The BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2022, taking place in Albania, roars into action on September 4 and includes 57 riders from 21 international teams. In addition to the popular interactive photo competition, this year’s event will include a new video competition. Read more in the press release from BMW Motorrad below.
Photo from BMW Group PressClub Global
There is only a little over a week until the start of the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2022 in Albania on September 4.
The 57 finalists, who are competing in 21 international teams, have already received their BMW Motorrad rider kits, complete with names, national flags, and the GS Trophy 2022 insignia. They will soon begin their journey to Albania and will then be all set for unique GS Trophy experiences in one of the last largely untouched off-road paradises in Europe.
For those who can’t be there in person, BMW Motorrad will ensure comprehensive multimedia coverage of the event. GS fans from all over the world will be able to experience the GS Trophy 2022 every day in the form of reports, photos, and video clips and even to take part via a photo and video competition.
The GS Trophy Photo and Video Competition
The interactive photo competition was introduced in 2012 and was so well received, with many thousands of votes cast, that it has become a permanent feature of the event and will be expanded to include a video competition this year.
The teams themselves will capture the most exciting moments of their adventure in photographs and on film on two days of the GS Trophy 2022. The particular theme of the competition is completely open; it could be an action photo of teammates, a spectacular landscape, or perhaps a unique aspect of local life.
At the end of the two days, each team will submit its best photo or video, which will then be posted on the GS Trophy website. Voting also takes place on the website. Voting time will be limited to only 24 hours at a time.
Video competition:
Voting on September 6 from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. CET (which corresponds with a voting start time on September 5 at 6 p.m. ET, 3 p.m. PT)
Photo competition:
Voting on September 8 from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. CET (which corresponds with a voting start time on September 7 at 6 p.m. ET, 3 p.m. PT)
According to their voting results, the teams will receive points that will count towards their overall competition score.
How to Follow the GS Trophy
The GS Trophy website allows GS fans to not only take part in the photo and video competition but also find background information about the event and its participants.
Fans can also follow the excitement of the event on a daily basis via the following BMW Motorrad social media channels thanks to reports, photos and video clips:
Our guest on Episode 43 of the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast is Can Akkaya, the founder and lead instructor at Superbike-Coach, a motorcycle training company based near Sacramento, California. Can hails from Germany, and in the 1980s and ‘90s he raced in the German Track Trophy, German IDM, Dutch Open, and European Championship. After retiring from racing, he was a test rider for a Ducati team in Germany and worked as a track instructor. Can and his family moved to the United States in 2008, and he started the Superbike-Coach school in 2009. Superbike-Coach teaches a wide range of classes on cornering, body positioning, getting your knee down, riding with a passenger, supermoto, how to race, and even how to wheelie. We talk to Can about his racing background, his teaching philosophy, why his on-track training classes make students better street riders, and which of his classes are most popular.
This report from Ukraine is by Neale Bayly, a motojournalist and photographer with more than 20 years under his belt. He also founded the nonprofit Wellspring International Outreach in 2011 with a mission to “bring aid and attention to the abandoned and at-risk children throughout the world.” Bayly recently returned from a three-week, 6,600-km (approx. 4,100 miles) motorcycle trip across Europe and into war-torn Ukraine, which he described as a “beautiful country with incredible people standing resiliently against a brutal regime intent on their destruction.”
The idea for the ride came about a few days into the war back in February when my friend, Kiran Ridley, called me from Ukraine. Covering the war from Lviv in Western Ukraine, he was using a cheap Chinese motorcycle to navigate the 30-km lines of refugees fleeing Ukraine at the Polish border. The access he was getting to people and their stories with the motorcycle was a game changer, but the bike was running badly, and he was improperly dressed for the winter weather and alone in this incredibly high stress environment.
Kiran Ridley photo by Neale Bayly
As the phone line went dead after that first phone call, my mind went into overdrive. Images of the destruction and devastation the Russians were inflicting on the civilian population was keeping me awake at night, and after a couple more calls, a plan was set.
Oleg Satanovsky at BMW Motorrad USA had a pair of F 850 GS Adventures lined up in Munich with hard bags and navigation. Matthew Miles provided Rev’It protective clothing, Jeff Weil at Arai sent helmets, and my long-term donors jumped in with support. With the easy part done, we went to work on securing the myriad of details that remained: international press passes, approval from the Ukrainian military, high-grade plates for bulletproof vests, fixers, hotels, and most importantly, deciding on the stories we would chase.
Ukraine: ‘Nowhere is safe when the Russians start shelling’
In total, we spent close to three weeks in Ukraine, riding from Lviv to Kyiv, Bucha, Irpin, and Hostomel, scenes of the worst atrocities early in the war. Then we rode to the seaport of Odessa. At times, we were based out of local hotels for a few days and chased a wide variety of stories.
We toured a Soviet-era coal mine to learn how the energy front is being fought 1,500 feet below the surface of the earth, and we spent the day with young soldiers recovering from recent amputations at a horse therapy farm. We also visited a 16th-century monastery housing refugees. Mirroring the work of the monastery 80 years ago during the holocaust, their presence is kept secret to avoid the potential for shelling.
We hitched a ride on an old wooden rowboat from a couple of fishermen in Vylkove, 25 miles from Snake Island, the 42-acre Ukrainian outpost in the Black Sea that garnered worldwide attention early in the war when Ukrainian soldiers refused to surrender despite calls from a Russian warship to put down their arms.
The two fishermen we met have lost their livelihoods, as they are no longer able to fish their normal waters.
This was just one example of when we left our motorcycles and traveled in the car with our “fixer,” Andriy (last name withheld, and specific locations are not provided for safety and security reasons), when the places we were visiting were too “hot” – the local term for areas receiving active missile strikes.
Mykolaiv was probably the most tense. While documenting an apartment complex where a series of strikes had just taken place, we got caught in the city as the warning sounded in advance of another air strike. All we could do was put on our vests and shelter in place in a local park, having made the decision to be as far away from the buildings as possible.
But realistically, nowhere is safe when the Russians start shelling, a fact that was brought home a few days later while working a story about the winter crop harvest outside of Odessa.
The air alert app went off on Andriy’s phone, and we learned of a massive series of strikes on Vinnytsia, a city that hadn’t been hit since March and was providing refuge for many Ukrainians escaping the front lines. We had planned our lunch stop on one of the historic, shady tree-lined streets at a nice restaurant earlier in the day, but that changed in an instant.
We rode for Vinnytsia, deep in thought but with no idea what to expect. The smooth two-lane highway cut through beautiful fields of sunflowers, grain, and corn, and white clouds floated on a tranquil blue sky. It was a stark contrast to the scene we found in Vinnytsia, which was indescribable for so many reasons.
Even as fireman fought the last fires in the charred remains of the buildings, World Central Kitchen was on-site handing out water and meals to people rendered homeless by the strikes. Cleanup crews were hard at work, and all the bodies had been removed – just not quite all the parts, which made me glad we had skipped lunch.
The physical destruction was mind blowing, the scale of it beyond comprehension, and the stoic resolve of the emergency workers clearing the site humbling. We saw cars being lifted onto flatbed trucks by machines and war crimes inspectors documenting.
News crews broadcast that 35 people were dead and 65 badly injured to an audience tired of the war and waiting for their next media addiction to scroll through.
A temporary calm, the smile from a child, and the familiar darkness
The following days were spent in a calmer region as we rode deep into the Carpathian Mountains along the Romanian border. We had connected with a Ukrainian film crew that wanted to film a couple of Brits riding BMW motorcycles through their country, and they had identified an old Soviet listening station on top of the mountains for us to photograph. Long abandoned, it remains as a testament to the Soviet occupation the Ukrainian people endured before independence.
Traveling with our crew, smooth two-lane highway turned to heavily patched, broken tarmac and eventually to dirt. The mountains rose up, and we rode through scenery at times rivaling the Alps. Hour after hour as we rode back in time, the road deteriorated, and we had to abandon the car and rent a local Mitsubishi four-wheel drive. We fought our way up a narrow dirt trail, eventually having to park the BMWs and pile into the Mitsubishi, the bikes’ road tires just not allowing any more progress.
Our fixer down below found a guest house and a homecooked meal for our return from the surreal photo session on the top of the mountains. Late into the night, we broke bread with our friends, dirty and tired but happy from an incredible day.
