Win our GIVEAWAY motorcycles by becoming a member @ www.yammienoob.co/ and get 20X ENTRIES for the MT-09 with every dollar spent on sweet sweet Yammie Noob merch!
Hey fellow motorcycle enthusiasts! I'm from Kenya and have always dreamed of embarking on long bike trips. Unfortunately, financial constraints have held me back. If anyone has a motorcycle they're thinking of giving away or donating, I'd be incredibly grateful for the opportunity to make my dream a reality. Let's connect and see if we can make it happen!"
Hey fellow motorcycle enthusiasts! I'm from Kenya and have always dreamed of embarking on long bike trips. Unfortunately, financial constraints have held me back. If anyone has a motorcycle they're thinking of giving away or donating, I'd be incredibly grateful for the opportunity to make my dream a reality. Let's connect and see if we can make it happen!"
If you lived in NZ where the roads are complete garbage basically only adventure bikes are comfortable. Even regular upright road bikes are harsh to ride since the communist labour government refused to fix roads because they want us all to take the bus/train our roads are basically un-rideable unless you have an adventure bike.
I left the sportbike life behind and embraced the dADV life. Got a brand new triumph tiger and in 1.5 months put 4100kms on it. As a sport bike rider I didn’t realize you could be THAT comfortable on a motorcycle. Which is why I kept going long distance on it. Never going back to being hunched over like a gremlin
Unpopular opinion. I give exactly zero fucks about how much of the bike's potential I use. I care 100% about how well the bike meets how I want to use it.
But that's the thing. If you want to use to bike only on tarmac, if you don't do a lot of touring, why having an adventure bike in the first place? "How I want to use it" - and how do you want to use it? Because there are bikes that are better suited for a daily use than the big GS, so...
@@RobertHanz I'm sure there are some bikes other than adventure type that can meet that kryteria. I ride Triumph Bonneville, very upright position, I used it for daily commute and for touring as well. Although I must say the wind blast is really annoying it can be reduced by some aftermarket screen.
@@fiucik1 why do you feel you have to tell him how to spend his money? maybe he just really likes the ADV bike he got and doesn't care if it was more expensive and less capable. its his money and his ride time to spend how he wants lol I really don't understand why people think they have an opinion that matters so much that they can dictate what someone should ride lol usually people riding around making payments on a $10,000 bike telling people how to spend money. If you wanna daily a turbo busa in the downtown streets or hit the tail of the dragon on a Goldwing trying to drag knee, I DONT CARE! Its your money and your riding time to spend as you wish.
@@TrippyWheelz @TrippyWheelz why do you feel you have to tell me how I should make my comments? Maybe I just really like asking difficult questions and have a respectful conversation? It's my opinion, my comment. Calm down before you get a stroke... I didn't tell him that he should/shouldn't buy this or that bike. All I did was express my opinion. Just like he did with his. That's what the comments sections is for. I used logical arguments to back up my opinion. No harm done...
Modern sport tourers have the same comfort qualities as expensive ADVs. But they have way better on road riding qualities. Bikes like *Kawasaki* 1000SX, H2 SX, Versys 1000 SE, *Suzuki* Hayabusa Gen3, 1000GT, S1000-GX, *BMW* R1250RT, R1250RS, K1600GT, F900XR, S1000XR, *KTM* 1290GT, *Honda* NT1100, *Yamaha* Tracer 7 & 9, etc.
Yam - way overthinking this. All bikes are purchased for the looks, feel and fun. Not many of us are buying a stable of bikes. ADV bikes can do anything and go anywhere. I even stripped my KTM 1290 SA and took it to COTA for a Ride Smart Track Day.
@@genbearrrr Same, (Sorry Yam) I dislike the look of sport bikes (to put it mildly) and while I love the classic Enduro styling of the XR/DR650s I really like that svelte upswept line on the KLR 650 and Transalp.
I'm riding the crap out of my old 950ADV... When I can't find parts anymore I'll get a T7. I can frustrate most sport bikers in the twisties and blast down a logging road to some epic single track as long as it doesn't get too technical. I mostly use it for exploring but can't imagine the frustration of a true off-road bike on the longer stretches of pavement. 65-70 max?!? No thanks! Also, not everyone has the space or cash for more than one bike. I can barely afford all the rear tires!
As a die hard ADV guy, I think the bit about the “what if factor” is dead on about the mentality. Sure it’s my daily for work, but I also use it to crush hella miles on my off weeks, I’ve taken it from key west to Seattle and back, having the option to camp in the backcountry is great. Yes, a sport tourer is probably a more realistic option for me on the daily but only having the money for 1 bike means I needed something utilitarian. So my 01 R1150GS is what imma ride until it dies.
@@gamingdog65it really depends, currently I’m looking at moving from Florida to Alaska, so depending on how that plays out I would probably go with a middleweight ADV bike if I moved to AK, if I was staying in Florida where the majority of the trails and “off-road” is fire service roads or sand that eats cars I’d go with a sport tourer. I do know that regardless of style I get, it’ll be another BMW though. I’m buying into the brand (blame LWA,LWD and all the BDRs)
@@joelrosado680thanks, it takes a bunch of juggling to make it work, thankfully as a travel nurse I can pick and choose where I spend 13 weeks so having the SUV of bikes really plays out in my favor. However I have done some pretty fun touring rides on a naked bike that I had some years ago (CFMOTO650)
I live in Colorado and can be in a dirt road in 5 minutes from home but riding to Montana in a couple weeks for shits and giggles .. I think a adv bike makes a lot for me than the author having a sport bike in Texas with the worse drivers in the country .. but to each his own .. I think this video makes zero sense because you can make a argument for or against any bike
I bought a 1200GSA in 2015 brand new and put 145,000 miles on it. I learned to ride it off road and took it on some crazy adventures. I've even ridden it on a motocross track. It worked for me. I loved the fuel capacity and comfort. I crashed it in Guatemala, zip tied it back together and rode it all the way home. It was the best bike I've ever had. Insurance totaled it, so I ended up on a Tiger 900. ADV bikes make sense to me and they work for the type of riding I do. I'll probably get another GSA eventually.
I'm curious if you had any major issues with the GS with that mileage. Always hear people talking about how unreliable and expensive BMW can be. I rarely see people talk about good long term reliability. Looking at a GS myself coming from mostly Yamaha which have been reliable. Thanks.
You don't understand us adventure bike riders, a lot of beatiful roads are in bad condition, you can go faster and even much more comfortable there with a adventure bike than with a sport bike, jumping over hills and holes, riding on gravel roads is fun, standing on the pegs. this is real adventure!
Standing ergo is huge, I take my 84 Honda magna down dirt roads and up grass hills in town but it’s a damn challenge to stand for more than a few seconds on it. Pegs feel like they’re directly under the bars
I have a really bumpy railway crossing near my house and everyone there always slow down to a crawl to avoid bouncing over it. On my 1290 SAS, I stay at speed and just glide over it like nothing. I love how smooth ADV bikes can be on the road. With how well they are made today, their longer suspension isn't really costing you on the fun twisties. If they are, then you are going at a pace that you should only be doing on the track anyway.
Saying adv bike can be replaced with sport tourings is like telling sport bike guys that they will never go to a track so they should only buy a sport touring.
@@therealfakecaptain7978 he spent the first half saying adv bike are stupid because a sport touring can do the same thing. Yes he says many sport bike guys think they are racers but he still believes that sport bikes belong on the road and they are his favorite style of bike
Yep, I’m in the same boat, that’s what drove me to my V-strom 800. I’ll never take it off road, but it sure is a heck of a lot more comfortable than a standard at 6’3”.
I bought a Tenere 700 for 3 reason. 1 - Reliability and simplicity 2 - I ride a lot of dirt, I like going over mountain passes and push my limits trying some harder off road routes, and I could've gotten a DS for that or have a dirt bike and touring bike but I don't have the room or money for both 3 - Traveling from Denver to various climbing locations around Coloraso, Wyoming, and Utah, I can loaded it up with all my gear, travel comfortably at 75mph in the highways and most places I go to involve fire roads or double tracks (when I'm not purposely riding harder off road) I'm really happy with the Tenere 700 and tbh, it seems plenty good off road for my needs, and I would not take anything bigger than a middleweight ADV on some of the trails I've done.
Taking the T700 on forest service roads dodging bolders and going places out where a four wheeler just wont cut it; then getting back on pavement out of Big Sky headed for Livingston, I can say that it's far exceeded my expectations. It's compliant and free on the interstate, and really easy to get out in the real wilderness on. Switched from an old r1200GS. I think the sweet spot is the mid-adventure for most people, but too many get sold on the liter bike to pad the wallets of BMW dealers and stroke the ego. It just felt like a utility road bike. The Tenere 700 feels free and easy to understand to me, and I could not be happier in the mid-ADV category. My buddys KLR650 might be slow, but it absolutely feels just as adventurous. Don't buy a bigger bike then you actually need.
Been thrilled with my T7… it gets me in the sticks to camp, commutes to work, and even does some decent touring with fairly mild mods (rackless luggage, wind screen risers, heated grips, and a better rear spring). It is far more capable off road than I am, so that’s covered. As for not being “very fast”, the 2 tickets I’ve recieved go to show that it’s more than enough for anywhere I’m going to ride.
It's just like most trucks/suvs - it reminds me of a cartoon I saw years ago. Two middle age suburban men are standing in front of a couch, a couch with large off-road tires at each corner. One man has a speech bubble that says " I'm not going off-road, but I could if I wanted to"
tldr: no frame = not an SUV. Just a minivan with doors. The trucks are at least capable of doing what's advertised. Most SUVs aren't SUVs at all. And ~90% of so-called "SUVs" do not have a frame. The frame is what allows a real SUV (and trucks) to absorb the forces of offroading, towing, hauling, etc. Pavement princess trucks are common... but... at least they _could_ do those things. A BMW X5 ... is a fancy minivan.
I’ve owned 4 brands of Adventure Bikes and ridden from Austin to Alaska and back as well as the 4 corners of US. Nothing like them. Comfortable. Go anywhere and in any weather. Best bike is the one you actually ride. Ride hard or stay home. ❤
same here, I’ve covered over 5000 miles off-road while crossing the US 3 times. Last time was on a 2012 GS but the new GS is basically a gold wing. BMW has sold out to the crew who wants to go to Starbuckistan. Believe it or not I switched to the Ducati DesertX and for my off road use it is amazing. Added that it has a wonderful engine, no extra foof like the latest BMW’s and rips on 5e street. My BMW ate its final drive at 5000 miles too so there is that….
@@mandrakejake Out of interest, have you ever been on a road trip to think the driving position, suspension travel and every other aspect (good or bad) of ADV bikes only makes sense off-road ? Let me tell me, you're wrong
I think medium sized Adventure bikes works great for countries where roads are kind of crappy and they also work for people who want to go motorcycle camping. The thing here at least for me is that there is no point for the Huge touring or adventure motorcycles, hard to manouver, need like 3 people to lift them up, and are crazy expensive to repair.
I live in the caribbean. More specifically, Dominica. I think a Tenere 700 is perfect for our roads, though I dislike its looks I'd still get one if i could afford it.
I work at a dealer, and anyone that comes in and buys one says one of two things. Either they wanted a jack of all trades bike. Just in case they wanna take a 500lb bike offroad. Or they know know they'll never take it offroad, but they haven't quite came to terms with what they really want is a Goldwing. Anyone that's actually doing offroad regularly are looking to get a dual sport.
I'm buying a klr 650 Tuesday and the main reason I want a adv is because roads suck and about 30 to 40% of the roads near me are dirt and gravel 🤷🏼♂️ also I think a street legal dirtbike even if it sucks in dirt will be cool 😂
@@thatguy-fu1ig KLR is bombproof, standard kit in mountains., I can see the million dollar highway from my house and see very few sport bikes. tons of ADV. I guess they are posers?
