Adventure bike

[idaida98]

Reccomendations,thoughts,the good,the bad,the ugly. Africa twin, Vstrom others.No Beemers please?


 

[Ron in Buffalo]

If $ is not a factor- I would buy the Yamaha Tenere 700. IF $ is a factor a DR650 or KLR650.  I do ride a Beemer a old thumper F650GS. Had a Tiger and a R1100GS both were to big for what I want to do. Remember the biggest factor can you pick it up if you drop it.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Just like any other bike style, there are lots of variables in the adv bike market. The biggest thing that seems to be a factor in how far "off-road" you go is weight. That said, there are very skilled dirt riders who can take a heavy ADV bike deeper into the bush than most of us would go on a dedicated dirtbike.

Personally, I have a V Strom. It was much less expensive than some other options, and buying used made it that much cheaper. It's a good bike, and I don't worry about being stranded any more than I would about the Valk. Most of my off-pavement riding is forest roads, "unimproved" roads, and very light trails. My V Strom on decent tires will go as far as I feel comfortable taking it. I'm the limitation; not the bike. It makes a pretty kick arse sport tourer, too. My friend says the Strom is the "Swiss Army knife of motorcycles". I can't really disagree. It may not be the best in any particular category, but it's a great all a-rounder.

No first hand experience with any other ADV style bikes, though. Most everybody I know with one enjoys it.

[f-Stop]

Have you seen the "new" KLR650?  Kawasaki has kinda re-done the thing.  I went to test ride one at my nearby Kawasaki dealer recently and they had unexpectedly shut down, so no test ride.

Anyway, I figure the KLR650 would be a good knock around bike here in the Texas Hill Country.  There's plenty of dirt county roads and places to explore on a bike like that.  Also, the KLR650 is reasonably priced and proven quality.

Of course, I don't think you'd go wrong with an Africa Twin, especially if you're thinking about touring.  Honda also makes a XR650L that's fairly basic, but nice.  Plus, they just announced a CRF 300L Rally.  Looks nice.  I have a CRF250X  that is a great trail bike.  Fast and reliable.

Have you looked into the KTM line?  Or maybe the Triumph line?  I have a KTM 250 SX dirt bike in the garage that my son rides and it has an amazing design/build quality.  I know some folks that will not ride anything else.  I also have a friend who spent a year touring Vietnam and Cambodia on a KTM a few years back.  I think that speaks for their quality.

Can you tell I've kinda been lookin' into adventure bikes?  I can't decide if I want a bigger tour model or a smaller knock around bike.  Either way, I've been keeping my eyes and ears open for a used model.  Top of the list for me are either BMW or KTM for touring.  For knock around, the KLR650.