Upshift Issue 84 - August 2023

Lean angle traction control

2 ride modes

21"/18" wheels

Versatility without compromise.

The road quickly disappears behind you as you turn off the asphalt and engage offroad ride mode on the fly. the mighty single powers you smoothly along the trail. With its cutting-edge electronics and nimble chassis, you’re prepared to take on any terrain you choose.

INSTA-ADV

The mission is simple, if you want to share your adventures on “insta-adv” you’d better start following us! @upshift_online and use the hash tag #upshift_online on your photos

CHOOSE TO HAVE IT ALL

The new Tiger 1200. It’s the world’s most capable, agile and maneuverable large capacity adventure motorcycle. It’s also significantly lighter and more powerful than its closest competition, with class leading handling, capability and specification, plus all of Triumph’s T-plane triple performance advantage. All of which combine to deliver exceptional capability and performance on the tarmac, and the most dynamic, exciting experience off road.

The all-new Tiger 1200 family. Now with every advantage. From $19,595 MSRP. Find out more at triumphmotorcycles.com

THE RIGHT TOOL FOR

Over the past decade the number of dual sport adventure bike options has increased substantially. While choice is a good thing, the growing amount of dual sport models has made it increasingly difficult to decide which bike is the right tool for the job. In the world of adventure riding, there are so many “jobs” which has driven the production of all these various “tools.” After years of manufacturers new and old entering the adventure bike market, the toolbox now runneth over with choices. From the agile 250cc bikes to the 1301cc Titans, each model finds its proper user because every rider has a different list of jobs that need doing.

To us the “right bike” is never going to be same for every use case, and that’s okay. Sure, if there was a bike that magically did every job perfectly it’d be convenient, but finding (or creating) the suitable machine to meet your demands is an enjoyable challenge. It all comes down to what you plan to do with it. There are full-sized behemoths to tackle cross-country miles with ease, mid-sized adventure bikes for those who want to mix their single track and road riding, and of course smaller lightweight bikes capable of the most technical terrain. The challenge of meeting the job’s demands with the right tool is part of what makes dual sport adventure riding so fun. Every choice has trade-offs, causing your bike to be uniquely capable of your specific goals.

The key to finding the right bike is simple: be honest in your riding ability and your riding plans. A 500-pound bike is not the machine for a novice that wants to hit the dirt. On the other hand, a 250cc dual sport bike wouldn’t be a solid choice for a 100-mile daily commuter. It’s great to be swept up in the marketing hype on a new bike, and, if manufacturers are doing it right, you should be. However, enthusiastic riders is what this industry thrives on, and marketing hype can only carry people for so long. So in the interest of riders enjoying the sport for the long haul, I say choose the bike designed for the jobs you have for it. The better you know yourself and the more knowledgeable you are of the bikes that are available, the happier and more confident you will be choosing your next new ride.

FOR THE JOB

Mosko Mule Adventure Roller Bag

The Mosko Mule is a new roller luggage system designed to haul all your travel gear for international fly-to-ride trips and staging from your truck for local trail rides. The top and bottom portions separate easily into two bags to check at the airport or use with just one bag for trips with less gear.

The top portion has an expansion zipper for added volume to go from 150 liters to 175 liters, while the folding internal frame allows the bottom portion to collapse for shipping and storage.

The Mule luggage system comes with separate internal organization bags, including helmet and boot bags, plus one large and two smaller universal zippered packaging cubes. (The packaging cubes are also designed to work with our Backcountry Panniers for double duty.)

Built with 100% recycled PET 900D polyester ripstop fabric and reinforced with ultra-tough hypalon sections in high-wear zones, this beast was built for serious long-haul ADV travelers and enduro riders who want moto-specific luggage. The Mosko Mule Adventure Roller Bag is available for pre-order now if you’d like to reserve yours and be the first to receive it. Comes in black. Mosko is expecting delivery sometime in August 2023. Note: If you plan to purchase pre-order products and regular in-stock products, please place two separate orders so your in-stock items ship now. Otherwise, your entire order will be held until your preorder products arrive. For more information visit www.moskomoto.com

Muller Motorsport Ducati Desert X Steering Stabilizer Mount

The Ducati Desert X is a standout addition to the Adventure Motorcycle market, quickly becoming one of Ducati’s top selling models, and for good reason. One area that can benefit from some improvement is the steering stabilizer and our friends at Muller Motorsport developed an elegant kit to mount a tried and true Scotts Performance steering stabilizer to your Desert X. This kit comes with everything you need to mount a Scotts Performance offroad stabilizer to your Ducati Desert X. **Scotts Performance Steering Damper Unit sold separately.

Includes a custom armature to be installed on a Scotts Performance unit. It also includes a simple press to install the armature that is included. Mount: $260.00 Scotts Damper: $255.00. Both are available in the UPSHIFT STORE.

Scorpion EXC XT9000 Carbon Trailhead Helmet

The all-new XT9000 Carbon was engineered to meet the demands of the serious Adventure Rider by striking the perfect balance of features and materials for both on and off-road. Each helmet is carefully hand crafted using an aircraft-grade, resin-infused 3K Carbon fiber shell that provides superior strength and impact dispersal in an extremely light weight chassis.

The Peak Visor’s aerodynamics were designed to help keep buffeting and lift to a minimum when riding at high speeds. And if the highway is your primary terrain, or if you’re riding away from the sun, the peak visor can be easily removed to allow an even more streamline aerodynamic profile. When your adventures take you off-road where goggles are preferred, the face shield features a tool-less system allowing you to easily and quickly swap your shield for goggles. The wide eye port allows for greater peripheral vision and accommodates most sizes and brands of goggles. Another unique feature only seen in ScorpionEXO helmets is the Airfit liner inflation system, which allows you to customize the fit of your cheek pads, which also helps significantly reduce wind noise, buffeting and lift. MSRP: $529.95 www.scorpionusa.com.

Available from September, 2023

RESTORE YOUR FACTORY FINISH

MOTO SHINE MS1

THERE’S A NEW SCENT IN THE AIR

• Perfect, high-gloss shine

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• Anti-static, dust repelling sheen

• Easy cleanup, mud releasing, protective film

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YOUR FINISH

Follow us:

model shown.

PHOTO: MOTOMORGANA

PHOTO: JENNY LINQUIST

PHOTO: TRAVIS GILL

PHOTO: TIM BURKE

THE NEW WORLD CONQUEROR

WORLD-CLASS DURABILITY AND FUNCTIONALITY / KEEPS YOU DRY AND COMFORTABLE IN GLOBALLY DIVERSE CLIMATES / CUSTOM-BUILT KLIM/D3O® AERO PRO ARMOR / WORLD’S FIRST CE AAA-RATED ALL-WEATHER GEAR

BADLANDS PRO A3 JACKET & PANT / KRIOS PRO HELMET

THE WORLD JUST GOTALOT SMALLER WITHTHE POWERFUL PERFORMANCE,ADVANCEDELECTRONICS,ANDANY-ROAD CAPABILITIES OFTHEALL-NEW2023V-STROM 800DE.