@@ellwoodwolf I have one of those and initially that was my plan. However after spending the summer with it, I will be trading it in this fall or next spring. Great for commuting and short day rides. For distance, the comfort is not great and it feels a bit underwhelming for more spirited riding.
Comfortable. Can go places most bikes can't. Comfortable. Fast enough in the twisties to be quit fun. Comfortable. Enough power to get the front wheel up without having to work at it. Can cruise all day. Also comfortable. Epic slow speed handling.
Recently got a Tiger 1200. After 10 years on sport bikes. I'm very impressed. It's just as fast in the twisties as a sport bike within reason, it's comfortable going places, in Canada most roads statistically are gravel/dirt, so I'm loving it. I rode 6 hours one day in one direction, turned around and rode back. The 30 liter fuel tank is AMAZING! I've done many miles exploring areas previously unreachable, plus the adjustable suspension is also a game changer, I still ride with my sport bike friends, and yet I've put it in off road mode allowing the traction control to slip enough. I've cranked the thing to 160kph down a gravel road! It's immense and thrilling. I've been caught in the rain and the wide tank and windshield did a great job of protecting me and keeping me dry. And I've ran next to hellcats down the highway in a pull. Literally not a single bad thing to say about it. These bikes are the Baja trophy trucks of the motorcycle world. Are the dirt bikes? No. But are they the king of riding and travel? Absolutely.
I was a dirt bike guy for years. Rode any bike I could get my hands on. As a 40 year old man, I got my first street bike. Funny enough, my dad, a now 60+yr old dude picks me the same bike he just got himself. A 650 Vstrom. He rode sport bikes for ever and was recently retired. Did some reading and decided the vsfrom was for him. Not my first choice but alas, I was now the owner of a 2013 Vstorm DL650A Adventure, fully kitted out. 3 months later we did a 7 day ride to the James Bay Hwy in Quebec Canada from Niagara ON. I was surprised how great the bike was at speed and through corners. Heavy, yes. Compared to the 250cc dirt bikes i was used to but I was faster out of corners than any guy in my group. I didn't expect to like the bike so much.......
I'm 5'8 and I still can't stand the driving position in my friends R1. 20 minutes in, by back is hurting like hell, and I'm 26. I'll stick with my comfortable Tenere, thanks Haha. I'm probably an old souls stuck inside the body of a 26 year old man. It is what it is haha
@@aao331 teach me your ways haha, having my back so forward on sport bike makes it ache incredibly fast. Even nakeds hurt after an hour or so. I can only ride Tourers or advs for extended periods
I agree with you in nearly every single point…BUT: Adv‘s a perfect for long trips: Very comfortable Very good protection against rain & wind Can carry a lot of baggage Are nimble enough in the twisties to have fun …and so on… In my opinion the best touring bikes - and that‘s what I do.
@@chrysovalantiskamprogianni541 He wrote "very good"...he didn't say perfect, or bubble like. It's still a motorcycle....some people are okay being less comfortable than the occupant of a car.
I already had one of these ADV BIKE back in 1985 when bought a 1974 Yamaha Enduro 250. It was a tank that went everywhere. And you couldn't kill it. I tried. It's probably still out there not dying..😂
My old 1980 yamaha XT250 is still running. My brother beat the hell out of it, but it still turns over the engine might be the only thing that works properly but it runs lol
I'm over 6 feet and just love how comfortable my Africa twin is. I learned to ride on a dirt bike and I'm just way more confident riding that compared to a naked bike. Has enough power to be fun, tours great and can get you to a ton of cool spots. For most people have 2 bikes isn't a great option. They really are the jack of all trades in the motorcycle world.
This one made me chuckle. I just traded my Road Glide in for a Pan Am. Feels light to me but I also know I’m not doing motocross. It’s just a fun bike to ride, if I drop it I won’t struggle as hard to pick it up. I rode an XR200 as a teen. Got into Goldwings in my late 20’s. Into Harley in my 40’s. Now, it’s going to be fun cruising up backroads and logging roads with my son who rides a V-Strom. Yes, he’s almost 40 and I’m almost 60. No cross country trips for us. I’d get another Goldwing if I wanted to go touring again.
What makes the T7 interesting compared to a Tracer 9? Its slower AND it handles worse What makes it so darn special and interesting? Any special sauce? I rode one, it was certianly "one of the bikes of all time"
If speed and sportive riding is your goal a T700 is not for you. Not erveyone need excessive acceleration and top speed. Also the seat erginmoics must fit to the rider and not erveryone get comfortable to a sports tourer. same applies to the T700.
@@Surpriseify. Riding a T7 on the street to “test” it and then using that as a justification of why it’s not enjoyable is like buying a crotch rocket but you can only go 20 mph on a pot holed out city street that has no turns.
As someone that went with a sport tourer for occasional commuting, weekend rides, and the intention of long trips, when I went on my first weekend trip (~150 miles away) I encountered a construction zone on a country highway which meant a detour through gravel roads... That was my 'what if' moment. I was able to make it through on my street tires, but man did I wish I had some knobbies.
I bought a used DRZ400S dual sport bike to learn how to ride off road. The more I rode with guys with big ADV bikes the more I realized how much better off road and manageable my bikes is. I'm keeping the DRZ and now I'm looking for a used Yamaha MT09 to ride on the street. Best of both worlds!
The first, and only, bike I've ever owned was a used 650 Vstrom. I took it camping and used it to explore the Catskills and other Northeast mountains, and used it to go on camping weekends, with big metal box panniers on the back. I would have considered a sport touring bike, or an SV650, but I'm nearly 6'3" and the Strom, with a Corbin on it, was all day comfortable for me in addition to being powerful enough and able to go all the places I wanted to go. I got nearly 50mpg on regular unleaded and had more power than I needed for anything near legal speeds. I didn't have any interest in a 1200 between then and now, I never felt the 650 was underpowered for my use. I could manage 80mph plus all day on the highway without any trouble. Maybe for 2up a bigger bike is appealing, but it wasn't a use case for me. I used it for some commuting and errand running as well, and used it except when it was cold enough for ice to be on the roads here. I didn't particularly love actual dirt riding, but the ADV was good for long distances and didn't mind a little gravel or a bit of fire road. For a tall, older, new rider it was a great great option for me. Not perfect at anything, but I was happy with my choice as an all around option.
I'm so happy I changed my Rebel 500 for a Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 (the old model). I use it for commuting, exploring the countryside and camping. It was one of the most reasonably priced motorcycles on sale today, it can easily do the Finnish highway speeds, and it can handle any kind of terrain. I didn't buy the big side suitcases, just some soft side bags where also fits everything you need for a trip. In Europe there are these so-called Trans Euro Trails so if you like you can really do some off-road. I think a light Adventure bike is perfect for many different uses.
My second bike was a Himmy. You are right about everything, except one thing: the Himmy in no way is a light bike. For what it is, it is heavy and intimidating to a new off-road rider. That said, I used it 97% as a commuter and tourer and it was fantastic.
The best bikes are the UJMs. I love my XJR. It rips, is comfortable everyday, crushes big miles and is super reliable. And I just love how it looks, the simplicity of it, the ease of working on it myself. Cheap to insure too
As a sportbike rider for years who now transitioned to a Street Triple I can say there is more utility with a sportbike then just going full ball. They are more stable at highway speeds and have more precise handling their also noticeably faster even at street legal speeds.
3 guys I work with own an adventure bike and they all use them for the same two things which aren't the extremes promoted in every video out there. The two things are: Commuting and camping. Comfortable for commutes, perfect for finding campsites down dirt roads connected to asphalt. Big adventures not so much, but definitely small ones here in the National and State forests of Colorado, where the backroads can get gnarly.
@@benm468 not necessarily. A standard dirt road maybe put back roads in the mountains to get to some of the best locations require are there a dirt bike or an ADV bike. ATV bikes are nice because they're comfortable to ride on the highway (unlike a dirt bike) and can still get you to almost all of the same places a dirt bike will. Trust me, there's areas of Colorado that my Gold Wing sure is fuck can't get to LOL.
@@nubbyfresh5623 The category you are describing is dual sport bikes - capable on the hwy and off road. ADV bikes will not go to the same locations dirt and dual sport bikes.
Most of the roads around me are dirt/gravel. This is why I own an ADV bike. Gravel bouncing off plastic sport tourer is not fun to me. Don’t they have gravel roads on Texas Yam? Or are they mostly paved?
Adventure dad here. I think you hit the nail on the head with the jack of all trades comment. Im riding a 10 year old KTM 1190 R and it's the most fun bike I've ever owned. It's got a lot of power, it's fairly light as big bore ADVs go. Handles pretty well, it's stable on gravel, great on shitty pavement and looks cool. What's not to like? I can go out and spend the day putting around the backroads, I can commute to work, I can hop on the highway and blast 60 miles to the nearest ORV park and run the jeep trails. Or I can take half a turn off the preload and a click or two off the damping and comfortably knock out 500 mile days on the interstate. I'm not gonna do much single track, I'll probably never do a track day, nor am I going to ride across central Bumfukistan to see the wild camel herds. But, it's pretty good for the kind of riding I enjoy.
I scored a F850gs for a great price. I do have the opportunity to take 20 mile fire roads as an alternative route to work if I want, and I do a couple times week. But yeah, it’s a bit of a cosplay. I don’t care. I love it.
I have the road version of the Ducati Multistrada V4 - a '22 V4 Pikes Peak. I don't have any aspirations of going on a logging road, for example, with my bike. Instead, I bought it because it's ergonomics are perfect for my 6'1" frame, and as I am over 50 y/o, my days of riding a sport bike - Ninjas, VFRs, FZ1s, are relegated to my earlier days of riding. The MTS V4 is perfect for long highway cruises or backroad blasting - the PP is set up 17" wheels FRT & RR, Pirelli Corsa IV tires, Ohlins electronic suspension, and the power & torque of a 172-hp V4. The bike is way more capable than my rider skills, even though I've been riding for almost 40 years, but that's ok. I can go for 200-250 mile rides in a day, covering highways, country back roads, and twisties, and while being a little tired at the end of the ride, a good night sleep and I'm ready to do it again the next day.
Exact same here with my 1290 SAS. I just treat it as a comfier more ergo friendly sport tourer, no pretense of doing any kind of offroad beyond just easy dirt and gravel roads. I even have half a mind of putting on some Metzeler Sportec M9 RR tires on it (only proper full sport tire available in 19 inch front wheel), though truthfully will probably just slap some sport tourers on it instead. It won't have any funky "ADV" tires on it, that's for sure.
ADV bikes just look cool and drive great on the roads, where most riders use them. Very few go offroad with them and will even turn around at a minor dirt or gravel road, while the R1200RT has little issues. Most only drive on the road here in the Netherlands, but a GS is just more sexy than a RT.
The dual sport makes 1000 times more sense. Came to this conclusion after a day or two of looking at things. A dirt focused, road legal bike is absolutely the best choice for me…and we’re in Montana, with the whole of the Rocky Mountains available to explore.
The issue with Dual Sports is that it needs closer by trails to make sense. I recently did a SLC to Seattle trip on my CB500X just fine, and even more recently did off-roading in Canyonlands (Moab) from SLC.
I don't ride a sportbike anymore because I got tired of getting speeding tickets and I realized that going fast was more about adrenaline and boosting my ego than it was about enjoying the moment. On my 2022 Honda CB500X, I'm way more relaxed and present in the moment than I ever was on my sportbike, not to mention way more comfortable! I do still sometimes miss the rush of cracking the throttle on a sportbike, but I find I can go through the twisties almost as fast because the CB500X feels nimble and very tossable. For full disclosure, I'm 54 so I very much fit the profile of the ADV rider. Having said that, I actually do long road trips as well as off-roading on a regular basis, so I use my ADV for its intended purpose. My next bike will be a CF Moto Ibex 450, as it's simply a better ADV than my CB500X can ever be. Small displacement ADV bikes are the unicorns - I only need one bike now to keep me happy.
