It’s fast, it’s beautiful. and it’s… green?
2013 Overland Expo Contest Winners Announced!
Congratulations! You all posted an excellent set of photos and stories that encompassed the feeling and adventure of Overland Expo.
A First Timer’s Impression of Overland Expo
Inspiration at Overland Expo is drawn from vehicles, classes, and foods, but most of all from the amazing people who congregate there each year
VOTD: Motorcycling from Alaska to South America
In some ways motorcycles are the ideal overlanding platform. They’re inexpensive, sip fuel, can get through stalled traffic, or down the narrowest trail. In my experience, they’re two to three times faster over rough roads than 4x4s. And, as this beautiful video shows, they even work for very long distance travel. Between 2010 and 2012…
La Aduana: 1973 Bultaco Alpina
This is a seriously cool bike and with only 1,111 original miles its practically brand new
The Kriega Overlander 60 Pannier System
The Overlander 60 pannier system is yet another of Kriega’s products that speaks to their ingenuity, riding experience, and manufacturing capabilities.
Not Your Grandpa’s Power Wagon
A new way to stay classic
La Aduana: 2007 Land Rover LR3 HSE
For luxurious overlanding
La Aduana: 1995 R100GS PD Classic
Literally priceless, the owner took it off the market
KTM 450 Adventure
Not available from the factory, but a potent exploration weapon nonetheless
KTM Zweiradcenter Bernhardt in Germany has performed an impressive conversion the to KTM 450 EXC, a factory dual-sport motorcycle with a considerably bias towards short-distance technical dirt travel. The interesting result of Zweiradcenter’s modifications is a motorcycle better suited to long distance, remote exploration, with expeditions into the Sahara, the Road of Bones and even the Trans-America Trail all coming to mind. The concept of this platform has considerable appeal, combining the athletic performance of the 450 with additional range and greater rider comfort. The brakes are bigger, a rally computer has been fitted, along with 37L of fuel. The complete modification list is impressive, but additional oil capacity or improvements to the service intervals seems to be absent from the line-up. I could easily see strapping a Giant Loop bag to the back and ripping up the Skeleton Coast. Zweiradcenter Website
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook
Chris Scott’s ultimate and always practical motorcycle planning guide. If you ride adventure motorcycles you need to read this book.
Ural Solo
The 2012 Ural Solo St (solo tourist)
From the Ural Mountains, the Solo sT might be the perfect adventure motorcycle.
Ural Sidecars, Built By Hand!
Since producing the first M-72 motorcycle in 1941, the skilled artisans at URAL Motorcycles have been producing their machines by hand!
Here’s a quick look inside the Ural factory as they assemble one of their infamous sidecars!
Review: Wolfman Tank Panniers
One of the challenges involved with packing a motorcycle is making things accessible, while still being secure. Accessibility is what made me look for extra luggage, specifically tank panniers.
Using Pelican Cases as Panniers For Your Dual-Sport
There is always a big argument between motorcyclists on the best option for luggage, specifically the side and rear cases.
Thoughts on Gear Selection After Riding to Ushuaia
Having the right gear can often make all the difference in the world when it comes to the enjoyment of your trip. Having the wrong gear can take away from your enjoyment of a trip, …
VOTD: Dubai Desert Ride on a KTM
via West County Explorers Club: This beautifully shot video takes you off-road through the desert near Dubai on a KTM 525. A Honda XR650R rides alongside.
Well done, guys!
A Short Detour Turns Long in Canon De Colca
We thought it would be easy.
Looking at the map we figured a quick two or three hour ride and we would be in Arequipa.
VOTD: Barstow to Vegas Dual-Sport Ride
via West County Explorers Club: The 2011 AMA District 37 Barstow to Vegas Dual-Sport event took place at the end of last month. Here’s a nicely documented and narrated recap of the 2009 event.
The two-part video is about an hour long and is a little slow to get going but there’s some great footage of guys on BMW R1200GS and F800GS bikes working their way through sandy, rocky canyons, dry river sand washes, and some fantastic flat-out desert riding, including the use of a roll chart for navigation.
Part 2, around 14:45 even shows a guy jumping his big GS over berm.
Here’s Part 2: http://youtu.be/qvgqL0-b83U.
And here’s a link to the event, in case you’d like to take part next year: http://www.labarstowvegas.com.
Join The Riff Raff and Support Jonah Street for Dakar
If you have ever had the pleasure of meeting Dakar Rally racer Jonah Street he likely stands out in your mind as one of the nicest and genuine people you have met.