Preface
The personality traits and interests of ADV enthusiasts often share common themes, encompassing various philosophies, iconic role models, and passions. With this in mind, the book recommendations below include both familiar titles and some that fall outside the typical ADV realm, yet many readers find them to be valuable reads.
-Aaron Pufal
Ted Simon
Jupiter’s Travels
Simply start here. "Jupiter's Travels" is the definitive adventure motorcycle book. It’s rare to find a motorcycle travel book that is not only well-written and engaging but also filled with valuable facts and inspiration about motorcycle travel. Ted departs from England in 1973, providing a snapshot of the golden age of motorcycle exploration. His journey serves as both an incredible account for any two-wheel enthusiast and a historical record of travel before the age of the internet and GPS - In my opinion, he’s the real deal and he did it the hard way.
Written by an award-winning author, the book is far from a dry Wikipedia entry. If you’re considering embarking on your own adventure across a continent or around the globe, Ted’s honest self-assessments as an average rider and mechanic will inspire you to take the plunge and just go for it. If he could undertake this journey on a Triumph Tiger 100 without a smartphone, an established route, or a travel community, then you certainly can too. Read the book and set off on your adventure!
Joey Evans
From Para to Dakar
From Para to Dakar is so much more than the story of one man reaching the Dakar finish line. It is a story of friendship and respect, compassion and kindness. It is about defying the odds to reach a dream, it is about grit, endurance, and raw courage, and is inspiring in its true heroism.
To book Joey for a speaking engagement, visit Joey’s site HERE
Sam Manicom
Into Africa
Sam Mancom’s first travel book Into Africa takes you riding an enlightening, yet daunting journey across fourteen countries between Cairo to Cape Town. It’s completely upfront with the adventures, mishaps, dust, heat and the thrills of overlanding. You’ll find that Sam’s perceptions of people, places and the various predicaments have real depth and texture. Whether he’s being shot at, arrested, jailed, knocked unconscious in the depths of the Namibian desert or living in a remote Tanzanian village, you’ll find that he evokes the sights, sounds and smells with a natural ease that takes you right into each scene.
Shop at Sam’s store HERE
Sam Manicom
Under Asian Skies
Sam’s second book Under Asian Skies shines with his joy of being on the road from Australia and New Zealand, through Asia, and across the Middle East. This book is packed with adventure and the pure adrenaline buzz that each day brings. Sam narrowly escapes a serious wipeout in the vast Australian outback, he falls critically ill in Thailand and is rescued by a prostitute, he gets arrested in Madras and dodges the manic traffic of India’s Grand Trunk Road. Louis L’Amour, the author of many great Westerns wrote, ‘ Too often I would hear men speak of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen.’ Mr L’Amour would have approved of this tale.
Shop at Sam’s store HERE
Elspeth Beard
The Photographs
This a high-quality, large-format coffee table book that should be in every motorcycle enthusiast’s home, shop, or workplace. Every image is artistic, well-shot, and thoughtfully annotated by Elspeth herself. Are you looking for a gift? Just Say’in…
Shop at her store HERE
Elspeth Beard
Lone Rider
Elspeth offers a unique perspective as the first British woman to ride around the world. She not only overcame the practical challenges of overlanding on an early BMW GS motorcycle, but she also faced harsh skepticism from the motorcycle community about her ability to succeed. Upon her return, the motorcycling establishment largely overlooked her groundbreaking achievements at the time.
It’s heartening to see that the adventure motorcycle community has now embraced Elspeth, recognizing her book and her round-the-world journey as a remarkable accomplishment. Her pioneering journey has opened doors for many riders, regardless of gender. By any measure, she is an ADV Badass. You can read more about her journey in her book, *Lone Rider*.
Tip: If you choose to listen to the audiobook, consider purchasing the paperback and her coffee table book for valuable reference images.
Shop at her store HERE
Mark Richardson
Zen and Now
I read this book first and then I listened to the no-dramatized version of “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” and I’m unashamed to admit it.
In 1968, Robert Pirsig and his son, Chris, made the cross-country motorcycle trip that was the basis for Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, a book that has inspired generations with its searching personal and philosophical narrative.
After rereading the book at the onset of middle age, reporter Mark Richardson tuned up his old Suzuki dirt bike and became a "Pirsig Pilgrim", one of the legions of fans who regularly retrace the author's route from Minneapolis to San Francisco.
Richardson, like Pirsig before him, traveled the lonely roads of the American West, where he encountered many of the same people and places that inspired Pirsig. Richardson also corresponded with the reclusive author and his legendary editor, James Landis, and uncovered new details about Pirsig's mental illness, his unhappy celebrity, and his struggle to put his life together after the brutal murder of his son in 1979.