Love my CB500X also. as a guy in my late 40s, with some injuries (not bike related), i like the ergonomics most of all. I don't particularly care for the look of my bike, but it's my daily commuter, and it's no problem to take it on a several hour trip. sure, i mainly drive on pavement, but i often ride on sand and don't feel like i'm going to wipe out every 5 seconds. For me, it's about the comfort and reliability, not about the "what ifs". no way in hell i would trade it for a goldwing or sport bike.
But yams, the sv650 with saddle bags, crash bars, a windshield and off road tires is a good choice too. Scrambler and sushi. Steak and fire. It's multi-tasking capable.
Seriously Yammie, you are so right on every point you make. I went cheap and bought the 650klr, and while I do love it for many reasons, I found it top heavy heavy and tall for riding offroad. It makes me wonder how the hell people are riding taller and heavier adv bikes offroad. I may keep my klr because its an interesting bike to own but not worth much on the used market, but my eyes were opened to the fact that riding off-road needs lightness and Lowness. I'm thinking a klx300 sm will fit my klr as a happy companion. If not that, I'm looking hard at the 2024 401 Svarpilen.
In the UK, the GS in the 80s/90s was a honourable mention in the sports bike crazed market. When Long Way Round hit, there was a spkie in poser purchases. This was at the same time as the beginning of the SUV craze. Rich folks dabbled with them along with their Range Rovers, and eventually the press had to take notice. What the press found, and in turn the typical brit biker, was that in reality they couldn't pass a blindfold test of whether the latest R1 was better than last years. When the rode GS, KTM Adventures, and later Tigers and Multistradas they found they used the same level of performance on real roads, but had comfort, carrying capacity and better visibility. Of course, biking always needs some macho competition vector, so now there is a scramble to prove your adv is the most hardcore
I think ADVs are great for older riders because they have an upright riding position that is less tiring and allows longer rides. In the last 20 years, I have had 3 of them: V-Strom 1000, Multistrada 1200S (POS, avoid) and currently a 1290 SAS which at my age (76) suits me to a T.
Yam, here`s my 2 cents. In the country where I live, we don`t have proper highways. Mostly we have roads with just one lane in each direction and speed limit around my country is 60mph. Basically, there`s no use of a sport bike, since we lack proper roads to utilize the turbo Busa`s full potential. And we have only one proper racetrack where you can take it for a spin. But, we as a heavily forested country are having a tons of trails, dirt roads and offroad tracks. Living in Latvia, I think the ADV bike is the best bike choice to escape the rush and to get connected with nature. Here ADV bikes are quite popular, there`s a lot of GS`es, KTMs, Teneres and other stuff rolling around. So I guess it`s also something to do where actually you live. This is my first motorcycle season ever and i`ve chosen an old KTM 950 ADV as my weapon of choice. Its not very fast on a highway, but it`s stupid fast on trails and yes, I don`t take it only to starbucks, I actually roam around the local woods every second or third evening after a long day`s work.
I live in Upstate NY. One day a ride might be miles and miles of interstate. Another day is all B roads. Another day is beat up side roads and dirt roads (yes, miles of dirt roads). Another day is fire roads through state forests. Some days it’s all combined. Unless you have multiple bikes, there really only is one type that can truly do everything. And some people truly do everything with their bikes.
A “true” adventure. • Some unexpected things happen, preferably on a rocky dirt road. Flat tire, Bikedump, loose whatever. • They are challenges, which get met on our (old guy) terms. No wife to tell you how to do it, no kids that ask “are we there yet???” • We continue on, feeling like warriors. • We camp where there are bugs • We drink beers and talk sh** about the day • The guy in the tent next door snores louder than you do. * We don't care who makes fun of us.
I definitely bought my ADV bike for the what if Factor I've always been an all-arounder type of person when it comes to what I play in games for what I get for equipment. So the ADV bike fits me perfectly
The adventure is different for everyone, many bmw gs adv bikes only see dirt when they're forced to ride through road construction.alot of adventure rides are on just gravel roads and 2 lanes, don't need to be gnarly off road 2 tracks/single track. I do love my klr650, the most under rated bike in my opinion
Sold my big ADV for a 2004 Multistrada, and my CRF300L Rally for a Svartpilen 401…. and couldn’t be happier on mostly asphalt and fire roads. The good about ADV bikes: you can drop them and not break everything. The bad: picking them up!
ADV bikes come in a number of classes. The big ones who can carry the whole house, like the 1250GS and who are too heavy for anything more than a gravel road and then are real adventure bikes, like the T7 and the likes, much lighter and nimbler, and they will take on like 90% of what a dual sport can (provided you don't overload them). What I don't like about modern ADV's is the fact they got way too many electronic controls, aids and riding modes, active suspension and all raise the price unnecessarily.
I don't know if its just me. But I don't think its the what if factor that sold me on adventure bikes. Its the actuality of the roads one will traverse if they want to spend long distances and long saddle times on a bike. I think I already did every possible thing one can do with different type of bikes: track, off-road, gravel, hi -way and anything in between. All that riding made me decided on getting an adventure bike (that definitely goes off the beaten path). But I opted to get a lightweight one and not those behemoth of a bike that one wouldn't be able to pick up alone when they fall on the dirt. Keep riding brothers. RS always
I have a 2022 KLR 650 I love how I can commute to work fill up the saddlebags with groceries on my way home or on the weekends drive-thru a field or down a gravel road the factory tires are lacking a little bit I plan on getting some more aggressive dual sport style tires for it
The adv bikes are the pick up trucks of motorcycles. I’ve owned everything from sport bikes to cruisers everything in between. Now in my 40s now I own a adv bike just makes sense to me? It has lots of storage for short trips to the grocery store and around town, good suspension for are roads or could be know as endless patch jobs! Decent power with good fuel economy and capacity.
I've done coast to coast many times. The easiest one to do it on was actually a Honda PC800. It had a trunk for my baggage, and great weather protection behind the fairing. Adventure bikes rarely are on more than a little gravel here and there. And any bike can do that.
So much I want to say. Adventure bikes as they are now are the newest for of motorcycling so refinement is needed. I’m an ADV guy through and through, and I still don’t get the idea of the full size ADVs. But the concept is by far the best. Moving more into the middle weight class is a good direction for the industry. I have a Tiger 900 rally pro and it started as a decent bike and became a phenomenal machine only once I removed about 60lbs of plastic and metal. Get these bikes lighter and I think they will be optimized. I’ll be honest, dual sports and sport touring are kind of meh to me and we can all agree that we are vain creatures. Now, the fact I can fly through traffic for 10 hours and go off-road all day through mud and rock the next, is a kind of freedom that I love. How many ADV riders are actually doing that consistently? I’m not sure. But I’ve owned Harley’s, a Street Triple, KLX, BMW R9t and by far and away, I’ve never enjoyed riding in any form, more than I have my Tiger 900.
I do moderate off-road stuff once a year or so, like bad fire roads with rocks and large puddles. I have no trouble doing them on my Tracer 900. I did throw on a sump guard because of the rocks.
I think sport touring bikes are way cooler than ADV, but others may feel differently and that is okay. I also prefer to drive a sedan over an SUV, and am frustrated by how few sedan choices there are today.
@@erich.4305 I've got both right now. the sedan does handle better but I don't drive fast enough for it to matter anymore. The suv is electric so it's easily cost less than half the cost to drive it anywhere.
@@chrishart8548 SUVs have all the bad traits of actual off-roaders (handling, roll-over tendency, consumption, lack of visibility) while no other advantage to the consumer except for prestige to males and a false sense of security to females. I grew up in station wagons and compact cars, never felt the need for SUV shitboxes! Would like to crush the lot, maybe together with some of their drivers (talking about X5/X6 psychos)
My grandpa bought a mini-bike to keep at his farm for me to ride when we went for visits. (Pretty smart of him) That was 1970. I've ridden Harleys for years, but my recently acquired KLR650 is the only machine that's taken me back to Grandpa's farm and memories of my time with him. Now that's priceless to me.
It's funny you mention sport tourers in this video, I have a 1290 SAS and just mostly treat it as a comfier more upright sport tourer. I have no pretense of going offroad with it. I don't really offroad. I may take it on some dirt or gravel roads, but that's about it. As such, knowing my riding habits and what I wanted out of my bike, the 1290 SAS made sense. It's a more road oriented machine that can still blast through the twisties with a fun punchy engine, cruise down the highway munching up the miles comfortably, and can still do some light offroading if the situation calls for it. Sure, I could probably do the same with a CB500X (or whatever they call it these days), but I wanted the extra comfort features such a cruise control, semi auto suspension, a proper FUN engine, etc... I did consider proper sport tourers when I was shopping for bikes before settling on my 1290. Heck I even had it narrowed down in the end to the 1290 Super Duke GT and SAS, before settling on the SAS. I also came extremely close to purchasing a used Tracer 9 GT. In the end, what won the ADV over for me over the sport tourers was really just 1 major thing. Ergos. ADV bikes have the nice upright neutral ergos, and I'm just spoiled for those ergos. Most sport tourers still have ever so slight forward leaning ergos with many of them having ever so slight tucked in legs positioning. For me, those slight sporty ergos are alredy too much and a no go, especially with the legs. I like my ergos as neutral as possible, as such I much prefer my ADV for sport touring duty over most sport tourers. I have no regrets, love my 1290 SAS.
Stay in your lane. I and many others have ridden adventures you’ll only dream of. I rode my GS at LAB2V, BDR’s, Baja, etc. I raced my 990 at Baja Rally. I rode my Tiger 900 to South America. You know not of what you speak.
The moment I laid eyes on the GS adventure bike, I knew I had to get it. Yes, the videos on UA-cam of mountainside camping trips absolutely did it for me. It just appeals to my personality. Would love to ride all day, set up camp, and have a few cocktails before hitting it. Then repeat the next day and maybe mix in a hotel stay to clean up a little bit. The GSA is so freaking comfortable and rides so great. I get a lot of shit from my Harley buddies, but I get way more compliments with my 2023 GSA then they ever will. I love the idea of sport bikes but the speed would definitely get me into trouble. I guess the bottom line is, you get a bike that suits what you want to do best. I want to travel the United States. I want to reach places you can't get to on a sport bike or Harley. Love your channel and videos man!
For many of us, adventure bikes offer comfort, legroom, and a good ride without sacrificing on road handling. At 6'5", even sport touring bikes are tight for me. I don't ride offroad and have no desire to do so. If I did, I'd get a dirt bike.
That's the big reason I picked my ADV. I just treat it as a comfier sport tourer. I'm "only" 6 feet, so not as tall, but even the mild sport ergos of a sport tourer, especially the legs, are uncomfortable for me over a longer period. I still remember Yammie's review of the RS660 and how much he praised how comfortable it was. I demoed one last year. My back and crunched up legs had me screaming to get off it literally 5 minutes in to the ride. I actually hated it.
Ergonomics. As an old guy with a bad back, I can ride my 1250 GSA all day, everyday. Great wind protection, great handling, great ride. I don't go off road anymore. Did I mention comfort and ergonomics. Do I ride the bike near it's potential? Not even close. I just love it.
Living in Denver… my 1250gs is the perfect bike for carving up canyons in the front range after work, getting lost on fire roads, finding remote fly fishing spots, scooting around the state and camping. I’ll never take it on real dirt bike trails, but I’m so happy it can bang out twisties, highway, and bad gravel roads. Yeah it’s a jack of all trades, but it does them well enough to keep me smiling. I’m 36 and not a dad btw 😂
I'm glad adventure bikes got popular in recent years because now there's a buttload of accessories to choose from. 20 years ago I would strap my tent and luggage on my bike in the shadiest ways possible because there weren't really many luggage options. Makeshift headlamps tied to the crash bars for extra night visibility, those were the days :))
I'm interested in getting an ADV bike when I start riding, but that's mainly because I've heard that they're great for tall riders (I'm 6'7). The long-distance and even trans-continental trips sound fun and I'd wouldn't mind learning how to ride off-road with one, however, I'd like to do track days and... safely ride at legal speed limits too. Sadly sport bikes and naked bikes are uh... kinda small (or at least the ones I've seen) and I don't want to look like a "bear on a tricycle" 😂
I'm 6' 4" and only ever owned naked sport bikes due to comfort issues until I finally bought a GS. Best decision I've ever made because I can do 99% of what I could do on my naked bikes but be even more comfortable and take it off-road, which I actually do very often.
