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Behind every journey, there’s more than just the riders. We’re proud to be supported by people and brands who believe in the road we’ve chosen. Their trust and support allow us to push further, ride longer and share the stories that come with it.

We don’t take that for granted – and we carry it with us on every ride.

Tyres (and oil) — probably the most debated topic in the motorcycle world. For a long time, our answer was simple: black and round will do. But the more we rode, the more we realised there’s no such thing as a universal choice. It all depends on the bike, the terrain and the kind of riding you do. We tested a lot of options along the way. And when we finally tried Motoz on our heavier bikes – BMW 1200 GSA and BMW F800 GS – it just clicked. They gave us the confidence we were looking for, both on and off the road. Since then, Motoz has been our go-to tyre, no matter where or what we ride. We’re proud to have Motoz as part of the ADV Hoppers journey.

When it comes to hard panniers, it’s easy to go straight for big brands and big price tags. But sometimes, the best gear comes from smaller companies that focus on what really matters. APDURO cases are exactly that. Simple, solid and built to take a beating – properly tested by Joris in real riding conditions. They’ve proven to be durable, practical and ready for the kind of trips where things don’t always go as planned. They offer plenty of space, come in different sizes and fit standard racks, which makes them an easy choice for any setup. Reliable, no-nonsense gear that does exactly what it’s supposed to do.

Not every bike comes with heated grips. And not every aftermarket solution actually solves the problem. After a bit of searching, we came across Coolride – and their simple, slightly different approach just made sense. Instead of replacing the grips, their system heats from the inside. Clean, effective and exactly what we were looking for. And since Agata tends to switch the heating on as soon as the temperature drops below 20°C… this quickly became an essential part of our setup. If you’re curious how it works in real use, you’ll find a short review in our Gear section.

Some gear just stays with you. Joris had been riding with Wolfman Luggage long before we met — trusting it on trips where reliability actually matters. At the same time, Agata was quietly dreaming about a Wolfman Enduro Tank Bag back in 2014, while getting ready for West Africa. One of those things that stick in your mind… until they finally become part of your setup. Today, Wolfman Luggage is still with us on every ADV Hoppers ride. While the brand has moved away from large-scale production and now focuses on smaller, niche projects, the gear we use has proven itself over years of real travel – across bikes, continents and conditions. It’s not always easy to get your hands on anymore. But once you do… it tends to stay with you.

Size matters. Especially when you’re trying to travel light but still want to be prepared when things go wrong – like a puncture in the middle of nowhere. That’s where Eastbound comes in. We carry their Tyre Pro set – ultra-compact, lightweight and cleverly designed. A modular aluminium system that combines axle nut spanners, tyre levers and spoons into one clean setup. It takes minimal space, but does exactly what you need when it matters. And if you’re not fixing a flat… you can always use the spoons for ice cream. (Tested. Approved.) If you like smart, no-nonsense gear, Eastbound is definitely worth a look before your next adventure.

When it comes to gearing up for the road, having the right place makes all the difference. Moto Adventure Store (in Belgium) is where you go when you’re looking for quality – the kind of brands and gear you can actually rely on out there. But what really sets them apart is the people behind it. Friendly, flexible and always ready to help, even when things aren’t exactly standard. And if your sizing falls somewhere outside the usual charts… they’ll still find a way.

Since day one, Ullmax Poland has been keeping us warm – no matter the activity. From long motorcycle rides to skiing, sailing, trekking or even skydiving, their merino base layers have been part of our setup in all kinds of conditions. Because when temperatures drop, having reliable thermal layers isn’t a luxury – it’s essential. Soft, comfortable and built for real use, Ullmax delivers exactly what you need to stay warm (yes… including your butt 😉). High quality, reasonable price and gear that actually gets used – that’s why it’s been with us from the start.

Staying warm is one thing. Staying cool in the heat? That’s a different challenge. For a long time, we struggled to find base layers that actually work in hot conditions – until we came across ADV Inside (and especially their Breeze collection). Light, breathable and designed with real riding in mind, it’s the kind of gear that makes a difference on long, hot days. But there’s more to it. Everything is made in Poland and designed by a passionate rider – for riders who know exactly what they need on the road. Simple, functional and created with purpose.

Latest posts

  • ACT Montenegro & Albania – Between Mountains and Memories (2025)

    22 March 2026
  • Costa Rica with MotoBirds – Swapping Autumn for Adventure (2024)

    30 August 2025
  • Patagonia with MotoBirds – Chasing Wind and Wonder (2023)

    8 June 2025

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What a day! We started the morning at sea level a What a day!

We started the morning at sea level and ended it high in the mountains.

After fueling the bikes and grabbing a coffee in Nafpaktos, we hit the road. Since we were already "behind schedule", we skipped Day 1 of ACT Greece and joined halfway through Day 2.

Smooth twisty tarmac soon turned into adventure asphalt, then adventure concrete. At one point Agata commented that she would almost prefer off-road to this road.

Be careful what you wish for.

The off-road arrived shortly afterwards and gave us a quick reality check. We definitely needed some time to find our rhythm again.

The track was fantastic. Spectacular views, beautiful mountain scenery, and villages that looked far more alive than expected. Instead of abandoned ruins, we found charming houses and recently restored buildings.

After completing Day 2, we continued onto Day 3. The forest sections were pure joy: cool shade, soft tracks, and flowing riding. Then ACT reminded us what it's famous for: stones, rocks, gravel... and more rocks.

There was also a memorable river crossing where both of us ended up with very wet boots. We've reached the conclusion that Gore-Tex is excellent at keeping water exactly where it belongs once it gets inside.

