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E-mail: MotoADVR@gmail.com
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- Harley Dirtster Project (2)
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- Motorcycle Cheapskate (1)
- Motorcycle Maintenance (1)
- Pubs & Street Eats (14)
- Random Blurbs (110)
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- Ride Reports (53)
- The Finer Things In Life (3)
- Triumph Scrambler Project (9)
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Author Archives: MotoADVR
Adventure Motorcycles: Evolution of the Middleweight Segment
Last week, Honda and Suzuki both announced new middle-weight adventure-class motorcycles at the EICMA show in Milan. Considering my fondness for dirt-worthy touring motorcycles, I was obviously excited to hear the news; especially the new offering from Honda. With more models coming onboard out of Japan, the “middle-weight” segment is filling out nicely. At the same time, while I’m happy to see more affordable, capable, twin-cylinder options available to ADV enthusiasts, I question some of the choices manufacturers are making these days. Continue reading
Posted in Random Blurbs
Tagged ADV, Adventure, Adventure Motorcycle, DL88DE, Honda Transalp, Middle-weight adventure motorcycle, Motorcycle, Suzuki V-strom, Transalp, Vstrom, XL750
14 Comments
7 Deady Motorcycle Maintenance Sins…
7 deadly motorcycle sins… that I commit on the regular. Continue reading
Posted in Random Blurbs
Tagged Adventure, Adventure Motorcycle, Chain, Maintenance, Motorcyce, Motorcycle Maintenance, Tire Changing, Tires, Triumph Scrambler, Winterize
5 Comments
Tomorrow’s Commute: Self-Driving Cars Against Motorcycles
Will the pursuit of self-driving passenger vehicles remove motorcycles from commuter routes? Are folks distracted by technology or have we sanitized the driving experience to our own detriment? Continue reading
Posted in Gear and Safety, Random Blurbs
Tagged automobiles, commuting, distopian future, Motorcycle, serlf-driving cars, tesla, Urban commuting
15 Comments
Two Strokes Versus Four: Confessions of a Woods Racer
After riding and racing a Husky two-stroke enduro for two years, I sold a bike despite my passion for two-stroke engines. Why would I do such a thing? But first, a woods rider’s perspective on an age old debate. Continue reading
Posted in Maintenance & How-To, Motorcycle Maintenance, Random Blurbs
Tagged Cross-Country Racing, Dirt Bike, Enuro, Four-stroke, Husky 250, Husqvarna, KTM, KTM 350, motocross, Motorcycle, Racing, Two-stroke
2 Comments
The Motorcycle Cheapskate: Defining Value
When folks ask me how I got into motorcycles, the answer is some variation of:“After watching a movie with a sweet motorcycle, I used $4 a gallon gas to justify buying a scooter.” For whatever it’s worth, the movie was … Continue reading
Posted in Moto Philosophy, Motorcycle Cheapskate, Random Blurbs
Tagged Frugal, Motorcycle, Philisophy, Smiles Per Mile, Thrifty
18 Comments
The 13 Motorcyclists You’ll Meet
Over the years that I’ve been riding motorcycles, the topic of segmentation and polarity comes up frequently in conversation. Cruiser people versus sportbike people versus commuters; greybeards and teenage fools… The longer I ride, despite the discussion about tribalism, I … Continue reading
Harley Sportster Project: Adventure Tourer Planning
For folks not following on Instagram, I brought home a new (to me) motorcycle a couple of weeks ago. “Charlotte” is a 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 Custom with about 9,000 miles on the clock. For anyone that followed the Dirtster … Continue reading
Posted in Random Blurbs
Tagged Adventure, Evolution, Harley-Davidson, Iron Butt, Motorcycle, Scrambler, Sportster, Sportster883, Touring
4 Comments
Triumph Scrambler Project: Stage 4 Upgrades
Somewhere in late 2020, I started writing this update on the status of Rosie the Scrambler and it “got lost in the move”. At any rate, a buddy of mine asked me the other day if I planned on posting something that covered all the stuff I’ve done to the Scrambler since I’ve had it. As I’m publishing a library of “scrammy knowledge” here on the blog, it seemed fitting to post that update here first. Continue reading
Kuhl Silencr Kargo Pants: Post-ride Hiking Attire
I know what you’re thinking, “Drew, isn’t this a motorcycle blog?”
Why yes, yes it is, but hang with me here. While I’ve proven to myself that I’m capable of riding year-round, there’s no doubt I much prefer hiking in the winter months to suffering through boring rides on the freeway in frigid temperatures. Moreover, if you’re the “adventure moto-camping” sort, these hiking pants are right up your alley. Continue reading
Posted in Gear and Safety, Reviews
Tagged Appalachia, exploring, Hiking, Hiking gear, Hiking pants, Khul, outdoor, pants
3 Comments
What’s a Dual-Sport Motorcycle? Part 2
In the previous edition of “What is a Dual-Sport Motorcycle?”, I outlined some ground rules and essentially drew a circle around the bikes I feel fit squarely in the segment. While talking to motorcyclists that are considering the purchase of a new dual-sport, I find that many are still unfamiliar with the breadth of models available, moreover the divide in both cost and capability between the bikes at both extremes of the range.
With that in mind, I want to describe the various sub-categories of dual-sport motorcycles in more detail. I also want to highlight some of the models available from rarer brands. If you have the patience, I’m gonna take a deep dive into the specifications of various models. Lastly, I think there’s a demand for a motorcycle squarely in the middle of the segment that I don’t think currently exists from any of the manufacturers. Continue reading