I’m 5’7 and my dr650 makes me feel like a child 😅 she gets dropped often. Most dual sports or off-road capable bikes are taller, around 35-36” seat height
I'm only 6'0 and even at my height already vastly prefer the ergos of ADVs over sport tourers. My knees especially, really appreciate not having to be so crunched up and crying after just an hour of riding.
Living in North Central Pennsylvania ADV and Scramblers make 100% more sense than a cruiser or a sport bike. Understand this isnt the case everywhere amd I camt myself blessed to be here for it, but there isnt a road straight enough to enjoy your sport bike, the pot holes are insane, fire, gravel, two track/jeep trails abound, and you can literally ride hundreds of miles north or south, east or west, and be in prime ADV/Scrambler country.
I don't see how winter on a naked bike would be any different than on an adv. You can put a tall windscreen and heated grips on a naked just as easily. As for only being able to "ride one bike at a time", that is the whole point of personal preference. If you are not going further than 200km from home on trips, buying both is an option for many of us who want to daily drive with an occasional trip to an offroad park with a pick-up - a trade off many would take to have a more capable off-road bike on back country trips, etc.
Went from a Suzuki GSXR to a BMW GSA. The best bike I've ever had and the only one ive not wanted to swop for something else. I do go off road, not extreme but enough to make it worth it. Its fast , comfortable, enjoyable in the rain, tour for miles on it, amazing tool. Sports bikes are too fast now, cant use that power unless on the track! Especially here in UK anyway.
I live in Portland Oregon. You can't really see this state, especially Eastern Oregon, if you're not willing to get way off the paved roads. So I'm buying an adventure bike. Don't want a dirt bike. If I have to haul a dirt bike to the trails, I'll just buy a nice mountain bicycle. (Not gonna lie, I'm going to eventually buy a mountain bike to go with my gravel bike some day....)
had a super tenere about 5 years ago - took it on some fire trails and...that's about it. The thought of that bike going down and just dealing with it wore off real quick like. however, it was great on long distance riding and the mileage was fantastic. fast forward to today - I have my dedicated 2 up '02 super valk, my personal solo bike - a 919, and will get either a DR650 or a dual sport to conquer BDRs. 100% agree from experience that the most practical is a standard sport/sport tourer + DS if you want to satisfy the BDR itch and still have fun on the road. excellent take
You forgot a couple of things.... 1. Pillion 2. Bad roads in rest of the world where bigger and thinner wheels show their quality. However, as an ADV biker owner, I do believe in small-mid adv bikes, but not in powerful adv bikes: upright seating position is just not suited for big accelerations. They are back breaking and very uncomfortable. I'll just look for a sport-tourer next year (a segment which is nearly dead) because now I know what I want. And if I do regular tours with my GF, i'll switch to an upright medium adv bike for my rides.
Small mid is definitely the way to go! My Tiger 900 only became an awesome ADV bike once I knocked ~60lbs off it. Once triumph makes a ~600-700cc Tiger Rally, I’m all in.
I never take my off road. Older males buy them because young ones can’t afford them. It is the rider position that feels comfortable to me. The sport bike looks like it should never be ridden on the road only track.
I actually can. I don't. Tuono V4 gogogo! When my back goes bad, I'd rather go for a Tiger Sport than an ADV. Why would I effing go offroad? And you can even use sport bikes on light gravel roads. Been there, done that
I had a Sport-Touring bike for 10 years. I have a V-Strom 650 in my fleet now. The Strom is more comfortable and has better wind protection. Has half the HP though, but if I want to go fast I have my Rocket III.
I own a ADV bike (modified Honda Varadero XL1000) and the reason for going ADV-bike is ergonomy. The way I sit on the bike is the reason for going ADV, as a 6´2, 220lbs dad. I dont care for any of the factors you mention at all - It is just pure comfort to the knees and back. No gravel roads for me. It is all tarmac. With enough torqe in the engine to tour with my wife for a few days, it needs to be able to carry all the load and still pass traffic.
Same here. I picked my ADV over sport tourers simply because my back and especially my knees just get along better with ADV ergos than sport touring ergos. I just treat my big ADV as a comfier sport tourer. No real offroad with it. It really surprises me how much the argument of better ergos on the ADV gets lost and doesn't come up more as a strong point for them.
@@Gofr5 I'm guessing that the reason it doesnt comes up as often is that a lot of riders are sized, or fit enough to sit on a smaller bike. And taller riders are sort of being used to squeeze in on a bike. But for me it is not possible because of the back and knees. Also - the sport bike is often the benchmark for a motorcycle, and there you are kind of supposed/expected to be in a cramped race position over the tank...
Sport touring? Mando says “This is the way”. N1K owner here. Great everyday bike. Plenty of power for almost everyone. I personally want to trade in and get the Versys 1000 so I can travel 2 up in more comfort. I love the inline 4. My secret want currently is the one and only DR 650. Now I have to find a way to sneak in a new motorcycle into my garage without my wife realizing it.
That "what if" thing you describe though is much more than just hypothetical. I have done most of my km on paved roads - from highway streches going 160km/h average with a Tiger 1050 to carving magnificent (and terryfyingly dangerous) mountain roads in Greece - but one of the greatest memories I have is off roading on a humble V strom 650 08 to a lake near Greek Albanian borders along with friends with jeeps and ADVs. And no, it couldnt be done with a sport tourer. ADVs are comfortable, can go pretty fast, and give you that access to places you simply cannot get with any sport bike, and that is more than enough reason IMO.
Ive never gravitated to ADV bikes because of looks. But my MT07 first bike is so uncomfortable for my wife we went and sat on a bunch and even a Goldwing haha. We laughed doing that but i was actually giving it an honest try. I view our bike as an activity we do together. She doesmt want to learn to ride so pillion will need to be comfortable. She cant go 45 minutes without getting very uncomfortable even with a comfort gel seat pad on our current bike. I want to go for multi hour rides in one direction. I dont need fully touring... Just some distance. Tracer 9 GT, Versys 1000, Moto Guzzi V100 have my eye right now.
I have the ktm 390 adv, bone stock. took it from coast to coast, a bit slow on the highway but also did some wicked single track and mountain passes. saw a ton of GS1300 totally geared out with perfect tires on them, no dirt or broken fairings. if you dont break it, you didnt ride it hard enough. helps to have a lot of dirtbike experience, but I feel even the lower end adv bikes can do all the adventures you could imagine. I have the gsx8r for general bs'ing around town and riding next to squids
I just straight traded my Enfield Scram 411 for a 2007 R1200RT. Much more practical for my riding and opens up a lot more paved roads for me to ride comfortably. I love a scrambler's style but so far I'm very happy
Spot on. I have two, sport tourer (multi v4s) and a mid sized adv. I have made several x-cntry trips on the v4s, a few dirt roads, etc..fits me quite well. Concerning ADV's, yup, took the ADV specific training, well worth it, but a discipline unto itself. Let's just say I am still learning! Thank you!
Rode an R1150RT for a few years while stationed in Kansas. Great long hauler, even in horrible weather. Bought an R1200 GS Adventure a few years back. Of the two, the GSA has proven time and again to fit my kind of riding. Comfortable, handles well on and off road, reliable, and it never fails to be an attantion getter. Loved the 1150, but my next bike wil definitely be another ADV.
I love my SUV ADV bike. Load it up with everything I need, go on a grand adventure having fun with every twist of the throttle. Go on some adventures and enjoying every bit of it.
Win our GIVEAWAY motorcycles by becoming a member @ www.yammienoob.co/ and get 20X ENTRIES for the MT-09 with every dollar spent on sweet sweet Yammie Noob merch!
Hey fellow motorcycle enthusiasts! I'm from Kenya and have always dreamed of embarking on long bike trips. Unfortunately, financial constraints have held me back. If anyone has a motorcycle they're thinking of giving away or donating, I'd be incredibly grateful for the opportunity to make my dream a reality. Let's connect and see if we can make it happen!"
Hey fellow motorcycle enthusiasts! I'm from Kenya and have always dreamed of embarking on long bike trips. Unfortunately, financial constraints have held me back. If anyone has a motorcycle they're thinking of giving away or donating, I'd be incredibly grateful for the opportunity to make my dream a reality. Let's connect and see if we can make it happen!"
If you lived in NZ where the roads are complete garbage basically only adventure bikes are comfortable. Even regular upright road bikes are harsh to ride since the communist labour government refused to fix roads because they want us all to take the bus/train our roads are basically un-rideable unless you have an adventure bike.
I left the sportbike life behind and embraced the dADV life. Got a brand new triumph tiger and in 1.5 months put 4100kms on it. As a sport bike rider I didn’t realize you could be THAT comfortable on a motorcycle. Which is why I kept going long distance on it. Never going back to being hunched over like a gremlin
Yeah the tiger is so comfortable and easy to ride. Love mine to death.
I did the same. Never going back.
Unpopular opinion. I give exactly zero fucks about how much of the bike's potential I use.
I care 100% about how well the bike meets how I want to use it.
But that's the thing. If you want to use to bike only on tarmac, if you don't do a lot of touring, why having an adventure bike in the first place? "How I want to use it" - and how do you want to use it? Because there are bikes that are better suited for a daily use than the big GS, so...
@@fiucik1 maybe I want the more upright ergos and bags, while not getting into full touring bike territory.
@@RobertHanz I'm sure there are some bikes other than adventure type that can meet that kryteria. I ride Triumph Bonneville, very upright position, I used it for daily commute and for touring as well. Although I must say the wind blast is really annoying it can be reduced by some aftermarket screen.
@@fiucik1 why do you feel you have to tell him how to spend his money? maybe he just really likes the ADV bike he got and doesn't care if it was more expensive and less capable. its his money and his ride time to spend how he wants lol I really don't understand why people think they have an opinion that matters so much that they can dictate what someone should ride lol usually people riding around making payments on a $10,000 bike telling people how to spend money. If you wanna daily a turbo busa in the downtown streets or hit the tail of the dragon on a Goldwing trying to drag knee, I DONT CARE! Its your money and your riding time to spend as you wish.
@@TrippyWheelz @TrippyWheelz why do you feel you have to tell me how I should make my comments? Maybe I just really like asking difficult questions and have a respectful conversation? It's my opinion, my comment. Calm down before you get a stroke... I didn't tell him that he should/shouldn't buy this or that bike. All I did was express my opinion. Just like he did with his. That's what the comments sections is for. I used logical arguments to back up my opinion. No harm done...
Good wind protection, comfortable ergos, loaded with tech and comfortable seats and suspension w/o the weight of a Goldwing. What's not to love?
Nerdy looks
@Alekth85 if that's a deal breaker you ARE the nerd lol
@@druid4243 thats true. I am a nerd!
Modern sport tourers have the same comfort qualities as expensive ADVs. But they have way better on road riding qualities. Bikes like *Kawasaki* 1000SX, H2 SX, Versys 1000 SE, *Suzuki* Hayabusa Gen3, 1000GT, S1000-GX, *BMW* R1250RT, R1250RS, K1600GT, F900XR, S1000XR, *KTM* 1290GT, *Honda* NT1100, *Yamaha* Tracer 7 & 9, etc.
@@vask3863 you’re really going to compare a busa to an adv? Tf?