Shift your adventure into a higher gear. Developed from a clean sheet of fresh ideas, the new Suzuki V-STROM 800DE features an advanced new parallel-twin 776cc powerplant complemented by dynamic rider aids, long-travel suspension, and spoke-style wheels. So, when you’re idling at the crossroads of on- or off-road adventure, the V-STROM 800DE is there to advance whatever direction you choose.

IN DEALERSHIPS NOW

Along with concerned conservationists everywhere, Suzuki urges you to Tread Lightly!® on public and private land. Suzuki, the “S” logo, and Suzuki model and product names are Suzuki Trademarks or ®. © 2023 Suzuki Motor USA, LLC

PHOTO: MOTOMORGANA

PHOTO: OLIVIER DE VAULX

PHOTO: TIM BURKE

PHOTO: CHAD DE ALVA

PHOTO: MICHNUS OLIVIER

PHOTO: MOTOMORGANA

PHOTO: CHAD DE ALVA

PHOTO: DAVID MARVIER

DEFEND YOUR VISION

SCOTT GOGGLES - PROSPECT AMPLIFIER

The Prospect goggle from SCOTT Sports is our favorite goggle currently available. SCOTT’s Prospect is their flagship off-road motocross goggle. The Prospect goggle has everything you need to ensure your vision is the best it can be on the track or trail. With perfected features such as the NoSweat face foam, a maximum field of vision, the innovative SCOTT Lens Lock System, articulating outriggers and much more, the super-stylish SCOTT Prospect goggle has been engineered to Defend Your Vision no matter how extreme the conditions get.

AVAILABLE IN THE UPSHIFT STORE

BLUE/WHITE - ROSE LENS

BROWN - GOLD LENS

BROWN - ROSE LENS

By Tom and Caroline www.motomorgana.com

For three days we suffered in the blistering Malaysian sun to get our motorbikes as clean as possible. Australia is particularly strict about anything that might possibly threaten their “bio-security,” and after the thousands of miles on sandy, rocky and muddy tracks, the dirt was pretty much everywhere on the bikes. A quick trip to the car wash definitely didn’t do the trick. On the parking lot of the hotel next to the customs office, we scrubbed all the nooks and crannies of the bike with a toothbrush. For a full day we worked with Nazli, an extremely friendly Malaysian who customized our crate with perfect accuracy. Our bikes got a final 24h gas treatment to give every hidden critter the final blow and after a swift customs inspection, they disappeared into the hold of the airplane to Australia.

Australia , The Belgian Way

We were dressed in shorts and T-shirt as we landed in Melbourne, on the Australian south coast. Given the cold temperatures, this turned out not to be the most thoughtful of outfits for the Australian winter. Rick, a Belgian who lived and worked in the city, had reached out to us through Instagram and kindly offered us a bed. We had decided to take him up on his offer last minute, although we absolutely didn’t know him. It was a little uncomfortable at first, but we soon realized that Rick was an amazing person.

Cayirhan, Turkey

The peephole for customs inspection, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The view over the marina of the Docklands from our temporary homebase in Melbourne.

Packing the bikes in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Camping again at last! Victoria.

Assembling the bikes on the parking lot of a random Melbourne DIY store.

We couldn’t believe our eyes as he showed us our bedroom. The entire side wall was made of glass from bottom to top, with a view over the city. “Just wait until you see my living room!” 180° view of the Docklands with its marina, one of the trendiest neighborhoods in the city. In the background, the Melbourne skyline. “Have you guys had dinner yet?” “Eh no, but don’t bother Rick, we can handle ourselves.” That was not what Rick was like. In no time he came up with crusty bread, a delicious cheese assortment and a deliciously homemade salad. It had been a very long time since we last had that, and it tasted divine! Rick opened a wonderful bottle of red wine, and as the conviviality swelled, another bottle followed.... and another. Our first night in Melbourne was one to remember.... the second night too, and the third. We truly enjoyed his company and hospitality, the stories among fellow countrymen, those little things we had missed for such a long time.

Time For The Bikes!

We almost forgot about picking up the Huskies. Australian customs didn’t quite excel in upfront communication, but after five days and many phone calls, our mission at the airport was finally about to start. Our cleaning effort in Malaysia was rewarded and the actual bio-security inspection took no more than 5 minutes. A few hours later customs also gave their blessing, but assembling our bikes in the warehouse at the airport was an absolute no-go. Australians are strict ... extremely strict. “The rules are the rules, mate.” It wouldn’t be the last time we were told so. We had no choice but to rent a small truck and pick up the entire crate, avoiding extra storage costs of USD600 a day. We have a budget to take care of after all. Suddenly we found ourselves in downtown Melbourne with an entire crate on the back of a pickup truck. How on earth do we get this thing off? With a couple of beers, we managed to convince an employee of a random DIY store to help us out with his forklift. We were allowed to assemble our bikes in a covered corner of their parking lot. “No worries mate, all good!”

The Great Ocean Road in Victoria.

The Great Ocean Road

We were so excited to be back on the road, at last. We quickly scored synthetic oil and chain lube, which we were not allowed to take on the plane, and then headed straight to the Great Ocean Road, a breathtaking 150-mile winding ride along the south coast of Australia. With Australian food prices twice as high as in our home country, the difference with Southeast Asia - where you dine for a dollar and a half - couldn’t have been greater. In Australia we would go camping again and cook for ourselves, two things we both love but hadn’t gotten around to for months due to the heat in Southeast Asia. At the end of the first riding day, we ended up on a soggy campground, cooking food from the discount supermarket on our trusted little petrol stove. The pit toilets had an awful smell and there were no showers around. It was 35°F outside. Some people would say we’re crazy, but we just absolutely loved it!

We rode on past villages with a handful of inhabitants and evocative names like Jamieson Creek, Sugarloaf and Warrnambool. We were amazed by all the natural shapes of the Tasman Sea: The Razorback, The Twelve Apostles, The London Bridge. Over and over again, we found ourselves chatting way too long with the few crazy cheerful Ozzies we bumped into. We got rid of our neat and correct English. “Rooooait behooooaind the staaaaition, just befooo’ Macca’s to the roooait” (Right behind the gas station, just before McDonalds to the right). We’ve become accustomed to the many mullets you see all over the place and even got to the point where we started appreciating them more and more, as part of authentic Australian culture. Not that I have any plans in that sense for myself, don’t get me wrong.

