Rider magazine is inviting its readers to join Editor-in-Chief Greg Drevenstedt on the Adriatic Moto Tours Western Alps Adventure tour, July 8-16, 2023. Summer is right around the corner, so sign up soon!

This nine-day tour – which includes travel days on each end, six riding days, and a rest day – will explore the high passes and scenic backroads of the Western Alps in Italy, Switzerland, and France.

Based in Slovenia, Adriatic Moto Tours has been providing guided and self-guided motorcycle tours and motorcycle rentals in Europe for 18 years. With a passion for quality and adventure, AMT is in the business of creating memories, establishing friendships, and planning exciting vacations for loyal clients.

“There’s always a route waiting to be explored and character to be tested. Whether it’s riding the Alps, exploring the Balkans, indulging in Italy or taking in the Mediterranean vistas, we are here to make it happen!”

Related: Endless Curves | Adriatic Moto Tours Sardinia and Corsica Tour Review

Adriatic Moto Tours Western Alps Adventure

The Western Alps Adventure will take you right into the heart of the Swiss and French Alps, revealing more than just the exhilarating high alpine passes. Tune in!

From Milan, you will go through picturesque Switzerland to the stunning French Alps, experiencing all the main passes along the route. The narrow track of Swiss Furka Pass, the panoramic Col de la Bonette in France, and the highest paved pass in the Alps, Col de L’Iseran, will bring on the adrenaline rush, while sinuous roads will take you farther into less traveled parts of France.

Riding mountain ranges such as Chartreuse, putting your vertigo to a test on the Combe Laval balcony road, and admiring numerous French lakes along the way are just some of the gems you can look forward to on this unique journey. You are invited to join the ride and pick your own favorite moment to be remembered.

Western Alps Adventure Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Milan

Welcome to Milan, the fashion capital of the world! AMT will meet you at the Malpensa airport and take you to your hotel on the outskirts of Milan, near the airport. Depending on when you arrive, you’ll have some time to relax and rest or do some sightseeing before the tour briefing. At 4 p.m., the group meet for the introductory briefing and in the evening enjoy a welcome dinner at a classic Italian Trattoria.

Day 2: Milan – Grimsel Pass

Leaving the flat city area, you will head north, immersing yourself in the beautiful scenery of the Alps. Passing Lake Como, riders will cross into Switzerland, conquering the famous Novena, Furka, and Susten passes and spending the night under the stars, right on the top of the Grimsel Pass.

Day 3: Grimsel Pass – Evian

From the Grimsel Pass, the tour will descend into the valley, passing Lake Brienz and stopping in Unterseen, Interlaken’s Old Town, before continuing into the Swiss rolling hills. Sweeping and curvy roads will carry you over Jaunpass and past Gruyères for a quick cheese tasting and a castle photo, and then spend the night at Évian-les-Bains, the French seaside resort on Lake Geneva.

Day 4: Evian – Vercors

Leaving the spa town of Évian-les-Bains, riders will head to Annecy, also called the “Alpine Venice,” to enjoy a stroll along the canals, before climbing up into the mountains again to ride through and over the Bauges and Chartreuse mountain ranges, following endless sweepers and diving in and out of the forests. You’ll end the day in a small village, high up in the heart of the Vercors Masiff.

Day 5: Vercors – Embrun

The famous road Combe Laval, will test your vertigo as you ride the narrow cliffside road carved into rock, staring down on Provence in the background. Descending into the valley, spend the night at the edge of the biggest artificial lake in Europe, Serre-Ponçon.

Day 6: Embrun rest day

This day will be spent beneath the peaks of the Hautes Alpes. You will have the choice of doing a nice ride around the lake of Serre-Poncon or exploring passes like Col de la Bonnette and Col de Vars. Should you prefer to spend your day off the bike, you will have plenty of options for leisure time in the environs of a magical castle.

Day 7: Embrun – Chamonix

An exhilarating ride awaits! After riding up Col d’Izoard, the group will make a short stop in the medieval town of Briancon. From here, you’ll experience rollercoaster riding in and out of Italy and France, alongside crystalline lakes and scenic views – not to mention the highlight of the day: climbing the highest paved pass of the Alps, Col de L’Iseran, before settling for the night in Chamonix.

Day 8: Chamonix – Milan

Before saying goodbye to Chamonix, the group will take the cable car to The Aiguille du Midi in the shadow of the majestic Mont Blanc. Then riders will go over the Great St. Bernard Pass on the way back to Italy. Expect a very scenic ride, with the mighty Alps staring down at you from every corner, while slowly descending to the valley and back to the starting point in Milan.

Day 9 Milan departure

Depending on the time of your flight back home, you may have time to stroll downtown Milan and walk on the roof of the famous Milan cathedral, which took nearly six centuries to complete and is the largest in the Italian state territory.

