Adventure Motorcycles are a SCAM / Here is Why
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- Опубліковано 17 лют 2024
- In todays video am going to discuss the truth in my opinion on adventure motorcycles and why they are a scam
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#motorcycleadventure #bikelife #advbike #bmwgsadventure #bmwgs #yamahatenere700 #africatwin1000 #africatwin #vstrom - Авто та транспорт
Who needs hi tech when you got a spoon for the microphone. lol
Hahahaa
As in many cases simple works just fine ☺️
Too bad it wasn't a clean spoon....looks like pasta sauce on it.
@@-runningwithscissors-9766those are provisions for the next trip 😉
@@FreeMilesMC an old time mechanic told me the word KISS. keep it simple stupid. Enough said.
WOW. Great vid. I'm a 72yr young biker. Totally agree with what your saying. Owned numerous bikes over the years. Watched the price of bikes go thru the roof!! I've solo toured across the US and Canada numerous times. 95% on pavement. My fav bike was a 76 BMW, R75/6. ZERO electronics on it. Even kept the original points/condenser ignition system. This was before the internet, GPS, and cell phones. All I had was a road map tucked in the top of my tank bag! Owned that BMW for 26 yrs. ZERO problems. Was forced to sell due to a career change. Felt like I sold my soul. One thing I've learned is: Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. The more complexity, the more weight, the more repairs, the more drama. Keep your bikes, and your life simple. Ride safe everyone.
KISS is sweet
I have a 73 R75/5 after more than 40 years, at 66 I wouldn't sell it, I still ride it.
exactly why I'm not completely satisfied with my vfr800 from 2016. so much electronics, luckily I can take my mom's cbr600f from 1993 for a ride sometimes, since my parents stopped driving couple years ago. I am actually looking to get a original cbr250 from the early 90's for fun rides. the vfr will stay for commute
I do have a BMW from 2012. With electronics and stuff. But no problems yet after some tours all over europe.
you talk about simplicity but was it simple for you needing go remove half of your r75 to get to the battery? bmw will be bmw....
I took a KTM 990 DAKAR from Shetland islands 16,000km to Western Sahara and back. I met a guy from the UK riding a HONDA C90. He left me for dust on the sand and tracks.
He would go wherever he wanted, I had to play it safe as getting stuck on a 200kg bike without luggage wasn't an option. I returned years later on a Honda CRX125. A perfect all round bike, remember sight seeing is best done under 60mph.
Don't get sucked in, this guy speaks the truth.
I am from the Shetland Islands live in Australia now, never thought I would hear that place in a motorbike video
@@danielnewcombe8865 hi it's just me, Ernie, putting my 10 pence worth in. Australia sounds like a good place for a desert motorbike adventure. Do you do much biking out there?
@@danielnewcombe8865I was at army cadets with a Daniel Newcombe... That's not you is it?😅
@@northseacowboy I was in the army cadets at the fort
@@danielnewcombe8865 Lol that must have been you then... Small world 😂 hope you are doing well 😊
Can you provide a link for your mic-spoon? I'm using a spatula and getting a lot of background noise.
Are you using a wood or plastic spatula ?
This seems to be a known, and common problem. Maybe a different brand spatula?
😂😂😂😂😂
🤣🤣🤣
@@christopherburson2465 there is new brand of spatula made of carbon fiber🤣
I have an adventure bike, it’s a 14’ Triumph Bonneville. It’s an adventure bike because every time I go out for a ride, I’m on an adventure.
Exactly thats what i want to hear ☺️😍
rrrright! same feeling here (I have a Vespa, a Harley, a Ducati .... they are all adventure to me!)
That’s me on my Buell XB9SX, every ride an adventure.
I have many adventure bikes, from scooters to Mt-10sp lol here in 🇵🇭🙌
Everyday is an adventure 😂
lol….right! I ride a 650cc Maxi scooter all over the country. And have a blast doing it.
Here in India, there is a strong message reminding tourers that, "any bike you have can tour" I've toured a lot of countries, and one thing i learned... weight supercede everything else. A 300-500 cc engine bike on a reliable platform with ground clearance and proper tires, will do wondrous on adventure than any other bigger bikes.
Here people buy gs and tigers just for show, and the reality is that they never go off the road just bcos of the pricey parts, even they don't have the guts to tour a 1250 bcos they don't have time
A Royal Enfield Himalayan would be PERFECT!
TRK 251 is perfect for me 😊
This dude is spitting straight facts. All these reasons is exactly the conclusion I came to. I was obsessed with a with a big 1200cc + adventure bike but, constantly clawingin the back of my mind was the negative realities of such a bike... lifting it, manhandling it in crappy conditions especially fatigued and the limitations of it in really getting off the beaten track. So I ended up with a 500cc enduro bike and have begun farkling the hell out of it. 110kg wet weight is an excellent starting point. Certainly not the on road experience of the bigger bikes, but certainly tolerable for my ultimate destinations.
Vast majority of adventure bike owners never go off road. If they do go “off road” it is down a dirt road - a road that most standard bikes can easily go down. Want to regularly go down dirt roads, put a different set of tires on it. Want to really go off road, buy a cheap dirt bike and have fun.
After years on dirt bikes, I bought a 1000 V-Strom for $500 with light damage to see if I wanted to get any deeper into ADV type riding. It was already scratched so taking chances off road would be no big deal, so I put some 70/30 tires on it and pushed it around on gravel in the Northern California coastal range.
Conclusion: fun factor off road was about a 4 out of 10, but it was great for a 1000 mile tour. If you want to ride off road, get a real dirt bike or a sub-350 lb Dual Sport and you'll have a lot more fun. Big bikes are for gadget-obsessed old fat men who want to ride a little, be comfortable and look adventurous without getting sucked into the whole Harley costume party.
That made me laugh, adventure bikes are for old fat men!
Well said 😂
Don’t get big & heavy for off road, they don’t mix well 🤣
Sure, a lot of adventure bikes hardly ever see dirt. But don’t generalize from that. Up here in British Columbia we have way more logging roads than highways, some of them pretty knarly, and an adventure bike is great… as long as you have the skill. I rode up some very rocky steep washed out roads yesterday where the power and weight (and superb non-stock suspension) of my 790 was perfect. A smaller bike would have been more likely to get knocked off line.
What sub 350 lb dual sport bike you would recommend?
How would you get your dirt bike to the destination?? An adventure bike is a combination of a dirt bike and a Hardly
The empty bookshelf and spoon microphone convinced me, before you even said a word.
a natural!!! way to go
His mind and bookshelf are open.
As soon as I saw the spoon, I knew with certainty that this guy knew exactly what he was talking about.
Every library starts with one book, usually in the bathroom!
@@MaverickRenegade LOL
Bikes like the GS1200 are equivalent to a Range Rover with low profile tyres, which in UK get called a 'Chelsea Tractor' ( Chelsea is a very posh area of London ) and those massive 4X4 never go off tarmac and may never even leave London. You have to be mad or brave to take a 600lb bike off the tarmac, so what happens is that to find a GS1200 you go to local bikers cafe where the owner will be drinking Cappuccino...
A good comparison to that is good old Hummer for Americans. People who NEED Hummers
You can ride around the world on a 500cc anything. People have been off road riding and touring on old modified road bikes since ww11. Japanese bikes from the 80's and 90's are built well and still supported around the world today. Modern adventure bikes are too heavy, tall, and powerful.
Correct 👍🏻, they are over engineered and overly technical basically not suitable for the purpose the manufacturer says they are built for
Marketing bullshit, selling the nonsense to people as usual. Nothing new under the sun. Yes, especially tall, designed to fall.
The motorcycle industry is just another example of the big marketing strategy that moved from the "what" to "why". They convince you about a dream or an idea and make you think their product is the only way to achieve it...take the example of gopro camera ads: big advertisement of the adventure etc...but people end up buying them and use them in the swimming pool recording their kids.
The truth is: if you want to live somethjng you have to work on your inner self only...once you master it then any tool becomes handy and doable for your self expression...and never the other way around...
Well said. That's why I ride a kawasaki z300. Cheap, easy, and keeps up with other bikes on rides. Lose the ego 🙏🏼
I think it's called what's trending.... lol
@davids.1126 buying a dream is the result of either being unable to dream or unable to work on realising a dream...instant gratification addiction is buying = fulfilling....the real achievement is the hardwork to move from a wishful thinking to actually doing.. and it is never easy...