Published to coincide with the 40th anniversary of Pirsig's trip, Zen and Now is an intellectual adventure, a meditation on the values of a classic book, and an inquiry into its relevance to the complex and bewildering world we inhabit today.
Mark Richardson
Running On Empty
Running On Empty takes readers on a gripping, fictionalized motorcycle journey through a vividly real America. As the main characters flee both an organized crime syndicate and the police, they ride through many of the country’s most iconic motorcycling destinations. The level of detail in the narrative suggests the author has ridden every mile himself—and perhaps even spent some time on the run. The story resonates with the universal fear of how a few bad choices—our own or those of people close to us—can spiral out of control. At its heart, the book delivers a raw, unflinching exploration of religious cults in America, shining a light on the dark secrets hidden in its quietest corners. For any motorcyclist craving a high-octane escape, this novel offers the perfect ride—one filled with danger, freedom, and the kind of adventure that feels just one decision away.
-Aaron Pufal
Jordan Gibbons
Riding in the Wild
Whether you're an experienced rider or a beginner seeking a new way to explore the world, *Riding in the Wild* has something for everyone. This book is filled with stunning photography, maps, illustrations, and inspiring stories, making it an excellent companion for those with an adventurous spirit.
Written by motorcycle enthusiast and travel expert Jordan Gibbons, this comprehensive guide offers insights into riding classic motorcycles both on and off the roads. It takes you on a journey around the globe, highlighting the best motorcycle regions and routes for unforgettable experiences. From the rugged terrain of the Australian outback to the winding roads of the Scottish Highlands, Gibbons provides informative advice on what to pack, what to wear, and which bikes to choose for your journey.d which bikes to choose for your journey.
Charley Boorman
Race to Dakar
I enjoy anything Charley Boorman does, even if it’s not on two wheels. Be sure to check out his other books, including *Extreme Frontiers* and the well-known *Long Way Round*.
In 2006, participants raced in trucks, cars, and motorbikes from Lisbon to Dakar in the 28th annual Dakar Rally, known as the most dangerous race in the world. Among the competitors was a team of three bikers: Matt Hall, Simon Pavey, and Charley Boorman. After *Long Way Round*, Charley was eager for another challenge. Competing in the Dakar Rally had always been a dream of his, making it the perfect choice for his next adventure.
Jeremy Kroeker
Through Duest and Darkness
Jeremy Kroeker is a Mennonite with a motorcycle. When his seemingly unflinching faith in a Christian worldview begins to shift, Kroeker hops on his bike to seek answers from another perspective. After shipping his ride to Europe, Kroeker discovers that the machine wobbles back and forth worse than his own opinions about spirituality. Still, he caries on, oscillating through Europe—Germany, Austria, Croatia, Albania—and into the Middle East - Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, and, ultimately, Iran.
It is there, in the theocratic nation of Iran, that Kroeker finds himself on a forbidden visit to a holy Muslim Shrine. Once inside, invisible hands reach into his chest and rip from his heart a sincere prayer, his first in many years. And God hears that prayer. Before Kroeker can escape Iran, God steals into his hotel room one night to threaten him with death. At least, that's one way to look at it.
Jeremy Kroeker
Motorcycle Therapy
A Canadian Adventure in Central America
Jeremy Kroeker has travelled to nearly 30 countries with his motorcycle and done at least one outrageously stupid thing in every one. One October he rode from Canada to Panama in an attempt to flee the pain of a broken relationship. Motorcycle Therapy–A Canadian Adventure in Central America rumbles with comic adventure as two men, fleeing failed relationships, test the limits of their motorcycles and their friendship. Join the horn-honking, signal-flashing, wheeliepopping pair as they endure painful bee stings, painful snakebites, and (when they talk to girls) painful humiliation.
Edited by Jeremy Kroeker
Motorcycle Messengers 2
Motorcycle Messengers 2 is another collection of stories from some of the leading writers in the motorcycle travel genre. Consider it a sample pack of travel tales.
Billy Ward spends a night out beside a broken motorcycle, considering defense strategies against hungry lions and lascivious hippos in Africa.
Carla King wrestles with conflicting emotions after crashing her motorcycle in India.
Sam Manicom battles bulldust and heat exhaustion in the outback of Australia.
Lois Pryce bonds with a one-legged retired army General while singing "The Final Countdown" in Iran.
Ed March gets a drunken idea for a stupid, pointless adventure and, in spite of sobering up later, still carries on with it in Mongolia.
Jeremy Kroeker discovers that his days of crashing motorcycles are not yet behind him in Colombia.
Ted Simon encounters a healer, of sorts, who helps restore in him a sense of wonder for the journey in Thailand.
