From our blog to our forum, I'm grateful for all the opinions, insights, and attitudes that make this motorcycling community so rewarding.

The material goods of motorcycling like bikes and gear may be the primary focal points of this site, but it's people that bring it all to life. I sincerely hope you get to experience the best of both worlds this Thanksgiving weekend.

Photos © Javier Pierini/Digital Vision/Getty Images; click to enlarge

Call it self-preservation or call it paranoia, but when it comes to riding gear I'm usually pretty gung ho for protection. Full racing leathers? No problem. Articulated spine protector? Sign me up! But when you're planning a six day-long road trip that involves sharing two small saddlebags, your priorities shift just a bit.

Pressed for space but aiming for a modicum of safety, I chose a pair of Alpinestars Mille boots as my only form of footwear. How did their combination of coverage and comfort work for my trip? I shed some light in my Alpinestars Mille Boot Review.

Related:

• Alpinestars S-MX 1 Boot Review
• How to Plan a Motorcycle Trip
• Garmin zumo 660 GPS Review
• Cardo Scala Rider Q2 Multiset Bluetooth Helmet System Review
• Midland BT2-D Bluetooth Helmet Intercom Review
• How to Ride Safely in a Group of Motorcycles
• How to Pack an Emergency & First Aid Kit
• 2009 Ducati SportClassic GT1000 Touring Review... Instant Classic?

Photos © Basem Wasef; click for review

"When I get somewhere beautiful, somewhere complicated," American Borders author Carla King explains, "I put my maps away so I have a chance to get lost."

But as romantic as that concept sounds, last month's densely-packed appointments with Florence, Rome, Cortona, and Bologna meant I couldn't afford to get lost. So I contacted the folks at Garmin, who loaned me the zumo 660, their latest, greatest GPS unit that happens to be dedicated for motorcycle use.

How did the nav system-- loaded up with European maps-- perform aboard my borrowed Ducati SportClassic GT1000? Read my Garmin zumo 660 review to find out.

Related:

• How to Plan a Motorcycle Trip
• Cardo Scala Rider Q2 Multiset Bluetooth Helmet System Review
• Midland BT2-D Bluetooth Helmet Intercom Review
• How to Ride Safely in a Group of Motorcycles
• How to Pack an Emergency & First Aid Kit
• 2009 Ducati SportClassic GT1000 Touring Review... Instant Classic?

Photos © Basem Wasef; click for review

Perhaps the only possible downside of two-up touring through Tuscany-- a landscape graced with some of the most beautiful terrain on earth-- is not being able to point out those stunning visuals to your riding partner. Really, can you ever excitedly scream "Did you see that?!" too many times?

I spent about 570 miles testing Cardo's bluetooth system in Italy, and put in a few more hundred miles stateside so I could gauge the unit's cell phone, FM radio, and MP3 capabilities. See how it fared in this Cardo Scala Rider Q2 Multiset Bluetooth System Review.

Related:

• Midland BT2 Bluetooth Helmet Review
• Dainese Airstream Course D-Nect Bluetooth Helmet Review
• MotoPoll: Is Cross-Helmet Chit-Chat Cool?

* Coincidentally, Cardo just made the news by announcing a distribution partnership with Polaris and Victory Motorcycles.
Photo © Cardo; click for review