Blog | ADVENTURE & OVERLAND MOTORCYCLE TRAVEL

How do I find Adventure Motorcycle Riding Buddies?

by WorldCrosser Admin | Oct 29, 2017 | Adventure Motorcycles, Explore, New Jersey

Find a group Adventure and Dual Sport motorcycle Riders to explore the trails.

It is great to ride motorcycles with your like minded group of friends, for not only companionship but also for safety reasons. If a motorcycle breaks down or if person hurts themselves, having a buddy will really come in handy. If you don’t have a steady ADV riding group, finding riding buddies shouldn’t be too difficult. Riding the local trails and fire roads, state parks, and other cool roads usually get the ball rolling. So one of the best things to do is simply invest some saddle time and get out on your bike and ride, you are sure to have another enthusiast start chatting when you are fueling up, taking a lunch break or making a stop. My opinion is that the ADV/dual sport riders are simply an amazing quality group of great people.

But just in case that isn’t panning out, here are a few other ideas for finding riding buddies:

A top suggestion would be advrider.com and go into your geographic forum. Riders are always posting rides and would be happy to have you along. Make sure to read the post or ask what type of riding they are doing– as you don’t want to be taking your 1200 beast down single track with some light agile small cc KTM’s, or vice versa.
Another is checking meetup.com for riders and “meet ups” in your area for dual sport or adventure riders
Going to adventure or overland events or meets are also a great idea. Like horizonsunlimited.com or overlandexpo.com to name a couple.
Check out our WorldCrosser event calendar for adventure and dual sport rides and events that you may want to attend.
Check out social networks like Facebook for adventure motorcycle riding groups, join a group that is built around your bike – like the KLR 650 for example.
Speak with your local dealership for events, rides, manufacture days.
Register for a motorcycling training course, obviously an off-road or “adventure” centric course like PSSOR.
Go on an organized professional adventure riding tour you will be sure to meet some like minded individuals, but some of these tours can cost a lot of money. i.e. RawHyde, RideADV, and Ayres Adventures to name a few.
Phone apps, well there are a few like WeRide, Rider, Rever and others.
If you are riding more off road dual sport type of riding, which can fade into adventure riding at times, a great place to start are enduros and hare scrambles. Check AMA, American Motorcycle Association, site for many of these sanctioned events. Remember these are dual sport rides, so be prepared with light nimble bike and motocross gear, no big GS1200 and flip flops. ; )

Hope this is helpful advice and you find a good group to ride with on regular basis. Also WorldCrosser has a number of members that ride together here in NJ and will be integrating clubs into our site, in terms of forum or social app aspect down the road- still in beta. Anyway, sign up as WC member on our site and be part of the inception of this club aspect that will bring ADV riders together!

Enjoy, and as always, ride safe and have fun out there!

Heated Gear for Adventure Riding

by WorldCrosser Admin | Sep 22, 2017 | ADV Gear, ADV Riding Gear

When considering heated gear for you overland motorcycle trips, you need to take into consideration the type of weather you may encounter and your threshold for cold. Some rider like a full heated jacket, arms and all, while other feel that is overkill and cumbersome. Many rider opt for middle ground and use a heated vest – this is probably the most popular heated item sold for riders.

Now some of you rich fancy folk have heated grips, so no need for heated gloves for you. But some of us don’t have all those bell and whistles, so an alternative to buying and installing heated grips, you can simply get some heated glove. If you are taking this router, then you should get the full heated jacket and they “daisy” chain on to the jacket for power/heat.

If going to Alaska, you may want the whole setup- gloves, jacket, pants, socks and insoles. You can get it all but it will add up in cost.

Gerbing, Firstgear, Tour Master and Mobile Warming are some of the big names in heated riding gear, and CycleGear has their own line of heated motorcycle gear as well under the Sedici name.

TCAT – Trans-Canada Adventure Trail

by WorldCrosser Admin | Apr 16, 2017 | Canada, Destinations, Dual Sport, Explore, Roads, Routes

The Trans-Canada Adventure Trail (TCAT) is an amazing adventure motorcycle or dual sport GPS trek across the great land of Canada. It is over 9000 miles is you do the whole TCAT, that is approximately 15,000 Kilometers. It is not for the faint of heart.

