Upshift Issue 60 - August 2021

Issue 60

August 2021

KISKA.COM Photo: R. Schedl

how sandstorms begin

It’s time to adventure even harder. The new KTM 890 ADVENTURE R is here – a true offroad travel specialist. With class-leading handling, rally-like agility, and boosted power and torque figures, you can be sure you’ll never eat dust, except in the sandstorm you create.

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.KTM.COM Please make no attempt to imitate the illustrated riding scene. Always wear protective safety gear and ride in a responsible manner. The illustrated vehicle may vary in selected details from the production models and may feature optional equipment available at additional cost. European specification model shown for illustration purposes only.

Ténéré 700. The Next Horizon is yours.

YamahaMotorsports.com Professional rider depicted on a closed course. Dress properly for your ride with a helmet, eye protection, long sleeves, long pants, gloves and boots. Yamaha and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation encourage you to ride safely and respect the environment. For further information regarding the MSF course, please call 1-800-446-9227. Do not drink and ride. It is illegal and dangerous. ©2020 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved.

ISSUE 60 August 2021

Issue 60

INSTA-ADV Instagram Travelers

August 2021

y information: These drawings contain information y to Upshift. Any reproduction, orCover transmittal of this on without expressed written consent is prohibited by Simon Cudby se partial or complete of the sord marks is prohibited hable to the full extent of the law.

Design Chris Glaspell

LOGO SHEET

THE INSIDER Time Flies

Photography Editor Simon Cudby

BIKES-GEAR

Contributing Writers Tolga Basol Tim Burke Chad de Alva Tim Notier

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PMS 021

RGB: R255 B255 G2550 CMYK: C40 M30 Y30 K100

Contributing Photographers Kadir Asnaz Tolga Basol Tim Burke Chad de Alva Tim Notier

The Latest

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Views Through The Lens

BLACK horizontal HILLS on white GOLD

Story Editor Chad de Alva Stefanie Glaspell

2021 Dakota 600 - Keystone, South Dakota

AFRICA PART 1

Business Development Brandon Glanville

Riding During a Pandemic

Want to advertise with us?

Contact: Brandon Glanville brandon@upshiftonline.com

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TECH

Starting Young - Stacyc Stability Cycles

Join us on Instagram at @ upshift_online

TESTED

Join us on Twitter at @upshift_online

Klim Marrakesh System

Join us on Facebook at facebook.com/upshiftonline

TOLGA BASOL

Filmmaker By Trade, Adventure Rider By Passion Upshift Magazine is published monthly by Upshift Online Inc. 2021. Reproduction of any material requires written consent from the publishers. All photos, editorial contributions and advertisements are accepted upon representation that they are original materials by the author and or advertiser. Opinions expressed in the articles are those of the author and may not reflect the views and opinions of the editor, staff or advertisers of Upshift Online Inc. Advertisers assume full responsibility for the entire content and subject matter of their advertisements.

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HUSQVARNA FE501S

ADV-Lite Project Bike

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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

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EXPERIENCE THE V-STROM AT

SUZUKICYCLES.COM/ADVENTURE

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 ®. © 2021 Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.

STAY FULLY CONNECTED

Behind a big, bright LED headlight is a large, multifunction instrument panel that displays the information you want on a bright, LCD screen. The adjoining USB power port and mounting bar is ready for your favorite navigation or entertainment accessories.

GO ANYWHERE ADVENTURE PACKAGE

Choose the V-STROM 1050XT Adventure to take the gear you need and ride in comfort with Suzuki’s quick-release, aluminum pannier set, heated handgrips, and a set of LED fog lamps.

RIDE WITH COMFORT & EASE

Ride-by-Wire dual electronic throttle assemblies provide light, precise response for tight roads and trails while the Cruise Control system helps you make short work of long miles. Takeoffs from inclines are a breeze with the Hill Hold Control system.

SUZUKI’S INTELLIGENT RIDE SYSTEM

Tame any road or trail as you tailor the power delivery through the multi-mode Drive Mode Selector and Traction Control* systems, while tuning braking response with the two-level adjustable Motion Track Anti-lock Brake** system.

BIG V-TWIN POWER

The 90-degree, V-Twin engine has more peak power than ever before while maintaining its strong pull off the bottom and superb fuel economy allowing you to go the distance.

The Traction Control System is not a substitute for the rider’s throttle control. It cannot prevent loss of traction due to excessive speed when the rider enters a turn and/or applies the brakes. Neither can it prevent the front wheel from losing grip. **Depending on road surface conditions, such as wet, loose, or uneven roads, braking distance for an ABS-equipped vehicle may be longer than for a vehicle not equipped with ABS. ABS cannot prevent wheel skidding caused by braking while cornering. Please ride carefully and do not overly rely on ABS. Model shown with optional accessories. *

TIME FLIES

By Tim Burke

Today we celebrate 5 years. 5 simple years shouldn’t be that hard to summarize, right? I mean, it’s just five quick rips around the sun. 5 summers, 5 falls, 5 winters, and 5 springs.

Well, for me, Upshift Online and the moto-community that’s been hangin’ on for the ride, those 5 years compute to 60 monthly issues that have been read on every single continent on our planet.

Actually, Upshift’s following isn’t just confined to the surface of the earth anymore. Just a few months ago I received a photo from a friend reading my “South America Part 1” story from the cockpit of a Boeing 737-800 at 38,000 feet, as he piloted it somewhere over the Mediterranean Sea! It is no exaggeration to say that these hundreds of stories, told through the voices and the photography of world-traveling contributors, have covered well over a million miles. Think about that for a second: more than a million miles of visual storytelling through hundreds of countries.

Here’s the crazy part: the magic of Upshift Online’s legacy doesn’t lie in these numbers, though. Those aren’t the bragging points that we’re all proud of... because let’s face it, there are a bunch of publications out there who can produce similar, if not more significant “numbers.” The magic is that, somehow, in five short years, Chris, Brandon, and Simon, out of a humble warehouse in Eagle, Idaho, have figured out how to make these stories accessible to every demographic and every income level...for free. Nobody else can say that.

It was a novel idea. Don’t tell the guys in Eagle, but in 2016 when I first heard the idea, I was skeptical. A free magazine? How could that ever even work? How is that sustainable? These guys did it.

They figured out how to bring the magic of adventure motorcycling and world travel to any smartphone or tablet in the world... and it’s free to us, the consumer.

They figured out how to provoke wanderlust, instill excitement, and motivate adventurers from every corner of the rock we all share... for free! And while they did that, they supported regular folk travelers like me. They helped fund tire purchases for our bikes and helped put fuel in our gas tanks.

Over the course of a 5-year period, Upshift Online has created its own “motorcycle ecosystem” for both the consumer, the contributor, and the advertisers that help keep everything afloat. Even through a pandemic, Upshift has figured out a way to make everybody benefit; everybody a winner.

There’s no better way to say “cheers” to the next 5 years than me plagiarizing Upshift Online’s own mottos: RIDE DIRT! RIDE MORE! ADV MORE! And GET LST! Congratulations to Upshift online, the contributors, and the advertisers! Everybody is stoked for you.

