Issue 61
September 2021
Photo: S. Romero
ENDURO ANYWHERE ANYTIME The KTM 690 ENDURO R proves that versatility doesn’t
have to be a compromise. With impeccable road manners and proven offroad prowess, the KTM 690 ENDURO R is 100% ready for any road or trail – anytime.
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.
Ténéré 700. The Next Horizon is yours. www.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. European spec model shown. 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. ©2021 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved.
ISSUE 61 September 2021
Issue 61
INSTA-ADV
September 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
Instagram Travelers
LOGO SHEET
THE INSIDER Fire!
Photography Editor Simon Cudby Contributing Writers Chad de Alva Travis Gill Tim Notier
BLACK
Contributing Photographers Tim Burke Chad de Alva Travis Gill Tim Notier Michnus Olivier
PMS 021
RGB: R255 B255 G2550
RGB: R255 B80
CMYK: C40 M30 Y30 K100
CMYK: N80 Y100
GEAR
The Latest
WIDE OPEN
Views Through The Lens
horizontal on white
Story Editor Chad de Alva Stefanie Glaspell
RICKY CARMICHAEL
Business Development Brandon Glanville
Summer Adventure
AFRICA PART 2
In Search of “Wild South Africa”
Want to advertise with us? Contact: Brandon Glanville brandon@upshiftonline.com
horizontal on black
TECH
Join us on Instagram at @ upshift_online
Rebel X Sports Rally Tower
Join us on Twitter at @upshift_online Join us on Facebook at facebook.com/upshiftonline
TESTED
Motominded Flex Plate and Evo Led Light Kit
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.
vertical on black
vertical on white
ALBANIA
A Country of Contrast
Follow
Follow
Follow
INSTA-ADV
Follow
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
Follow
Follow
Follow
Follow
The Best just Got Better NEW DIAPHRAGM CLUTCH PROVIDES MORE TORQUE & LESS RIDER FATIGUE NEW REAR SHOCK FOR INDEPENDENT HIGH & LOW DAMPING RATES UPDATED INTERNAL VALVING ON FRONT FORKS FOR ENHANCED PLUSHNESS FULL LIGHTING PACKAGE TWO DIFFERENT IGNITION SETTINGS RR 250 & 300
ELECTRIC START & OIL INJECTION
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. *
FIRE! By Chad de Alva
Wildland fires can impact riding in so many different ways. Smoke from active fires can keep you out of an area, even if the fire is several states away. If you’re riding closer to a fireline, you have to contend with a constantly changing closure map and even more smoke. Once a fire is out, its burn scar can create even more unexpected surprises: washed out roads, debris flows, downed trees, and long term closures are just some of the factors waiting in the black. Yet with a little bit of research, all of these factors can be dealt with, and exploring a burn scar on a bike is a unique riding experience that can become quite the adventure.
When you’re dealing with active fires, there are a few great resources for getting factual fire information and determining what smoke impacts may be. inciweb.nwcg.gov is a direct source where Incident Command teams will post information such as maps, closures, and contact information for agencies assigned to the fire. If you’re trying to figure out where smoke from a fire is going to be, resources like Blue Sky Daily Runs will give you a smoke forecast. Purpleair.com is a great resource for determining real time air quality. Burn scars are their own unique landscapes that are full of surprises. Rains after a fire can wash serious volumes of soil and other debris downhill, so expect washouts and debris flows if you’re in a scar with topography. Trees in a burn scar can fall at ANY time, so you need to keep your head on a swivel and be very cognizant of where you stop or setup camp. Please carry a saw to deal with any trees that may fall in your path. Land managers will post burn scar closure orders and maps on their websites, and it’s a great idea to download them for reference in the field. That way you can ensure you are staying out of closed areas and know for certain whether a sign on a road should be there, or if it was forgotten. Remember that burn scars are not remediated, so there’s no telling what you’ll find out there – but that’s part of what makes exploring them so interesting.
ARAI Introduces Two New XD-4 Graphics Arai is proud to present the Arai XD-4 in the Cover UK Frost and Cover White Frost graphics. These two new designs are fresh variations of the hugely popular Cover graphic but now in the bold UK Flag pattern and a clean White Frost color way. The adventure-ready Arai XD-4 is well known for its amazing versatility and flexibility in almost any riding situation. The combination of the Arai comfort headliner, with micro-fitting 5mm peel-away temple pads, and our patent-pending FCS® cheek pad design, also with 5mm peel away layers, add a new dimension to the concept of helmet fit and customization. It takes a unique sense of commitment to continually strive to improve your product – especially when it’s already regarded as the very best. MSRP: $739.95 www.araiamericas.com
Scott Prospect Amplifier Goggle The best just got better! The new SCOTT Prospect Amplifier Goggle not only defends, but also amplifies your vision while riding. The advanced pre-curved lenses are injection molded to provide greatly improved contrast and optical clarity, allowing you to see contours and transitions in the terrain in ultra-high definition. SCOTT sets the industry standard for contrast enhancing optics with its patented Amplifier lens technology. The secret to Amplifier technology is its ability to add contrast while increasing clarity and definition in all racing conditions. The lenses are injection molded to provide improved definition and optical clarity, allowing you to see contours and transitions in the dirt like never before. With other perfected features such as the NoSweat face foam, a maximum field of vision, the innovative SCOTT Lens Lock System, articulating outriggers and much more, the super-stylish SCOTT Amplifier Prospect Goggle has been engineered to Defend Your Vision no matter how extreme the conditions get. www.scott-sports.com
Klim’s New Puffer Jackets And Mid Layers KLIM is excited to release new insulated mid layers, puffer jackets and windbreakers for the 2021-22 season, bringing comfort, performance and style for the upcoming winter months. New soft shells and down jackets are designed to excel in active and casual environments alike. Their technical mid layers add warmth and breathability for use under a GORE-TEX shell, while remaining versatile for non-riding environments. The men’s Boulder Jacket and women’s Luna Jacket are refined, premium down puffer jackets designed for active lifestyles, where wind protection, packability and mobility are all essential for a good day outside. The entire jacket is made of downproof 4-way stretch fabric that’s even more comfortable than traditional down jackets. Unique engineered seamless baffle construction greatly reduces down loss while an included stuff sack makes packing easy. KLIM’s introduction of down to their apparel lineup is an exciting addition to other 3M™ Thinsulate™ and Featherless™ insulated gear. From the winter backcountry, to a night in town, to the campfire, the Boulder and Luna deliver warmth you can count on. Exciting new women’s mid layers are the redesigned Waverly Jacket and Arise Vest, with exceptional breathability and warmth for casual or athletic conditions. Great breathability avoids any stuffy, sweaty feeling without introducing so much airflow that body heat escapes. The result is a very comfortable mid layer suited for physical activity or adding warmth to any outer shell. Similar to the men’s Override Alloy series of jackets, these will become very popular multipurpose mid layers, ready for a night in town, full days of riding or lounging around the cabin. The men’s Delta Jacket and women’s Whistler Jacket are stretchy, fleece-lined windbreakers that take the edge off chilly weather. The fleece backing adds warmth while flexible, breathable, water-resistant fabrics keep you comfortable even during physical activity. Like many other KLIM mid layers, jackets and shells, these are designed for comfort and performance from town to trailhead. For more information on these jackets and other new technical lifestyle products visit www.klim.com
Men’s Boulder Jacket
Women’s Luna Jacket
Men’s Delta Jacket
Women’s Whistler Jacket
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
New Motion Pro DirtControl™ II Grips Motion Pro have been making tools, cables, controls and accessories since 1984 that are designed with highest quality materials. Constructed of proprietary material compounds the Motion Pro DirtControl II grips provide an excellent combination of soft feel and lasting durability. Value priced and available in black or gray. MSRP:$12.99. www.motionpro.com • Motion Pro web pattern and fingertip traction with light knurling • Inner diameter optimized to keep grips secure in any conditions • Ergonomic design provides excellent comfort and control • Medium density compound grip • Secure feel in both wet and dry conditions • Fits 7/8” (22 mm) bars and throttle tubes • Available in black or gray • Designed by Motion Pro • Made in USA by ODI
LEGENDARY GEAR.
