Will Electric Motorcycles weather the impending storm?

Posted on December 16, 2024 by MotoADVR

News broke last week that Stark Future is releasing an “enduro” electric motorcycle based on its Varg motocross (MX) variant. The new Varg “EX” is supposed to be street legal, carry a charge for about 6 hours of ride time, weigh 264 pounds, pulls with 60 ponies, and sets the buyer back $12,900 ($13,900 gets you 80HP).

Stark has thus far capitalized where Alta seemed to fall flat. A close friend of mine recently sold his 300 two-stroke woods bike and bought a Stark; telling me it’s one of the most impressive bikes he’s ever owned. That’s high praise considering over 100 motorcycles have passed through his hands.

After years of empty promises from EV companies, I’m highly doubtful of range numbers considering the complex myriad of factors that dictate the real-world outcomes. I will say that I’m skeptically optimistic, if this new Enduro bike can pull 4 or more hours of “dual-sport” riding in eastern Kentucky, I’ll be the first to sing its praises. That said, beyond skepticism, my biggest concern with EV motorcycles is that up until now the industry’s marketing people seem to have missed the plot. Electric is not, and will not, be a direct replacement for internal combustion. EV is an alternative flavor of “fun”, with its own pros and cons.

Stop pretending

Bookmark this post, as I hope I’m wrong. Considering that electric cars date back to 1888 (the Flocken Elektrowagen), if not before, the narrative of “once battery technology advances” rings hollow. Gasoline is 13 times more energy dense than batteries by volume; hence the whole range problem; more batteries for more range is more weight which requires more batteries, reaching a point of diminishing returns. Expecting a more efficient, yet profoundly less energy-dense locomotive solution to be a direct replacement to an existing infrastructure isn’t impossible, but highly improbable considering the hurdles of chemistry and physics.

That said, electric has massive torque, emissions, and sound pollution advantages over internal combustion engines (ICE). Marketing folks should playing to those strengths instead of trying to beat ICE motorcycles at their own game. Electric vehicles have massive potential to penetrate areas that have recently closed or are off-limits to ICE vehicles; indoor and urban locations immediately come to mind. Inflating the range numbers based on the most ideal use-case is a losing battle; it’s time to focus on where electric clearly wins.

Silence is golden

Not long ago, I published a review of the SUPER73 R-Brooklyn. That review covers lots of the advantages of the e-bike “hybrid” powersports space; a years later, that segment has become more popular with the likes of the Talaria MX5, Surron Storm bee, Zero XB, and now the Varg EX. Understandably, there’s a heap of regulatory red tape that e-bikes must to overcome, however, it doesn’t change the fact that the door is now open for e-powersports in noise-ordnance-riddled urban spaces that have long since policed motorized activities out of town. Dayton currently has a significant number of abandoned public parks and golf courses. These areas, and certainly more around the country, are prime locations to rebuild a motorsports community in more population-dense areas, without offending the neighbors (Look up “Electrek Valley Bike Park”).

Now, if you engage in an online discussion about a new e-bike, without fail, you’ll hear the proverbial shout from the back, “I can’t live without the SOUND of a motorcycle”. That’s fine, we’ll always have those people, however, it’s undeniable that silence is a massive selling point for electric bikes. The ability to “hear traction” and get up close and personal with nature is something I want with a dedicated woods machine. I’ve endured countless negative dog and deer encounters thanks to my two-stroke; I’d much rather be in a position where I have the element of surprise for once. Blending in with nature, whilst hearing the front tire letting loose before a low-side crash is a superpower.

Horsepower is impossible without torque

…and electric has buckets of both. Near instantaneous torque is what makes electric so addicting; dank nooners and effortless climbs, electric motors put power to the back wheel, right bloody now. That’s the whole purpose of motor controllers, to smooth the power delivery output of the motor so that it’s usable. Personally, I’d like to see most of these bikes with a hand-operated rheostat… er “clutch”, but we’ll save that argument for a different article. The point is, electric bikes have the potential to excel in the most difficult terrain (like trials), and especially in artificial man-made terrain indoors, offering more access to more riders. Simultaneously, there’s an argument to be made about electric bikes being “cleaner” when confronting the gnarliest of outdoor natural terrain. If the industry is serious about being a force of change, we need more people like Taddy Blazuzuak competing in the gnarly races on an E-moto.

The headwinds

At the risk of being the economic doom-dealer, recession is on the horizon, if not already here. KTM’s trouble isn’t the disease, it’s a symptom. Thanks to the events of 2020, we’ve had a euphoric “boom” in the moto industry. The bust is waiting in the wings; it’s a matter of when. This week I saw a brand new ’24 GasGas 250 two-stroke enduro on sale for $6,800. That bike retails over $10k. I made a profit on my enduro 2-stroke when I sold it in 2022, today I could almost buy a brand new one with those proceeds. Stark is asking double that price for a new Varg EX. Surron wants $4,400 for a “light bee” (hybrid e-bike), and $8500 for their new Storm Bee (E-motocrosser). OEMs dealing in petrol-powered toys are slashing prices to move inventory, and but EV is asking a premium for their new technology. The good news is that considering the limited supply from companies like Stark, they’ll probably get it. However, depending on how deep the consumer gets cut over the next 2-5 years, they may not.

The internet is covered with articles about the failure of Brammo, Alta, Cake, Fuell, and Energica. Many of these companies failed in “good times”, how will electric motorcycle companies fare in hard times? I reiterate, these companies must stop trying to compete in the range department, but illustrate how electric is different, and where electric is clearly better. Moreover, by orders of magnitude, motorcycles sell on sex appeal, not their stat sheet. Simultaneously, if you can get the same number of smiles per hour, at half the price for new, and even less for used, these premium electric bikes have a tall mountain to climb. This may not matter in “good times”, but economic winter is most certainly coming.

I think Stark “has the stuff”; thus far they’ve continued to impress on all fronts. Ideally, the owners are personally invested and will weather the storm. To my surprise, Zero has held on the longest thus far, more impressive considering sex appeal is not remotely their strength. Their new XB fits exactly into my playbook (although it looks oddly familiar to a Surron…), so hopefully they’re re-baking the formula to play to EV’s strength, while the off-road segment is still growing.

Do think the electric motorcycle segment has the bright future the marketing people claim or is it just the newest thing when folks have cash to spend?

Posted in Opinion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Fixing KTM: Rebranding Pierer Mobility Group

Posted on November 25, 2024 by MotoADVR

At this point I assume everyone in the ADV space has heard the news, Pierer Mobility Group, KTM’s parent company, is struggling. There are a number of factors at play here, economic compression, growing inventory, questionable camshaft reliability, and the part I want to address, brand identity.

The logistics and financial situations are a constant battle; companies must ride the waves of the economic cycle. Certainly, the company should be making wiser decisions, like creating more realistic manufacturing targets, and tighter quality controls. Still, to right the ship, most of Pierer’s issues stem from lack of differentiation between the brands; there are simply too many roosters in the hen house.

