Join Rider on the IMTBike Southern Spain Andalusia Tour, October 15-23

IMTBike Southern Spain Andalusia Tour
Join us on the IMTBike Southern Spain Andalusia Tour, October 15-23, 2022, for fantastic riding, delicious food and wine, and luxurious accommodations.

Scott Moreno, the American-born owner of IMTBike, the motorcycle tour and rental company based in Spain, has one of the most infectious personalities of the many people I’ve met over the years in the motorcycle industry.

Born in New York City and raised in northern New Jersey, Moreno studied abroad in Spain. After getting his MBA, he made a good living as a currency trader, but he was miserable. When a friend asked him what he loved to do, he said “ride motorcycles and have adventures.” So, in 1997, Scott bought eight BMW motorcycles and started Iberian Moto Tours (IMTBike’s former name) from his apartment in Madrid.

IMTBike Southern Spain Andalusia Tour
All smiles on the IMTBike Southern Spain Andalusia Tour. Scott Moreno is second from left in the front row.

Click here to listen to our podcast interview with Scott Moreno

This year, IMTBike is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Through the hard work of Moreno and his team, the company has grown to include more than two dozen staff members, office locations in Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Málaga, and Lisbon, and the world’s largest fleet of BMW motorcycles – 200 at last count (IMTBike is an Official Partner of BMW Motorrad). In 2021, IMTBike earned a coveted TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice “Best of the Best” award.

IMTBike specializes in tours of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal), but it also offers tours in France, Italy, the Alps, and Morocco, as well as MotoGP tours (Catalunya, Jerez, and Valencia) and tours in Turkey, Thailand, Japan, and New Zealand.

To help IMTBike celebrate its “25 Years of Magic,” Rider’s Editor-in-Chief Greg Drevenstedt and his wife Carrie will be joining Moreno on the Southern Spain Andalusia Tour this fall, October 15-23. The tour starts and ends in Málaga, on Spain’s famous Costa del Sol (“Sun Coast”) on the Mediterranean Sea.

IMTBike Southern Spain Andalusia Tour
Route for the IMTBike Southern Spain Andalusia Tour

The 9-day tour includes seven riding days, one rest day (in Seville), and travel days on either end. Here’s the itinerary:

  • Day 1: Arrival in Málaga
  • Day 2: Málaga – Costa del Sol – Sierra Nevada – Granada
  • Day 3: Granada – Córdoba
  • Day 4: Córdoba – Seville
  • Day 5: Seville – rest day
  • Day 6: Seville – White Towns
  • Day 7: White Towns – Ronda
  • Day 8: Ronda – Serranía de Ronda – Málaga
  • Day 9: Flight home

We recommend arriving a couple of days early to get acclimated to the time zone and explore Málaga, one of the oldest cities in Europe, which is full of history, culture, and vitality. Walk the city streets and tour the Alcazaba, a Moorish palatial fortress built in the 11th century.

IMTBike Southern Spain Andalusia Tour
The tour route includes some of Spain’s best motorcycling roads in the Grazalema and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges.

The region of Andalusia is home to some of Spain’s most famous cities, including Seville, Córdoba, and Granada, all three of which contain UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Stay in Spain’s famous Paradors – castles, monasteries, fortresses, and other historic buildings converted into luxury hotels. The Parador in Ronda stands on the edge of a cliff and is next to the Plaza de Toros (bullfighting ring), and the town is surrounded by the Sierra de las Nieves National Park.

On this tour you’ll visit Spain’s iconic “White Towns,” villages full of white-washed houses, and you’ll enjoy Andalusian cuisine, famous for its jamón Ibérico pata negra (black-footed Iberian ham) and delicious tapas. You’ll also get your fill of curves and twisties in the Grazalema and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges.

IMTBike Southern Spain Andalusia Tour
Andalusia’s “White Towns”
IMTBike Southern Spain Andalusia Tour
Jamón Ibérico pata negra (black-footed Iberian ham)

You don’t want to miss this tour. Pricing starts at just 3,225 euros (about $3,450), and includes transfer to/from the airport, motorcycle rental (BMW G 310 R), lodging, eight breakfasts, and seven dinners. Choosing a larger motorcycle, adding a passenger, and a single-occupancy room adds to the price.

Click HERE for more details and to book the tour. Sign up soon because this tour will fill up fast!

