Adventure Rider Radio – Motorcycle Podcast

International borders can be the gateway to adventure, discovery and vacations but they can also be aggravating, arduous and problematic, particularly if you don’t follow the rules or aren’t aware of them. And with things finally beginning to open up again we find ourselves looking to leap over our borders to travel. On this episode, border crossings and what to expect, as well as expert tips from...

It all began when a novel idea for a two-up motorcycle road trip transformed a couple of backpackers into motorcycle travellers. Sandra Steliga and Fiona Cheng were new to motorcycle travel, but after they set out for a trip in the United States to South America they were hooked and their plans quickly evolved in to riding their motorbike around the world. If you've enjoyed this episode please con...

Just over 20 years ago, neurosurgeon and motorcyclist Dr Chris Leatt witnessed his friend and fellow rider die from a motorcycle related neck injury. Dr Leatt decided to find a solution to reduce neck injuries and three years later he sold his first neck brace and then formed his company LEATT which would go on to make body protection gear for motorcyclists and then a full range of rider gear and...

Mike Coan is a motorcycle traveller and one of the founders of Warm & Safe Heated Gear in Milwaukie, Oregon. He and his wife, Susan, have been designing and manufacturing heated clothing for almost three decades. We invited Mike on the show to talk about his evolutionary story of how they got in to making heated gear for riders, and being the passionate rider that he is the conversation takes...

Getting your adventure motorcycle over a log can be a daunting experience, but learning how to do it can open up a whole new world for you. On this episode of Rider Skills we have instructor Chris Birch, world famous for what he does with an adventure bike, teach us how to get our heavy motorcycles over a log in three easy steps and look like a pro while we’re doing it. If you've enjoyed this epis...

Dustin Nere wasn’t interested in travel, he’d barely stepped foot out of the United States. Instead he did what he thought he was supposed to do, buy a house, get married. But, things started to change for Dustin when friends gave him a 2003 DR650 and he started going on short rides with them on weekends. Then came the overnight trips and riding the Backcountry Discovery Routes. After a divorce he...

In the North West of Australia, lays the Kimberly Wilderness area and that’s where the famous Gibb River Road is found. The Gibb River Road is part of the Savannah Way road trip which crosses north Australia and is well known as a four wheel drive route, rugged and scenic, remote and sparsely serviced, and for this group of riders it’s also excellent adventure motorcycle country. Mike Beaton, Nevi...

We recently did an episode about sidecars and how they changed the ride, but there are other ways of adding a third wheel that not only changes the ride but adds extra benefits that may just suit your style. Curious? So were we, so we talked with Friso Stolk who founded Trail Tail, a company that manufactures a single wheel on and off-road trailer, as well as Martin Éthier from Can-Am about someth...

It seems lately we are inundated with pessimism and yet there are still countless inspirational stories being told around the world. Many of these stories come from travellers whose experiences on the road have made a huge difference in their lives. And sometimes there comes that one single defining moment, like a lightening bolt, when they realize why they’re doing what they’re doing. It’s often...

There is no doubt that practice improves our riding skills, but sometimes life gets in the way and then throw in weekend rides, how do you find time to set up practice sessions? On this episode of our exclusive RIDER SKILLS program we’re going to set you up with a number of slow speed practice exercises that you can do just about any time you have a few minutes. Perhaps when you’re waiting to meet...

Michnus and Elsebie Olivier have remained on the road during the entire two year pandemic, and so far they have managed to navigate rather successfully the world of COVID travel. They have done it by being extremely diligent, aware and proactive in their travel plans. They always keep up to date on what is happening and figuring out ways to adapt to changes in the countries they have been in. Rece...

Riding a sidecar outfit is completely different from riding on two wheels, you could say like riding a horse of a different color. And some riders either love riding with a sidecar or simply find that it just suits their needs. Perhaps age, disability, visibility, pets, storage or stability are some of the reasons that come in to play when choosing to ride with a sidecar. And although many of us m...

