# Ted Simon on Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/adventure-rider-radio-motorcycle-podcast-171399/ted-simon-on-zen-and-the-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/adventure-rider-radio-motorcycle-podcast-171399/ted-simon-on-zen-and-the-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance.md
Podcast: [Adventure Rider Radio – Motorcycle Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/adventure-rider-radio-motorcycle-podcast-171399)
Published: 2026-06-19T02:18:43+00:00
Episode link: https://adventureriderradio.com/adventure-rider-radio-episodes/2026/6/18/ted-simon-on-zen-and-the-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance
Audio file: https://media.transistor.fm/9fb391f8/6f215f52.mp3
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Duration seconds: 2670

## Resource

Why Robert Pirsig’s Famous Motorcycle Book Mattered to Him — And Why it Didn’t Ted Simon is best known as the author of Jupiter’s Travels , one of the most influential motorcycle travel books ever written. Robert Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is another book that has long held a strange place in motorcycling culture: widely known, often recommended, and perhaps just as often left unfinished. In this conversation, Ted talks about finally reading Pirsig’s famous book and why it matters to him in a way listeners might not expect. Is it really a motorcycle book? Why has it stayed in the minds of riders for so many years? And what does motorcycle maintenance mean when the machine beneath you is not just a symbol, but the thing that determines whether the journey continues? What begins with one famous motorcycle book soon opens into Ted’s own memories of travel, breakdowns, repair, and the very practical reality of keeping a journey alive when there is no easy answer and no one else to do the work. 🔗 Show Notes & Links: Find photos, links, and resources related to this episode on our website at Adventure Rider Radio . 🎧 Subscribe & Never Miss an Episode: We release new episodes of ARR every week on Thursday and of RAW on the 21st of every month—full of inspiring stories, expert advice, and insight from the world of adventure motorcycling. Hit subscribe so you never miss out! 💡 Got an Idea? Have a guest suggestion or topic you’d love us to cover? We’d love to hear from you! Drop us an email through our website. ⭐️ Leave a Review: Enjoying the show? A 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app goes a long way in helping others discover the show. 📱 Follow Us: Join our growing community on Facebook and Instagram . Let’s stay connect…

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## Transcript

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