The ABR Podcast

Have you ever dreamed of exploring Italy's iconic White Roads (Strade Bianche) by motorcycle through remote Tuscan hills and endless miles of vineyards. Are you curious about what it's really like to take a motorbike tour in Italy? And do you want to know what it takes to ride the Adventure Country Tracks (ACT) route through the country?

If the answer is yes, then you've come to the right place because in this episode of the ABR Podcast, Billy reveals to ABR Editor James what it's like ride Italy's White Roads, or Strade Bianche, as he explores Central Italy by motorcycle.

He also explains what makes Italy so special for motorcycle touring, what the trails are like along the ACT Italy route, and discusses the pros and cons of group motorcycle tours compared with solo bike.

In a bid to explore what could arguably be called Europe's best motorcycle touring destination, Billy rode across the spine of the country on a Ducati Multistrada V4 S, following the Adventure Country Tracks Italy route as part of Edelweiss Bike Travel's ACT Centre of Italy Unpaved tour.

With countless off-road trails, incredible stretches of tarmac, and a wonderful culture to experience, it was a sensational trip. And of course, there's the Italian food which is guaranteed to make your motorbike textiles bulge at the seams come the end of a summer tour.

Want to experience adventure riding in Italy yourself? Then head over to Edelweiss Bike Travel's website to find out more about their ACT Centre of Italy Unpaved tour:https://www.edelweissbike.com/en/motorbiketours/upc-act-centre-of-italy-unpaved

Video breakdown:Part 1 Italy's White Roads (Strade Bianche): 00:00:00 Part 2 Motorcycle touring in Italy: 00:12:54 Part 3 Solo travel or organised tour?: 00:29:23

This podcast was taken from the audio of the Honda Transalp ride-along video by ABR

The Honda Transalp proved a capable machine for James back in February in its press release in Portugal. But how does this new mid-sized adventure bike from Honda fare for the everyday ride? To find out ABR Editor James puts his review of the Transalp to the side, forgetting the magnificent twisting turns and Dakar rally tracks of Portugal. For the measured and predictable country, and green lanes of Stratford Upon Avon. All to find out how this bike handles the everyday ride. This video wouldn't have been possible without the help and support of our friends at Halvarrsons. Halvavarrsons offers elite motorcycling gear for any adventure biking conditions ensuring you're weather-resistant and safe. Check out the jacket and gloves we used for this review, the Gruven Jacket and Ljusdal gloves below. Gruven Jacket: https://halvarssonsmc.com/product/gruven-2/ Ljusdal gloves: https://halvarssonsmc.com/product/ljusdal/ What did you think of the Honda Transalp? Is this the mini Africa Twin that bikers were anticipating? Or is it a dependable workhorse that strikes out on its own, carving its own status among Honda's catalog of iconic motorcycles? Let us know in the comments below. Don't forget Early Bird tickets for the ABR Festival 2024 are available. Save £40 on your weekend tickets right now with an Early Bird Ticket. Available at www.abrfestival.com Cheers, _Bits from us_ 🏍️ *Grab your tickets for the festival here:* https://www.abrfestival.com/tickets/ *Grab your trail access tickets here:* https://www.abrfestival.com/tickets/ *Grab your ABR merchandise here:* https://www.adventurebikerider.com/product-category/merchandise/ *Checkout our Podcast the ABR Garage here:* Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/abr-garage-adventure-bike-rider-podcast/id1549248581 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Bh7mIJPEC9cHivMFFKvUo?si=25386000471a4a41 *Be sure to follow us on Facebook:* https://en-gb.facebook.com/adventurebikerider/ *Be sure to follow us on Instagram:* https://www.instagram.com/adventure_bike_rider/?hl=en

Itchy Boots & Ryan F9 join James in the ABR Garage for this very special episode live from the Bridgestone Campfire stage at the ABR Festival 2023. The aim is simple, what is Itchy Boots & Ryan F9's ultimate motorcycle adventure? To make this adventure special, we go through what bikes to take, where to go, and what adventures we want to happen along the way. If you're planning your ultimate motorcycle trip this is a must-listen from the garage. Itchy Boots & Ryan F9 are true motorcycle YouTube titans with years of experience in the saddle. So, take it from the best and start your ultimate motorcycle adventure with this episode of the ABR Garage. Available from all the places you get your podcasts. #itchyboots #ryanf9 #abrfestival #adventurebikerider _Bits from us_ 🏍️ *Grab your tickets for the festival here:* https://www.abrfestival.com/tickets/ *Grab your trail access tickets here:* https://www.abrfestival.com/tickets/ *Grab your ABR merchandise here:* https://www.adventurebikerider.com/product-category/merchandise/ *Checkout our Podcast the ABR Garage here:* Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/abr-garage-adventure-bike-rider-podcast/id1549248581 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Bh7mIJPEC9cHivMFFKvUo?si=25386000471a4a41 *Be sure to follow us on Facebook:* https://en-gb.facebook.com/adventurebikerider/ *Be sure to follow us on Instagram:* https://www.instagram.com/adventure_bike_rider/?hl=en

