It took a lot of dirt to raise Jon Birkmire. A lot of water, too. As a child growing up in Florida, there’s hardly a river, beach, or dirt road he hasn’t explored in the peninsula state known for its abundance of coastline, swamps, alligators, and snakes. So ten years ago when he discovered Florida…
Electric Adventure :: Zero’s 2023 DSR/X
In another month or so I’ll be staring at a mechanic’s bill for a 24,000-mile valve adjustment on my BMW F 750 GS. It won’t be pretty. I’ve learned to change my own oil, maintain my chain, and flush my brake fluid just to keep the labor bill in check. Considering motorcycle manufacturers have made…
Moto Guzzi :: 101 Years and Counting
In 2022, Moto Guzzi’s newly unveiled V100 Mandello with 115 horsepower and 77 pound-feet of torque is a certain far cry from your great grandfather’s original 8 horsepower Normale. After 101 years in the making, what else could one expect from one of Italy’s favorite motorcycle companies? To continue with its centennial celebration, on September…
Ready for Dirt: Suzuki’s 2023 V-Strom 1050DE/Adventure
I am always surprised when my moto racing friend Deana Kelley says she regularly takes to the difficult parts of BDRs on her V-Strom. There are few adventures the Suzuki-made motorcycle can’t handle, but baby heads on a steep gravel cliff aren’t exactly what I envision when thinking about this nimble bike. I had always…
Four Simple Moto Gadgets with Big Pay-Offs
FOBO Bike 2 Monitor your tire pressure continuously with this easy-to-use Bluetooth monitor, even while riding. The FOBO Bike 2 is compatible with most motorcycles and can detect slow or fast leaks, providing alerts on tire pressure changes. This tool is super easy to install. Mount the sensors onto your tire stems, download the app,…
Inflation Reduction Act Removes Electric Motorcycle Tax Incentives
Just under a year ago, industry professionals and consumers were hopeful to hear that incentives to buy electric motorcycles would be offered under the Build Back Better Act, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in November. The incentive would offer substantial savings in purchasing electric motorcycle products as the federal government poises to replace…
Moto Dogs: Riding with Fido
Walter gets a little nervous when Reid Hobby isn’t around. The 4-year-old Deutsch Drahthaar doesn’t much like being without his human companion. “He’s a social dog,” Hobby says. “Actually, he’s like a leach. He’s the Robin to my Batman. He sticks to me like glue.” Walter has ridden shotgun in every vehicle Hobby has ever…
BMW: Still Time in 2022 to Ride & Improve Skills
BMW has a host of ideas help you improve skills, try out new bikes, and keep the adventure alive. Root for the USA at the upcoming GS Trophy competition or hit the road to a rally. Whatever you pick from their grab bag of options, motorcycles will be front and center. BMW Motorrad GS Trophy…
The Best of the Late Summer Moto Rallies
There’s still time to get in on late summer motorcycle rallies and rides and soak up the remnants of summer sun before the leaves turn golden and the weather cold, and the west has no shortage of great moto events to choose from. Four Corners Motorcycle Rally The Four Corners Motorcycle Rally is scheduled for…
Overland News of the Week
Volcon Off-Road UTVs to be Powered by General Motors’ Electric Propulsion System Off-road powersports company Volcon Inc. has announced it will power all of its off-road utility terrain vehicles with General Motors’ electric propulsion system, including its all-electric UTV, the Volcon Stag, which will come to market in 2023. The GM system will provide instant…
Harley-Davidson Celebrates 120 Years
Then Came Harley When William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson started selling Harley-Davidson motorcycles in 1903, little did they know how long the business would carry on. The Motor Company has endured for nearly 120 years, through the depression, changes in ownership, good years and lean. And with it, the Harley mystique and rumbling V-twin…
The 2022 Volcon Grunt
The electric revolution has taken hold, with every segment of the transportation industry offering electrified solutions. From vans to boats, we are seeing a rapid adoption of this proven technology, now delivered with the range and performance to meet the needs of the most discerning buyers. While the most remote overland expeditions are outside of…
BMW Invites You to Attend a Rally, Ride a New BMW
BMW Motorrad invites you to test ride their newest motorcycles at two separate rallies this summer. This is an opportunity to consider an upgrade to your current GS model, or ride your very first one. Sketch out a backroads route to either rally and hit the road. Start your BMW motorcycle test rides at the…
Explore Baja from the Seat of the Aprilia Tuareg 660
Aprilia is offering a dream adventure ride through Baja California, open to all riders. Ride the Tuareg 660, created to explore the world and designed to be a companion in everyday adventures, both on and off the road. This ride makes the new Tuareg 660 available to all those who wish to test its qualities…
Ruby: The Gem of Lighting
The sign said, “Go ahead. Blind yourself.” I accepted the challenge and pushed the button. I had heard about Ruby Moto auxiliary lighting from a friend who had recently outfitted his 2021 BMW 1250 GSA with them. They were pretty on that bike, but since we had never ridden at night, I wasn’t aware of…
Mosko Moto Drops an 8-Pack of New Gear
Mosko Presents Four Things To Carry And Four To Wear The forward thinkers at Mosko Moto HQ in White Salmon, Washington, have just announced eight new products for motorcycle travelers. It’s time to get excited, but not too excited—all these items are in pre-order status. Two New Tank Bags Choose from the 2-liter Nomini…
Pigs in the Forest :: Annual Dirt Ride Slated for September 17
Photography by Matt Callaway An estimated 300 dual sport and adventure motorcycles will make their way through the north Mississippi hill country September 17, rain or shine, in a weekend of camaraderie and love for backcountry riding. And there’s still time to get in on the event. Shannon Smith of Byhalia, Mississippi, created the Pigs…
Overland News of the Week
REI Co-op Trailgate Vehicle Sleeping Platform Two pieces of gear caught my attention at the Northwest Overland Rally, and REI Co-op’s Trailgate Vehicle Sleeping Platform was one of them. Car camping is arguably the most accessible form of vehicle-based travel for most, and I can see how a tiny interior could be made functional by…
There’s Something for Everyone at This Year’s Northwest Overland Rally
Photography by Richard Giordano Nestled in the Beaver Valley and surrounded by the pine trees of the Wenatchee National Forest and the Cascade Mountains lies a field that, once a year, fills with trucks, vans, and cars, old and new, tents of all shapes and sizes, and overland fanatics, young and old(er). The brainchild of…
Enduristan Declares War on Wet Gear
The Enduristan arm of Lindeco Genuine Powersports has introduced a new multi-level duffel-style luggage option—the Tornado-2 Pack Sack. Riders can choose from four sizes to suit their load. While they will carry plenty by themselves, the pack sacks would also be perfect for supplementing the Enduristan Monsoon EVO panniers we covered in May. And their…