@RoadDogSteve and the wish to be part of something..which means being with your ownself is not fulfilling and you need constant validation...really sad way of living
I think you need to define how and where you're travelling. For example, you can tour the Cameroon on paved roads or via muddy tracks. My brother toured much of the world back in the 1990s on the original F650. When he eventually came home he said if he was to do it again he would take a Honda 125 because it's the most you need most of the time, parts are everywhere, every country can fix it and if the worst comes to the worst you just throw it away and buy another one!!! The Honda 125 Trail would be perfect. However, if you need to mount the kerb at your local supermarket then you definitely need a fully loaded GS Adventure.
I had the BMW F650 for 20 years and crossed North America three times on it. On pavement I found it too small quite often and remember the day I upgraded to a 900 cc bike… One of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I would rather pedal a bicycle across the US than ride it on a Honda 125😮
Ask Mongrel Dog Productions on YT where he takes his GSA. He mounts more than a kerb, my friend.
@@notexpatjoebest of both worlds Po. Enjoy & ride safe.
Off road in Africa/parts of South America, I agree - 125cc is perfect, as long as you carry very minimal gear. But in North America? No. Too many high speed highways to get to/between off road sections.
@@notexpatjoewelcome and enjoy your stay. Tl
This is a much needed discussion. The man speaks the truth of many valid issues of a big bike's enormous cost, the many dangers of a heavy bike, the costly repairs and the staggering depreciation that a long journey will do to one's bike. Thank you!
This is one of the most honest and truthful videos on this subject. I recently bought a 2012 BMW f650gs for $1,500, then fixed a few things that needed repair, bought engine crash bars, panniers (Givi,) Michelin Anakee Adventures, and changed out the heavy lead battery and regulator for a lithium battery making the bike less top heavy. In total, I spent about $4,500 in total on the bike, and this thing is like new. It already had a skid plate and top box (Vario) and I could not be happier with the Givi's. I have taken it off road on gravel, small rocks, and sand and it did fine. I don't need any more power than this has, and I bring gear like my tent, chairs, stove, etc. and this bike is all I need. It doesn't have fancy electronics, but I don't need it. It's simple and easy to maintain, and very easy to handle. Thanks for saying what many of us want to say.
Just wanted to add to the topic. Last year I was in Iceland on my 650 honda, and I could go literally anywhere despite having luggage on. On the same hand, I met a lot of people on BMW GS's which when we spoke, they also admitted that because of the bike of their choosing they just physically cannot travel to the places that I did because of couple of factors. Those being the weight of the motorcycle, the lack of strength to pick them up repeatedly and when they would break down, they just couldn't repair them themselves. On the other hand, with my limited experience, I didn't drop my bike even once, I memorized my service book to be able to do almost all my repairs on the road, I packed super lightly, which my friends couldn't believe, when they saw how little stuff I took, and I prepared the bike before the trip so I made sure that everything is up for the task. Knowing this, knowing my needs as a rider, I would never pick a heavy motorcycle because it's just not made for the type of lightweight go anywhere type of adventure I prefer. And as you said, I also when traveling back home, met the same guys that came with me on the ferry, and were just sad, because they did not go where they wanted and I was kind of bummed that when I showed them my footage and photos they just felt like they've been scammed, because they just did not visit and could not visit those places because of the bikes they've chosen. Thank you, and take care Miles!
Super interesting feedback. Which 650 Honda do you have ? Thank you
I have a honda nx 650 dominator custom build from 1995, I have a walkaround video on my YT, but it's basically an XR650L very similar @@laurentvenet2758
Good information. This the other side of the marketing hype about the big adventure bikes
Honda NX 650 Dominator 1995 custom build, I've de a short introduction of it
Thanks for sharing your experience. Could you explain how you pack light?
You just made me even happier with my nice simple, mechanically robust Suzuki DRZ400E.
I live in Australia, where off road is easy to access (sometimes even hard to avoid). I look at others on those huge adventure bikes and I feel that my medium sized unstoppable yellow bike was a great choice.
I was thinking of a Honda XL dual sport, but the Suzuki DR series works, too. They're small, nimble with a high power to weight ratio. They're rugged as hell, and easy to fix with basic tools.
In Indonesia mostly klx 230 ...nice light bike too
@ariohardickdo3418 absolutely!
I was thinking the same thing with my dr650.
I sold bmw 800 for the reason mentioned in this video and never looked back.
Those huge adventure bikes with big price tags & slow parts availability. No thanks.
I have a 2006 Intruder M800. Only has 55 horsepower. Some friends of mine were going on an "adventure" ride and I said I wanted to join. They all had €30k adv bikes and they said they were going to go off road. That's fine I said. My Intruder has a shaft drive.
One of them got a snapped chain, two dropped their bikes and needed help getting them up. I had no problem keeping up with their 120 horsepower bikes. The only service my bike needs is oil and coolant service. And brakes off course. But that's it. It's fuel injected and starts like a champ. They all looked down on me, but none of them would admit I had as much, if not more fun then they did. Just a bunch of snobs with more money than brain 😅
Suzuki M series are underestimated in general
I have a Boulevard 400, which is the same Boulevard M109 with half size engine, but has enough punch for most Asian road anyway.
We need more spoon-microphones on UA-cam videos! Love it. 😁
(1) I think people very often don't understand what means to use a lot of strength. Anyone who goes to gym understands this. For example, once you did your squats set, you're done for the day. No matter what you do for the rest of the day (even if you take a nap), you're done. The same with motorcycle lifting. If you lift it couple of times, you're done for the day. You will be tired, harder to concentrate, paying less attention to environment, etc. Big amount of muscles used close to the maximum power exerts the body immediately, and makes your brain go into power saving mode. This is dangerous.
I just noticed it today again (and actually on a regular basis). Went to the gym for leg day, jumped into my car and went to the supermarket. Forgot half the things I wanted to buy and parts of the ride to the supermarket I was not focused on traffic. Doesn´t happen to me on off days.
You guys are obviously soft, I have no problem remembering the eggs in the shopping after training...take some concrete pills
Yep, my VStrom 650 is lovely 🥰 around town, highway, and down the several km of dirt road where I live. I’d ride around Australia (where I live) or any other developed country. I can choose to stay on good roads in these countries. I am a good off road rider and can take my tank of a bike places it shouldn’t go. But no way in hell am I going anywhere near tricky stuff away from help, especially in a far off land. Tipping it over could break my leg. Could break the bike. And could be in an awkward spot that is impossible to extract from without considerable backup. Personally I’d choose a bike around 250 to tour on, the exact bike would be, as mentioned, something ubiquitous in the area I’m traveling.
@@hair2050 when I get to take my wife’s XT250 out for a ride, it makes me brave! It feels like a mountain bike with a little motor after coming off my big bike. It’s arguably more fun, especially keeping it revving high and just letting it rip.
Yep central nervous system does not want to be taxed like that repeatedly without recovery.
You have the wisdom of an elder👍.
I am a 65 year old dude riding a single cylinder aircooled, carburetor Honda CB125e. They built millions of those honda 125cc engines and there are very cheap to repair and get spare parts. Super easy DIY fixable in the bush. Put 50/50 Tyres on it and built DIY Leg crash bars and improved small baggage frame for soft saddle bags on back. The bike has only 10HP , weighs only 120kg, as heavy as myself for 1.90m dude, but is such an incredible reliable little donkey with best cruising speed around 65-75km/hr.at 2.5ltr/100km.
Traveling 35-45 km/hr on loose gravely country roads is already fast enough!!! if you do not want to crash every 200m. So why buy a BMW 310 or 650 if you cant ride safely anyway more than above mentioned safe speeds. BMW are good as commuters. However for real world adventure, camping, fishing,hunting exploring. Those large Adventure bikes are definitly an unneccessary overkill, too powerfull and cost too much to buy and run. My bike new on the road 2 years ago was 1500€ in Australia.
Thanks again for having the guts to talk about this. 🙏
Good luck and safe adventures.
I fully agree. I'm riding very fast machines on a highway and good roads, because I love the power, BUT I would never even consider to buy such a heavy nonsense marketing ADV bike and especially not for offroad. It's like those big heavy fancy SUV's with flat road tyres, the only use-case is to consume fuel.
My T7 1) takes me to work, 2) takes me on scenic back roads, 3) takes me to the off road vehicle park. It does all of these things extremely well, and is an absolute joy to ride. Yes, when going off road, it is only a matter of time before it ends up on the ground. That is why I don't go off road alone. More fun to ride with a buddy anyway. Totally understand and agree with the topic, Free Miles MC - so many people need to hear this. Thank you and I think your red Yamaha is a cool bike!!!!
The spoon microphone is so cool! LOL I love the subtle statement of using a spoon... to hold your microphone! For some reason I can't stop looking at it haha. Love it.