B-BASE, M+L ROLIES, ENDURO TANK BAG @ WOLFMANLUGGAGE.COM Upshift Tenere 700 Blue Rally graphics. Photo credit: Simon Cudby
WIDE OPEN
WYOMING
PHOTO: SIMON CUDBY
WIDE OPEN
ARIZONA
PHOTO: CHAD DE ALVA
WIDE OPEN
ALBANIA
PHOTO: TRAVIS GILL
WIDE OPEN
IDAHO
PHOTO: SIMON CUDBY
THE
WIDE OPEN
SOUTH DAKOTA
PHOTO: SIMON CUDBY
WIDE OPEN
COLORADO
PHOTO: CHAD DE ALVA
WIDE OPEN
IDAHO
PHOTO: SIMON CUDBY
WIDE OPEN
BOLIVIA
PHOTO: MICHNUS OLIVIER
WIDE OPEN
MONTANA
PHOTO: SIMON CUDBY
WIDE OPEN
WYOMING
PHOTO: SIMON CUDBY
WIDE OPEN
MONTENEGRO
PHOTO: TRAVIS GILL
WIDE OPEN
IDAHO
PHOTO: TIM BURKE
RICKY CARMICHAEL’S Summer Good Times - Not Lap Times!
r Adventure
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY SIMOn CUDBY
“We want to come and ride in Idaho!” On the line was Ricky Carmichael himself, the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) of motocross and Supercross fame. The winningest racer ever. Why would he want to come and ride with us in Idaho? I’ve had a literal trackside view of R.C.’s rise to moto legend status since I first met him in 1997. I’ve done countless photoshoots of Ricky at the “Goat Farm” in Florida for Fox Racing, plus team manufacturer shoots for rider posters, and many seasons in the trenches at motocross races. It was quite a surprise to see Ricky team up with Triumph last year on a ride through the mid-west up to Glacier National Park, mostly on pavement. But this year, Ricky and his buddies wanted some more off-road action on their ride; hence the phone call to get the ball rolling on an Idaho adventure ride. I asked my local Boise riding friends, Rich Libengood and Scott Lantefield, if they would like to come along and plan a four-day route through central Idaho. Our goal was some asphalt riding, but the focus was to take the crew on a real Idaho backcountry mission on their Tiger 900’s. Rich, Scott, myself, and Ray Butts headed up a day early to rendezvous with Ricky, JH Leale, and Anthony Paggio at Gosselaar Powersports in Graingeville, ID. The temps on part of the ride north peaked at 104F. This was a notoriously bad fire season, and that was going to affect our route along the way as we dodged trail closures. Mike Gosselaar was a big part of R.C.’s success as he was his mechanic at several teams throughout Ricky’s moto career, so it was fun to watch these guys reunite for this no-pressure ride. Mike had also taken delivery of three shiny new Triumph ADV machines and prepped them up for the guys with add-ons like Outback Motortek protection, Mosko Moto bags, and Trail Tech navigation. Our dinner that night was a combination of motocross bench racing and conversation about the route we would be taking over the next four days.
On day one, we had planned to ride the famed Lolo Motorway, an 80-plus mile section of dirt heading east from Grangeville. Unfortunately for us, the route was closed in several sections due to fire activity, so our plan was to ride some trails further to the south through Elk City and over to our day one lodging at Lochsa Lodge. That morning as we pulled out of Mike’s shop, our Cardo headsets were working overtime as the sheer amount of smack talk among the group ramped up dramatically, and for better or worse would remain that way for most of the trip. After a great windy tree-lined road section, we transitioned onto dirt and made our way up a fast, dusty trail to a scenic overlook that showed some of the beauty of Idaho’s high country. I tried to follow R.C. on some fast sections, but obviously, this guy has some moto experience, so I gradually lost touch as he disappeared up the trail and left me in the dust. Oh well, he is the GOAT! Our stay at the rustic cabins at Lochsa Lodge was great fun, and our dinner at the restaurant was a classic affair of recounted racing stories from the past and a few cocktails after a solid day on the bikes. I had always been around these guys in the pressure cooker situation of racing, so it was good to see them cut loose and have some good laughs. Day two was shortened once again due to fire closures. We cut the day short at the beautiful Rye Creek Lodge south of Darby, and it gave everyone a chance to recover from the morning’s Moto G.P. session on the twisty roads. R.C. and Paggio tried their best to keep up with local legend Rich Libengood, with all of us watching and listening through our headsets in amusement. This afternoon was about relaxing and hanging out with friends, something that we sometimes forget when we ride our bikes from dawn to dusk every day.
CONGRATS MANNI
romaniacs three-peat champion
On day three our mission was to make it south to Ketchum, Idaho on a variety of surfaces, but mostly dirt. The first half of the day did not disappoint as we got up high on some fast-flowing two-track ridges. I told the guys, “Ok, this is real Idaho riding!” as we carved our way south on ridge after ridge. This ride wasn’t all about getting from point A to point B as fast as we could. We passed through some older towns, and it was interesting to see the history of the area and also to get away from the populated areas to a place that would be tough to get to on anything other than a big dirt bike. We definitely stopped a lot along the way to take in the views, take photos, and spend time just being around each other. In a particularly sketchy sand and rock section, I was riding with Anthony Paggio. He asked me over our headsets if I’d ever had a big crash on an adventure bike, and I replied that I didn’t want to think about it. Literally less than a minute later we all heard “I’m down!” through our intercoms. Anthony had had a big swap in the sand, and had landed hard on his arm. This was a big wake up call for us all and it reinforced the fact that we were miles from any help, so we all backed down the pace for a while after that. Luckily Anthony could still ride, although after the trip he needed to go under the knife to repair the damage. Our first flat of the trip came half way up the ascent to Pinyon Peak, north of Stanley. R.C. and Scott had taken off ahead of us to get some GoPro action and Ricky had unsurprisingly been pushing hard into some quite unforgiving terrain, resulting in a front flat. Ray Butts broke out the Boxo tool roll, quickly plugged R.C.’s tubeless tire, and we were back on our way to the fire lookout tower on top of the peak.
