How Vintage Motorcycles Can Be An Antidote To Our Fast-Paced Digital World

This week Michael Uhlarik talks about Motorcycle Global’s hot-off-the-press 50-page white paper on the state of motorcycle electrification. It’s important to note that this isn’t an up-with-people whitewashing. It’s a data-driven report on the industry—to the industry—on the ups—and there are many—and the downs—and there are many—of the electric motorcycle business. It’s a market that’s everything you could imagine. Huge growth in some areas and epic failures in others. And Michael gives us the best answer to why Harley-Davidson-owned Livewire, who predicted that by now they’d be selling 100,000 electric motorcycles a year, instead, in 2025, sold a lowly 653. Whether you’re an early adopter of technology or your last will and testament implores your offspring to bury your KLR alongside you, you’ll find this episode of interest. Original research report available from Motorcycle Global here.

On Episode 102 of the Lowdown Radio Show, presented by eBay Motors, Mel Gantly is our guest. Mel, as die-hard an enthusiast as was ever born, worked for decades (yes, decades) to land a full-time gig at a motorcycle publication after years of freelancing. He even moved from BC, on Canada’s west coast, to the UK to make it happen. And, wouldn’t you know, he pulled it off. He got the job of a lifetime. And then it went south. But the reasons why it didn’t work out are what’s interesting, and should send a chill down the spine of anyone who believes in independent, truth-seeking journalism. And once Mel shuffles off, Neil shares his hard-won wisdom on keeping track of all those steering-head bearing and oil and filter changes—and, in the process, learn uncomfortable truths about the inside of Neil’s head.

This week on the Lowdown Radio Show presented by eBay Motors we speak to Greg Bender from ThisOldTractor.com. Bender, a modern man thriving in a digital world, needs an antidote to modernity, which he finds in his vintage Moto Guzzis and on his Suzuki DR350. Bender also shares his love of mechanical things to the world through his website, which has a plethora of information about all things Guzzi, though he squeezes in a little Suzuki and a touch of Saab on the side. Quirky, you ask? Absolutely. In the best possible way. And should you survive to the end of the show, we'll review a viscous substance to help prevent you unscrewing.

For Episode 100 of the Lowdown Radio Show, frequent guest Michael Uhlarik joins us to share his backstory on how a kid born in a remote northern mining town ends up working as a designer for, among others, Yamaha and Aprilia. Michael is a favorite of Lowdown listeners and here’s your chance to learn more about the man who’s as tuned-into the pulse of the motorcycle biz as anyone. And, to kick off the next 100 episodes, ADVRider editor Zac Kurylyk pops by with info on how you can get even more out of ADVRider while supporting our editorial content at the same time. Win-win, as they say

Motorcycle shows have been a staple of the cold-weather months for generations. Most of the old-school, new-product, OEM-supported shows have gone the way of non-ABS equipped new motorcycles—they're nowhere to be found. In the US, the slick show circuit disappeared in favor of custom and lifestyle events, like Born Free or The One Show. Or become industry-only shindigs, like AIM expo. But in the UK and in Canada, traditional shows have maintained a death-like-grip on an ever-shrinking clientele. ADVRider.com managing editor Zac Kurylyk pops in this week for a discussion with Neil Graham about what it looks like to view an event hanging by a thread. Or is that a noose?

Our guest this week is Motorcycle Global’s Michael Uhlarik. For his industry clients, Michael has exhaustively researched the marketplace, and he shares some of his findings with us. Most startlingly, perhaps, are his findings about the invisible 10 percent of sales that don’t show up on any official Motorcycle Industry Council ledger. Michael also shares some thoughts about the ADV market—hint—we may have passed the peak, and we end with a review of Harley-Davidson’s financials. And for once HD isn’t blaming “market headwinds” for its woes. That’s news right there. And stick around at the end of the show, where we'll review an online riding course that will give you a better chance of being around next year at this time.

Chris Parker of Rottweiler performance joins The Lowdown Radio Show this week. From his involvement in building pikes-peak winning cars, to his gig fabricating exhaust systems for Singer—the company that builds bespoke Porsche 911s for those with far too much money to burn—to his intake systems for KTMs that put his company on the map, Parker is a man with no shortage of drive. Or is that ride? And this, too—Parker credits ADVRider for Rottweiler’s first big break, specifically the one enthusiast who started a thread on the forum touting his work. We’ve all got to start somewhere, and Rottweiler started right here. And stick around to the end of the show, where host Neil Graham reviews a product that's improved motorcycling safety as significantly as antilock brakes. And it’s cheap. And you’ll never guess what it is.

Every traveler does it their own way. For Maria Schumacher, that means taking her time. Maria shares her story of how bumping into Sam Manicom (a former guest on this show) changed the course of her life, how recent travels in the US stack up against traveling in her favorite country, Venezuela, and how picking the best adventure bike is a very personal decision. She also shares ten common mistakes travellers habitually make. (Number four is overestimating daily distances.) She also shares one of the least discussed aspects of hitting the road—travel fatigue—and how, if you don’t know how to address it—it can cut you and your dreams off at the knees.

From cheap shots to well-judged commentary, ADVRider’s commentary section is interesting. To say the least. In the first of what will become a month feature, podcast host Neil Graham reviews a selection of stories from the past month along with the best comments. From travel stories to bike stories to things so odd that all you can do is scratch your head. Only on ADVRider.

This week our guest on The Lowdown Radio Show is Emily Roberts, who is just as wonderfully mad as her flaming red hair would lead you to believe. Emily’s story is compelling for a few reasons. Firstly, her family business is the last standing motorcycle print magazine in Canada, and Emily is a full-time motorcycle journalist for it. Secondly, she’s a hardcore off-road rider. How hardcore? Her recollection of racing in Baja is probably not a tale you want to listen to if you’re dining. Emily is also—from the age of 11—a riding instructor, and she gives us tips for trials and trail riding, and slips in cautionary tales of aggressive cacti and what to do if you’ve eaten iffy Mexican seafood and feel the urge to fart.    And stick around to the end of the show where the essential tool for customizing your motorcycle will be revealed.