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Motorcycle touring today offers more choices than ever — and a lot more clutter. What once required a paper map and a sense of direction now demands sifting through apps, user tracks, and editorial guides to find genuinely rewarding roads.
When planning was simpler
There was a time when a single map and a vague destination were all a rider needed. The surprise of unplanned discovery was part of the appeal: every turn promised something new.
Post Salt Bikernet issues weekly edition for August 28, 2026
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That sense of adventure remains, but technology has changed the routine. Modern navigation tools record elevation, distance, and other metrics that can enrich a ride. They also let riders save and share routes with a few taps.
Why “curated” routes can disappoint
Many apps advertise curated lists of scenic rides. In practice, a lot of those tracks are user-submitted journeys that begin at someone’s house and end at a favorite restaurant. Useful? Sometimes. Curated in the editorial sense? Not always.
Tracking a trip can produce interesting statistics and make it easy to replay a run. But riders should be wary of mistaking volume for quality when exploring app-generated collections.
RoadRUNNER’s approach
Over the past 25 years, RoadRUNNER has assembled nearly 1,500 travel articles that include downloadable GPS files. Each tour is planned, ridden, and documented with the intention of guiding — not replacing — on-the-road discovery.
The editorial routes aim to balance clear directions with pockets of surprise. The magazine deliberately leaves room for exploration so riders still encounter unplanned highlights while following a recommended path.
How to find and use our resources
RoadRUNNER recently published a straightforward guide explaining how to navigate its online editorial archive and locate routes that match different interests and skill levels. The guide walks readers through searching for tours, downloading GPS files, and adapting routes to personal preferences.
Saving a route can be handy for planning, but the guide also encourages riders to treat these tracks as starting points rather than complete itineraries.
What’s in this issue
This edition features ride reports ranging from the American Southwest to the Ohio River valley, plus a dual-sport dispatch from Portugal. Equipment tests include Yamaha’s new WR125R and the updated Road Glide Limited.
There are options for varied tastes and terrains — from tight, technical stretches to relaxed, scenic runs — so readers can pick rides that suit their style.
Enjoy planning your 2026 rides!
Florian Neuhauser
Publisher
