Cheap vs. expensive motorcycle adventure | On Two Wheels

How different is the riding experience on a rugged classic like the Honda XR650L versus a high-tech marvel like BMW’s R 1300 GS Trophy, and can money really buy you a better adventure? We headed north on sections of the all-new Northern California Backcountry Discovery Route with these wildly different bikes to find out, stopping along the way to take in the scenery and explore both ends of the adventure and dual-sport spectrum. What kind of adventure do you prefer, low-tech and simple, or fully modern? Let us know in the comments!”

[jamesgreen]

I take the XR every day. The BMW is turning into the 2-wheeled version of a G-Wagon. It started off very purposeful and now crams more and more tech into something that you're almost afraid to off road and it sort of isolates you from many of the things that made you want to ride in the first place.

[Hanky_Bannistr]

I have a 1994 Xr650L. It always starts and runs no matter how long it sits. 6 month old fuel and a low battery ? Nah it's as loyal and reliable as a black lab.

[carveroutdoors]

That jump on the XR650 was huge dude, mad props.

[adamschoedel]

"This is going to be more challenging on the GS than on the XR." - That quote says it all. One bike makes it easy, and the other one weighs a ton and costs $30.000.

[jahyoda]

There's a certain anxiety that comes with a $30k bike in the middle of nowhere...can ruin a trip....HONDA for the absolute Gnarly Backcountry

[DWRECKED]

30% of the whole video was just them seeing who could catch the most and I loved every minute of it! Great job.

[skyshadow]

Dude is clearly a pro, the distance and composer of that jump on the XR was impressive.

[MotoCocoADV]

You literally passed my property on the cool Rail Road Flat Road onto Sheep Ranch Road excellent riding, (CHP does there 2xs a year Moto Training here at FULL SPEED 50MPH) I do NOT recommend ..I don't even do 50 on my bike lol...but ANYONE wanting to Moto Camp close to the Part 3 section... just message me ..for Cocos Moto-Camp.. I'd love to host yall...just the basics..but free!

[jonwoodworker]

I will pick up a used XR650, and DR650, and a new 800DE and still have $10k left over for other fun stuff.

[jamesonpace]

Dirt or tarmac, with those twisties, who cares? I can afford a BMW but I'll never, ever spend $30k on a bike. Never, ever, ever....

[Attila_Dori]

XR650, DR650 and DRZ400 are today's best things still. I love how you can still buy them pretty much unchanged.

[adam]

REAL adv enthusiasts brew their own coffee like civilized people... XR people raid coffee plantations in the night and roast their own beans over a camp-fire by hand one. bean. at. a. time.

[ArturoEspinosaAldama]

This is why the new hot category is the lightweight ADV bike, such as the CFMoto 450 Ibex and the Hymalayan, and the japanese and BMW are already coming up with products to compete in this niche. These 1000+ cc bikes will look like dinosaurs in a few years: the fun vs value factor is just not there. I myself have a DR650 and took a guided tour through Baja. I was the only mid-range dual sport of the lot, the rest were 900cc Tigers and BMWs 1200... guess who had the most fun and didn't fall not even once. I was really getting annoyed of having to stop to help pick up somebody every few miles, and of course they sent me to the back to watch out for others, because the heavies couldn't control their bikes' weight. Amazing how people have bought into this ridiculous modality of heavy adventure bikes... the only plus is that they had so much more fun on the tarmac, but I was keeping up with them in the twisties, no problem!

[Dpezz]

The road jump on the xr was frigging crazy but when the gs floated over the log like it was nothing well i was just shocked. Equally impressive. You guys truly love to ride and you can see that through this video. Good job guys!

[MA]

I've had both a DR650 and XR650L. I still have the XR. The DR is smoother and the XR is more connected, probably due to the lack of cush drive. The XR rocks man, but I miss the DR for sure. That DR eats up highway miles like nothing while the XR vibrates a bit more and is less stable at speed. Just my real-life experience opinion.

[armadilllo]

had three GSs, I'll take the XR any day

[latituderider]

I "downgraded" from a T7 back to a DR650. I liked the T7, but it taught me I really love the DR for rides like this.

[hobbyventure]

I have an Xr650L and an f800gs. I really love them both. The 800 is a parallel twin and so smooth. Perfect for exploring gravel and logging roads with lots of luggage. Plenty for adv. The XR is my dual sport bike for hill climbs, rough roads, and even single track. Each bike has its place in my garage.

[paulsmith]

Even if I get it for free, I'll choose the Honda over the BMW any day of the week.

[VVoltz]

BEST episode since I can remember. GREAT hosts, this video is EXACTLY what On Two Wheels was and continues to be, thank you guys. This was insanely enjoyable!