Backcountry Discovery Routes, known as BDR motorcycle trips, are some of the most rewarding adventure rides. This section covers ride reports, preparation tips, terrain insights, and lessons learned from multiple Backcountry Discovery Routes. If you are planning a BDR motorcycle trip and want to know what to expect before you go, start here.

August 30, 2025

What are Backcountry Discovery Routes? BDR Motorcycle Trips and the Paths Less Traveled

If you’ve ever been on a motorcycle trip and found yourself on a less traveled back road, (for me it was highway 789 from Wyoming to Colorado) you may have thought to yourself, “This is outstanding, but what about those dirt roads I can see off in the distance?” This is where the Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) come into play. The BDR group has taken guess work of where that dirt road goes, so it makes it possible to plan an off grid trip and have knowledge of what to expect along the way. The BD Routes are done in stages, and have unique challenges based on that states terrain. Not all the sections are easy, and not all the sections are hard, that is […]
August 17, 2023

Alpinestars SMX-6 V2 GORE-TEX Boots Review

After reviewing many brands and types, the word "comfortable" kept coming up every time I read anything about the alpinestars SMX-6 V2 motorcycle boots. The four styles of the SMX-6 V2 motorcycle boots included: Vented, Drystar, Standard and GORE-TEX. Which one would suit me best?
April 10, 2023

Tips For Planning a Long Motorcycle Trip

Continuing my Idaho BDR series, I wanted to get into Travel Day 1, which for most riders is about getting to their starting point rather than being on the actual BDR. In my conversations with other BDR Riders, it was not uncommon for them to ride 600 to 700 miles on the first day in order to get to their starting point. I only had 6 days for my entire adventure so taking an extra day to get to the southern Idaho BDR starting point was not really an option, my starting point would be Glenns Ferry Idaho.
September 22, 2022

ZOLEO Global Satellite Communicator Review

This ZOLEO Global Satellite Communicator Review is the first in a series of product reviews and accompanying podcasts on my Idaho BDR motorcycle trip. These reviews and podcasts will include the equipment that I took, their performance and will also include my preparation, route and on-trail experiences. If you like off-grid exploration, and seeing this beautiful country from more than just an Interstate Highway, then this type of adventure motorcycle trip may be for you. ZOLEO Satellite Communicator – Podcast Review Not everyone has time to read a review, so WizzWare has a podcast on the ZOLEO Satellite Communicator and how it performed on the Idaho BDR. ZOLEO is an Essential Tool for Adventure Motorcycle Trips I wanted to start my Idaho BDR product reviews […]