"All these points resonate with me completely. I've mentioned them many times in discussions with motorbike enthusiasts, and I get the impression that most people believe that by buying a Yamaha Tenere or a KTM, suddenly, as if by magic, they'll become the next Pol Tarres or Adam Raga. This is the reason why, for so many years, they haven't taken the plunge. Now, everyone thinks we'll conquer the mountains. That was the issue."
I think the first question before someone takes these bikes off-road is if they are physically able to handle them. I can pick my T7 up dozen times, but im 193cm, 100kg. Second is how comfortable are they with dropping it, because it WILL happen and something gets broken. And third to either if they are willing get some proper training and practice technique. T7 is pretty easy to ride off-road once you know the basics of riding and it's a lot of fun seeing what these big bikes are capable of. But people should be realistic about their ability, either physical or technical.
Yeah, I'm going for a scooter. Maybe also trade it to some other brand in another country depending on how common spare parts are etc.
@@slavomirpsota9688 Im in the lack of all of those things 🤣
Spot on! I'm an Aussie and my 25HP Himalayan does just fine in the national parks and on the freeways to get there, no need for 140HP monster.
I'm looking at a second bike, and the new RE Himalayan with 40 ponnies is looking really good. It even has ride-by-wire! I'll decide in a few months after tax time between this and a Honda CB500X/NX500.
Here in Vietnam every bike is an ADV bike! I have a Honda CRF 150L, couple of my buddies on a Tiger 900 and the other on a CBX 500 can't keep up with me on trails in the Jungle. Great Video!
Totally agree - look at “Itchy Boots” - she tours the world on a 300cc Honda and it’s perfect for the job. Big adventure bikes are really just rebadged road tourers - it’s image over reality.
Itchy what???😂😂😂
I hired a Honda CRF300 and toured Northern Thailand. It was so much fun. Light and powerful enough for those tight switchbacks and trails. Also fast enough to keep up with traffic on the bussy dual carriage ways. 70mph all day. 😊
@@The_Touring_JediYou should look her up. Enriching the scene with her content.
@@sunhead-x Give me a break...who watches that shit.
@@The_Touring_Jedishe gets praised by basically the whole adv community for a reason 🤷. But if you don't like it, it's fine 😉
To each his/her own…. I bought a new Triumph Tiger 900 Rally in 2021 and since have finished 3 BDR routes, the Continental Divide Route, and made it to the Arctic Ocean via Tuktoyaktuk in addition to crossing the US coast to coast. Not once have I regretted purchasing this size or style of bike and I love the “adventures” I have had. I came to the 900 after almost 20 years on a BMW 650 that just felt too small more often than too big. If someone is lured into thinking they are Pol Terres or Chris Birch by the marketing clips they’ve got much bigger problems - A man’s gotta know his limitations!! BTW - I’m over 60 years old and consider myself an average skilled rider. I do try to ride smart though and do not venture off-road alone…
Riding smart is really important. As this video is mostly about the attitude and marketing around these bikes not encouraging that☺️
I’m all for honesty and truth in advertising and the media. When bone heads cannot distinguish fantasy from reality the world becomes a dangerous place
You have to admit, u bought just the right size adventure bike. Out of the top brands.. the 900 tiger doesn't feel top heavy, and the seat height is perfect..plenty of suspension, and priced right. BMW GS, on the other hand... way overrated, and priced.
I don't think you're an average rider. You 'graduated' from that 650 knowing very well what you were getting into, so in my book that makes you well in the top 20-10% of riders.
Great explanation. I have a 1250 gsa which I did the complete Idaho bdr and I'm taking my 890 adv r to death valley in 2 days solo. If you enjoy the trip to the dirt and want to explore and have confidence in your skills then a mid level adv is perfect
Every motorcycle is an "adventure motorcycle".
Isn't there something about an adventure is using inappropriate items, in ways they weren't intended to 😂
Excellent advice video, personally I had all the same thoughts and talked myself out of getting even a lighter entry level adventure bike at 191 - 205kg like a Tenere 700 or BMW for my type of adventure riding sometimes through sand and mud due to their extra weight which would plow the front wheel down in soft sand and wants to fall over or bogs the back wheel down deep as it spins, or you need to lift it out of a hole or lift it up from a fall. Also the parts availability problems, and limited people skilled how to work on them for repairs, weeks waiting on rare parts shipping, extra electronics and way more things to go wrong.
My CRF250L pig is heavy enough fully loaded and at my limit to push or lift it, or u-turn in the rough when things get awkward.
No way i could manage that on a 700 - 1200cc adventure bike in sand or mud at 250 - 300kg fully loaded with all the bare essentials, spare tubes, pump, tools, first aid, cloths, phone, gopro, water, racks and saddle bags etc.
Those larger bikes would serverely limit where I could go off road and weather conditions.
I envy the easily pleased light weight travelling world nomads who go everywhere on cheap and easy to repair old 125cc bikes. Less chance of a financial or mental breakdown if its dropped in a river or destroyed or stolen or needs
to be abandoned and buy another one that probably costs less than just the shipping costs of sending a big bike to another country.
I wish I could down size.
KISS principle. Keep It Simple Stupid.
One of the most honest and valuable videos I`ve seen on youtube. I just subscribed to your channel. That means I don't know anything about this channel and its content. Just this particular video. Being said that, I guess the big brands won't give you their top of the line machines for you to review after watching this video?. LOL
No they won’t 😂😂. But I still review motorcycles sometimes. Most of the content is more about the experience of riding a motorcycle then about the bikes itself. A lot of motorcycle travel content. Feel free to check out the motorcycle surf trip or my motorcycle trip through Iceland on a 500 euro bike ☺️
Bigger concern is becoming a target when riding around places where your shiny expensive bike cost as much as peoples houses in the area.
I would like to recommend the channel of "itchy boots". Noraly, a young woman is travelling the world with motorcycle for 7 years now. All by herself. Started in India with a royal enfield Himalaya. to Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia. By ship to Oman, to Emirates. By ship to Iran, then through all central asia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Caucasus, Turkey, Balkan, Netherlands. Then to Argentina for a tour to north canada. Had to stop in bolivia for Corona. Did a south Africa tour. Finished the Transamerikana tour. Is now on Africa tour. Started in Morocco down all of Westafrica, Nigeria, Kameroon, Congo, Angola, Sambia. Now with plane via Ethiopia to Madagascar for a one week site seeing... Updates about 2 times a week. She changed to a Honda since south africa tour.
You live in a created fantasy. Ppl would faster steal a car than a bike especially if you're "riding around town". Yes every type of vehicle gets stolen but i have yet to see a bike in motion get stolen😂
@@youtubehatestruthtellers8065 you should go to nyc. They steal bikes moving, non moving, even parked inside homes. You got it, theyll take it!
Do you think she will brag about her problems? I won't believe for the life of me that a single white woman in India didn't have problems.
@@youtubehatestruthtellers8065I wish I wouldn't have to correct you, but in Mexico City big bikes from expensive brands do get stolen in motion 😔
Thank you - for the honesty to point out some realities. In the countless travel videos I've watched, you are the first one I've seen mention that bikes are essentially trashed/totaled/ruined by dirty off-pavement trips. Every time I see a video going North to the arctic via the Dalton or Dempster Highways, I ask myself, "Would I trash my bike/Jeep just for THAT scenery?". Going off-pavement, I ALWAYS think in terms of what I call the 'effort to scenery ratio' ... and ask myself, "Is that scenery worth the effort/price/risk?".
You forgot to mention that Adventure bike marketers hire the BEST/TOP riders in the world for those advertising stunts; those skills were developed over a lifetime, including hospitalizations. Occasionally, I hear it said that the TOP/BEST riders can ride any bike (in any condition). That suggests to me that the electronic riding aids are seen/used as a crutch for/by those lacking such top riding skills ... and who think that their $money$ (for electronic riding aids) will overcome the skills that they lack. Despite countless videos outlining 'the Unicorn' travel/adventure bike, I see most bike offerings ignoring the requisite parameters (many of which you covered, too) ... instead offering heavier, more useless, but profitable, models for adventure riding. I think that the 'adventurer', challenging 'nature', is actually challenging God ... about THE MOST STUPID thing a human can do!
Thanks, again ... for saying what needs to be said.
Thanks for the apretiation. The loss of value can be fixed by taking a bike there that can not Fall in value anymore. I have put my Yamaha xj through 40000 Kilometers and some quite ruff stuff.
But a 500 Euro motorcycle can not become any cheaper.
Also at the Moment there Seem to be a lot super cheap bikes on eBay I actually bought a second xj because of that. Somthing seems to be up with the market. Maybe I should make a video about that☺️
Did the Dempster last year- friggin epic!!! 45 days on the road camped out 30+ days, had good weather, bad weather and everything in between. No harm to my bike. Trip of a lifetime!! Just like the guy says- what you see/get in the videos is not see/get in real life…
People have crossed continents on 49cc scooters and bicycles. Which proves that big motorcycles are not a requirement to make such a trip.
