Join Matt and Scott as they discuss the overland industry challenges and opportunities of 2020, along with their favorite overlanding equipment, 4WDs, and motorcycles.
Overland News of the Week
Mac’s Tie Downs Monkey Face Mac’s Tie Downs’ latest offering is a nifty little device called the Monkey Face, designed to make securing cargo even simpler for folks with stake pockets. The .375-inch laser-cut steel tie-down interface is welded to a .1875-inch square steel tube (which secures in stake pockets with an included linchpin), and…
Ending the Year at the Sabie Bubble Run
For the past six years, South African motorcyclists have been making the annual pilgrimage from Johannesburg to the small town of Sabie for the Sabie Bubble Run, South Africa’s only traditional motorcycle run. The motorcycle run started in 2014 when three friends set out from Johannesburg on their motorcycles for a weekend of riding and…
Field Tested :: Nocs Provisions Standard Issue 8 x 25 Binoculars
Nocs Provisions Standard Issue 8 x 25 Binoculars Fuss and bother are two elements I can live without when it comes to gear, and these binoculars from Nocs Provisions, lovingly conceived in San Francisco’s Citadel of Excitement, fit the bill. First off, they come in a small, recycled cardboard box put together without glue—easy to…
2021 Yokohama Sonora Rally Postponed
The cancellation or postponing of events is common news these days, but organizers are doing what they can to work around COVID-19 restrictions. The 2021 Yokohama Sonora Rally is one of many who have been forced to reschedule. The event, normally scheduled in March, will be moved back to May 9-14. From presenters Method Race…
Riding Full Circle: The U-Turn
A long and unexpected delay during a round-the-world journey
Alloy Versus Spoked Wheels on Motorcycles
Up until the late 1960s, most motorcycles came with wire-spoked wheels. That all changed in the ’70s when one-piece alloy wheels hit the market. Nowadays, you’ll find alloys on the majority of modern motorcycles on the road. So what’s the difference? You’ll always see exceptions, but for the most part, alloys, or cast wheels, will…
Overland News of the Week
Ötzi Adventure Gear Spark Flatpack Portable Grill Bringing the barbecue along on off-road adventures can present a bit of a dilemma if you have limited space. But with Otzi’s flatpack portable grill and 9- by 9-inch footprint (when packed flat), there’s no reason to leave it behind. The Spark is made of precision-cut pieces of…
CAKE Develops New “Kalk AP” Electric Anti-Poaching Bike
Swedish electric dirt bike company CAKE, which is on a mission to bring sustainable electric transportation to the world, has partnered with Goal Zero and the Southern African Wildlife College to take on poachers with their new Kalk AP or “anti-poaching” bush bike. Based on the original Kalk platform, the CAKE product team has collaborated…
Garmin inReach Explorer Satellite Communication
Product Review—Garmin inReach Satellite Communication First off, a disclaimer: my husband and I used Garmin inReach Explorer Satellite Communication during a round-the-world motorcycle trip that lasted 708 days. DeLorme inReach (bought out by Garmin in 2016) gave us two Explorer devices—one we received on loan; the other we paid for at a 50-percent discount. The company…
Long-awaited 2022 KLR650 Motorcycle Released!
Many adventure moto riders will argue a KLR650 is the best choice for a round-the-world motorcycle: you’re likely to find Kawasaki parts in most countries, and few manufacturers can compete with the KLR’s low price. Not that any of us want our round-the-world steeds stolen, but if your KLR is highjacked, you’re only out about…
The Armchair Adventure Festival 2021
For almost a year now, many of us have been dreaming of when or where our next adventure might be. While most of us spend time wondering if we have the money and time to travel, this past year has been different in that respect. Even with money and time, travel itineraries were severely limited…
Sena’s New 3S Plus Boom and 3S Plus Universal Has Arrived
Digital communication for riders is vital. Nothing is worse than hearing “failure to connect” when your riding partner is going down the wrong side of the road in a left-side-drive country. Or when they can’t tell you to merge right in time for the next exit. I know—not everybody likes to fidget with gadgetry on…
Overland Classified :: Vintage 1973 BMW R75/5 Toaster
Vintage 1973 BMW R75/5 Toaster 94,798 miles $6,000 There lives in many a motorcyclist’s heart the desire for a vintage motorcycle, and this impeccable-looking 1973 BMW Toaster looks like a fun, eye-catching town ride! As there aren’t any specs in the ad found here, let’s go over some of the finer points on…
Boost Your Confidence Through Motorcycling by Alisa Clickenger | Book Review
Boost Your Confidence Through Motorcycling by Alisa Clickenger Non-fiction, instructional $20 Alisa Clickenger was a shy, depressed housewife when she decided to reinvent herself and learn to ride a motorcycle. Reeling from a painful divorce, Alisa found that learning to ride was not only cathartic, she was also developing skills to rebuild the confidence missing…
The Prometheus Design Werx A.G. Wilderness Quilt for Rooftop Tents
Want to snuggle with your significant other, your dog, or maybe just get under something cozy after a long day? Prometheus Design Werx has just introduced their A.G. Wilderness Quilt, a premium goose-down comforter you can use in your two-person tent, rooftop rig, or for couch-potatoing. The quilt is like your down comforter at…
Overland News of the Week
Kuju Single-serve Pour-over Coffee Finding the motivation to crawl out of your rooftop tent or campervan in the morning can be challenging. But I speak from experience when I say that Kuju Coffee’s single-serve pour-over coffee is a great motivator to get out of bed. They offer six different options: a traditional light, medium, or…
Aether Asks for Help Raising Money for LA Food Bank
From January 12 to February 11, Aether, an apparel company selling moto gear and accessories, along with Urban Partners, the nation’s largest walk-up food bank, are asking for help raising money for those in need. Urban Partners is a 23-year-old, volunteer-based organization. The number of families they see each week has increased significantly since March 2020,…
BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2022 to be Held in Albania
The BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy is an event intended just for BMW GS bikes and is purposely set along the type of challenging terrain GSs are made for. The BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy course happens every two years (since 2008) in spectacular host countries that allow for legal off-pavement travel. In the summer…
The New 2021 Yamaha Ténéré Adventure 700
Off-road and ADV (adventure) riders have been asking for years for a good middle-weight on-road/off-road bike, and the new 2021 Yamaha Ténéré Adventure 700 might just be it. First, let’s define “middle-weight” as weighing in at under 500 pounds wet, with twin cylinders for a smoother ride, and enough suspension travel and ground clearance to…