection, style and—if needed—warmth (few things make a ride as unpleasant and dangerous as numb, frozen hands). But unlike a jacket or helmet, gloves come between your hands and your motorcycle’s most essential controls: throttle, front brake lever and clutch lever. Therefore, fit and thickness necessary of materials are important considerations. Read the rest of Scorpion XDR Recon Gloves »