The cheapest adventure motorcycle is probably the Honda Trail 125. If riding on loose dirt, switch the tires to knobbies. Done. Just don't go places where you need to ride faster than 50 mph.
I totally agree with you. I have ktm 390adv for 4 years and my riding buddy has ktm790 adv. When we are on sand or mud or when it rains I always have to help him to lift his bike up.
100%
I was watching a local (Australian) UA-cam channel, where a heap of guys went on an organised ride.
There were more than a few riders with minimal riding skills and amongst those were ones who had bought Africa Twins, a Ducati Multistrada, a big V-Strom and so on.
They went to one place which had a gravel driveway going down to a building. Three of the unskilled and somewhat overweight riders had to get others to ride their bikes back up and out the driveway because they'd dropped, fallen off or just lacked any confidence at negotiating such a simple task. They had bought bikes that were effectively 'bitten off more than they could chew'.
They bought the dream of adventure that they will probably never achieve.
A lot of these riders should consider smaller adv bikes
I think that was Shonky the CRF300L Rally chap - ua-cam.com/video/Gc0BpJ5dKKU/v-deo.htmlsi=QfGSaQ3dE59UC7HL
Ok so that was a little fraction of all "world bikers".
So you’re basing your decision on Amateurs?
yeah let's just gatekeep everybody who enjoys riding because they are beginners, why bother trying am I right? Everyone should just stick to cars.
I agree 100%. I bought a 2018 Africa Twin brand new, spent another $2k on bars, and bags. Went out on a 2k mile trip through the deserts of California and Arizona. That bike was SO miserable to ride. I almost left it in Az. I couldn’t sit on that POS for more than two hours. It was constantly in the shop for electrical gremlins, and when I did take it off road. I was so terrified to drop my $17k bike. I couldn’t enjoy myself. I recently picked up a used Vstrom 650 XT for a song and a dance. It does exactly what I need it to do. It’s given me zero problems, and I don’t care if I drop it.
What do you think about those Chinese bikes off Amazon?
Kinda surprised to hear that! I think the sit up and beg riding style would kill my back and i'd be terrified of dropping the thing if I owned one, but they're still a beautiful bike. Would still own one if I could keep more than one bike.
Yeah that should be real comfortable for 2k miles GTFO
@@srhintz what exactly is your point? I just did 9k miles on my 650 versys which is comparable to the vstrom. And 2.5k of that I had a passenger. Was very comfortable. I love my versys
@@junglejarred6366 the versys is about perfect.
Was about to type in Duel Sport bikes and then you said it. Lol. I had a 98 Suzuki Dr350se and that thing was amazing off road. However, I ended up getting a Bmw R1150rt sport touring bike as I very rarely ride off road. Funny that you mentioned the sport touring bikes at the end. But, I agree duel sports are more suited for what the big adv bikes are being marketed towards and always wondered how well such a heavy bike would work offroad.
Great content, I own a gs for long highway miles and a passenger and an old R600xl for offroading.
I can agree to many aspects. However, if you are getting older, you might also prefer the relaxed higher seat, knee angle and suspension comfort such a bike offers. And it has not to be that expensive either: I am very happy with my used BMW F700 GS!
Yes you are right about that. And I do think those bikes are amazing in that regard ☺️
My KLX250 is pretty upright and relaxed, to the point wind resistance is an issue at higher speeds. So I ride slower and enjoy the scenery :)
I agree completely if you can find comfort on that motorcycle for a long trip. Some of us, however, can only manage a couple hours. I love the weight and nimbleness of your bike, but the seat is just too narrow for me unless I lean over the bars like a sportbike and push my butt almost to the pillion.
@@williambutler3630 On my KLX I fitted a Corbin custom seat, an inch lower and 2 inches wider than the original Kawasaki seat. I must say though, I still got a sore ass after around 3 hours. I angled the bars and levers for easy standing up, and if on a long journey it's not unusual for me to ride a couple of miles standing, to give my ass a rest. It's also great for airflow through the various vents in my clothing, which is super handy here in Borneo :)
@@williambutler3630 I put on the comfort seat, that works fine for me😉
Regarding height, I've fitted a lowering kit on my KLX250S, so she's really low down now, as I also lowered the adjustable suspension and moved the forks to their limit. The result is I can easily put a foot down now, paddling through boggy stuff, and so far I've never had an issue with ground clearance. I don't use it for motocross jumping, just trail rides with panniers, top-box and a little windscreen. Wider, lower seat too, from Corbin.
This is one of the best videos I have seen lately, about riding in general, and specifically ADV bikes.
It took me 50+ years of riding and multiple motorcycles to figure these things out the hard (but fun?) way.
Well said, well researched.. and accurate.
Pol Tarres on a big adventure bike is an exceptional rider; perhaps less than 1% of everyone has these capabilities. There are many wrecked T7's for sale after average riders learned that riding off road is not the same as a promotional video.
Chris Scott in his book
'Adventure Motorcycling Handbook' stresses the importance of a simple, easy to maintain bike that can be picked up, repeatedly.
I personally, after owning and riding 47 different motorcycles over the years, prefer a single cylinder air-cooled bike for difficult terrain. I also have a Moto Guzzi V85tt, which works well as a long distance touring bike, but I have no misconceptions about the fact that I would be in over my head on single track with this motorcycle, even after years of off-road experience. Keep in mind that the shift in perception from thinking that a 300cc to 650cc off road motorcycle is enough, to thinking that a multi-cylinder 900cc to 1300cc bike with electronic aids gives a new rider good learning points, is absolutely a mistake. Comments on rider forums include "what electronic settings should I use to learn how to wheelie?" 😬 In fact, a small displacement, inexpensive bike and expert instruction will teach a new rider everything he/she needs to know.
Ted Simon rode 126,000 km thru 45 countries on a Triumph 500 from 1973 to 1977 (Jupiters's Travels), and demonstrated that being problem-solving inclined and knowledgeable about basic motorcycle mechanics, and having a bike that is not too large, is paramount.
Again, excellent video and explanation 👍
Great video mate, and a breath of fresh air listening to someone being honest and telling it how it is. You may have just saved some people from being injured or even worse. Cheers mate!!
I agree with you very much and a good example, I think, is Itchy Boots with her Honda Crf 350. Simple, light, enough power and no fancy gadgets. But Puck Futin.
it got dropped in a river... imagine that was a gs 😅
@@shaneryan9076
And she was lucky it dropped in the shallow part of the river. 😂
@@shaneryan9076 Upside down! A GS would have sunk deep in the silt, for a geologist to find a million years hence. Gigantosaurus?
That's a great bike but I imagine it would be miserable going on such a long tour on it - hours of motorways , skinny seat before you get to spots where it starts being useful.
I've got two bikes. A 1995 BMW R1100RT (owned from new), and a 2019 Honda CRF250 Rally. Sure, the BMW is the one to take if you're planning 900 km in a day, but the little Honda is just fine for 300-400 km, especially if you're going to stop and get off from time to time to look at the sights. The weather/wind protection is surprisingly good, and 110 km/h still feels like cruising. The seat gets a bit hard after two hours. You can get a comfier seat, but I haven't bothered. The RT will handle gravel roads (I live on one), but slower and a lot less fun than the 250.@@ByronWWW
This is the same in the car world id you don't have a SUV you can not go on long journey
Haha yea I personally prefer station wagons for touring in a car as you just have more room and it’s easier to camp with. And also cheaper, took a Holden commodore through Australia
Aren't the big and heavy "adventure" bikes just single track SUVs?
@@zweispurmoppedyea this is not true at all. I can’t tell if they’re being serious or pointing out that people wrongly think this way and say this kind of shit.
I grew up on JSM and sport bikes. I just bought my first adventure bike. It is a Benelli TRK 502X dialed back to 47 HP for A2 compliance.
My friend and I go riding through Bankhead National Forest where we live on gravel and dirt roads and sometimes I take it out through our pasture.
I find myself chasing him around on his dual sport which is basically a dirt bike.
We are hitting 50-55 MPH and with the low power I have found it easy to get it to slide through turns without it getting too crazy.
I think most guys who buy ADVs are like the Jeep guys who rarely leave the pavement.
I am planning a trip down the Gulf Coast of Mexico to Belize this October or November.
Good honest speak much appreciated my thoughts completely ATB ! just subbed
I can see the logic in most of your video, but it's not going to make me sell my 2023 R1250 GS. The amount I would use it on surfaces other than sealed road (probably only 5%), make it the perfect bike for me. Comfort and touring capability with the ability to go offroad when I want to are extremely important to me - it's knowing that the adaptability is there when I need it.