Inset Photo: David Goldman

2022 KTM 300 EXC TPI Erzbergrodeo The KTM 300 EXC TPI ERZBERGRODEO limited edition is a force to be reckoned with - not unlike the Iron Giant itself. This nimble, lightweight all-terrain master fears no obstacle, making it the ultimate extreme enduro machine. Packed with a select series of KTM PowerParts and a unique graphics kit to commemorate this special event, the KTM 300 EXC TPI ERZBERGRODEO is all the enduro motorcycle you will ever need to conquer the world’s most extreme enduro race. www.ktm.com Features: • Special Red Bull Erzbergrodeo graphics

• Chain guide bracket protection

• Frame finishing coated in racing orange

• Supersprox Stealth rear sprocket

• Factory wheels with anodized hubs

• Clutch save cylinder protection & orange oil plug

• Metzeler 6 Days Extreme soft tire set-up

• Front & rear pull straps

• Closed, heavy-duty handguards

• Front brake disc guard

• Radiator fan & radiator protectors

• Solid rear disk & disk guard

• CNC-machined triple clamps

• Rear brake safety wire

• Factory seat & lightweight skid plate

• Map selector switch

With the natural feel of the Human Motion® Hinge & the protection of the Full Coverage Impact Guards, the most comfortable knee brace on the planet will keep your adventure going for longer. ®

podactive.com | human motion

Fly Racing Announces 2022 Formula Carbon Helmet Enjoy elevated defense against a wider range of impacts when you ride with FLY Racing’s Formula Carbon helmet, the absolute in total head protection. The Formula’s Adaptive Impact System (AIS) whose high-performance ecosystem of structural designs and energy mitigating materials — including RHEON, a leading-edge viscoelastic material — is fine-tuned to greatly improve impact management over traditional helmets. Formula was developed in collaboration with the world’s foremost leaders in helmet safety and tested under rigorous scientific review to exceed ECE and DOT standards. MSRP:$689.95 www.flyracing.com

New WP Suspension XACT PRO 6500 Fork Cartridge Kits The easy and effective performance upgrade is designed to push your motocross and cross country skills to a new level while using the standard setup of your bike. With maximum focus for every segment of the track and the finish line always in plain sight, the XACT PRO 6500 Cartridge allows you to simply upgrade to first-class motorsport technology. The cartridge equips your standard fork to razor-sharp precision and provides you with uncompromising feedback from the track via the WP CLOSED CARTRIDGE TECHNOLOGY. The pressurized damping unit prevents loss of damping during rapid repetitive compression and ensures a consistently solid performance. In addition, with the multiple adjustment options of the XACT PRO 6500 Cartridge, each motocross racer finds its own setting for any condition. GASGAS MC/EX model range (2021 onward). For more detailed information visit your nearest WP AUTHORIZED CENTER or go to www.wp-suspension.com. www.wp-suspension.com

Mosko Moto Announces availability of their Woodsman Enduro Pant OTB (Over the Boot) Mosko Moto is excited to announce the immediate availability of our new OTB (Over the Boot) Woodsman Enduro pant & Graph Ultralight Base Layer; Along with updated versions of the wildly popular ITB (In the Boot) Woodsman Enduro pant & our ultimate enduro touring kit, The Basilisk. You asked, we listened. After the launch of our original Woodsman Enduro Pant last year, we were constantly asked one question again and again: When will you make an over-the-boot version? So, we re-engineered the ultimate dual sport pant and adjusted it for an OTB fit. The hybrid design puts Schoeller waterproof breathable material over the knees and seat for added protection from wet brush or stream crossings, while the DWR coated stretch nylon oxford upper adds breathability. On hotter days open 4 flow-through mesh-lined vents for added comfort, making this a true 4 season pant. Stretch materials accommodate maximum mobility in difficult terrain. Combine with our Rak over pant or the ultralight Deluge rain pant for a fully waterproof and truly versatile system. Price: $299.00. Check out Mosko Moto’s complete line of off-road apparel at www.moskomoto.com Product Features • Hybrid material construction • Durable Stretch Nylon Fabrics • Out of the Boot Design with Velcro Adjustable Hem • 4 Mesh Lined Vents with Flow thru Venting • 2 Hand Pocket, 2 Cargo Pockets with Internal Phone/accessories sleeve • Adjustable Waist • Articulated Fit. Cut to go over armor & Motocross boots • Seam Reinforcement Tape on Critical Seams • YKK Zippers • High performance DWR (Durable Water Repellent) • Offered in Obsidian, Tamarack, & Canyon II • Sizes: 30, 32, 32 Tall, 34, 34 Tall, 36, 36 Tall, 38, 40.

Seat Concepts Announces 9 New One-Piece Seat Options For The Yamaha Ténéré 700 Seat Concepts is pleased to announce the release of their new one-piece seat offerings for the Yamaha Ténéré 700. From their tried and true Comfort line for those extra-long days to the low profile Rally line for the more aggressive and technical adventures. Seat Concepts is confident that you will find the right seat for you! MSRP: $299.99 to $314.99. www.seatconcepts.com

COMFORT HEIGHT: OEM, LOW, TALL

RALLY HEIGHT: OEM, LOW, TALL

RALLY - HARD ADVENTURE 2.0 HEIGHT: OEM, LOW, TALL

Klim’s New Fall Release Off-Road Gear In an exciting fall season move, KLIM has released a brand new lineup of colors for all three off-road lines, the Dakar, Mojave and XC Lite. The Idaho-based company typically releases all their new off-road gear in the spring, so this is an exciting surprise for those shopping for new gear in the fall. People who’ve paid attention to KLIM’s social channels may have noticed they teased some colors prior to the release, but at that point nobody knew the full extent of additions. The Dakar series gets a full new kit (matching pant, jersey, glove) plus one more new jersey, the Mojave series also gets a full kit (matching pant, jersey, glove) plus one more jersey, and the XC Lite series gets a full new kit. Go to ww.klim.com to see their complete line of off-road apparel.

LEGENDARY GEAR.

B-BASE, M+L ROLIES, ENDURO TANK BAG @ WOLFMANLUGGAGE.COM Upshift Tenere 700 Blue Rally graphics. Photo credit: Simon Cudby

THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE PA Performance and reliability.

The results of a close racing and development partnership between MOTOREX and KTM. #Raceproven quality.

WWW.MOTOREXUSA.COM

Photo: KTM 690 ENDURO R 2021 | Mitterbauer H.

ACKAGE

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WIDE OPEN

OREGON

PHOTO: SIMON CUDBY

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IDAHO

PHOTO: TIM BURKE

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AFRICA

PHOTO: TIM NOTIER

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MONTANA

PHOTO: SIMON CUDBY

ADVENTURE TRANSFORMED

THE BENCHMARK FOR MAXIMUM OFF-ROAD ADVENTURE. Versatile and agile, with a premium specification, the Tiger 900 Rally range delivers incredible off-road capability, with phenomenal power and performance, and a dominant adventure-focused stance for maximum off-road adventure riding and all-road comfort and style.