Lovely track riding in the forest around Mount Taylor, Victoria.

Humpback whales in the Tasman Sea, New South Wales.

Lovely track riding in the forest around Mount Taylor, Victoria.

Kangaroos, Koalas and Whales

Camping sites were often little more than an open field full of kangaroo poop, an open kitchen, and a pit toilet. If we got lucky there was a hot shower. Those who know Australia from TV probably get the impression that all of the country has ideal surfing weather all year round. We got up in the morning and scratched a layer of ice off our motorbike seats. Imagine, they have winters here!

A nighttime visit to the toilet can turn out to be quite surprising too. All of a sudden I realized I was surrounded by about fifty big kangaroos grazing happily in the meadow. Nobody ever told us that these animals live mainly at night and absolutely don’t care about a tent and two motorcycles. “Excuse me, could you maybe just let me pass, I have to go to the bathroom.” One leap is all it takes for them to be five meters away. “Cheers mate!”

Kangaroos were all over the place. We saw them every single day. Koalas however, were a different story. Many Ozzies admitted they had never seen any in the wild and kindly referred us to the zoo. But after some deep research, Caroline had discovered they lived on Raymond Island, just off the coast between Sydney and Melbourne. We merely got the kickstand out as we spotted our first fluffy friend in the eucalyptus tree right above us, and it wasn’t the only one around for sure. Half the island was infested with koalas, while the other half had been colonized by kangaroos.

The Snowy River Way. Remnants of the forest; the 2021 forest fires. New South Wales.

Kangaroos are all over the place! Paynesville.

This time of year, the great northern migration of whales is at its peak. These massive mammals have gorged themselves on krill and plankton in Antarctica before seeking warmer places for the winter. Caroline and I celebrated our 15-year anniversary - how quickly time goes by - and decided to treat ourselves to an afternoon of whale watching off the coast of Merimbula. Chances of seeing these huge marine animals were particularly high, the boat captain assured us. Some 400 had passed by every single day over the past few weeks. But that day, as it turned out, they were hiding particularly well. For an hour and a half we had been floating in the ocean and the captain got visibly annoyed. Until we suddenly spotted two humpback whales. Adrenaline rushed through our bodies as we admired a mother humpback whale with her young at play. We followed them for a full hour and were treated to an unforgettable experience!

Away From The Coast

We had seen enough ocean and animals for now and really wanted to go to the more remote areas, with endless roads leading to the horizon far away from the touristy areas, where life is hard and people are even more unintelligible. “There’s no snow in the mountains yet and that is quite exceptional for the time of year. You can ride the Snowy Mountains Highway if you want!” Snow? Do they have snow in Australia at all? We rode through Kosciuszko National Park past a string of closed ski resorts and ended up on that famous “highway,” no more than a remote two-lane road that is paved at best. But the views were phenomenal, and the gravel tracks further north were a welcome change. The evening sun turned the lakes along the road to Tumut into impressive mirrors, and emus, the Australian version of the ostrich, were added to our wildlife checklist.

Koalas on Raymond Island, Victoria.

Raymond Island, Victoria.

Wee Jasper Road, New South Wales.

Emus in the wild: check, check, double check! Tumut, New South Wales.

The Razorback. Great Ocean Road, Victoria.

Melbourne Harbor.

Leaving early is never an option here in Australia. It takes at least until 11AM for our tent to dry in these cold temperatures. At 5:30PM it gets dark and we stop driving, because that’s when the wombats come out. Except for the many dead ones knocked over along the road, we haven’t had the chance to see one alive. Australian body shops are all too familiar with them and cars here all have bull bars on the front bumper for a reason. These heavy short legged marsupials -weighing up to 35kg- don’t have the best reputation to say the least. A few times, it happened that we got the timings wrong and had to ride in the dark to reach our destination of the day. But usually the tent is up by dusk and we start cooking. It is not uncommon for us to be in our sleeping bags around eight o’clock. The cold is quite exhausting and the silence here is just blissful. It usually doesn’t take longer than fifteen minutes before we actually fall asleep.

Today we pitched our tent in Wollongong, about 30 km south of Sydney. We are close to the beach where many Ozzies walk their dogs. We have yet to spot the first dog turd or lost candy paper here. Everything is spotless and the locals greet us with a cheerful “How’s it going mate?” Life can be beautiful!

For the next few weeks, we will have visits from the home front so we won’t ride our bikes for a while. But after that, we will dive straight into the Australian Outback! The bikes won’t stay clean for long.

Conviviality prevails in Rick’s apartment. Melbourne.

The Snowy River Way. New South Wales.

2023 SUZUKI V-STROM 800DE

Suzuki has a new adventure bike on the market: the V-Strom 800 DE. Riders who are familiar with V-Stroms will no doubt be thinking of a V-twin powered bike at this point, but the 800 DE is a V-Strom only in name – for it is powered by an all-new 776cc parallel twin. Housed in an allnew chassis with 220mm or 8.7inches of fully adjustable front and rear travel, a 21 inch front and a 17 inch rear wheel, this new ‘Zook is the most dirt-focused V-Strom ever. Yet the middleweight adventure bike class is full of good bikes, so what is Suzuki’s interpretation of a modern, middleweight adventure bike like?

Seeing a new bike in person for the first time is always an exercise in scrutineering. Prior to this point, you’ve studied marketing photos and made assessments about the bike based on its spec sheet, but those impressions are all subject to change when the bike is standing in front of you. Our 800 DE has the bright yellow and dark blue livery, and in person it looks good. The angular tank shrouds feed into the beaked nose and stacked headlight that make the bike look very Suzuki. It’s new yet on-brand, and apparently it’s quite the head turner based on the way people respond to it when riding around town.

BY CHAD De ALVA

SUZUKI V-STROM 800DE

Glass Matte Mechanical Gray

Sitting on the bike for the first time, the seat makes a great first impression with its comfort and position. The fuel tank occupies a reasonable amount of space between the knees, and holds 5.3 US gallons of fuel. The bars are quite raked back as delivered, yet that puts them lower and closer to the rider so they’re well within reach. Turning the bars to the steering stops exacerbates this unique feeling caused by super raked bars, but it’s just a trait to get used to. The cockpit feels like a comfortable place where you could cruise for hours on end, and other than setting lever position to my liking, I’ve been happy with the bike’s ergos.

Looking forward beyond the bars, you’ll find the 5 inch TFT display, which is bright and easy to read. The 800 DE is ride-by-wire, so the TFT is where you’ll find the throttle curve setting, traction control setting, ABS setting, and all the usual bike metrics like trip distance, temperatures, and consumption. On the left side of the display is a USB port that supplies 5V at 2 amps for charging the navigation device of your choice. Interfacing with the TFT is done with a three button interface on the left hand control cluster.

Beyond the TFT, the 800 DE’s windshield is compact, but it can be configured in three positions to help riders dial in the airflow to suit their preferences. The overall cockpit reminds you of a DR 650 in that you’re sitting more on the bike, as opposed to in the bike like many other modern adventure bikes. For everything but high speed riding where wind protection is a welcome feature, sitting on (versus “in”) is a nice change in cockpit experience.

Press the start button on the right-hand control cluster and the DE 800’s motor purrs to life. The stock exhaust is very polite (reserved), but we know the aftermarket is working on changing that. The motor responds instantly to the throttle, and here is where you’ll appreciate the benefits of a ride-by-wire throttle and the Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (SDMS). The C setting provides the softest, most linear throttle response. B provides a little more aggressive throttle response, and A provides the most aggressive (read: fun) throttle curve. Each curve has a noticeable difference in performance, and the A curve provides for a very fun, torquey motor that pulls all the way to peak power of 83 HP at 8,500 RPM. Things are a touch buzzy around 5,000 RPM, but that’s more of an observation than a complaint. The motor is great, and I can’t wait to see how it responds to being able to breathe freely.

Other rider aids show up in the form of traction control, of which there are five presets: Off, Gravel, and three Street settings. ABS is either off on the rear wheel, or in mode 1 or 2, with mode 2 providing more aggressive intervention than mode 1. It’s important to note that there is no Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) on the DE 800, so ABS performance doesn’t factor in pitch or roll angle. Fun fact: with stock tires and the ABS set to Off, doing stoppies is possible on pavement while sitting. With knobbier tires like the AX41’s that we fit, the bike will just ABS to a halt.

SUZUKI V-STROM 800DE

On road with the stock tires, the 800 DE is a treat to ride. Its torquey motor pulls hard out of corners, the well-calibrated quick shifter executes every gear change you can throw at it, and the feeling of sitting on versus in the bike makes for a great riding experience when you’re sampling some twisty-windy two lane. No matter the shape or elevation profile of a corner, the bike holds a line and tracks through like a champ. Yet when the speeds increase, say on a freeway, the stock windscreen isn’t going to do much in the way of screening wind for the rider. How exactly the screen works for you depends on several variables, but for my ADV helmet on my 6 foot one inch frame, I found the low position to give me the best airflow characteristics with a helmet full of undisturbed air at freeway speed. On road is also where you’ll find yourself missing cruise control, which isn’t a thing on the 800 DE. (Dear Suzuki: Add cruise control for model year 2024. Sincerely, Everyone)

To better assess off-road performance, we mounted and balanced a set of Bridgestone AX 41 tires and ultra heavy duty tubes. The 800 DE comes with tubed tires, so this tire swap is an easy process. With known tires in the game, we set out for some of our favorite off-road routes to see how the 800 Dual Explorer (DE) handles exploring dirt roads and just a little bit of off-road hoonery. Okay, maybe more than a little.

The 800 DE is a dynamic bike in that it can go from delivering a reserved utilitarian experience to a more aggressive exhilarating experience all depending on how far you twist the throttle. Moseying down a dirt road in a seated position is as easy as drinking a cup of coffee. The bike is perfectly happy to just idle along and take in the views.

SUZUKI V-STROM 800DE

The new line of Trekker ALASKA cases has been expanded with the arrival of the 56-litre top case, which can hold two modular helmets, the epitome of design and quality. In natural or black powder coated aluminium, equipped with the classic MONOKEY® Locking System in addition to the innovative WIRELEASE ® system.

ALA36B 36 LTR BLACK PAINTED ALUMINIUM SIDE CASE

ALA44A

TOP CASE MONOKEY 44 LTR, ALSO AVAILABLE IN BLACK

ALA36A 36 LTR NATURAL ALUMINIUM SIDE CASE

ALA56A

TOP CASE MONOKEY 56 LTR, IN NATURAL ALUMINUM. CAN HOLD TWO MODULAR HELMETS

SUZUKI V-STROM 800DE

It does a great job with road imperfections, embedded rocks, and corrugations while maintaining the exact line you set it on, so it’s very easy to ride at a relaxed pace. With its comfortable seat and bar position, the bike is great for cruising the dirt roads of the world. Adventure bikes don’t have to be ridden in attack mode to be enjoyed, and the 800 DE is capable of delivering a great riding experience at a leisurely pace.

For riders who prefer to enjoy their dirt roads in the standing position, the 800 DE has the legs to deliver the aforementioned aggressive exhilarating experience. With the rubber inserts removed from the foot pegs and the rear brake lever adjusted up to a proper off-road position, the 800 DE becomes a solid off-road adventure bike. The bodywork does let the rider move their knees forward and aft on the bike while standing, but the narrowest spot will lock your legs into one position. Riding in the standing position will also make the impacts of the bike’s raked out geometry more evident, as the bike isn’t what I would call light on its feet. The upside to this geometry is that the bike goes where you point it through soft sandy sections and down lumpy bumpy roads without getting knocked off course. Seriously, it’s uncannily good at holding a line through rocky sections. The downside is that making quick alternating turns on singletrack takes more effort.

In the suspension department, the weak link is the rear shock, which will bottom out when the bike is jumped or run into a G-out at speed. Yet its fully adjustable design means that it’s a much better starting point than other Japanese bikes on the market. A few clicks here or there may be all some riders need, and valving / springing for a given rider should make this bike quite capable for most riders. In stock form, the bike’s boingers allow for a respectable pace, and a bit of rowdy off-road riding. As soon as you ride over a log that’s too big, or put a little too much air under your tires, you can almost hear the 800 DE politely reminding you that you’re getting a little too rowdy.

Suzuki has a great bike in the 800 DE. On one hand, it is a very approachable bike that can deliver miles of smiles on the road, and it’s a great option for exploring gravel tracks and dirt roads. If you’re looking for a balanced adventure bike that isn’t made to be ridden at full throttle in attack mode, the 800 DE is your huckleberry. On the other hand, experienced riders can still have a great time on the 800 DE. I have to admit that the bike exceeded my expectations with what it could do off-road with the help of some AX41’s and a more aggressive approach to riding. A proper skid plate would be a good call for anyone who is going to push it off-road though. Make no mistake about it, the 800 DE can explore singletrack and power slide corners all day long if you ask it to. That’s what’s neat about this bike: you can have a perfectly utilitarian commuter and townie during the work week, and on the weekends you can go get a little rowdy with your buddies doing everything from carving canyons to exploring off-road.