Nick Adams
Riding Around on the Breeze
Road tales of a perpetual optimist.
There is a fine line between optimism and stupidity. Sometimes I wonder whether I cross that line too often. But what is life without a little risk? It's too easy to sit back and avoid all jeopardy and discomfort, and I suppose that's all right as long as you're comfortable with a life without spice. Life is short enough without wasting it away on the couch.
My 1972 Moto Guzzi Eldorado retains her position as Queen of my garage and my first choice for adventures into the Canadian wilds. Despite any minor mechanical problems which arise, almost always as the result of her owner's incompetence, she gets me home when it really counts - this time from adventures along part of the Trans-Canada Adventure Trail in northeastern Ontario, and on backroad rambles closer to home. Yet she is not alone in the garage. In this, my eleventh motorcycle travel book, three other bikes have a part to play. Who would have thought that a modern road bike would handle gravel byways so well? And who could have guessed that heavy old touring bikes like the Honda Goldwing GL1500 could be trusted to convey you along winding gravel roads to mountain trails in Quebec and New Brunswick?
Nick Adams
Riding Eldorado to the Klondike
Old or unsuitable motorbikes, distant places, poor weather, and gravel roads these are the common threads in Nick’s motorcycle travels. He’d been hoping to ride out west a couple of years ago until a little heart trouble intervened. Two years later, a short ‘shake-down’ trip morphed into a 9000-mile journey across the continent. Trouble-free? Not exactly. Riding a 1972 Moto Guzzi Eldorado, a Suzuki Burgman Scooter, and a 1976 Moto Guzzi Convert (automatic), and ever optimistic, Nick heads for Canada’s distant horizons, encountering friendly, generous people, wildlife, bike troubles, and inclement weather along the way.
Helge Pederson
10 Years on 2 Wheels
This book is not just a large-format collection of stunning photographs from around the world; it also features an honest and insightful narrative of Helge's ten-year journey across the globe, the hard way. As one of the few BMW ADV Riders to spend a decade fully immersing himself in the cultures he encountered, Helge shares the stories from his travels in this captivating book.
Helge is an original ADV Badass having crossed the Darien Gap on this GS. You can get a sense of that adventure in this short documentary.
Sterling Noren produced this documentary about Helge’s 10-year adventure on The Motorcycle Travel Channel.
Shop at Globe Riders HERE
Hunter S. Thompson
Hell's Angels
Hunter S. Thompson’s compelling account of his time with California’s notorious Hell’s Angels begins in the mid-1960s. Spending nearly two years living among the outlaws, he embraced their anarchic spirit while riding along the coast.
Thompson’s book captures a pivotal moment in American history when the biker lifestyle emerged, and countercultural movements both excited and shocked the nation. Renowned for his Gonzo journalism, Thompson’s writing is characterized by bravado, energy, and brutal honesty, all delivered with a nuanced perspective.
As The New Yorker noted, “For all its uninhibited and sardonic humor, Thompson’s book is a thoughtful piece of work.” Published in 1967, *Hell’s Angels* remains a gripping and illuminating portrait of an American legend.
Hunter was an avid rider and his embedded work on this book is the real deal.
Locals in Woody Creek share stories about Hunter, who often visited the local tavern and sought refuge in a corner booth. Legend has it that when fans approached him to sign one of his books, he would take them outside and shoot a hole through the book with his six-shooter. What a legend!
Aaron is sitting in Hunter’s booth in the Woody Creek Tavern in the adjacent photo.
The Moment Collectors ASIA
Sam Manicom
Sam has six motorcycle adventure books that I know of, but The Moment Collectors ASIA is at the top of my list.
Linked by their love for motorcycles and a thirst for adventure, this collection of over 400 pages presents stories that transport readers through various landscapes. From the scorching heat of the Central Asian steppes to the snow-capped peaks of Nepal, from the backroads of India to the historical adventures in Korea, and from the forests of Burma to the harsh extremes of eastern Siberia, these tales offer a captivating exploration of diverse regions and cultures.
Neil Peart
Ghost Rider
*Ghost Rider* Travels on the Healing Road may be riddled with emotional sinkholes, but if you’re a well-seasoned adult, past your midlife crisis, and you're honest with yourself, perhaps this is a good read for you. Please don’t be mistaken—Neil is a bona fide biker. In this book, however, he grapples with tragedy and faces long, challenging rides to cope with it. Like many epic motorcycle adventures, he ultimately discovers renewed happiness, so stick with the read.
If you are a Canadian rider, this is a must-read, as it contains numerous local references. Let’s face it: he is a hero to many men over 50, being the legendary drummer and lyricist for Rush.