The Tiger 900 Rally and higher specification Rally Pro both feature a lightweight adventure chassis, advanced technology and premium equipment, plus a high capacity 900cc triple engine, delivering impressive torque low down, with overall peak power at 94 HP. Find out more, visit TriumphMotorcycles.com

WIDE OPEN

GUATEMALA

PHOTO: KADIR ASNAZ

WIDE OPEN

AFRICA

PHOTO: TIM NOTIER

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ARIZONA

PHOTO: CHAD DE ALVA

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CALIFORNIA

PHOTO: SIMON CUDBY

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CALIFORNIA

PHOTO: SIMON CUDBY

OVERLANDER-S

HONDA AFRICA TWIN

OS-BASE HONDA CRF1100L

An 'over the seat harness' which allows OS-6, OS-12 or OS-18 ADVENTURE PACKS to be mounted as soft panniers.

No additional frames or rear rack are required, this system provides a super-tough, lightweight carrying solution specifically designed to fit the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin* with no drilling or permanent bodywork alterations to the bike. (*excluding the Adventure Sports model) EQUIPMENT ILLUSTRATED: • 2 x KRIEGA OS-18 ADVENTURE PACKS mounted on OS-BASE • OUTBACK-MOTORTEK Crash bars, Engine guards & Bash plate • BARKBUSTERS Jet Handguards • MOTOZ Tractionator Adventure Tyres

KRIEGA.US

#RIDEKRIEGA

WIDE OPEN

AFRICA

PHOTO: TIM NOTIER

WIDE OPEN

GUATEMALA

PHOTO: KADIR ASNAZ

WIDE OPEN

ICELAND

PHOTO: SIMON CUDBY

WIDE OPEN

IDAHO

PHOTO: SIMON CUDBY

WIDE OPEN

ICELAND

PHOTO: SIMON CUDBY

S PA S M CO 5 SM

INTRODUCING THE NEW

5 DENSITY EPS + HIRPO HIGH IMPACT POLYMER PARAMETRIC SHELL OBLIQUE IMPACT PROTECTION + PATENTED VISOR RELEASE SYSTEM INTEGRATED COLLARBONE PROTECTION + LIGHTWEIGHT CONSTRUCTION ERS - EMERGENCY RELEASE SYSTEM + ULTRA-VENTILATED DESIGN HYDRATION COMPATIBILITY A LP I N E STA R S . CO M /S M 5 H E L M E T

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY SIMON CUDBY

2021 Dakota 600 - Keystone, South Dakota

As we drove our Upshift Ford van across the mostly flat Wyoming landscape towards the Black Hills of South Dakota, Scott Lantefield and I wondered what the riding was going to be like for the next few days at the 6th Annual Dakota 600 ride. If you were to look at a satellite view of the Black Hills on Google maps, you would see a small dark island jutting out of the surrounding great plains of North America. With an area of about 8500 square miles, we knew that there was some good riding to be had on our 300cc Husky 2-strokes and also our big KTM 890 AdventureR bikes.

B E A T

T H E

H E A T

We had been invited on this adventure by Bill Hearne, the SAICON (Special Advisor In Charge Of Nothing) for the 600.

We eventually rolled into Keystone, SD for our bike inspection and intro dinner to find out just what this event was all about. As well as being a great fundraising opportunity for the Black Hills trails, Bill’s idea for this event is to offer the best experience for all the riders who attend and to make sure their “Fun Meter” is pegged at close to the maximum for four days of riding.

With ride ratings from A+ to C, almost every kind of rider is accommodated, from single-track shredders to ADV cruising and sightseeing. The terrain varies from legit tight woodsy trails that are eight inches wide for the smaller dirt bikes to fast gravel forest roads where an 890 can really cut loose. Each of the close to twenty different ride options was to be led by a crew of LEMs (Local Experienced Men). Bill filled us in on the LEM terminology, which dates back to the 1800s when a company might come to a small town in the area and would hire “Local Experienced Men” to point them in the right direction for any big projects they may have.

On our first day of riding, Bill wanted to take us to some prime photo spots to give us a good overview of the area. He guided us on our small bikes through a mix of fast two-track and some rocky uphill jeep crawler trails.

The weather was pretty much perfect on day one, as long as we kept moving. The sun was quite hot when we stopped to shoot photos, and I quickly took off an under layer to keep myself from overheating. Bill took us to a small area with some technical rock sections where we snapped some images before continuing on the dusty trails after lunch. We were connected to Bill via Sena intercoms, so as we made our way across the landscape, he would give us little history lessons about various landmarks along the way. Very interesting stuff, and you realize how hard life must have been amidst the Custer area Gold Rush in 1874.

At dinner that night, we heard various rides recounted and a fair share of fun stories from all the different routes.

With such a wide cross-section of riders and bikes, there is always a great variety of experiences to share.

husqvarna-motorcycles.com Photo: R. Schedl, KISKA GmbH Please make no attempt to imitate the illustrated riding scene. Always wear protective safety gear and ride in a responsible manner. The illustrated vehicles may vary in selected details from the production models and may feature optional equipment available at additional cost.

New BRAKTEC brake system New BRAKTEC hydraulic clutch system Revised suspension settings

Ride the perfect line.

Out on the trail - it’s just the machine and you, instinctively picking lines as the path reveals itself.

Constructed using the latest innovative technology, the FE 350 holds its own on all terrain, making any line the right one.

F E

350

Our second day was much different as we connected with LEM Ryan McFarland (of Strider Bikes fame) to ride some of the best single-track to be found anywhere. Straight out of our parking area, we needed 100% concentration to traverse the unforgiving single track that was full of rocks, roots, and a variety of other things designed to eject you from your bike. I had a small spill early on but luckily came away unscathed. Steep uphill and downhill trails were the flavor of the day as we made our way deeper into the hills, stopping along the way to capture the photos that you see in this feature. It’s safe to say that we were on the A loop today and that a C rider would struggle on these trails embedded with rocks and mud.

After a good lunch in a small local town, Ryan took us to another fun section that featured faster, flowy trails punctuated with rocky technical sections to complete the day. We had really earned our dinner today, and once again, we had a lot of laughs at the stories from everyone’s experiences on the day’s various routes.

The beauty of the Dakota 600’s various ride options is that, if like us you had a tough day on the single track the previous day, you could take an easier option the next day to recover. That’s exactly what Scott and I did as we rode our KTM 890Rs for a day of mellow sightseeing that Bill was once again guiding us through. Although we did make a 10-mile detour through some fast two-track in the trees, the terrain was mostly gravel roads with some asphalt sections to connect the dirt. Towards the end of the day, we ran into two of my least favorite things when I’m riding: tourist traffic and torrential thunderstorms. Note to self, bring your waterproof gear next time!

All in all, we had a great time at the 600 and met some new riding friends. A big thanks to Bill Hearne and Melissa Peters for making it easy for us to come along for the ride. As I said earlier, the variety of guided routes available is large, so if you want a challenging single track for your little 2-stroke, or mellow KLR650-friendly loops, the Dakota 600 delivers. www.dakota600.com

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HTTP://AOMC.MX

My wife, Marisa, and I landed in Cape Town, South Africa on September 12th of 2019 in hopes for a lifetime of memories as we rode our KTM 1190 motorcycle across the eastern side of the continent. We had been daydreaming of Africa’s natural landscapes, culture, and large game for years prior to us touching ground on the continent.

