Why A LIGHTWEIGHT ADVENTURE BIKE Will Never Be Built | EICMA Disappointment

[@orical2832]

If a Japanese manufacturer made a 500cc 'Honda 300 Rally' equivalent, it would be a huge success... 50-60hp, ≥160kg, 6th 'tall' gear, range of 350-400km, services 8,000-10,000km- That'll be my everything bike.

[@212driller]

Same here bud. There's still hope.

[@kellyheath6293]

Count me in on that one

[@justsomedude445]

no you would find a reason not to buy it

[@glennwr450]

Bring back the XR 650r

[@justsomedude445]

@@glennwr450 but 2cyl and e-start and and and

[@jeffbethke4218]

Great video with excellent points. I too have multiple bikes and agree with your general assessment. But you overlooked another opportunity that seems possible. A DRZ400 with a 6 speed transmission and fuel injection. That's probably why you have the Honda 450.

[@BornAGoon]

Thank you Jeff

[@shanebrown2963]

Ya we never went to the moon! So I guess we are screwed.

[@MrTmax74]

Agreed

[@brentfrank7012]

I purchased my 2012 F800 with this in mind. I cut a bunch of weight, added 21” x 18” steel wheels, let Racetech create great suspension. I had about the closest thing I could get my hands on. I’ve been enjoying it for a long time now and it just keeps on going. In my garage it’s my dirt bike.

[@motomoto7082]

I'm pretty happy with the KTM 690 Enduro R. Some mods are needed to help it be the bike I want it to be but it was pretty close right out of the crate. Coming off an extremely moded KLR, the KTM is light years ahead of it. It vibrates a LOT less and oil change intervals at 6,200 miles don't seem too often to me. I will still change it every 4k miles or so but I would do the same on a DR or KLR as well. I get the point though. I have 6 bikes and they all serve a purpose. Keep up the videos. I enjoy watching.

[@BornAGoon]

I think the 690 is my next bike

[@toothasaurus]

I have owned a klr, 690, t7 and Ktm 500exc. The 690 is as close as you can get to the unicorn. But man do I love my 500exc. If I have learned anything, you need multiple bikes.

[@archiewilson4943]

My friend's 690 SM had the frame crack. No reason. No crashes, the guy is not big on wheelies. Just broke next to where the frame slider is. If KTM's were reliable...

[@chriscoughey2263]

If you put bark busters with the built in handle bar weights on your singles you kiss most of the vibration goodbye. I have a exc500 and absolutely love it! I don't think I'll ever get rid of it.

[@aaronpfaff2533]

@@archiewilson4943 the sliders are why it cracked. Harmonics of that weight vibrating. Widely known in the 690/701 sm world

[@bigcornel9302]

Great video. I am not a 50/50 rider, and I will never be one, but I would love to see something like CRF 450 Rally (that has 300 Rally service intervals) or T5. I would buy that bike without hesitation.

[@BornAGoon]

Thanks for watching

[@bigcornel9302]

@@BornAGoon My pleasure. I really enjoy your channel. Cheers!

[@dualsportscandinavia353]

Stoked! Write to Yamaha and suggest the Tenere 500 as an extended model series to the Tenere 155, 700 and 900. Come back and report 🏁

[@mikeisland7382]

Should be able to build up your Honda for light adventure with 20L onboard around 330lbs. Probably get a KTM500 built up similarly closer to 300lbs. Would sure be sweet to see Yamaha step up to the table with a dual sport WR500. Thanks for keeping the dream alive.

[@BornAGoon]

Thanks for watching

[@nickredvideo]

KTM 390 ADV is as close as you will get off the shelf; it’s more road based than many want, but put nobblies and a smaller front sprocket and it’s better off-road. The engine is great fun on the road.

[@BornAGoon]

I like the 390

[@dualsportscandinavia353]

Wet weight 379 lbs (172 kg) is way to heavy for serious 50/50, Was surprised how bad the components (brakes clutch etc) were and how poorly the chassis was balanced. The chassis felt clumsy and heavier than 660 Tuareg, T7. It also lacks suspension, spoked wheels, low end grunt, high ground clearance and so forth! 490 Adventure + Enduro might not have been a bit better.. If Norden 501 and 501 Enduro can get Dna from Fe350-701 Enduro, then maybe there is some hope!

[@scotthartley5386]

The 2019+ KTM 690R has a revised engine and is pretty darn smooth. I think this is a perfect light weight adventure bike with the proper setup. Hopefully KTM we'll realize this too

[@BornAGoon]

Its close

[@djolecar88]

Once you get on a smooth bike that glides the highway you realize how not smooth that KTM is. There are times when I'll tour 9+hrs a day and the vibrations add up...

[@tbex8606]

I just want them to put twin tanks of the 450L and a rally tower for styling. Call it the 450L rally... then make it around the tenere price tag. I'd buy a single with twin tanks and rally looks. Hell yeah... unfortunately if I want a rally bike atm, I'm looking at spending 30k.

[@JohnRushworth]

You make some good points about the modern market, however I’ve been a 50/50 rider in my younger years - but for that you have to accept machine compromises and you can have the 50/50 machine to match. I guess it’s what you in the US call a Dualsport. The weight 300 to 350 lbs but power 30 to 45 bhp. Available on the market (still) in the US you have the Honda XR650L. Put on a big tank, some tyres like Pirelli MT21 Rallycross, some (not much) soft luggage and off you go. Simple to maintain too. The closest I’ve had were the Honda XR400R which I rode across Europe from UK on and off-road, also Morocco. XR600R in California and Baja and a Gilera RC600R in UK. I could go pretty much anywhere on those bikes, save trials type sections. I had the XR400R geared up a bit to help on the road. Those XRs were bombproof motors too. Currently though, now after 53 years riding and 53 motorcycles I enjoy my Triumph GT Pro, 99% on-road. It’s got the 19” front wheel. I changed the tyres to Dunlop Mutants and the front size to 110/80 for more on road ability but still with the option to do the occasional fire-road. I guess it all comes down to what compromises you are prepared to accept. When I needed more trials type ability I went smaller and lighter like a 12 bhp 1986 Honda TLR250R. 6 speed box, twin fuel tanks, one below the seat, the other conventional with the airbox in the headstock. It would cruise at 60 mph on the road, but could climb things no rallye bike could. In fact I entered it in a Rallye in Wales and beat most of the big bikes - simply because the wee bike kept going when they couldn’t. Compromise and enjoy…