All that power - well, not as much as the Multistrada or KTM in the same range, but I don't have to downshift to overtake because of all of the torque.
Also, the weight has a very low center of gravity because of the positioning of the boxer engine - a huge advantage over other bikes in a similar category such as the Tiger 1200.
Low speed maneuvering is also much better than other bikes in this class.
I understand and appreciate what you are saying, but for my purpose, I have the perfect bike. This is my seventh bike, so I'm no noob.
He does contradict a lot of what he says in this video. Obviously a small dual sport is more capable off road, we all know that. But he also says that the vast majority of an adventure ride is going to be on pavement, that is why these big adventure bikes are much more suited to the road. No one is buying a GS if their only plan is to do hardcore off roading.
A dual sport would be better for someone who’s doing mostly off road with small stretches of pavement.
And while you could use a sport tourer to do a lot of the off road an ADV comes across, they are also expensive and there’s less protection items you can put on and more easily breakable fairings so you’ll tank the value of an ST quicker taking it off road. People buying second hand ADV bikes are going to expect some scratches.
Cheer up Buddy, why so negative? Riding bikes does not make sense at all. We do it just for fun. No commercial ever told me that I need an Africa Twin to ride around the world, but it can be done. This is proven by many, many happy riders all around the world. Everybody should ride the bike he feels good on. I know many people who are really happy on their big ADV bikes. I have participated in off road trainings and was amazed what is possible on a big ADV bike if you know how to. If the value of your bike after riding it is a concern, don't even start it. Put in in your garage and look at it. I don't want to argue on specific points I disagree here. I hope everybody enjoys many safe rides on whatever bike and I hope that you will find more joy in riding again soon (I see a negative trend in your videos and I doubt that this will help to grow your channel and make a career out of it). All the best!
I am Not disagreing with that those bikes can do amazing things. My Main Problem as clear in the Videos is the public Image and how they are presented in advertisment.
Don’t worry the Channel will not go in a negative Direktion. Also many positive Videos to come
Couldn’t have put it better myself. Each to their own, if someone owns a big adventure bike and it’s a garage queen and that’s what he enjoys then good for him. If someone prefers small capacity motorcycles they can drop and off road then good for them. We all enjoy different things and that’s absolutely fine.
I ride f850gs simply because it's awesome:)
He's right lol you just drank the ADV kool aid
Most people who buy big adventure bikes will not take them on any road you couldn’t take any road bike on. They buy them for the comfort they afford and because in their eyes they look good. If you have any off-road skills and are planning a big adventure with unknown road conditions you will be looking for the lightest bike you can get away with. Rider controls won’t be on your list.
Very informative video! I've been traveling overseas since I was 19, visiting many countries crossing the equator and international dateline twice before 20. Likewise I've been driving 400cc and above motorcycles since I was 18. I've done several long tours all types of terrain as well and have owned around 15 different motorcycles.
I would have to say in my opinion the best bike to use would be something like the Honda XR 200. They've been around for a long time, parts are relatively easy to find/carry with you, they're fairly light (200 lbs), have high ground clearance, pretty cheap especially second hand, durable, almost indestructible, and very easy to maintain/work on.
If you want something that can use expressways as well such as the Philippines, then the XR 400R is also another great option. In my travels I found that in the middle of nowhere, you need a simple bike that any local mechanic/vulcanizing shop can easily get back on the road.
Living in the uk I spend 50% of my time offroad on muddy gnarly gravel trails on my gs 1250. 22K last year. Yes I have to pick up my bike regularly but the beauty of the gs is that it can do both onroad and offroad comfortably.
At the weekend I do ride my enduro bike maybe 100k on hard enduro trails , ktm 300exc. But only offroad, highway speed is definitely not comfortable.
So for us lucky fortunate guys who aren't banned from offroading, do many miles a year ,the large adventure bikes definitely have their place.
Yes and as it sounds you also have realistic expectations what your big bike can do ☺️. As ofcourse they can handle the the one or other trail
I still like my little Royal Enfield Himalayan.
No way could I be messing about with a monster GS Far too big and far too complicated for me. My friend has one he won't even take it down a muddy farm track for fear of it getting dirty haha!
It all depends on what you like. Some people like fancy hotels, some like to rough it. There’s no arguing that if you want to do huge miles in a day a GS will be nicer than a xj6r
Some like to pull their bike on the trailer.
@@gypsymonk8229 I think that would be a separate category, we are talking about adventure traveling (industry). If you pull your bike with a car, that's a separate category. Also, if you were being sarcastic, I missed that.
Yes you are First of all Right but in the end the gs is not really keepibg up with the advertisment promises especially when it comes to Price and utilety
So would a bunch of other bikes
Wouldn't a Goldwing be even nicer?
Great upload, thanks for your insight. I'm considering an adventure bike and the Yamaha 700 tenere is a very strong contender as it has no complicated or expensive electronics to go wrong. It's this or an earlier GS that are topping my list, when I work out what I'm realistically going to use it for. I like the KTM offerings but am nervous about the reliability and the negative experience from the dealers I have visited.
Don't buy a T7 if you're going to do any serious offroading and don't have experience with dirt bikes. You're gonna wreck yourself.
@@HRRRRRDRRRRR thanks, it would just be for light dirt tracks and old droving roads up in Scotland. I'm a bit frail so anything remotely challenging would be foolish. 👍
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the big adventure bikes. It's one of the most helpful videos I've seen. Years ago I got caught up in the hype and bought a BMW F800 GS. I quickly realized I would never take it off road. It was simply too big and and unwieldy. On the road it was great. I really enjoyed it, but would have been better served with a cruiser. Now I'm thinking of buying the "baby" BMW, a G310 GS. It has little in common with it's bigger siblings. It has a low center of gravity, a low seat and only weighs 386 pounds. It doesn't have a lot of power compared to the F800, but how much do you really need in order to have a great time off road?
i remember years ago i went on an overseas cycling trip and when i got home I went to the local bike shop to pick up a secondhand bicycle for 500 bucks.
i was spotting my tan lines from the trip and struck up a conversation with another customer who was there to pick up his 2000 dollar bike.
he said he was envious of my adventure but that it was out of his budget.
i looked at his brand new bike and my second hand one and offered only a smile.
Every bike we might buy today is a compromise, as bikes have become increasingly specialised in the last 20 years. I totally agree that many of the big 'adventure bikes' are too much of a compromise, due to their size and weight, and I suspect many are realising this now, leading to the rise in availability of 'middle-weight' ADV bikes. In this class the Aprilia Tuareg is a star, being very capable off-road, but is quite expensive in this country (Australia) and is a little 'stretched' on the hghway. I bought a Honda Transalp as a cheaper, and more road-orientated solution, for an 'all round bike', and honestly - 9,400 kms in, it is doing a decent job.
Fortunately we have endless miles of dirt roads here, most of which, yes, could be ridden on a road bike, but the suspension travel of a mid-sized ADV bike (and 21" front wheel) is much more comfortable/practical in this setting. Then on the long-distance sealed road sections, the Transalp is quite capable at higher road speeds. There is no 'unicorn' bike for this purpose, and every offering is a compromise, but a bike like theTransalp is relatively inexpensive, not as heavy as the 1000 cc offerings, and if it falls over? Well, it didn't cost too much.
I still have a very light, very fast Ducati road bike, but the Transalp is close to ideal as a less-specialised alternative, and I find myself taking it out the most. It is easy and capable at most things. A 250 - 300cc bike, while much better in tight off-road situations, just won't do the longer road miles as well. But your point of view is refreshing and honest, and offers an alternative to the adventure bike obsession that the marketing teams have exaggerated, and which in reality don't suit as many people as they pretend. Well done.
Thanks for this nice comment. Going though Australia on a transalp honeslty sounds like a dream☺️
He was cookin dinner for the family and then said lemme get the video out now haha good video and great sound quality lmao
Thank you for the info. I took note of the reality check warnings. I’m 2 months into riding and loving my old dual sport. Glad I didn’t get that $$$$ adv bike like I wanted.
Just look at this from a different angle. They are touring motorcycles. Adventure is only used for marketing because that’s what is exciting for people.
Everyone understands that big GS or Tiger or Africa are bikes to travel, not to his gravel. Manufacturers know that, and buyers know that. You need to keep with the “tradition”. Most people who can afford two bikes will keep GS and T7 in their garage.
Just take it easy, mate. GS is a great bike, big and heavy, but great on highways. Not a problem to lift it by the way.
People buy SUV and use them to bring kids to school and shop for groceries. Nobody do off-roading with them.
