3 reasons NOT to get a BIG Adventure Bike | The Right Choice: Part 1

I guess there is a tool for every job. Most people are not interested in Enduro riding. Not everyone is into technical climbs, rock gardens and drowning bikes in waist deep mud. Most riders can only afford one bike, so that bike needs to be versatile. Must be able to carry a passenger, commute to work, capable of touring and have the option to explore offroad. That’s why midsize ADV are hugely popular, they are the perfect tool to cover large distances, explore new forest paths, chew hundreds of Kms of corrugations, and go on remote camping adventures. It really depends where you live and the type of riding you do. Me fore instance, I love riding offroad, but I got rid of my enduro bikes and moved to mid-size ADVs. The closest trails are 60Km from my home, doing that stretch of highway on a dual sport is exhausting. Loading a bike on the trailer every Saturday is not my cup of tea, and I want to spend my scarce free time riding a bike rather than driving a car, adjusting straps on a trailer and also having to do frequent maintenance intervals. Having two bikes would be ideal, but not everyone can afford it

I’m 62. I’m getting to the point where even my trusty ol’ DR650 ‘ADV’ is getting too heavy. After I’ve dropped it four or five times in rough going, I start to lose interest. I wish, wish, wish somebody would build a sub-350 lb ‘ADV’ with decent off-road chops, decent highway manners and a little wind protection, making 40-50 HP and equivalent torque. That’s all I want or need, and I’d gladly pay a premium for it. Especially if it comes with cruise control and all the other modern farkles. Come on, manufacturers, I’m just sitting here waiting to throw money at you, and I’m never going to buy even one of your “middleweight” ADVs - even those are just too much for me off-road.

At 70 I’ve been riding long and hard for over fifty years. A few months ago I added an Africa Twin DCT to my garage. While I agree with most of what’s argued here, I’d add a few caveats. First, “off road” for me (and most?) means off tarmac; plenty of interesting off tarmac is available where I live. I paid about 50% off MSRP for a fully farkled low mileage “pre-loved” example - if it gets bruised, it gets bruised. I’ve got other bikes (sport/road and lighter off road) to ride; I wouldn’t want a big dual purpose for my only bike. Bottom line? It depends . . . and, I really enjoy the Africa Twin.

Yep, 80 years old, bought a 2022 CB500X, 439 lbs added 45 lbs of engine/crash guard, tool box, skid plate, pannier and luggage racks, and I can pick it up.

My opinion: you have to chose the right bike for your needs! Heavy @bikes fit perfect for a long trip through the continent, but are totaly wrong for single track. Still, they are surprisingly capable, as long as the wheels turn.. The golden rules are: -Never go in gnarly Terrain all alone with big bikes, you will need some hands to get out of troubles. - Never go with mixed bikes, i mean light dual sport and big heavies together. It will always be a stress for the extreme opposits. -don't take too much stuff with you, even when big bikes offer the space for you. You will hate every kg you carry for nothing, including bling bling on your bike, when it's getting tough. But conquering a difficult trail on heavy bikes together with your mates, helping each other can also be a fantastic feeling, like:"yeah, we did it!"

Just went on a 6 day logging road adventure with a handful of people. Some with big bikes (like me on my africa twin) and some with smaller bikes (like CRF300 and DR650s) and I can confirm this 100%. While I had to slow down for every corner, those on lighter bikes could ride much faster and had WAY more fun in the end.

Great to see someone tell it as it is! I rode a KLR650 from U.S. through South America. I met many on road with big bikes, they toured great on paved but off-road were nightmares while I had zero problems! One friend on a GS spent more just shipping his bike home from Peru after catastrophic failure then I spent on mine including buying cost and maintenance for 1 year 50000km!!!

I agree 100%. I've ridden a HD from Arkansas to Yukon, CA and a 1200cc Yamaha Super Tenere to Alaska and Artic Circle. The HD was much more comfortable, had cruise control and CB radio. Only rode the Tenere on dirt on the Dalton Highway so much better than an HD on that short 400 miles. Also rode a Dual Sport KTM 350 from east coast to west coast on the Trans America Trail (TAT). Saw lots of big adventure bikes on the TAT but dual sport is only way to go on that type of riding. Best dual sport is the Yamaha WR250R!!!! BTW I was in my late 60's and early 70's when I made those rides.

I believe Ewan and Charlie certainly fueled the big bike adventure craze. I wonder how many people were disappointed to find out they didn’t come with chase trucks and a group of people working out the logistics for them

Fully agree. Im going to swap my KLR650 for the Honda CRF300L. "LIGHT IS RIGHT"

Great video. I love my huge adventure touring bikes, because I don't take them off road. They are great touring bikes, yes you can get cheaper bikes to tour on, but nothing beats the all day comfort and low maintenance of a shaft drive upright seating bike.