[@mazoviaadv5536]

My 790AdvR comes darn close to unicorn. I shed some good kgs and now it's ~195kg with fuel and with enduro tires plus tubliss system, suspension tuning, steering damper. This bike over terrain I am riding is not performing worse than dual sports. On the other hand I have no problem riding 140km/h on tar except maybe for tire wear. I had a chance to compete on it in Rally event and my special stages times were equal to average time in single cylinder class. Also rode with buddy of mine on EXC-F350 and he stayed behind for the most part. In a bit more difficult terrain I was able to ride over everything he was. Situation would change in mountains and rocky terrain, but that is not where I ride. In sandy/forrest, flat terrain it is my unicorn and I recommend to anyone both the bike and mods

[@BornAGoon]

That is a wicked bike

[@kamax7672]

This is my choice as well, what mods did you do to get the weight down?

[@mazoviaadv5536]

@@kamax7672 lipo battery, decat&muffler, narrow rims with tubliss, single disc, EVAP, and removed lots of unnecessary crap.

[@jackbower8671]

Bought my 2020 YZ250X to be my adventure bike. 3.2gal IMS tank, poly skid plate, Acerbis bark busters, 8in front light bar and Acerbis rear taillight. I am meticulous on maintenance tho. I really want a rack like my BF's TW200 tho. I take it everywhere, from riding to work, cruise down dirt roads, tight slow technical and orv trails with my buddies quads and 450 dirtbikes and can hit Silverlake Sand Dunes and hit all of the hills.. I'm no pro by any means but the thing is awesomesauce! Mostly do back road cruising and tight technical so the dunes and pavement are a compromise, but i cant complain

[@dustinanderson4809]

Some good points... however I think the market has come close a few times and those bikes have sold well. T7, 500x, 390adv, DRZ400, and various 650 dual sports are all great examples. I dont think the "Unicorn" necessarily needs to be 600+ CC. It just needs to be a competent offroad machine still capable of Decent freeway riding. And to that end I think the sweet spot truly lies in the 400-500cc range. Either a big single or small Ptwin. Rumors have circled about an NX500 Dominator in the works. Wich if it follows through with its traditional Enduro frame with fairings could very well be that bike. KTM is also said to be working on a 490ADV Ptwin that could hit the mark as well.

[@BornAGoon]

True maybe its not build because of money it would ruin sales

[@vojtal182]

I would say 500-600 is the sweet spot.50-60hp, higher torque with flat curve. So that it can do 130kmph on a highway with a passenger. Electronically adjustable suspension to behave well on road and off. Around 450lbs/200kg to make it realistic. I think the required power is probably the most overrated thing out of the other criteria. Honda 500x kind of fits those specs, but the frame, suspension, cast wheels and engine are very road oriented. I want a sturdier frame that doesn't use the engine for support. 20+cm ground clearence. Wire wheels. Less power more torque engine with lower revs. I was hoping for something like that from the transalp. But they created a Hornet with bigger wheels. IMO they don't build it because it would mean a completely new platform. New frame, new engine. They rather slightly adjust what they have. They almost nailed with Tenere 700. It could have a bit lower center of gravity. And if they made it 500cc with 50hp and slightly ligher, it would be ideal.

[@simonbarrow479]

@@vojtal182 Rally Raid conversion of Honda500x gets you closer

[@C_R_O_M________]

@@vojtal182 200 kg is too much! The old 950 Super Enduro with a 1000CC engine (LC8) weighted less than 200Kg. My 500 EXC weights 130kg and if it had a bigger oil and gas tank it'd be the perfect bike for me. The power is enough. Almost the same power to weight ratio as my old 990 ADV R.

[@meder07]

@@C_R_O_M________ Have had all three at the same time, now just the 990A and 500EXCF. Compromises across the board. The 950SE was my favourite but to get any kind of mileage (~120miles) I ran the Exxon Valdez tank which just made it super top heavy and dangerous on single track. The head angle also was more appropriate for high speed desert run than tech single track. That fueling though was a beautiful experience, silky smooth. Carb maint wasn't fun, it sat on the kitchen table for months while I tried to figure it out. The 990A works great on roads (crossed the US on it) once you deal with the buffeting and 150-180 mile range and does easy single track but it's a heavy beast picking it off the ground with luggage. My adventurized 500EXCF is my unicorn bike, as close to perfect as possible for out west. A 200 mile tank, comfortable (relative) seat, ecu, other mods. Can do single track and 100mph sprints on tarmac, but I'm not doing 200 miles on the road without doing some stretching. Change the oil every few thousand miles and it's good to go. Is it perfect? No, but it's close.

[@eliguaso22]

Because a lightweight and reasonable price adventure bike will fucked up their bottom line since all of the other line up will be relegated to nothing. Imagine, for example, a CB500x motor with a body like the CRF300L, abs, 21-inch front wheel, and no crap electronics, at 7000 USD. No one will go for the ktms or the teneres unless they need the HP, and let's face it, most traveling adventure riders won't need more than 50 hp.

[@BornAGoon]

Thanks for watching and commenting Pablo

[@jcspc777]

Miss your vids. I love watching them. Cheers!