As we ate, we learned from our producer, Omel, of life under Soviet control, the democracy and freedom they had built in Ukraine, and how they were again fighting against this massive totalitarian regime hellbent on destroying them and their way of life.
Out of the Carpathians, we had one last story waiting at a children’s hospital in Lviv. There we met an 11-year-old boy named Leo, a refugee from Severodonetsk, where the constant bombing he had endured left him unable to walk. He had also just undergone surgery to remove a tumor on his leg. He and his mother told us their story of escape, and we were left speechless.
Thanks to all the donors, we were able to leave a check for $10,000, and it felt like Leo really enjoyed hanging out with a film crew and a couple of dirty, hairy British journalists on motorcycles.
After the heart-warming meeting, wheeling back to the hospital, the air alert warning howled across the city in the warm afternoon air as Leo turned to wave one last goodbye. If the smile on his face was the sun that lit our day, the thought that after all he has endured, this 11-year-old boy could never be safe there, even in a children’s hospital, cast a shadow across my heart that sent me spiraling into the darkness that so often came as my mind tried to comprehend the brutality of this war.
For more information on Wellspring International Outreachor to donate, click here.
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, has introduced the new 2023 lineup of YZ off-road motorcycles. Designed for competition, highlights for the 2023 lineup of Yamaha YZ motocross and cross-country machines include a new flagship YZ450F motocross model, along with a new YZ125X and extensively updated YZ250X 2-stroke cross-country models.
Fresh off back-to-back professional Motocross and Supercross titles, Yamaha introduces a new YZ450F for 2023 designed to push capabilities even further. Building on the power delivery, suspension performance, and usability of the previous model, the new YZ450F features more power, less weight, a slimmer design, and improved handling in an even more usable package.
2023 Monster Energy Yamaha Racing Edition YZ450F
The new 2023 YZ125X offers a completely new, more powerful 125cc 2-stroke engine, revised suspension damping, improved brakes, enhanced ergonomics and a new look, which Yamaha says makes it the perfect option for young enthusiasts looking to move up to a full-size 2-stroke cross-country bike that is ready for competition.
For riders looking for big 250cc 2-stroke power in the ultimate cross-country racer, the new 2023 YZ250X features updated brakes, revised suspension, race-inspired ergonomics, and aggressive new styling.
“What really stands out about the new YZ450F is just how light and balanced it feels when riding hard,” said Derek Brooks, Yamaha Motorsports Motorcycle Product Line Manager. “This new platform builds on the legendary YZ suspension and handling with an even more powerful, yet controllable engine character that will offer expert riders everything they need to compete and win at the highest level. At the same time its revised ergonomics and tuneability with the free engine mapping Power Tuner makes it easier to ride fast for all rider skill levels. I’m pumped to see it hit the tracks soon!”
2023 Yamaha YZ450F & Monster Energy Yamaha Racing Edition YZ450F
For the 2023 YZ450F, Yamaha engineers were tasked with improving on traditional strong points of broad, torquey power, plush suspension, and predictable handling but with a distinctly rider-centric focus for the new model with a 5-lb weight reduction, increased control, and improved ergonomics. The end result is a lighter, more compact engine that reportedly pumps out even more power, improved handling with greater agility while still maintaining excellent stability, and a significantly lighter, slimmer body with enhanced ergonomics for greater control.
2023 Yamaha YZ450F in Team Yamaha Blue
Changes for the new YZ450F start with the engine. Completely redesigned for 2023, updates include new exhaust and intake port shapes, larger-diameter titanium intake valves, new forged aluminum piston, new cylinder body, crankshaft, and balancer assembly, and a switch from wet sump to dry sump lubrication. The combined effect of these features is said to be more midrange and top-end power, including a 500 rpm higher rev limit for longer over-rev and more linear output characteristics for increased rideability and control.
Helping lay that power down to the rear wheel, a new cable-actuated clutch design replaces the coil springs of the previous model with a new disc spring and integrates primary gear and basket into a single steel unit. The result is a more compact, lightweight, and durable assembly. Additionally, a new tri-shaft transmission layout vertically stacks the transmission shafts, raising the center shaft and forming a triangle between the crank, drive shaft, and main shaft for a lighter, more compact transmission.
Providing riders with the opportunity to fine-tune engine performance to their liking, Yamaha’s Power Tuner App has been extensively revised for 2023, retaining the full functionality of the previous version but now even easier to use with more functionality. Engine mapping can now be made using an intuitive new slide bar. There is also a new lap timer, Traction and Launch Control tuning, and bike set-up guides. Additionally, a new lightweight handlebar-mounted switch allows on-the-fly selection of preloaded engine maps.
The new Traction Control System communicates wheel slip to the ECU, tuning the engine to maintain ideal rear-wheel traction. Three levels can be selected: High, Low, or Off. The updated Launch Control System now features an rpm limiter that can be adjusted in 500 rpm increments between 6,000 rpm and 11,000 rpm for optimized launches when the gate drops. Both systems are controlled through the Yamaha Power Tuner App.
The next major update to the 2023 YZ450F involves the completely redesigned aluminum bilateral beam frame, which consists of more than 10 different aluminum components welded together, providing the opportunity to carefully tune rigidity and flex characteristics of each component. Yamaha says the result is a “better handling machine with lighter feel, improved bump absorption and increased traction, allowing the rider to enter corners with greater confidence and more line choices.”
New internal suspension valving works in combination with the new frame and body to provide exceptional bump absorption, increased traction, and better cornering performance. High-spec, fully adjustable Speed Sensitive System KYB coil spring-type forks now feature a new hand-operated compression damping adjuster for simple, tool-less adjustments, and the linkage-type rear suspension features a KYB shock with damping characteristics to match the new chassis.
Finally, a new slimmer, flatter, and more compact body design lends a much lighter, more precise riding feel. A completely redesigned air intake pathway, airbox, and filter allow for a narrower fuel tank, significantly slimmer front shrouds and a lower airbox cover. Additionally, more seamless, rounded features including seat edges and side covers further ease rider movement for improved control. The rider triangle is also improved with increased legroom between the seat and footpegs, as well as revised handlebar position for a more natural posture and enhanced rider comfort.
Other features include a push-button electric starter system with a high-capacity, ultra-light lithium-ion battery, 1-1/8-inch aluminum tapered handlebars, new compact PVC handlebar pad, new lightweight throttle cables, wide footpegs with new lightweight aluminum alloy brackets, a quick-adjust clutch perch, and new chain guide.
2023 Yamaha YZ450F Features & Benefits
Completely redesigned 450cc 4-stroke engine is lighter, more compact and more powerful with an increased rev limit for longer over-rev
Overall weight savings of 5 lb over previous model
Revised Yamaha Power Tuner App with intuitive new “Quick Setting” slide bar, Traction & Launch Control tuning, and additional new features
Two-mode adjustable engine mapping allows on-the-fly selection between two tunable engine maps via new lightweight, handlebar-mounted push-button switchgear
New Traction Control System communicates wheel slip to the ECU to maintain ideal rear wheel traction with three selectable levels: High, Low, or Off
Updated Launch Control System now features adjustable rpm limiting for improved launches when the gate drops
More compact, lightweight cable-actuated clutch design replaces coil springs with a new disc spring
New tri-shaft transmission layout shortens the engine from front to back for more optimized engine positioning
Redesign air intake path, airbox and filter allow for slimmer airbox cover and radiator shrouds
Ultra-compact 44mm Mikuni throttle body ensures optimum fuel atomization while saving weight and improving mass-centralization
Completely redesigned lightweight aluminum bilateral frame carefully balances rigidity and flex characteristics for a lighter feel, improved bump absorption and increased traction
Slimmer, flatter and more compact body includes narrower fuel tank and front shrouds and more seamless, rounded features for easier rider movement and improved control
Rider triangle is also improved with increased legroom and revised handlebar position for a more natural posture and enhanced comfort
Fully adjustable Speed Sensitive System KYB coil spring-type fork and linkage-type KYB rear shock offer best-in-class suspension performance with revised damping characteristics to match the new YZ450F’s chassis
Front fork now features a new hand-operated compression damping adjuster for simple, tool-less adjustments
Large 270mm front brake rotor is coupled with a Nissin caliper and aggressive pad compounds
Rear brake feel is improved by reducing the rigidity of the brake hose providing a wider range of control at the pedal
Advanced computer-aided wheel design shaves weight without sacrificing durability, while rear wheel comes laced in a three-cross-spoke pattern for improved impact absorption and rider feel
Compact, lightweight push-button electric start provides effortless restarts
Premium Yamaha Blue and dark blue graphics scheme is embedded to provide excellent durability and scratch resistance
Race-developed Dunlop Geomax MX33 tires
The 2023 Yamaha YZ450F will be available from dealers this November in Team Yamaha Blue starting at $9,899. The 2023 Monster Energy Yamaha Racing Edition YZ450F will be available from dealers this October starting at $10,099.