Pierer bought the Husqvarna moniker in 2013 and then went on to purchase the GasGas label in 2019. If you walk into a dealer under Pierer’s umbrella today, you may see all three of these brands in the same showroom. For the casual buyer, you might say that you can now buy a KTM in orange, white, or red plastics. The previous statement is technically untrue, there are nuanced differences between each brand, especially when looking at the street legal options, but the premise is the same. If you’re an amateur rider looking for a dirt bike, the flavors aren’t that diverse across brands. As it stands today, KTM offers over 17 different off-road-only models aimed at adult riders, when you expand these offerings to 2 other brands, that’s an incredible amount of duplicate inventory to maintain.

Based on what I’ve heard from my local dealers, Pieier is attempting to utilize KTM as the staple performance machine, Husqvarna as their “premium” offering, and “GasGas” as their most “fun and accessible” motorcycle. I understand the marketing lingo behind these strategies, and I agree with them. Unfortunately, I think engineers, accountants, and marketing managers have failed to make these differentiations a reality. If I may, I’d like to suggest some changes.

KTM: Race Heritage

KTM has been serving up orange victory Koolaid in the Dakar Rally since 2001, and finally clinching a Motorcross 450 Championship in 2012. Today KTM is a staple in every off-road segment and is arguably the reason we can still buy a 2-stroke motorcycle in the U.S. & Europe.

KTM’s focus should be thoroughbred off-road machines, with some performance adventure machines in the mix. Today’s flavor of motocross and hare scramble machines are exactly where they should be, along with the KTM 890 Adventure, and 890 Adventure Rally bikes. The early news about the revised KTM 390 Adventure also fits well into this new vision. Ultimately the message should be, riders that want a “woods or track weapon”, buy KTM.

KTM target customer

  • Motocross racing
  • Cross-country racing
  • Performance off-road Adventure

GasGas: Rugged Off-road for everyone

For folks unfamiliar, GasGas originated in Spain. Trials has been the bread and butter for GasGas since the 90s, while their victories also include Enduro championships in the same era. GasGas’s heritage has been about tackling tough terrain, not so much about speed or winning on tracks. That experience, combined with affordability and ease of ownership should be the GasGas benchmark. If riders are interested in riding trials, enduro or hard enduro, they should be browsing the red bikes. Considering that “rugged” is the spirit of GasGas, I also think they should be offering trail bikes and dual-sport machines for prospective buyers; reliable bikes that are meant to take incredible punishment, even if (perhaps especially if) they’re in novice hands. If orange bikes are the thoroughbred race horses, the red bikes are mules meant to go anywhere.

GasGas target customer

  • Trials
  • Enduro
  • Hard Enduro
  • Rugged Trail Bikes
  • Dual-Sport

Husqvarna: Premium Technology, comfort, and performance

Husqvarna was originally a Swedish company, and interestingly enough, has roots in grand prix racing that dates back to the 30s. Considering Pierer’s current model of “Premium”, and the fact that Husqvarna actually has the longest heritage of all three brands, it seems fitting that Husqvarna should be the bread-winner with respect to emerging technology, premium components, and rider creature comforts. In line with the new Norden 901 Expedition, I think Husky should take over the responsibility of the new 1300 adventure platform from KTM. While not to belittle Husqvarna’s race pedigree, it unfortunately hallows in comparison to KTMs more recent victories, and makes more sense for KTM to keep the hard adventure segment, while leaving the premium “touring” buyers to chase after the white horses. That said, I do think it’s worth putting “special edition” models under the Husky logo; accounting for Graham Jarvis and Billy Bolt’s exploits, special edition Erzberg and 6-days Husqvarnas make sense (I know, Mani is still a beast).

Lastly, Husky should be the street bike brand. Husky re-emerged from Pierer with the Svartpilen and Vitpilen, and should continue on that journey, unchained from the styling and engineering choices dominated by off-road industry. KTM was known for its dirt bikes for a long time. Considering current damage to brand reputation, and the fact that others have suggested “KTM is a dirt bike brand with a street bike problem”, let Husky usurp KTM and offer premium road bikes in a demographic that is unquestionably distinct from the off-road community. I’m not exactly sure how to handle it in MotoGP, but it seems more applicable to put the “Motorcycle Grand Prix” brand back into premier class MotoGP rather than KTM. I’ll take that further, that is may even make more sense for Pierer to jettison MotoGP, and focus on World Superbike; albeit, that’s well outside of my wheelhouse of expertise.

Husqvarna target customer

  • Road Racing
  • Touring
  • Adventure Touring
  • Street
  • Special Editions

Without a doubt, these changes cost money; money that Pierer is already saying it needs to stay solvent. Assuming they can stop the bleeding, I still believe these changes are necessary to keep all three brands afloat. Circa 2008, General Motors was fighting this same battle. Pontiac was among the brands that didn’t survive the war. I have every reason to expect MV Agusta to be sold from under Pierer’s umbrella, but then again, I can also see the other red brand getting the axe first. Time will tell.

Assuming they stay solvent, do you think my plan will work? What changes would you propose?

Note: Hat tip to Chris Cope. These types of articles are his specialty, I hope he sees imitation is the finest form of flattery

Posted in Opinion | Tagged , , , , , | 20 Comments

Tirox Snapjack Xtrail Review

Posted on October 14, 2024 by MotoADVR

Vague front-end feel, crappy handling, the dreaded sound of hissing air, or just the “flop-flop-flop” of a tire desperately trying to find its way off the rim. A flat tire isn’t the end of the world, but it’s a significant obstacle if you don’t have an easy means to remove a wheel in order to patch or swap an inner tube. For experienced woods riders, a solution is merely a stick or a log away… but for the dual-sport and adventure crowd, sometimes finding a feasible solution to prop up the bike in a gas station parking lot is a challenge; at least not without offending the proprietor. Fortunately, Tirox has been working on a solution to this problem for several years, and the new Snapjack X-trail motorcycle trail stand is now available.

In the interest of transparency, I’ve had a standing relationship with Tirox for many years now. When the owner of Tirox was working on this new stand, we had several conversations regarding the design, so to some degree I may have had a (very) minor influence on the final product. All this to say, I have received a free X-trail stand to test. Albeit, I’ve been testing and helping to develop this product for a couple years now, I believe in the product, but I also recognize I have a bias. That said, I think the results speak for themselves.

How does a trail stand work?

In the absence of a lift, “paddock” or “pit” stand, the Xtrail works like a secondary kickstand as a way to lift a wheel off the ground to clean a chain or remove a wheel. If removing the rear wheel, a strap is used to lock the front brake, with the kickstand down, the rider pushes the bike over slightly on the kickstand, lifting the right side of the motorcycle, and placing the trail stand under the bike in a secure location. Ultimately, a trail stand makes use of a single wheel and the kick-stand to form a stable “tri-pod”.  

