118: Why Most Riders Never Set Off on the Big Trip — and Maybe They Shouldn’t

118: Why Most Riders Never Set Off on the Big Trip — and Maybe They Shouldn’t

Author: Adventure Rider Radio | Adventure Motorcycling November 22, 2025 Duration: 1:30:46

This episode digs into why so many riders never take the big motorcycle trip they dream about. What’s a real reason not to go — and what’s just fear or over-planning? Are we putting too much focus on the bike instead of the experience? And if you love the idea more than the lifestyle, is that okay? The group wraps with what “leaving” really means: chasing freedom, time, and the adventure you actually want.

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There’s a certain kind of conversation that happens after the helmets come off and the maps are spread out on the hood of a truck-unfiltered, practical, and drawn directly from the road. That’s the spirit captured in Adventure Rider Radio RAW-Motorcycle Roundtable. This monthly podcast gathers a rotating panel of seasoned adventure riders, long-distance travelers, and industry insiders for deep, unrehearsed discussions. You’ll hear them tackle the real stuff: the nuances of planning a complex overland trip, the gear that truly survives the abuse, and the riding techniques that make a difference when the pavement ends. It’s less about polished presentations and more about the collective wisdom and sometimes conflicting opinions of people who live for two-wheeled exploration. Episodes delve into the mechanics of adventure motorcycles, the philosophy of travel, and the unexpected lessons learned from life on the move. Tuning in feels like pulling up a chair at a campfire where the talk is as substantive as it is spirited, offering actionable advice and honest stories from the world of ADV and dual-sport riding. For anyone who dreams of distant horizons or simply wants to be better prepared for their next weekend escape, this roundtable provides a vital, engaging resource.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Adventure Rider Radio RAW – Motorcycle Roundtable
Podcast Episodes
82: Planning and Budgeting a Motorcycle Trip [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:02:44
On this episode of RAW we talk about how to plan and budget a trip from beginning to end, what things to consider and pitfalls that may not be obvious. So, if you’ve never been on a motorcycle trip before, or even if you…
81: Protecting your Bling and Dealing with Corrupt Officials [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:14:15
How should you protect your valuables while on a motorcycle trip? How do you avoid being on a thief’s radar or getting yourself in a bad situation? And how do you deal with corrupt officials in foreign countries? All thi…
79: Cool Camping Gadgets and Surprises in South America [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:10:20
Cool camping gadgets can make a trip more fun, easier and enjoyable. We talk about some odd things we’ve heard about or seen for camping, for example a dragonfly on a wire that clamps on to your hat that is supposed to s…
78: The Golden Age of Motorcycle Travel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:54:24
A broad look at motorcycle travel and is it still in it’s prime, has it passed it’s prime and how is it changing? And have you had any run ins with dogs or wild animals in your travels? How do you deal with it? The panel…
77: Bodge Repairs and Rocky Mountain Oysters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:06:31
Repairs sometimes need to be done in a pinch, on the side of the road or at the top of a mountain. On this episode we talk about temporary repairs and the unusual fixes we’ve come up with. Also, Michelle Lamphere tells u…
76: How to Get in to Motorcycle Travel on a Budget [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45:44
Perhaps you’ve never doing any big scale travel before or you have limited funds but want to get a taste of travel. This episode is for the average rider who wants to leave from their backyard and experience an adventure…
74: Riding with a Partner and Coping with Extreme Heat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:02:56
Sometimes riding with a partner can get complicated, be it a spouse, significant other or friends. We talk about the pros and cons of travelling with someone else, different methods you can use to make it work, and some…
73: Travel Misconceptions and Motorcycle Camp Kitchen Tips [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:52:05
On this episode of RAW, the things we get wrong about motorcycle travel, what it takes to be a motorbike traveller and camp kitchen tips. Join Jim and his co-hosts Shirley Hardy-Rix, Brian Rix, Sam Manicom, Michelle Lamp…