2023 Yamaha YZ450F in Team Yamaha Blue
2023 Monster Energy Yamaha Racing Edition YZ450F
2023 Yamaha YZ125X
Introduced in 2020, the YZ125X was conceived to bolster Yamaha’s cross-country lineup while offering passionate 2-stroke enthusiasts a dedicated enduro racer. In the first major update for the model, the 2023 YZ125X reflects many of the extensive changes recently rolled out for the current competition-ready YZ125 motocross model but also incorporates a number of additional key modifications aimed specifically at boosting capability for rigorous long distance, multi-terrain cross-country racing.
The result is a powerful, featherweight, class-leading 2-stroke woods racer that represents both the ideal step up for young enthusiasts looking to enter into cross-country competition or for seasoned riders, a capable and lightweight 2-stroke.
It all starts with a more powerful liquid-cooled 125cc 2-stroke engine. Every functional part of the engine is new, including the cylinder, cylinder head, piston, piston pin, connecting rod, crankcase, and expansion chamber. To enhance the YZ125X’s performance in varied terrain and over long race distances, features such as Yamaha Power Valve System (YPVS) characteristics, exhaust timing, and compression ratio have been optimized to improve ease-of-use in the low- to mid-rpm range. A new Hitachi Astemo Keihin PWK38S carburetor with throttle position sensor and 3D-map-controlled CDI unit further enhances fueling and power delivery. A new intake design with VForce4 carbon reed valve and a straighter intake path is said to result in an improved feeling of power in the high rpm range.
To match increased engine performance, an updated braking system features larger front pistons, more rigid caliper, and a redesigned 270mm front rotor with a 30% increase in pad contact area. A redesigned rear rotor maintains the same braking power while dropping outer diameter from 245mm to 240mm, reducing unsprung weight.
Front and rear suspension damping has been revised to further improve bump absorption and cornering performance. Best-in-class KYB suspension includes a fully adjustable Speed Sensitive System 48mm inverted front fork, now with new internals for more precise damping. The revised fully adjustable KYB rear shock features reduced-friction Kashima Coat internals, separate adjusters for high- and low-speed compression damping, and a full lock oil rebound system. Additionally, front and rear settings are fine-tuned to handle the types of demanding and varied environments commonly encountered in cross-country competition.
A new flatter seat and more narrow fuel tank design, along with integrated body panels and slimmer radiator shroud width all combine to enhance freedom of movement forward and back, allowing the rider to easily shift body weight for increased control. Emphasizing its YZ racing pedigree, new front and rear fender design, bold Yamaha Blue and dark blue colorway, and premium embedded graphics provide a sharp, aggressive new look with excellent durability and scratch resistance.
Additional features on the 2023 YZ125X include premium lightweight blue Excel rims wrapped in high performance Dunlop Geomax MX33 tires, along with a cross-country oriented 18-inch rear wheel, larger rear sprocket, standard aluminum side stand, reserve fuel petcock, sealed O-ring chain, and a newly adopted scraper between the fork’s dust and oil seal.
2023 Yamaha YZ125X Features & Benefits
Redesigned liquid-cooled Yamaha Power Valve System (YPVS)-equipped 125cc two-stroke engine reportedly boasts more power in the mid- to high-range with cross country-specific tuning to enhance low- to midrange performance
New high-precision Hitachi Astemo Keihin PWK38S carburetor features throttle position sensor and 3D-map-controlled CDI unit
New straight intake design with VForce4 carbon reed valve
New shorter, lighter muffler
High performance brake setup features more rigid front caliper, larger front pistons, and redesigned rotors with increased pad contact area up front
Improved rider ergonomics are more narrow with a flatter seat and slimmer radiator shrouds
Fully adjustable Speed Sensitive System KYB inverted front fork with new internals for more precise damping and a new scraper between the dust and oil seal
Removable lightweight aluminum rear subframe constructed of square-section tubing
Lightweight finely tuned chassis for nimble handling, more control, and less rider fatigue
Revised 6-speed, close-ratio gearbox has wider transmission gear tooth width and new optimized gear ratios
New lightweight rear sprocket design
Sealed O-ring chain
High-capacity radiator with dark louvers deliver maximum cooling and aggressive looks
Lightweight aluminum handlebar with two-position adjustable handlebar clamp
Adjustable clutch lever with works-style cable adjuster
New premium graphics are now embedded for improved durability and scratch resistance
Premium lightweight Excel rims
Race-developed Dunlop Geomax MX33 tires
The 2023 Yamaha YZ125X will be available from dealers this September in Team Yamaha Blue starting at $7,099.
2023 Yamaha YZ125X in Team Yamaha Blue
2023 Yamaha YZ250X
2023 Yamaha YZ250X in Team Yamaha Blue
Significant updates for 2023 incorporate similar changes made to the Yamaha’s current YZ250 motocrosser to improve on key areas and provide an even more competitive, well-rounded package.
Rider ergonomics are more narrow and substantially improved through new integrated body panels, slimmer shroud width, and flatter seat. These changes allow greater freedom of movement front to back and easier weight transfer for improved control. Along with the slimmer, more aggressive bodywork, a new front and rear fender design and a new graphics scheme highlight the race-focused YZ lineage. Premium graphics are now embedded to provide improved durability and scratch resistance. Additionally, updates to the seat and bodywork also enabled a new, straighter intake design, allowing a more efficient intake path to the engine for improved low- to midrange pulling power.
The YZ250X’s suspension performance improves with revised front and rear damping characteristics to enhance bump absorption and cornering agility. The fully adjustable Speed Sensitive System KYB 48mm inverted front fork receives new internals and newly adopted scraper between the dust and oil seal, while the revised, fully adjustable KYB rear shock features reduced-friction Kashima Coat internals. Settings are specifically tuned to meet the harsh demands of cross-country competition.
A revamped brake setup features a more rigid front caliper, larger front pistons, and redesigned 270mm front rotor that increases pad contact area. A redesigned rear rotor drops the outer diameter from 245mm to 240mm, reducing unsprung weight.
The 2023 YZ250X uses the same liquid-cooled YPVS-equipped 249cc 2-stroke powerplant as its YZ250 stablemate but with YPVS characteristics, exhaust timing, and compression ratio optimized to improve ease-of-use in the low- to mid-rpm range for improved cross-country performance. Additionally, clutch durability is enhanced through a new friction material with excellent heat resistance characteristics ideal for long distance racing.
Finally, premium lightweight Excel wheels combine with high performance Dunlop Geomax MX33 tires, a cross-country-oriented 18-inch rear wheel size, wide-ratio gearing, a standard aluminum side stand, a sealed O-ring chain, and a reserve fuel petcock.
2023 Yamaha YZ250X in Team Yamaha Blue
2023 Yamaha YZ250X Features & Benefits
Improved rider ergonomics are more narrow with a flatter seat and slimmer radiator shrouds offering greater freedom of movement
Advanced liquid-cooled YPVS-equipped 249cc 2-stroke engine is lightweight and compact, with a wide, tractable powerband
New straight intake design improves low- to midrange pulling power
Hitachi Astemo Keihin PWK38S carburetor with power jet and throttle position sensor provides crisp throttle response
High performance brake setup features larger front pistons, more rigid caliper, and redesigned rotors with increased pad contact area
Fully adjustable KYB fork features the Speed-Sensitive System and includes a newly adopted scraper between the dust and oil seal
Front and rear suspension settings optimized for enhanced cross-country performance
Forged aluminum semi-double cradle frame
Removable aluminum rear subframe constructed of square-section tubing for reduced weight
5-speed gearbox
New clutch pressure plate material with heat resistance characteristics ideal for extended cross-country competition
New lightweight rear sprocket design
Sealed O-ring chain
High-capacity radiator with blacked-out louvers
Compact exhaust expansion chamber for improved clearance and exhaust efficiency
Lightweight aluminum handlebar with two-position adjustable handlebar clamp
Adjustable clutch lever with works-style cable adjuster
New premium graphics are now embedded for improved durability and scratch resistance
Premium lightweight Excel rims
Race-developed Dunlop Geomax MX33 tires
The 2023 Yamaha YZ250X will be available from dealers this August in Team Yamaha Blue starting at $7,999.