I partelly agree if you look at those bikes like that they are truly great. But I feel that many people in motorcycling especially that are new to adventure riding fall for the marketing, that’s why I made this video☺️
@@FreeMilesMCdon’t get me wrong, I am big advocate for touring bikes (you can watch my channel), as “adventure” term is so broad.
But brands sell what people buy. And that is actually the problem of people who don’t really understand what they want to buy. So they buy what is fancy. Most experienced riders I met over my motorcycle life, actually downsizing from bigger bikes and feel happy about it.
If you look at GS, BMW struggle with this bike in a way. It just outsold all other bikes they have. And they have plenty of great touring and street bikes. But people still buy GS and cruising along the coast on weekend. So that’s why this bike became expensive - it just needs to have electronics for every scenario. Because adjusting this bike mechanically for every type of riding would be a nightmare.
Look it this as iPhone. You probably won’t ever be able to use it in all possible applications. But you have a device which you can build up for all your needs, whoever you are. And because of such flexibility it comes with the price.
I am not a big fun of BMW, but have an experience with them. They just targeted to people who want great bike and price is not a question. And they are great bikes for that purpose and type of use. Those bikes rarely get big mileage.
You are doing a great work with your channel!
@@FreeMilesMC why did you delete my next comment which I spent time writing?
Hey, that is a little bit strange. I didn’t delete anything
what I see right now is your first comment, then my answer, and then a second comment that is quite long. and right after that you asked why I have deleted something. I don’t know if there was any other content but for sure, I didn’t delete a comment from you. Please check again and let me know if you can find your original text or if it is still gone.
Good points. Especially when you follow Noraly on Itchy Boots. One of the most skilled tourers off road. She rides a 250 or 300cc small light bike.
I ride one of the big ADVs (KTM 1050 Adventure) and apart from it being heavy as a mf it is very capable offroad. Much more so than any sports tourer. I'm from southern Germany and wanted to go to the Balkans this year but I'm thinking about doing a three to four week Norway tour instead. As far offroad as possible, equipped with a tent. I'll bet you that I'll bring my bike home safe and sound.
Ktms are synonym for off roading no wonder why you prefer it over other brands. I had lc 640A, loved that bike, and I'm still kicking my ass for selling it.
@@ApocGuy oh for sure. I always thought that I didn't care that much for brands as long as the bike's right and while that still holds true I fell in love with KTM. It can go fast if you need it to, it has great balance if you go slow and offroading with it is superb. I'll do an enduro training next month on a 1300GS. I sat on a 1250GS before but never ridden one so I'm looking forward to testing out the competition but honestly, I don't know how much better it can get than my KTM.
Hey in trying to find resources to start adv motocamping. I'm based out of Sicily atm. Any advice
@@dracolupine9441you’re literally on youtube asking where to find information on something…😉
@@dracolupine9441 I suggest you start by taking part in an enduro course. Before wrecking your bike you should learn to ride off-road
I rode in my 20s and in my 50s i started riding again. The adventure bike immediately caught my mind. The harley crowd was calling to me as well and for once in my life I could afford it. I almost got a GS 1200, but after riding it the search continued. A 650 vstrom won the day and I have and love it still. It has not proven to be a comfortable nor confident off road bike. I'd seen many videos of vstroms doing gnarly stuff. I now have a 300L and I'm looking for more off road exploring with almost equal comfort. I agree with this video!
Actually maybe you can make your vstrom more offroad capable there is a big aftermarket I made a video about it a month ago
Great content!
That iscwhy I prefer riding on paved roads. Gravel is ok if necessary but that is it!
If I want to explore the environment I stop my bike and walk.
My bike is a Transalp 750 which is quite simple and light. It delivers enough power to have fun and I love touring with that bike.
In the past I did some tours an a cbf600 which was very much fin as well!
So have fun!
You are so very correct and accurate! That's why i still own my dr650. Often the new technology catches my attention but i go back to how much i adventure on my bike, can i see myself on a big expensive bike...and i go into my barn and find that i still love my classic dr650 and very happy with my decision to spend money on gear, my trips and good food rather than an expensive bike.
Same here😂
😄 so true. I have a space for a triumph tiger sport 660. But my old school brain keeps me in line
If I travelled the globe on gravel it would be on a DR.
I think you have the right kind of bike. The fact is the KLR 650 sold so many more bikes than the rest because of the larger tank and cargo area.
My gf has been exploring all the local gravel roads and single track on a honda cb250.
The only thing she has trouble with is sand. Understandable as its still running street tyres. Plans were to put oofroad capable tyres on, but we finally found an xt225 that weve been hunting for.
Ive taken the cb250 on some crazy trails and didnt hold back. It handles them just fine and is mad fun.
Many people are using Honda Grom style motorcycles off road. They just put knobby tires on them. They weigh fifty pounds less than 250 cc dual sport motorcycles. Of course the ride is much rougher due to tiny wheels and fewer inches of suspension. Still, they have fun.
Agreed bro. Well said. I have so many riders in my bike group trying to convince each other to get a GS or AT.....None of them ever use it for off-road. We probably go off road like less than 5% of the time.
Having said that, its up to those riders to try the bikes they want, let them experience it for themselves then decide if it serves their purpose. Sometimes people have to spend money to learn.
Once again, well said bro 👍🏽
Was that the 600 Diversion or the 900? I owned the XJ600 back in the mid 90‘s and loved it! Now I am eiding the new Honda CB750 Hornet. Also awesome! Love the video: Keep up the great work!
I have a 2011 KLR 650. We are able to find back roads that are rough, huge puddles, etc. I have dropped this tank a number of times but it doesn't evidence any damage. I ride with a few friends, and we can help each other in a jam. I enjoy rides that have some challenges a lot more than riding the twistys.
You are right. In the past people would just jump on DR 650 or XT500 or Africa Twin....and make trip around the world. Or....get some old 4 cylinders 600 and fit off road tyres. Protect it and slightly modify it and here you go....I had SV 650 before Hornet 600 and before that ...XJ 600 Diversion !!!😊 ps. Hornet is much easier to kick start than SV ! 😅
Haha yes exactly that can be a way to do it. In the end getting going matters Most ☺️
An old xj600 with off road tyres we be great for a round the world trip.
She can do it. Better than 900 Diversion. She is light and it's better chain for off road. I had 600...it's fun . It had rear chock from Drag Star 650....a bit longer. It was perfect. @chrishart8548
My humble dl650a/xa(v-strom) can do it all.
In 2020 a grandson and I road 33 miles in 8" of mud on a rutted farm road on our Honda VTX's, mine with HD saddle bags and two tail bags. The bike and luggage was over 900lbs. It was a tough road in the rain but we had no choice having used our 2 gallons of spare gas and it was the only route to get to the next gas station before running out. We each had between a pint and a quart of gas left in our tanks when we arrived at the gas station. So, my Honda VTX is an Adventure bike ;^)
Nice vid. A couple of observations:
1) Top-of-the-line ADVs seldom, if ever, touch more intimidating tracks than a gravel road. And funnily enough, the only ones with the "I've been to this and that place"-stickers seems to be the ones that are tourists to my country. Despite having seen dozens, if not hundreds of BMW GSs, I've yet to see a local one with some patina on it.
Don't get me wrong - they are wonderful bikes to ride and tour on. Just not as marketed.
2) Weight. My own personal sled is a Husqvarna FE450 that I spent way too much money building up as a long-range machine. It weighs in at ~120 kilos wet, 155 kilos geared up.
On one of my first trips I did some crap navigating and ended up on a logging trail. At 23:00, in the middle of the woods, in October, in Sweden. It was completely dark, starting to get cold and I had been riding for 12+ hours already, when I realised that was on the wrong "track". And by track I mean 40-50cm parallel ruts where the logging machines had gone back and forth.
Trying to get back to where I've gone wrong I ended up dumping that teeny-weeny, lightweight bike 4-5 times. Now, I'm no slouchy couch potato, but at one point I was thinking "I'll just leave it laying, set up camp here and start again in the morning. I won't even imagine doing that with a bike that weighs 100 kilos more than mine do - when it's dry and unloaded...
Yes, and no. My first bike was a used triumph trophy 500; with scrambler pipes and somewhat aggressive tires. My second was the Suzuki 750 water buffalo. After that I bought a series of twins that I could modify to do better off pavement. For me the sweet spot is a 650 single. I do like my comforts. My two favorite bikes gen one and gen three klr. Can big bikes be ridden hard off road? Yes. Should they be? It depends racing is one thing travel is another.
A smaller, lighter bike, with enough power to hit the speed limit on the highway and Cary your kit is all you need. Long travel suspension can make the rougher bits more comfy. But it's better to be able to get your foot on the ground when on tricky bits. Less tech makes fixing it simpler. Dropping a bike causes breakages. You don't want wires and sensors everywhere.