After the previous day’s mellow vibe, this day was proving to be right up there on the list of all time great days on a big bike. It was already mid-afternoon as we made our way down into the stormy foothills, and as we refueled in Stanley, the rain was coming down quite heavily. We all layered up with waterproof gear for the final 60 mile dash to Ketchum where we were ending our day. At dinner that night there was no talk about racing from days gone by, instead all talk was about just how epic this day had been. And just like that, we were on our final day heading back to the Upshift HQ in Eagle, ID. We started out heading up across Dollarhide mountain pass on some much needed wet hero dirt from the previous day’s rain. Traction today was at a premium as we worked our way across miles of up and down ridges and trails through Featherville, past Trinity Mountain, and across to Idaho City. The temperature was rising quickly as we made our final turn south into Eagle. We rolled up to Upshift late in the afternoon to unload our bikes, regroup, and reflect on a great trip with Ricky and his friends up into the Idaho landscape. Hopefully this gave the crew a look at some real adventure riding, and we’re already looking forward to RC’s Summer Adventure next year. Big thanks to Gosselaar Powersports, Triumph Motorcycles, Mosko Moto, Outback Motortek, Dunlop, Doubletake Mirrors, Fox Racing, Arai Helmets, Cardo Systems, Cometic Gaskets, Slick Products, Boxo Tools and Oakley.
CHECK OUT THE RIDE ON
X D-4
I DEPART BLACK/SILVER FROST
THE ARAI DIFFERENCE: GLANCING OFF At Arai, protecting the rider is the single most important element in any helmet they produce. The kinetic energy generated by a crash can be avoided or minimized by glancing off objects. Glancing off is the ability to avoid sending energy directly into the helmet and Arai believes this is one of the most important performance characteristics of a helmet. Protect what is priceless. No helmet can protect the wearer against sall foreseeable impacts. Nothing is a substitute for safe riding practices. ©2021 Arai Helmet
PEAC MAXIMA’S EXCLUSIVE ADDITIVE SYSTEM
PEAC additive system was developed by Maxima and tested with factory teams like Monster Energy Kawasaki, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki and Geico Factory Connection Honda. PEAC was designed to significantly improve performance in several critical areas: engine cleanliness, clutch performance, power & acceleration. This unique additive system is exclusive to the Maxima 4-stroke engine oil line-up.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
OEM APPROVED SAFE FOR USE IN ALL MOTORCYCLES
Maxima 4-stroke engine oils meet or exceed the requirements set forth in your motorcycle owners manual. For use in all motorcycle brands: Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, KTM, Husqvarna, GasGas, BMW, Triumph and more. Guaranteed by Maxima Racing Oils / Made in the USA / MaximaUSA.com
My wife Marisa and I landed in Cape Town four days before our KTM 1190 would land on the same continent as us. We spent those days trying to match our sleeping habits to that of the new time zone. The seven-hour difference was more than anything I had previously needed to adjust to, other than the days of binge drinking long ago. We had endured a twelveand-a-half-hour flight to Doha, along with a nine-hour layover, and then a ten-and-a-half-hour flight to Cape Town. We felt like the walking dead, and spent days sleeping late into the afternoon. Our new host at our B&B must have wondered how extreme these ‘American adventurer motorcyclists’ truly were. As Marisa and I walked around a SuperSpar grocery store, we were surrounded by soft ambient lighting that illuminated the aisles in a welcoming glow. Wooden crates displayed expensive bottles of wine and fancy Italian olive oil and cheeses from around the world in lined glass cases beside organic produce. Marisa turned to me and asked, “Where are we? Whole Foods?” What I had dreamed up in my imagination of what South Africa would be was a land where elephants, lions, and rhinos roamed freely through the city streets like a game of Jumanji gone wrong. I realized that it was the equivalent of daydreaming about the open vastness of the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, or Yosemite, and then landing in Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. Big cities certainly have their advantages, but we wanted to explore the ‘wild Africa’ that we had been dreaming about. The polished and picture-perfect brochure version of Cape Town was nice, but as we walked back to our hotel, Marisa stated, “This is nice and all, but I want to get to the grime and dirt that has to be just beyond the city limits.” “Don’t worry,” I told her. “We always seem to find ourselves knee-deep in dirt.”
We were thankful for the day that we were able to pick up our KTM 1190, and we quickly headed east out of Cape Town. We rode to the southernmost tip of South Africa at Cape L’Agulhas, saw penguins in Betty’s Bay, and wound through Swartberg pass as our spirits were rebooted back into full-on adventure mode. With wide smiles, we continued to follow the coast before deciding to take a detour through the Baviaanskloof (Dutch for “Valley of Baboons”) that was highly recommended to us by every adventure biker that we came across. The Baviaans Conservation was approximately 130 square miles of unspoiled, rugged, mountainous terrain with nearly 155 miles (250km) worth of dirt roads that stretched from east to west. There were a half dozen river crossings that I gleefully splashed across, but there were also sections where the floodwater had completely taken over the road. One particular section was not exactly a ‘river crossing’, but more like ‘river traversing’ as I guided the bike through two feet of water the length of a football field. As I bounced and ricocheted off large unseen stones that were submerged, I knew that this was the wild Africa that we truly wanted to experience. With Marisa cheering me on, we made it from the western side of ‘The Valley of the Baboons’ to the exit in the east. That ride was our first true taste of what South Africa had to offer, and we wanted more. We ended up in Jeffery’s Bay where we met a deep-voiced, broad-shouldered, rugged Afrikaner who we had been in contact with on social media named Peet. He always had a smile, a sparkle in his eye, and was as generous as could be as he immediately invited us into his home. Peet had a well-loved KLR 650 and told us stories of growing up on the ‘Wild Coast’ in the Eastern Cape - a region of few roads, vibrant cultures, and stunning ocean views. I instantly knew that this was where we needed to go.
“I can take you there, and show you all the secret spots,” he told us with that adventurous glint in his eye. And we happily agreed to blindly follow him wherever he pointed his front tire. The three of us set off the next day with Peet leading us into the wild. We veered off the main road that ran through the Eastern Cape and headed south towards the coast on a smaller dirt road. The strip malls, restaurants, and SuperSpars disappeared behind us as we entered pasturelands of grazing cows and sheep. Small round houses called rondavels dotted the landscape, and we passed people trekking along the road with baskets delicately balanced on their heads. Women wore colorful skirts and head wraps, while boys with sticks guided their cattle as they herded them down the road. It didn’t feel like we were in Whole Foods anymore. We stopped in Coffee Bay, a town next to a gorgeous natural wonder called ‘Hole in the Wall.’ I wasn’t quite sure what to expect as we rode the bike up a steep rocky hill to a lookout.
I knew the ocean was close, I could smell the salt in the air. But once we reached the apex of the hill, my jaw dropped as I saw an island rising out of the ocean. It was almost mythological in its titan-like proportions as it towered beside the shoreline. And right in the middle of it was a hole that was carved out by thousands of years of being battered by winds and water. Now, the waves gushed through it and receded out again like miniature tsunamis. The very essence of wild nature. Feeling satisfied after absorbing in the view, we continued down the small dirt roads as we followed our promptitude tour guide. The roads around Coffee Bay and the Wild Coast were less-than-good, just how we liked them. They were filled with ruts and corrugations as we rattled around the backroads of remote villages. Baboons sat on the side of the road as they watched us pass with intelligent eyes. And as our nightly campfires crackled and hissed under the shadows of the coastal jungles, branches swayed, and leaves rustled, betraying the presence of Vervet Monkeys and Bush Babies that swung above us. Near Mbotyi, Peet guided us to some of the region’s most well-kept secrets. After a night of camping under the African night sky that was filled with trillions of stars, we woke up to a breakfast of giant crayfish harvested by local fishermen. We spent the day riding through chasms where endangered eagles nested, and to a waterfall that plunged down a cliff right into the ocean.