[@wickedleeloopy2115]

The ballance between light & nimble off road vs comfortable & stable on road to exist in one bike would perpetuate need for a tire change mid- adventure

[@lukestringer2177]

Hi Mate-Rider, I want try to reset my backround to reborn and giving importance to things they didn't have it ... ... it's all in our mind / WE MUST CHANGE ( My 44th Bike , after the last Africa Twin Adv Sport 2018, just little heavy , and Husky 701 (Fragile cams) it's a new Honda 300 L Rally 2022 //// It was not easy but I had prepared myself 😘 and after 4 months and 8000 km, I believe I'm reaching my balance now //// YES I spend other 4000€ in addition for many parts / suspension + exhaust + rims + remap ECU + footpegs and other parts , but I have my little UNICORN now ..... and I'm HAPPY but we must reset. Maybe we really have to lose something to earn something else in a new unknown horizon, Sorry for my english Luca (Milan Italy)

[@BornAGoon]

Thanks for watching and commenting Luca

[@bushybill7189]

When I watch a video like that, it makes me think that some people just don't want to be pleased. The idea that a big single is too 'buzzy' makes me think that the riders who think that need to swallow a tea spoon of cement and harden the fark up. The idea that the big single needs too much maintenance astounds me. The recommended service interval of the KTM 690 is longer than what I run my turbo diesel ute without changing oil, so again, harden up princess's and get on with it. Life is too short to be moaning about what we don't have. In saying this I have 3 bikes, as I believe in a horses for courses approach as a dirt rider who uses the road to link up the good bush riding. Love your video's by the way. Keep up the good work. Cheers from Australia.

[@kenhetherington756]

The reason most people won't buy a 690/701 is because it has a close ratio transmission, too little turning radius, no good way to carry luggage and a fuel tank that brings complaints from everyone for several reasons.

[@keldonator]

I want a better engine than a KTM and I'd be down to buy it.

[@BornAGoon]

Yea that too

[@MotoAdventurer]

You make a great point about 50/50 rider. Very few motorcyclists even approach that. Lots of dual sport riders trailer to locations, despite having a plate and ability. Adventure folks are obviously the opposite, the fear of hurting the bike or themselves prevents riding too deep into the woods. I am however the 50/50 unicorn. I want to ride hours on pavement to ride hours of nasty trails. I’m also a cheap ass so this WR250R will have to do until I figure out how to jam a cb500x engine into an XR650L chassis.

[@scoobydan8042]

Gets you thinking. I guess at the end of the day you just need to test ride as many bikes as possible to understand what you really need. Or like most of us this enlightenment comes after many years of riding! I found my unicorn with the T7 like many others have. It's a handful on really technical off road and gets a bit wayward when you push the boundaries on tarmac. But as I never live in either of those extremes it just works for me!

[@BornAGoon]

Thats al that matters is you found what you like

[@moundou]

An Itchy Boots style trip across a continent, seeking out of the way dirt roads, seems like the 50/50 application the presenter is musing about. And, I'd submit that those types of trips are becoming more and more popular because of the efforts of folks like Itchy Boots and the establishment of routes like the BDRs and TET. The 701 is great bike for this application, but requires quite a bit of modification for 50/50 riding (comfortable seat, bigger tank, windscreen, etc.). The AJP PR7 seems like another contender, but I haven't met anyone who has ridden one. I do think there it an increasingly bigger and growing market for this unicorn bike.

[@BornAGoon]

I think when you are doing a true around the world like that dealer network is very important

[@moundou]

@@BornAGoon Agreed. That would make things easier. I did a 15K mile trip up and down the Andes on a 701 and had real engine problems in Colombia (bad bearing in the water pump). My experience was that the mechanics down there are incredible at making do. Found someone that stripped and rebuilt my engine in two days. But, 100% agree that a parts network would make everything easier.

[@hbsupermage]

i see many people forgetting about the yamaha XT660, i owned one and still regret selling it, i think it was the closest ive seen to 50 50, idk if exactly there, but very close, compared to my XR6560 it was amazing on highway, with a much smoother engine with its very long stroke and a lot more torque down low, good vibrations for a mono, and the vibrations it had werent the annoying type, ive riden twins thata vibrated more. it would do over 170kmh easy with a passenger and gear, had an acceptable fuel consumption, suspension was very comfortable, and yes, it wasnt as good offroad as the XR but wasnt very far either, i would embarrass any other adv bike on the trails, it was also super reliable, i sold it with 108.000 km and never failed me. it would also handle the mountain roads amazingly well. i think yamaha could improve upon that platform to give us something close

[@danbraden4401]

Had a T7 just sold it but it was close to my unicorn. My buddy has a 690 and it is a fun bike to ride. My 450RL is a blast but sucks over 65 on the road. Thought the new Transalp was going to be the ticket but very disappointed. I might try the GasGas 700 next why not!!!

[@BornAGoon]

I love my 450RL let me know what you think of the Gas Gas

[@dualsportscandinavia353]

Bikes from Eicma 2022 kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6ivf2yGermflbc Kove 800X Adventure kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYbddJarZpuVb5Y kzbin.info6a9HikRicoY

[@JetSkisandGames]

I have often felt that a twin cylinder KLR650, with a ninja 400 motor or something of the like, or maybe the old ninja 500 motor modernized would be great, but it would be over the weight size, the KLR stock is slow, but it also handles a little portly for what it is. I feel like a T7 is going to be my dream bike though

[@Phunker1]

The 690 KTM Engine is a kitten. That's in my 690 Duke. I bought an old 640 Adventure on purpose because it's not motorcycling if there isn't a little shake, rattle, and roll. I really have no clue what happened to people that combine the words "adventure" and "smooth".

[@WarrenLee]

My 2007 KTM 500 exc had upgraded oil capacity, rally fairing, a safari tank and was a fantastic dual sport. Much lighter than my f800GS, and plenty fast enough. Still it was a bit buzzy doing 80 mph on the freeway. I borrowed my friends honda 250 rally. It was just so soft and under powered. If the $27k KTM 450 rfr was street legal, I'd put my name on a wait list. I'm ready to buy a new bike but just waiting for the unicorn .. if honda put the 300 rally body on a 450 crf.. I'd buy one. Otherwise the middle ground for me will be either a ktm 500 with rally kit, or ktm 790 rally

[@batmikipig]

There was an aprilia rxv 450/550 two cylinder. It was a rocket indeed but a load of issues. I think the main problem is the power, a 690 (as example) is unnecessary off road but enough on the street. A 390 engine (in a 690 frame) would be fine of road but too weak on the street. So or we learn to handle huge powers/weight of road, or we learn to slow or pace on the street.

