Best Overland Builds We Saw at SEMA 2021
Of all the incredible overland builds at SEMA 2021, we thought these 11 — yes, eleven — were the absolute tops.
THE ULTIMATE OVERLANDMOTORCYCLE Build
Powered by Honda, Built by Overland Expo
Starting with the 2021 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES DCT finished in Darkness Black Metallic — a new colorway for the 2021 model year — Overland Expo is outfitting the bike with the latest and greatest adventure moto gear. We will take it on overland adventures throughout the year, demonstrating just how good the Africa Twin and our ultimate gear is.
2021 HONDA AFRICA TWIN
ADVENTURE SPORTS ES DCT
Today’s adventure motorcyclists are spoiled for choice. Not only are there countless brands offering smart, lightweight, and durable adventure moto accessories, making adventure moto travel safer, easier, and more fun, the bikes themselves are more advanced and capable than ever before.
But knowing where to start, which pieces of kit to choose, and which brands to trust isn’t easy in such a wide and varying market. Keen to get more adventure motorcyclists outfitted, inspired, and out on their own overland journeys, Overland Expo is building its own Ultimate Overland Motorcycle in 2021.
THE BUILD STORY
Why we chose the Africa Twin, build gear chronicles and stories from the road.
Overland Expo’s Ultimate Overland Motorcycle Goes to Auction on Bring a Trailer
Overland Expo’s Ultimate Overland Motorcycle 2021, the Honda Africa Twin Sport ES DCT, starts its final chapter and goes to auction on Bring a Trailer.
Overland Expo’s Ultimate Overland Motorcycle Heads to Auction
We created the Ultimate Motorcycle and outfitted it with the latest and greatest adventure-moto gear to prove just how incredibly capable adventure motorcycles can be.
The Ultimate Overland Trip on Our Ultimate Overland Motorcycle
When asked if I’d like to overland through the Rocky Mountains with someone else’s equipment for a week, the only credible answer was “yes.” When the machinery happens to be Overland Expo’s Ultimate Overland Motorcycle, it’s guaranteed to be a premium kit. The only pondering required was a simple, “When and where?”
Gear Chronicles: Finding Higher Ground with KonTour Seat
With endless miles of dirt roads, expansive wilderness, and the sort of sunsets that make travel
How-to: Plan for an Adventure-Moto Trip
You’ve succumbed to calls of overland adventure and purchasing a shiny new dual-sport motorcycle. Before you set out into the wilderness on said new moto, it’s important to know how to do it, as well as what to pack.
Trips & Trails: Aspen Ridge
For this Trips & Trails, Sterling Noren of Noren Films took Overland Expo’s 2021 Ultimate Overland Vehicle, Honda Africa Twin, on Aspen Ridge. The Honda Africa Twin will be a part of other storytelling throughout the year. Follow the 4Runner’s adventures on its official landing page.
Trips & Trails: Colorado BDR Segment 4
By: David Hilgendorf For this Trips & Trails, David Hilgendorf rode Overland Expo’s 2021 Ultimate Overland Motorcycle,
How-to: Ride Two-Track on a Honda Africa Twin DCT
Overlanding has many faces. Typically, the image comes to mind of a well set-up rig like a 70 Series Toyota Land Cruiser, a Unimog, or a luxury-built Sprinter van. Certainly, however, there is also room for motorcycles in the community of overlanders.
Up Close and Personal with Overland Expo’s Ultimate Overland Motorcycle
We revealed our take on the Ultimate Overland Motorcycle — i.e. ultimate adventure moto — at Overland
Overland Expo Reveals Ultimate Overland Builds 2021
The 2021 Ultimate Overland Vehicle and Ultimate Overland Motorcycle Demonstrate What’s Possible, Inspire Overlanders to Get Out on Their Own Adventures
Overland Expo Announces First-Ever Ultimate Overland Motorcycle Build
Overland Expo, the world’s premier event series for do-it-yourself adventure travel enthusiasts, announced its first-ever ‘Ultimate Overland Motorcycle Build’ based on the 2021 Honda Africa Twin. Partnering with Honda Powersports, Overland Expo and its staff of seasoned and passionate overlanders will outfit the Africa Twin, transforming the already-capable adventure motorcycle into the Ultimate Overland Motorcycle.
Why We Chose the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES DCT
Keen to get more motorcyclists outfitted, inspired, and out on overland journeys, Overland Expo is building the Ultimate Overland Motorcycle in 2021. With the goal of providing the gear and knowledge you need to hit the trail, we are building out a 2021 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES DCT to fuel your adventurous imagination.
OUTFITTING THE AFRICA TWIN
Read about the gear we’ve chosen for the Ultimate Overland Motorcycle build.
Gear Chronicles: Finding Higher Ground with KonTour Seat
With endless miles of dirt roads, expansive wilderness, and the sort of sunsets that make travel
Crash Protection & Skid Plate: Outback Motortek
To protect the Africa Twin from rocks and impact, we’re adding the Ultimate Protection Combo MAX from Outback Motortek. This kit includes crash bars, engine guards, and a skid plate to keep Ultimate Overland Motorcycle in one piece when the going gets rough.
Hard Luggage: Jesse Luggage
The Ultimate Overland Motorcycle will be outfitted with hard panniers and top case from Jesse Luggage. The Jesse system is incredibly durable, to keep our gear well protected. Plus, we’ll be using their lid racks, bags, and lid packers to maximize pannier storage and keep things organized.