Control the
Uncontrollable
Game-changing design, light weight & ultra thin profile
Single piece billet vane & shaft
Easy to tune with 20-click adjustment
25 years of damper manufacturing experience
Active Return to Center Damping
Made in Australia
www.MSCmotoamericas.com
Your new source for Premiere Adventure Products
We rode over rocks and through fields, dodging stray cows as we avoided the loose sand on the road’s edges. Wild fires burned the low grass, sending up huge plumes of smoke across the countryside. On one of the dirt roads that cut through the grassy landscape, a line of fire burned across the road. We had to ride directly through it as we charged straight into a wall of black smoke and golden flames. The closer we got, the harder it was to breath – until we finally held our breath and smashed through the wall of flames to find ourselves in a green field of sunshine on the other side. From hell to heaven in an instant. We stopped for a lunch break and to stock up on snacks in a tiny village of round huts. While Peet conversed with the locals in Xhosa, Marisa and I passed out US quarters to the children as gifts, showing them the different designs on the back. “America?” one teenage boy asked us. I nodded and pointed to our Illinois license plate. Everyone around gasped. Their eyes lit up and they hovered around for a closer inspection, wiping off the dust that had covered Abraham Lincoln’s face. On our final night on the Wild Coast, Peet took us to his favorite camping spot, one that quickly became our favorite camping spot too – a Milkwood Forest. Sure enough, the trees bled out a milky sap, but it was their gnarled shapes that made the place feel mystical and enchanted. The Milkwood trees that surrounded our tent were something out of a fairy-tail. The wands of wizards and warlocks alike could be cut from their wavering branches. After setting up our tent, I kept hearing something that sounded like distant cannon fire and wondered what it was.
“Come,” Peet said to us. “I want to show you one last surprise of the Wild Coast.” He led us to the forest’s abrupt end, and I was confronted with an open expanse of red stone, and beyond that, the blue line of the ocean. The cannon fire was getting louder, like we were nearing a Fourth of July celebration. And then I saw it – a wave hitting the rocks at just the right angle, sending the ocean spray up into the sky like a giant high-five between the earth and the sea. As we came to the edge of a stony seawall, we sat down to watch the natural fireworks show, complete with what seemed to be sonic booms that fizzled. Marisa stared out into the ocean before turning to me and saying, “I think I found the ‘Wild South Africa’ that we were looking for.” I put my arm around Marisa, and as we sat on the shore of the Wild Coast, a wave hit the rocks causing a thunderous crash that resonated through us. We watched the festive spray of salt erupt high into the air before finally sprinkling down onto our smiling faces. “We definitely found the ‘Wild South Africa,” I replied.
Indestructible and guaranteed for life Great visibility on road, fold away for the trail Lower profile with great stability
Easy to fold, remove or swap between bikes!
www.doubletakemirror.com - MADE IN THE USA
Adventure Mirror, LLC - PO Box 814, Salida, CO 81201 - 888.501.0599
THE ULTIMATE OFF-ROAD PACK Performance and reliability. The results of a close racing and development partnership between MOTOREX and KTM. #Raceproven quality.
WWW.MOTOREXUSA.COM
Photo: MY21 KTM 450 EXC-F TPI SIX DAYS | Marco Campelli
KAGE
Follow us:
KT Ak Bo DP Ex Ga SR Mo Ha Sto Le Mo Pla Sc Of Te Se Hu Alp Bra DR Fa Gi Fu Je Co Sto Le Mo Pla Sc Of Te Ze EC Ak Ma De Ev Erg Ho Pe Sp R& Sle pro Wo Re An Ta Yo Le Ac Ba KT Ak Bo
TM Husqvarna Husaberg GasGas Beta Sherco Honda Yamaha Kawasaki Suzuki Acerbis Airoh Helmet krapovic Alpinestars Answer Arai Helmets Asterisk Athena Avon Tyres Baja Designs Battery Tender Bike Maste oyesen Braking Brembo Bel-Ray Bridgestone Bullet Proof Designs Cometic Continental CV4 Cyrca Devol Did P Brakes DRC Hardware Dunlop E-Line Accessories EBC EFX EMIG Racing Enduro Engineering Evans Coolan xcel Factory Effex Fasst Company Firstgear Fluidyne Fly Racing Fox Racing Fox Racing 2 Ergonomics Gaerne alfer Giant Loop Moto Gopro GPR Stabilizer Hardcore Hepco & Becker Hinson HMF Hot Rods Hotcam RT-Offroad Funnelweb Filters SKF Seals Ride Engineering Hammerhead C2P Suspension Pelican ICON IMS ossy Oak JD Jetting K&N Klim Technical Riding Gear Kriega Strider Bikes Goldentyre JT Sprockets ZIP-TY ammerhead Fastaway E4S-Engineeered For Speed Adventure Medical Kits Troy Lee Designs R&G Racing omp Grip Appalachian Moto Products (AMP) GET Atlas Brace Technologies EVS Sports L.A. Sleeve Leat eoVince Light Speed Magura Marchesini Maxima Maxxis Metzeler Michelin Moose Motion pro Moto Tassina oto-Master Motorex N-Style NGK No Toil Nuetech Ogio Ohlins P3 Composites Pirelli Pivot Works PJ1 Polispor astics Pro Circuit Pro Moto Billet Pro Taper Pro Wheel Pro X Puig R&D RacerX Rekluse Renthal Sato Racing corpion Helmets Scott Scotts Performance Shinko Shorai Batteries Smith Optics Speed And Strengtyh Steahly ff Road Sunstar Suspension Direct Synergy System Tech T.M. Designworks Tag Metals Talon Thor TORC1 Tra ech TwinAir UFO Vertex Warn Wiseco Works Connection Works Shocks WP Suspension Yoshimura Yuasa Zeta ena 6D Helmets Wings Exhaust Seat Concepts Competition Werkes 100% Goggles Leo Vince Coober ECU KTM usqvarna Husaberg GasGas Beta Sherco Honda Yamaha Kawasaki Suzuki Acerbis Airoh Helmets Akrapovic pinestars Answer Arai Helmets Asterisk Athena Avon Tyres Baja Designs Battery Tender Bike Master Boyesen aking Brembo Bel-Ray Bridgestone Bullet Proof Designs Cometic Continental CV4 Cyrca Devol Did DP Brake RC Hardware Dunlop E-Line Accessories EBC EFX EMIG Racing Enduro Engineering Evans Coolant Exce actory Effex Fasst Company Firstgear Fluidyne Fly Racing Fox Racing Fox Racing 2 Ergonomics Gaerne Galfe iant Loop Moto Gopro GPR Stabilizer Hardcore Hepco & Becker Hinson HMF Hot Rods Hotcams SRT-Offroad unnelweb Filters SKF Seals Ride Engineering Hammerhead C2P Suspension Pelican ICON IMS Mossy Oak JD etting K&N Klim Technical Riding Gear Kriega Strider Bikes Goldentyre JT Sprockets ZIP-TY Hammerhead Nex omponents Fastaway E4S-Engineeered For Speed Adventure Medical Kits Troy Lee Designs R&G Racing omp Grip Appalachian Moto Products (AMP) GET Atlas Brace Technologies EVS Sports L.A. Sleeve Leat eoVince Light Speed Magura Marchesini Maxima Maxxis Metzeler Michelin Moose Motion pro Moto Tassina oto-Master Motorex N-Style NGK No Toil Nuetech Ogio Ohlins P3 Composites Pirelli Pivot Works PJ1 Polispor astics Pro Circuit Pro Moto Billet Pro Taper Pro Wheel Pro X Puig R&D RacerX Rekluse Renthal Sato Racing corpion Helmets Scott Scotts Performance Shinko Shorai Batteries Smith Optics Speed And Strengtyh Steahly ff Road Sunstar Suspension Direct Synergy System Tech T.M. Designworks Tag Metals Talon Thor TORC1 Tra ech TwinAir UFO Vertex Warn Wiseco Works Connection Works Shocks WP Suspension Yoshimura Yuasa TheWings ultimate (online) motorcycle multi-tool. Millions of Exhaust parts and accessories, right atWerkes your fingertips. eta Sena 6D Helmets Seat Concepts Competition 100% Goggles LeoVince Coobe CU KTM Husqvarna Husaberg GasGas Beta Sherco Honda Yamaha Kawasaki Suzuki Acerbis Airoh Helmet krapovic Alpinestars Answer Arai Helmets Asterisk Athena Avon Tyres Baja Designs Battery Tender Bike aster Boyesen Braking Brembo Bel-Ray Bridgestone Bullet Proof Designs Cometic Continental CV4 Cyrca evol Did DP Brakes DRC Hardware Dunlop E-Line Accessories EBC EFX EMIG Racing Enduro Engineering vans Coolant Excel Factory Effex Fasst Company Firstgear Fluidyne Fly Racing Fox Racing Fox Racing 2 gonomics Gaerne Galfer Giant Loop Moto Gopro GPR Stabilizer Hardcore Hepco & Becker Hinson HM ot Rods Hotcams SRT-Offroad Funnelweb Filters SKF Seals Ride Engineering Hammerhead C2P Suspension elican ICON IMS Mossy Oak JD Jetting K&N Klim Technical Riding Gear Kriega Strider Bikes Goldentyre J prockets ZIP-TY Hammerhead Fastaway E4S-Engineeered For Speed Adventure Medical Kits Troy Lee Design &G Racing Stomp Grip Appalachian Moto Products (AMP) GET Atlas Brace Technologies EVS Sports L.A eeve Leatt LeoVince Light Speed Magura Marchesini Maxima Maxxis Metzeler Michelin Moose Motion o Moto Tassinari Moto-Master Motorex N-Style NGK No Toil Nuetech Ogio Ohlins P3 Composites Pirelli Pivo orks PJ1 Polisport Plastics Pro Circuit Pro Moto Billet Pro Taper Pro Wheel Pro X Puig R&D RacerX Rekluse enthal Sato Racing Scorpion Helmets Scott Scotts Performance Shinko Shorai Batteries Smith Optics Speed nd Strengtyh Steahly Off Road Sunstar Suspension Direct Synergy System Tech T.M. Designworks Tag Metal alon Thor TORC1 Trail Tech TwinAir UFO Vertex Warn Wiseco Works Connection Works Shocks WP Suspension oshimura Yuasa Zeta Sena 6D Helmets Wings Exhaust Seat Concepts Competition Werkes 100% Goggle eoVince Coober ECU KTM Husqvarna Husaberg GasGas Beta Sherco Honda Yamaha Kawasaki Suzuk cerbis Airoh Helmets Akrapovic Alpinestars Answer Arai Helmets Asterisk Athena Avon Tyres Baja Design attery Tender Bike Master Boyesen Braking Brembo Bel-Ray Bridgestone Bullet Proof Designs Cometic Motore TM Husqvarna Husaberg GasGas Beta Sherco Honda Yamaha Kawasaki Suzuki Acerbis Airoh Helmet krapovic Alpinestars Answer Arai Helmets Asterisk Athena Avon Tyres Baja Designs Battery Tender Bike Maste oyesen Braking Brembo Bel-Ray Bridgestone Bullet Proof Designs Cometic Continental CV4 Cyrca Devol Did
HTTP://AOMC.MX
TECH
BY CHAD DE ALVA
R E B E L X S P O R T S K T M 7 9 0 / 8 9 0 R a l ly T O W E R Rally Kits enable riders to significantly change the functionality of their motorcycles. In the case of KTM’s 7/890, there are multiple manufacturers who all make Rally Kits for these bikes, and that indicates that there is value in adding some rally sauce onto an ADV bike. Rally Kit benefits can include things like aftermarket lighting, improved wind protection, additional storage, and space to mount all of the electronic farkles you could want. And of course, there are the looks to consider – because Rally front ends do give bikes a certain go-fast appeal. Rebel X is an Italian manufacturer of Rally Kits, distributed in the United States by Rottweiler Performance. This is what it’s like to add some rally sauce to a KTM 7/890 with a Rebel X Rally Kit. The 7/890’s factory headlight design can best be described by Yoda, in the respect that riders either do, or do not like it (there is no try). Yet no matter how someone feels about the stock headlight on a 7/890, I have yet to meet anyone who is not a fan of what a KTM factory rally bike looks like. The Rebel X Kit uses the same windscreen, air dam, and headlight as the factory bikes, so there’s definitely some Rally Replica resemblance in play here. These KTM parts are mounted onto a Rebel X made aluminum tower, which completely replaces the stock headlight assembly from the frame forward. Installing any Rally Kit on a bike is a project – so do not expect to come home at lunch, slap this thing on, and be ready to ride when your buddies get off work at 5PM the same day. To do this kit install correctly, you’ll need to budget some serious time, be prepared to problem solve, modify parts as needed, and have the patience and attention to detail to properly route all of your electrical. Rottweiler Performance has a YouTube Video that covers the install process, and they’re also a great resource for any questions you may have. The video will give you a good idea of what has worked for Rottweiler, but don’t expect your install to be exactly the same. I had to start problem solving as soon as I realized that no matter how I positioned my wiring harness, I wasn’t getting the left side tower plate on without smashing wires. My fix was to clearance the tower plate by a centimeter, and to radius all of the relevant edges on the tower plate. This is a great example of what to expect – just because the tower plate went on in the video without a problem, doesn’t mean that yours will too. You need to be able to identify potential issues and then come up with the best solution possible. Please take the time to make sure you run your electrical in a way where it can’t be pinched, pulled, or abraded on a sharp edge or threads of a fastener.
