Throttle and Roast - Motorcycle Enthusiast Podcast

In this episode of Throttle and Roast, host Niels Meersschaert takes a deep dive into one of the most pressing issues facing drivers and riders today: skyrocketing gas prices. With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East sending oil markets into a frenzy, Niels breaks down exactly what's happening at the pump — and why motorcyclists may actually be in a better position than most.
Niels starts with the big picture: West Texas Intermediate crude oil, a key U.S. benchmark, recently hit $99 per barrel — a staggering 67% increase from just one year ago. At its peak, right before a temporary ceasefire was announced, prices surged as high as $113 per barrel, nearly doubling year-over-year. While the ceasefire brought some brief relief, the underlying pressure on fuel prices remains very real.
At the pump, those oil price increases have translated into a national average of $5.04 per gallon for premium fuel, according to AAA — nearly a dollar more than the $4.06 average just one year ago, a 24% jump. And since gas prices tend to trail oil prices, there's reason to believe the worst may not be over yet.
To give the numbers even more depth, Niels draws on over a decade of personal fuel tracking data using the app Fuelly, covering every tank of gas across all of his motorcycles and cars since 2016. His local premium gas station is currently charging $5.29 per gallon — higher than even the worst prices he recorded during the 2022 post-pandemic surge, which averaged $5.16 per gallon. His ten-year average price per gallon sits at $4.31, meaning today's prices are roughly a dollar above what he's paid on average over the past decade.
But price per gallon is only part of the story. Niels argues that the more meaningful metric is cost per mile — and that's where motorcycles really shine. Using U.S. Department of Energy fuel economy averages, a typical car gets about 24.4 miles per gallon, a light truck averages just 17.8 mpg, and the average motorcycle comes in at 44 mpg. Translated into cost per mile at today's premium prices, cars cost about 20 cents per mile, trucks a painful 28 cents per mile, and motorcycles just 11 cents per mile. Even comparing a motorcycle running on premium to a car running on regular gas, the motorcycle still wins.
Niels also shares his personal experience with his Vespa scooter, which he uses for local errands and short trips. Over hundreds of fill-ups, it has averaged an impressive 68 miles per gallon — putting
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What does it mean to ride with purpose? In this episode of the Throttle and Roast Podcast, host Niels Meersschaert explores how motorcycling can be more than just a solo escape from the everyday grind. While riding alone has its own undeniable value — the freedom, the fresh air, the chance to clear your head — this episode makes a compelling case for getting out on the bike with others and channeling that energy toward something greater than yourself.

Niels begins by breaking down the world of group rides, starting with the most accessible entry point: small group rides. With just three to seven riders, small groups offer a level of flexibility and camaraderie that larger rides simply can't match. Logistics are easier — finding parking, stopping for fuel, or grabbing a meal becomes a seamless experience rather than a coordination nightmare. Perhaps more importantly, smaller groups tend to attract riders with similar paces and road preferences, making for a more enjoyable and connected experience overall. For those who haven't yet tried riding with others, this is the ideal place to start.

That said, Niels doesn't dismiss large group rides. He encourages every rider to experience one at least once, acknowledging that there's something uniquely powerful about the sight and sound of dozens or even hundreds of bikes moving together. Whether it's a poker run, an organized rally, or a large charity event, these gatherings offer a different kind of purpose — one built around spectacle, solidarity, and shared identity. The trade-off, of course, is that large groups often require accommodating the lowest common denominator in terms of pace and route, which may not satisfy every rider's appetite for adventure.

The heart of the episode, however, is charity riding. Niels highlights several well-known rides that give motorcyclists the opportunity to use their passion for a meaningful cause. Kyle Petty's Charity Ride Across America, which has been running since 1995, crosses the entire United States over eight days and raises money to provide camping experiences for children with chronic illnesses. The Veterans Charity Ride uses motorcycle therapy — often with sidecar-equipped bikes — to support wounded veterans. The Ride for Kids event, organized by the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, holds rides at locations across the United States, making it easy to find one near you.

Looking beyond North
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Many riders insist that tanks are too small on modern motorcycles, but the real story is far more nuanced than a simple glance at fuel capacity suggests. In this episode of Throttle and Roast, host Niels Meersschaert digs into the full picture of motorcycle range, examining why manufacturers build smaller tanks, how fuel economy changes everything, and whether the complaints flooding social media actually hold up in the real world.

Niels begins by establishing the extremes of tank capacity currently available on the market. The smallest street motorcycle tank belongs to the Honda Grom at just 1.6 gallons, while the largest is found on the BMW R1300 GS Adventure at 7.9 gallons. Most of the bikes people complain about fall somewhere in between those two extremes. Manufacturers choose smaller tanks for two primary reasons: aesthetics and weight. A larger tank dramatically changes the visual profile of a motorcycle, and with fuel weighing roughly six pounds per gallon, a fully loaded large tank can add nearly 50 pounds of weight concentrated high on the bike, affecting low-speed handling and overall feel. As modern bikes have also added electronics, ABS, TFT displays, and other features that riders demand, manufacturers have had to find weight savings somewhere, and the fuel tank is often the easiest place to trim.