Yam - way overthinking this. All bikes are purchased for the looks, feel and fun. Not many of us are buying a stable of bikes. ADV bikes can do anything and go anywhere. I even stripped my KTM 1290 SA and took it to COTA for a Ride Smart Track Day.
i love adv bike because of the looks of it, dont really care about the potential XD
@@genbearrrr Same, (Sorry Yam) I dislike the look of sport bikes (to put it mildly) and while I love the classic Enduro styling of the XR/DR650s I really like that svelte upswept line on the KLR 650 and Transalp.
Okay bommer
At least he titled it correctly… he doesn’t get it
facts
True. Im an adv guy and sooo many of his points are flat out wrong
I'm riding the crap out of my old 950ADV...
When I can't find parts anymore I'll get a T7.
I can frustrate most sport bikers in the twisties and blast down a logging road to some epic single track as long as it doesn't get too technical. I mostly use it for exploring but can't imagine the frustration of a true off-road bike on the longer stretches of pavement. 65-70 max?!? No thanks!
Also, not everyone has the space or cash for more than one bike. I can barely afford all the rear tires!
@@michaelfenter1723 good points, i ride a 990 and have done some quite technical trails. If you can ride the bike can do it.
This guy never argued about tires
As a die hard ADV guy, I think the bit about the “what if factor” is dead on about the mentality. Sure it’s my daily for work, but I also use it to crush hella miles on my off weeks, I’ve taken it from key west to Seattle and back, having the option to camp in the backcountry is great. Yes, a sport tourer is probably a more realistic option for me on the daily but only having the money for 1 bike means I needed something utilitarian. So my 01 R1150GS is what imma ride until it dies.
If/when your bike dies, would you replace it with another dual sport? Or would you look into other categories?
@@ianmoore1312 you are living the adv dream.
@@gamingdog65it really depends, currently I’m looking at moving from Florida to Alaska, so depending on how that plays out I would probably go with a middleweight ADV bike if I moved to AK, if I was staying in Florida where the majority of the trails and “off-road” is fire service roads or sand that eats cars I’d go with a sport tourer. I do know that regardless of style I get, it’ll be another BMW though. I’m buying into the brand (blame LWA,LWD and all the BDRs)
@@joelrosado680thanks, it takes a bunch of juggling to make it work, thankfully as a travel nurse I can pick and choose where I spend 13 weeks so having the SUV of bikes really plays out in my favor. However I have done some pretty fun touring rides on a naked bike that I had some years ago (CFMOTO650)
I live in Colorado and can be in a dirt road in 5 minutes from home but riding to Montana in a couple weeks for shits and giggles .. I think a adv bike makes a lot for me than the author having a sport bike in Texas with the worse drivers in the country .. but to each his own .. I think this video makes zero sense because you can make a argument for or against any bike
I bought a 1200GSA in 2015 brand new and put 145,000 miles on it. I learned to ride it off road and took it on some crazy adventures. I've even ridden it on a motocross track. It worked for me. I loved the fuel capacity and comfort. I crashed it in Guatemala, zip tied it back together and rode it all the way home. It was the best bike I've ever had. Insurance totaled it, so I ended up on a Tiger 900. ADV bikes make sense to me and they work for the type of riding I do. I'll probably get another GSA eventually.
I'm curious if you had any major issues with the GS with that mileage. Always hear people talking about how unreliable and expensive BMW can be. I rarely see people talk about good long term reliability. Looking at a GS myself coming from mostly Yamaha which have been reliable. Thanks.
@@gregjoubert5118 The drive shaft went bad at 76,000 miles. The clutch at 135,000. That's it.
@@gregjoubert5118 Look at used motorcycles and you'll see it's the BMWs (and Gold Wings, specifically, not all Honda) that have high miles!
You don't understand us adventure bike riders, a lot of beatiful roads are in bad condition, you can go faster and even much more comfortable there with a adventure bike than with a sport bike, jumping over hills and holes, riding on gravel roads is fun, standing on the pegs. this is real adventure!
Standing ergo is huge, I take my 84 Honda magna down dirt roads and up grass hills in town but it’s a damn challenge to stand for more than a few seconds on it. Pegs feel like they’re directly under the bars
@@BlazingCoolant The GS looks like its made to ride standing. You stand and its like a desk you even get some wind protection, lol.
@@aao331 my dr650 I can stand all day. Any off road bike should be built like that
My bike is a KTM 1090 Adventure R, built 2017, I love it; did some Enduro Training for big Adventure Bikes going offroad
As bad as the highways are getting in Colorado, I might have to buy an ADV so I can continue to daily commute
I’m an ADV dad and every ride is an adventure and yes at 5:14 we do like to add everything to it. That’s actually part of the fun. 😂
Well said, Bob
It’s nice not feeling speed bumps at 60mph on and ADV bike
I have a really bumpy railway crossing near my house and everyone there always slow down to a crawl to avoid bouncing over it. On my 1290 SAS, I stay at speed and just glide over it like nothing. I love how smooth ADV bikes can be on the road. With how well they are made today, their longer suspension isn't really costing you on the fun twisties. If they are, then you are going at a pace that you should only be doing on the track anyway.
@dimasuracalvinjake683 wtf lol why the hate
Saying adv bike can be replaced with sport tourings is like telling sport bike guys that they will never go to a track so they should only buy a sport touring.
13:37
did you watch the video??
@@sathalel4084 no I got this option from the caption only.
@@therealfakecaptain7978 he spent the first half saying adv bike are stupid because a sport touring can do the same thing. Yes he says many sport bike guys think they are racers but he still believes that sport bikes belong on the road and they are his favorite style of bike
I’m 6’4” and the adv bikes are more comfortable than any bike I’ve tried, even better than my old Harley-Davidson Street Glide.
Yep, I’m in the same boat, that’s what drove me to my V-strom 800. I’ll never take it off road, but it sure is a heck of a lot more comfortable than a standard at 6’3”.
I bought a Tenere 700 for 3 reason.
1 - Reliability and simplicity
2 - I ride a lot of dirt, I like going over mountain passes and push my limits trying some harder off road routes, and I could've gotten a DS for that or have a dirt bike and touring bike but I don't have the room or money for both
3 - Traveling from Denver to various climbing locations around Coloraso, Wyoming, and Utah, I can loaded it up with all my gear, travel comfortably at 75mph in the highways and most places I go to involve fire roads or double tracks (when I'm not purposely riding harder off road)
I'm really happy with the Tenere 700 and tbh, it seems plenty good off road for my needs, and I would not take anything bigger than a middleweight ADV on some of the trails I've done.
Neither would I. I bought a 500 plus lbs Pan American and it makes one hell of a sport touring bike. To expensive and heavy for much off roading.
Tenere is way cool. I have an africa. It's like right of passage. Like buying a cool truck and becoming a sheriff 😂😂
Taking the T700 on forest service roads dodging bolders and going places out where a four wheeler just wont cut it; then getting back on pavement out of Big Sky headed for Livingston, I can say that it's far exceeded my expectations. It's compliant and free on the interstate, and really easy to get out in the real wilderness on. Switched from an old r1200GS. I think the sweet spot is the mid-adventure for most people, but too many get sold on the liter bike to pad the wallets of BMW dealers and stroke the ego. It just felt like a utility road bike. The Tenere 700 feels free and easy to understand to me, and I could not be happier in the mid-ADV category. My buddys KLR650 might be slow, but it absolutely feels just as adventurous. Don't buy a bigger bike then you actually need.
Go the tenere!
Been thrilled with my T7… it gets me in the sticks to camp, commutes to work, and even does some decent touring with fairly mild mods (rackless luggage, wind screen risers, heated grips, and a better rear spring).
It is far more capable off road than I am, so that’s covered.
As for not being “very fast”, the 2 tickets I’ve recieved go to show that it’s more than enough for anywhere I’m going to ride.
It's just like most trucks/suvs - it reminds me of a cartoon I saw years ago. Two middle age suburban men are standing in front of a couch, a couch with large off-road tires at each corner. One man has a speech bubble that says " I'm not going off-road, but I could if I wanted to"
tldr: no frame = not an SUV. Just a minivan with doors.
The trucks are at least capable of doing what's advertised.
Most SUVs aren't SUVs at all. And ~90% of so-called "SUVs" do not have a frame. The frame is what allows a real SUV (and trucks) to absorb the forces of offroading, towing, hauling, etc.
Pavement princess trucks are common... but... at least they _could_ do those things. A BMW X5 ... is a fancy minivan.
or sport bikes fans saying "I'm never going to do 150mph without risking my driving licence or worse, but I could if I wanted to"
I’ve owned 4 brands of Adventure Bikes and ridden from Austin to Alaska and back as well as the 4 corners of US. Nothing like them. Comfortable. Go anywhere and in any weather. Best bike is the one you actually ride. Ride hard or stay home. ❤
Sounds like you've had fun! Out of interest, what percentage of your riding has not been on asphalt?
If you can’t ride a superbike in any weather you may need to check on your maxipad
Well said brutha
same here, I’ve covered over 5000 miles off-road while crossing the US 3 times. Last time was on a 2012 GS but the new GS is basically a gold wing. BMW has sold out to the crew who wants to go to Starbuckistan. Believe it or not I switched to the Ducati DesertX and for my off road use it is amazing. Added that it has a wonderful engine, no extra foof like the latest BMW’s and rips on 5e street. My BMW ate its final drive at 5000 miles too so there is that….
@@mandrakejake Out of interest, have you ever been on a road trip to think the driving position, suspension travel and every other aspect (good or bad) of ADV bikes only makes sense off-road ? Let me tell me, you're wrong
I think medium sized Adventure bikes works great for countries where roads are kind of crappy and they also work for people who want to go motorcycle camping. The thing here at least for me is that there is no point for the Huge touring or adventure motorcycles, hard to manouver, need like 3 people to lift them up, and are crazy expensive to repair.
As a hardcore ADV guy, I have to agree. I hate to judge, but they really come off as a “what-if” but never do purchase.
@@maximusDAbiker even the massive ones?, I think most of the medium sized work great.
@@rskolokrsI meant just the massive ones in my previous comment. Small to mid is a perfect sweet spot💪🏼
I live in the caribbean. More specifically, Dominica. I think a Tenere 700 is perfect for our roads, though I dislike its looks I'd still get one if i could afford it.
Welcome to potholed Canada. Every road feels off road. 😂
I work at a dealer, and anyone that comes in and buys one says one of two things. Either they wanted a jack of all trades bike. Just in case they wanna take a 500lb bike offroad. Or they know know they'll never take it offroad, but they haven't quite came to terms with what they really want is a Goldwing. Anyone that's actually doing offroad regularly are looking to get a dual sport.
My jack of all trades desire? 2018/2019 z900rs - that's the reality of what my plans are.
I'm buying a klr 650 Tuesday and the main reason I want a adv is because roads suck and about 30 to 40% of the roads near me are dirt and gravel 🤷🏼♂️ also I think a street legal dirtbike even if it sucks in dirt will be cool 😂
@@thatguy-fu1ig KLR is bombproof, standard kit in mountains., I can see the million dollar highway from my house and see very few sport bikes. tons of ADV. I guess they are posers?
@@ellwoodwolf I have one of those and initially that was my plan. However after spending the summer with it, I will be trading it in this fall or next spring. Great for commuting and short day rides. For distance, the comfort is not great and it feels a bit underwhelming for more spirited riding.
I take my T7 off road all the time. I ride with guys taking KTM 1290s off road all the time. It’s more common than you think.
After 4 months and 15,000 miles solo to Ushuaia from the US, there's no other bike I'd want to ride than my GS.
Comfortable. Can go places most bikes can't. Comfortable. Fast enough in the twisties to be quit fun. Comfortable. Enough power to get the front wheel up without having to work at it. Can cruise all day. Also comfortable. Epic slow speed handling.
@@moosestache1769 Ugly. Heavy. Top heavy. Not great on road. Not great off road.
