Ted Simon is a well-known figure in the adventure motorcycle travel community. He rode his motorcycle around the world in the early 1970s, documenting his journey for a newspaper and later writing the book Jupiter’s Travels. The book became hugely popular and is still selling briskly almost five decades later. Ted recently turned 93 years old, and for his birthday, our host, Jim Martin, sat down with him to discuss how a rider today could have a similar trip. Ted came up with some criteria...

The topic of large and small adventure motorcycles is often approached with a "large vs small" angle, as if there is a definitive answer to the question of which is better. However, just as there is no one-size-fits-all solution for footwear, there is no perfect bike that suits everyone for all occasions. In this episode, we will discuss large and small adventure motorcycles from a different perspective. Chris Birch from Say No To Slow talks about how we ride large vs small adventure...

Ready for another big adventure, Dustin Nere reunited with a good friend at the Delhi airport for a 2-month adventure in the Himalayas. Apart from booking flights, reserving a hotel for the first few nights, and reserving bikes in Dehradun, they had no real plan. They knew of only a couple of notable places that Dustin had read about, and they hoped they could connect the dots. To make things more interesting, they began the journey with two other Americans who were visiting India for just...

When 62 year old Don Nelson from Colorado walked into a motorcycle dealership for a casual look around, little did he know what was about to happen. After the salesman offered for him to test ride a bike, Don found himself making an impulsive decision—he bought a Triumph Bonneville on the spot. Despite not having ridden a motorcycle in over 40 years, he rediscovered his passion for riding and felt immediately at ease on the bike. Now, over a decade later at the age of 75, Don prefers to...

In this episode of DEEP TROUBLE, we talk with James McCormick who went on what he calls, a ‘leap of faith ride’ in Baja, somewhere he had ridden many times before. This time he and his friend chose to explore a more remote area and everything seemed to be going smoothly until they were well past halfway into the ride, when suddenly the road they had counted on following was gone and all that remained was sand, rocks, cactus, and brush. Facing a critical decision, they decided to push on and...

Proactive off-road awareness is a crucial safety step which allows riders to anticipate and respond to hazards effectively. Being in tune with the environment enables riders to navigate unpredictable obstacles such as rocks, roots, or uneven terrain, reducing the risk of accidents or injuries. And to talk about that we have SMART instructor, Clinton Smout. Photos and links related to this episode can be found in the show notes.  Adventure Rider Radio and RAW are the longest-running adventure...

When planning a motorcycle adventure, it’s important not to forget essential items that could impact your trip. You’ll double-check your tools, riding, camping, and cooking gear, and ensure that any necessary maintenance has been done. However, there’s one crucial component that’s often overlooked—think of it as a safety net for when you’re on the road, something that will give you the ability to deal with unforeseen situations effectively. To tell us more about this, we have Greg Turp, a...

Africa is a top pick for motorcycle riders seeking adventure, but many see it as a tough destination for only experienced travelers. Is it too risky for beginners? Do you need special skills? What's there to see? In this episode, we'll explore these questions with an expert in Southern African motorcycle travel. Photos and links related to this episode can be found in the show notes.  Adventure Rider Radio is the longest-running adventure motorcycle and travel podcast, since 2014, and we...

Two adventure riders, worlds apart are pinned by their own motorcycles. Join Dave Rodgers and Joe Siegel, as they face perilous challenges in this episode of DEEP TROUBLE. In this exclusive series, we’ll explore the captivating stories of riders who found themselves in DEEP TROUBLE. We'll be dissecting these situations, shedding light on the challenges they faced, the strategies they used and the valuable lessons they learned. Most critically, we’ll discuss how the situation could have...

In 1999, Todd Lawson lost his brother, Sean, to cerebral malaria after a motorcycle journey through southern Africa. Wracked with guilt, Todd meets Christina, a kindred spirit, and together they embark on a motorcycle trip across the Americas, spreading Sean's ashes along the way. Inspired by Sean's adventurous spirit, they decide to return to Africa to distribute mosquito nets to those in need, turning their journey into a meaningful exploration of the continent's beauty and its...

Situational awareness while riding a motorcycle means being aware of your surroundings and predicting what might happen based on what you see. It's about paying attention to the road, other vehicles, weather, people and more. In this episode, Clinton Smout, Chief Riding Instructor at SMART Adventures, talks us through ways to read the scene around us as we ride and use that information to help predict what may happen next. Photos and links related to this episode can be found in the show...

Satellite communication has been used for many years for emergencies during motorcycle adventures. But what about non-emergency situations? Sometimes, we might have a breakdown, need a part, be running late, feel sick, or decide to stay somewhere for an extra day. In such cases, messaging is the key to getting in touch with someone without causing panic. In this episode, Morris Shawn, President of Zoleo, discusses the importance of comprehensive satellite messaging for motorcycle riders....