But tank size alone does not tell the full story. When you factor in fuel economy, the range equation shifts considerably. The Honda Grom, despite its tiny 1.6-gallon tank, achieves around 125 miles per gallon in real-world use according to the fuel tracking tool Fuelly, giving it a range of roughly 200 to 250 miles. Meanwhile, the BMW R1300 GSA, with its nearly 8-gallon tank, returns around 40 to 44 miles per gallon in practice, translating to 315 to 395 miles of range. That is a meaningful difference, but far less dramatic than the raw tank size comparison would suggest.

Niels backs this up with over 15 years of personal fuel data tracked through Fuelly. His Vespa GTS 300, with a 2.2-gallon tank, averages 67.6 miles per gallon and delivers close to 150 miles of range, more than enough for his typical short errands. His BMW F900GS, despite having less than half the tank capacity of his old R1200 GSA, achieves nearly the same practical range thanks to better fuel economy on the newer, smaller engine. Even his BMW R18 Classic, a cruiser that many riders criticized for having a tank that is too small, delivers a
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Choosing your first motorcycle is an exciting milestone, but it’s also a decision that deserves careful thought and planning. This comprehensive guide walks beginners through every critical aspect of the process, ensuring new riders select a motorcycle that matches their needs, skill level, and aspirations while prioritizing safety and enjoyment.
The guide begins by introducing the concept of a "license to learn"—the understanding that your first motorcycle is not likely to be your ultimate dream machine, but rather a stepping stone that builds your skills and confidence. New riders are encouraged to separate the emotional allure of high-powered, flashy bikes from the practical requirements of learning to ride safely and comfortably. The guide stresses that starting with a more manageable bike is not a compromise, but a strategic decision that can lead to a more rewarding and safe riding experience.
One of the key factors discussed is choosing a motorcycle that isn’t too heavy or powerful. The guide explains how large engines and excessive weight can make it harder for beginners to control the bike, especially at low speeds or in challenging situations. Instead, it suggests looking for models with moderate engine sizes—typically in the 250cc to 500cc range—that offer enough performance for learning and everyday riding without being overwhelming. The guide also highlights the importance of seat height and overall ergonomics, advising new riders to test-sit multiple models to find a comfortable fit that allows them to reach the ground easily and operate controls with confidence.
The guide outlines the main categories of motorcycles suitable for beginners, including standard/naked bikes, cruisers, sport bikes, dual-sports, and adventure bikes. For each type, the pros and cons are discussed, helping readers consider where and how they intend to ride—whether commuting, touring, or exploring off-road trails. The merits of new versus used motorcycles are also examined: new bikes offer warranties and modern features, while used bikes can be more affordable and forgiving of the inevitable beginner scratches and drops. Practical advice is given on what to look for in a used bike, including service history, signs of damage, and ease of maintenance.
A curated list of beginner-friendly motorcycle models is provided, featuring reliable and accessible options from various manufacturers. Honorable mentions expand the list for those seeking som
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In this episode of the Throttle and Roast podcast, host Niels Meersschaert dives into the ADV and off-road news that matters most as riders gear up for the 2026 riding season. From updated Italian middleweights to Japanese rally-inspired machines, extended warranties, and true Hidden Gems for 2026, this episode has something for every kind of adventure rider.

Ducati Desert X — Italian Middleweight Gets a Refresh

Kicking things off is the updated Ducati Desert X, now powered by the new V2 motor found across the Ducati lineup. The new engine sheds a couple of pounds — bringing curb weight to approximately 461 lbs — and, more importantly, ditches the famously demanding Desmo valve system in favor of a traditional spring-based valve train. This change alone is a significant quality-of-life improvement, as Desmo valve services were notoriously complex and expensive. Power remains essentially unchanged at 110 hp and 68 ft-lb of torque from a slightly smaller 890cc engine. The fuel tank has been redesigned to carry weight lower on the bike, improving off-road handling and reducing that top-heavy feeling. Suspension is serious: 9.1 inches of travel up front from fully adjustable 46mm forks, and 8.7 inches out back. A new 5-inch horizontal TFT display, 6-axis IMU, six riding modes, and revised ergonomics with a more aggressive attack position round out the updates. The 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel combination keeps this bike firmly in adventure-off-road territory rather than the more road-biased Multistrada lineup.

Yamaha Tenere 700 World Raid — The GSA of the Tenere Family

Next up is the long-awaited US arrival of the Yamaha Tenere 700 World Raid. Think of this as the premium, adventure-ready version of the already well-loved Tenere 700. The biggest complaint about the base model was its budget suspension, and the World Raid addresses this head-on with 46mm front forks offering 9.1 inches of travel — matching the Desert X — and a rear shock bumped up to 8.6 inches, both fully adjustable. The old LCD display is replaced with a full TFT screen, and the bike gains ride-by-wire, cruise control, lean-sensitive traction control, slide control, ABS, and improved LED headlights. The most visually striking upgrade is the new 6.1-gallon fuel tank, adding 1.8 gallons over the standard model for significantly extended range. All of this comes at just $2,000 more than the base Tenere — a strong valu
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