2023 Yamaha YZ250X in Team Yamaha Blue
2023 Yamaha Motocross and Cross Country Lineup
The remainder of Yamaha’s motocross and cross-country lineup, including the YZ65, YZ85, YZ85LW, YZ125, YZ125 Monster Energy Yamaha Racing Edition, YZ250, YZ250F, YZ250F Monster Energy Yamaha Racing Edition, YZ250FX, YZ450FX, WR250F, and WR450F all return unchanged for 2023.
Yamaha bLU cRU Off-Road Racing Contingency Program
All 2023 YZ models are eligible for Yamaha’s current bLU cRU Off-Road Racing Contingency Program, which features nearly $5 million for Yamaha bLU cRU riders competing in off-road motorcycle racing. YZ riders can earn contingency payouts via a bLU cRU debit card, receive a 10% rebate on GYTR parts and accessory purchases of up to $1,000, and receive an instant $45 credit on the bLU cRU Swag website. The 2023 bLU cRU Off-Road Racing Contingency Program details will be announced soon.
For complete details on how to register for the bLU cRU Off-Road Racing Contingency Program, along with specific information on which racing series, events, and classes are included, visit the Off-Road Racing Contingency page.
Can-Am also reiterated its commitment to growing the number and diversity of on-road riders through its “We Can All Ride” campaign. According to BRP:
71% of Can-Am three-wheel owners are new to powersports
40% of Can-Am riders are women, the highest percentage of female riders in any of BRP’s product lines
The Can-Am Women of On-Road community now has more than 15,000 female riders
2023 Can-Am Spyder and Ryker models
“Whether it’s for new entrants to the sport or for our community of passionate riders, we never stop looking for ways to innovate and improve the Can-Am experience,” said Martin Éthier, Global Marketing Director of Can-Am On-Road. “Our riders come from all over the world and from all walks of life, and we want our products to match that diversity by offering a fully curated experience that opens the road to all.”
2023 Can-Am Spyder F3 Lineup
The Can-Am Spyder F3 lineup includes five models:
Can-Am Spyder F3
2023 Can-Am Spyder F3 in Steel Black Metallic
Starting at $23,099, the Can-Am Spyder F3 features a 115-hp Rotax ACE 1330cc in-line Triple engine with an Eco mode, a semi-automatic 6-speed transmission, a vehicle stability control system, relaxed cruiser-like comfort with the UFit System, 6.5 gallons of storage capacity, LED lighting, and a 4.5-inch digital display. For 2023, it’s available in Steel Black Metallic.
Can-Am Spyder F3-S Special Series
2023 Can-Am Spyder F3-S Special Series in Manta Green
Starting at $26,299, Can-Am Spyder F3-S Special Series has the same features as the F3 plus a Super Sport grille, a gauge spoiler, a mono seat cowl, high-performance KYB shocks, a 7.8-inch digital display, and BRP Connect with vehicle-optimized smartphone apps. For 2023, it’s available in Manta Green and Monolith Black Satin with blue accents.
Can-Am Spyder F3-T
2023 Can-Am Spyder F3-T in Petrol Metallic
Starting at $28,599, the Can-Am Spyder F3-T adds touring capability with a windscreen, cruise control, adjustable rear air suspension, hard saddlebags and a glove box with 21 gallons of total storage, towing capability, and the BRP Audio 4-speaker sound system with audio control keypad. For 2023, it’s available in a new Petrol Metallic colorway as well as Pearl White.
Can-Am Spyder F3 Limited
2023 Can-Am Spyder F3 Limited in Plasma Red
Starting at $32,499, Can-Am Spyder F3 Limited adds extra touring capability and luxury with a top trunk with an integrated passenger backrest, 36.5 gallons of total storage, heated grips, footboards, and color-keyed Dark or Platinum (replacing Chrome) trims. For 2023, it’s available in Steel Black Metallic Platinum, Plasma Red Platinum, Monolith Black Satin Dark, and a new Petrol Metallic Dark colorway.
Can-Am Spyder F3 Limited Special Series
2023 Can-Am Spyder F3 Limited Special Series in Mineral Blue
Starting at $35,599, Can-Am Spyder F3 Limited Special Series adds a comfort seat, a short-reach handlebar, auxiliary lights, 12-spoke wheels, a top case rack, and a Super Sport grille. For 2023, it’s available in new Mineral Blue and Petrol Metallic colorways, both with carbon black-colored parts and trim.
2023 Can-Am Spyder FT Lineup
The touring-ready Can-Am Spyder RT lineup includes three models:
Can-Am Spyder RT
2023 Can-Am Spyder RT in Hyper Silver
Starting at $29,999, the Can-Am Spyder RT features a 115-hp Rotax ACE 1330cc in-line Triple engine with an Eco mode, a semi-automatic 6-speed transmission, a vehicle stability control system, touring footboards, an electric windscreen, a touring seat with extra lumbar support, heated grips, 31 gallons of storage capacity, a 7.8-inch digital display, BRP Connect with vehicle-optimized smartphone apps, and the BRP Audio 4-speaker sound system with audio control keypad. For 2023, it’s available in Petrol Metallic and Hyper Silver.
Can-Am Spyder RT Limited
2023 Can-Am Spyder F3 Limited in Deep Marsala Metallic
Starting at $34,499, the Can-Am Spyder RT Limited has the same features as the RT plus self-leveling rear air suspension, a premium passenger backrest, heated seats and grips for the rider and passenger, 47 gallons of storage capacity with a LinQ-ready top case, premium BRP Audio 6-speaker sound system with audio control keypad, signature LED lights, color-keyed Dark or Platinum trims, and a lined and lit front cargo box. For 2023, it’s available in Carbon Black, Hyper Silver, Deep Marsala Metallic, and Petrol Metallic (Dark only).
Starting at $37,499, the Can-Am Spyder RT Sea-to-Sky offers top-of-the-line luxury, with features for other RT models plus new, exclusive Green Shadow paint, a color-matched top case, 16-spoke wheels in a new Prosecco color, ultra-comfortable adaptive foam seats with lumbar support, and exclusive Prosecco-colored trim, Sea-to-Sky stitched seats, and Sea-to-Sky badging. It also features adjustable side wind deflectors and a colored rear panel for a sportier look when top case is removed.
New accessories for Spyder F3 and Spyder RT models include footboard lights and footboard risers for added comfort and accessibility for shorter riders.
2023 Can-Am Ryker Lineup
The smaller, sportier, more accessible, and more affordable Can-Am Ryker lineup includes three models:
Can-Am Ryker
2023 Can-Am Spyder Ryker 600 in Icepop Blue
Starting at $11,399, the Can-Am Ryker features a Rotax 600cc 2-cylinder or 900cc 3-cylinder engine, an automatic CVT transmission with reverse, shaft final drive, a vehicle stability control, adjustable ergonomics, and a drift-friendly Sport Mode and fuel-saving Eco Mode (on 900cc model only). The Ryker is available with replaceable Panel Kits for a custom look, and 23 different options are available. New panel colorways for 2023 include Lemon Twist, Icepop Blue, Gold Rush, and Silver Lava.
Can-Am Ryker Sport
2023 Can-Am Ryker Sport in Gold Rush
Starting at $15,099, the Can-Am Ryker Sport features all Rotax 900-spec Ryker features plus Sport model-exclusive styling, KYB HPG suspension (with front/rear adjustable preload and rear adjustable compression damping), a Sport comfort seat, a MAX Mount that adds long-haul cargo and passenger options, Sport Mode, and cruise control. Like the standard Ryker, the Sport is available with 23 different panel colorways, including four new ones for 2023.