In this past year, we’ve interviewed many riders who have all contributed greatly to the show by sharing their experiences and the things they’ve learned while travelling, including Ted Simon, Lisa and Simon Thomas and many others. To wrap up 2021 we’ve decided to share some snippets of their knowledge to reflect and inspire, and also in the hopes that maybe we can learn a little something from so...

Riding a motorcycle over rocks present all kinds of challenges for the rider and as they get bigger, so does the challenge. On this episode we have instructor Shawn Thomas and he’ll be breaking down rocks - riding rocks into manageable pieces for the average rider and hopefully changing them from what you see as obstacles to overcome in to some seriously fun riding. If you've enjoyed this episode...

After three years of dreaming and planning, Kevin and Amy Edwards rode the incredible Trans America Trail coast to coast, Kevin on his Zero DSR motorcycle and with his wife Amy on her WR250R. While electric motorcycle travel has become a lot easier, being able to go from charger to charger on most routes, remote riding presents more challenges, and charging on route was one of the trials that they...

Steve Molinelli had what the outside world saw as a successful life, one that was heavily centred around motorcycling. But, when his local track was shut down his world fell into a downward spiral when the focus he had on motorcycles with replaced with something destructive - addiction. On the path to healing he once again found motorcycles and his passion for bikes helped him to get his life back...

We’ve had some incredible travellers on this podcast and have been regaled with tales of adventure to far off and exotic places, trips around the world and years spent exploring on motorcycles. And while we are inspired by those stories and dream of going to these places when we close our eyes at night, it simply isn’t the reality for many riders who have families, jobs or bills to pay. So, that m...

When maneuvering at low speeds, slipping the clutch on your motorcycle is an essential skill with a manual clutch. Most riders learn that if you slip the clutch too much you can wear it out quickly, so why do riding instructors tell you that you need to slip the clutch? On this episode of Rider Skills we talk with Clinton Smout about clutches, how they work, warning signs that you’re abusing your...

The motorcycle industry offers many choices of underlayers for motorcycle gear. Different models, materials, and thickness. And it would make sense that the more layers you have, the more protection, especially if those layers were abrasion resistant. And when the manufacturer designed the gear to protect you - what did they imagine you were gong to wear underneath? What is the bare minimum you sh...

It all started when Keith Futcher saw a glossy photo in a glossy magazine that ignited a desire to ride a motorcycle to the Sahara to see a sunrise. Except Keith didn’t own a motorcycle, neither did his brother or his friend, both of whom were planning to go with him. Furthermore, they had no riding experience, and certainly none off-road, in fact none of them even possessed a licence to ride a mo...

A few years ago, Tim and Marisa set out to explore the world, they travelled through North and South America, then headed to Africa. When the pandemic hit and many travellers headed home, Tim and Marisa decided to stick it out, so they found a good place to stay and became locals in Kenya. But, as things dragged on and remained locked down, their visas expired and their route was cut off, so they...

Michnus and Elsie Olivier from PikiPiki Overland are in the thick of things in Oaxaca, Mexico awaiting the celebrations of Day of the Dead. They share their experiences and knowledge of this fantastic celebration for those who have passed away. We also look back on stories of adventure riders who found themselves in risky circumstances but lived to tell the tale. If you've enjoyed this episode ple...

Even if you don’t ride 2-up chances are if you ride with others, or are inclined to help someone in need, you may end up having to put someone on the back off your bike at some point. Maybe while riding off-road with friends, someone’s bike breaks down and they need a ride out to get help. If you have the skills, you suddenly become a rescuer, if you don’t have those skills, well - it’s a differen...

After an eight month trip around South America, Jess and Greg Stone fell in love with Guatemala. They moved there in 2016 and adopted a German Shepherd that has since been a regular passenger on the back of Jess’s bike on a custom made carrier. They’re now planning a new adventure, a ride around the world with their dog, Moxie. We talked to Jess and Greg about their upcoming trip and what it’s lik...

Hard or soft luggage has always been a hotly debated topic for motorcyclists, and of course, everyone has an opinion. And while each has its pros and cons, it’s ultimately up to the rider what suits them best. And to help you make that decision we talked to some industry pros and some experienced travellers, not to sway you in one direction or another, but to find out what you should consider and...