OliMoto partners with Honda for 19,000-mile round-the-world record attempt
Father-and-son team OliMoto has partnered with Honda for a planned 19,000-mile world record attempt in 2027, with Oli aged just 17 when they set off.
OliMoto has confirmed Honda UK Motorcycles as a partner for a planned record-breaking 2027 RTW motorcycle journey.
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The father-and-son team of Joe and Oli is aiming to set a new world record, with Oli aged just 17 when the pair set off. The route will cross four continents, 20 countries, and cover around 19,000 miles.
The objectives of the journey, which are borrowed from Jenny Graham’s book, are to return safely, ride around the world, and achieve a Guinness World Record. The expedition is also raising money for Save the Children.
Joe will ride a Honda NX500 fitted with the company's latest E-Clutch technology, while Oli will ride a Honda CB125R. Once complete, Oli will enter the history books by becoming the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe by motorcycle.
The Honda deal has a personal connection for Joe, who first experienced motorcycling as a passenger on his brother Sam's Honda 400 Four in the late 1980s. That bike was bought from Shirlaws in Aberdeen, the family-run Honda dealer that is also supporting the OliMoto project.
"Nearly four decades ago, I first discovered the freedom of the open road on the back of my brother Sam's Honda 400 Four, which he bought from Shirlaws Aberdeen in the late 1980s," said Joe.
"It's incredible how life has now come full circle. With Honda as an official partner and with the support of Shirlaws, that same spirit of adventure will continue as I ride beside my son Oli, supporting his dreams."
OliMoto grew from the duo’s shared interest in motorcycles and travel. The spark for this project came after the pair returned from the Adventure Bike Rider Festival in 2025. What started as a conversation about motorcycles and travel developed into the idea of using a major expedition to show what can be achieved when young people's ambitions are encouraged.
The 2027 trip will cover around 19,000 miles and is intended to set a new world record, but OliMoto says the project is also about cultural discovery, personal development and resilience. The pair will document the people and places they encounter along the way.
Speaking about the challenge, Andy Mineyko, Head of Honda UK Motorcycles, said:
"We're absolutely delighted that OliMoto has chosen Honda to be a key part of this exciting venture. Our brand values, proven reliability and genuine spirit of adventure align perfectly with this project, and we can't wait for the OliMoto team to get started next year on what promises to be a truly record-breaking adventure."
The first major event ahead of the journey takes place at Shirlaws in Aberdeen on 22 October 2026. Isle of Man TT legend John McGuinness MBE is due to attend the launch event, with preparations for the 2027 departure continuing thereafter.
You can follow the progress on the official OliMoto website.
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