We sat down with tyre expert Gary from Bridgestone and picked his brain about the best tyres to use for your adventure bike. Adventure bikes are designed to be ridden on the road as well as off it, and a key part of adventure riding is tyre choice. We spoke with Gary about what tyres he would recommend for all riding conditions as well as drawing from his experiences as a seasoned off-road rider. James and Gary also discuss different bikes and what setups they require as well as picking the right tyre for you. Thanks to Gary and the folks at Bridgestone we hope this episode of the ABR Garage helps you when it comes to tyres. If you like what you see hit that subscribe and bell icon below and join the ABR YouTube channel for all your adventure biking needs.  @bridgestoneEMEA  #bridgestone #tyres #tires #motorbike #podcast _Bits from us_ 🏍️ *Grab your tickets for the festival here:* https://www.abrfestival.com/tickets/ *Grab your trail access tickets here:* https://www.abrfestival.com/tickets/ *Grab your ABR merchandise here:* https://www.adventurebikerider.com/product-category/merchandise/ *Checkout our Podcast the ABR Garage here:* Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/abr-garage-adventure-bike-rider-podcast/id1549248581 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Bh7mIJPEC9cHivMFFKvUo?si=25386000471a4a41 *Be sure to follow us on Facebook:* https://en-gb.facebook.com/adventurebikerider/ *Be sure to follow us on Instagram:* https://www.instagram.com/adventure_bike_rider/?hl=en

After returning from the international press launch of the Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition in South Africa, Alun declared it was the toughest adventure bike launch he'd been on in 12 years of testing motorbikes around the world. And Alun wasn't alone in his assessment, with Dakar Rally winner Cyril Depres also impressed with the challenging route Husqvarna provided for the assembled journalists which saw them ride for more than 300 miles over two days of adventuring. But how did the Norden 901 Expedition perform on the mix of technical trails, sweeping gravel roads, twisty coastal tarmac, and more? What makes the Expedition worth spending and extra £900 over the price of a standard Norden 901? And could South Africa help Alun get his trail riding mojo back? Find out all this and more in the latest episode of the ABR Garage, the podcast from Adventure Bike Rider, in which James debriefs Alun on his return from the Norden launch.

WHAT IS THE NORDEN 901 EXPEDITION? The original Norden 901 hit dealerships here in the UK in 2022, and less than a year later, the manufacturer has released a new model, called the Expedition. It shares the same engine, chassis, wheels, electronics, and more with the standard bike, but has been designed to offer greater comfort and performance over long distances, whether you're riding on or off road. Let us know what you think of the new Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition in the comments section below. And be sure to hit that subscribe button for more content from ABR.

The ABR Garage, the podcast from the team at Adventure Bike Rider, returns with a behind-the-scenes look at the launch of the 2023 Honda XL750 Transalp, the latest adventure bike to roll off the Japanese manufacturer's production. James travelled to southern Portugal to put the all-new Transalp through its paces and see if it lives up to the heritage and resulting expectation of the Transalp name. You can watch James full review of the XL750 Transalp through this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQNmjoZUHMs In the meantime, Bryn caught up with James in the ABR studio to get a behind the scenes insight into the launch and get his opinions on how the Honda Transalp peformed on the winding road and a dirt trails of the Algarve. You can also listen to the audio version of James and Bryn's behind the scenes look at the Honda Transalp launch on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your Podcasts. #honda #transalp #behindthescenes #podcast #motorbike

FortNine YouTube star Ryan F9, joins regular hosts James and Bryn in this special episode of the ABR Garage live from the Adventure Bike Rider Festival 2022.  

(Tickets are now on sale for 2023 ABR Festival where there'll be even more adventure biking megastars like Ryan F9 appearing on stage. Get your tickets here: https://www.abrfestival.com/tickets/ ).  