Suzuki says that DE stands for Dual Explorer, and while they’re certainly correct in that the bike does a great job exploring routes both paved and dirt, DE should really stand for Dirt Express, because the V-Strom 800 DE is like an express train in the dirt. Its fun motor and plush suspension make it great fun for riding on everything from freshly bladed gravel to dirt tracks and back roads. Suzuki has delivered a great option to the middleweight adventure bike market. Go to www.suzukicycles.com for more information.

@_drew_martin_

Premium, reliable, protective. R7 Mask, easy headlight swap. See and be seen, better.

SUZUKI V-STROM 800DE

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine Engine 776cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC parallel-twin Bore x

Fuel System Fuel injection Starter Electric

Lubrication .............................................. Force-fed circulation, wet sump

Drive-train ............................................... Clutch Wet, multi-plate type Transmission ........................................... 6-speed constant mesh

Final Drive .............................................. O-ring style chain, D.I.D. 525 x 126L

Chassis

Suspension, Front Inverted telescopic, coil spring, oil damped

Suspension, Rear Link type, single shock, coil spring, oil damped

Brake, Front Nissin, 2-piston calipers, dual 310mm discs, adjustable ABS-equipped

Brake, Rear Nissin, 1-piston, single disc, adjustable ABS-equipped

PAN AMERICA POWER

2024 KTM ENDURO — CROSS COUNTRY

Bullet Proof Designs is an industry leading manufacturer of Billet Aluminum off-road protection guards and accessories. We build guards that are cutting edge, innovative and purpose built to protect your motorcycle. All of our guards have a lifetime Warranty.

BY CHAD DE ALVA

Bullet Proof Designs KTM/HUSQVARNA ADV Guards

Bullet Proof Designs (BPD) is best known for products like their radiator guards and other protective hard parts that have been protecting dirt bikes for years. BPD also has a line of wheels, and they’ve been applying their extensive experience making top shelf protective parts for dirt bikes to making protective parts for adventure bikes. In no particular order, here are some of the Bullet Proof Designs ADV Guards available for the KTM 790/890 and Norden 901.

Rear Disk Guard / Rear Caliper Guard

If you ride your adventure bike off-road, it’s only a matter of time before your rear rotor runs into a rock or other trail obstacle. Depending on how that interaction goes, your ride could come to a stop quite quickly, should your rear brake rotor get damaged. The BPD Rear Disk Guard is the “install it and never worry about it again” solution for completely protecting your rear brake rotor from harm. I have the dirt bike version of the BPD Rear Disk Guard on both of my KTM dirt bikes, and with a combined ten years of use and hundreds of hours of smashing into all sorts of rocks, all I’ve been able to do is beat up the leading edge of the guard – proof positive that they work as advertised. The ADV version has a beefier 1/2inch thick shark fin to better withstand ADV use.

The Rear Caliper Guard might strike some riders as a bling part, and that’s a fair assessment. It’s pretty darn hard to hit the rear caliper on an adventure bike. However, it’s not hard to catch the rear ABS cable on a passing branch, bush, or something else that could snag or damage the cable, and that’s the real value of the Rear Caliper Guard – keeping that ABS cable safe.

My only wish for the Rear Disk Guard and Rear Caliper Guard would be the addition of the bosses that exist on the factory brake caliper bracket that help hold the wheel in place during installation. These bosses make holding a roughly 40 pound wheel in place easier while you’re pinning the axle in place, so hopefully they’ll make it into a design revision. Yet even without these bosses, the Rear Disk Guard / Rear Caliper Guard is a no-brainer for any rider who likes to adventure bike in the rocky places of the world.

Rear Brake Master Cylinder Guard

Another ride-ender if damaged is the fitting on the rear brake master cylinder – and the Bullet Proof Designs Rear Brake Master Cylinder Guard is the answer. This part installs in a minute, and completely takes this potential failure point out of the equation.

ADV Guards

Case Saver

If you’ve ever seen what a chain breaking can do to an engine case, you’ll know why you need this part. If you haven’t seen what a chain breaking can do to an engine case, just know that it’s very expensive, and very not fun to deal with in the field. The Bullet Proof Designs Case Saver brings all of the protection to your engine case, and it’s slotted design makes cleaning mud and other schmoo out easier than the stock cover. A detail I appreciate here is the included cover for the gear position sensor, which is much better than the plate that other case savers on the market utilize. The BPD Case Saver should be a day one upgrade.

ADV Footpegs

Many riders opt to install larger foot pegs on their adventure bikes to give them more control and more leverage. Bullet Proof Designs adventure pegs are both wider (front to back) and longer (pivot point to peg tip) to provide a larger surface to stand on for more comfort and more control when steering with your feet. Traction is adjustable with user configurable set screws, or the studs you see in the photos. Make sure to use blue threadlocker on the traction screws when installing. The studs on our pegs provided completely locked in levels of grip to the moto boots we regularly ride with, which is great for getting after it off-road where you really want to stay connected to the bike. If you’re looking for an adventure sized peg, the BPD ADV Foot Pegs are a great choice.

All of Bullet Proof Designs protective parts are designed and manufactured in the United States and backed by a lifetime warranty. While I’ve never had to submit a warranty claim in the years that I’ve been using their parts, I do keenly appreciate the fact that I can pick up the phone and talk to a knowledgeable human at BPD to get my questions answered. Judging by the scratches and gouges on my rear disk guards, I can confidently say that BPD dirt bike parts work as advertised, and I expect nothing less out of their ADV Guards in the years to come. For more information, visit: www.bulletproofdesigns.com.

BY CHAD DE ALVA

Scorpion EXO XT 9000 Helmet

Making a good adventure bike helmet is a tall order. The process is essentially fusing an on-road and an off-road helmet into one, and just as with the process of making an adventure bike, making an adventure helmet can’t be done without some compromises. Scorpion EXO’s latest adventure helmet, the XT9000 is an impressive helmet to behold – and it has a solid feature set that makes it a worthwhile contender for riders who like to enjoy riding on-road just as much as they like to play in the dirt.

Pulling the XT9000 out of the box for the first time is impressive. The helmet has outstanding fit and finish, and just exudes quality. Scorpion makes their helmets from raw materials in-house – they’re not whitelabeling helmets from another manufacture and it shows. While other helmets feel like they’re slapped together with loose tolerances, the XT9000 is an example of exacting tolerances. On the back of the helmet, you’ll find a sticker indicating that the helmet has the latest DOT and ECE homolgations.