I recently sat on a Africa Twin at a dealership. I couldn't believe how BIG it was. There's no way I would want such a big and heavy bike. Now I'm much better suited with a Honda CB500X...also known as the half-frica twin.

I had a air cool R1200GS for 6 years. It really surprised me how good it was offroad. It was a bit big and heavy but just manageable for me at 5'6. It was easy to pick up as the cylinders stopped it from falling over all the way. I would recommend one of these if you do want to try off roading on a big bike. Just keep a bit of money spare for shaft drive repairs.

Excellent video. Very well thought out and expressed points to consider before buying a big adventure bike.

Absolutely well said. I’ve made this mistake and couldn’t be happier having gone to my DR650. The heaviest I’ll go now is a T7 and that’s pushing the weight limit.

My dealer tells me that most adventure bikes are bought by older riders and never taken off road. No rider over 60 is going to spend hour after hour on a sport bike. Compared with a cruiser, ABs have a much better riding position, resembling riding a horse, whereas a cruiser has your legs forward and all your weight on your tailbone. They are also a couple of hundred pounds lighter which makes them more fun to ride. In the last 20 years, I have had 3 ABs: a 2003 V-Strom 1000, a 2015 Multistrada (total POS, will never buy another Ducati) and a 2020 1290 SAS which I rate as a great ride. Yes, I was sad to sell my R1, but I could ride it for less than 30 minutes, particularly in town, before I was worn out. Again ABs are perfect bikes for older riders and I am delighted that manufacturers are embracing them.

Once again some Solid Advice! Now that I am getting older, my Tiger 900GT does have some weight and even though I just ride dirt roads, I am concerned with the bike wants a nap and I have to pick it up...I have done a few small things to reduce weight like installing a Lithium battery and removed some items that I hardly use... So thanks, you have raised some valid points! David...Adelaide...Tiger 900GT & Scrambler 900.....

good video and good advice too, we all ride and we all have different levels and experience , so get out there and ride , enjoy , for me i have been riding off road for years and now been looking for something with longer legs but still very capable off road so i have purchased a ktm 690 enduro R , just turned over 90 k , so yeap its new , very impressed so far , its good weight , well balanced , good power ,and fun bike to ride , ill keep you updated . cheers Steve/ Geraldton

As always, solid commentary on a complex topic with countless opinions. Big bikes can mean big fun and big challenges. I've been riding and teaching on a KTM 990 in the woods, mountains and deserts for 15 years, and as it was my 1st "dirtbike" one of your comments stood out to me as very accurate. If you don't have a deep desire to invest the time and effort to learn how to ride these bikes off-road (and I don't mean off-tarmac) ....don't waste your time and money. You will at best inconvenience and frustrate yourself and at worst endanger others. And while many trainings focus on picking up these beasts, I start from the other end of the spectrum. Before I accept an off-road student, I have them send me a video of their ability let that bike fall to the ground. If you cannot walk up to your brand new $20k motorcycle and nock it off its kickstand into the dirt, you are not going out into the woods with us. The only thing that keeps a 500lb bike upright is balance and momentum. When people are more focused on damaging their bike than keeping it moving in tough conditions, bad things WILL happen. There is nothing worse when maneuvering a big bike than creeping along because you are scared to drop it. My suggestion...get over that fear, wear those scratches and dents as a badge of honor. If you can't do that, maybe just stick to the roads with your big ADV bike. Thanks for all your great content!

SO TRUE I went from a BMW GS1250 to a KTM 980 to a BMW G310GS.. I have 45 years of experience riding Street bikes and almost nothing off road. I love everything abouth these comfort mamouth 500lbs+ couches on wheels but, grew tired of having to pick them up. I wanted to enjoy riding not fight Mike Tyson each time I fell off or got stuck in the mud. With a large ADV one can't ride alone. It's just too stressful having to worry do I have to call someone for help if I couldn't get untuck from the mud. Now five years later and a 375Lbs G310GS I can ride all day with no worries. I have the TAT and Continental Divide under my belt I'm also planning a solo trip to South America (Patagonia) then onto Europe. Sure I had to do a some mods and upgrade to the suspension and wire wheels but now I can finally focus on enjoying my trips not fighting with it. Sure there are some drawbacks but it's worth it. A smaller ADV is the way to go if you truly want to travel 90% off road. Big ADV bikes are perfect if you want to look good and travel mostly on pavement.