About Motorcycles

Garmin zumo 660 GPS Review: How to Get Around Without Really Trying

2009-11-23T23:59:10Z

"When I get somewhere beautiful, somewhere complicated," American Borders author Carla King explains, "I put my maps away so I have a chance to get lost."

But as romantic as that concept sounds, last month's densely-packed appointments with Florence, Rome, Cortona, and Bologna meant I couldn't afford to get lost. So I contacted the folks at Garmin, who loaned me the zumo 660, their latest, greatest GPS unit that happens to be dedicated for motorcycle use.

How did the nav system-- loaded up with European maps-- perform aboard my borrowed Ducati SportClassic GT1000? Read my Garmin zumo 660 review to find out.

How to Plan a Motorcycle Trip

Cardo Scala Rider Q2 Multiset Bluetooth Helmet System Review

Midland BT2-D Bluetooth Helmet Intercom Review

How to Ride Safely in a Group of Motorcycles

How to Pack an Emergency & First Aid Kit

2009 Ducati SportClassic GT1000 Touring Review... Instant Classic?

Photos � Basem Wasef; click for review

Garmin zumo 660 GPS Review: How to Get Around Without Really Trying originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 23:59:10.

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Cardo Scala Rider Q2 Multiset Bluetooth Helmet System Review

2009-11-21T03:59:48Z

Perhaps the only possible downside of two-up touring through Tuscany-- a landscape graced with some of the most beautiful terrain on earth-- is not being able to point out those stunning visuals to your riding partner. Really, can you ever excitedly scream "Did you see that?!" too many times?

I spent about 570 miles testing Cardo's bluetooth system in Italy, and put in a few more hundred miles stateside so I could gauge the unit's cell phone, FM radio, and MP3 capabilities. See how it fared in this Cardo Scala Rider Q2 Multiset Bluetooth System Review.

Midland BT2 Bluetooth Helmet Review

Dainese Airstream Course D-Nect Bluetooth Helmet Review

MotoPoll: Is Cross-Helmet Chit-Chat Cool?

* Coincidentally, Cardo just made the news by announcing a distribution partnership with Polaris and Victory Motorcycles.
Photo � Cardo; click for review

Cardo Scala Rider Q2 Multiset Bluetooth Helmet System Review originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 03:59:48.

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2009 Ducati SportClassic GT1000 Touring Review... Instant Classic?

2009-11-20T21:36:31Z

Things change pretty quickly in the motorcycle world: when I tested a SportClassic GT1000 Touring model in Italy just two months ago, it and the '09 Multistrada were the only Ducatis set up for long-distance riding.

Since then, the new high-tech 2010 Multistrada 1200 has been revealed and the SportClassic GT1000 has been discontinued from the 2010 lineup, making my tester either obsolete or a sudden collector's item, depending on your level of optimism.

See how the bike fared in my 2009 Ducati SportClassic GT1000 Review, check out this photo gallery, and comment on whether or not you think this naked tourer will become a covetable commodity when the bike's remaining inventory has been moved off dealer lots.

2010 Ducati Multistrada Photo Gallery

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 796 Review

2009 Ducati Monster 1100S Review

2009 Ducati Streetfighter S Review

2008 Ducati Monster 696 Review

2008 Ducati 848 Review

Photos � Basem Wasef; click for review

2009 Ducati SportClassic GT1000 Touring Review... Instant Classic? originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 21:36:31.

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Erik Buell Sez "I'm Going Racing!"

2009-11-20T20:44:05Z

You may recall this two month-old image, immortalizing Buell rider Danny Eslick's clinching of the AMA Daytona Sportbike championship on an 1125R. Based on today's official statement from Harley-Davidson, Erik Buell appears to be hoping to create more triumphant moments by leaving the company to establish Erik Buell Racing, an "independent motorcycle race shop."

Offering race-only parts, competition-ready 1125R bikes, and technical support, Buell says "I'm looking forward to helping Buell racers keep their bikes flying," and that "We've got some exciting race development projects in the works and it will mean a lot to me personally to see Buell racers competing for wins and championships in the 2010 season and beyond." His new venture's website can be found at www.erikbuellracing.com.