Why do I need a trail stand?

Per the comments above, tossing your bike over a log and finding a hardy stick is a feasible solution for removing a wheel on the trail. However, it’s more convenient to pull off a wheel and change a tire, wherever you want to. The X-trail packs easily in a pannier or a tool tube that can be fitted to your bike, behind your pannier rack, or even on your gear. The X-trail also includes a reliable means of locking the front wheel and even a reusable zip tie to hold the stand to the bike if needed. Unlike a “stick” the intent of the X-trail is to hold the bike stable so you can do the work to the bike with less fear of it toppling over.

What makes the X-Trail special

Trail stands aren’t exactly new. There are threads on ADV Rider where folks have disassembled a crutch and packed the telescopic part in the pannier bag. At this point, there are multiple aftermarket trail stands available for dual-sport bikes. That said, the X-trail is specifically designed to focus on strength, stability, and flexibility. A stick or a crutch will pivot and rotate if the bike moves. If the front tire isn’t planted, if the soil shifts, or if you rock the bike too much when wiggling the wheel out, the “third leg” of the tripod pivots, and if you’re lucky, the bike just gets “lower” and you’re not wearing it. The X-Trail’s foot is a serrated fixed platform, intended to keep the bike in a fixed position, despite standing in sand or mud. The X-Trail’s “hook” is also designed to be used in multiple positions, offering solutions for removing either the front or the back wheel, and also being useful on a wider range of motorcycles.

What’s my experience with the X-trail?

I easily spend 50% of my time riding solo, including dual-sport and even strict dirt riding. Self-reliance and redundancy tend to be priorities when riding solo. The X-trail is small enough that it could feasibly be attached directly to the bike to save space, but in my case, a tool tube is the preferred solution for transportation. Along with the X-trail, I also pack a patch kit, zip-ties, spare wire, and some fuses in the tool tube, then leave them on the bike all the time. In 2021 I spent a week living off the back of my CRF250L; during that week I realized I needed to make a tire change. I stopped at Rocky Mountain ATV one afternoon and changed both tires in the parking lot using the X-trail. It’s also been invaluable on a handful trail rides, making a trailside flat repair a minor event. There are other solutions available, including “free ones” in nature, but it’s a cheap insurance policy that works about anywhere.

Where can I get an Xtrail?

The Tirox X-Trail is available from a number of online retailers, comes with a lifetime warranty, and will set you back around $60. You can also find out more at TiroxProducts.com.

Posted in Opinion | 2 Comments

Motorcyclists beware: Road Closed Due to Culture Clash

Posted on January 2, 2024 by MotoADVR

I caught this news headline a while back, “Construction zone along I-75 facing changes after 2 fatal crashes within weeks”. I-75 has been under construction for 2 decades here in Dayton, and unfortunately the situation has finally  come to a head. After a long summer of major traffic incidents, including fatalities, the state has decided to close the interstate through Dayton. When confronted by the decision, the governor responded with:

  “Excessive speed, texting, and otherwise distracted driving has reluctantly led us to an unfortunate decision. Despite our best efforts, our State troopers and local law enforcement have simply been unsuccessful at thwarting the guilty offenders. Our public servants are simply understaffed, and despite federal aid, we cannot front the necessary resources to keep Ohioans safe. Regrettably, we must close the interstate until further notice. Once the necessary infrastructure repairs have been completed, the transportation department will reassess the possibility of reopening the thoroughfare.”

That’s ridiculous you say? Indeed, the carnage taking place on public roads in Dayton is very much true, however I crafted the fictitious response above. “There’s no way they would close the interstate!” you say. Agreed, under the circumstances I have described, they wouldn’t; it’s not culturally acceptable. However, unpaved public roads are closed under similarly described circumstances, with great frequency.  

What do you mean culturally acceptable?

While I’ve been unable to find the exact ordinance, multiple sources suggest that in Cleveland, women are strictly forbidden from wearing patent leather shoes. Imagine if you will, a law enforcement officer arresting a woman outside the theatre, because of her flashy footwear. Preposterous, but in the event an officer of the city sees a woman in patent leather shoes, that officer is choosing to let a person willfully disobey the law. How does this happen? In today’s world, It’s no longer culturally acceptable to arrest someone over their choice of shoes. Politicians know full well, demonstrations would be held in front of the county courthouse the moment that took place. Our culture won’t stand for it.

Inversely, if you want to spend twenty-geez on a side-by-side UTV, load it down with beer, and then hold the accelerator to the floor in every mud puddle you find, the locals will let you get away with it… Until they don’t. Eventually, enough complaining from residents will have the sheriff, if not federal authorities, install a gate; closing access to what was once seen as public property. Equestrians, bicyclists, hikers and bird watchers will likely retain access, moreover they’re bound to promote the wisdom of closing the byway to motorized traffic. It is culturally unacceptable to hoon around on a powersports vehicle, litter, and excessively wear public routes (especially after sundown). It is quite evident however, that it is culturally acceptable to punish the innocent by limiting access, or even outright closing areas to the public, under the guise of safety or preservation. In the end, the pedestrians outnumber the off-road community by a wide margin. In Red River Gorge, this was The Narrows Road, recently miles of trails were closed in Moab, Utah, and just last week, Flatlands Road near Suches Creek was closed in Georgia.

It’s time for a culture change

Folks aren’t going to like these terms, but this is the tyranny of the majority to quell the poor decisions of individuals while lumping them with a minority. Government funding for maintenance and law enforcement for these backcountry areas is limited. In the end, closing these areas means municipalities, counties, and park services can stop fighting a complex problem and spend that money on something that appeals more to voters. While I would love to promote a massive demonstration of off-roaders parked out front of various government buildings to protest the mass punishment of the innocent, I suspect it will be received like the “Freedom Convoy”. Our movement to keep public access unfortunately means improving our very underserved image, building relationships, offering alternatives to the rowdy crowd, and policing our own.

Seeing is believing

Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” I’d love to wait around for our great off-road freedom fighter to show up and whip these authoritarians into shape, but that savior isn’t coming. Virtually no one is going to go toe-to-toe with “city hall”, if we want maintain the riding access to public roads we have, we have to be perceived as a force for good. I type this, reluctantly, because I’m the last person to adorn my helmet with a halo and promote a message of “set a good example” for the public. Unfortunately, we have no other choice. We’re swimming up stream against climate activists, government budget shortfalls, and generations of Americans that have no idea why anyone would ever engage in a risky behavior like motorcycles. If we want to hold the line, we must band together to present a brand that non-riders want to associate with.