By evening we were ready to stop, but finding food and accommodation became an adventure of its own. Several cafés we chased down had apparently been closed for years despite still appearing on maps.

Eventually we reached a small mountain village where we were treated to yet another feast. We almost pitched our tent beside a tiny chapel overlooking the valley, but a local biker convinced us to ride another 25 km to a nearby hotel.

Good decision.

We got a room with a view. Or perhaps a view with a room attached to it.

One guest welcomed us with a litre of local moonshine "for the road" and two beers. The chef added a selection of local specialities.

Apparently we're quite likeable.

Tomorrow: the rest of Day 3 and Day 4.

🏍️⛰️🇬🇷

#ADVHoppers #ACTGreece #AdventureMotorcycling #MotorcycleTravel #RideGreece
Day 2 at the RIDE Moto Festival – more of everythi Day 2 at the RIDE Moto Festival – more of everything!

Saturday turned the volume up a notch.

More bikes. More riders. More conversations. And definitely more sunshine! The festival grounds were buzzing all day.

Whenever we had a chance, we wandered around again. More bikes to admire, more interesting talks to listen to... and, of course, a bit more time spent simply soaking up the atmosphere. That's one of the best things about festivals like this - there's no rush. You just let the day unfold.

The only thing that didn't quite live up to Friday was the evening concert. Let's just say... we've discovered there's someone out there who sings worse than we do. (That's just our personal opinion we're definitely not professional music critics!)

Back at the campsite, the day had one final surprise waiting for us. Apparently, while we were away, a family of moles had decided that the ground beneath our tent was prime real estate. They'd built several fresh molehills right underneath us, turning our sleeping area into something between an inflatable mattress and an off-road obstacle course.

There was still one festival day left, but we decided to head home early. A long ride awaits us, and with the weather forecast looking far from perfect, we'd rather take our time and split the trip over two days. We've seen what we came to see, done what we came to do, and now it's time for the most important part of any adventure: getting home safely.

#RIDEMotoFestival #AdventureCountryTracks #ADVHoppers #FestivalLife
What does a perfect day at a motorcycle festival l What does a perfect day at a motorcycle festival look like?

Talking adventure riding with fellow bikers. Wandering between incredible bikes. Watching kids discover off-road riding for the first time. Seeing Chris Birch and Kevin Gallas make big adventure bikes look like trials machines. Taking a well-earned schnitzel break. Finishing the day with live music, good friends and a fantastic atmosphere.

Here's a little recap... but it doesn't capture even a fraction of the vibe.

3 days. 2 wheels. 1 love.

#RIDEMotoFestival #AdventureCountryTracks #ADVHoppers #AdventureMotorcycling
Official Day 1 at the RIDE Moto Festival… and what Official Day 1 at the RIDE Moto Festival… and what a day it was!

It was one of those days where so much happens that you don't even know where to start.

Of course, we spent plenty of time at the Adventure Country Tracks booth, chatting with fellow riders and sharing stories from the trails. But we also took every opportunity to wander around the festival, visit other exhibitors, relax in the chill zone, and admire everyone else's motorcycles. More than once. 

One of the highlights was the Speedway Arena. We watched the ACT Ride & Train team in action, saw kids taking their very first steps into off-road riding, and then came the show...

Kevin Gallas and Chris Birch throwing a Yamaha Ténéré and a KTM 890 around as if they were lightweight trials bikes. Maybe nobody told them those aren't supposed to do that! Mindblowing!

Later, we caught Chris Birch's talk. What an incredibly down-to-earth guy. Kevin had already headed off to join the Enduromaniacs event, but Chris stayed to chat, share stories and inspire riders of all levels.

Somewhere between all the motorcycles and conversations, we did the most German thing possible... stopped for a proper schnitzel. 

We wrapped up the day exactly as it should be wrapped up: relaxing with friends, listening to live music, and soaking in the atmosphere. Great weather, great people, and a festival that simply gets what motorcycling is all about.

RIDE Moto Festival: 3 days. 2 wheels. 1 love.

#RIDEMotoFestival #AdventureCountryTracks #ADVHoppers #TwoWheelsOneLove
Every trip leaves its mark. Not just on us, but o Every trip leaves its mark.

Not just on us, but on our gear too.

This journey made us realise that a few faithful companions have finally earned their retirement after many years of adventures.

The foam covers on our Cardo headset speakers have survived 7 seasons before finally giving up.

Agata's trusty Sidi Adventure boots have carried her for 5 seasons and countless kilometres. They've finally developed a hole above the heel, so waterproofing is now... optional.

Joris' summer gloves have reached the point where there are more holes than leather. Ventilation? Excellent. Protection? Not so much. Time to start looking for a new pair.

The helmet liners have done 6–7 seasons of service and are definitely due for replacement. Looks like we'll be paying Klim @klim.polska a visit.

Agata's Klim Artemis suit is still going strong after 7 seasons. It only needs a new Velcro tab at the collar, although the waterproof membrane isn't quite what it used to be anymore. Maybe it's time to start thinking about its successor.

And then there are the mysterious disappearing bolts on Agata's KTM... those definitely need some attention before the next adventure (parts on the way).

It's funny how these little signs of wear tell the story of thousands of kilometres, countless mountain passes, dusty tracks, river crossings, heat, rain, mud and everything in between.

Good gear isn't something that looks new.
Good gear is something that has stories to tell.

What piece of motorcycle gear has served you the longest?

#ADVHoppers #AdventureMotorcycling #GearThatTellsStories #RideMore
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