April showers bring May rigs; at least, that’s how it works at Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, Arizona. The annual global overland event wrapped up last weekend, and owners and exhibitors of all stripes brought out the newest and most impressive hardware on the road. Two wheels or four, there’s something for everyone—from giant, world-trekking…
Volcon Enters Youth Moto Market
Volcon Inc., the first all-electric, off-road powersports company, will soon be importing youth motorcycles from Spain. Clearing the way is an exclusive co-branding and distribution agreement with Torrot Electric Europa, S.A. Volcon has secured rights to sell a new line of Torrot electric motos in most of the Western Hemisphere. Torrot will build all of…
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…
Super 73’s New Fully Electric C1X E-moto is Gorgeous
When I saw the first images of Super 73’s c1X electric motorcycle, I immediately pictured one mounted to the hitch of my truck. Between rising fuel costs and the warmer weather of summer approaching, an electric moto feels like it could perfectly complement an overland rig, providing a fun, fuel-efficient, and practical way to get…
Interview Michnus and Elsebie Olivier – PikiPiki Overland
Michnus and Elsebie are explorers with an insatiable thirst for authentic adventure. They chose to ride two medium-size motorcycles and have established themselves as experts in the field of motorcycle travel. They are people of great humor and integrity, the salt of the earth. Their photography stands out from the crowd, partially due to technical…
The New 2022 Himalayan from Royal Enfield
I love the style of Royal Enfields, but they’ve always looked uncomfortable for anything longer than a day trip. However, it looks like that may have changed. Since its international debut in 2018, the Himalayan has undergone significant changes to appeal to more long-distance riders. (PS-there’s even talk of RE developing a 650 cc engine.)…
Overland Expo Reveals Ultimate Motorcycle Overland Build for Africa Twin
Overland Expo is the world’s premier overlanding event series. This year it has revealed an Ultimate Overland Build for a Honda Africa Twin given a workover by Overland Expo’s Adventure Motorcycle Ambassador, Eva Rupert. Nice work, Eva! Unedited Press release—Loveland, CO Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES DCT “What an absolute pleasure it has been…
Publisher’s Project: Moto Guzzi V7 Special
Editor’s note: This article was originally posted in Overland Journal’s Spring 2021 Issue. Opening image is from a movie production, closed course. We always recommend wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle, but also acknowledge that helmet laws vary by state and country. There is such joy in simplicity, distilling a pursuit down to its…
Rescue Build on 1983 Honda CX500 Café Racer
When Tom Gilroy, founder of Gold Coast, Australia’s, Purpose Built Moto, took on a rescue build for a Honda CX500, he inherited a challenge. The bike came to him through a customer who’d had a bad experience with a former custom motorcycle designer, and the dream build didn’t turn out how the customer had imagined….
Long-awaited 2022 KLR650 Motorcycle Released!
Many adventure moto riders will argue a KLR650 is the best choice for a round-the-world motorcycle: you’re likely to find Kawasaki parts in most countries, and few manufacturers can compete with the KLR’s low price. Not that any of us want our round-the-world steeds stolen, but if your KLR is highjacked, you’re only out about…
Overland Classified :: Vintage 1973 BMW R75/5 Toaster
Vintage 1973 BMW R75/5 Toaster 94,798 miles $6,000 There lives in many a motorcyclist’s heart the desire for a vintage motorcycle, and this impeccable-looking 1973 BMW Toaster looks like a fun, eye-catching town ride! As there aren’t any specs in the ad found here, let’s go over some of the finer points on…
The New 2021 Yamaha Ténéré Adventure 700
Off-road and ADV (adventure) riders have been asking for years for a good middle-weight on-road/off-road bike, and the new 2021 Yamaha Ténéré Adventure 700 might just be it. First, let’s define “middle-weight” as weighing in at under 500 pounds wet, with twin cylinders for a smoother ride, and enough suspension travel and ground clearance to…
Arabia Makes Soldiers of Us All
Press Release (unedited) SS2: Arabia Makes Soldiers of Us All So, Which of the Racers Are Ready to Fight for Their Dreams? Words: Westx1000 Photos: Justin W. Coffey This article was written by Westx1000 on Day 3 of the 43rd Dakar Rally and is a snapshot of coverage for that day. This year (2021) marks…
UBCO’s 2×2 Utility Electric Vehicle
UPDATE: check out the UBCO app. Whatever your opinion on electric vehicles, one category is taking off, and that’s the 2×2 UEV (Utility Electric Vehicle). These rugged, on- and off-road e-bikes are so popular that UBCO—a UEV founder—has been backordered for months. Although the bikes are hitting US dealers now, most have been preordered and…
RawHyde Adventures’ ZAKAR Event Center and a New Fleet of GS Bikes
RawHyde Adventures has some exciting news for 2021. The “#1 enduro training facility in the country” will open its newly finished ZAKAR event center to the public. ZAKAR stands for Zombie Apocalypse Kompund At Rawhyde. If you’re curious about the name, read more here. The event center sits on 2,500 acres in the Mojave Desert…
Stacie London—In a Straight Line
The first thing that catches me when I watch the film In A Straight Line is that Stacie B. London’s nail polish isn’t scratched or chipped. The film opens with her wrenching on a 1967 Harley Davidson Aermacchi, and those red-hot nails—like fast cars and stilettos—are flawless. This, however, is no indication that the vintage car…
Featured Bike :: 2020 Indian FTR Rally
Back in the ’20s, insane British racers were bombing down dirt trails on rigid bikes (or so I’ve been led to believe). The bikes they were riding weren’t designed for this type of terrain, leading to modification and redesigns which would later become known as scramblers. These custom bikes emphasized simplicity and a bit of…
The Gryffin 250 Vintage Scrambler
For this motorcycle Monday, we engage a bit of whimsy and look at an American-made 250 Scrambler. Janus Motorcycles was founded by Devin Biek and Richard Worsham, and the bikes are produced by hand in Goshen, Indiana. The majority of the components are produced by Janus themselves, while a significant number are also sourced domestically…
Triumph Tiger 800XC
Executive Creative Director Sinuhe Xavier discusses what worked and what didn’t work on the build-out of his lightweight ADV touring machine.