Adventure Rider Radio RAW – Motorcycle Roundtable

This month on RAW, we're answering a listener question about international motorcycle travel and the realities of riding a home-plated motorcycle around the world. Does a foreign number plate help create connections with locals, or do adventure motorcyclists stand out no matter what they ride? Does traveling with a foreign-registered motorcycle make you a target, or can it actually open doors alon...

Every adventure rider develops a set of personal rules — the lessons, habits, and hard-earned principles that shape how they ride, travel, and make decisions on the road. In this episode, the panel shares practical adventure motorcycle tips and real-world riding strategies covering motorcycle safety, route planning, border crossings, motorcycle camping, meeting strangers while travelling, and mana...

On this episode of RAW, the hosts are diving into adventure motorcycle rides across North America that push you just enough to make them unforgettable — the kind that test your skill, endurance, and mindset, but reward you with incredible scenery, real solitude, and that hard-earned feeling of “I did that.” These aren’t extreme-for-the-sake-of-it routes — they’re rides the average motorcycle rider...

Adventure motorcycle travel means stepping into the unknown—and sometimes the unexpected happens. In this episode of ARR RAW, the panel looks at the kinds of emergencies riders can face on the road, from political instability and sudden border closures to medical issues, extreme weather, and the occasional bureaucratic nightmare. Drawing from real-world experience, the group discusses what these s...

This month we’re talking about adventure motorcycle travel in Australia. The RAW panel shares stories from their experiences of riding and travelling across the country: the huge distances, the stretches with no services, the heat, the planning, the wildlife, the road conditions — and the unexpected challenges that seem to come with the territory. We talk about what makes travelling by motorbike i...

This month on RAW, the panel digs into four common ways motorcycle travellers end up carrying too much , and how to change the decisions that lead there. Instead of turning it into another gear list, the conversation looks at how we think about packing: what we’re actually preparing for, what we realistically need to handle ourselves, and how destination and trip purpose change everything. 🔗 Show...

How has motorcycle travel changed over the past ten years — not just the gear and tech, but how does constant exposure to other riders’ trips and highlight reels reshape our motivation? Comparison is everywhere now, whether we want it or not, and it has a way of steering our travel choices without us noticing. The panel reflects on what first sparked their desire to travel, how that spark has evol...

This episode digs into why so many riders never take the big motorcycle trip they dream about. What’s a real reason not to go — and what’s just fear or over-planning? Are we putting too much focus on the bike instead of the experience? And if you love the idea more than the lifestyle, is that okay? The group wraps with what “leaving” really means: chasing freedom, time, and the adventure you actua...

Adventure motorcycling isn’t just about the ride—it’s about everything that comes with it: the borders, the gear, and the unpredictable moments in between. Ever had your gear raise an eyebrow—or a full-blown alarm—with airport security, police, or border agents? From tools to camping gear that triggered searches, the RAW panel shares stories of harmless objects that looked anything but, and the te...

What does “motorcycle adventure” really mean? Is it risk and danger, discovery and learning, or just stepping outside your comfort zone? In this episode, we talk about how riders see adventure, how those views shift with age and experience, and whether it’s about pushing limits, finding purpose, or embracing the inner journey. ARR RAW round-table discussions with motorcycle adventure travellers -...

On this episode of RAW, we discuss recognizing and resolving conflicts while travelling, whether it’s with someone you started the trip with or someone you meet along the way and decide to ride with. Common sources of conflict include differing riding styles, daily routines, decision-making, or budget mismatches. The panel talks about how to communicate effectively on the road, ways to compromise,...

What do you always carry when you ride—and why? This episode dives into everyday carry (EDC) for motorcyclists: the essential items riders keep close at hand, whether it’s a short ride or a long haul. We also talk about staying dry—what works, what doesn't, and how riders deal with getting soaked on the road. ARR RAW round-table discussions with motorcycle adventure travellers - featuring Grant Jo...

On this episode of RAW, we’re talking all things motorcycle camping — from the comfortable details that make a temporary stop feel like home, to the bike camping gear we thought we needed but never used. We swap stories about moto camp setup disasters and the hard-earned lessons that came with them, plus share some fresh picks for gear that’s worth packing. 🔗 Show Notes & Links: Find photos,...