Recently got a Tiger 1200. After 10 years on sport bikes. I'm very impressed. It's just as fast in the twisties as a sport bike within reason, it's comfortable going places, in Canada most roads statistically are gravel/dirt, so I'm loving it. I rode 6 hours one day in one direction, turned around and rode back. The 30 liter fuel tank is AMAZING! I've done many miles exploring areas previously unreachable, plus the adjustable suspension is also a game changer, I still ride with my sport bike friends, and yet I've put it in off road mode allowing the traction control to slip enough. I've cranked the thing to 160kph down a gravel road! It's immense and thrilling. I've been caught in the rain and the wide tank and windshield did a great job of protecting me and keeping me dry. And I've ran next to hellcats down the highway in a pull. Literally not a single bad thing to say about it. These bikes are the Baja trophy trucks of the motorcycle world. Are the dirt bikes? No. But are they the king of riding and travel? Absolutely.
I was a dirt bike guy for years. Rode any bike I could get my hands on. As a 40 year old man, I got my first street bike. Funny enough, my dad, a now 60+yr old dude picks me the same bike he just got himself. A 650 Vstrom. He rode sport bikes for ever and was recently retired. Did some reading and decided the vsfrom was for him. Not my first choice but alas, I was now the owner of a 2013 Vstorm DL650A Adventure, fully kitted out. 3 months later we did a 7 day ride to the James Bay Hwy in Quebec Canada from Niagara ON. I was surprised how great the bike was at speed and through corners. Heavy, yes. Compared to the 250cc dirt bikes i was used to but I was faster out of corners than any guy in my group. I didn't expect to like the bike so much.......
I am a sport bike guy and I'm 6'1". Motorcyclist under 6ft really don't understand how much more comfortable big bikes are.
I'm 5'8 and I still can't stand the driving position in my friends R1. 20 minutes in, by back is hurting like hell, and I'm 26. I'll stick with my comfortable Tenere, thanks Haha. I'm probably an old souls stuck inside the body of a 26 year old man. It is what it is haha
Yeah I'm 6'6 and i cant ride any of the big sports bike. I'm looking to buy a tiger 900 for 90% road riding and I'm at peace with it
I'm 5'8 and I'm equally comfortable in my s1000rr or my r1200gs, but the GS turn on a dime, does not get hot, and I get less tired.
@@aao331 teach me your ways haha, having my back so forward on sport bike makes it ache incredibly fast. Even nakeds hurt after an hour or so. I can only ride Tourers or advs for extended periods
Preach.
I agree with you in nearly every single point…BUT: Adv‘s a perfect for long trips:
Very comfortable
Very good protection against rain & wind
Can carry a lot of baggage
Are nimble enough in the twisties to have fun
…and so on…
In my opinion the best touring bikes - and that‘s what I do.
Very good protection against rain and wind? Have you ever ridden a dedicated sport tourer like an FJR1300, at?
@@chrysovalantiskamprogianni541 He wrote "very good"...he didn't say perfect, or bubble like. It's still a motorcycle....some people are okay being less comfortable than the occupant of a car.
Can't agree more adv bikes are awesome for road trips
you want to drive a car but you can't admit it
@ViscountAlbany you cant understand that owning a motorcycle doesn't have to be a compromise.
I already had one of these ADV BIKE back in 1985 when bought a 1974 Yamaha Enduro 250. It was a tank that went everywhere. And you couldn't kill it. I tried. It's probably still out there not dying..😂
My old 1980 yamaha XT250 is still running. My brother beat the hell out of it, but it still turns over the engine might be the only thing that works properly but it runs lol
I'm over 6 feet and just love how comfortable my Africa twin is. I learned to ride on a dirt bike and I'm just way more confident riding that compared to a naked bike. Has enough power to be fun, tours great and can get you to a ton of cool spots. For most people have 2 bikes isn't a great option. They really are the jack of all trades in the motorcycle world.
This one made me chuckle. I just traded my Road Glide in for a Pan Am. Feels light to me but I also know I’m not doing motocross. It’s just a fun bike to ride, if I drop it I won’t struggle as hard to pick it up. I rode an XR200 as a teen. Got into Goldwings in my late 20’s. Into Harley in my 40’s. Now, it’s going to be fun cruising up backroads and logging roads with my son who rides a V-Strom. Yes, he’s almost 40 and I’m almost 60. No cross country trips for us. I’d get another Goldwing if I wanted to go touring again.
Saying that t700 is not interesting to ride and not good at anything makes me think you don’t know what you talking about
What makes the T7 interesting compared to a Tracer 9?
Its slower AND it handles worse
What makes it so darn special and interesting?
Any special sauce? I rode one, it was certianly "one of the bikes of all time"
Pol Torres. He is the special sauce that makes them so interesting.
If speed and sportive riding is your goal a T700 is not for you. Not erveyone need excessive acceleration and top speed. Also the seat erginmoics must fit to the rider and not erveryone get comfortable to a sports tourer. same applies to the T700.
@@Surpriseify. Riding a T7 on the street to “test” it and then using that as a justification of why it’s not enjoyable is like buying a crotch rocket but you can only go 20 mph on a pot holed out city street that has no turns.
As someone that went with a sport tourer for occasional commuting, weekend rides, and the intention of long trips, when I went on my first weekend trip (~150 miles away) I encountered a construction zone on a country highway which meant a detour through gravel roads... That was my 'what if' moment. I was able to make it through on my street tires, but man did I wish I had some knobbies.
Got myself a dual sport and a sport touring. My perfect combination, and I haven't regretted it one bit.
I bought a used DRZ400S dual sport bike to learn how to ride off road. The more I rode with guys with big ADV bikes the more I realized how much better off road and manageable my bikes is. I'm keeping the DRZ and now I'm looking for a used Yamaha MT09 to ride on the street. Best of both worlds!
The single biggest ‘what if’ scenario for these bikes, you missed….
ZOMBIES.
When the zombie Apocalypse comes, you will want a ADV, hands down.
That’s the only time I’d want to ride one … 😂
Pretty sure you’ll want an air cooled, carbureted dual sport instead
Nah. The EMP will destroy all the electronics
no, you want a DR650
Xr400 kick start, no battery.
The first, and only, bike I've ever owned was a used 650 Vstrom. I took it camping and used it to explore the Catskills and other Northeast mountains, and used it to go on camping weekends, with big metal box panniers on the back.
I would have considered a sport touring bike, or an SV650, but I'm nearly 6'3" and the Strom, with a Corbin on it, was all day comfortable for me in addition to being powerful enough and able to go all the places I wanted to go.
I got nearly 50mpg on regular unleaded and had more power than I needed for anything near legal speeds. I didn't have any interest in a 1200 between then and now, I never felt the 650 was underpowered for my use. I could manage 80mph plus all day on the highway without any trouble. Maybe for 2up a bigger bike is appealing, but it wasn't a use case for me.
I used it for some commuting and errand running as well, and used it except when it was cold enough for ice to be on the roads here.
I didn't particularly love actual dirt riding, but the ADV was good for long distances and didn't mind a little gravel or a bit of fire road.
For a tall, older, new rider it was a great great option for me. Not perfect at anything, but I was happy with my choice as an all around option.
I'm so happy I changed my Rebel 500 for a Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 (the old model). I use it for commuting, exploring the countryside and camping. It was one of the most reasonably priced motorcycles on sale today, it can easily do the Finnish highway speeds, and it can handle any kind of terrain. I didn't buy the big side suitcases, just some soft side bags where also fits everything you need for a trip. In Europe there are these so-called Trans Euro Trails so if you like you can really do some off-road. I think a light Adventure bike is perfect for many different uses.
My second bike was a Himmy. You are right about everything, except one thing: the Himmy in no way is a light bike. For what it is, it is heavy and intimidating to a new off-road rider. That said, I used it 97% as a commuter and tourer and it was fantastic.
The best bikes are the UJMs. I love my XJR. It rips, is comfortable everyday, crushes big miles and is super reliable. And I just love how it looks, the simplicity of it, the ease of working on it myself. Cheap to insure too
As a sportbike rider for years who now transitioned to a Street Triple I can say there is more utility with a sportbike then just going full ball. They are more stable at highway speeds and have more precise handling their also noticeably faster even at street legal speeds.
3 guys I work with own an adventure bike and they all use them for the same two things which aren't the extremes promoted in every video out there. The two things are: Commuting and camping. Comfortable for commutes, perfect for finding campsites down dirt roads connected to asphalt. Big adventures not so much, but definitely small ones here in the National and State forests of Colorado, where the backroads can get gnarly.
Any bike can handle dirt roads
@@benm468 not necessarily. A standard dirt road maybe put back roads in the mountains to get to some of the best locations require are there a dirt bike or an ADV bike. ATV bikes are nice because they're comfortable to ride on the highway (unlike a dirt bike) and can still get you to almost all of the same places a dirt bike will.
Trust me, there's areas of Colorado that my Gold Wing sure is fuck can't get to LOL.
@@benm468 Clearly you don't live in the mountains.
@@nubbyfresh5623 The category you are describing is dual sport bikes - capable on the hwy and off road. ADV bikes will not go to the same locations dirt and dual sport bikes.
@@bahjinelson3986 Think whatever helps you cope the fact that your ADV bike is neither competent on the roads, or capable off road.
Most of the roads around me are dirt/gravel. This is why I own an ADV bike. Gravel bouncing off plastic sport tourer is not fun to me. Don’t they have gravel roads on Texas Yam? Or are they mostly paved?
Adventure dad here. I think you hit the nail on the head with the jack of all trades comment. Im riding a 10 year old KTM 1190 R and it's the most fun bike I've ever owned. It's got a lot of power, it's fairly light as big bore ADVs go. Handles pretty well, it's stable on gravel, great on shitty pavement and looks cool. What's not to like? I can go out and spend the day putting around the backroads, I can commute to work, I can hop on the highway and blast 60 miles to the nearest ORV park and run the jeep trails. Or I can take half a turn off the preload and a click or two off the damping and comfortably knock out 500 mile days on the interstate. I'm not gonna do much single track, I'll probably never do a track day, nor am I going to ride across central Bumfukistan to see the wild camel herds. But, it's pretty good for the kind of riding I enjoy.
I scored a F850gs for a great price. I do have the opportunity to take 20 mile fire roads as an alternative route to work if I want, and I do a couple times week. But yeah, it’s a bit of a cosplay. I don’t care. I love it.
Tell your critics to take those roads on their Harley or the highway both ways comfortable on their dual sport.
I owned an Adventure bike once, sold it again for another bike as I did far less offroad than I though I would. Am very happy with my current one.
I have the road version of the Ducati Multistrada V4 - a '22 V4 Pikes Peak. I don't have any aspirations of going on a logging road, for example, with my bike. Instead, I bought it because it's ergonomics are perfect for my 6'1" frame, and as I am over 50 y/o, my days of riding a sport bike - Ninjas, VFRs, FZ1s, are relegated to my earlier days of riding. The MTS V4 is perfect for long highway cruises or backroad blasting - the PP is set up 17" wheels FRT & RR, Pirelli Corsa IV tires, Ohlins electronic suspension, and the power & torque of a 172-hp V4. The bike is way more capable than my rider skills, even though I've been riding for almost 40 years, but that's ok. I can go for 200-250 mile rides in a day, covering highways, country back roads, and twisties, and while being a little tired at the end of the ride, a good night sleep and I'm ready to do it again the next day.
Exact same here with my 1290 SAS. I just treat it as a comfier more ergo friendly sport tourer, no pretense of doing any kind of offroad beyond just easy dirt and gravel roads. I even have half a mind of putting on some Metzeler Sportec M9 RR tires on it (only proper full sport tire available in 19 inch front wheel), though truthfully will probably just slap some sport tourers on it instead. It won't have any funky "ADV" tires on it, that's for sure.
@@Gofr5try Michelin Road 6
ADV bikes just look cool and drive great on the roads, where most riders use them. Very few go offroad with them and will even turn around at a minor dirt or gravel road, while the R1200RT has little issues.
