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It only crosses eight states. But Route 66 looms large in America’s imagination.
It only crosses eight states. But Route 66 looms large in America’s imagination. (Anders T. Carlson/)

America is awesome. But it’s huge. Do you want to spend days riding through all of it to get to the good parts? What if you just want to ride in one awesome place, ride through other awesome places, then just go home? Enter EagleRider Motorcycle Rentals & Tours.

Sure, it’s fun to take mechanically suspect used motorcycles and travel long distances to prove your man- or womanhood. But then you get older and/or wiser. You get a van or trailer and just drive to the good parts. Then you get even wiser, which is where the motorcycle rental part comes in.

In the spirit of full journalistic disclosure, EagleRider gave Motorcyclist a Club membership with 18 credits to ride wherever somebody from Motorcyclist wanted. I volunteered to be that somebody. In return, I offered to write an honest account of whatever the hell I felt like.

First, a little background. EagleRider started renting new motorcycles to touring enthusiasts in 1994 and currently has 200 locations in 30 countries worldwide. There are 26 North American guided tour options and 60 self-guided tour options, complete with an app that highlights Instagram-worthy points of interest. The company tailors packages around events like Harley-Davidson’s 120th anniversary or Sturgis, in addition to regional tour themes like “Wine Country” or “The Civil War.”

Where it starts: EagleRider’s immaculate Chicago location on opening day, 2023.
Where it starts: EagleRider’s immaculate Chicago location on opening day, 2023. (Anders T. Carlson/)

A self-guided eight-day Chicago to Albuquerque tour starts at $1,600, while the 15-day Chicago to LA version starts at $2,816. I made up my own Route 66 tour starting in Chicago and returning eight days later. I have no idea how far I’ll make it. Technically, I’m taking a self-guided tour, complete with hotel accommodations and itinerary, courtesy of EagleRider. A self-guided tour works for me since I’m a loner. Just like PeeWee Herman in the movie, PeeWee’s Big Adventure.

The listed prices are for Club EagleRider members. There are three levels of membership: $29, $55, and $79, which earn you one to three credits per month, which can be applied toward rentals or tour offerings. Club members also get deeply discounted rates on rentals. It’s basically a subscription model. The idea is to offer the ride without the hassle of ownership, transport, or cleaning bugs off windshields.

I download the app, log in to my complimentary Club membership, and begin choosing which bike I want. The Yamaha Ténéré 1200 probably has heated grips. Sold American.

So what’s the experience like? Time to find out.

The Mother Road begins in godless Chicago: at the corner of Jackson Boulevard and Michigan Avenue.
The Mother Road begins in godless Chicago: at the corner of Jackson Boulevard and Michigan Avenue. (Anders T. Carlson/)

Day 1

Renting motorcycles is all about convenience and ease. But I choose the hard way to see the USA. I’m leaving Chicago on a rainy, 40-degree-Fahrenheit April Fools’ Day. Arriving early at EagleRider General Manager Danny Brown’s Chicago location, I am the first customer of 2023.

Dozens of gleaming Harley-Davidsons, BMWs, Yamahas, and even a few Royal Enfields grace his spotless shop. Everything you could possibly need (or have forgotten) is available for sale. Cargo nets, farkles, leather vests with patches, and even chapstick. Danny gives me a safety and operational briefing on my Ténéré 1200, gives me papers to sign, and I’m off.

“Hey, what if I decide to change my itinerary?” I ask.

“Just let me know as soon as possible,” Danny says.

He gives me a card with his personal cell number and tells me to call him if I need anything. If anything happens with the bike, call him. If tire pressure is low, call him. He has no idea I’m writing about this and got tons of expensive stuff for free. Danny, you’re a mensch.

Of course Route 66 starts in Chicago. Historically, it’s one of America’s best places to leave. EagleRider’s app offers an itinerary and map,

Read More

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By: Anders T. Carlson
Title: How to Rent Route 66 by Motorcycle, Part 1
Sourced From: www.motorcyclistonline.com/news/how-to-rent-motorcycle-and-ride-route-66-part-1/
Published Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2023 10:00:03 +0000

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Where Is the 2024 Honda CB750 Hornet Naked Bike?

