I’ve gotten a few questions about my motorcycle ride in Mexico’s Copper Canyon and its timing, right before my second OH surgery. Here is some background on that trip and most importantly, some of the photographs that led to paintings by my wife, Maggie, who is an artist with a… Continue reading
Detailing a motorcycle is not considered a sane activity. Rather, rarely paying attention to the cosmetic condition of one’s muddy mount can be a badge of honor. Alternatively, a slow, methodical bike cleaning method allows examining the bike, checking for loose fasteners. It’s common to find something needing attention. I’ve never felt the need for anything beyond normal motorcycle cleaners, a few good rags and some wax, until now. Continue reading
The annual SEMA (Special Equipment Market Association) industry trade show draws hundreds of thousands of auto dealers, specialty equipment distributors, installers, retailers and restoration shops to Las Vegas every November. Most appealing to me are smaller vendors who solve specific problems in new and creative ways—especially when it involves motorcycles. A prime example at this year’s SEMA show was ClampTite. Continue reading
If a preowned bike deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Bikes that have been sitting awhile may have hidden horrors. Continue reading
A six-day trip to Utah hones offroad riding skills and refreshes the soul. Continue reading
Sunglasses are very important to motorcyclists; they protect our eyes and enhance our riding experience by giving us the best possible view of the road and scenery. It’s not easy to find a good pair. Objective evaluations going beyond vague assertions of “fabulousness” are nearly nonexistent. Most of us likely fall into one of two camps: either we have several sets of cheap sunglasses and assume they’re good enough or, at some point, we invested in a more expensive pair that we believe are pretty good, but have no real data to back it up. This is MCN’s sweet spot—a thorough analysis of issues important to motorcyclists. Continue reading
A Motorcycle Trek Explores Twists and Turns of a Tumultuous History. Continue reading
Soul of a Legend – MCN-March2015 The March 2015 issue of Motorcycle Consumer News has my story about the design of the new Indian Scout. The original Scout from the 1920’s was such a classic and iconic machine that it seemed to me an almost superhuman task to get the… Continue reading
On a warm night early in 2009, Annette Birkmann stood in front of eighty or so riders at the BMW/Triumph dealership on Old Middlefield Way in Mountain View, California. Birkmann, a blond, Danish woman of average height and weight, with piercing blue eyes and a ready smile, had just arrived… Continue reading
Few articles since the publication of my JIS screwdriver review have caused as much sensation or were as fun to write at the one on Plast-aid. Article, Motorcycle Consumer News – April, 2014 (PDF) First off the product really works, and works far better than anything I’ve ever found for… Continue reading