Check out Gravel Travel’s website for more info and to get the GPS routes. graveltravel.ca

Ted Johnson, who was interviewed on Adventure Rider Radio, talks about the TCAT and the work that went into creating such a monumental trail that is a must do for and ADV traveler who has desire to tackle such a feat.

Cool TCAT stickers are now available. Click here to order yours today!

Bald Eagle State Forest Dual Sport Motorcycle Trails

by WorldCrosser Admin | Feb 9, 2017 | Adventure Motorcycles, Dual Sport, Pennsylvania, Roads, Routes, States

The Bald Eagle State Forest in named for the famous Native American, Chief Bald Eagle, includes 193,424 acres in Snyder, Union, Centre, Mifflin, and Clinton counties of Pennsylvania.

They have dual sport adventure motorcycle trails, as well as off-road dirt bike trails for bikes that do not have license plates. there are a lot of rocks so wear motocross boots and make sure you bike has appropriate bash plates and protection.

Click on the Bald Eagle State Forest Dual Sport Motorcycle map pic below to open a pdf file of the PA dual sport trails:

For more information about Bald Eagle State Forest, feel free to contact:

Bald Eagle District Office
18865 Old Turnpike Road
Millmont, PA 17845
(570) 922-3344
[email protected]

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/baldeagle/index.htm

7 Amazing Places to ride your adventure motorcycle to in Goa, India

by WorldCrosser Admin | Feb 4, 2017 | Destinations, Explore, India, Roads, Routes

Goa is the heaven on Earth! The infinite and unlimited festive and active atmosphere, the affordable food and drinks along with the splendid and mesmerizing beaches, it’s not just one thing that sets Goa on the podium in India.

With an uncountable number of beaches, casinos, bars and eateries, Goa has put itself on the world map for one of the must visit tourist places, as well as a place for Adventure motorcycle travellers to explore. Many events, such as the Sunburn or the New Year’s Party, have skyrocketed Goa to one of the must visit destinations.

Being such an amazing and well known tourist destination, it is true that most of the town has been explored, and is a tourist haven. But for many of us Adventure riders we don’t want the standard crowded tourist destination. We seek areas and destinations less travelled should we say. So, we decided to tell you about the amazing places which aren’t widely known, but awesome to hit in your travels!

All these destinations can be hit by riding the Calangute-Baga Road, which connects many of these great places, but remember to always use caution while traveling this road by motorcycle. You won’t hit big boulders, or deep muddy water crossings but you will hit a high energy hustle and bustle of Indian roadways, where the biggest vehicle has the right of way. Some consider it an “aggressive” driving environment, but once in the “flow” it is like riding in any city, you must be alert and careful at all times. Many world travelers are aware of the India method of driving, it can be a little crazy but at the same time exhilarating and adventurous.

Dudhsagar Waterfalls

Photo by sarangib, CC0 1.0

Known for its milky white appearance, the Dudhsagar waterfalls being the largest of its kind and the fifth largest in the country, doesn’t cease to amuse the experienced of travellers with its mind-boggling beauty. Extremely popular for the trek around the falls and the amazingly crafted way of the falls across the greens of the mountain are a miracle in itself.

Mobor Beach

Photo by Thangaraj Kumaravel, CC BY 2.0

Known for beaches, the Mobor beach in South Goa is one of the popularly known beaches for adventure sports. If you’re the person with a knack for getting your feet wet in the sea water, trying out some surfboarding or speed boating adventures, then you’re headed out to the right place! Make sure to clip on your life jackets as the waters are pretty rough!

Vagator Beach

Photo by Zerohund, CC BY-SA 3.0

The Vagator beach, the northern most beach in Goa, is popularly known for its serenity coupled with beauty. Not very popular among Indian tourists, the beach is primarily filled with tourists from the west. With great cliffs that look down on the shore and some relaxing fresh water springs, the place is ideal for anyone looking to while away time in Goa.

Netravalli Lake

Mysteriously producing bubbles, the Netravalli Lake, also called as the Bubbling Lake, is under the light for its weird behaviour. The bubbles are continuous and emerge to the surface of the lake. Local stories say that fairies have rendered the lake magical, so it’s your time to test! Clapping at the lake is said to increase the intensity of the bubbles and also bring to life the water springs.