Carl and Isabel Abrams led a content life in the UK, with a comfortable home and fulfilling jobs that they enjoyed. In 2017, they embarked on a memorable motorcycle tour of Scandinavia, igniting a dream to circumnavigate the globe on their bikes. However, everything changed when three months later Isabel discovered a lump in her breast. The subsequent diagnosis forced Isabel to confront her mortality, abruptly shifting their perspective on the future. The idea of travelling the world once...

Carl and Isabel Abrams led a content life in the UK, with a comfortable home and fulfilling jobs that they enjoyed. In 2017, they embarked on a memorable motorcycle tour of Scandinavia, igniting a dream to circumnavigate the globe on their bikes. However, everything changed when three months later Isabel discovered a lump in her breast. The subsequent diagnosis forced Isabel to confront her mortality, abruptly shifting their perspective on the future. The idea of travelling the world once...

Lavi Scholl and Ollie Gamblin met when picking cherries on a farm in Australia while on working holiday visas. It might have been Ollie’s van, maybe his guitar playing, but something sparked for both of them and they have been partners in travel and life ever since. They seem to fit together like pieces of a puzzle, complimenting each other, naturally falling into the roles that allow them to travel even farther on a budget. Their mantra and secret for travel is underpinned with a simple...

Jamie Parker is a true adventure enthusiast, he doesn't just wait for it to come his way, he actively orchestrates it. While he's no stranger to various adventures, venturing on a motorcycle is a recent addition to his repertoire. Embracing this new challenge, he propels himself to make every ride a rewarding and fulfilling experience, finding true value in the journey itself. One remarkable aspect you can't overlook is Jamie's unbridled passion for motorcycle riding. Despite being a novice...

On this episode of our Exclusive RIDER SKILLS we have Chief Riding Instructor Clinton Smout from SMART Adventures talking about common mistakes motorcycle riders make and how to avoid them. Clinton offers unique insights into what can go wrong with novel suggestions on prevention. He also talks about exercises that can be done while driving a car that will improve your motorcycle riding skills and safety. DISCLAIMER: This segment is provided solely for informational purposes and should...

Chad Horton and Rose Padilla have been exploring South America by motorcycle for years, with no specific agenda or direction. Recently, they took on what can only be described as an adventurer's route that was far off the beaten path. It was a route that would bisect the Amazon Jungle from east to west, passing through some of the most remote and unfrequented areas of the region. However, what they didn't anticipate was that the Amazon was experiencing a 125-year drought that would affect all...

Throughout the year, we find ourselves busy with various tasks that are necessary for us to live and get by. At times, it can feel like we are stuck in a never-ending cycle of doing the same things repeatedly. As we approach the end of the year, we begin to reflect on how quickly it has gone by, and how quickly every year seems to pass. But, what if there was a way that you could use your motorcycle to slow down the passage of time? On this episode: Derek Mansfield is a writer and author in...

Going on a motorcycle adventure triggers the excitement of preparing yourself and your bike. Selecting the perfect jacket and pants, and even contemplating the ideal bag for your top box becomes part of the immersive experience. And for many there’s a satisfaction in knowing that their bikes and gear are meticulously prepared, ensuring they’re equipped with top-notch quality where it matters. However, there exists an entirely different approach, embraced by those who simply hop on their bikes...

This episode of RIDER SKILLS is for all riders, regardless of the type of bike you ride or your riding style. Some simple drills can be done on any surface, be it dirt or pavement. Do them before heading out on a ride, while waiting for a friend, or even when approaching a stop sign or traffic light. These are simple straightforward drills that require no pre-planning, no specific location, and each one will help develop multiple skills at once. Photos and links related to this episode can...

In this exclusive series, we’ll explore the captivating stories of riders who found themselves in DEEP TROUBLE. We'll be dissecting these situations, shedding light on the challenges they faced, the strategies they used and the valuable lessons they learned. Most critically, we’ll discuss how the situation could have turned out differently if some controllable aspects were changed. We’ll talk about the possibilities and potential outcomes, so that perhaps other riders can learn from their...

Lorraine Spence is an avid traveler who rediscovered her love for riding motorcycles after a two decade hiatus. She decided her first big trip in 2012 would be across Asia via the BAM road in Siberia, which could be considered one of the last challenges for adventure motorcyclists. The BAM road is a dilapidated service road for the railway in Siberia that requires planning, determination, and a bit of luck to overcome. You can find photos and links related to this episode on our website....

Israel Eugene Gillette is an extreme motorcycle enthusiast and has been travelling to different countries around the world with a dog in his panier for well over a decade. Since he first started riding in 1995 Israel has found himself running from the police, accused of kidnapping and being shot at. Whether trouble finds Israel or he finds trouble himself is a matter of debate, but his adventures are sure to amuse you and make you question why he does what he does.