The Vault

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,...
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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,...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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....
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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....
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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