Pricing starts at 3,840 euros (approx. USD $4,210) for a single rider sharing a double-occupancy room on a Yamaha MT-07, Suzuki V-Strom 650, or BMW G 310 R. See website for pricing for single-occupancy room and other motorcycles.

Western Alps Adventure includes:

• Late model motorcycle with lockable hard luggage and tank bags plus a third-party liability insurance and comprehensive vehicle insurance.
• Experienced guide on a motorcycle. Support van for luggage, souvenir purchases and one or two passengers.
• Eight nights’ accommodation in quality, mostly four-star hotels.
• Eight complete buffet breakfasts in the hotel.
• Seven dinners, mostly in traditional local restaurants.
• Airport transfers up to five days prior to the tour start, on the last day of the tour and one day after the tour.
• All maps with marked routes for the region being toured.
• Extensive tour booklet.
• GPS with all the routes uploaded.

Not included in the price:
Air ticket, dinners on rest days, most lunches, drinks, gasoline, tolls, personal spending, and tips.

Tour cancellation insurance: more information HERE.

Our guests on Episode 58 of the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast are Inna Thorn, executive director of Backcountry Discovery Routes, and Tim James, BDR’s board president. Backcountry Discovery Routes is a nonprofit organization that creates off-highway routes for dual-sport and adventure motorcycle travel. BDR has introduced a new route with free GPS tracks nearly every year since 2010. When we last spoke to Inna and Tim last year on Episode 33, the Wyoming BDR had just been released. In 2023, the Oregon BDR was released, making it the 12th full route, and each one can be completed in about a week. Backcountry Discovery Routes has also released shorter BDR-X routes that are loops that can be done in two to three days. Through the tireless work of its staff and many volunteers, Backcountry Discovery Routes maintains existing routes and continues developing new ones. Future BDRs will include Southern California, Montana, and the Southeast. Visit the BDR website to learn more and support their efforts.

LINKS: RideBDR.com, BDR on Instagram, BDR on Facebook

You can listen to Episode 58 on iTunes, Spotify, and Podbean, or via the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast webpage. Please subscribe, leave us a 5-star rating, and tell your friends! Scroll down for a list of previous episodes.

Visit the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast webpage to check out previous episodes:

• Ep. 57: Tim Card, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Fundraiser
• Ep. 56: Kyle Petty, Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America
• Ep. 55: Guillermo Cornejo, Riders-Share.com
• Ep. 54: Kevin Duke, Editor-in-Chief of American Rider
• Ep. 53: Killboy, Killboy.com
• Ep. 52: Perry Steed, OperationPurpose.net
• Ep. 51: Forrest Hobbs, TransAmerica Trail “purist”
• Ep. 50: Dave Scott, Part 3 on the TransAmerica Trail
• Ep. 49: Gina ‘Brooklyn’ Neumann, Leather and Lace MC
• Ep. 48: Dave Scott on the TransAmerica Trail
• Ep. 47: Neale Bayly, motojournalist and philanthropist
• Ep. 46: Dave Scott, TransAmerica Trail Part 1
• Ep. 45: C. Jane Taylor, author of Spirit Traffic
• Ep. 44: Moshe K. Levy, Moto Mouth Moshe
• Ep. 43: Can Akkaya, Superbike-Coach.com
• Ep. 42: Andre LaPlante, MotoVentures
• Ep. 41: Scott A. Williams, writer and contributor to Rider
• Ep. 40: Chris Peterman, Director of Motorcycles at CFMOTO USA
• Ep. 39: Hayley Bell, Founder and President of Global Business Development for Women Riders World Relay
• Ep. 38: Eric Trow, Rider Contributing Editor and Stayin’ Safe Principal
• Ep. 37: Bill Dragoo, Dragoo Adventure Riding Training (DART)
• Ep. 36: Gordon McCall, Director of Motorsports for The Quail Motorcycle Gathering
• Ep. 35: Rennie Scaysbrook, Pikes Peak record holder, motorcycle journalist, and racer
• Ep. 34: Cat MacLeod of Leod Escapes Motorcycle “Track and Tour”
• Ep. 33: Inna Thorn and Tim James of Backcountry Discovery Routes
• Ep. 32: C. Jane Taylor, author of Spirit Traffic
• Ep. 31: Alan Wilzig, motorcycle collector and owner of Wilzig Racing Manor
• Ep. 30: Scott Moreno, founder and owner of IMTBike Motorcycle Tours and Rentals
• Ep. 29: Greg Rice, long-distance rider and Iron Butt Rally competitor
• Ep. 28: Brian Case, Director of the Barber Advanced Design Center at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
• Ep. 27: Steven Goode, motorcyclist who completed the Great American Deli Schlep to support MAZON
• Ep. 26: Nancy Gerloff and Mark Augustyn, creators of Mimi and Moto: The Motorcycle Monkeys
• Ep. 25: Jess Stone, designer of the K9 Moto Cockpit and founder of Ruffly
• Ep. 24: Eddie Braun, Hollywood stuntman who completed Evel Knievel’s Snake River Canyon jump, and star of the film “Stuntman”
• Ep. 23: Ryan McFarland, founder and CEO of Strider Bikes and All Kids Bike advocate
• Ep. 22: Americade interview with Bill, Gini, and Christian Dutcher
• Ep. 21: Peter Starr, motorcycle filmmaker, author, and MotoStarr podcast host
• Ep. 20: Jon DelVecchio, founder of Street Skills and author of “Cornering Confidence”
• Ep. 19: Lauren Trantham, founder of Ride My Road
• Ep. 18: Keith Code, founder and director of California Superbike School
• Ep. 17: Valerie Thompson, world’s fastest female motorcycle racer
• Ep. 16: Wayne Rainey, president of MotoAmerica and a motorcycle racing legend
• Ep. 15: Longhaulpaul (Paul Pelland), Chasing the Cure: a million-mile motorcycle journey for MS
• Ep. 14: Andy Goldfine, Aerostich founder and Ride to Work Day advocate
• Ep. 13: Dr. Gregory W. Frazier, America’s #1 extreme motorcycle adventurer
• Ep. 12: Daniel Calderon, Curator of Exhibitions at SFO Museum
• Ep. 11: Peter Jones, Rider columnist and author of The Bad Editor
• Ep. 10: Christian Dutcher, Director of Americade and Touratech DirtDaze Rally
• Ep. 09: Melissa Holbrook Pierson, author of The Perfect Vehicle
• Ep. 08: Rainer Buck, CEO of Edelweiss Bike Travel
• Ep. 07: Michael Lock, CEO of AMA Pro Racing
• Ep. 06: Alonzo Bodden, motorcycle enthusiast and comedian
• Ep. 05: Paul D’Orleans, publisher of The Vintagent
• Ep. 04: Eric Trow, Rider columnist and owner, Stayin’ Safe Advanced Riding Training
• Ep. 03: Clement Salvadori, traveling motorcyclist and Rider contributor
• Ep. 02: Kevin Wing, world-class motorcycle photographer and Rider contributor
• Ep. 01: Robert Pandya and Discover the Ride at the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows

I’m the kind of shopper who likes to have it all in one package if I can. I love a bike that excels in its category, but for the day-to-day, you can’t beat a motorcycle that ticks all the boxes without feeling like any of those boxes are being compromised. The new Suzuki GSX-8S middleweight streetfighter comes pretty darn close to checking all the right boxes for me. It’s a harmonic blend of power, price, stability, comfort, and fun. 

At the Suzuki GSX-8S press launch in Antibes, France, I got to test this new model out on both the city streets and the mountainous, curvy roads through the Maritime Alps. Before getting into my review of the 8S, I’d like to give southern France two enthusiastic thumbs up. It was the perfect location for a first ride of the 8S and provided a full day of exquisite roads and sights. Don’t even get me started on the seafood. 

The GSX-8S is a new model for Suzuki, with an all-new 776cc 4-stroke DOHC parallel-Twin engine and a new chassis. The engine can also be found in the V-Strom 800DE, which is also new for 2023. 

Related: 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE | First Ride Review 

Suzuki says the new engine performs similarly to the V-Twin in the SV650 models but provides more power for riders looking for a little more excitement. It features Suzuki’s patented Cross Balancer system, which allows the engine to be slimmer and more compact while reducing vibrations. Bore and stroke are 84mm and 70mm. The new engine makes a claimed 82 hp peaking at 8,500 rpm and a claimed 57.5 lb-ft of torque at 6,800 rpm. 

Starting out from the hotel in Antibes and navigating the busy city streets on our way toward the mountains, what I noticed almost immediately was how much grunt was available at low revs. Power delivery was immediate and became very smooth once I switched into the gentler “B” ride mode. I could put this bike in 2nd gear and roll through the stop-and-go, then give it a twist when the traffic opened up, all without really needing to change gears. That low-to-mid range torque, coupled with the smooth throttle response, made this bike stress-free to ride through the city streets. 

Once we were out of the city and picking up speed, I noticed that the engine didn’t have the same get-up-and-go at higher rpms. However, that initial pull after bumping up a gear was pure pleasure, and it made passing slower-moving traffic a breeze.  

Related: Suzuki Announces 2023 Lineup of Sport, Street, and Adventure Bikes

The 2023 Suzuki GSX-8S Bits 

Along with the new engine, the 8S also features a new chassis with a compact design. It has a steel frame, an aluminum swingarm, a 3.7-gal. fuel tank, and a wide, tapered aluminum handlebar. The KYB inverted fork and monoshock KYB rear suspension both have 5.1 inches of travel, and the shock is preload-adjustable with a tool. 

