There’s a unique kind of quiet in a motorcycle shed when you’re deciding what to ride. Yesterday, I walked past my 2012 Honda NC700X a brilliant, modern, sensible machine and reached for the key to my 1974 Honda CB550. I didn’t buy this bike brand new off the showroom floor. Over 51 years ago, I […]
There was a time when I thought a proper motorcycle trip had to involve weeks of planning, overflowing luggage, and many miles in a day. But as the years have rolled on, my perspective on what makes a great ride has shifted completely. These days, I prefer a single, well-chosen day trip over a multi-day […]
The outside world always asks the same well-meaning, analytical question. You’ve heard it at gas stations, at local bike meets, and from folks leaning over the fence: “If you could only keep one, which would it be?” They are looking for a ranking. They want a data point—the most reliable, the fastest, the most comfortable, […]
A CBR 250R, a Rainy Road, and Split-Second Physics We’ve all been there—the “third shift fog.” You’ve finished your night’s work, the sun is just starting to peek over the horizon, and your only goal is your own bed. Several years ago, I was heading home after a long night shift on my Honda CBR […]
The Quiet Revolution of Itchy Boots For decades, the motorcycle industry has been selling a very specific kind of dream. It’s an expensive, high-octane narrative wrapped in a heavy package. Step into any showroom today, and you’re met with massive, twin-cylinder adventure machines boasting triple-digit horsepower, electronic suspension, and price tags that rival a respectable […]