[@billwiley7216]

The smaller cc twin cylinder bike would lack the low end torque and need to rev higher in the rpm range to make the desired power. Hence the reason on the smaller cc dual sport bikes you generally see the single cylinder thumper engine designs. Most people do not want a dual sport/ adventure bike they have to keep revved up into the ozone layer to make any power or have decent acceleration.

[@rpblcan]

Besides the KTM; Yamaha Tenere700 is pretty close to a lightweight adventure bike

[@himydad1499]

You would think that, but try picking it up from the ground. The weight is high up and the bike lies very flat. A GS 1200 is easier to pickup up then a T7. A T5 is what we need, and make it a 2 cylinder for the long interval on the maintenance.

[@johnherrera792]

@@himydad1499 T5 won't be any lighter.

[@ComfyDadShoes]

Buy a used DR650 for under $5k, install a wide ratio gear kit, big bore kit if you so choose (I wouldn’t) and unicorn made

[@kirkmulhearn7931]

Really great points-thanks for posting

[@BornAGoon]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@hillkiran]

I ride my Africa Twin off-road as much as I can, which is where i truly enjoy it. But also I sometimes need to ride it across the country

[@ShaneZettelmier]

😂😂 yeah the unicorn is hard. It’s always going to be a catch 22 because you’re trying to build a multi-purpose vehicle and that means you’re gonna have to compromise everywhere and the trick to a good multipurpose bike is one with balance in the areas that you like to ride. The new transalp is awesome unless you want to do hard-core off-road. I think a lot of it is unrealistic expectations people want a motocross racer when they’re riding on a motocross track and then they want an easy comfortable cruiser when they’re on the street that’s also going to be light and fun in the twisties. You just have limitations in each area so you have to just figure out which one is it gonna work best for you. If you’re just hitting the occasional dirt road and riding a lot on the street and like doing some of the twisties then the new transalp is awesome. The KTM‘s are awesome but the other drawbacks to, they’re not quite as tough and it depends on how you ride. For me I want something tough and dependable it’s easy to work on that I can own for 20 years. I don’t wanna have to rebuild a bike after 20,000 miles so something like an XR 650 L is going to be a much better option for me than the KTM, I like the T7 and I like the trans alp and honestly it’s probably a better fit for me but I need something that’s gonna be a little more capable off-road to at least have that potential because once in a great while I’m gonna want to do that but honestly most of the time I’m gonna be zipping around on the streets and dirt and gravel roads and occasionally taking it up into the hills given the chance but it just depends. If you got the money and you can get a new bike every couple years then you can get something that’s a little higher maintenance and going to not be as robust over the years. I like a KL are 650 and a lot of people think it’s a joke but it works for me simple dependable get you there I know it’s not great for jumping on hard-core off-road but I don’t really do that much anymore I’ve got screwed up and he’s in a screwed up back so Michaela at 6:50 is probably going to do everything I needed to do and it’s easy to drive on the streets and I can just have it and drive forever without constantly doing ridiculous maintenance intervals. I liked the CRF 450 L on paper but they want you to rebuild it after 20,000 miles. I drove an XL 600 and how things go 100,000 miles and you can go 80,000 miles without having to rebuild it if you take even halfway decent care of it and I have to do is change the oil keep the air filter clean and adjust the valves every few thousand miles in your good four years. So when I start reading through the specs on a CRF 450 L I just don’t wanna deal with all that crap even if it’s a better handling bike. I think the KTM 890 adventure is pretty much a dream in a lot of ways but it’s just too big and heavy for me And it’s not as tough and dependable and if I had lots of money and can pay somebody else to do my maintenance and pay for all the repairs on it it would be fun but that’s only practical if you’re rich and not gonna put a ton of miles on it and not want to keep it forever. People love what they love and some of them love the technology some of them love the simplicity. Bikes like a TW 200 and the old simple duel sports the DRZ 400 come out these bikes keep selling for a reason because they’re just really easy and practical I know they’re not the highest performance or cutting edge technology but They do really well and they’re tough as nails and very easy to deal with. So if I had a KTM 890 adventure and TW 200 I would probably spend more time on the TW 200 and a lot of people will laugh at that but it is what it is. It’s just easier. If I was rich and had a few bikes then I’d love the KTM to some of the nicer bikes but honestly my dream bike is a 1984 Honda XL 350 with a starter upgrade and may be a rear disk. Lol 20 years ago I liked more of the idea of taking an XR 600 RR and putting turn signals on it or maybe the Yamaha‘s that are more dirt oriented but honestly at this point I’m almost wishing they come out with a transalp 500. Lol I don’t know. There are a lot of bikes out there we just got to figure out what we want and if you’re really in the tack or taking your bike to the dealer all the time or doing a lot of complicated maintenance then the newer computer controlled stuff with the high service center holes might not matter to you. I think it’s just going to be what people want. I think one of the best unicorn bikes out there in the past was something like the Honda XL 650 dominators or NX 650 in America. The European versions were a little cooler and I wish they would’ve had them here but it was basically an XR 650 L with a bit of a fairing on it. I don’t know those mid 80s XL‘s were a great compromise it was a dirt bike dropped down a little bit to make it easier and more comfortable and more street a bowl with a little wider Moore Street double gear ratio which kind of sucks on things like the DRZ, it needs a six speed but the XL 600 had so much torque it didn’t matter you would just let the engine log and pull you through it. They were pretty comfortable I had a nice big cushy seat and they did pretty good off-road, they weren’t quite the same as an XR dirt only version but it was a pretty good compromise. I really like the DRC 400 but if they give it a six speed and once you get a comfortable seat on there it’s pretty close. and weight is always going to be an issue if you want those bigger more powerful bikes you’re just gonna be pushing some weight and picking it up is always going to be an issue. I like the KTM drop the tanks down and lower your center of gravity that’s awesome but i’m just not sure I want the price tag and all the issues that go with it as far as high maintenance intervals and the quirky parts of it that still aren’t ironed out. I think the problem with finding the perfect unicorn bike is everybody has a different version of the unicorn ideal. I just wish they would come back with midsize basic 50-50 bikes for 250 pound bike with just a big enough engine to give you enough power to get out of trouble and do wheelies with throttle only. They used to make them the XL 350 VXT 350 VDR 350 SE had some quirks but it also had the electric starter and rear brake discs but they just stop making those bikes the DRZ kind of replace them but it’s not the same thing it’s more of a dirtbike But they screwed up the transmission with the five speed and nobody makes them anymore you can jump from a 2:50 up to 650 usually and I’ve got a couple of 300s but they’re basically still 250s. I weigh 250 pounds and trying to get through the sand or up a steep hill on those isn’t all that great, those old 350s had a lot of torque and they just did the job and the 450s and 650s are great but now you’re talking about adding a bunch of weight which is great on the freeway but everywhere else it kind of sucks. I think people miss the old simple true 50-50 bikes that could do the dirt but we’re also decent on the street and they had a lot of those for a while but they just stop making them. I actually think the six 5700 range is pretty good right now you’ve got a T7 you’ve got the XR 650 L you’ve got the KTM’s and a bunch of Morse treatable versions and people can find what they want it’s the midsize bikes that they don’t make anymore