Can-Am Ryker Rally
2023 Can-Am Ryker Rally in Lemon Twist
Starting at $17,499, the Can-Am Ryker Rally features all Rotax 900-spec Ryker features plus stronger wheels, rally-ready tires, a pushbar, a skid plate, mud flaps, an intake with pre-filter, LED lights, an Akrapovič exhaust, a rally handlebar with handguards, a comfort seat, anti-slip footpegs, KYB HPG shocks with remote adjusters and an extra inch of travel, a MAX Mount that adds long-haul cargo and passenger options, Drift Mode for dirt-friendly cornering, and cruise control. Like the standard Ryker, the Sport is available with 23 different panel colorways, including four new ones for 2023.
2023 Can-Am Ryker with accessory Circuit wheels
New Ryker accessories include Panel Kits, heated grips, Circuit wheels, a driver backrest, grille protection, and more.
Can-Am has also redesigned is line of exclusive apparel, which includes jackets, gloves, and helmets in a variety of styles for men and women.
Our guest on Episode 42 of the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast is Andre LaPlante, who runs MotoVentures, an off-road training school started in 1998 by his father, Gary LaPlante. Andre has worked in the motorcycle industry for 20 years in various sales, marketing, and advertising roles, including 16 years at Cobra Engineering. He has raced motocross and competed in trials for 30 years, and he took 3rd place at the 2022 BMW GS Trophy Qualifier West. Andre is also a U.S. Motorcycle Coaching Association (USMCA) certified instructor. During this episode, we talk about MotoVenture’s “dirt first” philosophy and the value of off-road training for motorcyclists of all ages. Even if you are a street rider, you can learn valuable skills that will help you ride more confidently.
We also talk about Andre’s father, Gary LaPlante, a long-time motorcycle industry veteran who started and ran MotoVentures for many years and wrote the book How to Ride Off-Road Motorcycles. Gary is battling brain cancer, and we encourage listeners to show their support by signing up for training with MotoVentures, buying Gary’s book, or visiting his GoFundMe page and making a donation to help defray his significant medical expenses. Andre is a down-to-earth motorcycle enthusiast who is carrying on his father’s legacy of training people how to be better riders. That’s an effort we applaud and fully support.
Kawasaki announced the return of several sport, retro sport, naked, cruiser, adventure touring, and dual-sport models to its motorcycle lineup. These 2023 motorcycles are set to arrive in Kawasaki dealerships during the summer months.
Models included in this announcement are the Ninja 1000SX, Ninja 400 and 400 ABS, Z H2 and H2 SE, Z900RS and Z900RS Cafe, Z400 ABS, the Vulcan S and Vulcan 900 lineups, 1700 Voyager ABS, Versys-X300 and Versys-X300 ABS, and the KLR650 lineup.
2023 Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX in Emerald Blazed Green / Metallic Diablo Black / Metallic Graphite Gray
The Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX is back with its refined sport-touring capabilities, combining the power of a supersport with the feel of an upright sportbike and familiar Ninja styling.
The Ninja 1000SX features a 1,043cc liquid-cooled inline-Four, Kawasaki Traction Control, Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Braking System (KIBS), Kawasaki Quick Shifter, 4.3-inch all-digital TFT color instrumentation, and electronic cruise control.
The Ninja 1000SX includes rider aides such as electronic cruise control and integrated riding modes that combine traction control and Power Modes, and it is compatible with the Kawasaki RIDEOLOGY THE APP.
This 2023 model will be offered in Emerald Blazed Green / Metallic Diablo Black / Metallic Graphite Gray starting at $13,199
2023 Kawasaki Ninja 400 and Ninja 400 ABS
2023 Kawasaki Ninja 400 in Metallic Magnetic Dark Gray/ Metallic Matte Twilight Blue
Ideal for both experienced riders and newer riders looking to step up from a lower displacement bike, the 2023 Ninja 400 sport motorcycle offers the largest displacement in its category.
The 2023 Ninja 400 features a 399cc liquid-cooled parallel-Twin, a slip/assist clutch, a lightweight trellis frame, Uni-Trak rear suspension, a 310mm semi-floating petal disc brake and 2-piston caliper in the front, and 220mm petal disc brake and 1-piston caliper in the rear.
A low seat height (30.9 in.), twin LED headlights, and high-grade multifunction dash instrumentation make the Ninja 400 the ideal choice for riders looking to enter the sport-riding scene.
2023 Kawasaki Ninja 400 in Pearl Blizzard White / Metallic Carbon Gray
For 2023, the Ninja 400 and the Ninja 400 ABS are available in Metallic Carbon Gray / Metallic Matte Carbon Gray, Pearl Blizzard White / Metallic Carbon Gray, and Metallic Magnetic Dark Gray/ Metallic Matte Twilight Blue. The Ninja 400 starts at $5,299, and the Ninja 400 ABS starts at $5,699.
2023 Ninja 400 ABS KRT Edition in Lime Green / Ebony
The Ninja 400 ABS KRT Edition is painted in a Lime Green / Ebony color scheme and starts at $5,899. The Ninja 400 KRT Edition without ABS will come in the same color scheme starting at $5,499.
2023 Kawasaki Z H2 and Z H2 SE
2023 Kawasaki Z H2 in Metallic Phantom Silver / Metallic Carbon Gray
The flagship model of the Kawasaki Z lineup, the 2023 Z H2 features a balanced supercharged 998cc liquid-cooled inline-Four, a 6-speed dog-ring gearbox, a slip/assist clutch, a lightweight trellis frame, high-performance Showa suspension components, and Brembo monoblock brake calipers.
The bike also offers an IMU-based electronics package, Kawasaki Quick Shifter (KQS), Kawasaki Launch Control Mode (KLCM), Kawasaki Cornering Management Function (KCMF), electronic cruise control, integrated riding modes, all-digital TFT color instrumentation, smartphone connectivity via RIDEOLOGY THE APP, and LED lighting.
For 2023, the Z H2 comes in Metallic Phantom Silver / Metallic Carbon Gray and starts at $18,500.
The Z H2 SE offers the same features that come standard on the Z H2, with the addition of the Kawasaki Electronic Control Suspension (KECS) with Skyhook EERA Technology, which adapts to road and riding conditions in real-time, providing the ideal amount of damping by combining high-level mechanical components with the latest electronic control technology and reportedly giving the rider a smoother ride as it continually adapts to the road surface in real-time.
For braking power, the 2023 Z H2 SE will once again feature Brembo Stylema monoblock brake calipers, a Brembo front brake master cylinder, and steel-braided lines.
2023 Kawasaki Z H2 SE in Metallic Matte Graphenesteel Gray / Ebony / Mirror Coated Black
The 2023 Z H2 SE will be offered in Metallic Matte Graphenesteel Gray / Ebony / Mirror Coated Black starting at $20,700.
2023 Kawasaki Z900RS and Z900RS Cafe
2023 Kawasaki Z900RS in Metallic Diablo Black / Metallic Imperial Red
The Kawasaki Z900RS retro-sportbikes reignites the classic style of the original Z1 900 motorcycle.
The 2023 Z900RS and Z900RS Cafe feature a 948cc liquid-cooled inline-Four, a slip/assist clutch, horizontal back-link rear suspension, authentic retro styling, an iconic teardrop fuel tank, a tuned stainless steel exhaust system, a round LED headlight, and bullet-shaped analog dials.
2023 Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe in Metallic Diablo Black
For 2023, the Z900RS comes in a Metallic Diablo Black / Metallic Imperial Red paint scheme starting at $11,949. The Z900RS Cafe adds cafe-racer styling with a front cowl, a special seat, and a drop handlebar, and is available in Metallic Diablo Black starting at $12,399.
2023 Kawasaki Z400 ABS
2023 Kawasaki Z400 ABS in Metallic Matte Graphenesteel Gray / Metallic Spark Black
Described in a 2018 Rider First Ride Review as a “Ninja 400 with a flat handlebar and no fairing,” the Kawasaki Z400 ABS naked sportbike features a 399cc liquid-cooled parallel-Twin, a slip/assist clutch, streetfighter styling, a lightweight chassis, an upright riding position, a low seat height (30.9 in.), and standard ABS.
2023 Kawasaki Z400 ABS in Pearl Robotic White /Metallic Matte Graphenesteel Gray
For 2023, the Z400 ABS is available in Metallic Matte Graphenesteel Gray / Metallic Spark Black and Pearl Robotic White /Metallic Matte Graphenesteel Gray starting at $5,399.