For two people who grew up just west of Chicago, we couldn’t wait to see elephants and lions in the wild instead of behind large fences and glass windows at Brookfield or Lincoln Park Zoo. We had spent the previous two years riding through the Americas, from Chicago to Ushuaia, Argentina before flying back to Oak Park to get married. We had survived the trials that a relationship can encounter when physically touching twenty hours a day, and Marisa and I decided that we wanted to see more of the world via two wheels, while now happily married.

Our newest adventure started off by splashing our way through flooded dirt roads of Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve and camping in a fairytale milkwood forest in the Wild Coast of South Africa. We then roamed through the mountainous landscapes of Lesotho where it felt as if we had ridden into the countryside of Wakanda. The Drakensberg mountains surrounded us like the peaks of a royal crown, and the men who herded their goats wore long colorful caps that blew majestically in the wind.

The sand dunes of Namibia were next on our list, and with sand dunes naturally comes sand. We found ourselves on deep loose gravel and talc backroads that were nearly impossible to keep our wheels firmly planted onto, especially being two-up and overloaded as we were. But with the stresses of trying not to drop the motorcycle every fifty-feet, came great rewards. Oryx, large antelope, lined the roads with their long straight horns and black and white faces that looked like an African tribal war shield. Kudus with beautiful spiral horns grazed on the tall grasses on either side of us and groups of springboks leaped in large arcs through the fields like dolphins cresting the water alongside a ship at sea.

This was everything we could have wanted on our two-wheeled adventure, but we had to rent a car to explore Etosha National Park to avoid being a giant cat toy on the motorcycle. On our way to Etosha, we passed a Himba village and pulled over to absorb their culture.

Women that were dressed in traditional clothing and the iconic red clay that covered their hair greeted us with wide smiles. The otjize paste that was used in their hair and on their skin smelled of incense and bathed them in a distinctive red hue. Marisa and I were lucky enough to be of service to a mother and child that were in need of a four-hour ride to the gates of Etosha. We gladly agreed as an amazing experience like that would never be included in any tourist package.

After dropping off our new friend and her baby just outside of Etosha, we entered the park to find lions and their cubs drinking from waterholes throughout the reserve.

The silhouettes of elephants with their newly born calves dotted the horizon. Africa was continuing to provide amazing memories from its people, landscapes, and nature.

Botswana brought us grand baobab trees that have stood proudly throughout time. The base of these massive trees dwarfed anything near them. I had always thought that Walt Disney’s Tree of Life in the Animal Kingdom exaggerated the size of baobabs, but to stand underneath one was humbling. I rode us through the thick foliage of the bush in an effort to go on another safari, but this time not only to look for wildlife, but to find more baobabs. Each one had its own unique fingerprint as it stuck out of the ground like a gigantic stout thumb.

In Zambia, we walked along the cliff-side path of Victoria Falls, did a loop around Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and camped on Maasia land and woke up surrounded by tribesmen who were just as happy to see us as we were them. There wasn’t a lot of communication, but there were gasps and awes when I took out my camp stove to make us all coffee and tea. The men dressed in brightly colored clothing gladly accepted my offer of tea in payment for camping on their land.

Everything was going to plan, which was loosely based on not having any plan at all, but once we entered Rwanda, the first news coverage about Covid-19 started to be discussed.

All of the open doors that we had been accustomed to were beginning to close around us. As we entered Uganda, we knew we would have to consider our options. Should we fly back to the States? That was an expensive choice, and one that would potentially end our African adventure permanently. Marisa and I originally thought that Covid would only delay our travels for a month or two at most, but we wanted to be somewhere safe and comfortable just in case the timeline stretched longer than we had anticipated.

For the 100th time of the trip, luck found us. The owner of a backpacker’s hostel was willing to rent us a house in Kampala, Uganda for $200 a month. We agreed to the offer as soon as it left his lips and made a home for ourselves far away from friends and family, but we had each other. Every morning we fed a wild monkey named Thomas and tended to the four hens and twelve chicks that had just hatched under our front porch. Marisa and I had always dreamt of settling down somewhere on the equator, sitting in a rocking chair on our porch feeding animals as the days passed, but this scenario came about two decades earlier than we expected.

Uganda and its people had taken us in under their protective wing. We felt safe, happy, and knew that we had been extremely fortunate in finding a cheap house to rent. After seven months in Kampala, the border to Kenya opened and we headed off to our newest country. It felt great to be back on the road, even if only for a few days. We crossed the Great Rift Valley as we hovered above and below the equator like a sound wave.

As we pulled into Nanyuki, Kenya, luck was once again on our side. We are now renting a house with a spectacular view of Mount Kenya as I sip my morning coffee. After what seemed to be an endless amount of time of not doing anything at all, we decided to treat ourselves and rented a car to drive through Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The African adventure suddenly burst back to life as we fed a rhino carrots, saw the last two northern white rhinos, herds of elephants, and giraffe on our newest self-driven safari. This rekindled our spirits and made us glad that we had stuck it out on this continent. We concluded that we will not be flying home. Marisa and I are hopeful that we will be able to continue our African journey and are excited to explore more of what this continent has to offer.

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TECH

BY CHAD DE ALVA

STARTING YOUNG - STACYC STABILITY CYCLES My twin boys have been interested in dirt bikes since they could first indicate it.

From being totally content in their baby bouncers watching me work on my dirt bikes in the garage to frequently choosing the Moto series of movies on Amazon Prime Video whenever we would let them watch a little TV, their interest in dirt bikes has been constant. Not long after they could walk, they were introduced to strider balance bikes that they quickly mastered and rode frequently. So as soon as they met the minimum height requirement, my boys were given Stacyc electric balance bikes, which just so happens to be a great way to get young kids into motorcycles.

Stacyc electric balance bikes are exactly what their name suggests. An electric drive-train is tucked into the frame of a balance bike that is only slightly bigger than the non-motorized balance bikes with twelve-inch wheels that are so popular with young kids. Just like a real dirt bike, a Stacyc has a twist throttle on the right hand and there is a rear brake lever placed on the left hand side of the handlebars, so kids can start to learn to use a real throttle and how to brake with their hands. The bike’s electronic speed control has three speed settings, and on the smaller 12eDRIVE bikes that we have, the three speed settings work out to roughly five, seven, and nine miles an hour respectively. The bikes run on batteries that look just like DeWalt power tool batteries, but you’ll need to use the official Stacyc batteries as the fitment is different than what works with the yellow power tools you may have.

Compared to a kid-sized internal combustion powered dirt bike, Stacyc offers a number of advantages that can help make the transition from human powered bike to motorized bike much easier. Stacycs work just like any other balance bike when they are turned off, so kids can get used to the way the bike handles and behaves before you even introduce them to a motor. This is a great way to learn basic balance bike skills if this is their first bike, or how to use a brake lever if your kids are coming off of a human powered balance bike. Once your kids have balance mode and the brake figured out, you can introduce the motor into the equation. Starting on the slow speed setting, it took my boys all of five minutes to figure out how the throttle worked – but they were treating it like a switch at the start, going from zero to full throttle. However, after a couple of rides, they understood that the throttle could be modulated, and by making a challenge out of seeing how slowly they could ride under power, basic throttle control was quickly developed.

TECH: STARTING YOUNG - STACYC STABILITY CYCLES

TECH: STARTING YOUNG - STACYC STABILITY CYCLES Two other big advantages with Stacycs are that they make almost no noise and there is no exposure to hot parts. While my kids have yet to get tangled up in a crash that they couldn’t extricate themselves from, knowing that there are no hot parts that could burn your kid, should they get stuck under a bike or touch the wrong part accidentally, is quite nice. The noise thing is a huge advantage too.