The post Join Rider on the IMTBike Southern Spain Andalusia Tour, October 15-23 first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

Top 5 Cruiser Motorcycles for Women

In the early 1900s Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle put America on the newborn map of motorcycling. Like baseball and apple pie, the cruiser is an all-American pastime—though often as not these days it’s done on Japanese brands—that continues to resonate with riders across the states and around the globe. Cruisers are admired by men and women alike for their iconic style, rumbling engine (primarily of the V-twin variety), and low stance. Here, listed alphabetically by manufacturer, are our top five cruisers for women.

Harley-Davidson Iron 883

The Iron 883 is a raw, bare-bones Harley with an iconic look that’s ready for individual personalization.

The Iron 883 is a raw, bare-bones Harley with an iconic look that’s ready for individual personalization. (Harley-Davidson/)

The Iron 883, with its time-honored air-cooled 883cc V-twin, is Harley-Davidson’s minimalist cruiser. Its lean simplicity is the embodiment of the cruising lifestyle; it may not be fully dressed for touring, or even long rides, like many others in the Harley stable, but it drips cruiser attitude. It’s also comfortably thin between the rider’s legs, and its 25.7-inch seat height is friendly toward shorter inseams. Mid-mount controls mean no need to stretch legs out too far. And it’s hard not to notice that the Iron 883 is Harley’s most budget-friendly cruiser as well, with a starting MSRP of $11,249.

Honda Rebel 500

While the Rebel 500 doesn’t have a classic V-twin engine, it has held its own for years as an excellent all-around motorcycle.

While the Rebel 500 doesn’t have a classic V-twin engine, it has held its own for years as an excellent all-around motorcycle. (Honda/)

Honda’s Rebel 500 is famous for attracting female ridership; in fact, according to Honda, a remarkable 28 percent of Rebel 500 owners are women. The Rebel 500 sits nicely between Rebels 300 and 1100, and was picked for this list because it strikes a nice balance between approachability and usability, perfect for those new to motorcycling. Not only that, but the 500 performs admirably, with comfortable power from its 471cc parallel twin and impressive handling thanks to a compact 58.7-inch wheelbase. Pricing is entry-level friendly as well, with a starting MSRP of $6,399.

Indian Scout Bobber

The Scout Bobber’s 25.6-inch seat height not only contributes to the aggressive riding position, but also instills flat-footed confidence at stops.

The Scout Bobber’s 25.6-inch seat height not only contributes to the aggressive riding position, but also instills flat-footed confidence at stops. (Indian Motorcycle/)

The Indian Scout Bobber is a beefy single-seat cruiser with forward foot controls and an aggressive cruiser riding position. An easy reach to the ground and a low-slung heft limit any reservations riders may have about its claimed 553-pound weight. A rowdy cruiser sound and feel come straight from the Scout Bobber’s beefy 69ci (about 1,100cc) V-twin engine, while bar-end mirrors, a two-toned seat, side-mounted license plate, and bobbed fenders set its look apart from the standard Scout. Indian also offers quite a few colors to choose from. Starting MSRP: $11,499.

Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic LT

As classically designed as it gets: large protective windscreen, chrome everywhere you look and a comfy studded seat with matching saddlebags.

As classically designed as it gets: large protective windscreen, chrome everywhere you look and a comfy studded seat with matching saddlebags. (Kawasaki/)

Looking for riding comfort in a classic full-dress cruiser profile? The Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic LT provides both comfort and utility with a large windscreen, saddlebags, and a passenger backrest for laid-back touring. The studded seat and saddlebags, glistening chrome, and valanced fenders, along with the Pearl Robotic White/Pearl Nightshade Teal paint, add up to one eye-catching machine. Just imagine it in contrast with the red rock of Arizona or flat golden farmlands of the Midwest, its 903cc V-twin rumbling away the miles. You’ll look fantastic while making the most of your money. Starting MSRP: $9,499.

Yamaha Bolt R-Spec

The Yamaha Bolt R-Spec’s clean lines, from steel fender to steel fender, make it ripe for customization.

The Yamaha Bolt R-Spec’s clean lines, from steel fender to steel fender, make it ripe for customization. (Yamaha/)

The Bolt R-Spec cruiser is raw and minimalist in design, wrapping its 942cc air-cooled V-twin in a double cradle frame that exposes the engine to as much wind as possible. Like the Indian and Kawasaki, the Yamaha has a non-maintenance-intensive belt final drive, freeing up more time for riding. Its compact design gives it precise handling for the class, meaning the Bolt R-Spec is a great casual around-town cruiser. And its trim, clean design means it’s a blank slate for customizing, ready to comfortably tackle the urban jungle in any style you give it. Starting MSRP: $8,599.

Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com

Scorpion EXO-GT930 Transformer Helmet | Gear Review

Scorpion EXO-GT930 Transformer Helmet

I don’t know anybody who loves wearing a helmet, but most of us who do wear them appreciate their – shall we say – utility. And a motorcycle helmet is a lot more comfortable than the helmets the U.S. Army issues, though the purpose is the same – to save your life.

There are five basic types of motorcycle helmets: full-face, off-road, modular, three-quarter open-face, and half helmets, also called shorties. In 1956, I bought my first bike, and my mother bought me a shorty helmet – that was all there was. Then around 1959 Bell introduced the 500TX, which may have been the first three-quarter open-face. I immediately sprung for one and wore open-faces for the next 20 years or so. Until I got a job in the industry and was told photos would be done with a full-face. I am mildly claustrophobic, but I adjusted to the enclosed feeling, more or less. Then modulars came along, and I’ve been a fan of those for many years, being able to lift up the chinbar when idling through town or going slow on a wooded lane.

Scorpion EXO-GT930 Transformer Helmet

Scorpion’s EXO-GT930 is called the Transformer because it serves both as a modular, with the chinbar and visor opening up, and as an open-face. You can easily detach the chinbar and faceshield and put on the peak visor. I like using the open-face configuration while riding along paved roads on a warm day through the little-trafficked countryside with vineyards and cattle.

Check out more of Rider’s helmet reviews

Modular crash-hats tend to be heavier than full-face ones because of the hinges and locking systems. Scorpion uses three different shells for the seven sizes, from XS to 3XL, and I figure my XL uses the largest. The modular configuration weighs 4.1 pounds; the open-face with peak visor weighs 3.4 pounds. The outer shell is polycarbonate, and the life-saving crushable middle portion is multi-density expanded polystyrene (or EPS), which absorbs impacts should you have the misfortune to use the helmet for its intended purpose. Inside is a removeable, washable KwikWick comfort liner, and the helmet stays put with a traditional double D-ring chinstrap.

The mechanism for flipping up the chinbar works just fine, and when opened it can be locked in place. Removing the chinbar and attached anti-fog faceshield is merely a matter of holding down the spring-loaded levers just below the pivot point, one at a time, and then pulling the chinbar forward. Easily done after a little practice, as is installing the peak visor. A drop-down tinted sun shield can be used in either configuration.

Ventilation, comfort, and build quality are good. Solid colors retail for $249.95-$254.95, and the Modulus graphic (shown) in three colorways retails for $269.95. A matte black version with an EXO-Com Bluetooth communication system retails for $424.95.

For more information, visit scorpionusa.com.

The post Scorpion EXO-GT930 Transformer Helmet | Gear Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

Energica Reveals an All-New Electric Adventure Tourer at Mugello MotoGP

Energica’s done it again. 

On top of phasing out of MotoE to pursue greater heights of electric success, the Italian electric motorcycle manufacturer has now given us what we’ve been waiting for: an electric adventure tourer with a battery/range combo that doesn’t suck. 

Energica's new electric adventure tourer motorcycle, the Experia. Photo Courtesy of .
Energica’s new electric adventure tourer motorcycle, the Experia. Photo Courtesy of MCN.

The report from MCN says that this particular model represents “the first of a range of models in a new Energica Green Tourer program,” with the bike herself being “optimized for long-range, two-up comfort with an aerodynamic sport-touring fairing, adjustable windscreens, and ample hard luggage capacity,” according to Energica’s website

Energica's new electric adventure tourer motorcycle, the Experia. Photo Courtesy of .
Energica’s new electric adventure tourer motorcycle, the Experia. Photo Courtesy of MCN.

Curious what specs this sparky beauty holds? Let’s take a look under the proverbial hood.

Energica states that the Experia carries a very new, very efficient, very light battery model.

22.5 kWh maximum (19.6 kWh nominal) are the direct energy specs, with the range purported by NewAtlas to be around 420km. 

Energica's new electric adventure tourer motorcycle, the Experia. Photo Courtesy of .
Energica’s new electric adventure tourer motorcycle, the Experia. Photo Courtesy of Energica.

Here’s the list from Energica’s website: 

Energica Experia Specs

Power (kW/hp)

Continuous: 60kW/80hp @ 7000rpm

Peak: 75kW/102hp @ 7500rpm

Torque

115 Nm / 85 ft-lb – 900Nm / 664ft-lb at the wheel

Top Speed

Limited at 180km/h (112 mph)

Acceleration

0-100 km/h (0-60 mph): 3.5 sec

Range

City: 420km (261 miles) 

Combined: 256km (160 miles) 

The Harley-Davidson LiveWire Del Mar.