Off the top of my head, the first, best method is the formation (or reinvestment) of clubs with focus on supporting the local communities and the highways and byways we ride. The Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway hosts two annual events called “back the byway” where Jeepers get together to fundraise for trail repairs and pick up trash along the routes. If the local trails are littered with beer cans and candy wrappers, some folks feel less guilty adding to the squalor. If a band of motorcyclists is keeping the byways tidy, the casual passerby feels at least marginally delinquent about throwing trash on the ground, let alone how the locals perceive the club when they’re hauling bags of garbage to the dump. I recognize this is tall order; motorcyclists are typically “rugged individualists”. Unfortunately we can individually lament the loss of public access, or band together in attempt to thwart it.

Building relationships

Getting motorcyclists to join a club for a cause is one ask, having that club establish relationships with the locals, especially the authorities is another level. In most cases, the sheriff, the Park Ranger, and the locals couldn’t care less about disappointing some out-of-towner when they close a trail. That discussion becomes much more painful when they have to look a familiar face in the eye. As clubs and individuals, we have to go out of our way to meet local residents and authorities and leave a positive impression. For Adventure riders, this should be easy. If you’re grabbing a sunrise breakfast at the local diner, when you spot the sheriff, tell them to have a great day (bonus points for buying their coffee). Meeting the local park service folks may be a bit more difficult, but if you’re passing through those areas, opportunities arise, and in the interest of volunteering, have your club make some shirts, and show up to hiking trail clean up days. You’ll meet the locals, the trail support people, and maybe even some activists; subsequently you’ll get the opportunity to put a name to an otherwise faceless stranger that has been demonized as a trail destroying force. Taking this a step further is networking with the 4-wheeled organizations; they’re a larger part of the overall population and like it or not, they’re in the same boat with us. If you’re really motivated, it would be wise to befriend the mountain bikers. They will undoubtedly be less likely to understand our plight, but you’ll have your foot in the door with the pedestrian community, and while they don’t see it coming, parts of the hiker community will gladly kick bicycles off the trail when they’re done with us.

I get it, this is work. It’s much easier however to keep a trail open, than it is reopening a trail that’s been closed.

Ride rowdy

All of us have that one friend. If you don’t, it’s probably you. Wheelies in the parking lot, every incline turns into a hill climb contest, holding the throttle open and praying is easier than finding skills and talent… I can go on. These folks are apart of the community, and they’re not going away. Motorcycles attract extreme personalities; ultimately folks need opportunities to ride the way they like to ride. The first answer to this is private property. There are various motocross and enduro clubs around the country. We need to network with these organizations to get new members to the clubs that are accepting, and ideally set up public events at these spaces that offer the kind of riding the ornery folks enjoy. Events like these become maintenance and improvement fundraisers for the clubs and a networking opportunity for everyone. A similar situation can be offered by public organizations, but needless to say, most of them will balk at the possible “trail damage” caused by competition events. I want to reiterate, I’m not trying to push the rowdy riders off as someone else’s problem, to some degree these folks are simply missing the outlet they’re looking for, at the price they’re prepared to pay to engage in it.

Policing our own

When folks can show up and pay nothing to hoon around, they’re going to. Unfortunately there will be those among us that refuse to play nice with public riding areas; be it nihilism, narcissism, laziness, or deviance. Unfortunately, counter culture is as much part of the motorcycle culture as “live and let live”. Again, as individualists, I’m asking that we evolve to something beyond our station. When we see one of our own behaving in ways that will likely come at a cost to us all later, we have to say something. It’s uncomfortable and very much against my nature. Unfortunately until we build a massive off-road paradise, we’re stuck dealing with trigger happy authorities that are simply looking for an excuse to close access to off-roaders. We have to guard our brethren and prevent them from becoming said example, if we can.

Talk is cheap

Closing a road, installing a gate, passing a law, issuing citations, and publishing editorials (like this one) are easy solutions. You know what’s hard? Leading by example. In the last 3 years we’ve seen globally that telling other people what to do is easy. Proving that your actions lead to better outcomes takes effort. It’s human nature unfortunately. Doing the same thing expecting a different result is insane. If we want to strengthen our community and keep trails open, we have to do something different. We have to make the hard choices and evolve. I pray that writing this article is the first step for me personally. I hope to find at least some of you on the same “proverbial” trail in the future, headed in the same direction.

Posted in Opinion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

What is the Dakar Rally?

Posted on December 27, 2023 by MotoADVR

It’s winter in Ohio, and for many of us, that means the beginning stages of Parked Motorcycle Syndrome. Fortunately, the New Year opens with another edition of the Dakar Rally. For 2024, the Dakar rally will be a 14 day, 12 stage, ~5,000 mile adventurous rally race across the Saudi Arabian desert.

What is Dakar?

Originally the named the “Paris to Dakar” rally, the Dakar is a “rally raid” event and brainchild of Thierry Sabine. In 1975, Sabine was competing in the “Cote-Cote” rally where he was subsequently lost in the Tenere desert for 3 days. After which, Theirry decided that the desert would be an ideal location to host an annual rally. In 1978 the first rally was held, leaving Paris, France and ending in Dakar, Senegal. 182 vehicles showed for the first iteration of the grueling event, with only 74 finishing the 6,200 mile test of endurance. For 2024, the Dakar Rally expects to host over 750 competitors, including 137 motorcycles.

What’s a Rally Raid?

“Rally Raid” or cross-country rallying is a type of off-road racing that typically takes place on an unmarked course where the participants race from start to finish, never traversing the same terrain twice. Navigation is typically the defining factor of rallying, since the course is not marked, the racers must ride as fast as they can, while still reading their road books or following their GPS depending on the event. Dakar in particular has been known for its road book navigation, which has changed dramatically in recent years. In addition, rally races often use portions of public roads to connect offroad sections. Rallies like Dakar may be 5,000 miles, but only portions of that distance are off-road. Road sections are often called “liaison” sections, where riders must arrive at the start point for the off-road “special” at a certain time, but while on the liaison sections riders are not timed to avoid problems with local traffic and speeding.

What’s a Road Book?

Road books, “roll charts”, or “scrolls” are paper maps, often “rolled” through a roadbook holder that shows the rider navigation information, one block at a time. The roll chart contains blocks of information that show distance, direction, hazards, intersections, and indication of the course direction based on this information. Riders progress the road book as they pass various milestones by rolling up to the next navigation note. You can buy a simple manual roll chart holder for your dirt bike, but pro rally racers usually have a “rally tower” on the front of their bikes that hold the roadbook (along with various other navigation and safety equipment) and progress the roll chart by pressing a button the handlebars.

What makes Dakar special?

There are a number of prestigious and well-established rally races around the world, but most competitors recognize the Dakar rally as the most challenging. Most years, the Dakar rally has no less than 10 days of racing; often with a single “rest” day in the middle. Riders and their teams must prepare their machines & themselves to compete at the highest level, traversing off-road timed-special sections in excess of 200 miles each day, for nearly two-weeks. In Dakar there are time penalties for speeding, engine swaps, missing waypoints, among others, meaning that precision and efficiency are every bit as important as speed. In recent years, Dakar also includes a two-day “Marathon” stage, where riders are responsible for all routine maintenance on their machines. They may receive assistance from other competitors, but their team and mechanics are barred from helping the riders fix anything broken or in need of service on their bikes.