[@BornAGoon]

Thanks for watching Shane

[@paulyelle9485]

I owned an KTM690, it was 2008 and I rode it over 62,000 miles. Mostly trouble free. Replaced three speedo modules, they failed do to vibration. I replaced the muffler to reduce weight. Three header pipes, they fell apart.

[@BladeBarn]

Didn’t read the comments BUT this bike DID exist and it was stopped and banned from racing because it was TOO GOOD and TOO CHEAP! V twin 70+hp and 350lbs…. aprilia sxv 550. Your welcome.

[@BornAGoon]

Aprilia was on the right track but that bike had problems

[@hvymax]

KTM/Husky are the closest. Amenities and crash bars add weight. By the time you're done adding paniers, bars, seat, espresso machine your at or above 500lbs.

[@stug77]

A BMW F650GS twin cylinder weighs just under 400lbs dry, makes 71hp (allegedly), and MSRP would be $12,727USD in 2023 with inflation from the 2010 MSRP. Is this not the unicorn you seek?

[@djolecar88]

Another aspect is the country you ride in. America has so many highways that a larger-liter bike is my preferred choice, even if taken off-road. For exploring European off-road "wilderness" I want something smaller like a Honda 250/300L. Europe is so much smaller than US both distance and land-wise. The mountain roads are very tight and lugging a ktm adventure 1290 or BMW 1250 would be a PAIN. I clocked in 13k miles this summer touring US and my 650 V-Strom did the job (it has 92k) and I also take it off-road with dirt bikes on proper muddy trails. It does everything okay but nothing perfect :)

[@BornAGoon]

That is very true

[@r3b0rn80]

I don’t understand why Suzuki isn’t able to build a DRZ400 for the European market…at least, to compete with the KTM390 adventure. I mean, who is even looking at the Vstrom 250 ?!!

[@GrayStudioYT]

It does exist, and has been with us since 1996, its call DR 650 SE, easily the best bike ever created

[@scottsmith6711]

I love mine

[@JoeWolsing]

I think all the points mentioned ae correct. On-road and off-road purposes re too contrary to combine them perfectly. And most riders tend to lean mostly into the direction of one of the two purposes. And the bikes for this exist ...

[@BornAGoon]

Thank you for watching and commenting

[@erwinmotorbike]

With that said I love my 14 moto guzzi stelvio shaft comfortable dependable spokes easy to work on but...heavy I do 90% road some days 90% on gravel or back country it really does it all

[@GFMSG]

Crf 300 rally costs about 20k usd in Nepal 😢

[@richvangorder3900]

My perfect bike is a KLR. With a 6th gear. Not a revision of the current gears. Just add a 6th gear to keep rpms down on highway. That and cruise control and a slightly taller OEM screen. It would be great!

[@whoscook4481]

Please don’t go on the 300l its a better step only for honda. The wr250r is still superior to it. Plus thehonda is boring and heavy. Maybe a 500 twin on a long travel suspension setup. 60 hp and 325 wet! Yamaha could do it!

[@ewganhoff]

Honda screwed up with the 450L. People wanted a bigger version of the 250/300L, not an enduro bike with indicators/blinkers and 10 hour service interval.

[@leescheeler1503]

Ive got a 96 xr600r with post 2010 forks and rear shock i can truthfully say no dr or klr or 650 xr comes close i can smoke them in the dirt or pavement the bike us ad light as i can get without a modified 450 cr frame best dual sport ive ever owned fast reliable although a bit loud it handles like a dream wish they made one with an electric start but you can't have everything i guess just one less thing to go wrong

[@omnivore2220]

Make your unicorn lighter, and it doesn't need so much power, and so you can put in a lighter engine and make it even lighter, and less expensive. I say that the unicorn does indeed have a single, that a single can be balanced well enough to be comfortable. My 300L shakes less than my brother's Harley, and he has over 80K miles on that thing.

[@Phaezen]

"Power - Low weight - Cost" is a choose 2 problem In order to make a high power machine low weight you have to use expensive materials.

[@patrolduty8715]

I just dont understand. Why adventure people want highway at all? It is sooo boring. And why people want high top speed with a rally style bike at all? Even in Dakar, they just ran a little bit above 100 kph. And 70-100kg of luggage? Seriously.. Why people want so many things? To me, a KTM 350 or 450 EXC-F with a little bit longer service interval is perfection (even when they must sacrify some HPs), even for travel. And no, I dont have plan to go 1000 kms into desert. If I go there alone, I will die anyway.

