Last week, a short video circulated of two riders celebrating the completion of their overland builds by spinning up their electric dirt bikes on front-mounted trays bolted to their trucks. It was a slightly absurd moment, but also a revealing one. Electric bikes are increasingly finding their way onto overland vehicles, not as novelties, but…
Category Archives: Motorcycle
Fly and Drive South Africa
For the last few years, my wife, Luisa, and I have been contemplating our future as overland travelers. In the past, we have almost exclusively shipped our vehicle to different continents. However, we have realized that shorter, more intense journeys—where we forego the expense and bureaucracy of shipping and instead use the money saved to…
Juvena Huang on the Ride of a Lifetime: 44,000 Kilometers on a Vespa Scooter
Join Overland Journal Podcast host Ashley Giordano as she speaks with Juvena Huang, a Singaporean overlander who embarked on a 44,000-kilometer journey by Vespa scooter. In this episode, Juvena dives into her highest highs, lowest lows, and most powerful lessons learned along the way. Juvena also touches on why she returns regularly to India and…
CFMoto 1000MT-X Expected to Arrive in the US as 2027 Ibex 950
CFMoto, the Chinese motorcycle brand, is currently navigating the same skepticism and sideways glances that Japanese manufacturers faced in the West during the 1970s. It is a familiar pattern. Not long ago, I was sitting with a friend from the motorcycle industry, a committed two-stroke Husqvarna enthusiast, and mentioned that I was considering the CFMoto…
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…
Triumph 2026 National Demo Days
Triumph is putting their lineup on the line by inviting the public to sample their motorcycles on five weekends between April and September. Their 2025 National Scrambler Demo Day was so popular they’ve expanded the offerings across four motorcycle types for 2026. How Does It Work? Demo Days will be held at participating dealers across…
Ozarks BDR-X Launches as a 480-Mile Adventure Loop Through Arkansas Backcountry
Arkansas is, in my humble opinion, underrated as an adventure destination, but those who know know it has a lot to offer across the seasons. The Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) has officially introduced the Ozarks BDR-X, a new 480-mile loop designed to showcase the rugged terrain and scenic diversity of northwest Arkansas. The route, which…
EPA Increases Ethanol Content Of Gasoline
Image Credit: Reuters With fuel prices surging well past $4 per gallon for the first time in years (and over $8 per gallon in parts of California), American drivers are once again feeling the squeeze at the pump. The spike has been driven largely by the ongoing conflict in Iran and the effective closure of…
Adam Shani: The Most-traveled Overlander You’ve Never Heard Of
On this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, host Scott Brady interviews Israeli traveler Adam Shani about growing up on a southern Israel kibbutz, where community, humility, self-reliance, fixing machinery, and non-consumerism shaped him. Adam describes Israel’s compulsory military service, volunteering for special forces, enduring demanding training, and learning perseverance, logistics, survival skills, and controlling…
Overland Conservation: Tundra
Photography by Coen Wubbels We are called by the wild, the spaces where we can turn 360 degrees without seeing another human, paved road, electric wire, or crop field. At times, though, we misunderstand history while we crave for calm. We begrudge other humans intruding onto land that used to be “undiscovered.” But this is…
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…
Cultural Geography, Exploration, and Sustainable Travel with James Fountain
On this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, host Scott Brady welcomes James Fountain, a cultural geographer and fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the Explorers Club, to discuss how exploration can support communities and science. Fountain shares how Overland Journal first inspired him, his formative work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo…
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…
Overland Events and Rallies You Don’t Want to Miss This Spring (2026)
AMERICAN WEST Desert Adventure Rally When: April 7-12, 2026 | Where: Bisbee, Arizona Combining scenic backcountry riding, evening entertainment, and catered meals with Southern Arizona’s striking landscapes and scenery, the Desert Adventure Rally is a week of ADV fun. Curated GPS tracks will be given for self-guided day rides fueled by Morning Bivouac coffee, while…
Zenith Irfan on Being the First Pakistani Female Motorcyclist to Ride Across Pakistan
Join Overland Journal Podcast host Ashley Giordano as she sits down with Zenith Irfan to discuss the importance of being the first female Pakistani motorcyclist to ride across Pakistan, and how her father’s dream led her to embark on the journey on a 70cc Honda. Zenith also dives into her top tips for visiting the country, including…
Mapping the United States :: Sam Correro and the TransAmerica Trail
Editor’s Note: Sam Correro, the creator of the TransAmerica Trail, passed away this month. Marianne Todd’s interview with Sam appeared in the Spring 2023 issue of Overland Journal. You can read more about Sam’s life and legacy on Expedition Portal’s Celebration of Life archive. Sam Correro says he was in his forties when he started…
Overland News of the Week, March 13th, 2026
Jetboil’s New TrailCook Systems Help Deliver the Perfect Flame The TrailCook 1.2- and 2-liter stove systems are engineered with a new, integrated self-centering pot support and advanced regulator valves, delivering precise simmer control, fast ignition, and incremental heat adjustment crucial for elevated camp cooking. The TrailCook systems feature Jetboil’s re-engineered ignition, which is now integrated…
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…
Overland Conservation: Grasslands
Photography by Akela World The Silk Road holds mythical status among historical overland routes. When today’s travelers stalk the shadow of Marco Polo, the respect they earn is not only for their accomplishment but partially because of our awe surrounding the Silk Routes’ history dating back to 130 BCE during China’s Han Dynasty. Yet this…
Adventure Motorcyclist Heather Lea on the Unfiltered Realities of Long-Term Travel
Join Overland Journal Podcast host Ashley Giordano as she sits down with adventure motorcyclist, author, and traveler Heather Lea to discuss the realities of long-term travel. Topics include navigating new relationships, complex logistics, the joys and challenges of riding as a woman, and encountering the kindness of strangers along the way. Overland Journal Podcast Episode 281…