2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S, Vulcan S ABS, and Vulcan S Cafe
2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S in Metallic Flat Spark Black
The Kawasaki Vulcan S sport cruisers are geared to fit a wide range of riders as a result of not only the bikes’ reported starting curb weight just shy of 492 lb but also the exclusive Ergo-Fit sizing system, which includes 18 possible configurations for the handlebar, footpegs, and seat.
Both bikes feature a 649cc liquid-cooled DOHC parallel-Twin and sportbike-derived chassis and suspension. The 2023 Vulcan S Cafe also comes equipped with three-tone paint, signature tank badging, sport striping, and a dark-tinted windshield deflector.
2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S in Cafe Pearl Storm Gray / Ebony
For 2023, the Vulcan S is available in a Metallic Flat Spark Black colorway starting at $7,349, the Vulcan S ABS is offered in Pearl Matte Sage Green / Metallic Flat Spark Black starting at $7,899, and the Vulcan S Cafe is available in Pearl Storm Gray / Ebony starting at $8,099.
2023 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic in Metallic Spark Black /Metallic Magnesium Gray
In our “Middleweight Touring Cruisers” comparison test, which included the Vulcan 900 Classic LT, Rider EIC Greg Drevendstedt wrote: “Cruisers are about style and sensation. How a cruiser looks is just as important as how it sounds and feels.”
All three of the 2023 Vulcan 900 cruiser models feature a 903cc liquid-cooled, fuel-injected V-Twin and a low seat height (26.8 in.).
The Vulcan 900 Classic features rider footboards with a heel/toe shifter, tank-mounted instrumentation, and a 180mm rear tire. The Vulcan 900 Classic LT features a studded seat with standard passenger backrest, leather saddlebags, and a height-adjustable windscreen. The Vulcan 900 Custom features wide drag bars and forward-mounted footpegs, a low center of gravity for easy handling, custom styling with a teardrop tank, parallel slash-cut pipes, and pinstripe wheels.
2023 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic LT in Pearl Storm Gray / Ebony
2023 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom in Pearl Matte Sage Green / Flat Ebony
For 2023, the Vulcan 900 Classic is available in Metallic Spark Black /Metallic Magnesium Gray starting at $8,999. The Vulcan 900 Classic LT is available in Pearl Storm Gray / Ebony starting at $9,999 with a 24-month limited warranty, and the Vulcan 900 Custom is available in Pearl Matte Sage Green / Flat Ebony starting at $9,499.
2023 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS
2023 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS in Pearl Storm Gray / Ebony
The 2023 Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS touring cruiser features a 1,700cc liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, transverse 52-degree V-Twin, Kawasaki Advanced Coactive-braking Technology (K-ACT II) ABS, throttle-by-wire, and electronic cruise control.
The bike has a frame-mounted fairing, an intercom-headset compatible audio system, and integrated luggage. For 2023, the Vulcan 1700 Voyager is available in Pearl Storm Gray / Ebony starting at $19,299.
2023 Kawasaki Versys-X 300 and Versys-X300 ABS
2023 Kawasaki Versys-X 300 in Pearl Matte Sage Green / Metallic Matte Carbon Gray
With a compact Ninja-derived 296cc liquid-cooled DOHC Twin, the Kawasaki Versys-X 300 is a nimble, lightweight motorcycle that’s suitable for commuting or touring.
The Versys-X 300 has a lightweight chassis, long-travel suspension, a low seat height (32.1 in.), front cowling with a tall windscreen, and a rear carrier.
The 2023 Versys-X 300 is available in Pearl Matte Sage Green / Metallic Matte Carbon Gray starting at $5,899, while the ABS model comes in the same color scheme starting at $6,199.
2023 Kawasaki KLR650 and KLR650 ABS
2023 Kawasaki KLR650 in Pearl Storm Gray
The KLR650 sports a 652cc liquid-cooled Single nestled in a recently redesigned high-tensile double-cradle frame. In 2022, the bike was upgraded with new improved ergonomics, bodywork, a taller two-position adjustable windscreen, a larger aluminum rear carrier, increased generator capacity, and an LED headlight. It features all-digital multifunction instrumentation, an optional ABS system, and 7.9 inches of front travel coupled with 7.3 inches of rear travel.
2023 Kawasaki KLR650 in Pearl Solar Yellow
2023 Kawasaki KLR650 in Candy Lime Green
The 2023 KLR650 is available in three colorways – Pearl Storm Gray, Pearl Solar Yellow, and Candy Lime Green – and starts at $6,899. The KLR650 ABS is offered in Pearl Storm Gray starting at $7,199.
2023 Kawasaki KLR650 Adventure and KLR650 Adventure ABS
2023 Kawasaki KLR650 Adventure in Cypher Camo Gray
The KLR650 Adventure model is built off of the standard KLR650 platform and designed for the rider who is looking for increased carrying capacity and convenience. It comes equipped with factory-installed side cases, LED auxiliary lights, engine guards, a tank pad, and both a DC power outlet and USB socket. It’s available both with and without ABS.
The 2023 KLR650 Adventure is available in Cypher Camo Gray starting at $7,899, while the KLR650 Adventure ABS also comes in Cypher Camo Gray starting at $8,199.
2023 Kawasaki KLR650 Traveler ABS
2023 Kawasaki KLR650 Traveler ABS in Pearl Solar Yellow
The KLR650 Traveler model consists of the same features found on the standard KLR650 as well as a factory-installed top case and both a DC power outlet and USB socket. It comes equipped with ABS.
The KLR650 Traveler ABS is offered in Pearl Solar Yellow starting at $7,599.
The 12th edition of The Quail Motorcycle Gathering drew a crowd of nearly 3,200 to enjoy 270 vintage, classic, and custom bikes as well as a wide variety of vendors and food purveyors on a beautiful day in May. Photos by the author and courtesy Kahn Media.
From my home in Southern California, it’s just a day’s ride to the scenic Monterey Peninsula on some of the state’s most sublime motorcycling roads, including Highway 1 on the majestic Big Sur coast. Good food and nightlife on a Friday night in Monterey are steps away from dozens of hotels ranging from reasonable to posh, so an overnight run is both easy and fun. Add the prospect of attending a large vintage and custom motorcycle concours on the green grass of the nearby upscale golf course, and you can see why The Quail Motorcycle Gathering has been a great success since the first one in 2008.
Catching up after a two-year break, the 2022 Quail Motorcycle Gathering celebrated the 50th anniversary of Harley-Davidson’s iconic XR-750, which was actually in 2020, with a featured class.
Plenty of enthusiasts flock to The Quail just for the day, so the parking area along Valley Greens Drive becomes quite a motorcycle show in its own right. This year, 3,200 spectators enjoyed 270 notable and highly polished motorcycles arranged just so on the grass of the Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel Valley, ringed by vendors of every sort. The one-day event cost $55 and ran from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., so attendees had to keep moving to see and do it all.
Led by Gordon McCall, Director of Motorsports for Peninsula Signature Events, The Quail Ride kicks off the event on Friday (not to be confused with Why We Ride to the Quail, a two-day charity ride for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation that starts on Thursday in SoCal – for more information, visit Motovational.org). The Quail Ride is a 100-mile loop around this gorgeous area limited to 100 riders that includes two laps of Laguna Seca Raceway with its famous Corkscrew, an experience that’s worth the price of admission alone.
The Quail has hosted as many as 400 machines in past years, but as McCall said this year, “It’s too many bikes.”
“You can’t see them all in a day, and we’re a one-day event,” he said. “So we pared that back. This to me is the heart and soul of the motorcycle community. We’ve got a lot of smaller companies, smaller vendors, and they help make this possible. Just look at this – people are in a good mood. We’re ready – enough with hiding under a rock for two years.”
The Best of Show award went to this 1951 Vincent Rapide owned and customized by Max Hazan.
Indeed, after a two-year break due to the pandemic, the 2022 Gathering may have been a bit smaller, but I still had trouble taking everything in. In addition to traditional classes like British, Italian, Japanese, Competition, and Antique, the event showcased five featured classes. Two-Stroke “Braaaps” comprised on- and off-road ring-ding superstars, like the 1986 Suzuki RG500 Gamma from Matt Torrens of California. Other classes highlighted minibikes, BMW /5 Series motorcycles, and the Harley-Davidson XR-750, a crowd favorite and one of the most successful racebikes of all time.
