By Marissa Baecker MotorcyGal The Honda VFR has a long history of being a fan favourite. Since its debut as a V4 – 750cc, the VFR has garnered attention. So much so, that changing it was a risky venture for Honda. However, improvements like updated style, a 10 kg...
By Marissa Baecker Tools are to a mechanic like candy is to a child. The child has Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory to show them how candy is made and the mechanic . . . has Snap-On Tools Masters of Metal. What is Masters of Metal? This is an international tour...
By Marissa Baecker My spirit for adventure was awakened the moment the 2014 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 SE was unloaded from the trailer. Bright red and adventure-ready, the road less traveled was calling my name. Equipped with hand guards, centre stand, side panniers, and a...
As we age we all remember the days when we were young and fearless. For 14 year old Williams Lake resident, Danielle Schultz, she is living it. At the 26th annual vintage flat track races held at O'Keefe Ranch in Vernon, B.C. July 5, 2014, Danielle wanted to pay...
By Marissa Baecker The sun began its descent to the West and turned the sky that beautiful orange glow as my love affair with Street Bob began to flourish – the 2014 Harley-Davidson Street Bob that is – and it was love at first ride. I admit, I was skeptical to return...
By Marissa Baecker If you bulked up over the winter, plan on trimming down and exploring a new, lighter method of motorcycle touring with the 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster SuperLow 1200T. The model officially launched at the infamous two-wheeled gathering known as...
It isn't always easy to find the words to describe a motorcycle and relay the experience but after three days with Yamaha Motor Canada at the launch of the new, made in Japan, 2015 FZ-07 the words that come to mind are fun and exciting (and I haven't even picked up my...
Check this out! This is Brad who attended the Raw Hyde World of Adventure Academy in California and filmed his experience. Definitely worthy of your time to watch.
By Marissa Baecker When I was first assigned to go to Daytona Beach for Bike Week - all I could think about was "A week with bikers?" I am not a 'biker' by the stereotypical definition. I don't have any tatoos. I no longer own a Harley (although I did at one point). I...
By Marissa Baecker It is easy to confuse the 2014 Triumph Thunderbird LT (long touring), a European import, with its North American cruisin’ cousins during Bike Week at Daytona Beach, FL. In fact, the Triumph measures up so closely that when I returned from my beach...
By Marissa Baecker (As published in the Kelowna Daily Courier newspaper Wheels Jan 31 CVR) Luxury is a gift that we all award ourselves. To some, it is the daily fancy coffee where we converse with others and occasionally drop our jaws over a statement in conversation...
Aside from the fact I think Nikki Sixx is an idiot after watching him stomp a fan on stage during a show - the guy was down - defenseless and probably looped - anyway, a chance for readers to win a bike is always worth mentioning. For the U.S. readers only...
How I got my mojo back By Marissa Baecker Physical injuries require medical attention and after parting with my bike this past summer, my minor physical injuries that occurred in the U.S. came in at a whopping $154,000 bill. I had travel insurance. I ride because I...
TOKYO, Japan (NOVEMBER 6, 2013) - Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. announced on November 6 that new models will go on display at the International Motorcycle Exhibition (EICMA) in Milan, Italy, on November 7-10. 2013 marked the start of a new future for Yamaha, and Yamaha is...
Comfort - Technology - eXperience are the key words behind Honda's latest menu offering the CTX1300T (ABS). This low seat, water-cooled V4 cruiser is unlike any other Honda and promises low and mid-range torque plus the smooth, comfortable ride that the Honda cruiser...
By Marissa Baecker Walking out into the afternoon sun with my suitcase and bags, I headed straight for the signature red compact sport touring machine with the unmistakable front-end beak that only Ducati is known for. Right there on the sidewalk of West Hollywood, I...
If you are not aware of who Rick Mercer is - you are probably not from Canada. He is a Canadian newfie who takes a stab at just about everything political and then takes his turn tackling the various stereotypes of Canadian culture - all the while making everyone...
By Marissa Baecker TEST RIDE – YAMAHA FZ09 I had just put the liners back in my riding suit for the cooler Fall temperatures when I got this email: “The new FZ09 is here, come ride it.” These words do not require a response but rather an appearance with a license,...
It feels like Christmas with all the new announcements coming from the manufacturers releasing the 2014 motorcycles and the latest comes from Ducati! Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 09 September 2013 – The highly-anticipated Ducati 899 Panigale has been unveiled at...
By Marissa Baecker The Suzuki GSXR1000 was sitting in my garage since before I went to Laguna Seca. It had been dropped off the day before I left and I was excited to ride it upon my return as I would be coming home with a one-piece leather race suit and would be...