Let’s get one thing straight: ADV and dual sport are not the same thing. They’re different bikes, different styles of riding, and frankly, different mentalities.

But somewhere along the way, the lines started to blur, and now a lot of riders are making choices (and comments) that don’t match the machines they’re on.

There’s a certain type of rider who believes you’re not a real ADV rider unless you’re wrangling 600+ pounds of German or Austrian engineering through knee-deep ruts.

If you’re on a smaller bike? Clearly you’re still in beginner mode, right?

ADV riding isn’t just a scenic cruise through the backcountry. It’s physical. It’s mental. And after a few days on the trail, it can leave even the most experienced riders feeling beat to hell.

If you've ever thought, “Why am I so wiped out when I only rode 150 miles?”—you're not alone.

Planning a BDR (Backcountry Discovery Route) trip is exciting—map spreads, GPX files, packing lists, daydreaming about remote stretches of dirt and river crossings.

But here’s the truth: overplanning can kill the adventure.

You’ve got miles under your belt, gear that fits like a second skin, and trails you know by heart. But lately? Every ride feels the same. You’re not crashing—but you’re not progressing either.

Sound familiar? You might be stuck in the rider plateau—that frustrating phase where you’re no longer a beginner, but not quite leveling up either.

Here’s why it happens—and how to break through it.

Photo credit: KTM

It's official: India's Bajaj Auto has officially agreed to provide the necessary funds to keep KTM and its affiliated brands Husqvarna and GAS GAS afloat for the foreseeable future. In doing so, Bajaj has acquired a majority ownership stake in the Austrian brand.

Disclosure: RIDE Adventures is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program as well as other affiliate programs, designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites at no extra cost to you. Please see our Disclosure for more details.

We often get comments on our page and YouTube channel asking what kind of adventure motorcycle gear we depend on when we’re guiding motorcycle tours well off the beaten path. 

There are multiple great ADV training programs here in the US, but the skills, terrain, and methods can vary greatly from school to school. 

We're big evangelists of rider training programs, and we're not just saying that because we happen to offer one. Truth be told, professional training is probably the most effective investment any rider can make, whether they're new to the sport or not.

Loading your motorcycle into a truck might seem straightforward, but it’s surprisingly easy to make mistakes that can lead to expensive damage or worse, injuries.

If you’re a seasoned rider or a beginner looking to improve your loading skills, here are the most common mistakes you should avoid when loading and tying down your motorcycle!

Photo credit: Kawasaki

You've probably heard more than your fair share of fear and speculation around tariffs impacting motorcycle prices. Will CFMoto lose its pricing advantage? Will Harleys become even more expensive? What about Italian imports?