The seat was comfortable and provided plenty of room to move around, and it was slim enough that a light hug with my knees kept me securely in place. The wide handlebar offered plenty of leverage, and the upright seating position kept me comfortable for a whole day of riding without feeling fatigued at the end of the day. 

GEAR UP

• Helmet: HJC RPHA 91 
• Jacket: Joe Rocket Turbulent Women’s Jacket
• Gloves: Joe Rocket Ballistic Ultra Women’s Gloves
• Pants: Alpinestars Daisy V2 Women’s Riding Jeans
• Boots: Joe Rocket Trixie Women’s Boots

The 31.9-inch seat height of the 8S was a stretch for my 5-foot-1-inch frame. I could graze the pavement with the tips of my toes when the bike was completely upright, but I needed to lean it over to get enough contact between pavement and boot to support myself when stopped. 

This leads me to one of my favorite aspects of the 8S: its balance. Even when rolling through very slow traffic, I rarely needed to put a foot down at all, and when I did, the bike’s weight is carried low enough that it was easy to hold up at a lean. Its curb weight of 445 lb was manageable in both slow riding in the city and out on the twisty mountain roads. 

The 8S comes equipped with ABS brakes, and stopping power comes from dual Nissin radial-mounted 4-piston calipers and floating rotors in the front and a 1-piston caliper and a single disc in the rear. I never braked hard enough to engage the ABS during our test ride, but it was nice to know it was there if I needed it. 

If I could make one change to the 8S, it would be the tires. The Dunlop RoadSport 2 radial tires on the 8S were alright but not awe-inspiring by any means. I didn’t feel much feedback from the tires, making it unclear to me if I still had enough grip for greater lean angles or not. For everyday commuting, the RoadSports are fine, but if you want to experience all what the 8S has to offer, a grippier set of tires might provide more confidence. 

Related: 2022 Motorcycle of the Year – Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+

Ready to Roll 

“We did not aim for the highest powered or lightest weight motorcycle,” said the 8S’ chief designer during the technical presentation the night before our test ride. “We aimed to satisfy all riders.” The other designers and engineers present also drove home the point that they listened to customers’ needs and requests when building the 8S to create an all-around motorcycle that satisfies a wide range of riders. 

They demonstrated that desire to please all riders during our test ride as well. Any time we stopped for a coffee break or lunch, the Suzuki designers and engineers were eager to listen to our feedback and ask questions about our first impressions. Several of them came to me directly, saying they were interested in the perspective of a younger, smaller woman. I appreciated that level of dedication to their product and the desire to continue to improve and meet riders’ needs. 

To that end, the GSX-8S includes a full suite of rider aids as standard. Along with ABS, it comes with a 5-inch TFT display with day/night modes, an up/down quickshifter, three ride modes, and four traction-control settings. 

I enjoyed the layout of the TFT display. It was easy to see, and it showed all the information I needed without making any of it difficult to find. Another consideration that made the bike user-friendly is how easy it is to switch ride modes and the TC levels and that both modes are always visible on the display. The ride mode switch on the left side of the handlebar has obvious buttons and a simple design. 

The three ride modes really did contribute to a different style of riding. The throttle response in Ride Mode A was a bit too aggressive for me, especially in town. Ride Mode B smoothed out that jumpiness without compromising the low-rpm torque that I enjoyed so much. I didn’t spend much time in Ride Mode C because B hit the spot so well for me. 

I had the traction control set to level 3 for most of the ride. Perhaps with grippier tires, I would’ve felt more confident with less TC, but since I was in a new environment, on a new bike, and with less experience than the other journalists along for the ride, I appreciated the extra help. 

With my preferred settings dialed in, even on a new bike on alpine roads that were much tighter and steeper than what I’m used to back home in Tennessee, I really started to enjoy the 8S and the beautiful scenery and roads. The 8S offered enough to keep things exciting for the more experienced riders, but it was also tamable for someone like me who couldn’t push the bike to its limits in the same way. 

One for All 

Suzuki wanted the 8S to be a well-rounded bike that pleases both experienced and beginner riders. If I were a couple inches taller, I’d agree completely. Riding taller bikes is something I’m still trying to get comfortable with, and a tall seat height is a factor that can add some intimidation and apprehension for shorter riders. 

Suzuki offers a range of useful and stylish accessories for the 8S, such as soft side cases, a flyscreen, cowls for the passenger seat and lower engine, billet brake and clutch levers, lever guards, frame sliders, fuel tank protectors, and a USB socket, but it missed an opportunity to make the 8S more accessible by not offering a lower seat. Aside from having a longer reach to the pavement than I’d like, the 8S’s balance, maneuverability, and fun factor truly do make it an approachable ride. 

