There are many reasons not to buy a Moto Guzzi. They’re heavy, unrefined, not particularly reliable, the dealer network is minuscule, the aftermarket support nonexistent, and to add insult to injury, they’re expensive. So, why would anyone own one? There is no simple answer to that question. The Moto Guzzi brand casts a bewitching spell over would be, and desperately want to be Guzzi riders. Maybe it’s the allure of owning a hand crafted Italian machine that is so appealing. It could be the raspy siren song emanating from the exhaust, or the unmistakeable and iconic placement of the cylinder heads. Even the name makes you want to raise your chin when you say it––in your most flamboyant Italian accent. 

It isn't strange that Ural, the Russian sidecar motorcycle manufacturer, and ICON 1000, maker of premium armored motorcycle apparel and helmets have teamed up to produce this one-of-a-kind custom Ural Solo sT, The Quartermaster. After-all, I don't think you could you find a more fitting relationship if you tried; both brands exude durability and functionality with a unique military-esque spin. Over the last seven months ICON has been meticulously designing and building the Quartermaster from their Portland, Oregon offices. The motorcycle, designed for the "end of days", pulls inspiration from rugged Soviet Naval ships (Ural seems to have a thing with ships) and required extensive frame modification to mount the over-sized fuel tank, and hand-formed fenders while still maintaining a high ground clearance. Skid plates, enduro bars and controls, Continental tires, Progressive Suspension rear shocks and a great looking Supertrapp exhaust round out the entire package. 

The results, quite frankly, are incredibly badass, I think it might be the best looking Ural I've ever seen. Check out the images and video below. 

Few things suck more than someone building an ostentatious, ill-handling motorcycle that has been wrapped up in some company's theme. But if you've turned on a television lately, that's what you'll see—bad taste; and that's exactly the problem with most custom motorcycles today. Luckily, James Hammarhead, doesn't have bad taste, in fact, he has exceptional taste—especially when it comes to creating motorcycles. 

You've been on the road for the last six months traversing the Pan-American Highway—a detour leads you to conquer Bolivia's famed Yungas Road (you may know it as The Death Road). Twenty-or-so miles after leaving La Paz on your way to Coroico the jagged surface of the world's most dangerous road does the inevitable. The rear shock on your brand-new BMW R1200GS Adventure decides to eighty-six itself. Why? Because BMW (along with most motorcycle manufacturers) design the specifics of their suspension around a 170 lb rider carrying roughly 15 lbs of luggage with them. We're guessing after outfitting yourself and your motorcycle with the appropriate gear and accessories that doesn't leave much room for the supplies you need to survive on the road and you're a bit over what BMW thought you'd be carrying. 

That's why it's such a big deal that Touratech has just released the first-ever adventure motorcycle suspension designed with a fully-loaded bike in mind.