Can you believe Hurricane Katrina was more than four years ago? I can't. It seems like no more than last year that the 6th biggest hurricane ever recorded hit the gulf coast and devastated one of the coolest towns in the world, New Orleans. From a rider's perspective the tragedy was more than a legendary city sunk deep in the Mississippi Delta with lives lost and otherwise destroyed. As we all know it was far from just New Orleans, but also the entire gulf coast delta area in Louisiana and Mississippi, which left hundreds of miles of beachfront coast road (and the cool little restaurants and shops that went with them) trashed as well. The whole area continues to struggle to get back on its feet, as the vicious Catch 22 of not having tourist infrastructure is keeping the area from rebuilding quickly and attracting more tourists (and their money).inline_mediumwraptextrightThe Bonny's plush suspension and sharp handling came in handy on the bumpy, blind and crowded streets of the French Quarter.31283487/rideanddest/0912_crup_motorcycle_touring_down_on_the_bayou0912_crup_04_z+down_on_the_bayou+action.jpgTrue

During this summer's ride through Yellowstone we rounded a corner to confront what has to be one of every rider's worst nightmares, a rolled-over car with injuries. We weren't the first one the scene, others were extricating the injured couple from the wadded-up SUV as we pulled up, and as often happens in these situations someone who seemed to know what he was doing had taken charge. He was doing what can only be described as a hell'uva of a job, but the people needed medical attention and they needed it quick. Both in shock, and bloody messes, the man had a large gash in his foot, while the woman was bleeding from cuts to her arms and face was having trouble breathing.inline_mediumwraptextrightSome bandages, a few sterile cloths and a couple of antiseptic wipes, and a basic first aid course are all you really need. The supplies fit in a 2 1/2 by 4-inch container, and it's no exaggeration to say it might save some one's life.31295586/tech/0912_crup_first_aid_kit0912_crup_33_z+first_aid_kit+supplies.jpgTrue

Check out what's inside the current issue of Motorcycle Cruiser on sale now! Grab a copy at newsstands or subscribe online to get the newest issue first. Here's what's new:

The Rocket III had a problem. On some counts, it was a problem with perception. Straddling the line between cruiser and musclebike, it was a little schizoid in its approach, not as refined as a cruiser, yet utilizing forward controls and such alien to more sporting riders. The more sedate and refined RIII Touring shifted the bike in a more cruiserly direction, and to take care of the other side of its personality, is the new Roadster.inline_mediumwraptextright31161321/newsandupdates/0912_crup_2010_triumph_rocket_3_roadster0912_crup_12_z+2010_triumph_rocket_3_roaster+rear.jpgTrue

Star Road Star S
MSRP: $13,090
Caretaker: Bartels
Measurements: 6'0"/198 Lbs/33" Inseam
Odometer: 3220
Miles Since Last Issue: 97

As we went to press with our February 2010 issue 2 weeks ago (on sale 12/15), we got wind of some late releases Honda would be announcing for its 2010 lineup. Alas, deadlines being what they are, we could only speculate on the specs of each model; even though we pressed the company for particulars, Honda remained tightlipped. All we could say in print was that 3 new machines were coming and leave it at that.

Chinese bikes have gotten a bit of a bad reputation. Perhaps it's not entirely undeserved, but Johnny "Pag" Paganini would like to change all that. "The China hurdle, some people can't go with it, but it's getting better, " says Pag. To beat the rap, Johnny Pag Motorcycles (JPM) went with a single, proven liquid-cooled 300cc parallel twin to power all of their American-Designed bikes. This made stocking parts far easier than if there had been a variety of power plants. And stock parts they do, with every part for each of the bikes sitting on the shelf at their Irvine, CA stockroom.inline_mediumwraptextright26954395/newsandupdates/0912_crup_johnny_pag_motorcycles0912_crup_20_z+johnny_pag_motorcycles+bikes.jpgTrue

(November 5, 2009) - Harley-Davidson announced plans to commemorate the 2nd Annual Women Riders Month in May 2010 by hosting women riders in its hometown of Milwaukee, Wis., on May 22 and 23, 2010. Women Riders Month is designed to celebrate the millions of women who have already grabbed life by the handlebars, as well as inspire more women to experience the freedom of the open road.