After a full day of riding the 8S through the city and the mountains of Southern France, I have a couple of pieces of advice to impart: 1) If you’re looking for a bike that is greater than the sum of its parts and performs well for a wide range of situations and riding levels, the new Suzuki GSX-8S should be one of the bikes on your list. 2) If you find yourself in Antibes with an empty belly, you’re doing something wrong. 

2023 Suzuki GSX-8S Specs

• Base Price: $8,849 
• Website: SuzukiCycles.com 
• Warranty: 1 yr., unltd. miles 
• Engine Type: Liquid-cooled parallel-Twin, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl. 
• Displacement: 776cc 
• Bore x Stroke: 84.0 x 70.0mm 
• Horsepower: 82.0 @ 8,500 rpm (factory claim) 
• Torque: 57.5 lb-ft @ 6,800 rpm (factory claim) 
• Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/assist wet clutch 
• Final Drive: Chain 
• Wheelbase: 57.7 in. 
• Rake/Trail: 25.0 degrees/4.1 in. 
• Seat Height: 31.9 in. 
• Wet Weight: 445 lb (factory claim) 
• Fuel Capacity: 3.7 gal. 

See all of Rider‘s Suzuki coverage here.

If you live in a colder climate (as I do) and are wondering (as I was), “What could a California company possibly know about heated motorcycle gear?” you should know that “California Heat” is something of a misnomer. The family-owned and operated company is based in Maryland and presumably named after how you should feel riding in sunny California.

I don’t live in California, so as I geared up for my February trip from my home at 6,000 feet in Southern Utah to Las Vegas for the AIMExpo show, I was excited to try out California Heat’s 12V Jacket Liner ($230), Pant Liners ($190), and Gauntlet Gloves ($175), all covered by a lifetime warranty. [Note: Make sure to check the info for each product to see what’s included and what you must purchase separately for operation.] 

The windproof and waterproof gloves are made of nylon and leather with a tricot lining and Thinsulate insulation. They feature heating elements on both sides of the hands from the wrist to the fingertips. There is a rubber squeegee on the left thumb, and the index fingers are touchscreen compatible, but given the thickness of the fingertip, it’s a little clumsy.  

A great feature I haven’t seen on some other heated gloves is the 90-degree L-plug. California Heat could take it up a notch by adding an L-junction or plug on the cords that come out of the jacket liner as well, which would make it less cumbersome to slide the gloves over the cuffs of your riding jacket after the gloves are plugged into the liner.

Otherwise, as to the wind-resistant, water-repellant ripstop nylon jacket liner, I have no complaints. It has zipper pockets for the wires when not in use and other regular pockets, including two outer pockets and three inner pockets (I especially appreciated the zippered one). The pant liners are the same composition as the jacket, also with zippered pockets for the wires, and speaking of zippers, the pants have zippers halfway up the sides to make boot management easier. 

When I left my house for Las Vegas, it was in the low 40s. I was on the interstate with an 80-mph speed limit, so I had the added wind chill factor, but I also had my windshield, and it was sunny, which helped. I run a little warmer anyway and am pretty used to colder temps, so when I started, I set both the jacket and pant dials on the Dual Dial Temp Controller ($100, sold separately) just barely above “off.” The website says the controller has “20 variable stages up to 135 degrees.” There are tactile soft “clicks” on the dials, and I counted more than 30 clicks, so I just used a visual reference. I was plenty comfortable at the lowest setting, but even on the ride back when temps were in the upper 30s, I didn’t need to turn it up much past a third of the dial.

With my job, I don’t have the luxury of only riding during my area’s warmer season, and with the California Heat gear, not only is my job easier but I now look forward to extending my riding season. If they could just bring some California heat to all the snow on the roads…

For more information, visit the California Heat website.

See all of Rider’s apparel reviews here.

Rider magazine is inviting its readers to join contributing editor Scott A. Williams on the IMTBike Essence of Northern Spain Motorcycle Tour, taking place from Sept. 9-17, 2023, and offering riders a rich blend of spectacular and unforgettable landscapes and encounters with ancient cultures.

Based in Madrid, IMTBike specializes in tours of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal), but it also offers tours in France, Italy, the Alps, and Morocco, as well as MotoGP tours (Catalunya, Jerez, and Valencia) and tours in Turkey, Thailand, Japan, and New Zealand. In 2021, IMTBike earned a coveted Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best award. In 2022, IMTBike celebrated its 25th anniversary, and Rider EIC Greg Drevenstedt, and his wife, Carrie, helped celebrate by taking the Southern Spain Andalusia tour.

Related: Iberian Escape | IMTBike Southern Spain Andalusia Tour Review

The IMTBike Essence of Northern Spain Motorcycle Tour should be just as amazing. IMTBike says the tour, which is nine days total (including two travel days and one rest day), will combine “all the wonderful aromas that one expects to find in the North of Spain; from the salty azure waters of the Cantabrian Sea along the Costa Verde, to the pristine fields of verdant grass of the Basque Valleys and the crisp air of the majestic mountains of Asturias’s Picos de Europa.”