TECH: REBEL X SPORTS KTM 790/890 Rally TOWER
TECH: REBEL X SPORTS KTM 790/890 Rally TOWER Here is a list of everything I’ve fixed or modified on my kit, just to give you an idea of the time commitment involved in this process: Clearanced tower plate to run wiring into tower without creating a pinch point. Routed wiring differently than shown in video, and wrapped with tesa (cloth wire loom) tape not shown for protection. Removed rivnuts from top plate, designed and 3D printed a spacer so I can mount Voyager Pro above factory dash (TFT display). Sourced and replaced various fasteners for better corrosion protection and proper length. Many supplied fasteners are too long and stick well into the tower posing a threat to wiring, while other fasteners barely engage a thread which isn’t acceptable. Rottweiler Performance sells KTM fasteners for this kit, which provide better corrosion protection, and the standard KTM Torx / Hex cap head for better tool engagement. Modified headlight bracket to allow for acceptable aim of headlight. As delivered, the bracket doesn’t allow you to aim the headlight anywhere near high enough. Sanded and refinished side panels. As delivered, my side panels were beat up and had sharp, splintered edges. Cuts and splinters from composite panels are not something you want in your life. Replaced supplied Dzus fasteners on air dam to side panel joint with a bolted joint. As delivered, Dzus fasteners cannot hold joint tight. Added third fastener to bike side of side panels. Video only shows installing two fasteners in the same plane, effectively making a hinge. Adding third fastener eliminates hinge, brings side panel closer to air dam for better fit, and enables side panel to provide more support to air dam. Designed and 3D printed mounts for front turn signals not shown. No provision for factory front turn signals as delivered.
TECH: REBEL X SPORTS KTM 790/890 Rally TOWER
TECH: REBEL X SPORTS KTM 790/890 Rally TOWER
Obviously, I’ve sunk some time into this. But I’m approaching this project from the stand point that the bike pre rally kit is the baseline, and the only acceptable outcome is to enhance attributes. Let me explain with an example: When you ride a stock 7/890 at night, you’ll notice how the low beam headlights are aimed just like any good modern headlight in that they cut off right before they make it into the face of oncoming drivers. Click on the high beams, and you get more light further down the road. Yet with the Rebel X Kit, the headlights are aimed way too low, so I had to modify the tower to be able to aim the headlights high enough, even after I went through every fastener I could on the kit to cheat out every little extra fraction of a degree. The point is – you need to be prepared to put some serious time and work in on this kit, just to make it work properly for ADV use. I’ve also sunk time into things that not every rider is going to need to. If you don’t need to add any other devices to your bike, you won’t need to dink with the rivnuts, or machine a pocket in the top plate to run wires through. So the best answer that I can give as to what it takes to install this kit, is that it depends. What does all of this time and effort get you? You’ll start to notice the changes as soon as you swing a leg over the bike. Forward visibility is greatly improved, and wind protection is better than stock too. There’s also no longer any risk of getting a throat punch from the stock windshield when lofting the front tire. The tower provides all kinds of space to mount devices like a GPS, and it’s nice to be able to stand up and not have your GPS block your view of your dash, like the factory mount does. The big pocket in the front of the tower is a great place to stash gear that is lightweight and fits in the pocket, but I would advise against packing your tools up there. Tools are a lot of weight to cantilever that far forward on the tower. The best way to quantify what all the tower can do for you, is that it’s up to you. Treat it like a platform to support what you do with your bike to get the most out of it – because it’s certainly flexible enough to accommodate everyone from Sonora Rally racers like Wes Van Nieuwenhuise, to riders that just need their phone front and center for using Waze to get to Starbucks. The Rebel X 7/890 Rally Kit is a mixed bag. I can see the potential for racing applications, and the guys at Rottweiler Performance have certainly gotten after it with their racing efforts using this kit. But I’m not racing, so my use case is different. Things like good headlights, turn signals (mainly for at night), wiring that isn’t going to short out and strand me 84 miles down a dirt road are what matter for my use case. I have had to modify or undertake considerable effort just to make this kit work the same as stock in these respects. If I compare my 790 before I started this project to where it is now, and factor in all the time and resources I’ve sunk into this project, the Rebel X 7/890 Rally Kit is a hard sell for ADV use. Installing this rally kit, or any rally kit for that matter is a big change to a bike and with this big change comes a big time commitment to do the install right. Be sure to take the time to route everything so it won’t get pulled, pinched, or abraded, and go back through the kit on a recurring basis to ensure fasteners are snug. www.rebelxsports.com
ESSENTIAL ADV ST R E A M L I N E D U T I L I T Y LO N G D I STA N C E C O M F O RT M I DW E I G H T A DV- R E A DY NEW CARLSBAD JAC K E T & PA N T KRIOS PRO HELMET
# K L IML IF E
K L I M .C O M
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
NEW PRODUCTS FOR 2021 Mounted on the rear rack is the NEW US-40 RACKPACK the latest addition to the universal-fit US-Drypack range. A double-entry, flexible storage version, the US-40 includes straps to securely mount across a pillion seat or rear rack. Hooked-on to the US-40 is the NEW OS-BOTTLE a versatile heavy-duty bottle holder that can be hooked-on to an OS-PANNIER, US-DRYPACK or TANK giving easy access to 2 x 1 litre drink or fuel bottles. Other equipment featured:• KRIEGA OS-32 + OS-22 PANNIERS mounted on OM X-Frames • KRIEGA OS-6 ADVENTURE PACKS mounted on OM Engine guard • OUTBACK-MOTORTEK Engine guard, Crash bars & Bash plate • BARKBUSTERS Jet Handguards • MOTOZ Tractionator Adventure Tyres
KRIEGA.US
#RIDEKRIEGA
TESTED
BY CHAD DE ALVA
MOTOMINDED FLEX PLATE AND EVO LED LIGHT KIT I get excited whenever MotoMinded comes out with a new product, because it means they’ve figured out another way to make motorcycles better. MotoMinded is probably best known for their outstanding lights and light mounts, but they also make all kinds of other products from GPS mounts to complete rally conversion kits. Every one of their products that I’ve used has proven to be well made, well thought out, and help make my rides more enjoyable. In this tested, we’ve got two of their latest products to check out: The Flex Plate and the EVO LED Universal Light Kit.
FLEX PLATE If you have a plated enduro or dual sport bike, you’ve probably discovered that it’s pretty easy to bend your license plate if your bike lays down to take a nap, or you run your plate into some obstacle on the trail. Since state law requires riders to run their plates on the back of their bikes where they’re exposed (don’t try other mounting ideas or you’ll get a talking to from the rozzers – ask me how I know) it’s really only a matter of time before you bend a plate one too many times and it breaks. The Flex Plate is a license plate holder that does exactly what the name implies – it allows your license plate to flex when hit, which means no more bending or breaking metal license plates. The Flex Plate uses a custom made urethane support (think of what flexible phone cases are made of) coupled to a burly polycarbonate backing plate that simultaneously protects your plate and allows it to flex out of the way when hit. The urethane provides the flexing, and the polycarbonate provides protection, so your license plate won’t get bent whether you clip a tree or you drop your bike in the rocks. Installing the Flex plate is very easy, and MotoMinded includes two different sized urethane supports so you can choose the size that fits your rear fender the best. Once you’ve picked a support, mark and drill your mounting holes and then bolt everything in place. Both of my KTM dirt bikes have euro-spec rear fenders, which means that they have a center rib that runs down the middle of the fender. To fit the Flex Plate, I used a pair of side cutters and removed the last 2cm or so of that rib, so that I could install the lower mounting screw. All of the hardware you need is provided with the kit, and MotoMinded even includes a spacer and longer screw to allow for a secure install on certain Husky fenders. One little detail that I do appreciate here is that these included screws snug with 1-2 threads showing through the nylock nuts, which is the perfect length. In use, the Flex Plate does exactly what it’s advertised to do. As a card carrying member of the bent license plate club and log hoppers anonymous – I really appreciate this, because it means I don’t ever have to worry about breaking or bending a plate again when I run out of talent trying to jump some wet log or downed tree. No longer will I have to hammer bent plates back into shape, nor will I have to worry about snagging gear or an errant strap on mangled license plate. Whether you are building out a new bike, or you are tired of dealing with bent or broken plates, the Flex Plate is a no-brainer solution, and a great way to make one more part of your bike work seamlessly.
