Track Days

October 19, 2026

Sport Touring CornerBy Norm Kern Motorcycle track days are organized events where riders take their bikes to a closed racetrack to ride in a controlled, traffic-free environment, typically divided into skill-level groups (novice, intermediate, advanced) with sessions lasting 15-20 minutes each throughout the day. They’re popular among those who want more than just street riding.…

About Quickshifters

October 14, 2026

Sport Touring Corner By Norm Kern What is a Quickshifter? Quickshifters use a strain gauge sensor in the gearshift lever linkage that detects force on the gearshift lever when shifting. The signal is used to momentarily reduce engine power and unload the drive train to enable shifting to the next higher gear without having to use…

How to Store Your Motorcycle Over the Winter

October 9, 2026

A Simple Step-by-Step Guide to Protecting Your Bike During the Off-Season Storing your motorcycle properly during the winter months is essential to keep it in good condition and ensure a smooth ride when spring arrives. Cold temperatures, moisture, and long periods of inactivity can cause damage to your motorcycle if not addressed beforehand. This guide…

The Most Popular Concealed Carry Firearms

October 6, 2026

A Comprehensive Guide to Top Choices for Personal Defense In a world where personal safety and preparedness are rising concerns, the decision to carry a concealed firearm is an important one for many individuals. The choice of which firearm to carry is influenced by a range of factors including reliability, size, caliber, capacity, ergonomics, and…

Rider Hand Signals: Speak Up Without Saying a Word

October 5, 2026

Rider Hand Signals: Speak Up Without Saying a Word Long before Bluetooth headsets, phone mounts, and handlebar gadgets, riders had a simple way of keeping the pack together: hand signals. No batteries. No pairing. No dropped connection. Just a rider’s arm cutting through the wind, letting everyone behind them know what’s coming next. And truth…

CHASING THE LAST GOOD MILES

September 16, 2026

Fall can deliver the best riding of the year: crisp air, spectacular color and less traffic. It also quietly removes your margin for error. Shorter daylight, cold pavement, wet leaves, low sun, fogged shields and deer can turn a familiar road into a different ride. TREAT FALL AS ITS OWN RIDING SEASON The smart move…

Reasons to Ride Ride Stop Poker Cards!

September 15, 2026

Something to go with those custom poker chips you’ve been collecting! Yet another crazy idea from your friends at Reasons To Ride – Ride Stop Poker Cards! Every year, we hand out thousands of promotional cards featuring upcoming rides, motorcycle events, and recommended Ride Stops. This year, we decided to do something a little different—and…

Layering Your Motorcycle Gear

September 14, 2026

A few suggestions for Staying Safe and Comfortable on the Road This time of year – riding a motorcycle can expose you to changing weather conditions – including wind, temperatures, and rain (maybe even ice and snow!)  It’s important that you dress appropriately – and we usually recommend layering your riding gear.  Layering not only…

Downsizing My Dual Sport Bike

September 9, 2026

Sport Touring Corner By Norm Kern As my regular readers know, I have been downsizing my bikes to postpone aging out. The process began in 2020 when I added a 650 Suzuki V Strom XT to my stable and learned I could live with a much lighter chain drive bike.  Last September I purchased a…

What is Moravec’s Paradox and What it has to do With Motorcycling?

September 3, 2026

Sport Touring Corner By Norm Kern Moravec’s paradox is an observation by artificial intelligence and robotics researchers that reasoning requires very little computation while sensorimotor and perception skills require enormous computational resources. What does that have to do with riding motorcycles? For me, everything! When I read about Moravec’s paradox the other day, it took…

Reasons To Ride Blogs ///

Reasons to Ride is your one stop for all reasons to ride, from flat track racing to articles from industry leaders. Enjoy blogs from Reasons To Ride Contributors!

RTR CHAMPIONSHIP BIKE SHOW SERIES  MAY 2023 REPORT

All makes, models, and years are truly welcome at the RTR Bike Shows.  We have over 15 distinct classes for bikes, and we are constantly adding more as the shows evolve.  We group bikes by style and origin, and try to balance things out as much as possible.  Categories include designations for Imported and Domestic, Touring, Trikes, Vintage, Racing, and…

BOAR FEST!  NEW SHOW!

Hosted by Crazy Boar Customs, Ravenna OH – July 1st The RtR Crew will bring the Bike Show sheninigans to this downtown blockparty in Ravenna Ohio.  The Crazy Boar crew is all about going big, and this one day rally is no exception.  Look for Jasmine Cain to headline the live entertainment and our friends from Bikers for Boobs will…

ZEPPE’S BIKE SHOW  8th YEAR!

Zeppe’s Tavern, Newbury Ohio – Wednesday, June 21st    RtR OHIO returns to Zeppe’s for our 11th year of hosting Bike Night events at this cool spot known for a great patio with an outdoor stage that rocks all summer long.  This will be the 8th Edition of the Zeppe’s Bike Show and everyone of them has been a success with…

FREEDOM BIKE SHOW NEW SHOW!

Dick Scott’s Freedom Powersports, Livonia Michigan – Saturday, June 10th Like all RtR Shows, all makes and models are invited – but this show has special categories to reflect the fact that it’s being hosted at a Triumph dealership.  Special vintage categories – including European, Asian, and North American Motorcycles will be offered, as well as a special invitation for…

Cincinnati, Ohio Tradition: Comet Bike Night

By Norm Kern Writing this column in mid April, I am poised to start the sport touring rally season at the MSTA North Georgia Classic Rally, but since it isn’t until next week, I rode to a bike night last Tuesday. I don’t attend them very often, but it’s always fun to go on the first really nice warm and…

April Showers bring May…

BIKE BLESSINGS!!! Oh yeah!! Time to roll ‘em out and get in line for the Season of Blessings coming your way! So many are open to you in all areas around the State! Starting on Saturday May 6th at No Cages in Plain City. May 7th in Lima at Shawnee UMC, bikes roll in starting at 9am, come early, it…

Reasons To Ride – Volume 13 Issue 4

The April 2023 edition of Reasons to Ride is here, and it’s time to embrace the season of renewal! With blooming landscapes, longer days, and warmer weather, April is the perfect month to dust off your bike and hit the road. This issue is packed with tips, destinations, and events to help you make the most of spring. What’s Inside…

13th ANNUAL GENEVA THUNDER ZONE

Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio – Saturday, September 9th Our LONGEST RUNNING show, produced by the Iron Cowboy Crew – is this annual celebration of Iron and Creativity overlooking Lake Erie.  Each year we add something new and each year the show GROWS!  Last year we awarded the THUNDER ZONE CHAMPIONSHIP BELT – and it returns again this year!  But who will take…

ARSENAL BIKE SHOW

Arsenal Harley-Davidson, Waterford Michigan – Saturday, August 26th This show, presented by Michigan Biker Law, welcomes all makes and models and features over 40 trophies – including the chance for a BEST IN SHOW Championship Series Belt! Click here to register: https://reasonstoride.com/event/arsenal-harley-davidson-custom-vintage-bike-show/

BIKES ON THE BRICKS

Bikes on the Bricks Motorcycle Rally, Downtown Flint Michigan – Sunday, September 10th Reasons To Ride is proud to join this unique rally that draws riders from across the Midwest and Canada to the brick streets of downtown Flint.  While well known for the Police Motorcycle Skills Challenge – that draws riders internationally, the rally also features a diverse bike…