Moving up to the peak of the helmet, you’ll find a quarter-turn fastener in the center and a screw-type fastener on each side holding the peak in place. Undoing the quarter-turn fastener is step one to removing the shield which snaps off with a firm tug. With a little practice, this can be completed in no time at all, and I appreciate the tool-free process. A couple of detents on either side of the helmet hold the shield in place between the up and down end points. In the box you’ll also find a tinted lens and a pinlock insert, which makes for a fog-free shield much like good snow goggles that are fog-free thanks to their double-lens design.

Fit is the subjective part of any helmet, as human heads come in all shapes and sizes. What fits me well may not fit you well and vice versa. I’m normally a size large, and the large XT9000 fits the crown of my head well. Cheek and side fitment of the XT9000 is adjustable, thanks to the Airfit system in which a little pump on the chin bar can be used to inflate a small bladder on each side of the helmet to adjust the cheek pad to face engagement. In playing with the Airfit system I was able to improve the XT9000’s embrace of my head, so I like the idea. Our other test rider, however, found no improvement in fit in playing with the system, so it’s a case of “your mileage may vary”.

TESTED: Scorpion EXO XT 9000 Helmet

Speaking of cheek pads, the other notable feature here is the emergency release system. By pulling the red loops on the bottom of the cheek pads, you can easily remove the pads from the helmet while it’s being worn, which makes the process of removing the helmet from a rider with a suspected cervical spine injury much easier. Both the cheek pads and crown liner are easily removable for washing too.

On road, the XT9000 works well for a peaked helmet. Aerodynamic and ventilation performance are on par with other top shelf helmets in which I’ve logged hundreds of hours. Again, this assessment is subjective – your bike, windscreen, speed, height, body position, and weather conditions are all going to factor into whether a helmet has good aero or ventilation when you’re cranking on the slab. The XT9000 is a helmet that I wouldn’t hesitate to take touring, and since removing the peak is so easy (and has no impact on the shield) going full road-mode is a viable option for long, windy, days crushing freeway miles.

In the dirt, the XT9000’s shield seals well, and the helmet is goggles-compatible with both the shield up or removed. Ventilation is again on par with other top shelf adventure helmets, even with the fancy chin vent removed for maximum airflow. A long day riding in constant dust did seem to have an impact on the shield’s detent mechanism, but the mechanism can be disassembled and cleaned as needed.

My only complaint with the XT9000 is that the hard angles on the bottom of the shield impact your field of vision. With the shield up, the helmet has a great field of view, and works well with both Scott and Klim goggles. But once the shield is down, those edges in the shield take away a significant part of your visual field.

The other feature the XT9000 comes with that has no value to me is the action camera mount. This mount is installed over the chin vent with a screw, and it provides a place to stick a GoPro mount. Doing this will cover the screw, so you’ll have to pry off the GoPro sticky mount if you want to completely remove it. Using a Dango Designs action camera mount is a much easier alternative.

All said and done, the XT9000 is a well-made helmet that provides good performance both on road and off. The peak is easy to remove, as is the shield, which means configuring the helmet as needed or just taking the shield off for cleaning is a frustration-free process. The Airfit system will be a welcome feature for some riders, and the easy to remove pads are just one more feature that will make living with this helmet that much more enjoyable. If you’re in the market for a well made helmet that comes with everything you need, thanks to the pinlock and tinted visor, the Scorpion XT9000 is definitely worth trying. For more information, visit: www.scorpionusa.com.

This scenic 355-mile loop weaves together rugged two-track with some of the most incredible pavement you’ll ever ride. Ranging from wide-open prairies to dense aspen forests and filled with historical points of interest and abundant wildlife, the Black Hills BDR-X offers a perfect introduction to what riding BDR is all about.

BMW MOTORRAD | MOSKO MOTO | GAIA GPS | EDELWEISS BIKE TRAVEL

:::A TASTE OF NORTH AFRICA:::

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY TRAVIS GILL - WWW.VIAJARMOTO.COM

We could already feel the early heat of the late spring creeping through our mesh riding jackets. Although it was only early May, the 90-degree (32°C) heat of the northern Africa afternoon was reaching my personal limits of comfortability. “Let’s pull over to that roadside market and grab a cool drink,” I relayed to Chantil via our Bluetooth headsets.

“Good plan,” she replied. “It looks like the market has a refrigerated cooler in front.”

We parked our two motorcycles next to the tiny market and removed our helmets. Even our moderate-sized 650cc mules looked ginormous compared to the standard variety of Chinese-branded small scooters that populate the roadways here. Our modern mesh riding gear, enduro helmets, and boots made us appear to have arrived from another planet. No hiding it – we were obviously tourists.

Before we enter a new country, we try to learn a bit of the local language. We’ve found that the standard phrases of “hello,” “goodbye,” and “thank you” go a long way when greeting locals of a foreign country.

“Aslema,” I said as we approached a young couple who managed the market that was only a bit larger than a storage closet.

The gentleman replied with a smile, “Aslema. You look to be on a long journey. Where are you from?”

Our reply of “The United States,” surprised both of them. “We started our motorcycle journey from California and have been riding throughout Europe over the past few years.”

We purchased two sodas and enjoyed their refreshing coolness in the nearby shade of an olive tree. As we were leaving, we waved to the young couple and thanked them with a friendly smile – “Chokran. Thank you.”

They smiled back, grabbed a pair of oranges and a loaf of flat bread from their market, and followed us to our mules. “Please take these as a gift for visiting our country. We hope you find Tunisia to be welcoming.”

“Thank you so much. I’m sure we’re going to have a wonderful experience here in Tunisia.” It was our first day in the country and we were already having some cherished memories.

Tunisia – So Close Yet So Far From Europe

Since leaving North America, our overland travels had focused on the European continent, so we were especially excited to be entering our first African country. We were surprised how different Tunisia is from its neighbor Italy. Although only 85 miles (135km) of Mediterranean Sea separate these two countries, they couldn’t be more contrasting from each other. Tunisia was such a unique experience from anything we had come across in our travels thus far. The religion, architecture, food, and various sites were so different from Europe that it was invigorating and exciting. Each day seemed like a new adventure to discover!

A Country Defined By Religion

Cultures are often defined by their religious beliefs, and Tunisia is no exception. Islam is the state religion with more than 98 percent of the population identifying as Muslim. Mosques of all sizes, stand prominently in the cities and small villages, where the rhythmic chants of the call to prayer, known as Adhān, are recited from the minaret towers five times a day. We noticed that many women wear head scarves, called hijabs, but they were not mandatory. It was especially common to see young women wearing western-styled clothing without a hijab. Tunisia is one of the most progressive Arab countries and we almost always felt comfortable wherever we visited.