Most of the front runners are sponsored riders by factory teams like Honda and KTM, but the Dakar has a special class they call “Malle Moto” that harkens back to the roots of the rally. “Malle” is French word for “case”, essentially a tote of personal belongings, tools, and spare parts, which is all the Malle Moto riders get besides a tent and their bike. Malle Moto riders are the hardest of competitors, racing hundreds of mile each day, working on their bike all evening, then getting as much sleep as possible before the process begins the next day. Many Malle Moto competitors only get around 4 hours of rest each night aside from the rest day. Sleep deprivation is a big deal for all competitors during the two week event, and especially for these unsupported competitors.

I would be remiss to mention, race direction works very hard to make the even safer each year. Unfortunately, multiple competitors are injured each year at Dakar, and more regrettably, the rally has claimed the lives of various competitors over the years. Unknown rugged terrain, sleep deprivation, marathon stages and more make for the ultimate endurance challenge.

How do I fallow the Dakar?

The Dakar rally is returning to Saudi Arabia again in 2024, which means that the race is 8 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time in the U.S. Most days the special sections are wrapping up by the time the sun rises on the east coast, so you can typically check the results on Dakar.com in the morning to see how the day went. Dakar also has an app you can download on your phone if you prefer mobile. The Dakar YouTube channel will feature recaps and highlight reels almost every evening. The sports networks may drop the occasional update video, but if you want to see some of the best coverage, download Red Bull TV on your smart TV or cell phone. Red Bull’s “Dakar Daily” as they call it, is ~20 minute recap of each day’s racing, featuring epic video of the action and scenery, along with racer interviews as they paint the best picture possible of what it’s like to be at the rally. There are also a couple Podcasts out there that do  a great job of covering the action each day, occasionally getting interviews directly from the competitors.

This year Americans Ricky Brabec and Skyler Howes will be racing for Monster Energy Honda likely near the front of that pack, but be sure to keep an eye on Aussie Toby Price and German Matias Walkner racing for KTM, along with Brit Sam Sunderland and his Aussie partner Daniel Sanders on the GasGas rally bikes, with last year’s winner, Argentinian Luciano Benavides is riding for Husqvarna. Also be sure to keep an eye out for for announcements from the American Rally Original team if you’re looking to follow more U.S. competitors in this year’s event.

This year’s Dakar Rally starts Friday, January 5th. If you’ve not tuned in to follow the rally in the past, here’s your next chance.

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Motorcycle Economics: Shifting Demographics

Posted on December 19, 2023 by MotoADVR

In 2019, no shortage of press was dedicated to the impending demise of Harley-Davidson as a consequence of boomers aging out of the hobby. Social media and the comment section of such articles were loaded with remarks about “grey beards” being out of touch, killing the brand, and so on. Ironically, what has not been discussed, is how a related demographical shift may likely have a larger impact on our motorcycle community and even the bikes themselves… globally.

Aging demographics

Demographics is less than an exciting topic on a motorcycle website, but hang with me, it’s relevant. Back in the 80s, folks in Japan realized they were on the cusp of population decline. Quietly, the Japanese began moving their factories from the mother island to the United States; utilizing the booming American workforce as a means to filter profit back to their homeland where labor was becoming scarce. As a result, today Honda’s are arguably the most “American made” automobile in the U.S., and Japanese companies like Toyota are the most in-demand vehicles on dealer floors. Meanwhile, Japan’s population is shrinking at a rate of about 800,000 people a year.

While Japan is the most notable example of population decline and economic-demographical shifts, there are other major regions headed this direction. Russia has been in (birthrate) population decline since the 90’s, but more concerning on the motorcycle front is Europe, and especially China. Some demographers believe that China’s population may have actually peaked in 2021. Germany, the 4th largest economy in the world (after the USA, China, & Japan), is struggling with a birthrate of 1.5, but is still managing to sustain its population through immigration; experts question if this is sustainable. Italy’s population has been in decline since the mid-2000s, while much of Eastern Europe is in far worse shape with extremely low birth rates and a rapidly aging population. As of now, western Europe, especially France and the UK are maintaining, however, most of the first world, the United States included, have birth rates lagging behind the replacement rate; presently hovering around 1.6.

Inversely, today much of Sub-Saharan Africa is leading the world in population growth (Niger’s birthrate is 7.2). As motorcyclists however, we would be wise to notice that as of this year, India has surpassed China as the most populated nation on earth, and unlike much of the first world we know, India is still holding up a birth rate above 2. For folks unfamiliar, India is the home of Bajaj, Hero, and Royal Enfield. Royal Enfield likely needs no introduction, but domestically, Hero and Bajaj are less than household names. Based in New Delhi, Hero MotoCorp began as a joint venture between Hero Cycles and Honda in the 80s but evolved into an independent company around 2012. Dakar fans will undoubtedly recognize Hero as they’ve been competing in the endurance rally since 2016. Bajaj on the other hand has made lots of headlines in recent years from its partnerships with premium brands like KTM and Triumph. The Bajaj Group currently manufactures KTM’s single-cylinder Duke models, along with the powerplant (if not more) of the new Triumph Scrambler 400.

Unanticipated consequences

While I see Yamaha as an exception, the Japanese monikers have become stale. Honda and Suzuki have both launched new powerplants in recent months, unfortunately, both companies continue to “play it safe” with offerings that aim center mass at target customer use-case while offering the sex appeal of the Sears catalog. Suzuki is said to have one foot in the grave for years now, but regarding Big Red, I want to be excited for the new TransAlp. Unfortunately, I continue to scratch my head when I consider Honda’s approach to the ADV market. The heavier, more displacement, or higher priced the model, the more off-road it leans; seems inverted to me. All 4 Japanese companies formerly dominated off-road but now seem to be ignoring the growth of hard enduro, while softly conceding an 18-inch rear wheel, and if you’re lucky, a 6th gear for hare scrambles. Again, Yamaha has kept their sole two-stroke mill on life support, but it’s tough to be optimistic considering Japan’s almost sole focus on track racing, be it on or off-road. Certainly, I welcome views to the contrary, regrettably, I believe these behaviors are indicative of the cause. It’s a dramatically aging population, with a shrinking workforce. Combined with cultural risk aversion, this has led to slow to no innovation and development in our niche (hobbyist) industry.

Europe is still selling smoking hot bikes, but outsourcing is growing in popularity. It’s interesting to think that the Bavarian company (known for boxer twins) offers its middleweight adventure motorcycle fitted with a Chinese powerplant. That’s not an insult, simply an observation to draw attention to the stark contrast from its former nationalism; combined with an interesting partnership of contrasting (perceived) stereotypes regarding quality & precision. The other German-speaking brand, KTM follows suit, including their 790 Adventure arriving on U.S. Shores in 2024. While I don’t see BMW nor KTM being damaged by outsourcing, in fact, quite the contrary, I mention these two examples because I believe it’s a hint of the future. Intellectual property is likely to be driven from the countries of corporate origin, however, manufacturing is likely outsourced to “younger” demographics that can more affordably assemble the products.

