Adventure Bike Truth

Adventure Bike Truth - Marketing V Reality

I take a look at what the marketing people tell us about adventure bikes and compare that to reality.

Video footage from:

[TimRHillard]

First time you drop a 600lbs bike, and have to pick it up by yourself in sloppy conditions… you realize what this guy is saying is so true.

[bertbirge]

Finally someone that gives a true review!! YES!!! I have an Africa Twin and would trade it for nothing!! I love this bike! But it's just like this review says.. it's for touring and a little off road (gravel roads).. not heavy off road or single tracks!!!

[feezee]

I used to ride KTM 690 Enduro. That was a truly capable off road bike. Rode it in every terrain possible, even rode it on a sandy motocross track once. But even that bike felt too heavy and powerful. The way that I see it, the main advantages that big adventure bikes have is that they are far more comfortable on long trips, can carry much more cargo, and have bigger fuel tanks. But smaller bikes are far better at pretty much everything else.

[Hopeless_and_Forlorn]

When I tried off road riding over fifty years ago, I immediately concluded that any bike that weighed more than a hundred kg should stay on the pavement. I could pick up my CZ 250 when I dropped it and carry on. When people began claiming that bikes weighing more than 220 kg were suitable for off-road adventuring, I went to a Honda dealer and looked at an Africa Twin, just to see how big it really was. I decided that somebody was lying. As Itchy Boots Noraly nears the end of her solo journey from South America to the northern reaches of Alaska, her Honda CRF 300 has proven the lie. Smaller really is better.

[bikesbabes]

I could not agree with you more!!
I upgraded from Gs1200 to T700.
My next upgrade will be a CRF300👍

[windshieldraindrops]

Here in India a 100cc bike does everything at everywhere for years without fail 😊

[eyedrz]

You just said what I've felt for years. Downsized to a KTM 390 Adventure and couldn't be happier when the paved road ends.

[Spiderwebsider]

Choose the right tool for the job. It really is that simple. I have an Africa Twin and a KTM 350. Would I use the Africa Twin for riding technical single track or straight out rough as guts bush bashing? Of course not, it’s highly capable for what it is, but it’s too heavy. By the same token, would I load up the 350 with gear, slab it out 1000 ks to Broken Hill, camp overnight, and then spend a week riding The Flinders? Absolutely not. Two completely different bikes, two completely different purposes. It’s like comparing a shotgun to a rifle: they are both firearms, but that is about the only thing they have in common.

[TitanJ]

I have an 05 GS 1200 and I love it.
I'll go on gravel roads occasionally.
We see these beautiful slow motion videos but realize that the people riding in them are many times the equivalent to an Olympic athletes.
I don't watch the Olympics then go jump on the parallel bars and say, hold my beer and watch this!!
Truthful video, thanks.

[heleti]

I was VERY reticent about buying a Royal Enfield Himalayan because of the minimal HP - eventually the price and the fact it was the only “Adventure” type bike that I could “flat-foot” decided for me. Having been riding for over 50 years and numerous bikes from a “Postie” to Trail Bikes and big HP Suzukis / Kawasaki road bikes, the 24HP was initially a concern BUT if you forget about electronics completely controlling how you ride and actually use the gears as they were meant to be used, 24HP is sufficient even for cruising at 100kph on the highway but becomes eminently suitable and useable in the bush - especially with similar Torque figures. I can slowly chug up steep loose inclines, while my mates on big KTM’s and BMW’s are sliding hopelessly backwards with their rear wheels spinning at insane revs. Yep - a big difference between marketing dreams and reality.

[Thromby]

While I agree mostly with this video, its about being true to yourself in what you want, what you're going to do and the compromises you are willing to make.
Are the big ADV bikes heavy? yes. The down side to it is when you gotta pick them up, or go down slippery steep trails. But the upside is I can carry all my camp gear, get where I am going without being blown all over the road from trucks, feeling more stability on gravelly roads. Do you need 100HP? Yes and no. On the trails with no luggage? No I agree, its a hinderance more than help. BUT 100HP with a bike full of luggage, on a freeway that everyone is doing minimum 85-90mph, yes. ADV bikes are geared to do everything. In this, you are going to do nothing the best. I am personally ok with it as I understand the limitations of my bike, I understand other bike are better in some situations than mine, but by the same token, those better bikes off road are way worse in other areas than my bike. Would I want to take the light and nimble 390 down to the dragon on the freeway with all my gear, hell no. Is it better on single track than my Tiger? In some circumstances, yes, in others no. One example I noticed is the 390 being so light is horrible compared to the Tiger on things like deep gravel roads. The Tiger feels like a boat cutting the water, easy to steer and maneuver on it, the 390 feels like a rowboat in high waves in it. Like anything, you got to get to know your capabilities, and also important, your bikes. (I own a 2015 too-top-heavy Triumph Tiger Explorer XC and a KTM 390 Adventure (which has been in the shop since Oct :/ ).