Islamic Architecture

We found the religious architecture and design of Tunisia to be refreshing. The symbolism, Arabic typography, and geographic designs, expertly carved on the mosques, ceramic painted tiles, and brightly colored wooden doors was impressive. You could see the dedication and reverence of artisans through their exquisite craftsmanship. One of our favorite activities was walking through the medinas and souks to experience the millennia-old markets. Narrow covered walkways with small shops selling pottery, silver, brass, traditional rugs, silk scarves, oils, perfumes, and unique souvenirs were a delight to the senses. We especially enjoyed walking through the medinas earlier in the morning, before the vendors set up their shops, where we feasted on the vibrant colors and intricate patterns on the doorways, and ceramic tiles.

Maggots – It’s What’s For Dinner

Speaking of feasting – how was the food in Tunisia? We have mixed feelings. First the positives. Food is less expensive in Tunisia compared to Europe – especially bread and locally-grown products. We got plenty of exercise while shopping for meals, because we had to go to numerous markets. Items such as meats, fruits, and vegetables were all purchased at separate specialty shops. Ordering your ground beef while standing next to large meat-flanks hanging in the afternoon sun was a unique experience. We even observed a family ordering a chicken meal, and watched as the live chicken was butchered immediately outside the restaurant. Now that’s about as fresh as you can get!

It was common to see locals selling seasonal fruits and vegetables from wooden carts pulled by donkeys or mules. We purchased a watermelon that was easily the sweetest and most crisp we’ve ever tasted – It truly was heavenly!

Now for the bad news. Tunisia will officially go down as the first country in which we were served maggots. Nope, we didn’t order them – they came free of charge with our lamb stew dinner! They were conveniently hiding in the poor-quality meat, and thankfully Chantil noticed them before we took a bite. Pretty disgusting! The crazy thing is that the restaurant was rated 5-stars on Google Maps!

Diverse Sites To Explore

Tunisia has a lot to offer for those looking to explore and learn more about the history and culture. Some of our favorites included military ribats, century old mosques, Roman ruins, Berber villages, and the most northern point of the African continent.

A huge advantage of riding in Tunisia is that it’s not widely visited. Tourism is still in its infancy, especially compared to other north African countries like Morocco and Egypt. Most of the places we visited were hardly occupied, and in a few cases, we were the only visitors.

Ancient Ribats and Mosques

While riding through the coastal city of Monastir, we stopped to explore the impressive military ribat. This Islamic defensive structure was originally built in 796. Throughout its 15-century lifespan it’s undergone improvements and changes to include watchtowers for artillery and the addition of two mosques. It was especially enjoyable to walk to each of the watchtowers that offer wonderful views of the city and nearby seaside.

Another site worth visiting is the Great Mosque of Kairouan. This mosque was first established in 670 AD and is considered to be a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. Its first use of the horseshoe arched walkway is a notable design feature that has continued to nearly all future mosques. The majestic and decorative minaret continues to be the oldest surviving minaret in the world and has become a model for all future minarets of western Islam.

Main image by Upshift Online

Preserved Roman History

Do you want to visit some of the most preserved Roman ruins in the world without the insanity of overabundant crowds? Tunisia’s got you covered with three Roman-era UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Carthage, the Roman Theatre of Dougga, and El Jem Amphitheater. There are many others that are notable as well, including the Roman Forum of Sufetula and the Mactaris Archaeological Site. We relished in the relaxed pace of these ruins, where we could enjoy taking photographs without tourists and the bumptiousness of large tour groups.

The Berber Region

The south of Tunisia is where the green fields of the north fade into the brown desert canyons and orange sands of the Sahara. Wild camels dot the countryside, often roaming across the sand-covered roadways. Dwellings are made of stone or thick-walled mud to protect the occupants from the harsh desert heat and regular sandstorms. This region is home to the indigenous Berber peoples, a distinct ethnic group that are direct descendants of stone-aged civilizations that predate the arrival of the Arab migration.

While visiting the town of Douiret, we had the pleasure of spending a night in a unique Berber settlement that was dug out of the earth. These 23 ft (7m) deep homes are built around a large pit that becomes a central courtyard with various sized rooms tunneled around the circumference. The cave rooms were surprisingly cool, despite the hot temperatures of the surface.

Geographical Extremes

We are both fascinated with geography and geographical extremes. One of our goals is to reach the rideable geographical extremes of each continent. The Americas have Prudhoe Bay, Alaska in the north, and the end of the Pan-America Highway in Ushuaia, Argentina to the south. Europe has North Cape, Norway and Tarifa, Spain. In Africa the extremes are Cape Angela, Tunisia and Cape Agulhas, South Africa.

We were surprised by the remoteness of this region of northern Tunisia, despite only being a 30-minute ride from the coastal city of Bizerte. The final kilometer (0.6 miles), to reach Cape Angela, required navigating dirt roads – easily accomplished with our dual sport pack-mules. Upon reaching the northern-most coast, we were greeted with a cool sea breeze and the well-crafted aluminum monument of the African continent. The whole experience was definitely worth the detour, especially the afternoon swim in the Mediterranean Sea.

More of Tunisia to Come

As interesting as all of these sites were, there were a few more places that we wanted to visit before returning to Italy. These sites were the main reason for us visiting Tunisia in the first place, and they all stem from a summer blockbuster movie from 1977. More adventure awaits…

About viajarMOTO

Travis and Chantil Gill started full-time motorcycle overlanding in early 2020 with the hopes of seeing and experiencing the different countries and cultures of the world. You can follow them on their website at www.viajarMOTO.com.

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2023 Americade RALLy

Words and Photos By Alex Kelly

As I threw my leg over my bike at 7am getting ready to head to the 40th anniversary Americade Motorcycle Rally held in Lake George, New York, I wasn’t sure what the day would entail. Having attended bike rallies for the past two decades, I’m used to the old school mentality — bike rallies are for the hardcore Harley crowds where you will see Hell’s Angels rolling through in their matching cuts. I can even remember a story from my father, saying, “The Harley guys don’t like Japanese bikes. One year at Sturgis they hung one from a tree and set it on fire.” They didn’t belong. But over the years, I have watched the shift in bike representation. There was a period where the hot bikes were custom choppers (you know, the OCC days), followed by a growing crowd of sport bikes, followed by baggers. This year in Daytona, I was pleasantly surprised to see a large number of ADV bikes throughout the event. So it wasn’t a complete surprise when I looked at the schedule for this year’s Americade event and saw an ADV presence. The major brands like KTM and Yamaha were offering test rides of the KTM 890’s and Tenere 700’s, but what caught my eye was a guided adventure ride put on by a local shop, Pro Cycles. As I had just moved back to New York and didn’t have a dual sport bike the last time I lived here, I thought this would be the perfect entry into the local scene.