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1 day ago

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September 26, 2023

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Honda’s CB750 Hornet was officially unveiled in Europe last year, and has appeared in other markets globally—just not the US.
Honda’s CB750 Hornet was officially unveiled in Europe last year, and has appeared in other markets globally—just not the US. (Honda Europe/)

It’s been 25 years since Honda’s massively popular 600cc Hornet wheelied onto European tarmac, so when word got out a couple of years ago that a new Hornet was in development the buzz (sorry) around the internet was palpable. The first and second-gen Hornets were almost universally beloved for their light weight, revvy characterful engine, and uh, down-to-earth price tags. Fun, practical, and cheap? It’s no wonder crowds of riders signed up to own one. And while the naked-bike segment has evolved tremendously in the ensuing years, a midsize model with those same characteristics along with the reliability and build quality Honda’s known for—at the right price—might still put up a good fight against its Trident 660 and MT-07 rivals.

The Hornet’s chassis is dominated by a new lightweight diamond steel frame and Showa suspension front and rear.
The Hornet’s chassis is dominated by a new lightweight diamond steel frame and Showa suspension front and rear. (Honda Europe/)

Sure enough, Honda pulled the wraps off its long-anticipated CB750 Hornet at the 2022 Intermot show in Germany, and it had all the goods we could hope for: a rollicking 91 hp twin engine (not an inline-four like the old model), a robust menu of standard features, and a better-than-expected electronics package. The compact 755cc Unicam eight-valve parallel-twin engine was entirely new, as was the diamond steel frame, and the bike sported throttle-by-wire, ABS, four ride modes, traction and wheelie control, a six-speed transmission, and more.

Initial reports praised its fat midrange, agility, and unique sound (for a parallel twin). It weighed less than 420 pounds, and for a naked middleweight, the price was right; less than 8,000 euro (about $8,500 USD).

Related: 2024 Honda XL750 Transalp First Look Preview

The new Hornet shares its all-new compact 755cc parallel-twin engine with Honda’s just-released XL750 Transalp, though there are slight differences.
The new Hornet shares its all-new compact 755cc parallel-twin engine with Honda’s just-released XL750 Transalp, though there are slight differences. (Honda Europe/)

You can bet plenty of US riders immediately thought, “Great, North America will get it next year.” And really, that didn’t seem like an outlandish idea. The bike had been teased since at least 2021, beginning with computer illustrations and then more fleshed-out reveals of a concept version; it had now become a familiar formula, with Honda then usually releasing a full production model in Europe, followed a year later with entry into the North American market. But here we are at the end of 2023 and many of the 2024 US models have already been announced, including the reborn 2024 Transalp model, which—it almost feels like a slap in the face—uses the same exact 755cc engine as the Hornet. A bike with the same drivetrain as the Hornet, that wasn’t expected in the US at all this year, and yet…

Hello, Honda?

A 5.0-inch color TFT display allows access to rider modes, traction control, engine-braking, and anti-wheelie settings.
A 5.0-inch color TFT display allows access to rider modes, traction control, engine-braking, and anti-wheelie settings. (Honda Europe/)

As we said, the engine is all-new, with the parallel twin using Honda’s latest vortex airflow ducting to improve intake flow in the low-end and midrange. Peak power is 90.5 hp at 9,500 rpm, with max torque of 55.3 lb.-ft. coming on at 7,250 rpm. The Hornet’s 755cc mill also uses a 270-degree crank for an uneven firing interval that injects more character to its delivery as well as its sound.

To be fair, the Transalp’s mill is ever so slightly different, with the airbox inlets being longer to give it more midrange, and its back

Read More

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By: Andrew Cherney
Title: Where Is the 2024 Honda CB750 Hornet Naked Bike?
Sourced From: www.motorcyclistonline.com/news/honda-cb750-hornet-coming-soon-rumors/
Published Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2023 22:17:08 +0000

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Make some noize for the Kawasaki H1 that didn’t race at Glemseck

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1 day ago

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September 26, 2023

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Kawasaki H1 drag bike by Krautmotors
The Glemseck 101 is the European event for anyone who loves fast, impractical, and highly imaginative machines. Those who partake in it do so with cult-like levels of obsession—returning year after year in a bid to outdo each other and themselves.