[rel]

Dude, you are hilarious -- I laughed out loud in multiple parts of this video! Your no-hype delivery and dry humour are perfect. This is the brutally honest commentary that no one else will do. I have a Super Ténéré...so I know a thing or two about "heavy" (it even surpasses your Africa Twin weight-wise). It's a "travel bike", and a very good one; but I shan't be taking it on much more than gravel or dirt...sure as heck won't be going through mud or sand!

[jimbrown]

I bought a DR650 years ago. Not even sure why I bought it, because I was very unexcited by it. Turned out to be a superb bike. Very capable in most conditions, comfortable, next to no maintenance. Guy who owned it before me rode it from the US to Brazil and back. Now I just stick to dirt. That's where I have the most fun.

[somestuffithoughtyoumightl]

Be honest about your intended use and you’ll choose the right bike.
Get a small bike, but consider how you’ll get to those single tracks.
Get a big bike and learn how far you personally can take it.
I have a big, heavy Super Ténéré, that works great for where I live; more touring focused (as stated), but It does off road surprisingly well.

[desgoslett]

There is good reason why the bikes competing in the annual Dakar race are 200-450cc engine capacity

[daltonknox]

I'm on my third adventure bike in 20 years. For older riders they offer the most relaxing riding position. I occasionally go up gravel roads, but have no interest in serious off-roading.

[MotoVania]

I actually had a deposit on an AT abs was convinced it was the be all end all ADV for me. But luckily before the 2022s came in I had a realization that I’d really have more capability and a better time on a dual sport. I’m 2 months in on my 300L Rally and loving every minute of it

[Splintermill]

Yet another spot on video, Shonky! I’ve always been a Honda geek, and anyone who is has no doubt drooled over an ad or brochure of an Africa Twin. Picked up my 300 rally a few weeks ago, and the dealer had a used AT I looked over and sat on for a bit. BEAUTIFUL machine, but I would never even think of attempting a back country ride on that monster! Week long touring ride? Absolutely where that machine fits. Hats off to those who choose to wrestle these huge machines, for me I’ll just pack a bit lighter! Ride Red, ride on!

[hdcvisser]

I took my Multistrada with standard Pirelli 17 inch tires across Africa - South Africa, Namibia, Angola etc - over hills, mountains, deserts, sea, sand and much more - no issues except for burst backtires which I had to get guys to fly in spares. Most awesome trip - alone - but then I was at that time seriously competing in S1 Supermoto Nationals as well as Off-road races such as Roof of Africa etc. It can be done, and most enjoyable - camping in the veldt, where you want, not seeing another human for 100kms. At exactly 118km/h, the Ducati lifts out of the sand and becomes a plaything, wheelies galore... What you said is 100% accurate though as you will need experience to do it and the crappy feeling of trying not to crash an expensive bike in the middle of nowhere. The Multi itself came through with flying colours - with the last couple of 100km's home, flat-out on highways. My reason was that I still wanted a quick bike on tar with off-road abilities. That in itself is a complete and utter BS statement from marketeers as my first trip from South Africa to France through Africa was on a standard BMW RT with full fairings - NOT an off-road at all. As you mentioned - weight kills it. The problem here is also - even if you use a smaller bike, all the gear you have to take along also weighs a ton - making small bikes terrible on tar. I'm ranting more than giving my previous experiences but I would still take a larger, more powerful bike - what is now deemed "middle weight", rip off all the crap you do not need, make it as light as possible, and just go for it - add more powerful lights, try and get rid of all electronics..but this time more relaxed and not the almost 300km per hour top speeds that you used to do. My incoherent 2c worth...

[jeepinj]

For what it’s worth, I own a 1090 Adventure R, my dad owns an Africa twin, I know it’s not ever going to be the fastest bike on single track but I’ve put 30k miles on it (in under 3 years), ridden across the country, out of the country, ridden single track in the middle of nowhere, I truly have had many adventures on it. I decided buying a bike with that much capability would test me as a rider and improve my skills and it’s done that quite well. It has a ton of trail rash and shows proper use. I really have crossed rivers, ridden over mountains, sand, mud, etc.

You have a great point, it’s a big undertaking for a lot of riders, but so is hopping on a sportbike, 2 stroke dirt bike, or big Harley. There’s always more people encouraging you to try them then people trying to caution you. And to that I say riding a motorcycle is a dangerous endeavor, you throw caution to the wind every time you get on one, and if you’re not grinning ear to ear when you dump your 500lb $10k+ ADV bike you’re going about motorcycling the wrong way.