Let’s be perfectly clear: Don’t try riding Moto Guzzi’s Quota 1100 ES over any triple-jumps or whoop-dee-doos unless your schedule allows for a dirt lunch. As with most other big-bore “adventure bikes,” the Quota is way too portly for serious off-roading. It is, however, a good choice for long street-riding days with some light canyon carving or gravel-road romps in between.

Another riding season is right around the corner. Soon, thousands of motorcyclists will hit the road for Memorial Day weekend, followed by a summer of rallies, races, bike nights, group rides and tours. Before pulling out of your driveway, take a few minutes to review your insurance policy. Having adequate coverage will help protect your legal rights and the rights of your passenger if you’re ever involved in an accident.

WRIST: Brian Catterson
MSRP (2011): $10,599
MILES: 7273
MPG: 36
MODS: Dynojet Power Commander V, Ivan’s Fuel Cut Eliminator, K&N air filter

WRIST: Marty Estes 
MSRP (2010): $15,999
MILES: 11,147
MPG: 36
MODS: Nothing lately

Wrist: Joe Neric
MSRP (2011): $10,999
Miles: 6564
MPG: 30
Mods: Bazzaz fuel-injection tuner, Bridgestone tires, S2 Concept windscreen, Yoshimura R-77D exhaust

Wrist: Aaron Frank
MSRP (2011): $11,999
Miles: 1890
MPG: 33
Mods: Yoshimura R-77D exhaust

Wrist: Tim Carrithers
MSRP (2012): $11,999
Miles: 2465
MPG: 39
Mods: Various high-desert soil samples

Wrist: Brian Catterson
MSRP (2011): $8499
Hours: 54.5
Mods: Acerbis handguards, Driven Racing chain/sprockets, EBC brake pads, Splitstream fuel filter, Trail Tech map switch, Pirelli tires, Powersports Grafx

Honda’s CB750 Four changed the world at the 15th Tokyo Motor Show in 1968, rendering anything less effectively obsolete with 68 horsepower at 8500 rpm and a top speed around 125 mph. Purists and collectors know this pristine 1969 CB750K0 by its Candy Blue Green paint, louvered side covers, each 28mm Keihin carburetor cued by a separate throttle cable, howling 4-into-4 exhaust system and that extra flourish on the seat. Officially released in the U.S. on June 6, 1969, the K0 (say “kay-zero”) was faster than all of its predecessors. Sand-cast engine cases on the first 7414 examples make original survivors as rare as they are expensive.

Once Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, we’re in for at least six more weeks of schizophrenic weather somewhere between winter and spring. Despite the celebrated 20-lb. prophet’s 39 percent accuracy rate, it’s probably going to be a bit sketchy out there well past the Vernal Equinox.

There are plenty of jokes about “hammer mechanics” that have more than a grain of truth, but every good mechanic needs at least a small quiver of hammers to work efficiently. You will want a hammer with some sort of soft face for common work. These can be rubber, rawhide, lead, brass, aluminum or dead-blow. Lead hammers are pretty specialized, so a common rubber or dead-blow hammer will be the most useful for general work on a bike. Rubber doesn’t mar hard surfaces, but the head is large and difficult to aim in tight spots. Plus, the rubber hammer will rebound off the surface you strike. A dead-blow hammer (shown) is generally made of a resilient plastic with a hollow head filled with sand or lead shot. The plastic isn’t quite as benign as rubber, but still won’t damage most surfaces. The dead-blow hammer has some weight to it in a smaller head that is easier to aim than rubber. The dead-blow concentrates the force well, and doesn’t rebound. For some heavy work like driving in bearings or knocking out races with a punch, you need a steel hammer. Not a carpenter’s claw hammer, but a Ball Peen hammer made to strike steel. For a long time I didn’t see the need for a quality, brand-name hammer, but after getting one I was amazed at the difference. Mine has a precision-ground face and a shock-absorbing handle. I can’t stand the feel of a cheap hammer anymore!

Got a question for Answers? Send it to mcmail@sorc.com

Riding two-up with a child is controversial. Doubt this? Put a 10-year-old on the back for your next ride and count the dirty looks and unsolicited comments—often from other motorcyclists—about how “dangerous” riding is for kids. But for many parents, it’s pure pleasure. It’s an opportunity to spend time with your child and include him/her in an activity you are passionate about. And it’s still the best way to introduce new riders to the sport.

Ducati produced 1500 copies of the Desmosedici RR for use on the street: essentially GP6 MotoGP bikes with lights and horns. One rumor has it that the company lost money on every one. Another says the streetbikes helped fund the race effort. Either way, the entire run sold out in a few hours at $72,500 a pop, complete with a three-year warranty and free service, along with a rear stand, battery charger, cover and an official Ducati Corse squeegee for applying the included race-replica decals.

WRIST: Ari Henning
MSRP (2011): $4499
MILES: 819
MPG: 62
MODS: G2 Ergo quick-turn throttle

WRIST: Grant Peterson
MSRP (2012): $14,849
MILES: 1149
MPG: 42
MODS: None yet

Got A Question For Answers? Send It To mcmail@sorc.com

When you look at the fasteners on your pride-and-joy, you might wonder why a particular type was chosen. Back in the early days of Japanese motorcycles, we wondered why there were so many easily rounded-off Phillips screws. Today the standard fastener is a nut or bolt with six flats, though Phillips, Torx and Allen heads are equally common.

WRIST: Matt Samples
MSRP (2011): $16,630
MILES: 10,338
MPG: 32
MODS: Akrapovic exhaust, Dynojet Power Commander with Auto Tune

With the weather changing for the better in much of the US, and exciting new bikes like the Ducati Panigale, MV Agusta F3, Aprilia Tuono and Moto Guzzi V7 Racer scheduled to arrive in the next three months, lots of people will be looking to purchase a new helmet. And with the purchase of any new helmet, it's most important to make sure it is a high quality, full face helmet from a recognized manufacturer that fits properly (ok... and that it looks good as well). Fit is critical as recent studies by the Mayo Clinic have shown that a properly fit helmet will reduce the chance of a concussion by 42%. But how do you properly fit a helmet? (This isn't new information, but it's worth repeating.)

Got A Question For Answers?

Send It To mcmail@sorc.com

Modern motorcycles have many steel fasteners that thread into aluminum parts, and that is a recipe for disaster. Dissimilar metals encourage corrosion that locks the two parts together. Sadly, the cleaner and nicer your bike looks, the more likely the fastener problem is to occur.

Years ago, I owned a Datsun King Cab pickup that would carry my dirtbike and film equipment just about anywhere and get good gas mileage. Where is its equivalent today? There isn’t one. Small trucks have grown up.

Wrist: Jamie Elvidge
MSRP: $20,900
Miles: 8890
MPG: 38
Mods: Akrapovic slip-ons, BMW Motorrad saddle and tank bag, Michelin tires

What do you call an agile, open-minded, 60-horsepower twin capable of everything from 12-second quarter-mile sprints to 48-mpg commuting, and everything in between? Kawasaki calls it the Versys: a sweet deal at $6899 when it debuted in the sour economy of 2008. We called it our Motorcycle of the Year.