His other works are equally well written - Far and Wide & Far and Away.
Guy Martin
My Autobiography
The book reads like a living room conversation with Guy.
Guy Martin, international road-racing legend, maverick star of the Isle of Man TT, truck mechanic and TV presenter, lives on the edge, addicted to speed, thoroughly exhilarated by danger.
‘It was the start of the third lap of the 2010 Senior TT, the last race of the fortnight. The last chance to get a TT win for another year, and I was pushing hard.
Ballagarey. The kind of corner that makes me continue road racing. A proper man’s corner. You go through the right-hander at something like 170mph, leant right over, eyes fixed as far down the road as I can see.
But this time something happened. This time the front end tucked …’
Robert Edison Fulton, JR.
One Man Caravan
Do you think you need all those farkles on your giant EFI ADV bike? Dive into his adventure and you’ll never complain that your automatic suspension feels a little squishy in the turns with your folding camp chart on the back.
One of motorcycling’s greatest adventurers, without a doubt. If a solo circumnavigation by motorcycle in the 1930s doesn’t place a rider in that elite group, I’m not sure what will. Fulton’s 18-month journey from 1932 to 1933 on a modified, 6-hp, Douglas twin brought worldwide attention to motorcycles and showcased what they could accomplish. His trip also documented the world of that era, when much of Asia was still under colonial rule, maps were often nonexistent for parts of his route, and many people had never even seen a motorcycle.
Ted Simon
Riding High
The Jupiter’s Travels journey lasted four years. There were far too many stories for just one book. Riding High tells the rest of the story, and also why it was so difficult, afterwards, to come home.
Che Guevara
The Motorcycle Diaries
The book is, first and foremost, better than the 2004 film adaptation.
"The Motorcycle Diaries" is Che Guevara's account of his journey across Latin America while he was still a medical student. In 1952, he set out on a vintage Norton motorcycle with his friend Alberto Granado, a biochemist. The book captures, perhaps more than any other, the exuberance and joy of one person's youthful belief in the potential for humanity to progress towards justice, peace, and happiness.e Motorcycle Diaries is Che Guevara's diary of his journey to discover the continent of Latin America while still a medical student, setting out in 1952 on a vintage Norton motorcycle together with his friend Alberto Granado, a biochemist. It captures, arguably as much as any book ever written, the exuberance and joy of one person's youthful belief in the possibilities of humankind tending towards justice, peace and happiness.
Ted Simon
Don’t Boil The Canary
From the time Ted Simon set off around the world on his Triumph, at the age of 42, his life has been, literally, an open book. In everything he has written since that journey began no-one has been more forthcoming about his life, his thoughts and feelings, than Ted. Yet almost nothing is known about his life before that journey.”
“So that his own children – one son, two grandsons – would have a better idea of who he is or was, he began to write an account which, inevitably, grew into a book. Uncertain whether it would be of general interest, and to keep himself at it, he borrowed the habit of 19th Century writers like Charles Dickens, by publishing it in instalments on his website. Using a phrase he made famous in Jupiter’s Travels, “The interruptions ARE the journey,” he called it an Interrupted Life. But now he likes the new title better.”
Anthony Bourdain
Kitchen Confidential
Bourdain lived his life like a true Cannonballer—just outside the bounds of accepted normality. He stuck with it, and ultimately, it paid off. However, it's unfortunate that years later, he tragically took his own life, reportedly over a woman half his age. At least he did it in a luxurious hotel, which seems fitting for Bourdain.
This book is semi-autobiographical and definitely worth a read. It resonates with bikers and others, as he describes his journey of rising through the kitchen ranks while facing the harsh realities of working in a kitchen. Although he often found himself in that good brand of trouble, you'll need to read the book to discover all the details.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Hunter S. Thompson
In "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," Hunter S. Thompson was originally assigned to cover the Mint 400 motorcycle race held in Las Vegas. The book is a fictionalized account of Thompson's real-life visits to Las Vegas in 1971.
Hunter was a badass bike rider and motorsports enthusiast to be sure. In this book, his focus is slightly blurred.
As your attorney, I recommend that you hop on your adventure bike and ride across the country to obtain a copy of this epic book. Oh, and take a friend with a briefcase full of supplies.
The $500 Bet and How I Met My Father
Ben Myburgh
This especially personal story is narrated by a young man with an unapologetic conservative American perspective. It’s a journey of family and self-discovery, presented in a unique format that includes a wealth of images and deeply personal insights into Ben’s family. As a reader and motorcycle enthusiast, you may find yourself feeling a bit envious.
Enjoy this motorcycle journey told from a unique perspective. For more information about Ben and how to order his work, visit his website.