Adventure Rider Radio Motorcycle Podcast. Travel Adventures, Bike Tech Tips

Journey to the End of the World - Expedition 65 If a little is good wouldn’t a lot be better? When a group of experienced travellers plan a trip from Cartegena to Ushuaia they made sure they had fully equipped bikes, an extensive support system and contact network, even a support van and trailer equipped with a generator to charge accessories. As the story goes, Jim Hyde, of RawHyde Adventures had an epiphany while guiding a trip in South America. He was stopped with his group of clients with only about 30 minutes to spare before rushing off to their evening destination. While the clients busied themselves with various selfies and bike shots, Jim realized that when he visits these incredible world destinations, he is almost always on a tight schedule, with minutes to soak up this world class sight and move on. It hit him there and then that he needed to do a trip, where there was more time for places like these along the way. So he came up with an idea to run an expedition where a group of riders would all pi

  If you're travelling to or live in the United States, and you're looking for a long distance motorcycle adventure utilizing mainly back roads and trails, the Trans-America Trail may be just what you're looking for. On the website, it says that dual-sport motorcycle is required for the more challenging sections, and the best time to do the entire trail is probably late June in to early September, to avoid snow in some of the states. The TAT maps and roll charts have been designed to ride only from East to West, no matter where your starting point is. Fuel stops are fairly regular, motel locations are marked on the maps, and if you're camping you might want to do your research ahead of time if using a roll chart, as they're not marked on there. A GPS is not required to do the TAT, as the roll chart is used with your odometer, but the GPS is a great back up. Make sure you plan well in advance, as you'll have to purchase your maps and roll charts on the TAT website, and allow enough time for delivery. While wai

  Beth and Kevin Young, 2uptogether, are so passionate about sharing adventures with each other that they ride 2 up, even in the dirt. The've been riding for 19 years, and are advocates for short adventures, close to home. Saying that motorcycle riding has made them closer, Beth & Kevin share their experiences with photographs on social media, hoping to inspire other couples to ride together.  Twitter: 2uptogether Facebook: www.facebook.com/2uptogether Website: http://www.2uptogether.com Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw1iOZraIRbM0VYpUg7PCeg Rider Skills with Bret Tkacs Skills Development Activity: Threshold braking The average experienced rider with or without training stops around at about 70% of the capability of his/her motorcycle and roughly 30% further than the average car. Since most training standards are nearly 40% below the motorcycles capability attending traditional rider training does not help you reach the maximum braking capability your motorcycle offers.  The numbers I ha

What's your preference? A motorcycle GPS or smartphone APP? Perhaps you're someone who still likes traditional paper maps. We've talked to Cesar Palacios from Garmin, Guido van Eijsden, APP developer of Scenic and Sam Manicom, world moto traveler, adventurer and author, and got some great information to help you make an informed decision. Motorcycle GPS: Cesar Palacios, Media Relations Associate from Garmin International. Website: http://www.garmin.com/ Smartphone APPS: Guido van Eijsden, developer of motorcycle navigation app, SCENIC. Website: www.motomappers.com http://www.motomappers.com/blog/iphone-motorcycle-gps-8-things-to-consider/ http://www.motomappers.com/blog/best-motorcycle-apps-gps-navigation-ride-tracking/  https://itunes.apple.com/app/id1089668246 (App store URL) Paper Maps: Sam Manicom - Author of motorcycle adventure books: Into Africa, Under Asian Skies, Distant Suns & Tortillas to Totems - www.sam-manicom.com Music by Jason Shaw at www.audionautix.com A new ARR Show Drops Every Week!I

In this week’s episode Jim and Warren Milner discuss how information on the internet, may incorrectly encourage or influence your decisions when it comes to motorcycle modifications. Also, on Rider Skills we talk about energy conservation when riding. More motorcycle travel episodes available on Adventure Rider Radio at adventureriderradio.com.  Want to help out? Rate and review us on iTunes or on your favourite podcast app, tell your family, friends, riding buddies or club about ARR. Check out our other show ARR RAW, round table talks about motorcycles and travel. Subscribe to both shows to listen to inspiring and interesting guests, learn from professional riding instructors and industry experts about all things motorcycle. Get an ARR sticker(postage included) with a $10 donation. Link on our website. Have a comment? Go to the episode show notes on our website and have your say at the bottom of the page. Adventure Rider Radio is now the most listened to motorcycle podcast in the world, and we thank you f