Carambolim Lake

Carambolim lake, in the Carambolim district of North Goa, is the heart of Goan birds. The lake is a habitat for the birds that are largely survival in the inland water bodies that contain fresh water. The lake helps irrigate the paddy fields in the surrounding which also develop the habitat of the birds and animals. Many migratory ducks, agile jacanas, kingfishers and numerous other species do come over to Goa for chilling and partying in their own style.

Cabo De Rama

Photo by Aleksandr Zykov, CC BY-SA 2.0

Situated in one of the secret beaches of Goa, the Agonda beach, the Cabo De Rama fort is a silent getaway. The place is just perfect for any person looking to catch a break from the hustle and bustle of the Goa city and wishes to spend some time in isolation far away from the mundate Goan lifestyle. The fort is pristine to this date and has an amazing view of the seashore to gaze at.

Querim Beach

Photo by Jo Kent, CC BY 2.0

Also, locally known as the Keri Beach, the Querim beach is one of the unique beaches you’d ever come across. Lying on the edge of the Arabian Sea, it catches the view of the Terekhol River subtly congregating into the sea. The opposite bank of the river houses the Terekhol fort which is accessible through a ferry ride and overlooks the river where one is allowed to try their luck at fishing.

It isn’t without reason that Goa is a popular tourist destination. Even though these are some of the lesser known locations they are so enthralling. No wonder it is Goa, let the adventure begin!

About the Author:

Rohit is an extensive traveller with an urge to explore the unexplored via foot, car and motorcycle. He does so by visiting the less travelled to places across the country and writes about them at http://www.transindiatravels.com/ for everyone who shares the same urge to benefit from.

Nevada – #7 – Backcountry Discovery Route

by WorldCrosser Admin | Feb 4, 2017 | Adventure Moto News, Destinations, Dual Sport, Nevada, News, Routes

BDR announces its seventh route, the Nevada Backcountry Discovery Route (NVBDR), produced in partnership with the American Honda Motor Co., Inc. and TravelNevada, Nevada Division of Tourism.

The NVBDR release includes free GPS tracks and route travel information on the BDR website, a waterproof map from Butler Motorcycle Maps, and expedition documentary DVD produced by ColorBlind, and BDR Documentary Films.

The NVBDR is a scenic ride across Nevada, beginning in Oatman, AZ, and finishing in Jarbidge, NV. Created for dual-sport and adventure motorcyclists, this 900-mile south-to-north route primarily uses dirt roads to lead riders through Nevada’s expansive deserts, open sagebrush valleys, and seemingly endless mountain ranges.

In rural Nevada, you’ll experience historic saloons and relics from it’s rich mining history. The state’s maverick spirit remains, and you’ll see ghost towns, artifacts, desert sculptures, murals, the world’s largest car forest, jackrabbits, antelope and even wild mustangs.

Most importantly, the film reveals miles of meandering two-track roads that are just perfect for spending time on an adventure motorcycle.

Check it out here!

Adventure Motorcycle Dry Bag you wouldn’t typically consider.

by WorldCrosser Admin | Jan 24, 2017 | ADV Camping Gear, ADV Gear, ADV Product Review, ADV Riding Gear, Adventure Tech, Explore

I needed a dry bag for an adventure motorcycle camping trip I was taking, and really liked a few bags from Twisted Throttle, Giant Loop and few others, but they all seemed pretty expensive for what they were– waterproof dry bag. So while picking up some camping supplies at Cabela’s I ran across a perfect bag that works well and was super inexpensive so I decided to share this info. It is not a motorcycle dry bag per se, it is actually a boat bag, but serves the same purpose, waterproof, easy to access, has outside mesh pocket that came in handy on my trips. I am able to strap it through the handles so that worked well. It also has a reflective logo on it, which is always a bonus when riding.

I have used it on a few trips and one trip in particular it saw a ton of rain and kept my clothes nice and dry. Overall it is a great bag and at a very reasonable price and worth consideration. If this bag had a few more straps or handles for additonals options of securing to my bike, that would have been great, but wasn’t a deal breaker and a coule bungees hold in nice and secure.

