BMW’s F series adventure bike line features all new machines for 2024. It includes an F 800 GS, F 900 GS, and F 900 Adventure (GSA). They get a new powerplant and a whole lot more. When the F 800 GS debuted in 2018, its lesser sibling was the F 700 GS. They shared the…
Expedition Portal Staff’s Favorite Trips of 2023
With international tourism reaching over 90 percent of pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year, 2023 marked an enthusiastic and eager return to the travel scene for many of us, both domestically and internationally. Overland Journal publisher and co-founder Scott Brady began his much-anticipated long-axis Trans-Africa continental crossing in the capable Ineos Grenadier, while…
Testing the Ducati DesertX Rally in Morocco
Entering the Moroccan souk is a firehose to the senses, the smell of cinnamon, cumin, and harissa filling the air, and wood smoke and scooter exhaust burning the eyes. The sounds of Arabic, interrupted by banging steel and honking horns, make the entire scene a wonder. I had arrived in Marrakech early to spend time…
CABDR-North Video Released
Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) is about to announce the layout of their latest creation, the Northern California BDR, or CABDR-North. The new route completes a continuous BDR from Mexico to Canada. The reveal happens on Saturday, February 17, when their feature-length film premieres in Sacramento, California. Meantime, whet your curiosity on the trailer. Watch as…
Triumph Scrambler 1200 Models for 2024
Triumph is fielding two Scrambler 1200 models in 2024. The 1200 XE returns with upgrades and the 1200 X debuts as a more accessible model in both cost and ergonomics. The fraternal twins both run Triumph’s 1200cc Bonneville engine in a re-tuned state to deliver maximum power at lower rpm. Its claimed 89 horsepower are…
Dakar Rally 2024 Off to a Rough Start
The world’s most famous off-road rally raid—known simply as the Dakar—kicked off on Friday, January 5, with the usual fanfare and lineup of bikes, cars, trucks, and classics, featuring some of the most recognizable names in motorsport. However, the two-week endurance race across the Arabian peninsula is off to a rocky start after only three…
Wim Dussel’s 1950s Photo Collection Brings Global Scooter Travel To Life
Photography by Wim Dussel (1920-2004), courtesy of the International Institute of Social History Dutch photojournalist Wim Dussel had a gift for capturing the simple moments of everyday life, revealing their true beauty. He gravitated toward markets, schools, streets, and the daily hustle and bustle of work—scenes so ordinary that, as travelers, we often don’t bother…
Top Ten Modern Classics :: Motorcycle Buyer’s Guide
The term modern classic, when used to describe a motorcycle, has quite a loose description. For our purposes, we’ll categorize it as a motorcycle that has been styled to look like it belongs in the 1960s and 1970s while offering the rider modern conveniences and safety features such as ABS, traction control, no carburetor, etc. …
Taking the Slow Road From Arizona to Oregon
Photos by Eva Rupert and Bill Dragoo Traveling by motorcycle during the summer months is a game of chance for those of us who live in the desert. The days are hot, and the storms seem to come out of nowhere. We plot our routes through the high country whenever possible, pack our rain gear…
25 Holiday Gifts for the Overlander in Your Life
Presented by Küat Racks Have you heard a Mariah Carey song blasting over the speakers at your local grocery store yet? If so, it’s probably time to start thinking about the quickly-approaching holiday gift giving season. From ADV riders to bikepackers, vehicle aficionados, and tent campers, there’s something for everyone in this Expedition Portal gift…
Field Tested :: Giant Loop Adventure Gear
Giant Loop has been creating innovative motorcycle luggage since 2008 when they hit the trail with their original horseshoe-shaped bag. Beginning with the Great Basin model, GL has used Rugged Bomb Shell vinyl-coated polyester with great success. The 8-liter Fandango tank bag and Pannier Pockets reviewed here are both constructed from it. As you’ll see,…
Why You Should Apply for the #GetOutDoStuff Travel Grants
British explorer and author John Blashford-Snell speaking at the 2023 Armchair Adventure Festival. The #GetOutDoStuff grants are available thanks to the event’s fundraising efforts. Applications are now open for the #GetOutDoStuff adventure travel grants. The beauty of these grants is that anyone getting out and doing stuff can apply. A round-the-world trip need not be…
790 Adventure Returns to KTM Lineup for 2024
KTM’s 790 Adventure has returned from the grave for 2024, but this is no Zombie-cycle. Changes to several areas breathe new life into the retired machine, improving its overall performance while making it easier to enjoy and easier on the planet. Spoiler: $10,990 buys a lot of motorcycle. KTM Motor Mods Known for its quick…
Backcountry Discovery Routes Teases NorCal BDR
The Southern California Backcountry Discovery Route has a reputation for being one of the most arduous on BDR’s roster. Its 820 miles offer plenty of variable conditions and technical tests to challenge adventure riders from the Mexican border all the way to the central Sierra Nevada. Recently, BDR teased an all-new route for the Golden…
Overland News of the Week
Overland News: Rev’It Launches Lamina GTX Ladies Gore-Tex Outfit In response to female adventure riders’ desire for a more sophisticated and refined riding outfit, Rev’It put together a team of nearly all women to design the Lamina GTX. By developing both the jacket and pants in 3D—directly on a bust instead of the conventional two…
25 Black Friday Gifts for the Overlander in Your Life
Presented by Nitto Tire Now that Halloween ghosts have been replaced by twinkling reds, greens, and golds, it’s time to start thinking about the fast-approaching holiday season. Luckily, the Expedition Portal team has been busy amalgamating our favorite gear picks just in time for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. While Associate Editor Steve Edwards has…
Better Safe Than Sorry: Transitioning Toward Moto Rider Safety
When I began adventuring through some of the 700,000 kilometers of dirt roads in South Africa, it’s safe to say I didn’t have the right kit for the job. Transitioning into dirt riding, I made do with what I had at the time with gear used for my 1994 Harley Dyna. My first true off-road…
Here Comes a New Royal Enfield Himalayan
Twenty-four horsepower and five speeds. These are two metrics that, despite many of its other charms and benefits, have defined Royal Enfield’s current-generation adventure bike. It may be under six grand to buy, it may be easy to service, it may have excellent ergonomics, and it may be highly approachable as an ADV platform for…
Top SEMA Products According to One of Our Bosses
Brian McVickers is the Overland International CBDO (Chief Business Development Officer), partner, contributor, highly experienced overlander, and one of the most genuine guys you will ever meet (brownie points, please, boss!). Brian took to the fields of hard carpet at the SEMA event held in Las Vegas last week and returned with sore feet and…
Lost in the Pacific with a Motorbike :: Video of the Week
When the road ends in Panama, overland travelers typically work around the conundrum of the Darién Gap by shipping trucks and cars or strapping motos to the deck of sailboats bound for Colombia. Dylan Wickrama, however, had another idea: to build a raft out of his motorcycle and sail 700 kilometers across the Pacific. As…