There is no engine noise that you’ll have to talk over, so a normal voice is all you need to talk to your kids. A simple on/off switch on the throttle is all it takes to stop and start a Stacyc, so there’s no need to learn how to start a bike or use a kill switch just yet. Your neighbors won’t mind the sound of your kids giggling while they’re ripping around the cul-de-sac or the forest behind the neighborhood on their Stacycs, but I could certainly see someone not being stoked on the sound of a 50cc dirt bike ripping around all day.

While ripping around the neighborhood is certainly fun, Stacycs really shine when you take your kids out for a ride. Getting them out in the world on a trail is where things really start to click and where the memories are made. Depending on what speed setting your kid(s) are on, you’ll be moving at a pace that’s somewhere between a quick walk and a run if you’re on foot, but I quickly took to using my mountain bike to hang with my kids. This allowed me to easily keep pace when the trail was easy, and I could quickly hop off to give my kids a spot or an assist if we got into a technical section. Having a bike of your own is also really helpful to show kids the line they should take through a section of trail. I’ll also point out that absolutely no one has cared that my kids happened to have motors on their balance bikes when we would run into other folks on local mountain bike trails – but your mileage may vary there.

With a couple of batteries for each bike, you can cover dozens of miles and climb hundreds of feet of elevation, which means that Stacycs are a great way to get your kids out into the world. The average 4-year-old isn’t going to want to do a twelve-mile hike, but a twelve-mile ride can be an awesome adventure, and a great way to share with your kids how motorcycles are more than just something to ride, they’re a great way to get out and explore the world. So make sure you factor in some extra time for unplanned exploring. If your kid(s) randomly stops while riding to check something out – let them! The world is a gi-normous place that is full of all kinds of cool stuff to check out in your kids’ eyes, and it’s been so enjoyable to watch my boys just cruise around the woods exploring, learning, and playing.

TECH: STARTING YOUNG - STACYC STABILITY CYCLES

TECH: STARTING YOUNG - STACYC STABILITY CYCLES Each time we go out for a ride, it seems that my kids are trying new things and growing their skill sets. Again, having a bike of your own is a great way to help your kids grow as riders, because they’ll try and jump off that root or ride over those rocks right after they see you do it – so lead by example. When they come to something on a trail that they don’t want to ride, thanks to the Stacyc’s relatively light weight, they can actually push their bikes through the obstacle.

This helps build their independence and saves me from having to hike their bikes through stuff all the time. Sometimes, my kids will ask me to help them ride through a spicy section, so I’ll cover the ends of their bars and help ride them through the obstacle. Thanks to the 100% torque at any RPM provided by an electric motor, these bikes have all the power to get up anything, and they’ll run out of traction long before they run out of power.

Riding single track and other trails with real elevation changes does bring to light one limiting factor of the Stacyc bikes, and that is the lack of a front brake. As anyone who rides anything with two wheels knows, the vast majority of your stopping power comes from your front brake, so don’t be surprised if your kids start wearing out their shoes rather quickly from using their feet as drag brakes for additional stopping power. If anyone from Stacyc is reading this, an optional front brake kit would be next level.

Stacyc electric balance bikes have proven to be a great way to start my kids on their motorcycle journey. Going from a balance bicycle to a Stacyc was a much smaller step than going from a balance bicycle to a 50cc dirt bike – and I think that has paid serious dividends. With a Stacyc, your kid(s) can learn one new feature at a time, so even if a Stacyc is their first balance bike, it’s not going to be like a 50 where your kid(s) will have to learn several things in rapid succession. With a Stacyc, there are no hot parts, no fuel to spill, no motor noise to try and talk over, and a Stacyc doesn’t weigh several times what your kid does, which makes a Stacyc much easier for a kid to handle and pick up.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m a card-carrying member of the internal combustion crowd – and I absolutely love a good dinosaur-powered bike. Yet, I have to say the electric bikes are awesome, and I’m really excited to see what new electric bikes are brought to market in the years to come. Electric bikes offer a number of advantages over internal combustion bikes, like all of the torque at any RPM and their low noise levels. There are also fewer moving parts to deal with, which means less maintenance and a lower cost of ownership. Electric bikes certainly do have their disadvantages too, but as with everything else, it’s going to be a game of give and take.

I’m really thankful that my kids have access to Stacyc electric balance bikes, because it’s so much easier for them to get out and ride.

If nothing else, I can turn my kids loose in the cul de sac with a few cones to ride around and they’re stoked – and my neighbors won’t complain. With 50s, I would have to load everything up and drive out into the forest where the noise won’t bother anyone. Yet Stacycs enable us to use the multi use trails that lead out of the neighborhood and into the forest, so going for a ride is as easy as getting kitted up. Any other trail users we pass along the way seem to be happy to see kids on little balance bikes, and I know my boys appreciate getting compliments on their “cool bikes.”

UPSHIFT GRAPHICS KITS AVAILABLE HERE

Stacyc electric balance bikes are awesome. For parents looking to introduce their kids to the world of motorcycles, I honestly can’t think of a better way to start than with a Stacyc. There is no doubt in my mind that when my boys get on a 50cc dirt bike for the first time, by only having to learn how to use their foot controls, they’re going to get the hang of it much more quickly than if they hadn’t had their Stacyc experience. Whether your objective is to get your kids riding sooner, or to just have an excellent time outside, Stacyc electric balance bikes are a great way to go. www.stacyc.com.

Photos: Megan Griffiths, Yon Iaccio, Angela Griffith Hixon & Chad Hixon

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TESTED

BY CHAD DE ALVA

KLIM MARRAKESH SYSTEM The acronym ATGATT, which means All The Gear All The Time, is something that many motorcycle riders treat as gospel. Let’s be honest for a minute, taking the time to get fully suited-up into your ADV-Power Ranger suit takes time, and when all you are trying to do is ride to work or some other nearby place, it’s possible to spend more time kitting up and kitting down than actually riding.

Plus, on a hot summer’s day, wearing a fully waterproof suit of armor is a deal-breaker when you don’t want a trip to the sauna to be a part of your riding experience. What if there was a system of riding gear that was all about comfort, both thermally and in fit, that could be donned and doffed quickly and that featured a full complement of D30 armor? Something that could fit the bill for those quick commuter rides, warm weather touring rides, and easier off-road rides when it’s hot out? It turns out that KLIM’s Marrakesh system is just the gear for these types of riding.

The Marrakesh system consists of pants, jacket, and gloves that are all designed to be the most comfortable warm weather gear out there. Klim utilized a 1000 denier four way stretch Cordura® fabric that not only moves like a base layer, but it allows just the right amount of airflow. Since the jacket and pants are made almost entirely from this textile, nearly every surface can move air, where a mesh jacket only really moves air through its mesh panels. If you’ve ever ridden with a mesh jacket on a 100-plus degree day, you probably felt like you were riding in a giant hair dryer – that’s because there is too much airflow moving over your body, which causes all of your perspiration to evaporate, leaving your body struggling to create enough sweat to cool you effectively. Yet with the Marrakesh, you have this nice cooling breeze passing through the gear, so yes you’re still going to sweat, but you feel cooler than you would wearing a full mesh jacket or a waterproof jacket. When combined with an Aggressor -1.0 base layer, the Marrakesh is surprisingly comfortable on a hot day.

