Ducati’s 2026 Desmo450 EDS takes desmodromic valve timing into the outback with their first modern street-legal enduro/dual-sport machine. Per Ducati, the EDS was “born with a clear vision, one that speaks of passion, technology, and exploration.” The Goal Based on Ducati’s Desmo450 MX motocross bike, the EDS is built to take on the natural world…
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Category Archives: Gear
Snow Peak’s Bomb-proof Camping Gear
In the 30 years I’ve been buying camping gear, from the expensive wool socks I took on my first backpacking trip in Big Bend National Park, I’ve never come across a brand that so marries style and functionality as the Japanese company Snow Peak. I’ve owned a tiny powerhouse of a stove from the brand…
Top Gear :: Overland Expo West 2026
Someone I know who has been in the adventure travel industry for many years told me that we are currently in a “creativity crisis.” He thinks we’re stuck in a rut and that very few truly new ideas have been filtering into the overland world lately. I had this claim front and center in my…
Adventure Motorcycle Rider Henriette Thiim on Lessons Learned from 200,000 Kilometers of International Travel
Join Overland Journal Podcast host Ashley Giordano as she sits down with Danish motorcycle adventure rider Henriette Thiim to discuss Henriette’s latest trip through Algeria, Mauritania, and Morocco. In this episode, Henriette dives into the logistics required to ride through Algeria and her experiences in-country, as well as what she’s learned about managing fear after…
BMW 1150 GS Adventure :: Publisher’s Project
It was sometime around 2000 when I walked into the REI store in Phoenix, Arizona, to buy a kayak. What was parked under the entry awning stopped me in my tracks: a bright yellow BMW GS resting on its sidestand, a chunky, knobby tire sticking out onto the sidewalk. I had never seen a big…
Overland News of the Week, March 27th, 2026
iKamper Launches Skycamp 4.0 Rooftop Tent Series iKamper has introduced the Skycamp 4.0 series, the latest evolution of its flagship rooftop tent platform, featuring a refined design that improves interior space while maintaining a compact external footprint. The updated lineup includes duo, trio, and quad configurations, expanding fitment across mid-size SUVs, crossovers, wagons, and truck…
Ducati Revamps the DesertX for 2026
Ducati has completely revised their DesertX adventure bike with a new V2 engine and monocoque frame. The 2026 X model evolved from lessons learned while racing in some of the world’s toughest off-road events, such as the Erzbergrodeo and Mexican 1000 Rally. In Ducati’s words, “The new DesertX was created with the specific aim to…
Easy on the Eyes: The Best Lighting for Every Campsite
The human eye has over 120 million specialized cells dedicated to processing light waves. Called photoreceptors, these cells are commonly known as “rods and cones,” and the shapes determine both how we process color and how we see in dim or bright light. Translating the physical phenomena of light into electrical and chemical signals in…
Elspeth Beard: One of the First British Women to Motorcycle Around the World
Join Overland Journal Podcast host Ashley Giordano as she sits down with adventure motorcyclist, author, and traveler Elspeth Beard, who was one of the first women to ride around the world by motorcycle. Elspeth dives into the details of her two-year round-the-world trip, from 1982 to 1984 on a 1974 BMW R60 bike, and how…
Jetboil Flash 1.0L Fast Boil System :: Field Tested
As a full-time overlander, I love to cook outside. But when preparing coffee in the morning or an afternoon cup of tea, I don’t always want to set up the propane stove just to boil water. Instead of a kettle, I’ve been using the newly updated Jetboil Flash. The Flash boils water fast (approximately two…
Adventure Motorcycling 101: In-Depth Training with Bill Dragoo
In this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, join us from Norman, Oklahoma, with special guest Bill Dragoo in his vintage-and-modern-motorcycle-filled shop. We dive into the foundational skills and training necessary for adventure motorcycling, discussing bike selection, safety equipment, rider preparation, and more. Learn about the importance of bike ergonomics, body positioning, and the critical…
For the Minimalist Who Fancies Luxury :: Gift Guide
I’ll preface this guide by reminding one and all that the greatest gifts cannot be bought. I know it sounds cliché, but it’s true. So, during this festive season, check in with loved ones and make time away from your devices to be present. With that out of the way, who’s going to buy me…
Featherweight Gifts for Your Over-GVWR Champion
Groaning springs, nose in the air, the struggle to the top of the next hill, always bringing up the rear, thirsty at the pump—we all know that traveler in our lives who could use some gear that lightens the load. Whether on two wheels or four, reducing avoirdupois reaps many benefits, not least safety. As a vehicle’s mass…
10 Holiday Gifts for the Overlander Who Has it All
Photo by Richard Giordano We often assume that someone who “has it all” owns every desirable item—whether toys, vehicles, accessories, or other overland gear and gadgets. But as the holiday season approaches, it may be worth widening that definition. Some overlanders have everything they need and want nothing more; others “have it all” simply because…
Do It for the Kids Gift Guide
Every year, non-overlander children open their presents under the tree to find gifts that are, for the most part, useless for the rest of the year. Overlander kids are different—they live lives of exploration and deserve gifts that help fill a year with fun and adventure. I don’t remember 99 percent of the gifts I…
2023 KTM 500 EXC-F :: Feature Vehicle
Photography by Jason Spafford “I wish my bike were heavier,” said no one ever. Perhaps that was the hardest lesson learned from our four-and-a-year Argentina-to-Alaska ride. For this trip, we are determined to heed that wisdom. Embarking on our second dalliance with motorcycles after a five-year hiatus feels like a reunion with an old flame. After…
Field Tested :: Ruroc Eox Rebel Pilot Helmet and Cardo Shockwave Mesh Comms
I don’t presume to be a Jedi Knight, but I confess that every time I swing a leg over my BMW and strap on the Ruroc Eox Rebel Pilot helmet, I channel a little bit of the Force. I usually prefer a helmet with solid, bright colors rather than busy graphics, but when Ruroc offered…
Moto News Roundup :: Kawasaki Middleweight, KTM Updates, Alpinestars ADV Gear, EICMA
In our Moto News Roundup for October, Bajaj makes some big decisions about KTM production, Kawasaki teases their newest ADV offering in the middleweight class, Alpinestars debuts new riding gear, Suzuki keeps updating the V-Strom range, and EICMA 2025 is on the horizon. Bajaj Mulls Moving KTM Production to India The continuing saga of Austria’s…
2026 Ténéré 700 World Raid from Yamaha–UPDATED
T7 aficionados rejoice! Yamaha has announced that the World Raid edition of their popular Ténéré 700 adventure bike will, be coming to the US. This longer-range, electronically tricked out Ténéré should be on your dealer’s floor in May, 2026. The base model T7 will also be available, but the 700 Rally version appears to be…
Overland News of the Week, September 26th, 2025
Join onX Offroad This Weekend for a National Public Lands Day Celebration This Saturday, September 27, onX Offroad will mobilize 21 Offroad Trail Guides and employees to celebrate National Public Lands Day. As part of the celebration, onX will release 21 waypoints across the country, where Trail Guides will offer map tips and route guidance,…