Motorcycle

Changing the Spark Plugs on a 2005 SUZUKI VS800 BOULEVARD S50 (Without Summoning the Motorcycle Gods)

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There is a special kind of satisfaction that comes from using the tiny factory tool kit that lives on the side of your bike. It feels like opening a secret compartment in a spy movie. Inside: a spark plug wrench that looks like it was designed for someone with very patient hands and a strong … Read more

How Big of a Difference Does Fresh Gas Make?

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You know that moment when you pour in fresh gas and your bike suddenly behaves like it just remembered it has dignity? That was today. One minute it’s sputtering through life’s obstacles like a college student with a 200-word essay due at midnight, and the next it’s practically auditioning for its own Fast & Furious … Read more

How to Swap the Battery on a 2005 Suzuki Boulevard S50

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Good news for your knuckles: the S50’s battery drops out the bottom of the box ahead of the rear wheel. No seat removal. No interpretive yoga with side covers. Just a tidy little trapdoor operation with the right order of operations. What You’ll Need Want a quick visual of the bottom-door approach? These rider notes … Read more

The Motorcycle Salute: The Secret Handshake of the Open Road

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There are many unspoken rules in the world of motorcycling — don’t put your feet down at a stop sign unless absolutely necessary, never admit you dropped your bike (unless it’s a good story), and always wave at another motorcyclist. This last one, the revered “motorcycle salute,” is a sacred tradition, a bond shared between two-wheeled adventurers … Read more

The Motorcycle Salute: A Two-Wheeled Wink

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Picture this: you’re cruising down the highway, wind in your hair (or at least tickling your helmet), and suddenly, from the opposite lane, another rider flashes you a quick, low wave. Maybe it’s two fingers pointed down, maybe it’s a subtle nod, but it’s unmistakable — the motorcycle salute. It’s the secret handshake of the road, a … Read more

1000 Miles on a Motorcycle: Lessons from a Sleep-Deprived, Rain-Soaked, and Slightly Bruised Rider

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At some point, every motorcyclist crosses a milestone that makes them feel like they finally “get it.” For me, that milestone was 1,000 miles, and let me tell you, the learning curve involved a few bruises — both physical and to my pride. If you’re just starting out or considering getting a bike, take my hard-earned wisdom … Read more