TESTED: KLIM MARRAKESH SYSTEM Not only does the Marrakesh system do an outstanding job of breathing and moving with you, it’s also very easy to get on and off. In timed testing, it took me a fraction of the time to get ready to ride in a Marrakesh system versus a full-on ADV system where I’m having to adjust a bunch of additional straps and other features. Speaking of features, the Marrakesh jacket and pants are well appointed, especially for gear that isn’t obviously bristling with pockets. The jacket has four external pockets, and one internal pocket. The pants have two thigh pockets which are great for carrying a current-gen smartphone or wallet, and two jean style hip pockets.

When it comes to protection, the Marrakesh jacket and pants are fully loaded with D30 CE-rated level 1 armor in the elbows, shoulders, back, hips, and knees. Thanks to Klim’s bomber construction processes and textiles, both garments have a CE AA-rating. If you’re wondering what all of this means, just know that a CE rating is a European system of standards that motorcycle garments and many other products can be certified against to quantify their performance in their intended use.

The standard for motorcycle garments is EN 17092, and earning a double A rating for this standard means that the garment performs well in tests that measure things like abrasion and tear resistance. The Marrakesh may be quite comfortable to wear, but that certainly doesn’t mean it’s lacking in the protection department.

I would say that I’m an equal opportunity motorcycle enthusiast, and that simply means that I appreciate all types of riding.

Having a Marrakesh system on hand helps me enjoy more rides, simply because it makes it easy and more comfortable no matter what kind of ride I’m gearing up for. Whether I’m just running downtown and taking my bike because there’s always moto parking, or I’m heading somewhere that involves multiple twisty sections of road that are way more fun on a bike than in a car, the Marrakesh is my go-to. If I was kitting up for a touring-style trip that had the potential for a bit of off-road or fire road potential, the Marrakesh and a lightweight packable rain layer would be a great choice. The jacket and pants do have a hydrophobic coating that can shrug off light showers, but for proper wet work you’ll want to supplement with a rain layer.

TESTED: KLIM MARRAKESH SYSTEM

TESTED: KLIM MARRAKESH SYSTEM If I’m gearing up for a proper off-road ride, I’m going to wear something like KLIM’s Baja system, or I’m going with a standalone armor and off-road riding gear. There is almost always a perfect tool for the job, and motorcycle riding gear systems are no different. As a rider, you need to be honest with yourself about the type of riding that you do, and the weather conditions in which you typically ride. The Marrakesh system is positioned as a touring piece, but I’ve really enjoyed it for anything warm weather related, that’s not full stop off-road riding. Full disclosure though – I’ve been using this system since before the Baja came into existence, so please check that system out if you’re looking for an integrated armor system for warm weather off-road use.

KLIM’s Marrakesh system has proven to be a great option for riding gear when the weather gets warm. It’s easy to don and doff, so there’s no longer any excuse to ride unprotected, no matter the duration of your ride. The gear has subtle style that looks good, so riding into the office won’t earn you any Power Ranger jokes or funny looks. If you’re touring when it’s warm out, the Marrakesh is a great way to go. For all the riders out there who have a proper ADV riding system but want something so that they can ride their bike more when it’s hot, the answer is Marrakesh. Again, be honest with yourself about your intended use for your riding gear and make the selection that will benefit you the most. Personally, I don’t have to go on an epic ride to enjoy riding my ADV bike. The Marrakesh system, in addition to other sets of riding gear for different types of riding, help me enjoy my bike more often on more types of rides, and that’s why I really appreciate it. Check it out at www.klim.com

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BASOL TOLGA FIL M M A K ER BY T R A D E A D V E N T U R E R ID ER BY PA S SIO N

Astronaut, firefighter, pilot, race car driver, and more recently, YouTuber… these are all dream jobs we hear about when asking young people what realities of life set in, motorcycles become a hobby and career paths go in different directions in order to fund our motorcycling endeavors. But for some, enduring a job to pay for a passion reaches a boiling point where passion and paychecks become one. For Tolga Basol, a filmmaker by trade and adventure rider by passion, this was exactly the case when he quit his job to travel, produced freelance content for moto brands and ultimately landed a job managing content production for a gear company. It’s a dream career path for some, so we chatted with Tolga about his experience.

Upshift: How did you get started in filmmaking? What was your first work as a filmmaker?

Tolga Basol: ‘’I simply loved the art of visual storytell-

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ing beginning from childhood. Some years later I got sucked into the world of filmmaking in high school. I

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they’d like to be when they grow up. Years go by,

started experimenting with a hi-8 camera and a desktop PC to edit the footage I shot. That eventually led me to study related fields in college and I ended up working in the media industry right after graduation. I have worked on several amateur short film projects during my college years as well as part of my professional career. Ordu-Texas was the first commercially successful and internationally screened documentary movie about Osman Gursoy, which I produced and directed.

Upshift: Then how did you get into motorcycling?

TB: After a few months at my first job in a big production studio in Istanbul, the

on my motorcycle avoiding the chaotic traffic of Istanbul. During the following years I started going for weekend camping trips, then riding through Turkey on vacations. Around 2009, I came to realize that traveling on a motorcycle was my biggest passion in life compared to other things I enjoyed. Up to 2014, I was already on my 7th motorcycle, having traveled through the Middle East, Europe, Central Asia and Southeast Asia on motorcycles.

Upshift: You quit your job as Motion Designer in 2014. Talk me through that decision.

TB: Around 2010, I realized that these short 3-4 week trips were just not enough anymore. That was also around the time I started experimenting with filming on the road. While I was gaining more experience about riding and ‘traveling light’ I was also looking into ways of how to produce high quality content as a one-man band. On the other hand, despite the fact I had a good job as a motion designer in a big network in Istanbul, I was not happy about what I was actually creating there. It was in a completely different subject area than what I was interested in life. It was feeling like an endless loop of routine: wake up – ride to work – ride back home – repeat. There was no time for personal passion projects or freedom to produce something I would be excited about. So on my 34th birthday in 2014, I quit my job in order to travel around the world. I was already getting ready in the background for it, and to be honest that was one of the best decisions in my life.

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me how to ride it and in a few weeks I got my endorsement and I was commuting

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driver’s license when I purchased it. With the help of some friends, they taught

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15 million people. After a year of saving, I bought my first ever motorcycle in

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I started saving money in order to buy a motorcycle to commute in this city of

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to 3 hours in traffic to get home. A car would not solve the traffic problem so

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daily commute in that huge city started to frustrate me. I would spend almost 2

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Upshift: How did you financially support yourself during travels? How does that work as a business model?

TB: Traveling on a motorcycle is not that cheap. I already had some savings but if I wanted to travel as long as possible, I had to come up with a financial plan to sustain it as long as possible. As mentioned earlier, I was already experimenting with high quality content creation on the road. So, I created a digital presentation about myself, my works and what I had in mind to do as well as what I could provide to supporting brands.