There are many possible causes for why your motorcycle is vibrating, and David Hough, author of Proficient Motorcycling, and Walt Fulton join Jim Martin to offer their knowledge and experience with vibration issues.  David L. Hough: David has been riding motorcycles for more than 50 years. He's travelled extensively by motorcycles in North & South America, central Europe, the UK, South Africa and New Zealand. While employed at The Boeing Company in Seattle for more than 36 years, he mostly commuted to work by motorcycle. Combining his travel and commuting experience, he became a highly skilled rider and continues to share his knowledge through various magazine publications and several books, including Proficient Motorcycling. David is a certified motorcycle safety instructor and has taught motorcycle training courses. He's been an influence in the development of courses by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and the Sidecar/Trike Education Program. An award winning author, David L. Hough was inducted in to t

When Ginamarie Austin tired of looking at the back of her husband on a bike, she decided to get her own bike. Being of small stature, they settled on a TW200 and both Ginamarie and her husband Russ fell in love with these bikes and soon became part of a community of TW200 riders, going on short adventures. After a couple of years of health related family commitments, Ginamarie and Russ went on a trip on their TW200's, enjoying back road riding and adventure travel at a slower pace than the big bikes, a well deserved holiday. On returning from their trip, both Gina and Russ were ill, Gina recovered but when Russ didn't it was discovered that he had Stage IV lung cancer. Russ asked Ginamarie to fulfill their dreams of an extended motorcycle trip, something they had been planning to do on retirement.  In a matter of weeks, Ginamarie lost Russ to cancer. She tells an inspiring story of her commitment to Russ, reminding us of the things that really matter. Her motorcycle adventure, which she planned for herself an

Tips and information on everything you need to know for equipping your motorcycle with brighter lights. Choosing either quality auxiliary lights or DOT approved headlamps for your motorcycle can make an incredible difference when you need extra lighting. What is the difference between a high quality and low quality LED light? Find out this and more on this episode. Clearwater Lights: Glenn Stasky Website: https://www.clearwaterlights.com/ Custom Dynamics: Dave Pribula Website: https://www.customdynamics.com/ Show Sponsors Max BMW BestRest Products Green Chile Adventure Gear Motobriiz IMS Products Music by Jason Shaw at www.audionautix.com   A new ARR Show Drops Every Week!If you ever find your feed stops updating weekly for Adventure Rider Radio, then you need to refresh your feed. Just search for Adventure Rider Radio in your podcast app and click follow to reestablish your feed. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Ask any one who rides a dual sport, touring bike, street bike, or what have you, and there is nothing that clears the mind, relieves stress, and makes them feel good more than just riding their bike.  Combine riding with travel, be it a day, weekend, month or year and we hear stories about how riding has changed the way people think.  We’ve heard from riders who have had a love of travel instilled in them and when they discovered motorcycles and combined the two, a whole new world opened up for them. Through travel we are given opportunities to experience different cultures, people, and places. Riding a motorcycle to get to these places makes us more vulnerable, we’re easily seen and we are a curiosity. The motorcycles are avenues for people to talk to us, ask questions, for us to get to know the real people of different places.  Mixing travel with motorcycles offers a truly unique experience, not comparable to any other kind of exploration. It can change the way you think about yourself, others and life. In

What Inspires a Motorcycle Adventure Traveler and Author? Graham Field is a household name if you're in to adventure motorcycling, the author of three books, a world traveler and a co-host on ARR RAW. He's been the inspiration for many riders, who have read his books, and have been motivated to set out on their own adventures, wherever and for however long they may be. So, when Graham Field messages Jim and says he knows this couple, who just happen to be in Bulgaria staying down the road from him, that he finds inspiring, we were intrigued. We just had to 'meet' this couple and find out their story. Find out what inspires the inspiring. Facebook: Graham Field  Motorcycle Travel Author Website: http://grahamfield.co.uk Icy Cold Honeymoon Adventure: Jan & Silke Neumann Not just any honeymoon would do for Jan & Silke, who met through their motorcycle riding adventures. Who wants to lay on the beach in the hot sun when you can ride in -35°C in a snowstorm, on two old Suzuki bikes, to the North Cape in