Extra-Urban: 208 km (130 miles)

WMTC: 222 km (138 miles)

Energica's new electric adventure tourer motorcycle, the Experia. Photo Courtesy of .
Energica’s new electric adventure tourer motorcycle, the Experia. Photo Courtesy of Energica.

The Experia will be up for grabs as of June first (tomorrow), with the additional perk of three piece of luggage contributing to the 112 liter carrying capacity. 

Add to this the 17in wheels rolling with six-stage traction control, four riding modes, lean-sensitive Bosch ABS…guys, this could be a winner and give a few of the bigger boys a run for their sales. 

Just saying. 

Energica's new electric adventure tourer motorcycle, the Experia. Photo Courtesy of .
Energica’s new electric adventure tourer motorcycle, the Experia. Photo Courtesy of Energica.

For more information be sure to check out Energica’s webpage (and check back here for updates); drop a comment letting us know what you think, and as ever- stay safe on the twisties. 

*Media sourced from Energica’s website and MCN*

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Bill Dragoo: Ep. 37 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast

Ep. 37 Bill Dragoo Rider Magazine Insider Podcast

Our guest on Episode 37 of the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast is Bill Dragoo of Dragoo Adventure Rider Training (DART). Bill has led an interesting and varied life as a pilot, a sky diver, a scuba diver, and as a competitor on dirtbikes, adventure bikes, mountain bikes, and sailboats. He has been a winner or podium finisher in three RawHyde Adventure Challenges, and he was a member of the BMW GS Trophy team that represented the U.S. in South Africa in 2010. Bill is a certified BMW factory-trained off-road instructor, and a certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation Rider Coach. Through Dragoo Adventure Rider Training (DART), he trains motorcyclists of all ages to ride adventure bikes with more confidence. We talk about how Bill got into riding and racing motorcycles, his challenges and successes in competition, and his philosophy for training riders how to handle big adventure bikes. Visit the DART website for Bill’s upcoming training and immersion tour schedule as well as links to DART tips, publications, podcasts, videos, and more.

You can listen to Episode 37 on iTunesSpotify, and SoundCloud, or via the Rider Magazine Insider webpage. Please subscribe, leave us a 5-star rating, and tell your friends! Scroll down for a list of previous episodes.

Visit the Rider Magazine Insider podcast webpage to check out previous episodes:

The post Bill Dragoo: Ep. 37 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

“He sees everything” – Rossi’s role in magic Mugello weekend

“He sees everything out at the track. Because he rode these bikes last year. He knows the tyres, nobody knows our tyres. None of the other coaches know our tyres. So, he can see everything. He can see what one bike is doing out of the corner, in entry. For sure the lines, but the lines are easy for everybody. But he can understand how the bike is working, and how the rider is making the bike work. So he gives a lot of feedback, for sure, because he can see everything.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Bradl confirmed as Marc Marquez’s replacement for Catalan GP

Bradl will join Pol Espargaro inside the Repsol Honda Team garage, their fifth race as teammates. This is the third time that Bradl will race in 2022, having taken 19th in Argentina and suffering a DNF in Jerez while running as a wildcard. As with many circuits on the calendar, Bradl has a strong and consistent point-scoring history at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Missing points just once in his six premier class races there and with a best finish of fifth in 2013 and 2014.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

“I don’t accept the Tech3 spot” – Oliveira set for KTM exit?

The 27-year-old is KTM’s most successful premier class rider with four MotoGP™ wins to his name, including their only victory of 2022 so far at the Indonesian Grand Prix. However, he hinted that his four-year stay with the Austrian factory could be coming to an end.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Where will it end – 400 kph?

OK it may not win races, but we are totally fascinated by ultimate top speed. Mugello, the Temple of Speed, was the place to witness the spectacle at its absolute best. Sometimes and especially if watching on the screen it is so easy to forget just how fast a modern MotoGP™ motorcycle is travelling. If you have any doubts stand on the crest of the rise on the 1.1 kms Mugello start and finish straight and focus on the approaching blur. If you blink you miss it. If you try and turn your head to follow it, you have no chance. Front wheel lifting on the crest they have disappeared in a blink before braking so hard for the San Donato corner at the bottom of the hill their brake discs reach a temperature of 770’c.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here