Everyone loves to talk about the thrill of motorcycle travel, but no one warns you about the hard parts. The grind. The doubts. The aches you didn’t see coming. In this episode, we’re cutting through the hype and getting real about what the road throws at you. Think you’re ready? Listen first. 🔗 Show Notes & Links: Find photos, links, and resources related to this episode on our website at Ad...

In this episode, our co-hosts face off in a friendly storytelling showdown, sharing their wildest, weirdest, and most unforgettable moments from the road. From scary wildlife run-ins to border crossings gone sideways, you'll hear true tales that are hilarious, cringeworthy, and totally relatable. 🔗 Show Notes & Links: Find photos, links, and resources related to this episode on our website at...

This month on RAW, we’re talking about how travelers around the world are using different communication tools—from WhatsApp to Signal—and how tech like drones, SAT devices, and new gear is shaping the way we explore. 🔗 Show Notes & Links:  Find photos, links, and resources related to this episode on our website at Adventure Rider Radio . 🎧 Subscribe & Never Miss an Episode:  We release n...

Fear is a natural part of adventure motorcycling, but how we handle it can make all the difference. On this episode of RAW, the panel digs into the fears many riders face—riding solo, tackling tough terrain, getting lost, dealing with mechanical issues and more—and how to manage them. We’ll talk about when fear protects you versus when it holds you back, how to build confidence through training an...

Motorcycle travel involves eating, sleeping, and finding a place to “go”—the true trifecta of adventure. Sometimes, choices feel like a gamble, ranging from gourmet dining to street food that might challenge you later, and from luxurious hotel rooms to campsites that turn out to be gravel pits. Bathrooms? You’ll encounter everything from lavish bidets to bushes that test your creativity. Eat, slee...

For many people, a long motorcycle trip or a journey around the world is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It may be their first adventure, or it could be the only trip they ever get to take. While many are content to go solo, some prefer to travel with a partner—whether for companionship, security, or other reasons. This partner could be a good friend, a relative, or a life partner. Or they might...

There’s something about motorcycle travel that seems to turn back the clock—or at least makes us feel like it. Whether it’s the thrill of discovering new places, the focus required to stay in the moment, or the way even small victories on a journey boost confidence, travel has a way of shifting our perspective. If you’ve ever felt lighter, sharper, or more energized after time away, you’re not ima...

Motorcycle travel can be exhilarating, but many riders fall into common pitfalls that can dampen their adventures. In this episode, the RAW panel discusses motorcycle travellers' top mistakes and how to avoid them. ARR RAW round-table discussions with motorcycle adventure travellers - featuring Grant Johnson, Sam Manicom, Shirley Hardy-Rix, Brian Rix, Michelle Lamphere and Jim Martin. RAW LISTENER...

In this episode of RAW , the panel will debunk seven common myths about motorcycle travel that often hold riders back from embarking on their adventures. From the misconception that you need a large, expensive bike, to the belief that solo or female travel is unsafe, we'll break down each myth and explain why they’re unfounded. Links: Photos and links related to this episode can be found in the  s...

This month’s episode dives into essential tips for safeguarding your bike and gear from theft while on a motorcycle trip. Plus, our panel shares gripping tales of battling brutal wind conditions and the hard-earned lessons from those intense rides. ARR RAW round-table discussions with motorcycle adventure travellers - featuring Grant Johnson, Sam Manicom, Shirley Hardy-Rix, Brian Rix, Michelle Lam...

Why do motorcycle travelers often tell stories about going through North and South America, Africa and Australia, but hardly anything about communist countries such as Russia and China. Is it because of restrictions, border crossings, culture? And next up, comfort hacks. Do you have any unusual or unique practices for long-distance travel comfort? Perhaps you've learned some things through experie...

On this episode of RAW, we will discuss getting second chances for our past trips and riding in areas with heavy traffic and large vehicles. Given what you now know, is there a trip or part of a trip you’ve taken that you would do differently if given the chance? If so, what changes would you make and why? Furthermore, riding dynamics change significantly in areas where the size of vehicles determ...