Brent Carroll: Read a Facebook Post, Bought a Motorcycle, Attended a HUBB Meet & Went on an Adventure Inspired by a Facebook post, Brent Carroll decided to get a motorcycle to do some adventure riding. After going to a Horizons Unlimited meet he was hooked on the idea of a long distance motorcycle trip, having met other riders who were travelling and exploring the world. In April, 2016 he set out from Virginia to Newfoundland, rode across Canada to Alaska and then down to Ushuaia. Being on the road for 13 months was a life changing experience for Brent, who came away with some valuable lessons learned that he has shared through video and on his website, and now with us.  Blog: www.lovinglivingadventuring.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-G58StnCxTuu3F4Y2NqCgxDdcUJWStay Facebook: facebook.com/LovingLivingAdventuring/ Instagram: instagram.com/lovinglivingadventuring/ Twitter: twitter.com/LovingLivingADV/ Rider Skills: Instructor Bret Tkacs on Starting on a Hill Some methods right ou

Riding in the Heat and Cold Weather Motorcycle Riding Tips Grant Johnson: Tips For Riding When the Heat is On Grant's vast background includes being a motorcycle mechanic and dealer, as well as co-owner of Horizons Unlimited with his wife, Susan Johnson. Grant has given many talks around the world as part of the HUBB presentations. He's also a co-host on ARR RAW: www.adventureriderradio.com/raw Horizons Unlimited: www.horizonsunlimited.com Sjaak Lucassen: Tips For Cold Weather Riding Sjaak Lucassen is a Dutch long distance motorcycle rider, adventurer and author. He's no stranger to winter riding and has some great tips to share. http://www.sjaaklucassen.nl/en/ Show Sponsors: Max BMW BestRest Products Green Chile Adventure Gear Motobriiz IMS Products Music by Jason Shaw at www.audionautix.com A new ARR Show Drops Every Week!If you ever find your feed stops updating weekly for Adventure Rider Radio, then you need to refresh your feed. Just search for Adventure Rider Radio in your podcast app and click follow

In this first part of a two part series, we talk to David Hough about riding in high winds and Grant Johnson about rainy weather riding. Also, Chantal Simons has done long distance trips on both a Ducati Monster and a Chook Chaser? And what she's learned is that asking yourself the right questions when faced with a hurdle is what can make the difference in how your trip turns out. David Hough: Riding in High Winds David is a certified motorcycle safety instructor and has taught motorcycle training courses. He's been an influence in the development of courses by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and the Sidecar/Trike Education Program. An award winning author, David L. Hough was inducted in to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2009 in recognition of his lifetime efforts towards motorcycle safety. David is the author of Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well and other books about safety and riding techniques. His books are available on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/David-L.-Hough/e/B001JOW

The Simpson Desert is Australia's fourth largest desert and the largest sand dune desert in the world, containing the world's longest parallel sand dunes. On the western side of the desert, these dunes are as high as 3 metres, and on the eastern side as much as about 30 metres. The desert has no maintained roads, but there are tracks which were made in the 60's and 70's when surveys were done in the search for oil and gas. The tracks are navigable by four wheel drive, but without any services, extra fuel and water are necessary. It's very hot with summer temperatures reaching up to 50 Celsius. It doesn't rain often and sand storms happen regularly. The desert dunes are a cornucopia of colour, with oranges, pinks, reds and whites on brilliant display.  The first non-indigenous person to cross the desert did so on camels in 1936 and there have since been several crossings made on foot. It's inviting and terrifying all at the same time, and is compelling to adventurous motorcyclists, some who have made it across

Fear of travelling to some countries is instilled in us by the media, or people who haven't been but have heard about these places. Are we missing out on discovering different cultures and people because of these fears? Perhaps riding out of our comfort zone and in to these places will make us see things differently and change the way we think.  Lois Pryce: Revolutionary Road: On the Road in Search of the Real Iran Intrigued by a note left on her motorcycle, Lois Pryce went on a 3000 mile ride in Iran on a quest to discover what the country and it's people were really like. Lois has been on many motorcycle trips, but she says this one is the one that has affected her most profoundly. In a country where women on motorcycles is not allowed by law, she found the people warm, kind and hospitable, and she fell in love with Iran.  Book: Revolutionary Road: On the Road in Search of the Real Iran is available on Amazon. Rosie Gabrielle: Solo Ride in Oman Rosie Gabrielle is a photographer and an adventure traveller,