As happy as I am for Erik Buell's racing endeavors, it would have been interesting to see how far he could take his street-legal motorcycle engineering and manufacturing. On the other hand, if Buells end up winning on Sunday, maybe there's a way they can sell on Monday... after all, anything is possible now that Erik Buell is now freed from his corporate responsibilities, right?

End of an Era: Last Buell Rolls off the Assembly Line

A Buyer's Guide to Bargain Basement 2010 Buell Motorcycles

Controversial Buell 1125R Wins AMA Daytona Sportbike Championship

Buell 1125R Review

Buell 1125R Photo Gallery

Buell XB12XT Review

Buell XB12XT Photo Gallery

Common Questions: What Does it Feel Like to Ride Buell's 1125R AMA Pro Daytona SportBike?

Photo � Buell; click to enlarge

Erik Buell Sez "I'm Going Racing!" originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 20:44:05.

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Ride Fast. Live Young. Tracks the Wild Times of Red Bull Rookie Cup Racers

2009-11-19T21:53:38Z

At last year's Grand Prix of Italy, I spent some downtime hanging with Red Bull Rookie racers Cameron Beaubier and future 2008 championship winner JD Beach, who were both as plucky as you'd expect teenage knee-draggers to be. When they raced later that day, the drama of 13 to 17 year-olds battling it out at speeds up to 140 mph was nothing less than intense. A few months later, the high stakes of the series were driven home when 14 year-old rider Toriano Wilson was fatally struck during a race following an accident at Virginia International Raceway.

Chronicling this year's Rookies Club competition from the perspective of the series' three American riders, a new eight-part web series called Ride Fast. Live Young. premieres tomorrow (Friday, November 20) on www.VBS.tv. This YouTube trailer gives you an idea of what to expect, and begs the question: would you encourage your kid to compete in a series intended to groom youngsters for the ultimate goal of MotoGP racing? Drop a line with your thoughts.

2008 Grand Prix of Italy at Mugello Photo Gallery

Photo � Gillim Solis for GEPA Pictures; click to enlarge

Ride Fast. Live Young. Tracks the Wild Times of Red Bull Rookie Cup Racers originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 21:53:38.

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2009 Ducati SportClassic GT 1000 Touring Photo Gallery: When in Rome...

2009-11-18T23:54:21Z

My recent visit to Italy to ride the Hypermotard 796 was pretty darn memorable, but it also turned out to be the perfect excuse to hop aboard another bike and sample more of Ducati's wares. So, after the launch I set out on a SportClassic GT 1000 Classic, in search of adventure.

You'd think Italians would be pretty blas� about their bikes. But as evidenced by this photo, a big-bore touring Duc is a big enough deal to warrant a posed photo among the locals... maybe it has something to do with the relentless sea of scooters?

Peep the SportClassic GT 1000 Touring in this photo gallery, and sit tight for a review.

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 796 Review

2009 Ducati Monster 1100S Review

2009 Ducati Streetfighter S Review

2008 Ducati Monster 696 Review

2008 Ducati 848 Review

Photos � Honda; click for Buyer's Guide

2009 Ducati SportClassic GT 1000 Touring Photo Gallery: When in Rome... originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 23:54:21.

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2010 KTM Street Buyer's Guide: "Strategic Price Realigning," Indeed!

2009-11-16T16:07:20Z

If you think big boys like Honda and Harley are having a tough go while consumers dither on discretionary purchases, imagine what smaller volume manufacturers like KTM are dealing with while the global recession bottoms out... not to mention the after-effects of the ban on kids' offroad bikes.

As mentioned in my 2010 KTM RC8 R review, the manufacturer's entire 2010 lineup was expected to receive a "strategic realigning" to make them more competitive. Well, KTM has finally released official pricing for their 2010 street lineup, and... uh... wow! For starters, the RC8, previously priced at $19,498, has dropped $3,000 to $16,498. The new, significantly uprated RC8 R is just $500 more than the old RC8, though you'll pay a premium for the badass special edition Red Bull and Akrapovic Edition RC8 Rs, which got slapped with $23,998 price tags.