Most only drive on the road here in the Netherlands, but a GS is just more sexy than a RT.
The dual sport makes 1000 times more sense. Came to this conclusion after a day or two of looking at things. A dirt focused, road legal bike is absolutely the best choice for me…and we’re in Montana, with the whole of the Rocky Mountains available to explore.
Lots of highway miles at 80mph makes sense for a dual sport?
The issue with Dual Sports is that it needs closer by trails to make sense.
I recently did a SLC to Seattle trip on my CB500X just fine, and even more recently did off-roading in Canyonlands (Moab) from SLC.
I don't ride a sportbike anymore because I got tired of getting speeding tickets and I realized that going fast was more about adrenaline and boosting my ego than it was about enjoying the moment.
On my 2022 Honda CB500X, I'm way more relaxed and present in the moment than I ever was on my sportbike, not to mention way more comfortable! I do still sometimes miss the rush of cracking the throttle on a sportbike, but I find I can go through the twisties almost as fast because the CB500X feels nimble and very tossable.
For full disclosure, I'm 54 so I very much fit the profile of the ADV rider. Having said that, I actually do long road trips as well as off-roading on a regular basis, so I use my ADV for its intended purpose.
My next bike will be a CF Moto Ibex 450, as it's simply a better ADV than my CB500X can ever be.
Small displacement ADV bikes are the unicorns - I only need one bike now to keep me happy.
Love my CB500X also. as a guy in my late 40s, with some injuries (not bike related), i like the ergonomics most of all. I don't particularly care for the look of my bike, but it's my daily commuter, and it's no problem to take it on a several hour trip. sure, i mainly drive on pavement, but i often ride on sand and don't feel like i'm going to wipe out every 5 seconds. For me, it's about the comfort and reliability, not about the "what ifs". no way in hell i would trade it for a goldwing or sport bike.
But yams, the sv650 with saddle bags, crash bars, a windshield and off road tires is a good choice too. Scrambler and sushi. Steak and fire. It's multi-tasking capable.
Incredible comment. The pinnacle of motorcycling. I would follow you anywhere.
@@ridernotrunner lol
Seriously Yammie, you are so right on every point you make. I went cheap and bought the 650klr, and while I do love it for many reasons, I found it top heavy heavy and tall for riding offroad. It makes me wonder how the hell people are riding taller and heavier adv bikes offroad. I may keep my klr because its an interesting bike to own but not worth much on the used market, but my eyes were opened to the fact that riding off-road needs lightness and Lowness. I'm thinking a klx300 sm will fit my klr as a happy companion. If not that, I'm looking hard at the 2024 401 Svarpilen.
In the UK, the GS in the 80s/90s was a honourable mention in the sports bike crazed market.
When Long Way Round hit, there was a spkie in poser purchases. This was at the same time as the beginning of the SUV craze. Rich folks dabbled with them along with their Range Rovers, and eventually the press had to take notice.
What the press found, and in turn the typical brit biker, was that in reality they couldn't pass a blindfold test of whether the latest R1 was better than last years. When the rode GS, KTM Adventures, and later Tigers and Multistradas they found they used the same level of performance on real roads, but had comfort, carrying capacity and better visibility.
Of course, biking always needs some macho competition vector, so now there is a scramble to prove your adv is the most hardcore
I think ADVs are great for older riders because they have an upright riding position that is less tiring and allows longer rides. In the last 20 years, I have had 3 of them: V-Strom 1000, Multistrada 1200S (POS, avoid) and currently a 1290 SAS which at my age (76) suits me to a T.
Yam, here`s my 2 cents. In the country where I live, we don`t have proper highways. Mostly we have roads with just one lane in each direction and speed limit around my country is 60mph. Basically, there`s no use of a sport bike, since we lack proper roads to utilize the turbo Busa`s full potential. And we have only one proper racetrack where you can take it for a spin.
But, we as a heavily forested country are having a tons of trails, dirt roads and offroad tracks. Living in Latvia, I think the ADV bike is the best bike choice to escape the rush and to get connected with nature. Here ADV bikes are quite popular, there`s a lot of GS`es, KTMs, Teneres and other stuff rolling around. So I guess it`s also something to do where actually you live. This is my first motorcycle season ever and i`ve chosen an old KTM 950 ADV as my weapon of choice. Its not very fast on a highway, but it`s stupid fast on trails and yes, I don`t take it only to starbucks, I actually roam around the local woods every second or third evening after a long day`s work.
I live in Upstate NY. One day a ride might be miles and miles of interstate. Another day is all B roads. Another day is beat up side roads and dirt roads (yes, miles of dirt roads). Another day is fire roads through state forests. Some days it’s all combined.
Unless you have multiple bikes, there really only is one type that can truly do everything.
And some people truly do everything with their bikes.
A “true” adventure.
• Some unexpected things happen, preferably on a rocky dirt road. Flat tire, Bikedump, loose whatever.
• They are challenges, which get met on our (old guy) terms. No wife to tell you how to do it, no kids that ask “are we there yet???”
• We continue on, feeling like warriors.
• We camp where there are bugs
• We drink beers and talk sh** about the day
• The guy in the tent next door snores louder than you do.
* We don't care who makes fun of us.
I definitely bought my ADV bike for the what if Factor I've always been an all-arounder type of person when it comes to what I play in games for what I get for equipment. So the ADV bike fits me perfectly
Went from a RT to a GS and now a RS. They all have their benefits and drawbacks. At the moment the 1250RS suits me, Is nice to have a choice.
The adventure is different for everyone, many bmw gs adv bikes only see dirt when they're forced to ride through road construction.alot of adventure rides are on just gravel roads and 2 lanes, don't need to be gnarly off road 2 tracks/single track. I do love my klr650, the most under rated bike in my opinion
Sold my big ADV for a 2004 Multistrada, and my CRF300L Rally for a Svartpilen 401…. and couldn’t be happier on mostly asphalt and fire roads. The good about ADV bikes: you can drop them and not break everything. The bad: picking them up!
I have a 500# triumph scrambler. I'm strong, so I casually pick it up from the handle bars. Lol
ADV bikes come in a number of classes. The big ones who can carry the whole house, like the 1250GS and who are too heavy for anything more than a gravel road and then are real adventure bikes, like the T7 and the likes, much lighter and nimbler, and they will take on like 90% of what a dual sport can (provided you don't overload them). What I don't like about modern ADV's is the fact they got way too many electronic controls, aids and riding modes, active suspension and all raise the price unnecessarily.
You absolutely nailed it. This from a former sports bike guy who has a bike ADV and is now looking for a liter sports tourer.
ADV are monsters. My thing is I rather have two bikes for the price of one, than one bike for the price of two.
I don't know if its just me. But I don't think its the what if factor that sold me on adventure bikes. Its the actuality of the roads one will traverse if they want to spend long distances and long saddle times on a bike. I think I already did every possible thing one can do with different type of bikes: track, off-road, gravel, hi -way and anything in between. All that riding made me decided on getting an adventure bike (that definitely goes off the beaten path). But I opted to get a lightweight one and not those behemoth of a bike that one wouldn't be able to pick up alone when they fall on the dirt. Keep riding brothers. RS always
I have a 2022 KLR 650 I love how I can commute to work fill up the saddlebags with groceries on my way home or on the weekends drive-thru a field or down a gravel road the factory tires are lacking a little bit I plan on getting some more aggressive dual sport style tires for it
I wondered why Yammie didn't bother to mention the KLR...
it's like the original, post enduro style, adv bike... right?!?
The adv bikes are the pick up trucks of motorcycles. I’ve owned everything from sport bikes to cruisers everything in between. Now in my 40s now I own a adv bike just makes sense to me? It has lots of storage for short trips to the grocery store and around town, good suspension for are roads or could be know as endless patch jobs! Decent power with good fuel economy and capacity.
I've done coast to coast many times. The easiest one to do it on was actually a Honda PC800. It had a trunk for my baggage, and great weather protection behind the fairing. Adventure bikes rarely are on more than a little gravel here and there. And any bike can do that.
But you'd look like a guy on a PC800.
Not like a guy on an 'Adventure'.
@@tsubadaikhan6332 Yeah. Totally ruins the midlife crisis vibe. You have a point there.
Full sized ADVs are great but the midsized one's are actually what we needed.
So much I want to say. Adventure bikes as they are now are the newest for of motorcycling so refinement is needed. I’m an ADV guy through and through, and I still don’t get the idea of the full size ADVs. But the concept is by far the best. Moving more into the middle weight class is a good direction for the industry. I have a Tiger 900 rally pro and it started as a decent bike and became a phenomenal machine only once I removed about 60lbs of plastic and metal. Get these bikes lighter and I think they will be optimized. I’ll be honest, dual sports and sport touring are kind of meh to me and we can all agree that we are vain creatures. Now, the fact I can fly through traffic for 10 hours and go off-road all day through mud and rock the next, is a kind of freedom that I love. How many ADV riders are actually doing that consistently? I’m not sure. But I’ve owned Harley’s, a Street Triple, KLX, BMW R9t and by far and away, I’ve never enjoyed riding in any form, more than I have my Tiger 900.
I do moderate off-road stuff once a year or so, like bad fire roads with rocks and large puddles. I have no trouble doing them on my Tracer 900. I did throw on a sump guard because of the rocks.
I think sport touring bikes are way cooler than ADV, but others may feel differently and that is okay. I also prefer to drive a sedan over an SUV, and am frustrated by how few sedan choices there are today.
Agreed.
What didn't you like about an SUV ?
@@chrishart8548 they don't ride as well as sedans and they don't get the fuel mileage of sedans.
@@erich.4305 I've got both right now. the sedan does handle better but I don't drive fast enough for it to matter anymore. The suv is electric so it's easily cost less than half the cost to drive it anywhere.
@@chrishart8548 SUVs have all the bad traits of actual off-roaders (handling, roll-over tendency, consumption, lack of visibility) while no other advantage to the consumer except for prestige to males and a false sense of security to females. I grew up in station wagons and compact cars, never felt the need for SUV shitboxes! Would like to crush the lot, maybe together with some of their drivers (talking about X5/X6 psychos)
My grandpa bought a mini-bike to keep at his farm for me to ride when we went for visits. (Pretty smart of him) That was 1970. I've ridden Harleys for years, but my recently acquired KLR650 is the only machine that's taken me back to Grandpa's farm and memories of my time with him. Now that's priceless to me.
It's funny you mention sport tourers in this video, I have a 1290 SAS and just mostly treat it as a comfier more upright sport tourer. I have no pretense of going offroad with it. I don't really offroad. I may take it on some dirt or gravel roads, but that's about it. As such, knowing my riding habits and what I wanted out of my bike, the 1290 SAS made sense. It's a more road oriented machine that can still blast through the twisties with a fun punchy engine, cruise down the highway munching up the miles comfortably, and can still do some light offroading if the situation calls for it. Sure, I could probably do the same with a CB500X (or whatever they call it these days), but I wanted the extra comfort features such a cruise control, semi auto suspension, a proper FUN engine, etc...
I did consider proper sport tourers when I was shopping for bikes before settling on my 1290. Heck I even had it narrowed down in the end to the 1290 Super Duke GT and SAS, before settling on the SAS. I also came extremely close to purchasing a used Tracer 9 GT. In the end, what won the ADV over for me over the sport tourers was really just 1 major thing. Ergos. ADV bikes have the nice upright neutral ergos, and I'm just spoiled for those ergos. Most sport tourers still have ever so slight forward leaning ergos with many of them having ever so slight tucked in legs positioning. For me, those slight sporty ergos are alredy too much and a no go, especially with the legs. I like my ergos as neutral as possible, as such I much prefer my ADV for sport touring duty over most sport tourers. I have no regrets, love my 1290 SAS.
Stay in your lane. I and many others have ridden adventures you’ll only dream of. I rode my GS at LAB2V, BDR’s, Baja, etc. I raced my 990 at Baja Rally. I rode my Tiger 900 to South America. You know not of what you speak.