Camp meals should be more than just hot dogs and granola. This episode we talk to long time motorcycle travellers, Lisa & Simon Thomas, about their new book Dirty Dining and Ara Gureghian, a five star chef who's been living off his motorcycle for over a decade. They give some valuable tips on camp cooking especially when space and supplies are limited. Lisa & Simon Thomas: Dirty Dining Simon and Lisa Thomas have been on the road for 14 years, travelling to many different countries and experiencing all kinds of cuisine. Inspired by world foods, Lisa has been conjuring up her own recipes, at times replicating the exotic flavours they’ve tasted, and also coming up with their own recipes with just the right ingredients. They’re about to launch a cookbook called “Dirty Dining - An Adventurer’s Cookbook. In this book, they’ve come up with a great mix of recipes, photography and tips for overland cooking. Dirty Dining will be available for pre-order soon through Barnes & Noble and on Amazon. Check the 2r

  Driving A Sidecar Outfit: David L. Hough David Hough is the author of Driving A Sidecar Outfit, a text book published by the Sidecar Safety Program in 1997. He's also the director of the Sidecar Safety Program, which offers a Sidecar driving training program. David talks with Jim about learning how to ride a motorcycle with a sidecar and what's involved. DMC Sidecars: Jay DMC Sidecars is located in Washington in the United States and are the makes of motorcycle sidecars. Jay discusses which motorcycle you would need for a sidecar and other considerations. Website: www.dmcsidecars.com Rider Skills: Riding Gravel Roads Instructor: Bret Tkacs | PSSOR  Gravel travel: Most common surface Overlooked as a challenge by many travelers Can change quickly To many accidents on easy to ride surfaces The proper attitude (not a race, other users) Why people crash: Too fast Wrong body position Out of touch with traction Throttle use Braking while leaned over Standing vs sitting… when each is preferred Standing: Greater vis

According to a travel survey, couples who travel together have better relationships than those who don't. In this episode, three couples share their thoughts on what makes their relationship work while on the road. And we also talk to a couple who rode from Alaska to Ushuaia on a quest to find out what was the secret behind couples who remained married or partnered for a long time. They talk about their experiences with the Ural, the people they met and what they learned about relationships. Travel & How it Affects Relationships In 2012, the U.S. Travel Association conducted a survey to find out if and how much pleasure travel made relationships between romantic partners and couples stronger. According to the survey, they found three key points: “1) Travel has long-term benefits for couples 2) Travel helps build and maintain relationships 3) Travel ignites romance and intimacy” Source: https://www.ustravel.org The survey also found that relationships between couples who travel together last longer and tha

Luke Gelmi gave up his job in Australia, and sold most of his possessions, in a spontaneous decision to go on a motorcycle adventure. Leaving behind his F800 GS, a bike suitable for the kind of trip he was setting out on, he bought “a wildly inappropriate Royal Enfield” in England. With no set plans, and unprepared, he travelled throughout the UK, some of Europe and Africa. He’s had, well what some might call crazy experiences on his trip… picked up a hitchhiker, got robbed, lost his front teeth, was arrested, and the list goes on. And for all this he’s had an incredible time, and is a changed person, all for the better. You can read more about Luke’s adventures in his first book, an ebook available for free at ObliviousTheBook.com Website: ShotsFromTheBar.com Some music on this episode by Jason Shaw at www.audionautix.com A new ARR Show Drops Every Week!If you ever find your feed stops updating weekly for Adventure Rider Radio, then you need to refresh your feed. Just search for Adventure Rider Radio in your

If you venture off the pavement, there’s always the possibility that one wrong move and your bike is off the side of a trail or stuck in a mudhole. The question is, do you have what you need to extract your bike? People, winch, or block and tackle? We did some testing of three different systems, two of which you can take with you on any ride, and one of which is a good back up if not venturing too far, and it’s also ideal for loading your bike on to a trailer. We spoke to Andy Lilienthal at Warn, Dave Peterson at BestRest, Jon Mason at Superwinch and PSSOR riding instructor, Bret Tkacs, who shares some great pointers on motorcycle recovery. Bret Tkacs: PSSOR Riding Instructor Tips and techniques on using motorcycle recovery systems. Website: pssor.com Dave Peterson: BestRest Products Motorcycle Recovery System z-drag rope and pulley system which has been modified for motorcycle recovery, originally made for mountaineering and rescue teams. 5/16” (8 mm) primary rope, with a load rating of 3000 lb (1360 kg) 1”