Inspiration

Sidecar Camping – Hotdogs, Campfires, Good Times

Mar 23, 2018 Michael Le Pard

Camping is all about getting outside and enjoying the open air, something Ural riders know all about. Whether you travel to a faraway forest or a nearby campsite, a sidecar can make the experience much […]

Finding the Flow: Discovering more about motorcycle aerodynamics

Mar 9, 2018 Michael Le Pard

It is something of a mysterious art. By nature motorcycles and riders are not the most aerodynamic of vehicles on the road so what do KTM do to maximize this area of their R&D and […]

Bonneville to the Himalayas. A journey of rediscovering India

Feb 21, 2018 Michael Le Pard

When Polo Arnaiz first toured India in a van he was a timid, uneasy traveller, reluctant to immerse himself in the ways of the people and their culture. He returned to his native Spain with […]

Surprising End to First Ever Motorcycle Grand Prix 86 years ago

Feb 9, 2018 Michael Le Pard

People in Finland have always had a sweet tooth for motor racing. Through the years they have fostered more than a few world-class motorcycle riders. Looking back through history, it all started in 1932 when […]

See the toughest ever 2018 Dakar route

Dec 25, 2017 Michael Le Pard

In recent years the Rally Dakar has found its home in South America. But, as the name suggests, that’s not always been the case. The Rally Dakar was born in 1978, taking competitors from Paris, […]

Rider Inspiration: Lea Rieck 90,000km world motorcycle tour

Dec 20, 2017 Michael Le Pard

There were occasions during her round-the-world ride when Lea Rieck happily admits she returned to her hotel room and sobbed. The third and final leg of Lea’s tour took her from Australia – where her […]

Australia URAL Owner Adventure Ride

Dec 18, 2017 Michael Le Pard

December 13, 2017/ Ural Motorcycles Our team in Australia recently held their annual Ural Adventure Ride, one of their biggest to date! The multi-day ride started in Glen Innes in the New England region of […]

Ice Racing in 1935 – Spills, Thrills and Chills

Dec 15, 2017 Michael Le Pard

In the 1930s, Husqvarna dominated the Swedish ice-racing scene. Riders such as Ragnar Sunnqvist, Ivar Skeppstedt and Martin Strömberg took to the frozen lakes on Husky 350cc and 500cc machines equipped with lethal-looking spiked tyres. […]

Vespa Sei Giorni: Paying Tribute to a Race Winner

Dec 7, 2017 Michael Le Pard

Back in 1951, Vespa entered 10 “Squadra Corse” (Race Team) scooters into the 26th Sei Giorni Internazionale enduro race, which was held in Varese, Italy.Though the competition was heavy with motorcycles, nine of these […]

Kevin Schwantz 1989 RGV500 Complete Restoration

Dec 6, 2017 Michael Le Pard

Kevin Schwantz’s 1989 Pepsi Suzuki RGV500 received a full strip-down and rebuild at last month’s Motorcycle Live Show in Birmingham, England as part of the Suzuki GB presence at the annual nine-day event. The iconic […]

George Clarke: TV Architect to Passionate Motorcycle Collector

Dec 2, 2017 Michael Le Pard

Fine lines and aesthetics are recurring themes in the TV architect’s life away from the small screen as he customizes a growing collection of bikes, including his ‘game-changing’ Thruxton R. “Look and design are everything […]

Leonce: Life and Times as a KTM MotoGP mechanic

Nov 29, 2017 Michael Le Pard

We’ve come to learn a lot about the demands of MotoGP thanks to Red Bull KTM’s exploits through a 2016 of testing and now a maiden season in the Grand Prix paddock but we decided to […]

Inspiration: Himalayas on a Triumph, How high can you go?

Nov 26, 2017 Michael Le Pard

A life or death race against time. Hitting the roof of the world, almost as high as a passenger jet, on a motorcycle means several things. Spectacular horizons, endless views and altitude sickness. FTR chatted […]

Dream Machine. Riding 10 Countries, 2000 Miles, 63 years ago

Nov 3, 2017 Michael Le Pard

At the beginning of the 1950s people were still rebuilding after the second world war. Most had their thoughts on productivity and looking for an improved standard of living. There were exceptions however – some […]

Ice, Ice, Baby!

Nov 1, 2017 Michael Le Pard

Ice, Ice, Baby Story by Aaron Heinrich. In states north of the Mason-Dixon line, Fall is starting to slowly give way to Winter. And as the days grow shorter and the cold lasts longer, the […]