The tour will start and end in Bilbao, a former shipbuilding town that is now famous for Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum and Jeff Koon’s “Puppy” sculpture. The tour will lead through the northern regions of Spain – the Basque Country, Cantabria, Castilla-León, and Asturias – on a route through small picturesque fishing villages and charming lost hamlets in the most remote mountain regions of Spain. You will visit fascinating cities such as the capitals of Asturias and the Basque Country, Oviedo, and Vitoria.

On Day 1 (or earlier, depending on your country of origin), arrive in Bilbao and take the day to explore the city. The group will meet for dinner and prepare for the journey, which begins on Day 2, when riders will enter the easternmost Cantabrian Mountains. You will ride little-known mountain roads surrounded by incredible greenery on the way to the magnificently preserved medieval town of Santillana del Mar.

Day 3 goes through the Picos de Europa mountain range, which stands out because of both the height of the mountains and their proximity to the ocean. You will visit the beautiful beaches and cliffs of the Green Coast (Costa Verde). We’ll dive into the heart of the immense Picos de Europa Mountains where you can take a cable car to the summit and ride through the narrow canyons that surround the massif.

The Day 4 destination is the Asturian capital, Oviedo. On the way, riders will visit some of the most photographed fishing villages on the Asturian coast and go along some of the most interesting local roads that run through the green mountains of eastern Asturias.

Take a rest day to explore the elegant city of Oviedo on foot, or there will be a ride to visit the western Asturian coast and the picturesque fishing village of Cudillero. IMTBike has prepared “a nice curvy route to get there.”

On Day 6, the route will start heading back to the eastern part of Northern Spain, crossing Asturias through its mining region. These mountains are full of natural resources below ground and perfect motorcycling roads above. You’ll spend the day immersed in captivating natural landscapes and cross several mountain passes before arriving in Castilla-León’s lake country at the foot of the Picos de Europa.

Day 7 takes riders to the charming Basque capital of Vitoria, passing through several mountain ranges, valleys, and beautiful remote areas, as well as a few natural parks east of the Picos de Europa and the Cantabrian Mountains before finally setting foot again in Euskadi (Basque Country).

The final riding day will be a beautiful route that crosses the entire Basque Country from south to north on the way back to Bilbao. After several mountain passes, you’ll arrive at the coast and then ride local roads that pass through authentic fishing villages while experiencing the wild landscapes of this coastline.

If you’re looking for curve-filled roads, verdant mountains, azure ocean water plus delicious gastronomy, charming cities and incredible hotels all wrapped up into a weeklong getaway, then this Essence of Northern Spain Tour has been custom made for you!

IMTBike Essence of Northern Spain Motorcycle Tour daily itinerary:

• Day 1: Arrival Bilbao
• Day 2: Bilbao – Santillana del Mar
• Day 3: Santillana del Mar – Picos de Europa
• Day 4: Picos de Europa – Oviedo
• Day 5: Oviedo – rest day
• Day 6: Oviedo – Palentine Mountains
• Day 7: Palentine Mountains – Vitoria
• Day 8: Vitoria – Bilbao
• Day 9: Flight back home

Pricing starts at $3,990 per person, including a BMW G 310 R motorcycle rental for a rider in a double room (see below for what’s included in the price). See the Essence of Northern Spain tour webpage for tiered pricing for different motorcycle models as well as pricing for a passenger and a single room supplement.

IMTBike Essence of Northern Spain Motorcycle Tour included services:

• Airport pickup on the first day of the tour
• Overnight accommodations in high quality hotels
• A gourmet evening meal every night (except on rest days)
• Complete buffet breakfast every morning
• New model BMW motorcycle fully equipped with three BMW cases
• Tour handbook (normally about 70 pages-very comprehensive) and highlighted map
• Expert multilingual guide on a motorcycle
• Multilingual guide in support vehicle which will carry your luggage, any oversized purchases you make; or even a passenger or two
• Tour souvenirs

Services not included:

Air ticket, lunches, gasoline, drinks, tolls, personal spending, and tips

Wolfman Luggage is a family-owned and operated business founded by Eric Hougen, a passionate motorcyclist and the company’s designer. Eric’s son, Quinn, is Wolfman’s COO and head of sales. Based in Colorado, Wolfman’s motorcycle luggage is designed and tested in the United States, and the company has been serving the adventure, dual-sport, and touring community for many years.

Related: Wolfman Dual-Sport Luggage | Gear Review

Lisa Hougen, aka “Mrs. Wolfman,” was recently diagnosed with meningioma brain tumors, and one of the tumors is located on the back of her right eye. Lisa’s surgery is scheduled for late April at the UCLA Health Brain Tumor Center. Wolfman Luggage is holding a benefit sale to raise funds to help defray Mrs. Wolfman’s medical expenses.