KLIM was one of the first brands to agree to support my travels both financially and as a sponsor in exchange for high quality video/photo work. During those four years, I had worked with many global brands and provided them exclusive content for their marketing efforts. When I say exclusive content, I mean it was not about me posting about products on social media all the time. Instead, I would usually work with a project brief in order to understand what the brand needed and planned ahead in terms of locations that would fit the bill, then create and deliver to them the content they needed.

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Upshift: What was your vision for how this career path would play out? What things did you consider as you planned your steps?

whole thing. All I wanted was to earn my living with something I was passionate about and just ride around the world. I kinda wanted to get out of Turkey as well, because the social and political climate was changing rapidly. It was not easy for sure, especially when you try to film or photograph yourself on a motorcycle and

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Upshift: Congratulations! How has your travel experience helped

not have to scout shoot locations beforehand as I have already

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but in the end it worked out pretty well as now I am the Content

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do that on a daily basis. Traveling and working can be frustrating,

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TB: Honestly, I did not have a super solid plan about the

Production Manager for KLIM here in the U.S.

with this new role?

TB: In particular for motorcycling, it helped on a huge scale.

As authenticity has a big role in motorcycle marketing, I usually do ridden through most of the routes and locations we use. The local contacts I made while traveling also helps for logistics and local talent if I need a bigger team. Experiencing different locations on the planet, as well as being a rider has a great advantage when it comes to content production for the power sports industry.

Upshift: What are some of the biggest challenges you face in content production in the motorcycle industry?

TB: The Powersports Industry in the US is very old school compared to Europe. Executing new and challenging ideas can be a little bit difficult here. But the biggest challenge for content production here is the requirements to obtain filming permits. It is a complicated and expensive path in order to get permits for your projects.

Upshift: Why work in the motorcycle industry? Are there times you wish that work and play didn’t mix?

TB: Well it’s simple. I love riding motorcycles, especially

film festivals, including even commercial works. How did that happen?

TB: Yeah, most of my long format video works after 2014 have been either premiered or nominated in film festivals all around the world. Even though they are commercial works, I always try to strengthen the authenticity element with a high quality of visual storytelling. Having traveled and lived on my motorcycle for so many years has a huge impact on achieving that. On those projects, rather than directly focusing on the products we have to promote, I try to showcase what you can actually do with those products, hoping to create an emotional connection with the audience. It would be way easier just to talk about product specs and features on those video projects, but that would not be so aspirational. I guess my works are inspirational to many and I am happy that these festivals and organizations pick my works to showcase.

Upshift: Your film projects include a wide range of styles, including documentary-style films, cinematic commercial projects, motion graphics and travel episodes. How do you manage different projects and stay relevant?

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Upshift: Some of your productions have been nominated for

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thing I am not happy about.

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can be a little bit annoying here and there.

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usually like; ‘’OK, I should stop and get some shots,’’ which

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just want to ride and enjoy whatever the situation is. But it is

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traveling on them. And yes, of course there are times that I

TB: I think once you actually enjoy what you do at work, anything you spend time on becomes a challenge to raise the bar instead of repeating the same thing over and over. opportunity to mix and shuffle different filming techniques and styles in various projects. While pushing for more impressive cinematography on projects like Destination Guatemala and Destination Turkey, for instance, we push more on the story and the narrative on productions like

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rewarded commercial productions. Why did it resonate

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cinematography on that piece, as well as the narrated story was quite interesting for a lot of people. When you combine

Biggest challenge was hiking on top of the volcano with lots

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refined filming style to keep things relatable.

TRADE

Destination Colombia, which is a bit raw and has a less

BY

BY

P A S S I O N ::

Having worked in media for so long also gives me the

Upshift: Destination Guatemala is one of your highest with viewers? What were some challenges in producing it?

TB: First of all, that was something never filmed before, riding motorcycles to the top of a volcano in Guatemala. I think the

a good story with impressive visuals/backdrops it always resonates with people who want to go out and explore. of filming gear. On top of that, we had a small window of golden hour and the timing was quite crucial to film riders making it to the top. You also need to realize, everything you watch happened only once. We did not make several tries or passes to get the best shot to keep it more docu-style.

After we filmed the project in Guatemala, RedBull actually did the same thing with one of their team riders but they released the video earlier than us, but I should mention that the KLIM - Destination Guatemala is the original one.

Upshift: What’s your advice to people who want to combine their hobby and profession?

TB: Well, I guess it would not always be the case for most professions, combining both and making a living out of it. But in my case, being creative, especially with the rise of social media, made the transition more natural without almost any struggle. I think the key is to find what actually makes you happy and figuring out how to create a financial stream out of it. I was discouraged by a lot of people when I quit my job and set a goal to never go back to that routine life cycle. But I was determined to achieve that and one thing led to another, so I guess a little bit of courage and not being afraid of risks would be my advice.

:: F I L M M A K E R

BY

TRADE

::

ADVENTURE

RIDER

BY

P A S S I O N ::

2021 Husqvarna FE501S ADV-lite

PHOTOs: SIMON CUDBY WORDS: THE INSIDER

2021 Husqvarna FE501S ADV-lite

Let’s get one thing straight right from the get-go, building a project bike doesn’t mean adding all of the bling parts that you can. In the case of our 2021 Husqvarna FE501 ADV-lite bike build, we wanted to build something focused on extended travel as opposed to a bike built for day rides. We’ve seen many different 500cc dual-sport builds for Round-The-World (RTW) travel, but in our opinion, there are better options out there. Especially now that there are more choices in the middle-weight 700cc+ class segment. A 500cc single-cylinder takes tons of oil maintenance (15 hour oil change intervals work out to less than 1000 miles at a 60mph average speed) and requires a lot of revs out on the open road, which in most cases causes some serious monkey-butt. So rather than build another RTW bike, the goal with this 501 was to improve on an already great dual-sport chassis and make it more suited to a long weekend exploring fire roads and the occasional single-track that does not include any Erzberg enduro-like sections. With this type of riding in mind, we didn’t see a need to weigh the bike down with heavy skid plates or anodized bling on every inch of the bike. Yes, those parts do look cool, and if that’s your thing, go for it.

2021 Husqvarna FE501S ADV-lite

The suspension on a FE501 is acceptable right out of the box, so we chose to keep the bike’s WP XPLOR 48 front forks and WP XACT in their stock configuration for this build. We’ve built plenty of bikes with revised valving and other suspension wizardry, but the stock setup does the trick for this build. Remember, the goal here is to build something for exploring for a few days at a time – not to go race pace in the desert or to smash into tractor tires and other soft enduro stuff all day long.

2021 Husqvarna FE501S ADV-lite

2021 Husqvarna FE501S ADV-lite

The most significant upgrade we made to the 501 is the RADE/GARAGE rally tower. While rally towers are popular these days, they’re not always a good fit for bikes that live on super tight single-track.

Yet when you’re traveling at speed and need a better lighting solution, some wind protection, a place for your navigation, phone, and other accessories, we believe a tower is well worth the money.

We chose the RADE/GARAGE FE rally kit primarily because there’s minimal drilling and it’s pretty plug-and-play. Some of the many features included are a GPS Mount, Scott’s Steering Damper mounts, LED Lighting, and turn signals. If you fancy yourself entering a rally anytime soon, it also provides mounting for a complete roadbook rally navigation system. The carbon fiber base allows you to build the cockpit to your needs and contains the supplied plug-in harness to run accessories off the ignition switch.

