Hello, I’m James from Adventure Bike Rider and welcome to this special edition of the ABR Podcast, which is dedicated to answering your burning questions about the ABR Festival in June.

These are the questions you’ve asked us more than others, the questions that are keeping you up at night as excitement builds ahead of the greatest celebration of adventure biking ever held.

And joining me on the podcast to answer them is one of ABR’s longest-serving staff members, the font of all festival knowledge, and one of my favourite people on the planet. Our Head of Customer Service, Abeer El-Sayed.

Background

Held in the stunning grounds of Ragley Hall in Warwickshire, the ABR Festival is the largest motorcycle festival in the UK. It brings together thousands of like-minded riders and the motorcycle industry to make new friends, share stories, and enjoy three incredible days of biking action and festival entertainment.

Over 50km of the festival site is made up of custom-built off-road trails, including the Bridgestone Trail and TRF Trail, which are built for bikers to explore the best of this amazing corner of the Warwickshire countryside.

The world's biggest bike manufacturers will be bringing fleets of their own machines for guests to take part in what's best described as the world's biggest test ride. Last year, over 10,000 demo rides we taken across the weekend of the ABR Festival, all free of charge to attendees.

The best riding skills schools can be found on-site, offering free tuition throughout the weekend to riders of all abilities, from those who've never ridden off the tarmac before to trail-riding veterans who would simply like to brush up on their technique. Each school brings its own machines that guests can use free of charge, so riders won't have to risk their own bikes while they're learning.

This June, more than 20 of the finest cover and party bands will be bringing the party to the BikerHeadz Stage and Bridgestone Stage, including one of the best AC/DC tribute acts in the shape of Let There B/DC, funk and soul kings, The Detroit Collective, Ibiza DJ Krystal Roxx, plus the man crowned in Memphis as the world's number one Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist, Ben Portsmouth.

Inspiration is at the heart of the ABR Festival, and we aim to encourage every biker to get the most of this incredible passion for two wheels that we all share. Visitors to ABR will be joined by some of the biggest names in adventure biking who will be on hand to share stories of intrepid travel across the globe, provide practical advice on how bikers can take their riding to the next level, and show off their incredible riding skills in the GoPro Display Arena.

The comfort of all guests on site is our highest priority, so we offer Grade-A facilities to ensure everyone feels clean and refreshed throughout their stay. What does that look like? Well, ABR spent more money per head on premium flushing toilets and hot shower units than any other UK festival in 2024.

Ticket holders will also find a huge selection of delectable street food to keep their energy levels up, plus 20 bars offering reasonably priced pints, soft drinks and cocktails, to keep them refreshed. All this combines to ensure anyone joining us will have the greatest weekend they've ever had on two wheels.

The 2025 edition of the ABR Festival takes place from Thursday 26th to Sunday 29th June. Saturday and Weekend Tickets are available in extremely limited numbers and can be found here - https://www.abrfestival.com/tickets/

Have you ever dreamed of exploring Italy's iconic White Roads (Strade Bianche) by motorcycle through remote Tuscan hills and endless miles of vineyards. Are you curious about what it's really like to take a motorbike tour in Italy? And do you want to know what it takes to ride the Adventure Country Tracks (ACT) route through the country?

If the answer is yes, then you've come to the right place because in this episode of the ABR Podcast, Billy reveals to ABR Editor James what it's like ride Italy's White Roads, or Strade Bianche, as he explores Central Italy by motorcycle.

He also explains what makes Italy so special for motorcycle touring, what the trails are like along the ACT Italy route, and discusses the pros and cons of group motorcycle tours compared with solo bike.

In a bid to explore what could arguably be called Europe's best motorcycle touring destination, Billy rode across the spine of the country on a Ducati Multistrada V4 S, following the Adventure Country Tracks Italy route as part of Edelweiss Bike Travel's ACT Centre of Italy Unpaved tour.

With countless off-road trails, incredible stretches of tarmac, and a wonderful culture to experience, it was a sensational trip. And of course, there's the Italian food which is guaranteed to make your motorbike textiles bulge at the seams come the end of a summer tour.