I hate to say it, but I fear China is a flash in the pan. I took a ride on the CF Moto Ibex 800 last September. Probably one of the best test rides I’ve had since I can remember; that bike was bonkers and even better on my favorite “roads”. With that, I’m extremely excited to see a new 450 twin adventure bike on the market. That said, as best as we can tell, much of what is coming out of China is a result of a partnership, not invention. Historically Chinese companies have had a reputation for intellectual property theft. As stated above, we know that designs making the headlines have originated in Europe but are built in China and then licensed for alternative applications. As I see it, we’re on the cusp of a Japanese invasion-like moment akin to the 1970s with regard to China. However, China’s population, culture, and politics are dramatically different than that of Japan circa 1980. Unfortunately, I fear that by the time Chinese companies perfect design and innovation on par with name brands, it may be too late for Chinese manufacturing and infrastructure. Even with a reliable outsourcing model, China has some steep hurdles ahead as the shadow of the “one-child policy” looms over the labor force.

India however, is just hitting its stride. Royal Enfield (RE) is the easy example here. The longest continuously operating motorcycle manufacturer in the world; there’s a caveat of course, because RE made the exact same bike for decades. However, they have a whole new plant, with all new models; innovation is increasing, as is the national population. India, and the motorcycle companies based there, are hitting the sweet spot as industrialization is offering locals the opportunity to specialize. Intellectual property is being generated under the same (proverbial) roof as manufacturing, which avoids the consequences of outsourcing. And as of now, labor costs are lower, relative to the consumer. Bajaj of course is benefiting from European development, however, India is not fighting the same headwinds of political and demographic struggle facing the Chinese. As Triumph, KTM, and others bolster single-cylinder offerings in their lineups, it will be interesting to see what new innovations may emerge from India in the future.

History is littered with false prophecies

I want to reiterate, this is speculation on my part. Moreover, I don’t wish ill will on any person, company, or nation. I read the news, I watch behavior, and draw conclusions. Conclusions that could be blatantly false. The demographics aren’t exactly fixed, but for many, the die has been cast. Outside of Japan, much of the industrialized world only knows a “system” of continuous growth. As more and more citizens shift to fixed income, and fewer and fewer young people enter engineering and tool trades, economic contraction stunts industries, and exports will change. I work in engineering and automation; perhaps the future will be similar output with fewer humans and more robots. Plausible solution, assuming we can maintain the customer base and investment capital. Nonetheless, demographics are undoubtedly going to shape the motorcycle offerings of the next decade.

A thousand words have been dedicated to my theory. How do you see this playing out?

Notes:

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Moto Adventurer Unscripted: Winter Podcast update

Posted on December 12, 2023 by MotoADVR

After another summer of riding and racing, the Unscripted Podcast is back on the air. My apologies as life took a firm hand on the wheel last spring, but we’ve got a solid list of guests lined up this winter.

Episoside 54: Matt Kelley

Matt Kelley is a motocross, cross country, and trials rider. a seasoned adventure rider, big-bike enthusiast, in 2018, Matt Kelley was part of Team USA competing in the BMW GS Trophy event in Mongolia. Matt tells us about his upbringing in motorcycles, the various toys hiding in his garage, and how he enjoys the challenge of riding adventure motorcycles off-road. Matt gives us all the details about what it’s like to participate in the GS Trophy challenge.

Episode 55: Jeff Pierce

Jeff Pierce is a long-time friend Navy veteran, and Red River Scramble volunteer. I helped Jeff build his Harley Dirtster back in 2018. Before we met, Jeff purchased a new KTM 990 Adventure and rode from Ohio to Alaska and home. Jeff and I get into all the details about what it takes to ride to Alaska, how to pack, what to expect, and every rabbit hole along the way.

Episode 56: Kane Wager

Kane Wagner is an Air Force veteran and the owner-operator of Appalachian ADV adventure touring and training company. Through his company, Kane hosts a series of adventure riding events in eastern Ohio and central Pennsyvnia along with and rider training clinics. Kane and I talk about what to expect when attending one of their events, what kind of terrain to expect, and so much more.

Episode 57: Drew Faulkner

A flip of the script, my buddy Mark Scherrens decided to put me in the hot seat for 2 hours. We talk about what its like to not only race a hare scramble, but what it’s like to race an adventure bike in Kentucky. We talk about how I first got into racing in KXCR back in 2020, how the series first launched the ADV class, and what riders should expect on the courses. We cover preparing a big bike to race a hare scramble, how to prepare yourself, what kind of gear to wear, more blurbs about adventurizing a Triumph scrambler and more.

Episode 58: Dana Brown

A returning guest to the show, Dana Brown and I talk about his recent motorcycle accident and then making a career change as a motorcycle saleman. We talk about sales trends and the changing motorcycle market in his district around Charleston, South Carolina.

Episode 59: Brian Ballard

Brian Ballard is the owner of A&J Cycles in New York. A&J specializes in helping customers customize their bikes with high-quality aftermarket parts, from headlights to suspension. Brian and A&J Cycles also sponsors a flat track race team that competes across the country. Brian and I talk about his love for Triumph twins, customizing bikes through the winter, and the amazing family that is the off-road racing community.

This is just a preview of what we have on tap this winter. If you’ve not tuned into the Podcast before, check out Unscripted on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcasts, and more.

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An Open Letter to Yamaha: Revive the 350

Posted on December 5, 2023 by MotoADVR

Dear Yamaha,

Please build the trifecta of tree-fiddies.

The Tenere 350

At this stage, I shouldn’t need to convince anyone that putting an MT-07 engine into an adventure frame and launching an all new 700 adventure bike is a good idea. That idea was so good, I think Yamaha should take it further. Please revise the R3’s twin cylinder engine to 350cc and place it into a bespoke adventure frame, and launch an all new T3 for the ADV crowd that is clamoring for more Light adventure motorcycles. This new rally-esque machine can take cues from it’s larger sister, while offering a superior choice over Honda’s 300L Rally or Kawasaki’s Versys-X 300. This new T3 would need to bring at least 3.5 gallons of gas to the party, be equipped with at least 10-inches of suspension travel, wear a 21/18-inch wheel set, and weigh in close to 350 pounds. It’s understandable that beating the 300L Rally’s weight of 330 pounds may prove difficult for a twin engine, but as long as this new T3 tips scales under the Versys-X, KTM 390 Adventure, & the new CF Moto MT450 Adventure, and brings 37 ponies to the party, it’s a winning formula.  