While this is a very social event, it’s the bikes that are the primary draw, and there was no shortage of interesting, amazing, and historical hardware to ogle. Vintage machines wearing a time-earned patina or lovingly restored to original or better condition by the best in their field are most prevalent, but the show also includes bikes from some of the icons of the custom motorcycle world, like Max Hazan from Hazan Motorworks in Los Angeles. Hazan’s wildly custom and beautiful 1951 Vincent Rapide won Best of Show, a controversial choice to some given the irreverent nature of customs based on famous vintage bikes.
Chris Carter of Motion Pro accepts the Spirit of the Quail award for his multiple championship-winning 1984 Honda RS750.
But the 40-plus judges on the committee, led by veteran Chief Judge Somer Hooker, also gave top awards in many other classes to near-perfect history-making motorcycles. An incredible 1984 Honda RS750, for example, ridden to three Grand National Championships by Bubba Shobert (and owned by Chris Carter of Motion Pro) was given the Spirit of the Quail award.
The “mini bikes | BIG FUN” class was highlighted by this 1968 Honda Z50, which Steve McQueen had customized by Von Dutch.
Yamaha brought a fleet of famous flat-trackers from its racing past, like the 1977-78 Kenny Roberts Racing Specialties-designed, monoshock-framed MX250, one of two bikes champion racer Jeff Haney rode to multiple lap records during his undefeated 1978 season at Ascot Park. Arch Motorcycles, the company started by actor Keanu Reeves, was there with its pricey, out-of-this-world production bikes.
The Gathering was also a rare opportunity to try out apparel like airbag vests from Helite or cool jackets from Walter Leather Company, and a silent auction supporting the Monterey County Youth Museum offered everything from golf at the Quail Lodge & Golf Club to stays at The Peninsula Chicago and New York hotels.
“The success of this year’s The Quail Motorcycle Gathering was truly overwhelming,” said McCall. “From the immense support of our incredible sponsors to the amazing spectators and the diverse demonstration of remarkable motorcycles and classic cars, we are so proud to have come back stronger than ever and are excited to see what 2023 will bring.”
Former AMA pro racer and industry legend Thad Wolff (left) with his arm around Rider’s longtime Editor, Mark Tuttle. Wolff competes in ARHMA trials on his restored 1964 Triumph Tiger Cub, which he entered in the Competition Off Road class.
Me too! Next year, The Quail Motorcycle Gathering is scheduled for Saturday, May 6, 2023. Tickets will go on sale this fall, and it’s likely the all-inclusive passes will be limited in number and sell out again, so be sure to put it on the calendar.
Scott A. Williams, Rider contributor, smiles with his bike on a dirt path.
Our guest on Episode 41 of the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast is Scott A. Williams, who has been a regular contributor to Rider for two decades. A lifelong New Englander, Scott is a storyteller. His writing reflects the insights of a regular guy with a keen sense of observation and a passion for exploring on two wheels. Scott’s motorcycle touring features are less about “turn here, then turn there” and more about the culture of the regions he rides through and the people he meets along the way. His columns consider the rider’s experience, viewed through the lens of his personal encounters. Known as “Bones” since he was a little kid, Scott had been a Rider magazine subscriber for years when it occurred to him, “I’m a writer and a rider, I should write for Rider.” Twenty years ago, he made a story pitch to then-editor Mark Tuttle, and since then he has written nearly a hundred pieces for what he will tell you is still his favorite magazine. Check out some of Scott’s writing for Rider via the links below.
You can listen to Episode 40 on iTunes, Spotify, 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.
One of the many scenic views along the winding coast of Greece’s Peloponnese peninsula. Photos by the author and Carrie Drevenstedt.
Having never been to Greece before, my mental postcards of the country consisted of the crumbling Parthenon in Athens and a cluster of white-washed, blue-roofed houses overlooking a turquoise sea.
The Parthenon, which my wife Carrie and I visited the day before the Edelweiss Bike Travel Best of Greece tour began, looked like I thought it would. Well, except for the scaffolding. The temple at the Acropolis is nearly 2,500 years old and was partially destroyed by the Venetians in 1687, so a little sprucing up is in order.
The Parthenon rises high above Athens at the Acropolis.
Those white-washed houses are on Santorini, an island out in the Aegean Sea. We didn’t go there, and that’s a good thing. Places like Santorini are where huge cruise ships disgorge hordes of waddling tourists. The Edelweiss tour avoids crowds and takes the roads less traveled.
From Athens to the Oracle
Our tour began with meeting the guides, who gave us a safety briefing and an overview of the tour. Booklets, a hotel list, and a map of Greece were mailed to us in advance, but if I’m honest, I barely looked at them. The experts at Edelweiss have been running motorcycle tours since 1980, and they know what they’re doing. Since they take care of the preparation and planning, I enjoy letting the tour unfold from one day to the next.
Our tight-knit group of Americans enjoyed the roads, sights, and culture of Greece for two full weeks.
Our group was small, just eight participants, all Americans. Three couples rode two-up – Bob and Ronnie from Virginia, Ken and Evelyn from Georgia, and Carrie and me. Two guys rode solo – Yoram from California and Dave from Virginia. (Check out Dave’s travel tips on European motorcycle travel.) Our guides Paul (from Minnesota) and William (from the U.K.) alternated days riding the lead bike and driving the support van.
Smiles for miles. After a full day of riding challenging roads, we enjoyed a well-deserved “boot” beer at our hotel overlooking Lake Plastiras.
The first day of any overseas tour is a little stressful. Some folks are still jet-lagged, others are getting used to an unfamiliar bike on unfamiliar roads, and everyone is adapting to a new routine. Even so, our small group and common language made it easy for us to gel and get along.
Athens is a big capital city that’s home to nearly 4 million people – more than a third of Greece’s population. It’s great for sightseeing before or after the tour, but our objective was to escape the city as quickly as possible. After battling some Monday morning traffic, we did just that, climbing high into mountains on a narrow, winding road, giving us a taste of what was to come.
One of the curvy roads we rode on the first day of the tour.
Rainer Buck, managing director of Edelweiss, ranks Greece as one of his top three riding destinations because “it’s like a mountain range was dropped into the sea.” Greece is tied with Slovenia as the third most mountainous country in Europe after Norway and Switzerland. Nearly 80% of the country’s land area is covered by sloped terrain that motorcyclists long for.
Riding in Greece’s mountains was like being in the Alps but with less traffic.
Located at the southern tip of the Balkans, Greece has a peninsular mainland bordered to the north by Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey, and is surrounded on three sides by the Aegean, Myrtoan, and Ionian seas. The Peloponnese region is a large peninsula that resembles a fat, four-fingered hand, separated from the mainland by a narrow canal through the Isthmus of Corinth. Scattered around these land masses are thousands of islands. Our 1,500-mile tour followed a counterclockwise route around part of the mainland and much of the Peloponnese.
The Kipina monastery is built into the side of a cliff.
Not only is Greece a great place to ride, its significance in terms of human culture runs deep. Located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, it has been inhabited since at least 270,000 B.C. Pick your historical era – Stone Age, Bronze Age, Dark Ages, Middle Ages – and Greece was the place to be. It’s the birthplace of democracy, Western philosophy and literature, theater, the Olympic Games, and a lot of the math and science we learned in high school. Heavy hitters like Aristotle, Plato, Socrates, Hippocrates, Homer, and Euclid were all Greek.
Built in the 10th century, the Monastery of Hosios Loukas is one of fives sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List we visited on the tour.
Greece is lousy with brown signs pointing down empty roads toward historic sites. Temples, monasteries, necropolises, theaters, you name it – there are more than can be visited in a lifetime. This tour visits major or unique sites, including five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We visited two – the 10th century Monastery of Hosios Loukas and Delphi – on our first day. Established in the 8th century B.C., Delphi was where one would go to receive an oracle from the priestess of Apollo. It was also considered the center of the world, being the place where two eagles released by Zeus, one to the east and one to the west, came back together.
Delphi, one of several sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List we visited, was built in the 8th century B.C. It sits between two towers of rock in the Parnassus Mountains.
Bagging two UNESCO sites and getting our fill of switchbacks up and down steep coastal mountains, expansive views of the Gulf of Corinth, narrow roads winding through endless olive groves, and a high pass through a vibrant evergreen forest made for a full first day. The day’s heat was cooled by an afternoon thunderstorm and a post-ride “boot” beer – enjoyed while still wearing our riding boots.
For Your Eyes Only
By Day 2, we were finding our groove. Up early for breakfast, bring luggage down at 8:15, ride briefing at 8:30, and kickstands up at 9. From our mountainside hotel in Arachova, we summited a pass, cruised through a lush alpine valley full of ski chalets, wound our way up through evergreens to a ski slope, and then plunged down an endless series of hairpins to a hot, dry valley.
“It’s all Greek to me!” Reading road signs in Greece can be challenging. In the background is one of the ubiquitous kandylakia, small roadside shrines.
Early on, this tour taught us to expect the unexpected and be ready for anything. Like listening to enormous storks clacking their beaks in a nest above us while we ate lunch at a small outdoor cafe. Or passing by countless kandylakia, which are small roadside shrines erected to honor lost loved ones or saints for good fortune. We visited a monastery built into the side of a cliff, another built inside a tree, and others perched atop towers of stone.
The Panagia Plataniotissa church occupies the hollow of a tree.
On Day 3, after a picnic lunch overlooking a broad agricultural plain, we visited Meteora, a sprawling rock formation where dozens of monasteries were built atop sandstone pillars in the 14th century. Access to the monasteries was intentionally difficult, not only as protection from invaders but to test the faith of pilgrims, who had to ascend hundreds of feet by climbing ladders or being hoisted up in nets. Only six of the monasteries remain, hardy structures that have survived attacks by the Turks, bombing raids during WWII, a magnitude-7 earthquake in 1954, and the filming of a James Bond movie in 1981.
Meteora, which means “lofty,” is a complex of monasteries perched atop sandstone pillars more than 1,000 feet high. Built hundreds of years ago, they were once accessible only by ladders and ropes.One of the monasteries at Meteora.
Day after day, we were surprised by the ruggedness of the scenery and tested by the trickiness of the roads. Edelweiss stitched together a challenging, convoluted route, so much so that it occasionally gave the tour guides’ GPS units fits. The width, pitch, and condition of the roads changed constantly, from smooth, wide highways to steep, narrow paths riddled with potholes, cracks, and dips. Although the route was almost entirely paved, we were kept on our toes by sand, gravel, mud, cow manure, fallen rocks, rain, fog, and even patches of snow.
Dodging snowbanks on Baros Pass.
Above all, we had to be on the lookout for animals. Traveling off the beaten path, we shared the road with cows, horses, goats (often in large, road-blocking herds), sheep (ditto), dogs (often lying on the road), cats, snakes, and turtles. What we rarely dealt with, however, were other vehicles. Outside of the few cities we visited, there were hardly any cars, trucks, or buses on the road. It was like having Greece to ourselves.
Rush-hour traffic.
From the Mountains to the Sea
Our first few days were spent riding through mountains that seemed like they could have been in the Alps. On the fourth day, we rested. Some took advantage of the downtime to explore the mountain town of Metsovo, while others rode north into the Pindus Mountains near the Albanian border to visit Vikos Gorge, a cleft in the earth up to 4,400 feet deep and the world’s deepest gorge relative to its width.
Vikos Gorge
From Metsovo we turned south, climbing up and over mountain pass after mountain pass, including one that was mostly covered by a snowbank and had opened just days before. After a full day of challenging roads, we crossed a small floating bridge to the island of Lefkada. As happened at the end of most riding days, we enjoyed a celebratory boot beer and then gathered for a group dinner. We sat outdoors at the Crystal Waters resort, savoring the salty breeze and local fare as we recapped the day’s adventures, topping it all with glasses of ouzo.
Coffee stop in the village of Kalarites, near Baros Pass.
On Day 6, we rode along the southern coast of the mainland, the sea’s color ranging from topaz in the shallows to dark cobalt in the depths. We stopped for a morning coffee at a cafe on the edge of a small harbor, where a fishing boat pulled up and sold its catch directly to locals.
We enjoyed a morning coffee stop in Mytikas, a small fishing village where the day’s catch was sold to locals right from the boat.
We left the mainland by way of the Rion-Antiron Bridge, crossing a narrow section of the Gulf of Corinth to the Peloponnese peninsula. We wasted no time climbing back up into the mountains on roads full of twist and shout. Late in the afternoon on the way to Vytina, we hit rush-hour traffic – herd after herd of goats and sheep being led down the road by shepherds and dogs.
The Rion-Antiron Bridge, the world’s longest fully suspended multi-span cable-stayed bridge, connects the mainland to the Peloponnese peninsula.
On the second rest day, our entire group rode to the ruins of Olympia, the ancient center of worship of Zeus and the site of the Olympic Games from 776 B.C. to 394 A.D. The temples and sports structures were mostly destroyed in 426 A.D. by an angry emperor and further damaged over the years by earthquakes and floods. Since the Olympic Games resumed in 1894, the Olympic flame has been lit at what remains of the Temple of Hera and transported by a torch to the host cities.
Built in 590 B.C., the Temple of Hera is the oldest sanctuary in Olympia. The Olympic flame is lit here and then transported to the sites of the Olympic Games.
Prepare for Glory, and Olives
On Day 8, we sliced south through the heart of the Peloponnese, from Vytina in the mountains to Megalopolis in the valley. We made time on the motorway to reach Sparta, which, despite its legendary reputation as the home of courageous, self-disciplined warriors, is now just an ordinary city that’s well past its prime. A statue of mighty King Leonidas, who had the brass to take on the entire Persian army with 300 brave soldiers, overlooks an abandoned building.
Riding through the Langada Gorge near Sparta.
Rising out of Sparta is a winding road that burrows its way into the Taygetos Mountains via the Langada Gorge. After ascending a few switchbacks, the road cuts into the side of the gorge through a series of tunnels and overhangs on its way up to a 5,000-foot pass. We wound our way down to the coastal city of Kalamata, known for its namesake black olives, and had lunch on the beach. It was a hot afternoon of riding along the coast, and after a boot beer in Areopoli, several of us cooled off with a swim in the Ionian Sea.
The village of Limeni, where we swam in the Ionian Sea.
Our final rest day was in Monemvasia. We stayed in a beautiful resort hotel with two infinity pools, a gourmet restaurant, and views of vineyards and the sea – the perfect reward after logging so many challenging miles. It was also where Carrie and I celebrated our eighth wedding anniversary. Paul and William had a special treat sent to our room, and the next morning we found our GS decorated with tissue paper, empty beer cans strung together with duct tape, and a “just married” sign.
Our hotel near Monemvasia, where we enjoyed a rest day.
Over our final two days, we made our way back to Athens, riding north along the Peloponnese coast, where we enjoyed coffee and lunch stops overlooking the sea and visited the theater at Epidaurus, built in the 4th century B.C. and renowned for its exceptional acoustics.
The 2,500-year-old theater at Epidaurus can hold 14,000 spectators.
Our Bucket Overfloweth
Greece seems to be on everyone’s bucket list. If they’ve never been, they want to go; if they’ve visited before, they want to go back. It’s a magical, mysterious, romantic place that looms large in our imaginations and is rich in history, culture, cuisine, scenery, and so much more.
We ate well in Greece and ordered Greek salad with fresh tomatoes and local feta every day.
It is difficult to fathom the depth of history in Greece’s mountains and along its shorelines. Living in a nation barely two and a half centuries old on a continent “discovered” five centuries ago, seeing the remnants of kingdoms and empires that stretch back several millennia boggles the mind, like trying to comprehend the far reaches of outer space. Is this real? Did actual humans carve this stone and erect these temples, till this soil and fish these waters, worship gods and contemplate ideas of self-determination?
Riding along the Peloponnese coast.
Spending two weeks in Greece engaged our senses, dispelled our preconceived notions, and tested our mettle. This tour is not a walk in the park. It is challenging and at times quite intense, with long riding days on technical roads with variable weather and conditions. Every night we collapsed into bed, dead tired but deeply satisfied.
Riding in the mountains on Greece’s mainland.
Edelweiss Bike Travel’s next Best of Greece tour is scheduled for October 8-21, 2022. The tour will run twice in 2023: May 1-15 and September 29-October 12. For pricing, details, and information about Edelweiss’ full schedule of tours, visit EdelweissBike.com.