See every KTM superbike, supermoto, naked bike, travel enduro, and dual sport (including new-for-2010 990 SM R and 990 SM T which I'll be reviewing soon) in this 2010 KTM Street Buyer's Guide, and comment on whether the new, lower pricing makes you more likely to shop KTM.

2010 KTM RC8 R Review: Austria's Superbike Sharpens its Focus

2010 KTM RC8 R Photo Gallery

Photos � KTM; click for Buyer's Guide

2010 KTM Street Buyer's Guide: "Strategic Price Realigning," Indeed! originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 16:07:20.

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Honda Confirms Five More 2010 Motorcycles... But Dude, Where's The CB1100?

2009-11-13T22:19:40Z

Honda has confirmed five more motorcycles for their 2010 lineup, but don't brace yourself-- the bike's aren't all-new groundbreakers like the much-ballyhooed VFR1200F. Among the 2010 announcements is the Sportster-like Shadow RS, the familiar ST1300 sport tourer, and three Fury chopper variants-- the Sabre, Stateline, and touring-equipped Interstate... but dude, where's the CB1100?

The naked, 1960s-inspired CB1100F concept and even sexier CB1100R rocked the scene back in 2007, and made another appearance at this year's Tokyo Motor Show. But we haven't heard a peep as to whether or not the bikes are destined for production, which only makes me pine for them more.

Check out the new 2010 models in this updated 2009/2010 Buyer's Guide, and drop a line if you-- like me-- would like to see the CB1100 come to fruition!

2009/2010 Honda Buyer's Guide

2007 Tokyo Motor Show Honda Motorcycles Revealed

Potentially Pricey Honda CB1100R Concept Stirs Desire, Debate

Retro-Styled Honda CB1100F, CB1100R, and Futuristic EVO6 Concepts Revealed!

Photos � Honda; click for Buyer's Guide

Honda Confirms Five More 2010 Motorcycles... But Dude, Where's The CB1100? originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 22:19:40.

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End of an Era: Last Buell Rolls Off the Assembly Line

2009-11-12T21:40:26Z

It's barely been a month since the shock announcement that Harley-Davidson is discontinuing Buell, and a final reminder of the now defunct brand was released today: this shot of the very last Buell-- a Lightning XB12Scg-- being rolled off the East Troy, Wisconsin assembly line.

26 years and 136,923 bikes after Erik Buell founded his company, Buell Motorcycles is no more. Will they rise from the ashes and get rescued by another corporate giant, or become a footnote in motorcycle history? What would you wish for Mr. Buell?

A Buyer's Guide to Bargain Basement 2010 Buell Motorcycles

Controversial Buell 1125R Wins AMA Daytona Sportbike Championship

Buell 1125R Review

Buell 1125R Photo Gallery

Buell XB12XT Review

Buell XB12XT Photo Gallery

Common Questions: What Does it Feel Like to Ride Buell's 1125R AMA Pro Daytona SportBike?

Photo � Buell; click to enlarge

End of an Era: Last Buell Rolls Off the Assembly Line originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 21:40:26.

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Disembodied, Diesel Helmet-Wearing "Quique" Character Makes Motorcycle Promos Fun Again

2009-11-12T03:41:36Z

There isn't a whole lot of innovation in the motorcycle ad industry these days. Sure, Harley made waves with their "Screw it, Let's Ride" campaign, but the marketing landscape is-- for the most part-- pretty drab.

But when I read our moderator Carrie's forum thread about a certain YouTube video depicting a helmeted, disembodied Argentinian dude by the name of "Quique," I discovered something refreshing. In contrast to this typically flashy promo that promotes the same product, the "Quique" video comes across as disarmingly different... even if it's not exactly your cup of tea.*

Diesel deserves kudos for producing a viral video that's more concerned with amusement than it is with the hard sell. Though gory stuff like this still makes me hesitant to wear anything less than a full-face helmet while I ride, at least I'm not likely to forget the story of "Quique" any time soon.

Sources: About.com Forum, YouTube, quiquethehead.com

* Which I experienced firsthand when I showed the video to my wife, who didn't see the humor in the piece... does that make me easily amused?

Screen Grab � Diesel

Disembodied, Diesel Helmet-Wearing "Quique" Character Makes Motorcycle Promos Fun Again originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 03:41:36.

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