My sentiments exactly! I've been saying this stuff for years. My favorite adventure bikes are 250cc... all you need, actually.... have ridden them cross country, done the TAT, and go to MOAB, Utah pretty often. Even though I do have a 1000cc Honda Africa Twin, I wouldn't dream of doing what I do with my 250's.... What is really deceiving is when these adventure bike companies hire professional riders and video them doing some crazy riding that even a good rider should never attempt.... False marketing and advertising if you ask me. It's not so much the bike, it's the rider! Excellent video you have there, but I do have an extra microphone stand I can send you :)
Great video. Completley agree with you. Bought Yamaha xt660 and have 90/10 paved/gravel roads.
The majority of “so-called” big Adventure bikes only see off-road riding across a garden path or through the camping site.
Itchy Boots rides through everything on a Honda Crf300 (Alaska)
Not sure if I would recommend buying a secondhand bike from her.
I was able to ride across a field on my Honda Vfr750F but most important, I’m an ex MotoCross racer.
Get experience on courses will help getting you out of trouble.
Greets from Düsseldorf
😉
I agree that experience is quite important. And the crf 300 is in my opinion a brilliant bike for that. Would love to ride it ☺️
Idk about "scam" but you do make some valid points for them not being ideal in some situations.
It was with a catchy title in mind. A little bit of clickbait as long as I delivere is alright. ☺️
@FreeMilesMC Yea it was a good video. Thanks!
I pretty much agree with all you have said, and it needs to be said!
I remember early American explorer, Kit Carson, preferred mules. Look him up, he rocked!
Adventure bikes are marketed to posh living soft assed businessmen and lawyers who fantasize and spend their big budgets accordingly. Similar to many Harley Davidson customers.
One more thing, be extremely careful in the desserts!! I almost perished one time. Bring at least twice as much water as you can imagine using, and a cellphone with battery back up. Always share your plans about your adventure with someone reliable. The dessert is no joke!
Happy trails!
very true.
Thank you for the video and sharing your thoughts with us.
As a short guy at 5’8” I find most adventure bikes way to big, way to heavy and way too under powered. My dirt bike is a WR450F with a cut seat and a 1 inch lowering rear bracket. It’s a great bike but I want to get into cross country adventure riding. So I am building a scrambler, we will see how it turns out.
Adventure bikes are for tall guys!!
@@FordManiac76 tall guy here, yep. AT is a perfect size for me, I get it being too much for someone smaller but it makes me chuckle to hear people say these bikes don't go offroad when I've done BDRs on mine
As another shorter 5'8" guy... I've quickly learned that flat footing is way over rated... Practice some trial skills will help a whole lot.
- Currently scooting around on a WR250R
You already have the perfect adventure bike, the bike you already own! Just use that bike and ride!! My "adv-bike" is a sports tourer the Yamaha FJR1300. Superb on the highway but I also ride it on gravle roads... of course not as superb on gravle but it works, you do have to respect the weight, 292kg!
I love the Yamaha 1300 engine ☺️
@@FreeMilesMC I know, It's a beast!
For me Tracer 900 GT works better lol.
I had a fur. Loved it. Could not afford tires and tickets. Too many vibes from handlebars
Omg i love your mic setup so much, why haven't i thought of that before !
I absolutely adore the GS bikes but after riding it off road for a few hours, I started to question whether it was the right choice.
I couldn't get it up a gravel hill and kept dropping it. It was heavy and my heels can't touch the ground. I love this bike but for highway use.
For off roading, I'd get a lighter bike like a KLR. I also understand that i can learn how to ride the GS better for off roading but nah, I don't need that much power when off roading. The weight alone makes little sense when you're in tricky terrain.
I like the addition of the spoon my man! I hope you are doing well, you still seem a little bit exhausted. I hope you can find rest and not have to chase anything. I will pray for you.
Greetings from the Netherlands
I am doing better after the motorcycle surf trip. Being at home helped. A new trip is ofcourse also coming when the weather gets comfortable. But for now happy to enjoy home for a bit
The biggest issue with dual sports is that most of them are still single-cylinder engines which get absolutely decimated by highway riding. They're great if the only road riding you've got is low speed like 45mph. But once you start pushing 60mph and beyond, you start pushing the engine to the point of red line. It's also been a long while since I've seen one made in larger than 250cc which makes the problem even worse. You also have to take into consideration gearing and the way it effects bike performance. If you have a low power engine you need to gear it down to handle off road or gear it up to handle highway riding. Again, same issue with dual sports. You can't have both. So you're either running near constant red line on highways or you're lugging the bike, trying not to get it to choke and die off road.
Most dualsports r restricted for emissions at point of manufacture/sale. Endless aftermarket parts/kits to get what u need out of it r available. Enduro gearing is not needed for adv touring and u will still outclimb the bigbikes and handle singletrack just fine. Clutch Control is your lowtech solution to traction control. Nobody likes decent woods gearing on the street cause it sucks for more than anything over 50 or so but that is not adv ride gearing. You can swap out tires/sprocket and chain in about an hr. Street settup for the week's commute. Woods settup for the weekends. Find the spot in between u like for adv somewhere along the way.
KLX for the win lol!!!
@@sokugi8872 I don't disagree with you but you aren't helping your argument. The first and second sentence said everything I forgot to say about why enduro bikes aren't that great. They get boned by emissions then to fix that problem you need to buy a bunch of aftermarket parts. Assuming you buy new, and assuming you're in the USA, an Enduro is going to be 8-9 grand out the door with tax, fees, licensing, etc. for a 250. If you need another $2000 in aftermarket parts and several days of labor to get it working optimally, that's just a pain in the ass. If I have to swap my gearing EVERY time I want to change my riding style, equally annoying.
I wish I could get an enduro style bike with a 500cc dual cylinder and none of the extra nonsense that adds to making it so damn heavy.
Tl;dr enduro bikes don't give you what you want and adv bikes are too fucking heavy for what they're supposed to do - price ends up being almost the same when you avoid the expensive ones like BMW. KLX, Tenere, and XR all fall around the same price as a new road bike or dirt bike. They just don't do either job super effectively. They make great farm/work bikes though.
My DR 650 is a single cylinder dual sport, it has handled commuting, off road touring in Australia, touring around Europe, plus was used as a courier motorcycle in Melbourne Australia for 6 years, it has 330,000 klms on the clock and still going, so what was your point about dual sport bikes ?
Ones that are capable of handling high speed highway riding are too heavy and cumbersome for off road riding that would necessitate an off road bike.
The DR650 is a heavy pig. By nature of being a 650. The anecdotal evidence of what you've done with it and how many kms you have on it isn't an argument against my points.
Your reply comes off more like you got offended than as if you had anything of value to add.
@@benetnasch2096 so what point are you trying to make exactly, your criticism of everything is fine but what solution do you have exactly ?
A dual sport is no good according to you, an enduro is no good, an adventure bike is no good, so what is good for your individual needs ? I am guessing that you want the impossible.
Excellent video. I have been riding for over 50 years and everything you said is true. My ride for the past 10 years is a 2013 Suzuki 650 V-Strom Adventure. I like it a lot, but you are right, it is too heavy. You have to change your tires to something like Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR Tires to have any chance at all in the dirt and still have a nice feel for the road on the street. Tires that normal come on adventure bikes are not good in the dirt. Your right dual sport is best for most people, but dual sports are not good for a long trip. Your right I have hurt myself more on adventure bikes than I have on moto-cross bikes. The biggest problem with adventure bikes is weight.
Oops! I nearly fell for the marketing trap as I was considering buying an adv bike😅. Thank you for the information, very empowering.
While most likely nothing stops marketing, it's good to share views like this. It's all the old song, we need certified diver's watches for the office etc.. it's ok to dream, but the ADV advertising I can't stand anymore. Ad nauseam repeating one theme, where a guy backflips a locomotive-strength bike on dunes, almost rams local shepherds who in turn applaud him in a colonial fashion..
It's up to individuals to stay sober and humble, it doesn't necessary go against the ability to enjoy life and have fun.
I agree. What you are saying with applauding in colonial fashion is right as well. I did not want to go that far in my video, even tho it’s also somthing that I recognize
I think any bike has the potential to be an ‘adventure bike’. People go around the world on Vespas or Honda C90s.
Absolutely right about that ☺️
I once took my royal enfield interceptor 650 on gravel road and light trails with a bunch of gs riders . I was so fat ahead I could not believe it myself ! They thought I was the next coming of Carmichael but it was exactly what you mentioned : lighter and low center of gravity .
