Adventure motorcycles are packed with more technology than ever, but which features are actually worth paying for? In this episode of Moto Adventurer Unscripted, Drew and Mark take an honest, often skeptical look at modern adventure motorcycle technology to separate genuinely useful features from expensive gadgets.

We break down the pros, cons, and real-world value of motorcycle electronics and rider aids, drawing on our own riding experiences to explore what makes sense for everyday ADV riders, commuters, and long-distance travelers.

Topics include ABS and off-road ABS, traction control, lean-angle-sensitive rider aids, wheelie control, hill-hold control, tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), ride-by-wire throttles, selectable ride modes, electronic cruise control, quickshifters, auto-blippers, electronic suspension, and TFT displays.

Is electronic cruise control worth the upgrade? Do you really need a quickshifter? Are modern rider aids making adventure bikes safer, or just more complicated? And what happens when all that technology breaks in the middle of a ride?

We weigh convenience, safety, cost, complexity, and reliability to figure out which features improve the riding experience and which ones we could happily live without.

What motorcycle technology is worth the money to you? Leave a comment and let us know which features you love, which ones you hate, and where Drew and Mark have it completely wrong.

Subscriber-Only Bonus Episode

Drew discusses installing AUXBEAM LED auxiliary lights on his Yamaha Ténéré 700, along with podcast updates, subscriber merchandise, and the realities of dealing with failed motorcycle electronics. We also dig into KTM immobilizer issues, roadside troubleshooting, and what happens when modern adventure bike technology lets you down.

Plus, we look at where adventure motorcycling might be headed next.

The ride doesn't end when the episode does. Subscribers get ad-free listening and access to the Bonus Loop, our exclusive extended discussion recorded after the main show wraps up. If you enjoy the podcast, come along for a few extra miles.

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/motoadvr/subscribe

Enjoying the show? Want a copy of the show notes, transcripts, or just say thanks? Drop us your email and the episode number at:

https://buymeacoffee.com/motoadvr

A road closes. A trail disappears. And sometimes, by the time you hear about it, it feels like there's nothing you can do.

On this episode of Moto Adventurer Unscripted, Drew and Mark talk with Scott Jones, Central States Representative for the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), about motorcycle road closures, public land access, Forest Service roads, and how adventure and dual-sport riders can protect their riding opportunities.

With decades of experience in motorized recreation and land-use advocacy, Scott explains how closures happen, why public comment matters, and how riders can influence decisions before access is lost.

Topics include:

• Fighting road and trail closures: What to do when you learn a route may be shut down.

• Forest Service vs. county roads: Who controls a road and how closure procedures differ.

• Public hearings and comment: How to make your voice heard and influence decisions.

• The Tower Ridge Road dispute: How historical legislation and public access factor into a proposed closure in Indiana's Hoosier National Forest.

• The Explore Act and public land access: How federal legislation and land-management policies affect roads and trails.

• Seasonal closures and responsible riding: Why closures happen and how illegal riding can threaten access for everyone.

• Building alliances: Why working with clubs, hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, and other user groups matters.

• Keeping riding areas open: How volunteers, grants, and community involvement can help maintain access.

SUBSCRIBER-ONLY BONUS

The extended conversation explores the Kaywood Road dispute on the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway, federal land-use rules, and practical ways riders can organize and advocate for continued access to public lands.

Want the full conversation? Subscribe to Moto Adventurer Unscripted for the bonus discussion and more subscriber-exclusive content.

Whether you ride an adventure motorcycle, dual-sport, or dirt bike, this episode explains how road closures happen—and what you can do to help keep riding areas open.

The ride doesn't end when the episode does. Subscribers get ad-free listening and access to the Bonus Loop, our exclusive extended discussion recorded after the main show wraps up. If you enjoy the podcast, come along for a few extra miles.

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/motoadvr/subscribe

Enjoying the show? Want a copy of the show notes, transcripts, or just say thanks? Drop us your email and the episode number at:

https://buymeacoffee.com/motoadvr

Motorcycle maintenance doesn't have to mean a trip to the dealership and you don't need a fully equipped workshop to start turning wrenches on your own adventure or dual-sport motorcycle. In this episode of Moto Adventurer Unscripted, Drew and Mark work their way through the basics of ADV motorcycle maintenance, from the simple jobs most riders can handle in the garage to the repairs that start getting a little more involved.

We talk about why the owner's manual and maintenance schedule should be your starting point, setting up motorcycle ergonomics, building a useful toolkit, chain cleaning and chain adjustment, checking battery voltage, changing motorcycle oil and filters, inspecting and replacing brake pads, and knowing when a maintenance job is simple enough to tackle yourself and when it's probably time to let somebody else do it.

If you've ever thought, "I'd like to work on my own motorcycle, but I don't know where to start," this one's for you.

Topics include:

• DIY ADV motorcycle maintenance

• Reading your motorcycle owner's manual

• Motorcycle maintenance schedules

• Motorcycle tools and torque wrenches

• Chain cleaning and chain adjustment

• Motorcycle battery maintenance

• AGM vs. lithium motorcycle batteries

• Motorcycle oil changes

• Oil filter replacement

• Air filter maintenance

• Brake pad inspection and replacement

• Motorcycle ergonomics and setup

• Knowing when a repair is beyond your skill level

• Building confidence working on your own motorcycle

The rabbit hole gets deeper in the subscriber hour.

Drew and Mark get into chain maintenance, including the good advice they follow, the advice they sometimes ignore, and what happens when maintenance gets neglected. Then they go considerably deeper into the jobs they're willing to tackle themselves — including valve checks, valve adjustments, top-end work, and engine disassembly — and the motorcycle repairs that even experienced riders would rather pay someone else to do.

The ride doesn't end when the episode does. Subscribers get ad-free listening and access to the Bonus Loop, our exclusive extended discussion recorded after the main show wraps up. If you enjoy the podcast, come along for a few extra miles.

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/motoadvr/subscribe

Enjoying the show? Want a copy of the show notes, transcripts, or just say thanks? Drop us your email and the episode number at:

https://buymeacoffee.com/motoadvr