Adventure Bike Truth

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.

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!!!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Adventure bikes have the same problem as Mountain bikes. There is no beer, women, or good restaurants out in the wilderness.

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

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

Great points. I love my V-Strom 650; I put some Michelin 80/20 adventure tires on it and it is surprisingly capable off-road, but I have no illusions of it being a hardcore off-road bike. I spend most of my time on-road, but I like being able to turn off and explore wherever I feel like it. If I had a second bike, it would definitely be a small dual-sport. I like the names you suggested: "Travel bike" or "Off-road Touring bike". That's pretty much how I see mine.

Right on point. I was almost sucked in recently. What saved me was that all those big adventure bikes were all too freaking tall for me. On top of that they failed to properly address short riders. So, I was so pissed that I bought a used Sport Touring bike instead and I'm very happy with my decision since I had enough money left to buy a much smaller 300 cc dirt bike so I could go and do some real adventure. Thanks for proving I did the right thing.

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 :/ ).

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.

The best bike is the most comfortable you feel when you are on . Simple, neat and concrete truth. Kudos mate, agree with you on each point.

I cannot believe what I just watched. A bloke that actually knows what he is talking about. Good Job!