[@petezny4343]

Totally off on the KTM690. First it has a 6,000 mile recommended oil change interval. It's not a good candidate as a mainstream adventure bike because it has a 10 foot high seat height and no fairing. At 6'2" I flat foot my KTM890/s, when I sat on the 690 in the show room I was on my toes and had to do the foot peg mount to get on it. It's totally out of the question as an ADV bike for most riders for the seat height alone. And by the time you add all of the necessary bits to make it a real adventure bike you can just buy the 890 and save the trouble. I'd buy a single cylinder ADV bike without a second thought. I've spent full days of ADV riding on my KLX300 and was less fatigued than the same ride on the 890. I have the 890 for days I NEED to do interstates (and days I want to play sport bike hero). If my KLX came in an ADV variant and a 400 to 500cc engine I'd only have one bike in the garage (well maybe still two but then the other one could be a sport bike).

[@65BAJA]

Didn't the '23 690 get a second counter balancer and is much smoother this year?

[@mikekubr]

Regarding your point of whether a sub-400lb ADV bike can be made, KTM made a bike that was even closer to the specs you mentioned: the 950 Super Enduro.

[@BornAGoon]

Too bad they stopped production

[@ManBikeSwag]

Th ktm 690, husky 701 is the unicorn! For me at least.

[@BornAGoon]

I can not disagree

[@John_Neves]

Great video and quite accurate. I've owned many bikes in the past, going from small dirt bikes, all the way to sports bikes. I'm personally looking for the perfect ADV bike as we speak, and have tested a few. None quite fit the bill because, hey you're probably right.... none ever will 🤔 Truth is, we're all just a load of fussy unskillled bastards. Modern adv bikes are amazing, we just don't know how to ride them 😁

[@LooxJJ]

XR650R! :D A true unicorn.

[@P-Dog1873]

I felt that video. Keep it up!

[@BornAGoon]

Thank you! Will do! I appreciate the kind words

[@istra70]

AJP PR 7 or SWM 500 RR Both based on old, proven and reliable Husqvarna engines, modernized with fuel injection. Even better ( if finances allow ) build your own adventure bike project.

[@BirdArvid]

Great video! I suppose what you're really saying is it DOES exist; but YOU (I) have to use an existing platform and mould it into the bike you/I want to ride; to give it just the balance we want.

[@BornAGoon]

Yes thats it

[@pjm204]

Your unicorn bike and mine are different. I want mine to be lighter and with a smaller engine. I'm thinking a 450 twin with 50hp that's around 325lbs. 11+ inches of ground clearance and 8+inches travel front/rear. 600-800cc is too big. Also we aren't all buying the 690 not because it's a thumper but because KTM reliability is a joke.

[@BornAGoon]

Im happy with my 450RL its Unicorn enough for me

[@sstevenson638]

Agree 100% I never understood the appeal of adventure bikes. I would never want to ride a 400+# motorcycle off road. You would break your leg trying to keep a 400lb bike from going down if the front wheel started sliding in the mud or a rut. My rule for an off road motorcycle is that if I can't dip my leg and support it in a slick spot than it's too heavy. I like my off road bikes light and nimble, and I like my on road bikes smooth, comfortable, and sporty. There is no design space that satisfies both categories.

[@Admiralwip]

once electric bikes gets a lot more range and charge a lot faster, these will be the perfect bikes for Adventure. Imagine the Zero Fx for example it weights about 130 kg and has 44 hp and 100 Nm of Tourque or the Stark Varg with 110kg and 80 hp. Power to weight ratios are insane on electric bikes and with perfectly smooth motors with almost no maintenance, but the range and charge times are still shitty. So let's see what the future brings.

[@callummalseed7908]

I don't agree with the idea that a single silinder engine is not smooth or rattly. I've got two mates one on a 2021 KTM 690 and the other on a husky 701 and there super smoothto ride, not quite as smooth as my T7 but there really blood close. They are such a perfect bike that feels super light, nice and powerful and comfortable for bigger trips, there no GS but they are very road manageable. Ktm is bringing out a production rally bike but with a 450cc engine plus its 35k Australian dollar or more supposedly, if they got the price down to normal bike prices like the t7 and the ktm 790 at 25k and put a bigger engine in it like the 701/690 then perhaps that would be the perfect combo?

[@BornAGoon]

well the 701 is different but yet people still complain I dont find my 450rl to be overly buzzy

[@calmistheway]

Looks like a modded DR650 is still a good option. And you can get 2 of them for the $$$ of these other models.

[@BornAGoon]

That would work

[@blacklion79]

Ok, and if we remove the price requirement?

[@kevinnielsen1356]

Light weight adventure bikes have always been around. They are called dualsports.

[@Matthew-wn8oq]

The AJP PR7 and Husky 701 long range , they have been made bro.

[@dukegnarley]

An oil change on a 690 takes about 30 minutes and intervals are 6,200 miles. get over it.

[@tangoreal9098]

I prefer my two bike solution. DRZ will go anywhere I point it. V85 pure comfort and handles improved surfaces with ease. DRX strap it to the keep and take it to the trail. Two different missions.

[@BornAGoon]

DRZs will never die

[@sixtyskills2814]

What you are describing is my 2009 BMW F650GS Twin Parallel. 70hp, 395 pounds and you can buy it all day long for $6k. Upgrade to the F700 if you want an extra 15hp and 21 inch wire front wheel.

[@BornAGoon]

Yep and thats the thing they stopped making it

[@sixtyskills2814]

@@BornAGoon Yeah it’s pretty funny. People keep asking me why I don’t buy a newer bike. And minus the driver modes…everything else is a downgrade. FYI, Max’s BMW can bump the bike to 95hp using a reflash and exhaust change.

[@marcellomerli2424]

i love my fantic 500 caballero rally its beauty

[@BornAGoon]

Is it durable?

