Choosing the FIRST Adventure Bike for Beginners Over 40.

[@Una_Moto]

Thanks for the shoutout Robert! All I can say is I'm very glad I got a bike on the lighter end of things... now about all that camera gear I'm lugging around...

[@TazoPax]

As a fellow west coaster, VI, I’m loving your channel! Hoping to get my license this year and start riding. Safe travels and have fun. 😀

[@rbaldinger]

Cheers mate. All the best for the new year. Ride safe… we want many episodes 😊

[@Rickmac22]

@@Una_Moto you are doing so well on your channel! Keep up the amazing work!

[@Rob-rk8jw]

Hi, im a other Robert from Germany. First thank you for Nomad and your own Chanel. In Germany we dont have to speak English and you speak good so its easy to understand you and its a learning lesson for me every time. Im 36 now and drive Motorbike since i was 21. My second Bike after a few weeks of having the driving license was the old Africa Twin. That was a Bike i had many good Adventures and Kilometers in Italy Austria and in Sweden till Jokkmokk. That was a dream. After that i married and became to be a daddy. I sold the twin and thought its the end of driving Motorcycles i even dont had fun anymore. Two weeks before the birth of my first Son i bought a Yamaha XT 😂. Two years later, i was in Italy with the single cylinder and want to have a bigger but light bike and bought the GS800. For two years i tried everything to turn off the extrem noise from wind. At a the SW Motech Open House i drive the Africa Twin DCT and i was in heaven. So now i have a Africa Twin dct with 252 Kilo. This Year i dream from a few Kilometers TET and having a good time with camping in pure silence. Hopefull to not wish i had a other bike later. I write without google translate or anything. I hope you could read and understand that.

[@rbaldinger]

Thank you for your story. I enjoyed it snd your english is perfect 👌🏻 Das hast Du gut gemacht 😊

[@DouweBuruma]

Hi Robert, funny, I have also a 800GS with terrible wind noise and a XT. And my dream bike is an Africa Twin DCT.

[@Rob-rk8jw]

@@DouweBuruma I tried five different Windshilds and a spoiler. Than i read in the GS forum that its a matter of micro pressure fluctuations. On my 19 AT i have the Touratech windschild and a windstopper plastic between the handlebar and tank. The bike is perfect, only the exhaust could be quiter.

[@DouweBuruma]

@@Rob-rk8jw the problem is to find the fluctuations and to solve it. I spent a lot of money to mount the Puig touring screen to a non Adventure bike, and it made no difference to the standard screen, it made it only uglier 🙁. Thank you, I hope you have lots of fun on your AT 💪.

[@Iryna-lc5fp]

Take any bike you like. Most importantly it must be comfortable for you. Seat and windscreen probably are the most crucial things to look at.

[@Elijayess]

I am 44 now just got my very first bike, Triumph Scrambler 400X, on the 1st of Jan :). Had a bit of training from Honda Riders Academy available in here but still very scared and yet excited to be on my bike, my childhood dream. This is a great channel you have here and I hope you continue sharing your insight and experience with fellow riders. Cheers from Türkiye!

[@rbaldinger]

Merhaba! Glad to hear you are starting. Starting a new life is always scary :) Good luck and ride safe

[@werretube]

appreciate both your channels very much. I also follow Eric on Una Moto. He manages a very steep learning curve. His MTB background surely makes this possible. I always feel this lack of experience myself. Started riding at 46 in 1997 on the rte 66. Never looked back. You do not have to be good to enjoy...

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks mate 😊

[@Spartans48823]

This is one of the best videos on this topic out of the 100's I've watched. Thanks!

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks a lot! I feel achievement now :)

[@peterncox1963]

Very thoughtful video thanks, I started riding 20 years ago at the age of 40 and have been through 3 or 4 bikes - I'm currently on on a BMW 750 GS and I think that's my "happy" spot!

[@rbaldinger]

Good for you mate!

[@michaandrzejewski4009]

Im 51 yo. I Have Suzuki DR 650 SE (2018 Canadian) and I love IT so so muuuuch❤❤❤ Greetings from Poland my Brother and thanks for that great video.

[@rbaldinger]

Glad you enjoy it!

58 yo. DR 650 here in Montana USA. I can only have one bike and the DR 650 does it all.

[@RichyRich-eo9uk]

48 year old Canadian, I too have the mighty thumper DR! I love it. Can either of you recommend luggage and what hand guards fit properly on the dr?

[@dunderklumpz]

Great video, I really like this new channel of yours. Keep it up! I got my bike licens at 40 and bought a Yamaha XSR 700. At this time in my life I can't go on multi day trips so instead I focus on shorter trips on twisty roads and I'm having a blast! I also found riding to be an excellent way to increase my well being. It demands my full attention and leaves little to no room for unpleasant or draining emotions. It's the best form of therapy out there!

[@rbaldinger]

Good on you! Cheers mate

[@dertom1000]

Thanks for your Videos ! Started motorcylcing aged 44. First bike was a Honda CB500x, after 6 months i swapped to a T7. In December 2024 i also baught a KTM 690 Enduro R. Smaller and lighter - first time picking it up was a dream😅 I will kepp the T7 for longer rides and highway routes and maybe some easy terrain. Going offroad riging alone the most time, the weight difference is a game changer. Not just physically, but also for my mind. Doing now much more technical and muddy stuff then before 🤟

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks for sharing! We are on the same path :)

[@IchBin1Plus1]

Hello Robert, your videos inspired me to buy a motorcycle again after 20 years. 20 years ago I rode the fastest motorcycles (including the Kawasaki ZX-12-R) and always wanted to set new records. Today I want to go on long trips from Germany and just enjoy the ride through nature. That's why I bought a Yamaha Niken. I've never cared what other people say about it. I can very well understand what you mean by peer pressure or the influence of other drivers. The Yamaha Niken is rejected by many because it is different and many people find being different "abnormal". I don't care. Objectively speaking, this motorcycle has 80% more grip and rides like any other two-wheeler. That's why it's the perfect motorcycle for me as a returning rider and touring rider. Since I went on a long tour of Scandinavia in a camper van 2 years ago, I would like to repeat that with the motorcycle. The heavy Niken is very probably not suitable for driving through Swedish forests. ;) So I'm going to travel south first. Maybe I can add a small enduro to my collection later. In any case, your videos have made my whole family more interested in Scandinavia! The IKEA instructions in particular are a masterpiece and very helpful. Funnily enough, I usually put the instructions for new IKEA furniture aside immediately after opening the package and try it without them first. :)

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks for sharing mate. Would live to try a Niken some day 😊 best wishes

[@passinthru4328]

You're right that you can't tell anyone what bike to get, but you make some really worthwhile points. For instance, having had years of cycling experience, I found that starting on a CB500X at age 75 was not all that intimidating, especially after having taken a rider safety training course on a 200cc dual sport. My goal was mostly road with a bit of gravel thrown in. I found the 500 lacking a bit at 110 kph and faster, and getting buffeted quite easily by big trucks/lorries and strong wind gusts on the highway. So my next bike was an NC750X DCT. This bike was more of a functional purchase, because my heart wanted to get a retro classic like an RE 650 or a Triump Bonneville. It just doesn't have that classic sound either. Nevertheless, it turned out to be a great motocamping bike and is a lot easier to ride in the city where I live. Having installed a Viridian cruise control made it even better. Each to his/her own I guess.

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks for sharing mate!

[@muf722]

Hi Robert. I'm your typical ADV rider that started at age 40. Ofcourse I have a BMW R1200 GSA and its taking me around Europe, Africa , Asia , Australia and South America. I'm planning my third Africa tour and this time going on my new CFMOTO 450MT. I think the smaller ADV bikes are the future. Una Moto is a great channel and I have been following him from the very beginning.

[@rbaldinger]

@@muf722 wow that’s some adventures indeed!

[@steinmargunnarsson3709]

Great insight. I started riding on a Suzuki DR600 Dakar, back in 1990. Had it for couple of years and other things took over. 2006 I started again on classic bikes, but purchased my first new-ish (to me) bike in 2015, a Honda VFR800. Great bike, very easy to handle and relatively powerful. Bought a VFR1200F in 2021and I will keep that as my "adventure bike" but I am beginning to feel the urge to travel on gravelroads and mountaintracks in my home country (Iceland) and I have found out that the VFR1200 is not really up to very rough roads, so I have decided to get me a second bike. I have tested several bikes; Rieju 500 ADV, BMW 1300 GS, Triumph Tiger 900, and even ridden a lot on a BMV HP2, but the bike I always end upon thinking about, and I have tested it, is the AJP PR7. I will turn 60 in couple of months and I have always said that, aging riders should choose ligter bikes, and I will follow my own advice on that and purchase the AJP for inland travel on the tracks where my road bike has no business going. Again; I really appreciate your channel and its content.

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks for sharing mate!

[@leonz5778]

Hi Robert, thank you for sharing this video. I am over 40 and start my motorcycle riding 6 months ago. Completely agree that start with lighter bike and gain experience along the way is the right way to go! I start with a 125 and after six months I do not regret what I have chosen. I gained my experience, Built my confidence and feel more in love with riding!

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks for your feedback! Best of luck riding on

[@heritagehillsecurity8778]

I think your video offered a very good perspective. Thank you. I think you are blessed to be able to have learned this lesson, and wise while being humble in sharing it with the world. Many believe that it is more fun to ride a slow motorcycle fast than a fast motorcycle slowly. Wishing you a safe and prosperous new year with many motorcycle adventures.

[@rbaldinger]

Thank you! Likewise

[@ridelifenz]

Great subject to discuss. I moved to NZ from uk and bougth my first bike at 40 yrs old. Yammie xt 250. Ive had 8 bikes in 11 years now including a Transalp 700, husky 701 and Tenere 700. Im now back on a yammie wr250r because at 134kg wet its just so much fun with zero stress. Im waiting for yamaha T500, or Honda crf 500 adv bikes. They will be here soon. Exciting times ahead.

[@rbaldinger]

Cool story mate. Cheers

[@jonathanstyles5033]

Hi Robert, I started watching your previous channel a few months ago, where you inspired me to look seriously at my collection of bikes and liquidate my MY19 FJR, and replace it with a MY22 T7 Rally which is around 100kg lighter. Looking forward to riding a few easy trails around my home in Wales in 2025, noting I am over 60 😬 Many thanks, and Happy New Year to you!

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks mate and happy new year

[@Lancer104]

This is a great video! I wish somebody told me that 17 years ago! I started with way too havey bike to, then I quite riding for long and finally - I was back with small 390cc, start enjoy again and after few years - get ot bigger and bigger machines, that I alreay started to enjoy!

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks for sharing!

[@varjotonkeskonen]

Thanks! I love to see how Unamoto will survive all the challenges. But he seems like a smart guy so I trust in him.

[@rbaldinger]

Me too 😊 cheers

[@J8zzy]

Lighter bike makes MORE FUN FACTORY. I have been having fun with CRF300 RALLY also with stud tyres and icy winter roads in Finland🇫🇮❄️☃️🏁👍🎅❄️ My third winter rally season now and just love to ride in snowy roads. Happy New Year 2025 to ALL!

[@rbaldinger]

Thank you. I have to winter kit my AJP. Never did that. Cheers and happy new year

[@pacoreguenga]

Thank you Robert! I came back to motorcycles after 20 years and it’s great. And I agree, small bikes are the best fun! Never rode a small bike before and I’m glad I’m doing it now!

[@rbaldinger]

Great 👍🏻 thanks mate

[@edgarkech4720]

Once again you just nailed it. Being a late starter in 2020 at 44 years old, I took a slightly different road towards adventure riding, but I totally agree to your points. Although I really like my Tuareg 660 which brought me through large parts of Europe on small(est) roads and occasional gravel within the last 2.5 years, I bought a Voge 300 Rally (29HP, 158kg wet) to explore the lighter side and also mitigate the risk of getting stuck in the middle of nowhere when traveling alone (as I do most of the time). It's also good to see that Chinese manufacturers now push into the lower and midrange ADV segments and thus give us much more choices than 5 years ago.

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks for sharing mate. Indeed the chinese have listened to the market when the big brands did not

[@volkin26]

Hi Robert, thank you for the reflection and thank you for all your inspiring travel videos! I'm 36 and about one year ago decided to start riding again; I also got myself my dream bike: an Africa Twin 1000 Weight at the moment of purchase was totally overlooked and it is something I had to fight quite a bit in tight corners also on tarmac now, about one year and 10k km later, on tarmac I'm perfectly confident with the bike, but on gravel, especially on slopes with loose rocks, the bike is so heavy and handful, at low speed is like trying to ski but with rigid legs.. and I can barely lift it from the ground I also tried once to hold it while it decided to fall (while on standstill in a slope), needless to say it pushed me on the ground so hard as much as I love my bike, a lighter bike is definitely an attractive option, soon or later I'll test ride the ajp pr7 and husky 701 (I wish so much honda did something like that) for everybody considering a heavy bike: speed is key to keep them up, and if you are not confident with fast maneuvers on gravel, a heavy bike is the wrong choice, start with something light, second hand and trade it in after 1-2 years of learning - I wish so much someone had recommended that to me one year ago :D cheers from Italy

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks for sharing! Great to hear your story

[@SC-yf7qs]

Thanks 🙏 for confirming my thoughts. I’m a bit older & new to adventure biking & touring. I don’t have a big bike but I do think I need a lighter bike.

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks mate!

[@jenskmigselv]

Thanks for the video. This perfectly sums up the thoughts I've had over the past year or so. Without buying the bikes, that is - just from thinking about the topic after watching way too many videos of riders' experience 🙂My heart is with the PR7 as well now.

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks mate!

[@ReQuiem_2099]

That CFMoto 450 seems like a pretty awesome beginner ADV for most. Just enough umph to make longer distance highway riding perfectly doable. More off-road capability than any beginner rider can extract. A 270° P-twin to keep things fun, but smoother than punishing big thumpers. Still tons of tech features for newer/younger riders that expect things like BT from their $6,500 bike. Still a bit heavy for easy dirt learning, but that weight brings stability on road. All that said, I think it's important to distinguish "ADV" from off-road riding. You will never be as good on dirt with an ADV as you will with a proper dirt bike, dual sport, enduro, etc. You are sacrificing fundamental advantages like the lightweight, for a bike that can munch highway miles while keeping your hands and butt warm. Trying to compare the two is like taking a jeep onto a single track. Sure, with enough brute force, complex suspension geometry, you will probably still get through, but you aren't going to keep up with the 80cc kids bikes, much less be competitive with proper dirt bikes.

[@rbaldinger]

Good points there mate. Thanks for sharing

[@samihadly8014]

I started riding very late at 45... My first adventure bike was a 2021 GS Adventure. Amazing for touring but very difficult to off-road with. For serious off-road riding I got a KTM EXC 500 and that was that... :)

[@rbaldinger]

Love the 500 :)

[@alexmoreno8156]

This is great advice. Figure out what type of riding style you’ll be doing. Then get the lightest bike you can. You’ll likely switch between style of bikes before you find your 🦄. I started riding at 42 on a KTM 390 adventure. Since then I’ve owned a Tenere 700, Tuareg 660, and now a Husky 701.

[@rbaldinger]

Good on you! Cheers mate

[@WheeledGeezer]

Great video. