Dual Sport or Adventure Bike? You Decide!

If you're in the market for a dual sport or adventure bike, this video is for you. We pitched two popular dual sport and adventure bikes (CRF250L and T7 world raid) head to head in a series of tasks, to help you decide.

#dualsport #adventurebike #crf250l #t7

[billmcmeekin]

I'm 56 years young and have pretty much hung up my single track MX whoop filled days. So three years ago bought a Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCTes. Put 21000 km on this big scooter across BC Rockies twin track, and throughout BC, Van island, living the dream. We tour multi week adventures, and camp off the bikes, very easily. A smaller bike would likely be a struggle. This bike tours forestry, twin track, highways, and through cities very well. It is heavier, but we don't single track, and know the limitations. Good 50/50 tires (Mitas E07) are a must! But really the best bike is the one you own and ride :⁠-⁠) Cheers from Canada

[mikeisland]

Great fun video. As a lifetime dual sport rider I have to say the T7 World raid is about the sexiest looking bike I've ever seen. If only they made a 600cc single dual sport version of it mixed with their WR450.

[Michael_Shay]

I think this is an interesting conversation and it pretty much always comes down to what you care about the most, road performance or dirt performance. The 50/50 would be something like a DRZ400, Husky 501/701, 500EXC/690, CRF450L, etc. Most of which would require better wind protection, in addition to the service intervals being shorter for everyone but the DRZ.

BUT I feel like something that is really important to consider is rider skill level. A lighter bike will always be more forgiving to somebody who isn't experienced. You can choose a lighter bike with more dirt capability and it will compensate for your lack of skill. A heavier, more powerful bike, is going to require more skill, and more thinking ahead. If you get to like the Chris Birch level of riding (obviously this is a extreme example) it doesn't really matter what bike you're on most of the time. Big bikes are usually capable of more than people think, the riders just aren't capable of doing those things.

All of this to say, I feel like people should invest more into themselves. Instead of spending a bunch of money on farkles, maybe consider taking some offroad classes, rider skill and education will carry over to any motorcycle you get on, whether it's big or small. Even the bare minimum is actually practicing exercises rather than jumping on it and relying on momentum and a prayer to get through obstacles (I'm guilty of this LOL).

[stefanhansen]

You guys' "down to earthness" is great. Good stuff!

[PatchedBandit]

Wet weight of that WR is most definitely more than 220 with all that gear on it ;) My normal T7 one is trail ready 222kg with much smaller crashbars. I also own a CRF300L as it's for the rides the T7 is too heavy for :)
Nice video guys!

[xcaceuk]

Another interesting video - thanks guys 🙏
After 20k CRF300/CRF250 miles and some time with the T7, I’d say that for the average dual sport rider wanting the most versatile ride the CRF300 is really hard to beat.
Try picking a loaded T7 out of a ditch.when riding solo
My choice is to stay off the motorways and take the roads less traveled and then the CRF comes into its own 🎶

[whitedrguy]

An adventure bike is in reality a heavy dual sport that is more road focused.

The best of both worlds is in my opinion a 650 single like a KTM/ Husky 690/701 or an AJP PR7 or the cheaper and rarer Suzuki DR650 se, the 650 single has the torque to handle road riding better than the 300 class bikes and less stress on the motor at higher speeds.

The 690/701 makes the same power as the T7 but weighs 40/50 kilos less, the AJP is around the 50/55 hp mark and the DR 40ish and they all weigh around the 160 Kg mark wet.

My T7 weighs in at 220 Kg wet with a few basic accessories fitted, my DR650 weighs 180 Kg wet with a larger fuel tank, bash plate and tools, so loaded with gear ready to travel is around the 200 Kg mark.

Owning 2 bikes is a luxury but only being able to ride one at a time is where the adventure begins.

If for example you live in Australia and want to ride in the UK and Europe and want to do some TET at the age of 63, what is the best bike to use ? A T7 or a DR 650 ?

Well I am shipping over my DR 650, why ? Because of the unknown factor, I don’t know what lies ahead of me when it comes to road conditions, both bitumen and dirt, so to err on the side of caution the DR makes more logical sense to me, lighter weight and a lot less to damage if dropped, ease of maintenance, cheaper on tyres and so forth, with the added bonus of even my old unfit body can pick the bike up, it will also sit on 70 MPH all day if needed with no fuss.

An adventure bike is a little pointless if you are too afraid to take it anywhere, no adventure in that. 😂😂😂😂

[ADobbin]

An ADV is a small touring bike primarily for road. If you are planning serious off road get a dual sport and modify to need.

[chriscooperCRF]

Another great video chaps, there's still no unicorn out there, always a compromise. 300 Rally is probably the closest 🤔

I need my T7 because I love it, just wish it magically changed into a 300L when I hit the trails 😅

[basilio_p]

dear, I had an Africa Twin 1100, too heavy to go on mountain trails alone. so I also bought a Crf300l and enjoyed it. then my wife didn't come with me anymore and so I took a Tenere 700 hoping that, keeping it light, I could use it in the mountains. after six months of happy travels with the Tenerè I still decided to keep the Crf300l, incomparable and easier to handle on dirt roads and in the mountains especially if alone. HI

[nobodyshero]

Love the T7. It would be too hard to leave in a foreign country if you hurt yourself. The Honda. Almost disposable. Not quite. But 10k difference. I would have both given the choice.

[DirtbikeXpeditions]

For any ride that is going to get technical, I default to my CRF300L…if it’s all slab, forest service roads, and two track…I’ll take the T7 every time. That bike just puts a smile on my face.

[Bowlin]

Enjoyed that guys. Having just completed the MotoJunkies Train for Trails course I’ve seen the T7 World in the hands of one of the instructors and it’s amazing what it can do. (In the right hands). But as a shortarse beginner I’ll stick with the CRF until I get more practice and skill.

[owenfarmer]

Exactly where I am now.. I have a 2011 F800 GS which is hands down the most versatile and easy bike to ride BUT my mates are drifting toward green lanes and I’m drifting toward sixty it’s gonna be one big ole beast to haul around.. i can see another bike getting flogged to add a 250 to the stable and have both( 1st world problem I know)

[jurgenwauters]

Owning a T7, i started doing some offroad with it. But as i have zero experience offroad, it was to heavy for me. I was more concerned of dropping it and not enjoying the ride. So... now i got two, a T7 and 300L, really enjoying offroad on the crf. Learning. I feel i will go places on it i wouldnt on the T7.
What's really funny is taking the T7 for a spin after a day offroading the Honda. What a big beast it feels then! 😅

[Ash]

Just brought a 2023 standard Ténéré 700, I preferred it after riding both the World Raid and standard T7, just felt the World Raid was too heavy and lacking in power, because of all that extra bulk and width out on the road..
Plus I’m only 5-10” tall, so the slightly lower seat height and more squishy suspension of the standard T7 won out for me, I still had the Low Link fitted, and can almost flat-foot it now. 👍🏻
Still running her in, but can’t believe how well it hustles out on the twisty back roads, and I’ve just come from a 2021 Yamaha Tracer-9 GT..😄

[stanleyknife]

Good test. I haven’t ridden the CRF, but have had a ride on the T7 - loved it. The engine suits the bike really well and as you already know it is brilliant on the road.

[bamills]

One needs multiple bikes. I have a GSA for my 2k mile across the USA rides. The T7 for Local weekend camping trips, Then the KLX 300 for single tracks and Florida sugar sand- trails.

[soshsiB]

Nice comparison 👍🏼 my personal preference is the CRF. More nimble, simple to live with.
Well done guys 😊

[livelongrideonover]

That was a fun. Thanks guys. I am fortunate enough to have one of each (Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro & Voge 300 Rally). And, as you say, they each have their place. It's good to have the best of both worlds.