[@LC-200]

Only one that comes close for used Market is a BMW g650 X challenge unicorn of bikes. BMW should bring this back. just under 70 Hp only weighs 317 pounds.

[@chunkybullmoto]

Yamaha Tenere 700. I think that is about as close to the "unicorn" as you can get.

[@BornAGoon]

For now yes

[@omadon99]

That would be true if KTM didn't make 890R or Ducati DesertX.

[@IRLtrolls]

You over complicated your answer so much in the second half of this video. The only thing stopping these companies from making a unicorn Dualsport is price. They could all make this bike but it would cost 17-20k and it would need an aluminum frame, which is not the best for global travel. Another reason they don’t make this unicorn bike is because it would kill the sales of other bikes in their line up. If Kawasaki made a Versys 400x with a 21/18 rim no one would buy the Ninja 400, KLX300 or KLR650. One bike would kill the sales of 3 other models. That’s my conspiracy theory.

[@BornAGoon]

I overcomplicate everything but I covered pricing and model conflicts in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/iF6wnoqqoLKLmZI

[@Frog13799]

Both the HP2 enduro and 950 super enduro proved the Holy Grail is obtainable, this was in 2006 then we went backwards

[@BornAGoon]

seems we have gone backwards

[@amaris058755ify]

Yamaha just needs to make a new xt500 and tt500

[@Ijusthopeitsquick]

I would like to see BMW make an affordable boxer twin ADV bike. The low CoG would make up for the extra weight of the shaft drive. About 650 cc / 50 HP should be enough. They could skip the expensive tech and gadgets and slightly downgrade brakes and suspension to control costs and make it in India like the 310 bikes. If they could sell it for $11,000 it would make an appealing package for a lot of riders, including myself.

[@oferlevy7896]

That's the F650GS Dakar, isn't it?

[@Ijusthopeitsquick]

@@oferlevy7896 Not a boxer.

[@AA-wd2or]

Problem even if they will bild one price will be same like for heavy one. KTM 690 with ADV mods cost on end like new adventure 890 r

[@berttompkins9096]

The KLR ONE CYLINDER. DUAL balancers and 40 hp, 40 torque. Its a mule not a race bike. Massive rubber damping and six gallon tank . That's 45 lbs of fuel alone. Of course you critics tear it apart for its rubber mounted footpegs. Slow down and live. 40 hp is what Volkswagen used to have . They had no problem selling 20 million. Unicorns DONT EXIST. I DONT NEED 70 ON DIRT . THE KLR IS STILL THE BEST and you can buy 2 and keep one clean in the garage. Instead of a designer bike for posers. Yeah I'm biased I have 4 kawasaki. Incl. A 50th aniversary Z900 RS to celebrate 50 years of me riding bikes starting with a KE100 .IN 1972.

[@wsbill14224]

The hole you're talking about is filled very well by the DRZ 400. Multi-cylinder dirt bikes weigh too much. The KLR 600 was better idea. The trail bike has matured as much as makes sense and then some I would say.

[@BornAGoon]

thanks for watching and taking the time to comment

[@Cabooseified]

1 year later and now we are getting the bikes we've been wanting from China and India.

[@ozadv]

Tuareg 660 - 80hp 204kg fully wet.. great off-road and capable sport tourer, at least it's my unicorn 😆

[@BornAGoon]

I like the Tuareg my favorite ADV bike

[@shinyribs2178]

ADV guys are nuts. Sub 400lbs for an offroad bike is a unicorn? I won't own a street bike if it's much over 400-420lbs wet! Heaviest dirt bike I own is 275 wet. Wanna go offroad? You want a dirt bike. Just want to cruise gravel roads and pose for Instagram pics? Don't stress over specs and go in debt. Just ride whatever, because really cares about your "adventure" . Coming from a guy that daily bombs down the gravel roads I live on riding the back tire of a FZ 09.

[@BornAGoon]

Cant argue with the weight they are all too heavy

[@oic1968]

Husqvarna 701

[@BornAGoon]

amen

[@ABCDEFGHIJKELA...]

Any kick ass single would follow the Duke...counter balance shaft that works! edit - make it 652cc, and pair that with the FreeValve system...and omg, what a bike...what an expensive bike too lol

[@BornAGoon]

I like single engines

[@ifi808]

Very true I've been saying for a long time that adventure bike manufacturers are selling the fantasy. That's why they pay riders like Chris birch to throw those big bikes around and people like to imagine they will do that one day ...they wont.

[@BornAGoon]

Thanks for watching

[@winstonsmith3685]

I put TKC 70’s on my 690 Duke and I rip that thing everywhere.

[@aapa3732]

Just buy a Pumpkin 690 or Husky 701 as it ticks all your boxes.

[@jruba]

Booommm , finally someone said it. Marketing Scam ! Like really what company really wants you to own just one bike …

[@BornAGoon]

So true

[@justsomedude445]

nahh if we are dreaming here i have always wanted 100+hp 350pound twin cyl , wet of course , premium suspension/brakes/components lower COG than an 890r..................

[@BornAGoon]

Dreaming is good

[@justsomedude445]

@@BornAGoon yup , ive spent far more '$' on mods than i intended to or want to admit to but i think i am damn close to "MY" ideal machine with my husky 901....the bike is pure magic compared to any others ive ridden or owned

[@justsomedude445]

@@BornAGoon awesome video well done

[@hvymax]

A 50/50 ride equals 100 miles of road to 10 miles of single track. A couple of hours each.

[@iliveinthewoods]

Of course, there are 50/50 riders, just not enough to justify developing a true 50/50 bike. A true 50/50 bike would work because "A jack of all trades is the Master of none, BUT IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN A MASTER OF ONE." 😉

[@armadilllo]

Exactly why I bought a DR650, mine is not buzzy, I love singles. Put $2,000 into it and it's perfect for me and all under $10,000. I don't need all the bs riding modes, abs or quick shift and I can figure out which gear I'm in without a special readout or a blinking light for gas level and I can fix anything on it without a computer and 6 month wait for parts. Over 250 mile range with my tank and a little piece of plastic above the headlight keeps wind off my chest, cruises freeway all day at 75. Maintenance? What maintenance.

