Sam seems like a top guy and very interesting. Would love to hear more from him. When he said "ride what you like and what puts a smile on your face" he hit the nail on the head. The interesting thing about the ADV world is that there will always be plenty of people telling you that "you are doing it wrong," "you have the wrong bike," or "you have too much/too little gear." They judge it based on their needs, riding style, and where they ride. I know people who have been constantly traveling the world for more than five years, covering 100,000+ miles, and they get a lot of people who took six-month trips in 2018, never leaving North America, telling them they had the wrong bike and gear. When you have a home to come home to, and you ride on 1 continent, your needs are very different.
I advice everyone watching this to buy and read Sams books. I've read them many times and they are excellent. Sam is incredibly good at "painting pictures with his words". Be warned though, you'll want to leave family, work and everything behind to do the same thing!
Love this. There are some things you can just never know without the years of experience that whittle down a rider's perspective on what's needed vs. wanted. You're lucky if you can get the equivalent of 3 carry-on pieces of luggage (vs. checked) on a bike - two saddlebags and a backpack, so every square inch of space is invaluable.
Heard the name, then thought who is this guy and what does he know? Then instantly recognized his voice from Adventure Rider Radio…that Sam. Great interview!
Man, that umbrella thing is a really big deal. Heat can wipe you out pretty quick especially if you aren’t acclimated yet. If you can get out of the sun, you able to take it so much better. Plus, well, if it rains while walking around…
Wet wipes. You're away 2-3 days, maybe roughing it. Run the wet wipes round the boys and back and you'll feel like you just stepped out the shower. Sweaty tackle is not comfy tackle! Don't knock it till you've tried it!!
A folding chair. Not all the time but often. Whals trimmer. The best compact sleep pad you can get. A tarp. Shade, protection is critical at times. All good.
I live out in the Western US. If you are on the highways here at all, going much lower than 650 with any gear, especially if you are a bigger person, isn’t perfect. On a motorcycle you have some disadvantages to cars on the highway. You can mitigate that with agility, acceleration, stopping power and out right speed.
This should have been a 45 minute video guys…or a four parter. Still…much appreciated Sams perspective. And I love some good travel stories too…so maybe ask Sam a question or two about his experiences??? Might make for a good series on its own. "Adventures Tales, featuring Sam Manicom"….you can have that for free 👌😉
GS 1300 is just another new pig in so called "adventure" bikes familiy. 240 kg? come on! Interesting that cars downgrades but "adventure" bikes upgrades cc. I say: less weight = more adventure.
