Compact Octane: Bringing Big Fun To Little Bikes, August 19 At SOW

Compact Octane is a newly founded SoCal based track-day provider that that has been created to give customers a more unique and different track-day experience. Here at Compact Octane we cater to machines with displacements of 400cc and below. The result is pure fun and freedom for our “little” bikes. Little bikes provide BIG fun and our goal is

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Putting Dunlop’s Q5 Trackday Tire Through The Ultimate Test

When Dunlop released the Sportmax Q5, and its Q5S sister tire, I was skeptical. To get straight to the point, I wasn’t a big fan of the previous Q4 tire. Yes it warmed up quickly, but it also wore quickly and didn’t have enough edge grip to feel confident on the throttle on a powerful 1000cc-plus bike. Dunlop addressed a lot of the Q4’s shortcomings with the Q5, and after a day sampling the Q5 and Q5S, I came away impressed with the new tire. But that was just an initial impression. I was still skeptical about the tire over the long haul. How quickly does it wear? How does it behave once it’s worn? How much life can I really expect out of these tires? And are they really worth it?

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MO Tested: Dainese Misano 2 Review

Dainese has long been a purveyor of innovative safety equipment for riders, claiming the first knee sliders in 1979, back protector in 1981, and carbon/Kevlar knuckle protection in 1995. In 2012, the Italian company made another first, becoming the first manufacturer to offer airbag protection in an off-the-rack (or custom) leather racing suit in America, the D-Air Racing. We are now seeing the third generation of D-Air technology used in the current race line-up as well as road applications available in multiple styles of jackets for both men and women.

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Top 10 Reasons to Sign Up for a Track Day

Here at Motorcycle.com, we have a decidedly performance-focused approach to motorcycling. So, it should come as no surprise that we’re huge fans of track days. Yes, track riding is often seen as the gateway drug to becoming a club racer, and that does happen. However, the majority of riders stick with track days as their motorcycle fun time. There are so many measurable benefits to track riding that we can’t see why every sporting motorcyclist doesn’t go to them. So, in an effort to spread the track day religion, we’ve put together this list of reasons why you should sign up for a track day.

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Poll: What Does a Typical "Track Day" Look Like For You?

Whether you prefer dirt or asphalt, if you’re loading up your motorcycle and heading to the track, where are we most likely to find you burning laps?

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What's the Worst Thing You Can Do At A Motorcycle Track Day?

Dear MOby,

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Father's Day Buyer's Guide 2016 - $100 Plus

So, Father’s Day is here, again, and when I complained to my wife about how I’d made a list of my ideas for motorcycle-related gifts only to discover that it almost exactly mimicked last year’s list, she said, “Remember, you’re providing a service. As a non-rider, I have no idea what to give you for Father’s Day.” My response to her was a simple, “You’re willing to spend more than $100 on me for Father’s Day!” Clearly, this buyer’s guide just became much more important.

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Duke's Den - Super Bowl Super Bore For Riders?

Did you watch the Super Bowl? According to Nielson ratings, the mega event was watched by about 112 million people – the biggest audience ever on U.S. TV. That calculates to an incredible 36% of all Americans. But the premise of this editorial is that a far lower percentage of motorcyclists plopped themselves on a couch to watch the event.

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