Rolf Reick is a regular face at the Glemseck 101. Based in Heidelberg, Germany, the perpetually cheerful industrial designer heads up a design school in the nearby town of Mannheim. But he also has years of experience building custom bikes—like this wild Kawasaki H1 two-stroke—under the banner of Krautmotors.

Kawasaki H1 drag bike by Krautmotors

Rolf has stockpiled a number of rad bits and pieces over the years. So he set himself a goal of building a drag bike for this year’s Glemseck 101 using only recycled parts from his personal stash, turning to external sources only when necessary. (It’s not the first time he’s used this approach.)

One of the parts that Ralf already had on hand was the triple-cylinder two-stroke engine from a Kawasaki H1 Mach III; the original ‘Widowmaker.’ But it was far from stock. It had previously been rebuilt by the Kawasaki specialist Ralf Gille, with a host of upgrades that included extensive head work, a new crankshaft, and a set of Mikuni carbs.

Kawasaki H1 drag bike by KrautmotorsRead More

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By: Wesley Reyneke
Title: Make some noize for the Kawasaki H1 that didn’t race at Glemseck
Sourced From: www.bikeexif.com/kawasaki-h1-krautmotors
Published Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2023 18:01:55 +0000

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COVETED CARS OF THE MODERN ERA: Exploring the Allure of New Collectibles at Barrett-Jackson

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2 days ago

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September 25, 2023

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COVETED CARS OF THE MODERN ERA: Exploring the Allure of New Collectibles at Barrett-Jackson
LOT #759 – 2020 ASTON MARTIN DBS SUPERLEGGERA – NO RESERVE

In the dynamic landscape of the automotive world, a new era of collectible vehicles has emerged, blending contemporary innovation with cutting-edge technological advancement. These modern marvels have transcended the label of mere transportation, captivating the hearts of discerning enthusiasts and astute collectors alike. With cutting-edge technology, impeccable craftsmanship and limited production numbers, these automotive works of art selling with No Reserve at Barrett-Jackson’s 2023 Las Vegas Auction embody a new breed of collectible treasures.

LOT #759 – 2020 ASTON MARTIN DBS SUPERLEGGERA – NO RESERVE
Pictured above, this 2020 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera is powered by a twin-turbo premium unleaded V12 engine and ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. Window grid diversity antenna, 21-inch gloss black 10-twin-spoke forged wheels, valet function, trunk rear cargo access, trip computer, Touchtronic 2 sequential-shift control.

LOT #709 – 2019 CHEVROLET CAMARO ZL1 HENNESSEY CUSTOM EDITION “RESURRECTION” – NO RESERVE
Powered by a 6.2-liter engine with an LT5 supercharger paired with an upgraded 10-speed automatic transmission. Hennessey custom edition, Serial #01, that produces 1,200hp at 6,800 rpm. May not be emissions compliant in all 50 states.

LOT #457 – 2017 FORD MUSTANG FP350S RACE CAR – NO RESERVE
Limited production, #45 of 50. Powered by a 5.2-liter Ford Racing engine paired with a TREMEC 6-speed manual transmission. Not street legal. Sold on Bill of Sale. 

LOT #468 – 2013 BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT SPEED – NO RESERVE
Le Mans Edition powered by a 6.0-liter twin-turbo engine producing 616hp mated to an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission. With 53,953 actual miles.

Read More

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By: Barrett-Jackson
Title: COVETED CARS OF THE MODERN ERA: Exploring the Allure of New Collectibles at Barrett-Jackson
Sourced From: www.barrett-jackson.com/Media/Home/Reader/coveted-cars-of-the-modern-era-exploring-the-allure-of-new-collectibles-at-barrett-jackson-las-vegas-no-reserve/
Published Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2023 16:24:11 +0000

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