We have seen our fair share of carbon fiber motorcycle parts, and the RADE/GARAGE quality is next level. The kit comes with extra hardware, which is a welcome inclusion too. RADE/GARAGE does not sell via dealers in the US, but they do ship daily via FedEx and provide both customer satisfaction and part quality guarantees. The instructional video and provided instructions were super easy to follow.

2021 Husqvarna FE501S ADV-lite

The lights are one of the strongest, road legal and EU certified with 33W input producing 3985 lumens each and the weight of the kit is lighter compared to heavier aluminum kits on the market due to the use of carbon fiber. Our only issue with the install process was that USA FE501s have more wires packed behind the headlight mask compared to the EU FE501 shown in the video. As a result, we had to tuck some of the stock wiring next to the steering stem so that the OEM harness would not interfere with the bike’s steering. Just take your time to route things carefully so that wires are not pulled or pinched anywhere in the bike’s steering range of motion, and you’ll be good to go. During the tower install, we also added a USB adapter to power a phone or other device and an Upshift graphics kit to the side fairings. RADE/GARAGE does include a graphics kit with the tower kit.

Since we knew that this bike would spend plenty of time on high-speed dirt, we needed to eliminate some of the vibrations caused by a 500cc single when it’s being revved. We changed final drive gearing from a 14/48 tooth sprockets to 15/45 tooth sprockets, which helped a bunch and did not take away too much bite in the lower RPM range. Not only does this new final drive gearing reduce revs, it also improves fuel economy which will help with those long weekend or ADV lite style rides.

To improve the 501’s rideability for a spectrum of different riders, a Rekluse RadiusX clutch pack was installed. The RadiusX combines TorqDrive friction disk technology with EXP (auto clutch) disks. This combination provides more clutch disks in less space, delivering high-performance auto clutch function within the framework of the stock clutch. The auto clutch engages smoothly off idle; it never chatters or grabs unpredictably. It makes riding technical sections more manageable, clutch modulation is no longer an issue, stalling is a thing of the past, and it makes ham-fisting the throttle and other forms of sub-par riding technique less likely to result in a failed attempt at an obstacle. The one big drawback that emerged was the lack of the in-gear “parking brake” function of a standard clutch when the engine was off. The ability to lock the rear wheel with the transmission is very helpful any time you’re not parking the bike on perfectly level ground.

2021 Husqvarna FE501S ADV-lite

To fit the 501’s chassis to our riders, we went with IMS Core Footpegs to keep our boots planted and to provide a larger platform than the stock pegs. These things can take a serious beating should they get introduced to any trail obstacles, and they provide all of the traction your feet could ask for.

We used the stock ProTaper bars with the RADE/GARAGE 2 inch riser, which allows for a Scott’s Steering Stabilizer to be sub mounted. Pro Grip foam rally grips were used to add comfort and to help with any vibrations communicated through the bars. To round out the 501’s chassis fitment, we swapped the stock seat out for a Seat Concepts comfort seat.

To extend our fuel range, we went with the Acerbis 3.9 gallon tank. Installation was quick and easy, thanks to OEM quick-release fuel hoses. By adding 1.7 gallons of fuel over the stock tank, we were hoping to get more than 165 to 195 miles out of a full tank depending on the terrain. We also picked up an Acerbis skid plate, X-grip frame protector, X-factory handguards, and a front disk guard. These parts were easy to install and added the level of protection we were seeking.

2021 Husqvarna FE501S ADV-lite

2021 Husqvarna FE501S ADV-lite

2021 Husqvarna FE501S ADV-lite

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Almost every bike we ride has a Trail Tech Voyager Pro, and this build is no exception. It is nice to have a large display of your speed, tach, trip distance, and so many other metrics mounted to the Rally Tower. The Voyager Pro packs a ton of features into a IP67 rated unit that has a 4-inch anti-glare display. For our full review of the Trail Tech Voyager Pro, check out Issue 40.

Since sound matters, we went with the Yoshimura RS-12 Enduro Series complete exhaust system with a USFS approved spark arrester, which provided noticeable gains in power. This means more raw grunt when you need to get up that rock or over that log on the trail. On the street, it provides more get up and go to get to the next trailhead.

We chose to grab some Yoshimura turn signals for the rear of the bike to clean things up and are less likely to break versus the bulky stock signals.

To round out this project build we traded the stock tires out for a set of Dunlop D606 tires. These tires were a great option for the intended use of this bike. They provide respectable grip off-road, without feeling like they’re going to kill you when you get on-road. Thanks to the 501’s lighter weight, these tires inspire confidence on hard surfaces, and they will not wear out in an afternoon if you have to grind out a few miles of highway.

Off-road, they’ve provided solid traction in all of the soil types and surfaces we’ve ridden them on.

2021 Husqvarna FE501S ADV-lite

Depending on the type of ride we are taking, we will either run a Mosko Moto Reckless 10 or Reckless 40 luggage system on the 501. Either of these outstanding luggage solutions can quickly be installed or removed from the bike, and the versatility they offer allows us to carry the exact gear loadout we need for any adventure. If we’re going for a big day ride, we will use the Reckless 10, and if we’re kitting up for a few days out, the Reckless 40 carries everything we need with ease.

The 2021 Husqvarna FE501 is a versatile platform, and thanks to a robust aftermarket it can be built into a bike that can fulfill many different roles. This project build did exactly what we intended it to; it’s a great bike for exploring the forest roads, ADV-lite rides, and it’s able to handle the occasional single track with ease. We’re also not pigeon-holed into a corner here; should we want to change the bike’s attributes down the road, we can do so thanks to the fact that we kept this build more mellow instead of going full send in chasing ultimate performance in one type of riding.

2021 Husqvarna FE501S ADV-lite

2021 Husqvarna FE501S ADV-lite

Motorcycle: 2021 Husqvarna FE501S www.husqvarna-motorcycles.com Plastic: Acerbis 3.9 Gallon Fuel Tank, Hand Guards, Skidplate and Frame Guards www.acerbis.com Rally Tower: RADE/GARAGE Husqvarna FE501s Rally www.radegarage.com

PARTS LIST

Steering Stabilizer: Scotts www.scottsonline.com Custom Graphics: Upshift Husqvarna FE501s Rally Kit (Available soon) www.upshiftonline.com Seat: Seat Concepts Comfort www.seatconcepts.com Tires: Dunlop 606 Front and Rear www.dunlopmotorcycletires.com Clutch: Rekluse Radius CX Auto Clutch www.rekluse.com GPS: Trail Tech Voyager Pro with Buddy Tracking www.trailtech.net Suspension: Stock WP XPLOR 48 Forks with WP XACT Rear Shock www.wp-suspension.com Exhaust: Yoshimura RS-12 Stainless Full Exhaust with Aluminum Muffler www.yoshimura-rd.com Rear Turn Signals: Yoshimura LED www.yoshimura-rd.com Sprockets: DDC Delaney Drive Components (Gearing 15-45) www.ddcracing.net Cell Phone Holder/Mount: RAM: Quick Grip XL www.rammount.com

2021 Husqvarna FE501S ADV-lite

2021 Husqvarna FE501S ADV-lite

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