Fresh out of high school, I bought a Yamaha XS 1100 Special and hit the road in every direction as often as possible from my dull, mining company hometown. I soon learned that good gear made the difference between a good ride and a great ride, and had the bike not been stolen and had…
Ural Upgrades Gear Up Engine and Drivetrain for 2023
In the motorcycle world, there’s nothing quite like the Ural Gear Up. The Russian three-wheeled, side-car-ed, two-wheel drive ADV anarchist has soldiered across the globe through peacetime and wars both hot and cold since 1941, and very little about the bike has changed in the interim. But big shifts have been afoot at Ural. Currently…
Overland News of the Week
Danner Announces First Modern, Recraftable Hiking Boot First up in this week’s overland news is the Mountain 600 Leaf GTX which represents “a step forward in Danner’s mission to combine outdoor performance with a reduced carbon footprint.” The boot is available for both men and women and can be resoled and reconditioned via Danner’s Recrafting…
South Dakota’s Black Hills: A Land of History and Heartache
Editor’s Note: This South Dakota article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Spring 2023 Issue. Small and isolated, South Dakota’s Black Hills seemed the ideal place for a self-imposed writing retreat. I’ve been working on a book for years and hadn’t so much as typed a single letter in the manuscript for over four months. I…
Overland Expo PNW—July 7-9, 2023
I’ve always considered Oregon—especially the Eastern desert regions—to be an overlooked and underrated overlanding destination. Like all Western states, Oregon contains a huge variety of landscapes, and they belie the rain- and IPA-soaked Portlandia stereotypes. Nearly 53% of the state is public land, and there are many miles of dirt to explore, from Arch Rock…
R1250 GS Ultimate Edition
Motorcycles like the BMW R 1250 GS Ultimate Edition only come around every 100 years or so. This year BMW Motorrad marks a century of building motorcycles and chose the R 1250 GS to carry the banner…in the United Kingdom. Sorry Yanks, this beauty is only for those across the pond. We do get two…
Outdoor Adventure X: A Mountain Festival Tailored for the Adventurer, June 17-18, 2023
We often encourage overland travelers to travel with a purpose, and what better purpose could there be than to turn to adventure to explore the great outdoors? The famed Snowbasin Resort in Huntsville, Utah, is set to be the stunning alpine location for Overland Expo’s cousin event, namely, the Outdoor Adventure X festival. This festival…
Honda Will Sell the Transalp Adventure Bike in America
The mid-size adventure motorcycle market has seen quite a few entrants in recent years, with welter-weight ADV bikes from nearly all the major manufacturers (and most of the small ones) available, save for one. That may be changing as it appears Honda will offer its XL750 Transalp adventure bike for sale in the US. Currently…
New Honda SCL500 Scrambler
With the new SCL500 Honda has found yet another home for its 471cc parallel-twin four-stroke, the motor that powers their Rebel 500, CB500X, CB500F and CBR500R models. This time it’s another take on the scrambler style so popular in the 70s and 80s. For those who aren’t familiar, scramblers are street motorcycles that have off-pavement…
VAHNA Motorcycle Film Festival – Submissions Now Open
VAHNA, a lushly illustrated and beautifully written print magazine that features motorcycle stories from all over the globe, has announced that submissions are open for the 2023 VAHNA Motorcycle Film Festival and competition presented by Triumph Motorcycles. The festival tour “[celebrates] the art of motorcycle cinematography [and] offers filmmakers a platform to showcase their unique…
Overland Expo West 2023—Top Gear
With hundreds of exhibitors setting up shop at Overland Expo West—by far the largest overland event in North America—the wave of products, gear, and upgrades, both well-proven and brand new, takes center stage. Many of us from the Overland Journal and Expedition Portal teams spent hours hiking the aisles of Expo’s vendor village, and we…
Overland Expo West 2023—Top Ten Rigs
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…
Overland Events and Rallies You Don’t Want to Miss This Summer
AMERICAN NORTHWEST Northwest Overland Rally When: June 15-18, 2023 Where: Leavenworth, WA The Northwest Overland Rally caters to keeners curious about anything from winching to photography, off-pavement driving skills, or seasoning your cast-iron pot. Join a wine-tasting, whiskey-sharing, or happy hour session before the evening’s lively campfire presentation and raffle. The event is intimate and…
Triumph Tiger Ultimate Overland Motorcycle 2023 Unveiled at Overland Expo West
Prepare yourselves bikers, Overland Expo has unveiled its highly anticipated Ultimate Overland Motorcycle 2023 at Overland Expo West, and it is a drool-worthy machine fully prepared for an RTW adventure. Based on the Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Pro, the custom-built motorcycle was built to represent the pinnacle of overland adventure and incorporates components from top…
Women’s Motorcycle Show Returns June 17
Whack a piñata, play on the Hot Wheels track, or wander through the impressive collection of motorcycle vendors. Where? At the 8th Women’s Motorcycle Show. It returns to Los Angeles in June, bringing a full day of motos, plus live music and plenty to see and do. Though it’s put on by women, for women,…
Field Tested :: Fieldsheer Mobile Cooling Garments
Editor’s Note: This Fieldsheer article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Spring 2023 Issue. With your head in a helmet, your body wrapped in protective gear, and heavy boots on your feet, staying cool on a motorcycle in triple-digit temperatures can be a challenge. Add the exertion of piloting a heavy bike over rough ground, and you…
Five Things to Know About Overlanding the UK
The UK is an absolute riot to drive through. Twisty, narrow roads bordered by mossy stone walls lead to lush glens filled with bluebells, quaint towns whispering of a captivating past, and seaside coves that stretch for miles. Charmingly, it’s impossible to escape the bahs of baby sheep in the spring. Whether you’re passionate about…
Overland News of the Week
The Overland Embassy, Transportation for Motorcycles over the Darién Gap The Overland Embassy (located in Parque Lefevre, Panama City) is offering shipping and airfreight transportation for motorcycles. The airfreight option takes just three days from “drop off to drive off” in Bogotá, Colombia. Alternatively, you can opt for the shared container option, which is significantly…
Ignik Grows Product Line, Launches Tank Accessories
We love practical, multi-purpose gear which is well-designed and constructed to survive harsh environments and heavy use. Ignik, the outdoor brand headquartered on Bainbridge Island, Washington, is set to expand its product offerings with the introduction of propane tank accessories; the company has unveiled the 20-pound Tank Case/Seat and 20-pound Tank Tote, designed to facilitate…
Field Tested :: Rev’It Storm WB Jacket
A Lightweight Wind Cheater Rev’It pursues new fabrics and clothing technologies like many of us seek the next challenging backroad or stunning campsite. Their Storm WB (for wind barrier) jacket is no exception. Rev’It combines Hydratex WindBarrier fabric for water-resistance, moisture wicking, and breathability, with Exkin Air insulation panels for warmth. Though designed as a…