Want to experience adventure riding in Italy yourself? Then head over to Edelweiss Bike Travel's website to find out more about their ACT Centre of Italy Unpaved tour:https://www.edelweissbike.com/en/motorbiketours/upc-act-centre-of-italy-unpaved

Video breakdown:Part 1 Italy's White Roads (Strade Bianche): 00:00:00 Part 2 Motorcycle touring in Italy: 00:12:54 Part 3 Solo travel or organised tour?: 00:29:23

This podcast was taken from the audio of the Honda Transalp ride-along video by ABR

The Honda Transalp proved a capable machine for James back in February in its press release in Portugal. But how does this new mid-sized adventure bike from Honda fare for the everyday ride?

After returning from the international press launch of the Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition in South Africa, Alun declared it was the toughest adventure bike launch he'd been on in 12 years of testing motorbikes around the world.

FortNine YouTube star Ryan F9, joins regular hosts James and Bryn in this special episode of the ABR Garage live from the Adventure Bike Rider Festival 2022.  

(Tickets are now on sale for 2023 ABR Festival where there'll be even more adventure biking megastars like Ryan F9 appearing on stage. Get your tickets here: https://www.abrfestival.com/tickets/ ).  

A crowd of ABR Festival goers packed out the Harley-Davidson Campfire Tent to listen to Ryan F9 and the lads discuss: what's all the fuss about adventure bikes and adventure biking?  

During the chat we discover why Ryan F9's F 800 GS motorbike gets so much abuse, how riding in Canada and Europe compares, and what did James and Ryan think of the Ducati Desert X when they rode it on the ABR Festival's AX41 Adventure Trail.  

We also find out how Bryn got so buff, why Ryan uses a flip-phone from the '90s, and what James thinks Suzuki should have called the GSX-S1000 GT to stop people mistaking it for a printer.   

Ryan F9 also gives a behind the scenes insight into the making of FortNine motorcycle videos, and all three of the lads discuss why adventure bikes like the BMW R 1250 GS, Ducati Multistrada V4, and Honda Africa Twin can't help but inspire a sense of wanderlust.  

This live episode of the ABR Garage, the podcast from Adventure Bike Rider, was filmed in the magnificent grounds of the Ragley Hall Estate in Warwickshire.

This episode of the ABR Garage, the podcast from Adventure Bike Rider, is supported by Peak Designs a company that specializes in creating beautifully crafted and thoughtfully designed accessories for motorcyclists and more.   

Find out more at: https://www.peakdesign.com 

James and Bryn discuss whether the ever increasingly sophisticated technology found on motorbikes is a good thing.  Is traction control a biker’s best friend? Do blind spot indicators make you lazy? And does any bike really need multiple rider modes? The boys also discuss their experiences testing bikes using active cruise control, keyless ride, semi-active suspension, and much more.   

Alongside highlighting motorcycles laden with technology, James also talks about his time testing the Yamaha Tenere 700, a bike known for its less-is-more approach to electronic rider aids.   And one lucky viewer wins a top Adventure Bike Rider prize. Find out if that lucky viewer is you.

Choosing the right motorbike gear, from a helmet all the way down to riding boots, will go a long way to keeping your comfortable and protected in the saddle. But get it wrong and that glorious summer motorbike tour to the Alps could quickly turn into a cold, wet, and thoroughly miserable ordeal. 

But where do you start? How much should you spend? And do you get what you pay for?   In episode 11 of the ABR Garage, the podcast from the Adventure Bike Rider team, join James, Bryn, and gear expert Ed Miles as they unpack their must-have riding gear for a motorbike tour.

From the pros and cons of flip-front helmets, to is it ever appropriate to break out those leather trousers, the boys discuss what’s worked best for them on their travels.  So, if you want to know how a laminated motorcycle jacket works before you splash out on one, or if you’re not sure whether you need adventure or touring boots,  this episode of the ABR Garage will help you prepare for your next adventure at home and abroad.  

Also stay tuned for an update on Adventure Bike Rider’s long-term review bikes including Bryn’s Honda NT1100 and James’ Suzuki GSX-S1000GT. And make sure you leave a comment letting us know your ideal gear set up for touring. We’ll read out a selection in the next episode of the ABR Garage and award our favourite comment a top prize.