The SCR350

Honda has decided to revisit the classic CL models by launching a new 500cc scrambler using its existing 500 twin engine. Triumph has just dropped a new set of 400cc Scramblers (standards). It’s evident, that despite some grumblings from moto-journalists, the Scrambler craze is here to stay. Wedged somewhere between the MT03 and the new T3 described above, there’s an opportunity here to ruggedize an XSR300-esque machine to offer a true scrambler from the Blu-Cru. While I recognize that this is mostly “a styling exercise” when street bikes get round headlights and high-pipes to capitalize on nostalgia, building a 350-twin based on an existing ADV machine offers the opportunity to recruit new riders that want to dip their toe into the ADV world, but aren’t ready for full commitment and don’t want all the farkles & wiz-bang. Simultaneously, it offers a true standard motorcycle with marginally more suspension travel to tackle the deteriorating road conditions of America’s urban centers. While Honda’s SCL500 is a stylized Rebel 500, I think it wiser for Yamaha to take a page from Triumph’s book and offer a mono-shock machine with 6-speed gearbox, 19/17-inch wheel combo, 6-inches of suspension travel, and tipping the scales under 400-pounds.

The WR350R

The hole left by the WR250R is palpable. In the absence of the Dubya-Ar-Ar, Honda and Kawasaki have both bumped the displacement of their quarter-liter dual-sports to three hundred. These new 300s are better suited to short interstate trips than ever before, but still lack the gusto offered by many of the European street & trail alternatives. There was never a better time to dust off the blueprints of the mighty 250R, and bump the displacement to 350. As WR owner myself, I’ll gladly concede, a new 350cc engine in the legacy WR250R chassis would already be a massive improvement over the competition; both Honda and Kawasaki’s options are tipping the scales over 300 pounds, while the classic WR stood a svelte 5 pounds lighter. 11-inches of suspension travel is still best in class, but I believe there’s an opportunity to offer an “extreme” package for the most aggressive dual sport riders that offers 12-plus inches of suspension travel akin to the WR250F. This idea is twofold. First, fools like myself enjoy riding from driveway to trail and home, with zero compromise off-road. Second, considering that Honda’s CRF450RL tips the scale at 289 pounds, a WR350R-x could be a direct competitor in terms of performance, but still extremely approachable with regard to price and serviceability.

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The 500 Adventure Motorcycle is the New 800

Posted on November 28, 2023 by MotoADVR

On the heels of EICMA1, there’s undoubtedly a lot of new blood emerging in the adventure motorcycle segment, especially at the bottom end of the displacement range. As more and more models are being released out of Southeast Asia, I’m getting T7 teaser vibes circa 2017. Coincidentally, I get the distinct feeling there are eerie similarities between today’s economic conditions and the shifting motorcycle market in the 80’s. I’ve been asking for some time, what motorcycles will replace the big 650 thumpers, and I believe we’re about to have the answer.

Big moves out of China

Kove burst on the scene last year with their 450 Rally. In January of this year, the Chinese company entered 3 of these bikes in the Dakar Rally, all of which finished. We can have an argument about competitiveness, but for a brand new rally team, from an unknown manufacturer, it’s a hell of a testament to reliability to finish what is arguably the most strenuous test of man and motorcycle. The latest news is that American Mason Klien has been recruited to race for Kove next year, so it will be interesting to watch those bikes perform in Dakar ’24 with someone of Klien’s caliber at the helm. The first retail Kove 450’s have already arrived2 here in the U.S. Their rally-ready race bikes are available for around 13 grand, but for the rest of us dirt-Gumbys, we can get street-legal 450 “adventure” bikes for around $9,000 (not including tax freight and fees).

While I fancy the idea of riding from driveway to hare scramble and home on something like a Kove 450 rally, I admit I’m most excited about CF Moto’s new 450 MT Adventure. For dirt bike and dual-sport folks, “450” is a ubiquitous term, and if you’re looking for a deal, there are endless listings of WR450s for sale on various marketplaces. CF Moto, however, is launching a 450 twin-cylinder engine in this new adventure platform. Unlike Kove, CF Moto is a Chinese company that already has established ties to big name brands; CF Moto builds the 790 engine for KTM, which it has also licensed for their Ibex 800 adventure platform (which I’ve ridden, it’s excellent). Considering Honda’s reluctance to “harden” the CB500X for more rugged off-road conditions, CF Moto seems to be pressing the envelope in the “lighter” direction; with all the adventure accoutrements we have come to expect.

The oldest continuously operating motorcycle brand

Royal Enfield was once a nostalgic moniker or a bad joke in motorcycle circles depending on who you were talking to. Since 2013, Royal Enfield has been on a path to expand its footprint and improve its product lines (it now sells more motorcycles globally than Harley-Davidson). I distinctly remember the launch of the Himalayan in 2016, since then RE has launched new 350 & 500 singles along with 650 cc twins. Last month Enfield officially pulled the cover off the completely new 450 Himalayan we’ve seen so many spot shots of. While less revolutionary than a 450 twin (by modern standards), this new Himalayan dual-over-head-cam thumper is pumping out more ponies, boasts upside-down front forks, longer travel suspension, and with electronic rider aids is a completely new animal compared to its 410 predecessor. The Himalayan of yore was undoubtedly capable, but lacked the performance that many ADV buyers prefer; depending on price, this new 450 is yet another capable adventure offering on the bottom end of the displacement scale.

Lighter is… cheaper?

2020 raised a whole new crop of off-road and adventure enthusiasts; dealership floors were picked clean, and part sourcing became challenging. While the latter may linger, the former are now unquestionably inverted. Less devout motorcyclists are shedding their toys and the dealership floors are flush with new models. All of which signals to me, we’re on the cusp of change. While Europe and Japan seem to be keen on offering performance, comprehensive electronics, and premium pricing whilst bumping displacement in the emissions fight, smaller more affordable offerings seem to be blooming elsewhere. The middleweight class continues to expand and become popularized as more adventure bikes tackle hard enduro and hare scrambles. Meanwhile us mortals realize that while the bike is capable, we lack the saddle time; but with a little less weight and manageable power, we’ll feel less intimidated by more rugged terrain, while still enjoying our creature comforts on the pavement. If continued economic pressure keeps new motorcycles on this path of unaffordability, I believe we’ll see increased expansion in this space. Perhaps then, I can finally convince Honda to put some real suspension and a 21” wheel on that 500 of theirs…

  1. EICMA, the “Esposizione Internazionale Ciclo Motociclo e Accessori”, is an annual motorcycle trade show in Milan, Italy.
  2. Special thanks to Jaden Russell for the Kove 450 Rally photo, follow him on Instagram @Rally_Russ

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How to Build a Motorcycle Tool Kit

Posted on November 9, 2023 by MotoADVR

The answer to this question is as unique and diverse as the motorcycles said tool kit will be servicing. That said, at some point a rider is planning a long trip, is nursing an aging machine, or is preparing for a race and it becomes evident that some sort of tools will be needed to service the  bike in the field. But how does one get started?