Only benefit of having the r1250 gs is that the boxer sticks out so far that it causes the bike to sit at a 45 degree angle if it rolls onto its side. The best method to lift it is to actually turn the front tire towards the side you are lifting towards and then walk it up once you are at a lock with the handle bars. Even smaller people can get it up due to this. 99% of the adventures can not do this or course.
Good stuff! And agree! You don’t need much to have an adventure. Most importantly you need get up of a couch!
Yes exactly thats the First Stepp☺️
I ride ADV myself and find it comfortable since I never ride off road. What actually bugs me is the soulless, uninspiring, function-before-design looks of all ADV bikes while there is no actual function to all of it since they do not allow you any serious off-roading. Trade off for nothing. I never look back at my Transalp when leaving parking place and I don't care if it's dirty, it was nothing to look at straight from the factory. And KTMs look like robot-ants.
Maybe the old adv bikes with the dual headlights and so on could be for you I think they look great. Yamaha tdm 850 also is a road focused enduro that can look with some minor modifications like out of a mad max film.
Moto Morini makes good looking bikes but I don’t like how they perform and the Chinese engine replica.
But they will release during this year hopefully ,a 1200cc vtwin bike with an engine engineered in Italy courius if that maybe is any good
If you never go off-road and don’t like how an ADV looks why don’t you buy something else?
@FreeMilesMC CFMoto has a tweaked version of that engine now with a longer stroke that increases the power a bit, thay Benelli also seem to use, maybe MotoMorini will pick it up
Good one 😂. And you are correct. But I like the look. Thanks, I will name my KTM Robot Ant.
@@blikkiesblignaut6999 I like the look of adventure bikes too. Ktms headlights are not my favorite but generally speaking, I do like the looks of ADV bikes. I do think it’s an acquired taste though. I find it hard to look at a cruiser and be impressed these days. I used to be the opposite
totally true. my first adv was an RE Himalayan, then Tiger 800, Then R1250GSA then came back to a Tiger 900.
I was on a few technical single tracks with the 1250 but it was no fun AT ALL. This is totally true. Here in brazil theses big adv bikes are more for status than use.
Totally agree. I bought a '93 Ténéré for 1900€ and lived on it 2 summers (like 11 months).
- way too heavy
- weight point way too high
- almost never needed the 45 horses
I hate myself for it, but now I think a 125cc chopper would do the job better off-road.
Haha 😂 Servus, dir ist schon klar das du niemals eine Einladung bekommen wirst wenn BMW und alle anderen ihre neuen ADV Bikes vorstellen werden. 😂😂 Aber du hast zu 100% Recht, das will nur keiner wirklich hören. Reiseenduros sind nicht für die große Reise um die Welt gemacht. Die Marketingabteilungen verkaufen dir nur einen Traum. Ich habe eine 13 Jahre alte Kawasaki Versys 650 (Erstbesitzer, 140.000 km) und eine Moto Guzzi V85TT ganz neu. Mit der Versys fahre ich in der Woche (Beruflich) circa 50 km Schotter/Forststraße und das geht mit den richtigen Reifen völlig unproblematisch. Recht viel mehr habe ich Fahrerrisch auch nicht drauf, ADV Bike oder nicht, das Limit setzt nicht das Bike sondern mein können. Und das ist bei den meisten so, so ehrlich muss man sich auch mal machen. Ein guter Fahrer kann mit fast allem abseits befestigter Wege fahren. Einem weniger versierten Fahrer hilft auch sein 20.000 Euro plus X Motorrad nicht viel. Sein eigenes können richtig einschätzen ist das A und O meiner Meinung nach. Sag bitte auch in Zukunft deine Meinung 👍🏻👍🏻 es gibt schon genug Influenza die das hohe Lied der Marketingabteilungen aller Hersteller bereitwillig singen. Für ein Testbike oder Einladung zum Event. Servus Robert 😉😉
Viele überschätzen sich total. Sie denke boah das was mir die Werbung verspricht kann ich auch. Aber die Realität und die Physikalischen Gesetzte kann man nicht austricksen. Zu mal die GS und ähnliche konsorten auch teilweise wie die Sau fahren. Nur weil man mehr Leistung hat heißt das noch lange nicht das man andere in Gefahr bringt. Z.B. dicht auffahren. In den Kurven mal eben überholen oder aus dem nichts links an einem vorbei brettern so das man selber fast vom Sattel fällt. Ich habe die GS fahrer mittlerweile als Karl Dall abgestempelt das Lichtspiel mit dem Schlappen linken Auge erinnert mich an dem Komiker.
Danke für den Kommentar. Weil das ist schon eine Sache mit der ich in der Vergangenheit gehadert hab und mich dann aus moralischem Gewissen dazu entschlossen hab das so zu machen.
Ich bin allein schon unten durch weil ich selbst in positiven Reviews erlich die negativen Sachen spezifisch und begründet benenne:
Ducati Scrambler- blöde upsell Taktik mit der Entfernung des abschaltbaren abs in den billigeren Modellen. Ist ein super bike
Honda Hornet- super hässlich trotzdem ein tolles Motorrad.
Harley nighster-super Motorrad aber zu schlecht verarbeitet, zu teuer und nicht konkurrenzfähig.
Gleichzeitig bin ich aber meist immer sehr begeistert von Motorrädern weil im entefekt sind die meisten Motorräder wirklich gut heute und man kann vieles sorglos kaufen. Also ich bin auch bei positiven Sachen sehr erlich zu begeistern.
Die gs ist ansich schon ein cooles bike. Aber hast schon recht. Und man weis immer nicht ob’s eine zivilstreife ist wen man einem der Motorrad hot Spots in Deutschland langfährt.
Diese ganzen Influenza kannst zum Großteil in die Tonne klopfen. Die sind doch alle mehr oder weniger käuflich und/oder bestechlich. Beispiel gefällig... Ein UA-camr in UK hatte von Honda eine Transalp zur Verfügung gestellt bekommen und lobte das Teil natürlich. Ich bin die auch schon Probe gefahren und die ist nicht so gut wie uns allen immer wieder gesagt wird. Will nur keiner hören. Es gibt auf UA-cam einen einzigen der die Transalp ohne Marketing Brille beurteilt... Und da fiel sie leider durch. Ich habe in dem Video vom UK UA-camr folgenden Kommentar gepostet (auf Englisch) der keine 5 Minuten online war und dann gelöscht wurde...😎😎
"Such nach dem UA-cam Kanal von BTGMoto und dann nach dem Video "I bought an Aprilia 660 and sold my BMW R1250GS" ab Minute 2:50 wird es interessant. Der Kollege kann fahren und hat Ahnung. Seine Einschätzung deckt sich zu 100% mit der meinen und ich kann bei weitem nicht so gut fahren wie er. Der größte Unterschied zu seiner Meinung und der von allen anderen im Netz...er musste sich entscheiden was er mit seinem!! Geld kauft. Da ging es nicht um Marketing und ein Presse Motorrad von Honda das er nutzen konnte. Darüber darf dann ruhig nachgedacht werden... ;-)"
Alles verlogen bis zum geht nicht mehr.
@@uglybiketours4344 also gibt tatsächlich find ich noch ein paar Leute die da erlich rangehen. Spitescorner ist ne gute Adresse.
Würd gern selber mir mal zur Transalp ein Bild machen. Weil der Motor ist ja Hammer also da kann es schon mal nicht dran liegen. Und die ist ja als gemütliche eher Straßen lastige reiseenduro angelegt, kann mir eigentlich nicht vorstellen wie Honda da viel verbocken kann. Muss ich wohl mal selber nach schauen
Blame Charlie & Euan.....since then everybody thinks they need a huge ADV bike to go on an adventure. They don't - a lightweight bike will be far better....
Most people would be better off with a Sports Tourer, as they don't ride off-road.
Many people don't realize that charlie and Euan had also a crew on 4x4 constantly riding behind them and helping them if shit happens, I bet not everything was filmed when they fall on there heavy BMW Gs.
Blame the Dakar from 1983 to early 2000s (Meoni victory on a KTM 950).
They were originally trying to get a deal with KTM for the 950 adventure but KTM backed out so they had to make the whole thing into an advert for the GS1300 which you can see in a few points in the show wasnt cut out for the job (one broke down and had to be replaced when they were in the middle of nowhere and it was just too heavy).
KTM must've been kicking themselves after though.
You raise some valid points but the number one rule to riding is to "Ride your own ride" meaning within your skill limit. There's still risk involved but having the riding skills for the terrain being ridden is the single best piece bike gear one can have. Good video and insights!
I recently had your videos in recommendation, and man I agree with everything you say! 😅
Motorsport is all about fun. And you can have fun with the things that simply work, and deliver on promises.
Your wooden spoon got me thinking of subscribing:)
😂how cool I will feature it more often ☺️