Don't Miss You

If you read 10 Things I Miss About My Harley, you know that at 22 years old I was on top of the world. My father had been off of chemotherapy for almost year and life was grand. After endless months of research and shopping around I carefully selected a Harley-Davidson motorcycle to celebrate all that was good in life.

As it turned out, I sold that bike less than a year later. There's a pair of gloves full of reasons why. Here are 10 things I won't miss about it.

Read more: 10 Things I Don't Miss About My Harley

Miss You

A irritable old biker once told me that youth is wasted on the young. 22 years old is an exciting time in a man's life. He is full of vigor, prowess, and insatiable appetites. He is old enough to be witty and young enough to remember the end of his jokes. Likewise, he's often old enough to know better, and young enough not to care. The 22 year old male feels on top of the world.

It was at 22 years old I bought my first Harley-Davidson motorcycle. For a moment as brief as twilight, I was on top of the world. I miss that bike.

Read more: 10 Things I Miss About My Harley

no cancer

For my Dad, who said - among countless other words of encouragement - “That’s a great site!”
This post is just for you.

My father hasn't been permitted to drive for the past few years on account of having had brain cancer, leaving him prone to potential seizures. He beat his brain tumor only to be hit with cancer in the central nervous system in his spine. This isn't a sad story. Au contraire, it's my answer to not only what was my greatest motorcycle memory of 2011, but also a day I will remember forever.

Read more: Greatest Motorcycle Memory

Diavel

The Diavel is Ducati’s coup de gras, something the company has never done before. It’s a courageous and audacious move that has split motorcyclists in two: those who absolutely love it, and those who find it absurd. Not a custom, not a supersport, and not a cruiser, the Diavel is much more than just a muscle bike.

Read more: Ducati Diavel

Auction

If you haven't already read about the Mad Bastard Scooter Rally, you're missing out. The rally spans over 700 km, to be completed by scooter only. Participants dress in a variety of tacky costumes, and compete against one another through a plethora of wacky missions for Mad Points. The winner gets a free scooter donated by KYMCO Canada. All funds raised go towards Kids Help Phone.

Read more: Scooter Auction for Charity

Top 5 Rides

As any motorcyclist will already know, one of the greatest perks that comes with owning your own motorcycle is the fact that the traditional concept of a holiday is never the same after you've leathered up and hit the road for the very first time. There are some magnificent routes in Europe which offer wonderful views and experiences. Here are a five of the best, with some additional hints and tips which could help you and your motorbike enjoy a fantastic get-away and see some of the most impressive offerings that Europe can provide.

Read more: Top 5 Motorcycle Routes in Europe

Akrapovic

Akrapovic is a Slovenian manufacturer known for their proven exhausts from Moto GP to Enduro and Motocross, Akrapovic is now dabbing into custom motorcycles. Their latest, the Morsus, is a chopperesque beauty with sportbike like ergonomics and suspension. From Dream Machine Customs, she's a beauty.

Read more: Akrapovic Morsus

T.O. Parking

Toronto City Councillors will be looking into charging motorcycles parking in the city of Toronto. Motorcyclists have not had to pay for parking in Toronto since a late October, 2005 Council meeting. After what seems like an endless unslaught of budget cuts to public services from Mayor Rob Ford's City Hall that has left Toronto hearts crying, will motorcyclists be the next victims or will Toronto Councillors remember that it was actually costing them to charge parking for motorcycles in the first place?

Read more: Toronto Motorcycle Parking

T.O. Riders

It’s not easy being a motorcyclist in Toronto, Canada. Here in the Great White North motorcyclists are few and far between. We’re a rare breed still frowned upon as non-sensible, a band of hooligans in the eyes of our coworkers, friends, and family. Our riding season is short and our weather is unfriendly. We have no organized motorcycle races within the city save for the once or twice MX comes to town, and our downtown motorcycle stuntshows have been moved to outside of the city, but one Toronto motorcyclist dares to say: “Baby, it’s all good.”

Read more: Motorcycles in Toronto

STREET ROD

Neither sportbike, nor cruiser. Neither Harley, nor Porsche. The Street Rod is a conundrum of a motorcycle. Original V-Rod owners and fans wailed about the suspension, both front and rear, and the V-Rod's unsporting handling, particularly in corners. Say what you well about Harley-Davidson's creative and marketing departments but these guys know exactly what they're doing and they know how to take a hint.

Read more: 2006 Harley-Davidson V-Rod VRSC Street Rod