A crowd of ABR Festival goers packed out the Harley-Davidson Campfire Tent to listen to Ryan F9 and the lads discuss: what's all the fuss about adventure bikes and adventure biking?  

During the chat we discover why Ryan F9's F 800 GS motorbike gets so much abuse, how riding in Canada and Europe compares, and what did James and Ryan think of the Ducati Desert X when they rode it on the ABR Festival's AX41 Adventure Trail.  

We also find out how Bryn got so buff, why Ryan uses a flip-phone from the '90s, and what James thinks Suzuki should have called the GSX-S1000 GT to stop people mistaking it for a printer.   

Ryan F9 also gives a behind the scenes insight into the making of FortNine motorcycle videos, and all three of the lads discuss why adventure bikes like the BMW R 1250 GS, Ducati Multistrada V4, and Honda Africa Twin can't help but inspire a sense of wanderlust.  

This live episode of the ABR Garage, the podcast from Adventure Bike Rider, was filmed in the magnificent grounds of the Ragley Hall Estate in Warwickshire.

This episode of the ABR Garage, the podcast from Adventure Bike Rider, is supported by Peak Designs a company that specializes in creating beautifully crafted and thoughtfully designed accessories for motorcyclists and more.   

Find out more at: https://www.peakdesign.com 

James and Bryn discuss whether the ever increasingly sophisticated technology found on motorbikes is a good thing.  Is traction control a biker’s best friend? Do blind spot indicators make you lazy? And does any bike really need multiple rider modes? The boys also discuss their experiences testing bikes using active cruise control, keyless ride, semi-active suspension, and much more.   

Alongside highlighting motorcycles laden with technology, James also talks about his time testing the Yamaha Tenere 700, a bike known for its less-is-more approach to electronic rider aids.   And one lucky viewer wins a top Adventure Bike Rider prize. Find out if that lucky viewer is you.

Choosing the right motorbike gear, from a helmet all the way down to riding boots, will go a long way to keeping your comfortable and protected in the saddle. But get it wrong and that glorious summer motorbike tour to the Alps could quickly turn into a cold, wet, and thoroughly miserable ordeal. 

But where do you start? How much should you spend? And do you get what you pay for?   In episode 11 of the ABR Garage, the podcast from the Adventure Bike Rider team, join James, Bryn, and gear expert Ed Miles as they unpack their must-have riding gear for a motorbike tour.

From the pros and cons of flip-front helmets, to is it ever appropriate to break out those leather trousers, the boys discuss what’s worked best for them on their travels.  So, if you want to know how a laminated motorcycle jacket works before you splash out on one, or if you’re not sure whether you need adventure or touring boots,  this episode of the ABR Garage will help you prepare for your next adventure at home and abroad.  

Also stay tuned for an update on Adventure Bike Rider’s long-term review bikes including Bryn’s Honda NT1100 and James’ Suzuki GSX-S1000GT. And make sure you leave a comment letting us know your ideal gear set up for touring. We’ll read out a selection in the next episode of the ABR Garage and award our favourite comment a top prize.

Ryan F9 interview... In this episode of the ABR Garage, the podcast from the Adventure Bike Rider team, James catches up with FortNine YouTube superstar Ryan Kluftinger to discover how he went from working as a copywriter to becoming one of the world's most popular bikers online. 

Ryan F9 also discusses how he plans and films his YouTube videos, reveals his favourite moments working for FortNine, and tells us how Mad Max and an abandoned asbestos mine combined too create one of the most popular video's in FortNine's history, the Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L review. 

This Ryan F9 interview offers a fascinating insight into the workings of the FortNine team, while Ryan also tells us how a job as a park ranger helped him develop a passion for adventure biking and trail riding. 

Ryan F9 will be flying over from his home in Canada to England this summer to appear at the 2022 Adventure Bike Rider Festival (24-26 June, Ragley Hall Estate, Warwickhire). 

He'll be appearing on stage during the festival, which will include giving a presentation on how to create a successful YouTube channel.  Get your tickets to the 2022 Adventure Bike Rider Festival at https://www.abrfestival.com

Is paying to go on a guided motorcycle tour better than going it alone?

In Episode 9 of the ABR Garage, the video podcast from Adventure Bike Rider, we discuss whether it's better to travel alone or as part of a guided motorcycle tour if you want to have the adventure of a lifetime.  

There are plus sides to both approaches, and James, Bryn, and Ollie call upon their extensive experience of riding to argue the case.   