[@BornAGoon]

I love singles

[@doc650adventures]

Yes Sir! DRs are such a great bike with just a few mods (which are fun to do)

[@dyadventures4685]

If the Dr 650 was modernized with fuel injection, upgraded suspension, maybe a 6th gear and few other adjustments and suddenly you have the perfect adventure bike, at least for myself anyways. I will note the Dr isn't 70 horsepower, but it's so reliable that I don't care, besides it's got plenty of torque. In my opinion the current Dr 650 model which hasn't changed since 1996 with a few mods is one of the best 50-50 options out there. The potential for the Dr 650 to be better overall is certainly possible.

[@nelsondiaz4344]

Yeah baby!!!! I agree, A good motor, a good fuel system, brakes, tranny, suspension and awesome frame with no electronics (except legal lights), one gauge (temp gauge to avoid nastiness) pick your tires.

[@robertdickerson2821]

I have to agree with the DR 650 fans here. I sold my DRZ 400 and my Triumph tiger and replaced both with the DR 650. While it is not as good a street/touring bike as the tiger, nor as good a dirt bike as the DRZ, it is truly a great motorcycle and a total hoot to ride, no matter where I ride it. That torquey motor is its own reward.

[@danielrosseels7966]

It is not about spending 50/50 time on- and offroad. It is about having a bike that can do both as good as possible. Even if I spend only 5% off my time off road, I want those 5% to be as enjoyable as possible.

[@BornAGoon]

yes but you are giving up a lot for something rarely used Making big sacrifices for 5% of your riding choice

[@verlinswarey507]

That’s exactly how I’ve always seen it.

[@TroopThrowback]

Exactly. The premise is false.

[@Ijusthopeitsquick]

That's just another way of saying you want a 50/50 unicorn bike.

[@dualsportscandinavia353]

Bloody oath!

[@adamj1326]

CRF ~400cc Rally ~40hp with better suspension than 300 rally and similar service intervals for 2 or 3k more. I think it would sell. Don't need a twin, just decent balancing.

[@BornAGoon]

Thanks for watching

[@MrTmax74]

This

[@kellyheath6293]

After exhaustive research I’ve come to the conclusion that the only answer to this dilemma is a five bike stable.

[@BornAGoon]

Yes lol

[@Thejumelot]

Very true. I'm selling my Tenere and get 1) an Africa Twin and 2) a WR450F. Both great in their field whilst the Tenere is questionable in both unless you are Pol Tarres...

[@davidcolinfisher1034]

Ya, I would have to agree, I have 2, at one point had 3, but in the end, more money,more bikes an bigger stable is the only solution to this problem. You go to bed and wake up thinking...which bike am I going to ride today.....

[@seethruhead7119]

how do you swap to your offroad bike when you took your touring bike to get to the trail lol.

[@meder07]

Like any enthusiast sport...skiing, cycling, moto, etc. your equipment count can always be N + 1

[@SWTrailsAndWheels]

Chinese companies like CFMoto may surprise us and get closer to a unicorn bike. Your definition of a unicorn is different than how I and many would define it though. For me, it would be something like a WR450R with a 4-5 gallon tank, basic windscreen, comfortable seat, 40HP, sub 350lb weight, and service intervals similar to the WR250R I currently own.

[@BornAGoon]

I wonder if everyone will not buy the Chinese bike

[@Thejumelot]

So true about the WR450!

[@austinbauman3818]

I’m buying the Kove 450 Rally for that reason. 370lbs wet with an 8 gallon fuel tank, 51hp 450cc single with liquid cooling, ABS, and 11 inches of suspension travel. Its the closest to the unicorn we will get

[@Thejumelot]

@@austinbauman3818 Makes a lot of sense in terms of specs. If it's reliable and delivers, you will have a lot of fun with that! Braaaaaaaaap!

[@Liberty4Ever]

I share your vision of the unicorn bike, as well as your belief that the Chinese will probably give us a lightweight ADV bike with enough HP to comfortably cruise on the highway when needed. The reason the big Japanese and European manufacturers refuse to give us the bike we want is because they don't want to detract from their big ADV bike sales. They belatedly and reluctantly added a small ADV bike to their lineup but positioned it not to be the best it could be, but rather to be a beginner bike to get customers on the upgrade path to their $15K bloated mid size or $25K full size maxi bloated ADV pig. I love my G310GS, but it's really singing at 75 MPH on the highway, however the real crime against humanity is the 2.9 gallon fuel tank. That's an unforgivable sin on an ADV bike.

[@charleshennekam2613]

Yes. We have a goon! Seriously, we had a good compromise with the Honda XL/XR 500 models. Later, replaced by the XL/XR600-650 models (depending on the markets). I had tons of fun riding my XR500 in on/off road conditions. This changed when I fitted the XR engine in a C&J frame. Then it became a pure off-road bike.

[@chasekimball7378]

When I look at adventure bike videos, I want to try them. I then realize, if I bought one, I would still ride my dirt bike more, because that is what I enjoy more. Unless you are Chris Birch, who is sponsored by KTM, most of us will not enjoy an adventure bike in the dirt. They are too heavy. Thanks for your video.

[@BornAGoon]

Yes I tried to be Chris Birch on my Tiger 800 and all I did was crash and waste my riding time trying to pick the bike up

[@benlondon8467]

Yep , balance the wheels on your enduro bike , fit a big tank. If ya haven’t already 😉. Best adventure bike you well get if ya don’t ride 500k tar sections.

[@Thejumelot]

@@benlondon8467 So so true. And it's there, just a few mods and you have that "giant black hole in the bike galaxy" bike!

[@doc650adventures]

@@benlondon8467 Sounds like my DR650!😁