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.
Photo: Ted Simon - France, 2026 - Credit: Robert Lang
Ted Simon is one of the most respected figures in adventure travel literature. Born in London in 1931, Simon worked as a journalist and editor before setting off on the motorcycle journey that would define his life and inspire generations of travelers.
In 1973, at the age of 42, he left England on a Triumph motorcycle with the goal of exploring the world beyond headlines and stereotypes. Over four years, he traveled through dozens of countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. The resulting book, Jupiter's Travels, became a classic, celebrated not only for its descriptions of travel but also for its thoughtful reflections on culture, humanity, and personal growth.
More than twenty years later, Simon returned to the road for a second round-the-world journey, proving that curiosity and adventure need not fade with age. That experience was later documented in his book Dreaming of Jupiter.
Today, at 95 years old, Ted Simon lives in the Provence region of southern France. Although his days of crossing continents by motorcycle are behind him, he remains a revered voice in the travel community. Through interviews, writing, and the enduring popularity of his books, Simon continues to encourage others to embrace exploration, challenge their assumptions, and remain open to the unexpected opportunities that travel provides.
His legacy extends far beyond motorcycling. For countless readers, Ted Simon represents the idea that adventure is not measured in miles traveled, but in the willingness to engage with the world and the people who inhabit it. Even in his mid-nineties, he remains a symbol of curiosity, resilience, and a life lived with an open mind.
Ted Simon's published books include:
Jupiter's Travels (1979)
His most famous work, chronicling his four-year motorcycle journey around the world from 1973 to 1977.Riding High (1983)
A novel that explores themes of freedom, adventure, and self-discovery.The Gypsy in Me (1987)
An autobiographical work reflecting on his life, relationships, and search for meaning.Dreaming of Jupiter (2007)
The story of his second round-the-world motorcycle journey, undertaken nearly 30 years after the first.Don't Boil the Canary (2021)
His autobiography, focusing largely on the years before Jupiter's Travels and the experiences that shaped him.Jupitalia
A collection of stories, articles, and reflections published through the Ted Simon Foundation and associated projects.
Readers and listeners interested in learning more about Ted Simon can visit his official website, Jupitalia.
Photo: Ted Simon
Photo: Ted Simon