TESTED: MOTOMINDED FLEX PLATE AND EVO LED LIGHT KIT EVO LED UNIVERSAL LIGHTING KIT One of the benefits of modern fuel injected bikes are that their stators can output a real surplus of power. These bikes have ample power on hand to run some of the truly impressive bike and helmet lighting solutions that Motomined makes. Yet other bikes do not create this surplus of power, and let’s be honest in that not everyone wants or needs enough light to be able to go race pace at night. For these bikes and these riders, MotoMinded has created the EVO LED Universal Lighting Kit. It’s a great way to add a headlight in the first place, or orders of magnitude more light than your stock headlight outputs without needing a new stator or without breaking the bank. The EVO uses Baja Designs’ S1 LED, which puts out exponentially more light than any stock halogen bulb, and only manages to sip 20 watts of power. This means that carbureted bikes, like a 2018 KTM 300 XC that only makes 35 watts of DC power, can run a modern LED and not have to worry about overdrawing the battery. The EVO also features MotoMinded’s grab and aim technology, meaning you can take full advantage of the impressive beam pattern of the S1 and point the light exactly where you want it.
TESTED: MOTOMINDED FLEX PLATE AND EVO LED LIGHT KIT Installing the EVO Lighting kit on the same 2018 KTM 300 XC is an easy process. Remove the headlight mask, fuel tank, and seat so that you can install the LED and route the wiring harness. MotoMinded provides a very well made wiring harness from Baja Designs that is fully protected, fused, and even has a connector for an aftermarket fan. Replace your stock headlight with the EVO, run your wiring to the battery, install the bar switch and you are done. Take your time to make sure that you’re routing wiring where it won’t get pinched, pulled, or abraded by being routed over anything sharp. Comparing the EVO to the stock headlight on this 2018 300 XC, the results absolutely speak for themselves. The EVO outputs much more light, and shines further down the road, making it a completely useable amount of light to ride with at night. With the stock light, let’s just say you’re creeping home, so you don’t outrun the token amount of light. The EVO is also available as a universal kit, which means that it can be installed on all kinds of bikes that have no headlight from the factory. Other add-a-light kits will provide you with a stock caliber light, but the EVO is the way to go if you want to add a light that’s actually useful for more than passing a registration requirement. Please contact MotoMinded to determine what lighting options are available for your specific application. MotoMinded makes innovative products that make dirt bikes better. The Flex Plate is an easy way to make bent license plates a thing of the past. The EVO LED Universal Kit is a great way to add a light to a bike that doesn’t come with one, or to a turn a factory headlight into something that’s actually useful at night. Both of these products are great – and they’re made by a company that really cares about this sport. MotoMinded is actively involved in trail advocacy with the Colorado Trails Preservation alliance and they support races and racers, like 2022 Dakar entrant Mason Klien. To learn more about MotoMinded products for your bikes visit MotoMinded.com
TESTED: MOTOMINDED FLEX PLATE AND EVO LED LIGHT KIT
Photos: Megan Griffiths, Yon Iaccio, Angela Griffith Hixon & Chad Hixon
Ride over, under, or through obstacles... not around them!
Stay On The Trail
www.coloradotpa.org
The Trails Preservation Alliance (TPA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Colorado based off-highway motorcycle advocacy organization. TheTPA works with various land management agencies to ensure fair and equitable access for the sport of motorcycle riding.
Custom Suspension Solutions 1501 Pomona Road — Corona, CA 92880-6990 — Phone: 951.279.6655 — www.racetech.com
BY Travis Gill of viajarMOTO.com
While passing through the mountainous country of Montenegro UPSHIFT Issue 59, we were warned about the next country on our southern journey along the Adriatic Coast. “Albania is a very dangerous country! You should be careful. Watch your motorcycles; they will steal them from you.” I respectfully asked, “When was the last time you traveled to Albania?” The reply was, “I haven’t, but…” I pretended to continue listening, but my mind was already wondering about a country we’ve only heard about but never experienced for ourselves. Albania is a country of contrasts. There is incredible natural beauty with magnificent mountains contrasted against mountains of garbage piled in forests and plastic-waste covered beaches. Albanians are very generous and kind people, unless they are behind the wheel of their late model Mercedes Benz, where they often drive with reckless abandonment. It’s a country where high-end luxury vehicles speed past donkeys pulling rickety carts full of wood. Albania was the first country in our travels around Europe where we felt like we were transplanted into another continent, and we absolutely loved all of our nearly two-months of time there. If you’re willing to look past the trash problems and aggressive drivers, Albania is a wonderful country full of interesting history, backcountry riding, incredible natural beauty, tasty and inexpensive traditional meals, and extremely generous and kind people.
A PROUD PEOPLE AND HISTORY Various archeological sites throughout Albania indicate that people settled here as early as 6,000 B.C. During the 7th century B.C., Greek colonies were established along the Illyrian Coast. One of the most significant and well preserved is the city of Butrint. This national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site is near the southern border and is considered to be one of the most important archeological sites of Albania. One of the most significant leaders of the Albanian people is Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu, better known as Skanderbeg. His military victories, during the Ottoman-Venetian War of 1463-1479, are legendary. While visiting the Castle of Krujë, we learned that his army of 10,000 men successfully overcame multiple sieges of the castle. Skanderbeg then led his army through the Ottoman territory winning battle after battle, despite fighting against consistently larger and better supplied Ottoman forces. Skanderbeg’s influence on modern day Albania can be seen throughout the country. His coat-of-arms, a black double-headed eagle on a red background, is the national flag. The largest paper banknote in Albania, the 5,000 lekë, depicts various images of Skanderbeg and the Castle of Krujë. There are also many statues of Skanderbeg throughout Albania with the most prominent being in Skanderbeg Square in the capital city of Tirana. During WW2, Albanian resistance forces fought against Italian and German occupation. One of the most influential was the forces of the National Liberation Front (NLF), a largely communist organization. The NLF quickly became the national government, and after WW2, Albania became isolated from Europe under the new Communist leadership. During this period, power was controlled by killing political adversaries, imprisoning citizens who spoke against the leadership, and establishing Stalinism principles. In the late 1960s the government began the construction of concrete bunkers throughout the country. Thirty years later, Albania had over 173,000 bunkers on beaches, roadways, mountain passes, and cities. We rode past hundreds of these abandoned bunkers on our travels through the country.