Rusting classic cars and trucks, vintage signs, and more tchotchkes than anybody could ever use for anything other than making a perfect Route 66 roadside stop. There was a lady reading a book in the breeze outside, a couple of other bikers cooling off with a drink (as was I), and just a nice place to sit and explore for a bit before heading back out on the road. Hackberry might be a bit of a ghost town, but this little gem was clearly still doing some business. I get another 80 miles of Arizona backroads before being forcibly reunited with Interstate 40; 80 more miles of solitude and cool old buildings. One big advantage of being on a road that parallels a much larger one is that there isn't any through traffic other than other motorcycles, and almost no big trucks. Lonely, peaceful, beautiful.inline_mediumwraptextright31199406/rideanddest/0912_crup_motorcycle_touring_arizona_adventure0912_crup_10_z+arizona_adventure+flags.jpgTrue

Shoei has always been at the forefront of helmet design and utilizing their 50 years of helmet-building experience, they are introducing an all-new helmet--the RF-1100. Driven by extensive research, the next generation RF-1100 features a new shell construction, ventilation and visor mounting system.

2010 Stratoliner Deluxe
Star is introducing a new bagger, the 2010 Stratoliner Deluxe. Powered by Star's 113 cubic-inch (1854cc) air-cooled, pushrod V-twin, it's certainly no slouch in the power department. Featuring a full front fairing and large color-matched locking hard sidebags you'll be set for the long haul. Making the trip even more pleasant is an audio system with high fidelity speakers, handlebar mounted controls and an iPod jack.

Changing your motorcycles oil is a lot like doing the dishes isn't it. I mean it's not particularly fun, or hard for that matter, it's just one of those things you have do, because the alternatives are either gross, like eating off a dirty dish, or expensive, like rebuilding your engine. In any event, you've really only got two choices here, you can pay someone to change your oil for you, or you can do it yourself which saves time and money and is infinitely more convenient. Since I've probably changed more oil than some of you have had hot meals, here's 10 Easy Steps towards making the process as painless as possible.

For the most part, motorcycles and carburetors have come to a parting of the ways. While a few carburetor-equipped bikes are still on the market, the vast majority of street bikes are now equipped with some form of electronic fuel injection, which despite the complication it adds, is both a better way to go, and undeniably here to stay, protests from the Luddites notwithstanding.

Old school is a term people like to toss around, but few are old enough to recall its meaning. Sometimes we all need to be schooled in our biker roots; sometimes it takes a guitar-slinging cook from a small Arizona town to remind us just what is cool.inline_mediumwraptextright31071291/custom/0908_crup_honda_cb_750_chopper0908_crup_01_z+honda_cb_750_chopper+cover_spread.jpgTrue

How much custom do we need? According to the official motorcycle guide, The Biker Codebook: Rules, Style and Ethics, which have I kept tucked neatly somewhere in my head, "Stock is merely a blank canvas for which to splatter chrome, paint and parts to one's personal satisfaction, or until you run completely out of money." The book doesn't mention, however, how much aggravation you should put up with before considering homicide. Let me explain. That would take too long, let me sum up:inline_mediumwraptextright25718939/custom/0910_crup_honda_shadow_project_part_20910_crup_01_z+2006_honda_shadow_aero_vt750+right_side_view.jpgTrue

When Triumph launched its 2300cc Rocket III in 2004, the biggest challenge it faced was marketing. How do you position the largest production motorcycle engine on the planet? Over the years Triumph has tried to squeeze the Rocket into different niches, morphing the original Rocket into the more relaxed, floorboard-ed Classic, and most recently, into the touring-biased Rocket III Touring, complete with windscreen and hard bags as standard equipment.inline_mediumwraptextright31066671/newsandupdates/0910_crup_2010_triumph_rocket_iii_roadster0910_crup_01_z+2010_triumph_rocket_iii_roadster+right_side_view.jpgTrue

Bonneville Blues
Q I have a tech question for you. I have a '06 Bonneville with 7500 miles on it. Here's the problem; I went for a ride yesterday. The bike started right up and ran perfectly. I parked in the garage, took the key out and hung it on its nail. When I went out this morning I turned the key and nothing, no lights, the bike wouldn't turn over.

First Gear TPG Rainer jacket and Escape Pant

$249.95-399.95

FirstGear's TPG brand is their all-weather touring lineup. From this bunch we selected the full-length Rainier Jacket and Escape Pant.

$581.95 (as tested)

I've always had an aversion to large crowds, or even small ones for that matter, so I've generally avoided the rally scene. If you don't count Daytona, which I attended strictly to see (and in some cases, participate in) the races, you could count the ones I've attended on one hand, and that includes three trips to the now defunct Honda Hoot, which to be perfectly honest, were mandatory work assignments.

Back for 2010 is Star's pure evil VMAX. Similar to its re-introduction last year, the 2010 'Max is a limited-edition model available only by special pre-order from August 4th to November 30th, 2009. The 2010 VMAX has not been updated mechanically, but just read our Magnificent Muscle test

With lackluster financial results looming, Harley-Davidson has announced plans to discontinue the Buell motorcycle line and is actively seeking buyers for the recently acquired MV Agusta unit.