This following is a message from Wolfman Luggage: “Among the many hard decisions we are facing is how and when to share this sensitive news. We know that our ADV motorcycle community and loyal Wolfman customers will care. Step up to say prayers/well wishes/send us love and healing thoughts and hopefully buy lots of our WP (welded products) luggage to soften the blow! We are a small family-run business and we thank you immensely for your support! –Eric, Lisa & Quinn”

All too often we take our health for granted, and a major illness can rob us of our personal and financial security. We encourage you to buy some well-designed, well-made Wolfman Luggage and support a family that serves our motorcycling community with excellent products and good customer service.

Wolfman Luggage Benefit Sale details:

• 20-45% off Wolfman’s WP line.
• Reduced pricing is on the Wolfman Luggage website, no discount code needed.
• Not valid with other discounts.
• Threadworks and PACK are not included
• Free shipping for orders of $150.00+, continental U.S. only.
• All sales are final
• While supplies last.

Following the announcement last November of the 2023 Challenger Elite, Indian Motorcycle recently announced the release of the new Indian Pursuit Elite and the return of the Chieftain Elite. Like other bikes in the Elite lineup, both bikes will be limited in production and feature premium options. These new bikes in the 2023 Indian Motorcycle lineup will begin shipping to dealers in spring 2023. 

Related: 2023 Indian Motorcycle Lineup | First Look Review

The Chieftain Elite was the first bike in Indian’s Elite program, introduced for the 2018 model year. Aaron Jax, vice president of Indian Motorcycle, said the idea was to create an offering that was “not just limited in quantity, but exclusive in nature with custom details straight from the factory.”

“Today, with jewel-like finishes, our Elite line of baggers and touring models truly represent the best-of-the-best and deliver a statement like nothing else on the road,” Jax said.   

Related: 2023 Indian Sport Chief | First Ride Review

2023 Indian Pursuit Elite  

There will be only 150 units available worldwide of the Indian Pursuit Elite, a touring bike that Indian says is “designed for riders who value the journey as much as the destination.”  

The Indian Pursuit Elite has electronically adjustable rear suspension preload from Fox that is managed from the bike’s infotainment system. Braking comes from radially mounted Brembo 4-piston calipers biting dual semi-floating 320mm discs up front and a 2-piston caliper and floating 298mm disc in the rear.

The bike rides on 5-spoke precision-cut wheels (19 inches in the front, 16 in the rear) with tire pressure monitoring and wrapped in Metzeler Cruisetec tires. It’s powered by a liquid-cooled 108ci PowerPlus V-Twin making a claimed 122 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque at 3,800 rpm and mated to a 6-speed gearbox and slip/assist clutch.

Related: 2022 Indian Pursuit Limited | Road Test Review

The Indian Pursuit Elite offers Smart Lean Technology using a Bosch IMU to manage traction control, ABS, and torque. Backlit switch cubes improve the rider’s ability to see the bike’s controls at night, and the Pathfinder Adaptive LED headlight combined with Pathfinder S LED driving lights and saddlebag lights deliver improved visibility. Both rider and passenger get a heated seat with adjustable controls on the seat and infotainment system.  

The Indian Pursuit Elite is equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen powered by Ride Command and offers Apple CarPlay integration, turn-by-turn navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, one year of Ride Command+ connected features, and more. The bike’s Powerband Audio includes built-in amplifiers, a nine-band equalizer, and 16 speakers.

Offering more than 35 gallons of remote-locking storage, riders can keep all cargo protected inside weatherproof saddlebags and trunk, and for those looking to achieve further customization, a quick-release low-profile trunk is available as a color-matched accessory. 

The 2023 Indian Pursuit Elite comes in premium Super Graphite Metallic and Black Metallic paint with Shadow Bronze Chrome accents. Color-matched Elite badging and premium components complete the bike’s design. Pricing starts at $39,999.

Story continues below 2023 Indian Pursuit Elite photo gallery.

2023 Indian Chieftain Elite

Limited to only 175 units globally, the 2023 Indian Chieftain Elite features what the company says is “meaner and more aggressive styling with custom-inspired details straight from the factory.”

The Chieftain Elite bagger features Indian’s most powerful air-cooled engine, the Thunderstroke 116, which delivers a claimed 126 lb-ft of torque. While this is the same mill as the 2022 Chieftain Elite, the standard Chieftain is powered by a 111ci engine making a claimed 119 lb-ft of torque. The 2023 Chieftain Elite’s open fender showcases a new 10-spoke precision machined front wheel. Similar to the Indian Pursuit Elite, the wheels are 19-inches in the front and 16-inches in the rear with tire pressure monitoring and shod in Metzeler Cruisetec tires.

Like other Chieftain models, rear cylinder deactivation improves rider comfort when riding through slower traffic, while three selectable ride modes – Tour, Standard, and Sport – allow riders to adjust the bike’s throttle response to match their riding style.  