Factory tool kit

Want to hear a good joke? “Factory tool kit”, get it? Before I got into motorcycles I’m told many bikes were shipped with basic tools from the factory. That’s all but evaporated for most street bikes, however there are marked exceptions. KTM and Ural both provide excellent tool kits with their motorcycles. If you’re outside of the U.S., the CRF300L is shipped with a tool kit in the lockable side case. KTM’s adventure bike tool kit typically includes axle wrenches, spark plug wrench, necessary hex keys or Torx bits, small spanners and more. In most cases, the factory tool kits won’t be the most comfortable tools to use, but they’re compact and typically the bare minimum tools to fix most basic trailside calamities as long as you have a spare tube, some tape and a little know-how.

While not “factory”, several brands also make aftermarket tool kits that are available from various retail outlets. Unlike the factory kits, these kits try to cover the range of commonly needed tools without size or shape specific items. Most of these kits are an assortment of sockets, spanners, pliers, and ratchets. Unfortunately when it comes to axle wrenches, most of these kits will be lacking the larger hex sizes, so it will still be necessary to source these items, which are also less likely to fit in the kit, and find a place to put them so they don’t get lost.

How do I build a bike specific tool kit?

If your starting point is a factory kit or an aftermarket solution, in almost every circumstance, you’ll find yourself looking for additional tools to put in your kit, “just in case”. Similar to “risk acceptance”, one’s comfort level with “preparedness” varies wildly, which undoubtedly shapes the capacity and capability of a given tool kit. Thus, regardless of your parameters, I recommend going over your motorcycle for the following activities, and writing down the type and sizes of the tools you use.

Minor adjustments

On any given track day or trail ride, you may need to adjust levers, handle bars, fix hand guards, adjust a carburetor, suspension, and tighten loose fasteners. On metric bikes this typically means 8, 10, & 12mm spanners or “box end wrenches” for hex-head bolts. Depending on the bike, you’ll need to decide if simple spanners can do the job, or if a socket and extension bar is necessary to reach bolts or screws. Sockets with a ratchet are almost always faster and more comfortable, but it means having a container that holds the sockets or lord help you if you drop one in the woods. On the other hand you can typically pick up spanners cheap at a garage sale and most tool kits have elastic slots for wrenches, and if you’re spendy, you can even find titanium wrenches to save weight. A combination screw driver with flathead and Philips are almost always needed, bonus points if you can put Torx bits on the end. Hex keys or “Allen” wrenches are almost always needed, and if you own an Austrian machine, Torx or “star” bolts are extremely popular. Make sure you take the time to check the sizes required; I’ve taken shortcuts in the past and realized I didn’t pack a larger Allen wrench needed to tighten my hand guards after a crash. Fortunately a zip tie held the parts in place, but I had to replace that bolt that backed-out on the trail later. 

Fix a flat

After the most basic items, fixing a trailside flat is likely the next order of business, especially for off-roaders. To be prepared for a flat, you’ll need tools to remove the wheels, which includes wrenches for the axle, hex keys or wrenches to loosen pinch bolts, and sometimes, special tools to remove “inverted” hexes up to 18 – 22 mm. To remove the tire you’ll need tire irons or “spoons”. Some folks like to pack a “bead buddy” to hold one side of tire while they spoon on the other side (I just use an iron and my knee). Depending on space and expertise, you’ll need a patch or plug kit, a spare tube, and a valve core removal tool (they also sell valve stem covers with valve core removers). To save on elbow grease, I recommend a valve stem “puller” and a travel bottle of shampoo. Getting the valve stem to poke through the rim when you’re stuffing it into a muddy tire is a pain, so the valve stem puller makes that a bit faster and a little water from your hydration pack and some soap helps the bead slip over the rim. If you’re deep in the woods it’s not tough to find a tree or a  log to rest your bike on to pull off a wheel, but if you’re out in the open, a trail stand like the Tirox Snapjack or X-trail is a good investment if you have the space to carry it.

Field fixes and attachments

Fouled plugs are less common these days, but lord help you if you drown your bike in the creek. Fixing a swamped bike sucks, but it happens. In that instance you’ll likely need a spark plug wrench for most singles. You may or may not need to remove the tank to access it, so you may need wrenches for that. Sometimes oil sump drain bolts are an odd size, so be sure to check that so you can change the oil in the auto parts store parking lot later that evening.

After Ergos, tires, and plugs, it’s wise to pack items like zip-ties (of various sizes), electrical tape, a length of electrical wire (I recommend 10-12 gauge), side cutters or “dikes”. Some electrical issues are simple and can be fixed by swapping a fuse or twisting some wires together, but for maximum preparedness, you’ll want a multi-meter. A wise adventurer packs JB Weld (two-part epoxy), which will typically repair a small puncture in an engine case or attach something important that cracked or fell off the bike. Lastly, while it does everything but is good at nothing, having a multi-tool or pocket knife is almost never a bad idea. Sometimes a mini-saw will remove a precarious tree limb or you need to cut the shielding off some wire or cut paracord for a tow strap. Speaking of which, I’ve used tow straps on more occasions than I care to admit.

Where do I put all these tools?

The trusty “tool roll” has been around for a very long time. Many a Harley are still rolling around today with a leather tool roll attached to the fork yokes. Lots of the luggage brands make canvas, tarpaulin, or textile tool rolls with zipper pockets and elastic slots for various tools. The hardware store often sells water-resistant zip-top canvas bags, and the before mentioned aftermarket tool kits almost always come with a nice storage case. For most of these solutions, packing a tool roll or bag usually means attaching it to the bike, storing it in a pannier or fender bag.

For racers and off-roaders that are concerned about poorly placed weight on the motorcycle, some folks choose to “wear” their tools. Several major brands make waist belts and hydration packs with tool compartments. I raced for two seasons with a waist pack and was a big fan, other than the redundancy of having to slug on a tool belt and then a full hydration pack before each race. WLF Enduro now sells a “Pack Vest”, akin to the tactical vest modern soldiers wear. Said Pack Vest has since replaced my previous setup and I have no intentions of going back.

Prepared for anything

The longer the ride and the more remote the ride the more prepared you want to be. In the same vein, there’s a school of thought that suggests that even if you don’t know how to use a tool, it doesn’t hurt to have it because it may be easier to find a knowledgeable bush mechanic than a model specific tool. As you familiarize yourself with your bike and gain more skills, you’ll likely find that you don’t need to carry as many tools or you may find ways to combine one tool into two (I’ve cut wrenches and welded opposite ends together). For dedicated pavement travelers, sometimes a phone and a credit card is enough. Roads are built for travel, so if you sit along the roadside long enough, eventually someone will happen by. For off-roaders however, the ability to fix a flat or tow a fellow rider is priceless as tow trucks seldom traverse the best parts of the holler.

To check out a full list of what I pack for Adventure, dual-sporting, and racing, check out my personal tool list.

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