Soft Luggage: Wolfman Motorcycle Luggage
To expand our carrying capacity on the Ultimate Overland Motorcycle, we’re using a tank bag and soft bags from Wolfman Luggage. Wolfman’s waterproof luggage is versatile and durable, perfect for long-haul adventuring and weekend trips alike.
Lighting Kit: DENALI Electronics
We’re outfitting the Ultimate Overland Motorcycle with a complete lighting kit from DENALI Electronics. The DENALI kit includes forward facing auxiliary lights with front and rear turn signals, plus rear running/brake lights, to see and be seen on every adventure.
Tires: Heidenau K 60 Scout
Heidenau’s durable compound, combined with a tread to handle just about anything, has made for a tire that’s perfect for the Ultimate Overland Motorcycle. In adventure riding, the road can be unpredictable, but we know that the K60 Scouts will have our back.
Navigation & Communication: Garmin
To plot our adventures and stay in touch while out in the field, the Ultimate Overland Motorcycle will be fitted with navigation and communication systems from Garmin. The zūmo XT will be mounted to the bike and we’ll keep the inReach Mini on us wherever we’re riding.
Recovery Gear: Superwinch
For serious recovery situations in challenging terrain, we’re carrying the compact LT2000 from Superwinch on the Ultimate Overland Motorcycle. Remember that having proper recovery gear is important, but knowing how to use it is even more essential.
Seat: KonTour Seats
Riding in comfort is key for long-haul adventuring and we’re fitting the Ultimate Overland Motorcycle with a custom KonTour Seat. KonTour’s patented process creates the ultimate riding seat using high-tech materials to keep you cool, dry, and comfortable.
Ultimate Overland Motorcycle Build: Other Essentials
The details make all the difference and the Ultimate Overland Motorcycle Build wouldn’t be complete without a few key adventure accessories.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
We’re building the ultimate overland motorcycle in partnership with these great brands.
GET INVOLVED
We’re beginning to look for partners for our 2022 Ultimate Overland Build! Want to get involved? Let us know!
Africa Twin Photography by John Allen
It's Your Turn to Get Going &
Get Inspired
Download our free guide to the overland industry as your year-round resource and start living your adventure.
Photo by Brett Willhelm, Willhelmn Visual Works
Overland Expo Announces First-Ever Ultimate Overland Motorcycle Build
Starting with the Honda Africa Twin, Overland Expo will build its vision of the Ultimate Overland Motorcycle in order to inspire others to get outfitted and get going on their own adventures.
Indianapolis, Indiana — Overland Expo, the world’s premier event series for do-it-yourself adventure travel enthusiasts, announced its first-ever ‘Ultimate Overland Motorcycle Build’ based on the 2021 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES DCT, which has been finished in Darkness Black Metallic — a new colorway for the 2021 model year.
Partnering with Honda Powersports, Overland Expo and its staff of seasoned and passionate overlanders will outfit the Africa Twin, transforming the already-capable adventure motorcycle into the Ultimate Overland Motorcycle.
Honda’s motorcycles are renowned for their toughness, reliability, and durability. Specifically, Africa Twin is one of the world’s finest adventure motorcycles. Africa Twin’s crisp-shifting and easy-to-use dual-clutch transmission builds on that legacy, simplifying the riding experience thereby allowing riders to focus on the trail ahead.
“No matter how capable out of the box, the bike is just the starting point of any overland motorcycle. Riders outfit their bikes not just to suit their riding style but in order to make their overland journeys more successful and enjoyable,” said Overland Expo’s Motorcycle Ambassador, Eva Rupert. “That’s why we are so excited to partner with Honda to inspire riders to build their own ultimate overland moto.”
Over the coming months, in collaboration with several aftermarket motorcycle parts suppliers, including Outback Motortek, Jesse Luggage, Denali Electronics, Garmin, Wolfman Luggage, Heidenau Tires, KonTour Seats and Superwinch, Overland Expo will transform the Africa Twin into its vision of the Ultimate Overland Motorcycle. Additional partners will be added to the build in the coming weeks.
“At Honda, we are really excited to partner with Overland Expo for this Ultimate Build,” said Colin Miller, Honda Powersports’ Assistant Manager of Communications. “We know it will show how the Africa Twin embodies the term ‘true adventure.’”
The completed Ultimate Overland Motorcycle Build will be revealed on August 27th at Overland Expo Mountain West in Loveland, Colorado. Following its debut, Overland Expo staff will complete their own overland journeys on the Ultimate Overland Motorcycle to demonstrate its prowess in practice with the aim of inspiring others to get outfitted and going on their own adventures. The build will also travel to be displayed at all Overland Expo events in 2021.
Overlanders and adventure motorcyclists can learn about the Africa Twin and the components and parts Overland Expo will be using during the build and, eventually, the bike’s journeys at its dedicated landing page: www.overlandexpo.com/ultimate-overland-motorcycle
About Overland Expo
Founded in 2009, Overland Expo is the world’s premier event series for do-it-yourself adventure travel enthusiasts. The event hosts hundreds of session-hours of classes for 4-wheel-drive and adventure motorcycling, inspirational programs, the Overland Film Festival, roundtable discussions, demonstrations. Overland Expo features hundreds of vendors of adventure travel equipment, camping gear, bikes, vehicles, and services.
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CONTACT:
Nick Jaynes
Director of Communications
Overland Expo
503-805-8790
Header image: John Allen