The moment I laid eyes on the GS adventure bike, I knew I had to get it. Yes, the videos on UA-cam of mountainside camping trips absolutely did it for me. It just appeals to my personality. Would love to ride all day, set up camp, and have a few cocktails before hitting it. Then repeat the next day and maybe mix in a hotel stay to clean up a little bit. The GSA is so freaking comfortable and rides so great. I get a lot of shit from my Harley buddies, but I get way more compliments with my 2023 GSA then they ever will. I love the idea of sport bikes but the speed would definitely get me into trouble. I guess the bottom line is, you get a bike that suits what you want to do best. I want to travel the United States. I want to reach places you can't get to on a sport bike or Harley. Love your channel and videos man!
For many of us, adventure bikes offer comfort, legroom, and a good ride without sacrificing on road handling. At 6'5", even sport touring bikes are tight for me. I don't ride offroad and have no desire to do so. If I did, I'd get a dirt bike.
That's the big reason I picked my ADV. I just treat it as a comfier sport tourer. I'm "only" 6 feet, so not as tall, but even the mild sport ergos of a sport tourer, especially the legs, are uncomfortable for me over a longer period. I still remember Yammie's review of the RS660 and how much he praised how comfortable it was. I demoed one last year. My back and crunched up legs had me screaming to get off it literally 5 minutes in to the ride. I actually hated it.
Ergonomics. As an old guy with a bad back, I can ride my 1250 GSA all day, everyday. Great wind protection, great handling, great ride. I don't go off road anymore. Did I mention comfort and ergonomics. Do I ride the bike near it's potential? Not even close. I just love it.
Can’t wait to buy a Versys 650 or VStrom650. I’m going to use it as a small touring bike mostly on backroads and for commuting.
Great choice. I rode a Versys for 11 years and tons of long distance trips. It was perfect.
Living in Denver… my 1250gs is the perfect bike for carving up canyons in the front range after work, getting lost on fire roads, finding remote fly fishing spots, scooting around the state and camping. I’ll never take it on real dirt bike trails, but I’m so happy it can bang out twisties, highway, and bad gravel roads. Yeah it’s a jack of all trades, but it does them well enough to keep me smiling. I’m 36 and not a dad btw 😂
My KLX300 with a milk crate and 1 hard side is all I need👍💪
Yep you sound like a Kawasaki owner. 😂
I'm glad adventure bikes got popular in recent years because now there's a buttload of accessories to choose from. 20 years ago I would strap my tent and luggage on my bike in the shadiest ways possible because there weren't really many luggage options. Makeshift headlamps tied to the crash bars for extra night visibility, those were the days :))
I'm interested in getting an ADV bike when I start riding, but that's mainly because I've heard that they're great for tall riders (I'm 6'7). The long-distance and even trans-continental trips sound fun and I'd wouldn't mind learning how to ride off-road with one, however, I'd like to do track days and... safely ride at legal speed limits too. Sadly sport bikes and naked bikes are uh... kinda small (or at least the ones I've seen) and I don't want to look like a "bear on a tricycle" 😂
I'm 6' 4" and only ever owned naked sport bikes due to comfort issues until I finally bought a GS. Best decision I've ever made because I can do 99% of what I could do on my naked bikes but be even more comfortable and take it off-road, which I actually do very often.
I’m 5’7 and my dr650 makes me feel like a child 😅 she gets dropped often. Most dual sports or off-road capable bikes are taller, around 35-36” seat height
Mid size adv with cruise control. Add highway pegs to stretch out
I'm only 6'0 and even at my height already vastly prefer the ergos of ADVs over sport tourers. My knees especially, really appreciate not having to be so crunched up and crying after just an hour of riding.
just took my tenere 700 on its first trail ride and loved it. Its my first bike in a decade and its been perfect
Holy chit, seriously interesting perspective.
Especially the SUV analogy.
Cant agree more
Living in North Central Pennsylvania ADV and Scramblers make 100% more sense than a cruiser or a sport bike. Understand this isnt the case everywhere amd I camt myself blessed to be here for it, but there isnt a road straight enough to enjoy your sport bike, the pot holes are insane, fire, gravel, two track/jeep trails abound, and you can literally ride hundreds of miles north or south, east or west, and be in prime ADV/Scrambler country.
I almost bought an ADV bike. Realized i could get an MT09 and a used dual sport together for the same price.
What bike were you going to buy? 😑
Yes but you can only ride one bike at a time. And neither of those bikes excel at going any further than 200km from your home.
@@larryhouse3776 and winter on naked bike....nope..
I don't see how winter on a naked bike would be any different than on an adv. You can put a tall windscreen and heated grips on a naked just as easily. As for only being able to "ride one bike at a time", that is the whole point of personal preference. If you are not going further than 200km from home on trips, buying both is an option for many of us who want to daily drive with an occasional trip to an offroad park with a pick-up - a trade off many would take to have a more capable off-road bike on back country trips, etc.
Went from a Suzuki GSXR to a BMW GSA. The best bike I've ever had and the only one ive not wanted to swop for something else. I do go off road, not extreme but enough to make it worth it. Its fast , comfortable, enjoyable in the rain, tour for miles on it, amazing tool. Sports bikes are too fast now, cant use that power unless on the track! Especially here in UK anyway.
I live in Portland Oregon. You can't really see this state, especially Eastern Oregon, if you're not willing to get way off the paved roads. So I'm buying an adventure bike. Don't want a dirt bike. If I have to haul a dirt bike to the trails, I'll just buy a nice mountain bicycle. (Not gonna lie, I'm going to eventually buy a mountain bike to go with my gravel bike some day....)
had a super tenere about 5 years ago - took it on some fire trails and...that's about it. The thought of that bike going down and just dealing with it wore off real quick like. however, it was great on long distance riding and the mileage was fantastic. fast forward to today - I have my dedicated 2 up '02 super valk, my personal solo bike - a 919, and will get either a DR650 or a dual sport to conquer BDRs. 100% agree from experience that the most practical is a standard sport/sport tourer + DS if you want to satisfy the BDR itch and still have fun on the road. excellent take
You forgot a couple of things.... 1. Pillion 2. Bad roads in rest of the world where bigger and thinner wheels show their quality.
However, as an ADV biker owner, I do believe in small-mid adv bikes, but not in powerful adv bikes: upright seating position is just not suited for big accelerations. They are back breaking and very uncomfortable.
I'll just look for a sport-tourer next year (a segment which is nearly dead) because now I know what I want. And if I do regular tours with my GF, i'll switch to an upright medium adv bike for my rides.
Small mid is definitely the way to go! My Tiger 900 only became an awesome ADV bike once I knocked ~60lbs off it. Once triumph makes a ~600-700cc Tiger Rally, I’m all in.
Thanks!
I never take my off road. Older males buy them because young ones can’t afford them.
It is the rider position that feels comfortable to me. The sport bike looks like it should never be ridden on the road only track.
I actually can. I don't. Tuono V4 gogogo! When my back goes bad, I'd rather go for a Tiger Sport than an ADV. Why would I effing go offroad? And you can even use sport bikes on light gravel roads. Been there, done that
Lol I wanted a fast road bike, so i got a triumph bobber. Exactly what I was looking for
I had a Sport-Touring bike for 10 years. I have a V-Strom 650 in my fleet now. The Strom is more comfortable and has better wind protection. Has half the HP though, but if I want to go fast I have my Rocket III.
Get off your ass, and take us on a cross country ride. Take a week and just do it.
I own a ADV bike (modified Honda Varadero XL1000) and the reason for going ADV-bike is ergonomy.
The way I sit on the bike is the reason for going ADV, as a 6´2, 220lbs dad.
I dont care for any of the factors you mention at all - It is just pure comfort to the knees and back.
No gravel roads for me. It is all tarmac.
With enough torqe in the engine to tour with my wife for a few days, it needs to be able to carry all the load and still pass traffic.
Same here. I picked my ADV over sport tourers simply because my back and especially my knees just get along better with ADV ergos than sport touring ergos. I just treat my big ADV as a comfier sport tourer. No real offroad with it.
It really surprises me how much the argument of better ergos on the ADV gets lost and doesn't come up more as a strong point for them.
@@Gofr5
I'm guessing that the reason it doesnt comes up as often is that a lot of riders are sized, or fit enough to sit on a smaller bike. And taller riders are sort of being used to squeeze in on a bike.
But for me it is not possible because of the back and knees.
Also - the sport bike is often the benchmark for a motorcycle, and there you are kind of supposed/expected to be in a cramped race position over the tank...
Sport touring? Mando says “This is the way”.
N1K owner here. Great everyday bike. Plenty of power for almost everyone. I personally want to trade in and get the Versys 1000 so I can travel 2 up in more comfort. I love the inline 4.
My secret want currently is the one and only DR 650. Now I have to find a way to sneak in a new motorcycle into my garage without my wife realizing it.
N1K and DR650 owner here. Great combo. Recommended.
I got away with it for 3 days, then she didn't talk to me for a week. Godspeed, bruther.
@@benm468 nice. once i get the DR650, gonna make it into a true adventure motorcycle so I can go motocamping.
@@joelrosado680 it is a great bike to strap some gear onto, then head somewhere remote for the weekend
That "what if" thing you describe though is much more than just hypothetical. I have done most of my km on paved roads - from highway streches going 160km/h average with a Tiger 1050 to carving magnificent (and terryfyingly dangerous) mountain roads in Greece - but one of the greatest memories I have is off roading on a humble V strom 650 08 to a lake near Greek Albanian borders along with friends with jeeps and ADVs. And no, it couldnt be done with a sport tourer. ADVs are comfortable, can go pretty fast, and give you that access to places you simply cannot get with any sport bike, and that is more than enough reason IMO.
freeze it at 14:08 🤣😂
Ive never gravitated to ADV bikes because of looks. But my MT07 first bike is so uncomfortable for my wife we went and sat on a bunch and even a Goldwing haha. We laughed doing that but i was actually giving it an honest try. I view our bike as an activity we do together. She doesmt want to learn to ride so pillion will need to be comfortable. She cant go 45 minutes without getting very uncomfortable even with a comfort gel seat pad on our current bike. I want to go for multi hour rides in one direction. I dont need fully touring... Just some distance. Tracer 9 GT, Versys 1000, Moto Guzzi V100 have my eye right now.
I have the ktm 390 adv, bone stock. took it from coast to coast, a bit slow on the highway but also did some wicked single track and mountain passes. saw a ton of GS1300 totally geared out with perfect tires on them, no dirt or broken fairings. if you dont break it, you didnt ride it hard enough. helps to have a lot of dirtbike experience, but I feel even the lower end adv bikes can do all the adventures you could imagine. I have the gsx8r for general bs'ing around town and riding next to squids
I just straight traded my Enfield Scram 411 for a 2007 R1200RT. Much more practical for my riding and opens up a lot more paved roads for me to ride comfortably. I love a scrambler's style but so far I'm very happy
Spot on. I have two, sport tourer (multi v4s) and a mid sized adv. I have made several x-cntry trips on the v4s, a few dirt roads, etc..fits me quite well. Concerning ADV's, yup, took the ADV specific training, well worth it, but a discipline unto itself. Let's just say I am still learning!
Thank you!
Rode an R1150RT for a few years while stationed in Kansas. Great long hauler, even in horrible weather. Bought an R1200 GS Adventure a few years back. Of the two, the GSA has proven time and again to fit my kind of riding. Comfortable, handles well on and off road, reliable, and it never fails to be an attantion getter. Loved the 1150, but my next bike wil definitely be another ADV.
I love my SUV ADV bike. Load it up with everything I need, go on a grand adventure having fun with every twist of the throttle. Go on some adventures and enjoying every bit of it.
I have the CRF300L Rally. The little dual sport with wind protection. Tons of fun, and i actually go trails, and offroad alone.