After a quick ride up the highway, I arrived at the small village of Lake George. Recently named the 5th clearest lake in the States, Lake George is a popular place for summer tourism and water sports, as well as the southern entry to the Adirondack State Park. But this week, it was all about the bikes and on day-three of the rally, the streets were already lined side to side with bikes of all kinds.

Fourteen riders stood in a circle for a short riders meeting covering details of the day’s ride. The planned route was going to be approximately 140 miles of dirt roads, pavement connectors, a few sections of private land with more challenging sections, and lunch at a classic Adirondack lodge. As we left the demo area and headed out of town, I wondered where the first dirt road would be. I have driven the main roads in this area many times on the way to specific destinations, but haven’t come across many dirt roads. Little did I know, connecting all of the towns and roads that I had been on were a network of seasonal highways. A quick 10-minute ride on twisty roads out of town and we found our first off-pavement section. I was amazed at how quickly we went from a busy event to the feeling of being immersed in the forest. Spring in NY is a wonderful time with vibrant green trees everywhere you look.

We continued down the road which brought us alongside a creek, past a lake, and through some elevation changes. After a stretch of gravel, we would pop out onto a paved road which brought us back to the next gravel section. We would continue this on-off road pattern through a few different towns.

About an hour into the ride, we hit a seasonal highway that would turn out to be my favorite section of the ride; not only for its terrain, but also because of the unexpected adventure that it turned into. I was following Jim, our guide, who was on-board his Africa Twin. Chasing him through a series of s-turns, over crests in the road, and even through a few deeper sand sections brought me back to the feeling of why I ride: the speed, adrenaline, freedom, and feeling of unity with the bike that I’m sure many of you know. Then, all of a sudden, we came around a corner and had to come to a quick stop. As we took off our helmets we stared at a few trees that had fallen across the trail.

Jim had been scouting the route for the past few days and this was the first time he had come across the barrier. As the rest of the group began to join us at the stop, we were working to find a way to make sure the variety of bikes and riders would easily make it over the obstacle. The tree had multiple trunks and was too big to remove completely so everyone started to clear as much as they could. This left four trunks that seemed to align perfectly for a ramp. Now we were getting that true adventure ride we had all signed up for. After 10 minutes of preparing the trees, the first bike was ready to go. A little bit of confidence and smooth power control is all it took for Jim’s Africa Twin, to conquer the obstacle. The perfect execution gave confidence to the rest of the group as they seemed to get excited for their attempt at the obstacle.

After everyone made it over the trunks with ease, we all took a minute to laugh and joke about how this was turning into the ride we had all hoped for. Little did we know, Mother Nature would give us even more surprises later in the day.

As we continued through the various on- and off-road sections, we had one more stop to make on our way to lunch: a private section of land we were given permission to ride on that included a more difficult challenge for those wanting it and a view to reward those who did. The day before, Jim had told me the section was a challenge for some given the rough uphill terrain, especially with current dry, dusty conditions. But coming off our tree jumping adventure, the group handled this section without a hitch.

Once we all made it to a clearing at the top of the hill, we took a break to enjoy a view of the Adirondacks. This was our first break of the ride and a great chance for the riders to get to know each other. Various conversations started from where people were from, to trails they enjoyed riding, to stories of trips out west. With the perfect temperatures, jaw dropping views of the mountains, and a fun ride so far, the conversations flowed easily.

After our first few hours of riding, I stopped thinking about what the next road would look like and shifted my focus to something more important… lunch. It was mentioned we would stop at a “pretty cool lunch destination.” My guess heading into the day was that it would be an old lodge in one of the small towns we would pass through, but as we continued down the dirt road we were on, we took a right and headed up a hill. I had been seeing a bunch of XC skiing trails around us, and next thing I knew we arrived at a parking lot for one of the most beautiful lodges I had seen in a while. Perched on top of a hill, the front yard had a stunning view of the surrounding mountains and lake below. As we enjoyed the buffet provided, the conversations picked right back up where they left off at the last viewpoint.

As with the down-tree, it wouldn’t be a true adventure ride if the unexpected didn’t happen. When we arrived for lunch, we had an eye on the radar as we expected typical mountain weather with rain coming later in the day. As we mounted the bikes after lunch, we started to feel sprinkles and hoped the rest would miss us. To get over to the next section of dirt roads, we had a brief trip down the pavement at 55mph. Let me tell you, when I say the skies opened up, I haven’t been caught in that heavy of a downpour since the first day I rode a street bike. The leader decided to take shelter at the nearby gas station as we checked the radar again. The rain was continuing to dump all around us, the thunder was getting louder, but luckily I didn’t see much lightning.

Then all of a sudden, we were all caught off guard by the loudest BOOM I have ever experienced. A noise so loud and deep, that it felt like the world around us had just exploded. As we all recovered from the shock, we heard another noise. A cracking sound. Someone quickly pointed to a tree less than 100 yards away that we saw splitting as the top half was slowly falling to the right. It soon crashed to the ground in the front yard of the house nearby. We all stood there for a minute not believing our eyes and commenting on the noise we had all just heard, and the closest any of us had ever been to a lightning strike. I walked over to the last pump to get a better look when a guy on a Harley said he watched the lightning hit the top of the tree.

I still can’t believe we experienced that; we were in the right, or wrong, place at the right time. After 10 minutes of continued storms, we started to see a break in the sky. A last look at the radar and we saw an opening if we took a slightly different route back than what was planned.

After the adventure we already had, the rest of the ride back was nice and mellow. We continued to pass through some beautiful parts of the southern Adirondacks, past beautiful rivers and numerous lakes. Riders started to peel off as they neared shorter routes back to their houses. For the rest of us, the speed picked up, the wind dried our gear, and we enjoyed less dust and improved traction thanks to the rain.

After a long day, we made our way back to the Lake George village and rolled down the main street with bikes covered in mud. Compared to the many shiny bikes on display, the fun we all had on our ride was clear.

When I lived in NY before, I mainly raced motocross. Having spent recent years out west exploring epic singletrack and mountain passes from state to state, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I got back to NY. I knew it would be different, but in what ways? I look back on this ride as the perfect intro to the new type of riding I can expect to find here; seasonal highways interconnecting some of the mountain towns I have visited countless times before. Although it won’t be the same as out west, I am excited to continue to see more of the remote spots that I have missed when the destination was the journey.

I am currently gearing up for a 500+ mile loop through the rest of the Adirondack State Park… so stay tuned!

WE’RE EXPERTS IN THE BUSINESS BECAUSE WE RIDE TOO!

WE’RE EXPERTS IN THE BUSINESS BECAUSE WE RIDE TOO!