Up until the 1990s not many Western Europeans traveled to Albania. It was a country that had largely closed itself off to the western nations and even alienated itself from the Soviet Union and China. The collapse of communist regimes started a change in Albania, but not without its associated economic problems and social unrest. Many Albanians ended up leaving their country to seek employment and prosperity in neighboring countries like Greece, Italy, and Germany. However, the last decade has seen steady economic growth for many sectors in Albania, including the tourism industry. We thoroughly enjoyed visiting many of the historical sites and castles throughout the country. Some of our favorites were the castles of Rozafa, Rodoni, Krujë, Berat, Gjirokastrës, the Ali Pasha Fortress, and Bunk’Art - a former military command bunker that has been converted to a museum and art gallery.
ACCESSIBLE BACKCOUNTRY ROADS In Albania, you don’t have to look very hard for backcountry trails to ride your motorcycle on. Just plot your GPS from any random town to the next town and you’ll be rewarded with dirt roads shared by the occasional vehicle, farmers, and goat herders. On one occasion, we were warned that the direct road from Krujë to the capital city of Tirana was too difficult for our motorcycles. We decided to try it anyway, and were rewarded with some wonderful riding and picturesque backcountry. Along the way we even passed an Albanian bumping along and scraping the underside of his Mercedes C-Class sedan on various rocks. Locals seem to take their cars on anything! On another occasion, we rode from Tirana to Paulesh on backcountry roads that quickly turned into a heavily-rutted and muddy mess of a trail. We started to feel the weight of our heavily loaded BMW G650GSs as the rear wheels were engulfed in the ruts of previous four-wheel-drive vehicles. I ended up dropping my motorcycle when the rear-wheel slid out sideways in the slick mud. While we were picking up the bike, a random goat-herder came along and helped us push it through the mud to the next dry section. Albania also features a section of the Trans Euro Trail (TET) that snakes through the country from Montenegro to the north to Greece in the south. A lot of the route is mountainous and was, unfortunately, snowed over during our visit in the winter season. However, we did get a chance to ride a portion of the TET in the south near the warmer Adriatic coastline. Plan your ride through Albania in June through October if you want to ride the entire 400 km (250 miles) of Albanian TET.
INCREDIBLE NATURAL BEAUTY Although Albania is a relatively small nation, just slightly larger than the state of Vermont, it packs a lot of diversity and beauty into its borders: scenic snow-capped peaks, rugged hills and cliffs, emerald-green and aqua-blue lakes, coastal scrublands and marshes, and lush green forests. It’s an adventure rider’s paradise that is perfect for riding, remote camping, and experiencing the raw beauty and isolation of these diverse regions. The real beauty of Albania is that most of it is accessible by motorcycle. Dirt roads transport you from the often frantic paced-highways to remote isolation. Riding along the blue-green waters of Bovilla Lake in Dajti Mountain National Park and along the rugged cliffs of Osum Canyon, were a motorcycle overlander’s dream. In the evenings, it was easy to find remote areas to wild camp and marvel at the billions of twinkling stars without any light pollution. In addition to riding through Albania, we enjoyed the many hiking areas and national parks. Some of our favorites were hiking among the rugged, snow-capped mountains of Valbona Valley, hiring a boat to explore the salt-water marshes of the Divjakë-Karavasta, and marveling at the archaeological sites of the ancient Roman structures at Butrint. We also enjoyed hikes overlooking the historic city of Krujë, and exploring the sandy beaches around the Cape of Roden, and Durrës Coast.
ALBANIAN CUISINE Albanian food is as rich and colorful as the natural beauty of the country, combining the exciting flavors of both Mediterranean and Balkan cuisine. The meals here are traditionally prepared and are inexpensive and delicious. Each region of Albania seems to have its delicacies. Along the Mediterranean Coast we enjoyed fresh Peshk (fish) that was baked and often topped with olive oil and salt. In the south, we often ordered Ćevapi - a delicious ground lamb and beef that is mixed with fresh parsley, onions, garlic, and spices. Ćevapi is grilled and often served with vegetables and pita bread. For dessert, we were rewarded with Ashure – a gelatin-type porridge with local nuts and dried fruits. It was sweet and delicious!
EXTREMELY GENEROUS TO AMERICANS People often ask us, “Are you accepted in the various countries you’ve visited throughout Europe?” In general, it’s been really positive, but in Albania we felt even more welcomed! A large part of this is due to the generous hospitality that is a fundamental custom of their society. However, we also felt like Albanians loved the American ideal of democracy, freedom and prosperity. Throughout Albania we came across American flags, a vintage Cadillac painted with the stars and stripes, and even a town devoted to President George W. Bush with a bakery, bar, street, and statue named in honor of his visit to Albania in 2007.
FUTURE PLANS After we reached the southern coastal city of Ksamil, we had hoped that we would be able to cross into Greece. Unfortunately, the borders were closed up tight for non-essential travel. Fortunately, there are more of the Balkan countries to explore to the north – Macedonia, Kosovo, Bosnia & Herzegovina, are just waiting to be explored on two wheels. More adventure awaits… ABOUT VIAJARMOTO Travis and Chantil Gill started full-time motorcycle overlanding in early 2020 and plan to continue traveling until they see as much of the world as they can. You can follow them on their website, www.viajarMOTO.com, and on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.
LIVE DRAWING
Dec. 3, 2021
SPECIAL THANKS TO: TOURATECH CYCLOPS BUTLER MAPS TRIPLECLAMP MOTO REVZILLA WOLFMAN LUGGAGE CAMEL ADV PRODUCTS MOTOZ TIRES MOSKO MOTO
Support BDR and this Yamaha T 700 could be yours. Enter for a chance to win this highly-coveted adventure motorcycle with a donation as low as just $25 towards the BDR mission. Equipped with over $11,000 worth of top-shelf upgrades, this Ténéré 700 is set-up specifically to tackle any or all of the Backcountry Discovery Routes. • Special BDR Edition/Retro Yamaha Graphic Wrap • Full Touratech Suspension Upgrade • Touratech Protection Package and Luggage System • Acrapovic Slip-On Exhaust • Garmin Zumo XT with all 10 BDR tracks loaded • Scotts Steering Stabilizer • Cyclops Aurora Auxiliary Lighting Kit • Complete collection of BDR Butler Maps! Don’t miss the chance to win the most well-equipped sweepstakes bike that BDR has ever offered.
JUST ADDED TO THE GRAND PRIZE!
Mosko Moto Backcountry 25L Pannier Kit Includes two 25L bags, for 50L of total capacity.
Get full details and enter to win at:
www.WinT700.com
© 2021 Backcountry Discovery Routes. All rights reserved. Backcountry Discovery Routes and BDR are registered trademarks. Backcountry Discovery Routes is a 501c(3) non-profit organization. All product names, logos, brands, trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.
RideBDR.com
WE’RE EXPERTS IN THE BUSINESS BECAUSE WE RIDE TOO!
Idaho’s largest powersports dealership, family owned and operated since 1966. We are the premier Honda, Husqvarna, Kawasaki, KTM, Polaris and Suzuki powersports dealership in the Northwest. Visit us at carlscycle.com. Call us at 208-853-5550. Or, stop by our store at 5550 W. State Street, Boise, Idaho for all your powersports needs.
MON - FRI 9AM - 6PM SAT
9AM - 3PM
SUN
CLOSED