The bag I am talking about is Mustad Dry Carryall bag, they have them in a few different sizes too. I am sure they sell them in many places as they are fishing hook company that distributes to many reatilers, but overall this bag may make a great dry bag packing solution for your riding adventures.

Here is link to the “ADV” dry bag at Cabelas.

Let me know what you would like to see in an affordable dry bag for your bike. Feedback

New 2017 BMW G 310GS

by WorldCrosser Admin | Jan 2, 2017 | Adventure Motorcycles, Entry Level Adventure Motorcycles, News

BMW has released their G 310 GS Adventure motorcycle.

This 300cc adventure motorcycle is in tune with the industry’s trend towards lighter, smaller displacement, less expensive adventure bikes.

As you can see it doesn’t have spoked wheels, which is understandable, since this adv bike is not intended to be a dual sport motorcycle that will see a good amount of dirt. It is a light adventure bike and I wouldn’t be skipping whoops on this baby. It’s 19″ front wheel is more comfortable on fire roads and light easy gravel roads or trails. ABS comes standard, but can be switched off and it will come in black, red and white color schemes. It looks like cool adv bike and it will undoubtedly carry the BMW quality.

New 2017 Suzuki V-Strom DL250

by WorldCrosser Admin | Dec 28, 2016 | Adventure Motorcycles, News

Another entry level ADV bike is hitting the market, the Suzuki DL250 better known as the V-Strom 250.

The first thing I noticed was the very cool round front headlight, kind of Dakar or Rally inspired feel to it, in my opinion it really makes the bike. This ADV bike will get awesome gas milage, 300 miles to a tank of gas, have ABS and a low seat height of 31″

This bike is following the light weight Adventure bike trend in the industry.

See Kawasaki Versys X-300, BMW G310 GS, and the Honda CRF250.

It is not yet available here in the states, but we are hopeful on this side of the pond.

Looking for a Great Beginner Adventure Motorcycle? Here are 7 of the Best ADV bikes!

by WorldCrosser Admin | Dec 26, 2016 | Adventure Motorcycles, Entry Level Adventure Motorcycles, Explore

Adventure or dual sport motorcycles can be great bikes for beginner riders. They can allow a new rider to experience riding in an open field, or trail, as well a get a feel for the bike on asphalt too. If a new rider falls over during the learning phase this is not such a big deal on a dual sport bike. Many of these bikes have protection on them and can withstand a drop which can be common when someone is riding for the first time. I recommend getting a reliable quality used bike, many people buy a new motorcycle to learn to ride and then want to move up to a bigger faster bike, or they realize that motorcycle riding is not their cup of tea and end up selling the bike in great shape with very low milage. So quality adventure or dual sport bikes can usually be found pretty easily on craigslist, cycletrader, etc.

The smaller cc bikes, like the 200, 20 or 300’s are great bikes for learning as they are light and nimble. The big Japanese motorcycle manufacturers all have these entry level bikes.

Honda has the CRF250 i standard version and Rally Version. Standard is top pic and the cool rally version is to the right.

Kawasaki has the Versys 300 now, which is more of adventure bike than a dual -sport, but they had the KLX 250 for a while, which was a great light dual sport bike, but they discontinued that bike. they can still be found around and are good bang for the buck.

Suzuki’s 200 is the DR200, a great reliable starter bike at a price point that is affordable.

Yamaha has the WR250 which is pretty much a dirt bike, and probably the most advanced one, which may make not as much of a learner bike as the others.

Now two of my favorite beginner bikes are the fat tired Yamaha TW200 and the Suzuki VanVan200, these are great for the sugar sand here in New Jersey, but they are fun and easy to ride anywhere and on many types of surfaces. They also have a low seat height and the power is not abrupt and easy to learn how to release the clutch in smooth manner, which can sometimes be a challenge for people who never used a clutch before. These two 200 cc fat tired bikes are a blast to ride and have ton of character too.

So, in short, look for a bike that has low seat height, can be dropped, can ride on mixed surfaces, and doesn’t hurt your wallet to bad if you do break a part on it or scratch it up.

It is always good to take a class, the state motor vehicle center usually run motorcycle classes here is the US, as well there are a number of business that train riders of all different skill levels.