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Attention, riders: If you’re in the market for an all-purpose textile riding jacket with a long waist, you might consider the Icon 1000 Beltway. I wore this handsomely styled jacket (serial number 1000-4667) on our recent “American Beef” comparison test and came away impressed. This relaxed-fit jacket is well constructed, and the coated canvas material feels both durable and waterproof, though we never had the chance to ride in any rain. What’s more, Brazilian leather is used in the...

Harley-Davidson Press Release: From the flight deck of the USS Yorktown, Harley-Davidson today announces it is offering all current and former U.S. military free Riding Academy motorcycle training. The new “Learn to Ride” program, open to active-duty, retired, reservists and veterans, begins on Armed Forces Day, May 16 and runs through Sept. 13. Harley-Davidson teamed up with U.S. Army veteran and two-time Paralympian, Heath Calhoun, and six riders who are also in the military, to make...

CW: We know, via efforts such as Project Rushmore, that Harley has its finger on the pulse of its buyer, heavily emphasizing Voice of Customer in product development. What have you been learning lately? Matt Levatich: There’s nothing specific we’re hearing from the customer, but what I’m most impressed with is the internal excitement about getting it. What I think product development was in the last decade was—because I was intimately involved with it—it was more “voice of the executive.”...

When it comes to their beloved Vespa, the Piaggio staff spares no effort with celebratory events around the world. And it is not by accident that these always take place around the last part of April. In fact, Vespa’s real birthday is April 23, the date in 1946 that Piaggio & C. SpA registered the patent for the iconic scooter designed by one of its most creative aerospace engineers: Corradino D’Ascanio. World War II was finally nearing its end, and Mr. Enrico Piaggio realized that...

Motorcycle Industry Council Press Release: Gear Up Every Ride launches a month-long photo contest starting May 1. The contest gives riders a chance to win nearly $10,000 in prizes in exchange for posting photos that embrace the Gear Up theme and including the hashtag #GearUpEveryRide on Instagram. Gear Up Every Ride’s panel of judges will select the grand prize winner, while weekly winners will be randomly chosen. The complete list of rules is available on the website...

BMW Motorrad Press Release: BMW Motorrad and Alpinestars announce that they are starting an exclusive cooperation in innovative motorcycle safety clothing systems. The first product to be launched under this cooperation will be a BMW Motorrad jacket jointly developed by BMW Motorrad and Alpinestars, combined with an airbag waistcoat developed using Alpinestars technology. The new BMW Motorrad jacket, being branded by both makers, will be available in both male and female versions and the...

Here's everything you need to know about Huntley Nash's LTD Racing Ducati Panigale Superbike: forget everything you thought you knew about big v-twins.   Well, almost everything. The 1199cc Superquadro powerplant does make monstrous, gut-compressing torque. Rolling on the throttle in third gear seems less to rocket you forward, and more to spin the planet on its foundations beneath you. The bike doesn't care what gear it's in; the torque is everywhere, from idle to redline, and it never...

The other weekend, I decided to venture out and explore some of the wonders of California. As someone that lives in the Mission District of San Francisco, I often times feel a bit claustrophobic and overwhelmed by the number of people, scents, and scenes that I have to deal with on a day-to-day basis. From time to time, it's necessary to get out and see something truly beautiful. For the past year or so the method of choice for this has been the KTM Adventure 990 S. It's such an amazing...

Polaris Industries has issued a new report showing sales in its motorcycle divisions, Indian, Victory and Slingshot have increased 74 percent in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the first quarter of 2014.   “I am pleased to report record sales and earnings for our 2015 first quarter, with sales up 16 percent, operating income up 19 percent and net income up nine percent, our 22nd consecutive quarter of record earnings performance,” commented Scott Wine, Polaris’ chairman and chief...

By now, everyone’s heard that Austin is an oasis of cool in the middle of Texas, but to this seasoned bi-coaster, visiting for the recent Handbuilt Show was a very pleasant surprise, and a little humbling. While busy growing our beards, Austin stole the mojo once animating Williamsburg and the Mission District, which are now dominated by people with, like, real jobs. The Handbuilt Show, in its second year under Revival Cycles, is planted in East Austin, a Hispanic neighborhood with rings of...