Arizona is an adventure motorcyclist’s dream destination, and next weekend, motorcycles of all makes, models, and sizes will ride into Flagstaff for the 2025 Overland Expo West. Those who prefer to travel into the backcountry on two wheels will find dozens of classes, moto community events, and plenty of awesome vendors geared towards the ADV moto crowd.
For starters, you don’t want to miss the Rider Justice Moto Party on Friday, May 16, 7-9 PM in the ADV Skills Area sponsored by Quad Lock. This additional ticket provides a great dinner, live music, and more.
If you’re looking to test drive some new bikes, get ready to run the gamut. For starters, Suzuki is bringing out some of their latest models so that you can take them for a spin. If you’re looking to go the electric route, Zero Motorcycles will have models available for demo. And everyone’s packable ebike, the Jack Rabbit, is back and available for demo rides. Even if you aren’t a bike rider, you need to check out JackRabbit Bikes. They’re small enough to pack into any rig, and it’s tough to find a handier way to zip around camp.
Every Overland Expo is packed full of classes and sessions to help inspire and educate you for your future adventures. Amongst our programming schedule, you’ll find courses for adventure motorcycle enthusiasts of every skill level. A small sample of the variety of courses you can expect includes:
Buying vs. Renting a Motorcycle Abroad: What’s Better for Your Budget and Time? (Central and S. America) – Christian Riesenmy – Deciding whether to buy or rent a motorcycle while traveling can make or break an adventure. Renting offers convenience, minimal hassle, and access to well-maintained bikes, but costs can add up over time. Buying, on the other hand, may save money on longer trips and provide a sense of ownership, yet it comes with logistical challenges like registration, insurance, and resale. Factors such as trip length, budget, and local market conditions play a crucial role in making the right choice. Weighing the pros and cons carefully ensures a smooth ride‚ both on the road and financially.
Adventure Motorcycling with a Canine Co-Pilot – Kim Brown – Have you ever thought about bringing your furry best friend along for the ride? Learn how to safely travel with a dog on a motorcycle from the creator of Alaska’s Adventures, a book series inspired by real-life travels with Alaska the Motodog. This session covers safety, gear, training, and real-world experiences from life on the road with a canine co-pilot.
The Art of Improvised Motorcycle Repair: Smart Hacks for the Unprepared – This one is for the chronically unprepared. In a past life (not too long ago), Christian had a habit of finding himself in less-than-ideal situations while being incredibly unprepared. Stranded deep in the jungle, stuck on top of a mountain, or miles from civilization in the desert‚ when there’s no mechanic, no store, and no easy way out, we have to get creative.
We’ll share some of the most useful (and surprisingly funny) tricks we’ve learned over the years‚ like using t-shirts or jungle vines as throttle cables, fishing a bike out of the ocean after an “accidental” swim, or even plugging a hole in the engine with a pack of cigarettes.
Everyone has left their toolkit behind at some point. Join us and learn how to be ready when you’re unprepared.
Crash Course: Managing Motorcycle-Specific Injuries in the Field – Lyndsie Zenker – Motorcycle travel comes with inherent risk, especially in remote and rugged environments. This class is designed to empower riders, travelers, and outdoor enthusiasts with the knowledge and confidence to respond effectively in the event of a motorcycle accident. Focusing on head, spinal, and pelvic trauma‚ three of the most serious injury types in motorcycle crashes, and we’ll break down what to look for, how to provide initial stabilization, and how to make critical decisions when help is far away.
Whether you’re riding solo or with a group, this session will cover real-world techniques for scene safety, injury assessment, and patient management, all tailored to the overland and adventure motorcycle community. No prior medical experience required‚ just a willingness to learn!
You’ll learn how to assess and protect the spine and airway after a crash; how to recognize signs of traumatic brain injury and what to do next; the importance of identifying and stabilizing suspected pelvic fractures in the field; plus, patient movement and evacuation techniques when professional help is delayed, and other potentially lifesaving skills and tips.
Plus, you can enjoy the following sessions and more:
- Motorcycle Packing Demonstration
- Planning Group Trips: How to Herd Kittens Without Losing Your Mind
- Top Motorcycle Trips Around Arizona
- The Coffee BEAN on the GO GO
- Motorcycle Camping 101 – Christian Riesenmy
- Following Lewis and Clark through the Mountains of Idaho and Montana
- Mastering Route Planning: Pro Tips from 10 Years of Experience
- Motorcycle Maintenance 101
- Motorcycle Dashcam Demo – Why You Need One Q&A
- Boondocking: Don’t Go There/It’s Not Fun/You’ll Die…NOT. Come Find Out What FUN You’re Missing
So if you haven’t already grabbed your tickets for Overland Expo West, get them now, and be sure to snag the Rider Justice Moto Party ticket during checkout. Not only is it a great event with like-minded explorers, but it’s tough to beat camping in Flagstaff in May, and you’ll definitely leave inspired and well-equipped for your next journey.