From ending up in a stranger's hot tub in Norway, to seeing some of the world's most incredible landscapes thanks to the knowledge of tour guides, in this episode you'll hopefully learn which method of travel is best for you.  

In the latest episode of the ABR Garage, the video podcast from Adventure Bike Rider, we discuss the most exciting new adventure and touring motorcycles to hit dealership floors in 2022 (individual bike timings below)  James, Bryn, and Ollie delve deep into the likes of the Ducati Desert X, the Triumph Tiger 1200, the Husqvarna Norden 901, and the Honda NT1100 among others, as they discuss which bikes should be worth a spot in your garage.   

And after much soul searching, the boys discuss their best adventure bike of 2021, as well the motorcycles they're most looking forward to riding this year. Which is the best looking bike? What one is perfectly designed for long-distance touring, and can a sports tourer win the hearts of the Adventure Bike Rider team? Find out the latest ABR Garage video podcast.

In this episode of the ABR Garage, the video podcast from Adventure Bike Rider, James and Julian delve into the world of motorcycle modifications, including upgrading your suspension, protecting your ride, choosing new tyres, increasing comfort, and adding an exhaust end can. Timings below...  

Intro: 00.00 

Why modify your bike: 03.00 

Suspension: 05.03 

Protecting your ride: 14.50 

Tyres: 26.38

Comfort: 43.40

Exhaust: 55.38

With the UK press launch of the Harley-Davidson Pan America just a couple of weeks away (lucky riders in the USA have got to ride it already, we know), James and Ollie discuss what we know so far about the Harley's first adventure bike.

Motorcycling the Alps is one of the most enjoyable activities you can do on two wheels. The region is a playground for bikers looking to combine their love of riding twisting mountain passes with some of the most dramatic scenery you'll find on Earth. 

With this in mind, James and Bryn got together with the good folks TomTom to outline three sensational motorcycle routes in the Alps, taking in the likes of the Combe Laval, the Splugen Pass, the Stelvio Pass, the Sella Pass, the Maloja Pass, and much more.  

If you link these three day routes together, you're in for one of the best bike tours of your life. The boys also discuss motorcycling destinations, places to stay, and where you can get the best hot dog with a mountain top view.

Get detailed descriptions of the Alpine routes discussed in this episode of the ABR Garage, plus waypoints for your SatNav, .gpx files, and maps, in issue 62 of Adventure Bike Rider magazine. Get your copy today at https://www.adventurebikerider.com/shop/​ 

Any bike can be an adventure bike, right? We could have just opened a can of worms, but instead we decided to tackle a question that's been asked of us thousands of times, in this latest episode of the ABR Garage.  

In coming up with an answer, James, Bryn, and Ollie delve deep into what attributes make for a great adventure bike, both on and off road, as well looking at some of the motorcycling 'advancements' we'd happily live without.  

The boys also reflect on the adventure, and non-adventure, bikes they've ridden, both at home and abroad, over the years such as the Ducati Multistrada, Honda Africa Twin, KTM 790 Adventure, Honda Goldwing, and even a Harley-Davidson Ultra Ltd.   

Remember, you can get your hands on a copy of Adventure Bike Rider magazine at https://www.adventurebikerider.com​/shop

In this episode of the ABR Garage, the podcast from Adventure Bike Rider magazine, James, Bryn, and Ollie discuss their ultimate dream motorcycle tour. Imagine it: No time limit, an unlimited budget, just you, two wheels, and the open road.  

The guys also discuss their motorcycle touring plans for 2021, and reflect on some of the bike journeys they missed out on in 2020.  You can listen to the audio version of the this episode wherever you get your podcasts, including on Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts.  

And, you can get your hands on a copy of Adventure Bike Rider magazine at https://www.adventurebikerider.com

Do you fancy riding the UK leg of the Trans Euro Trail (TET) this summer? Well, you’ve come to right place because Episode Two of the ABR Garage, the podcast from Adventure Bike Rider magazine, is out now and it’s dedicated to exploring the TET in Britain.

Overall, the Trans Euro Trail stretches for more than 30,000 miles across the length and breadth of Europe, including a 2,619-mile section that travels along trails and quieter roads through England Wales.

ABR Bike Tester Julian Challis has explored most of this UK leg so James caught up with him to find out what it takes to ride this sensational route, including what bikes and tyres are suitable to for the TET, what gear to take, where to stay, and which section you should tackle first if you’re new to riding off road.