The Vault Archives - Motorcycle Mojo

Unscientific Ethanol Test

Last year, I wrote a couple of columns about gasoline, one explaining that octane prevents engine knock; the other that ethanol is used primarily to replace lead as an octane booster. However,...

Motorcycling Becoming More Niche

While at the Vancouver Motorcycle Show this year, I found myself conversing about how to entice younger generations to get into motorcycling. Of course, there are a few hurdles, such as money,...

Energy Density Fail

I’ve made much of late of the fact that electric motorcycles don’t work very well for serious motorcyclists. Oh, electric scooters are most assuredly a good idea, especially if they’re built...

Pressurized Engines

Big power from small displacement. Just over four decades ago, Japanese motorcycle manufacturers began experimenting with forced induction. Honda was first to hit the market with a forced-induction...

Baggage, Bye-Bye

Gone are the days of luxurious air travel; the days when flying was enjoyable. These days, flying feels more like a Russian roulette of issues: take your chances and wait to see what problem will...

Clutch Evolution

We motorcyclists seem to be on a quest for the perfect clutch. At least that’s the lesson I’m gleaning from the spate of (semi) automatic gearboxes that have been unleashed these last few years....

Saving fuel with your right hand

I recently took part in BMW’s ADV-X, a five-day adventure ride along logging roads, dirt roads and trails in beautiful British Columbia. I split my time aboard the new BMW R1300GS and the F900GS....

Don’t Let Ego Get in the Way

Ever since I was a kid, I always look forward to January. Sure, new year, new beginnings, blah, blah, blah. What really got me excited was the anticipation for the Dakar Rally. Reading news and...

What’s Become of MotoGP?

MotoGP has become as boring as snot. An even worse insult: it’s become as boring as Formula 1. The recent Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi — a hard-braking track normally noted for exciting passing...

Shop Disasters

Whether accidents are slightly humourous or of grave concern, great care must be taken with things that spark. There are chemicals used regularly in a bike shop that are combustible, corrosive, and...

Mighty Max

I want to preface this column by saying this is meant to convey a happy realization rather than a morbid understanding. Some of you may be familiar with Max Burns, writer and long-time journalist for...

Increase Your Riding Time

I think I’ve hit the trifecta. No, not the horses. Nor have I surreptitiously won the MotoGP championship, the WSBK title and Daytona 200. I’m a never-was when it comes to racing and I’d sooner...