Related: 2023 Jack Daniel’s Limited Edition Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse

The 2023 Chieftain Elite has a 46mm inverted fork and air-adjustable single rear shock. Stopping power comes from dual 4-piston calipers and 300mm floating discs up front, with a 2-piston caliper and 300mm floating disc in the rear. ABS is standard.

From a style perspective, the Adaptive Pathfinder LED headlight and rear saddlebag LED lights on the 2023 Chieftain Elite provide good visibility at night, as well as some head turns. An adjustable tinted flare windscreen raises or lowers to the rider’s preferred position with the push of a handlebar-mounted button.  

Like the Indian Pursuit Elite, the 2023 Indian Chieftain Elite features the 7-inch touchscreen display powered by Ride Command with Apple CarPlay, GPS with navigation, and Ride Command+ features, like live traffic and weather overlays, and a vehicle locator feature. The bike has backlit switch cubes, an integrated PowerBand audio system, keyless ignition, and weatherproof and remote-locking saddlebags with more than 18 gallons of storage. For riders looking to personalize their ride, color matched accessories are available, including a quick-release low-profile trunk, as well as lower fairings.  

The new Chieftain Elite’s paint scheme features Super Graphite Smoke complemented by premium Shadow Bronze chrome finishes and Indian Motorcycle headdress floorboards. Pricing starts at $35,499.

For more information, visit the Indian Motorcycle website.

See all of Rider‘s Indian coverage here.

Wet hands can make a motorcycle ride not only uncomfortable but also dangerous. Aerostich’s Triple Digit Rain Glove Covers will keep your hands dry even in heavy rain.

Read all of Rider’s apparel reviews here.

They’re made of three layers of breathable and waterproof ripstop nylon and pack down small so you can always have them handy when needed. These gauntlets slide on over crash-protective gloves, and an elastic drawcord with a tethered cordlock keeps them in place.

The gloves also have Scotchlite reflective strips for hand signaling and a left thumb visor squeegee.

The Aerostich Triple Digit Rain Glove Covers are available in sizes M-XL in Black or Orange for $57 at the Aerostich website.

The Sidi ST and ST Air motorcycle boots are comfortable upper-level street boots that are also ready for the track.

Read all of Rider’s apparel reviews here.

The ST and ST Air feature an external ankle brace system, a nylon inner sole with a removable arch support pad, a cam-lock buckle system for easy entry and boot removal, nylon scuff pads on the toe, closable air vents, a DuPont polymer toe shift pad, and a Technomicro base material.

The ST Air includes a replaceable shin deflector plate and additional Technomicro material on the outside for maximum airflow.

All bolt-on parts are replaceable, and both boots are available for $374.99.

The Great American Scenic Byway Tour

Steven Goode and the Parkinson’s Foundation (Parkinson.org) have partnered in a creative way to raise funds to fight Parkinson’s disease (PD). Steven will be riding his motorcycle 15,000 miles over 60 days starting on May 9, 2023. He will be riding to the best scenic byway in every state within the contiguous (lower 48) United States. Along the route he will be meeting with representatives of the Parkinson’s Foundation in order to bring attention to this devastating disease and their efforts to find a cure. Steve’s mother lost her life to the disease in 2001 and he feels this is a good way to pay tribute to her struggle.

Related: Steven Goode: Ep. 27 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast

The route will depart from the Chicago area and crisscross the country from north to south, then up along the east coast, across Canada into the upper peninsula of Michigan. From there he will head southwest ending up riding thru Death Valley NP, Yosemite NP, and then up the Oregon coast into Seattle area. The route will take him to Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier NP and Beartooth Pass in Montana. Finally winding his way back to the Chicago area sometime in early July.

“During this trip I will be visiting the most scenic byways in every state and writing about the experience. My goal is to raise money and national awareness of PD in addition for the reader to ride along with me and experience the thrill of riding a motorcycle throughout this magnificent country.”

For more information or to donate, visit bit.ly/GreatAmericanTour or scan the QR code below. You can follow Steven’s progress on the tour via Facebook at https://bit.ly/GASBTJourney. Steven has been graciously sponsored by Klim (Klim.com), a global leader in motorcycle gear.

About the Parkinson’s Foundation

The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson’s disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In everything we do, we build on the energy, experience and passion of our global Parkinson’s community. For more information, visit parkinson.org or call (800) 4PD-INFO (473-4636).

About Parkinson’s Disease

Affecting an estimated one million Americans and 10 million worldwide, Parkinson’s disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s and is the 14th-leading cause of death in the United States. It is associated with a progressive loss of motor control (e.g., shaking or tremor at rest and lack of facial expression), as well as non-motor symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety). There is no cure for Parkinson’s and nearly 90,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States alone.