And for all three of you who have made it this far, thinking, “Man, I’d really love to see one of these in action,” fret not! I’ve got you covered. Consider factors like rust resistance, as it plays a significant role in the longevity of your carrier. Opt for carriers with proper rust-resistant coatings, such as powder coating.

The little motorcycle is also outfitted head to toe and bumper to bumper with a colorful LED light show. It appears to move at somewhere around 2 mph (3 km/h), which means that since it’s not so fast, then it darn well better look good. Adventure bikes today veer on the heavy side, are dripping in electronics and are expensive – so expensive that riding them off-road will have you wincing over every rut and stone chip. But the Himalayan is something else; it’s incredibly simple, does away with all the complicated gizmos, is competitively priced and, due to its simple design, it begs for off-road action with next to zero consequences.

BikeMaster Motorcycle Carrier

At 115g, this durable mini pump features a padded Kraton handle for comfort and its efficient and smooth pump action can fill a bicycle tyre to 160psi and will be capable of inflating a motorcycle tyre. Satin finish aluminium body is butted for lightweight. Easily fits in your luggage. As a last resort, a garage air machine is a good way of getting some air into an underinflated tyre but it’s hard to know if the machine is accurate, so it’s best not to set your pressures from a garage forecourt machine but it’s far better than running an under or severely over-inflated tyre. Convenience at its finest: The motorcycle carrier hitch offers unmatched comfort. They are designed to effortlessly attach to your vehicle’s hitch receiver, eliminating the need for additional equipment. No more struggling with complicated setups or worrying about storage space. Simply load your bike onto the carrier, secure it, and you’re ready to hit the road!.

And ps. you are 100% right about manufacturers forgetting about ease of maintenance – it’s almost as if they make it hard so we have to take our bikes to their dealers! Like pressure gauges, air pumps come in digital or analogue design. You can also use gas canisters – essential when you’re fixing a flat tyre but also handy if you’re in the middle of nowhere and your tyres are underinflated. Hitch carriers come in different classes, and you should choose one that matches the hitch class of your vehicle. Additionally, pay attention to the drawbar weight limits provided by your vehicle’s manufacturer.

Gas Canisters

By far the most robust and sturdiest looking example in our test—the CyclePump—also delivered on the pumping power, coming in only five seconds behind the fastest time. The CyclePump’s five-year warranty is tied for the best here, but it all comes at a price. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for, and the pump’s heavy-duty nature and nice brass air fittings do inspire confidence. You will find that the MotoPump and Dynaplug products look similar because they are. The two are mechanically identical. In fact, the companies worked together to develop the pump. Dynaplug supplied engineering and manufacturing expertise while MotoPumps supplied extensive knowledge and experience in building motorcycle specific pumps. The two Mini Pro Inflators have the same feature set though the MotoPumps version also includes a five-year limited warranty. Boasting an all-steel construction and a robust powder-coated finish, this platform ensures years of rust-free service. Its 500 lbs load rating surpasses many pricier competitors, catering to heavier rides. Even loading and unloading is a breeze, thanks to the ramp that attaches to either side of the carrier.

Remember the KTM 990? The original carburetted version before the new fuel injected model took over? What a bike! Then the 1090 and 1190. Well, they’ve all been replaced with KTM’s biggest ever machine – the 1290 Super Adventure R. This is a behemoth of a bike and takes on BMW’s mighty GS Adventure.With the lowest price in the group, the Stop & Go Mini-Air Compressor offers great value. Its second slowest inflation time is nicely offset by its best in test 92° max temperature (again, plastic is a bonus here), the built-in pressure gauge is very helpful, and the whole kit is among the most compact. The Stop & Go also has a one-year warranty. Overall, the Honda Africa Twin is a lighter and more off-road focused motorcycle than its competitors in the heavyweight division. It used to be a simpler machine too, but with the latest update it has gained a selection of new electronics to bring it more in line with the current range of heavyweights.

I wouldn’t say the BMW 850 is going to be easier to repair than the Honda. BMW parts are always expensive and more difficult to source. It’s a bigger bike too so it’s not going to be any easier to ride on roads through Asia and Southeast Asia than the Transalp. Even though the Honda is new, I would still trust its reliability and it’d probably still be easier to source parts for it. And for all our adventure motorcycle guides in one place, have a look at the comprehensive Adventure Motorcycle Guides section. Great summary of the options available. Adventure riding can mean so may different things. The bike I’d choose for a south-east Asia trip is different than what I’d choose for a European journey. And finally, if you are really doing a RTW, the criteria would be slightly different again. For shorter trips, availability of parts or service isn’t that important. For a longer journey, it’s something to consider. I’m in favour of bikes that are available in whatever country you plan to ride in. So a BWM is fine in Europe but less so in South-East Asia (unless you have time to wait for parts or are with a tour company that can support you). Historically the Honda CRF250 has been a favourite of mine but the seat is not great for long trips (yes, this can be fixed). Also, it’s not sold in South-America so parts are surprisingly hard to get. The Himalayan is a bike I’m growing more fond of. Sold in a surprisingly large number of countries now and very comfortable for long trips. No to big but still big enough for mountain climbs. Where the m3 really pulls ahead is its exceptional finish. However, keep in mind that this superior quality comes with a premium price tag. Taking the MotoTote m3 for a spin was an enlightening experience. This hitch carrier isn’t just a tool – it’s a testament to intelligent design and quality craftsmanship.Mad or Nomad focuses on adventure bikes for round the world travel. So, our motorcycle articles are on RTW bikes that are well suited and up to the challenge of overlanding long distances, can be easily used off-road, can take a battering, have a readily available supply of spare parts and are fixable the world over… But, this article isn’t focused on RTW bikes. Versatility for every ride: Whether you ride a sleek sports bike, a rugged adventure motorcycle, or a classic cruiser, the motorcycle tow hitch has got you covered. You can securely transport your two-wheeled companion without worry with adjustable wheel cradles and tie-down points. Keeping your tyres at the correct pressure is essential to keep your motorcycle handling properly and ensuring that the tyres provide maximum grip and braking performance. It will also reduce wear and lower fuel consumption, saving you money in the long run. Different tyre inflation options This pump measuring a mere 18cm and weighing 336g, is a portable tyre inflator with additional perks. This mini electric pump makes use of automated inflation, so just preset your target tyre pressure and it will do the rest. It also features a handy LED torch and doubles as a power bank for your smartphone. Its tiny size and multiple features make it a great choice for any journey.