In May of this year, I embarked on my first long solo ADV adventure. I spent four weeks riding over 2,300 miles through five states from Albuquerque to my home in Missoula, Montana. As befits a springtime ride in the shadow of the Rockies, the weather was—shall we say—variable. I departed on my first day…
Ford Announces “Model T Moment” :: New Battery Tech, Cheap EV Pickup, Retooling Factories
Ford, like all auto builders, finds itself in a sticky moment. The worldwide landscape of personal mobility appears to be at a tipping point toward widespread electricification, but political and market-driven constraints, along with advancements in hybridization, have prolonged the use of the old technology, perhaps beyond its original lifespan. Sometimes, major shifts in a…
The Moto Morini Vettore Is Another New Small ADV Bike
Greg Pullen’s excellent retrospective A-Z of Italian Motorcycle Manufacturers has a long entry on the Moto Morini brand. Founded in 1937, the Bologna-based bike builder was one of the heavy hitters in the Italian motorcycle universe for decades, known for its innovative tech and successful racing program. But like nearly all Italian manufacturers, in the…
Kawasaki’s New KLX Flavors :: Sherpa S and DF
In a world awash in complex, hulking, and too-powerful ADV bikes, there is something enduringly appealing about a low-displacement dual-sport. Its simplicity, light weight, and nimble capability in a wide range of conditions evoke the authentic spirit of motorcycling. Kawaski is one brand that is stubbornly hanging on to this original ethos, both in its…
Moto News Roundup :: Himalayan Twin Tested, Triumph Goes the Distance, H-D Struggles Again, More
In our Moto News Roundup for August, Royal Enfield continues to tease its new Himalayan 750 and the exciting Him-E, Triumph and Red Bull tout a record-breaking round-the-world attempt with Sam Sunderland, Harley Davidson keeps grasping for life lines, and a KTM ADV bike quietly disappears from the catalog. Royal Enfield Continues Development of Himalayan…
The Arctic Beckons – Expedition: Greenland Film Set for Release
Deep in the dog days of summer (in the Northern Hemisphere at least), it’s hard to imagine the brutality of the freezing conditions north of the Arctic Circle. Lying almost entirely above 66 degrees of latitude, Greenland is one of the last frontiers of human exploration. Just a few short years ago, a small team…
The Subaru Slayers from Ford That Never Were
With a little bit of historical hindsight, we can safely say that the 1995 Subaru Legacy Outback was one of the truly revolutionary cars from the final years of the twentieth century. Not only did this lifted wagon finally bring the quirky Japanese brand into the mainstream, but it also became the archetype for many…
Toyota Taps Rachelle Croft and Taylor Pawley to Lead Rebelle Effort
This isn’t their first rodeo. Rachelle Croft and Taylor Pawley won the grueling Rebelle Rally outright six years ago, and they have their sights set on taming the California and Nevada deserts again in 2025—this time with factory support from 4WD giant Toyota. In fact, the Croft/Pawley duo from XOverland will be the first outside…
Stay on the Road: Why the Overland Industry Needs Real Travelers with Basil Lynch
It’s easy to get caught up in the business of overlanding and actually forget to travel. But Basil Lynch never stopped. In this episode, we sit down with the founder of Basil’s Garage—an overland outfitter based in San Diego—to talk about why staying on the road matters more than ever. From international travel to local…
Riders for Health :: Overland Conservation
The Honda Super Cub has been in production since 1958. With well over 100 million sold, this Lilliputian two-wheeled hero is far and away the most-produced motor vehicle in history. It’s been built in 15 countries, and you can even buy one today, which speaks to the Super Cub’s resiliency as a machine and the…
Slate Auto Drops a $20,000 DIY Bombshell
Let’s get this out of the way up front: Slate Auto’s brand new electric pickup is not available with any kind of AWD or 4WD system. Yet. However, the under-$20,000 projected asking price (after federal EV tax credits) for a base model “Blank Slate” and its unmatched modularity and options for owner customization are extremely…
Moto News Roundup :: Ewan and Charlie at It Again, BMW Scrambler, DR-Z Pricing, More
In our Moto News Roundup for April, your favorite small-screen adventure buddies saddle up vintage bikes for a new journey, BMW debuts new ADV bikes, Suzuki prices out its refreshed DR-Z, Ruroc features new helmets, Backcountry Discovery Routes continues to expand its reach across the motorcycling universe, and KTM keeps churning despite bankruptcy. Long Way…
Toyota, Outside, and Gaia GPS Team Up for Trail Karma
In the world of outdoor adventure, it’s easy to take the trails we ride, drive, and hike for granted. But the truth is, those trails don’t maintain themselves. Behind every epic vista and every rugged off-road route is a community of volunteers, nonprofits, and dedicated trail stewards working to keep access open, safe, and sustainable….
Thule Group Recognized for Reaching Sustainability Goals
For vehicle-based adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts of all kind, Thule is a name that needs no introduction. Known globally for its wide range of gear—everything from roof racks and bike carriers to rooftop tents and travel bags—Thule has been in the game since the 1940s. But beyond function and form, the Swedish company is also…
Pole to Pole Expedition Sets New Records
It’s safe to say that Julie and Chris Ramsey from the Pole to Pole Expedition are currently the most ambitious electrified overland adventurers on the planet. Now, they have the Guinness World Records to prove it. Guinness World Records has awarded the couple the well-known recognition for completing the “first expedition by an electric car…
Slate, Canoo, Telo :: New EV 4x4s or Vaporware?
A mega billionaire, a recently bankrupt manufacturer, and a plucky startup have all made waves recently with news about interesting EV 4x4s. Perhaps the most intriguing is the alleged sub-$25,000 pickup from the mysterious Slate Auto, which TechCrunch reported earlier this week is backed by the financial might of Jeff Bezos. The once-promising EV concern…
T-Mobile and Starlink Expand Satellite Comms Options
Staying connected in remote locations can be a significant challenge for adventurers of all stripes. Traditional cellular networks frequently fall short in delivering coverage where overland travelers often find themselves. In the ongoing race to offer more satellite-based communications options, T-Mobile has partnered with SpaceX’s Starlink to introduce mobile satellite phone service to a huge…
Dometic Inflatable Shelters :: Field Tested
In North America, inflatable tents are still a novelty (they have been de rigueur in Europe for some time now) and seem to teeter on the edge of gimmickry. We decided it was time to put one through its paces, and Dometic volunteered to send one of their TRT 140 Air inflatable roof tents along…
Iran Arrests and Charges Moto Adventurers Craig and Lindsay Foreman with Espionage
British motorcycle adventurers Craig and Lindsay Foreman have been detained in Iran and charged with espionage. Details surrounding their apprehension and current status are murky, but the government of Iran claims they had been collecting sensitive information from various locations around the country. The Foremans were on a worldwide overland tour and had been traveling…
Field Tested :: Doubletake Mirrors
Visibility on a motorcycle is paramount for active rider safety. Riders commonly refer to the heightened situational awareness you need on a bike as “head on a swivel”—the constant scanning of the road or trail environment from all angles to asses threats, choose riding lines, and generally stay upright and moving forward. A motorcycle’s mirrors…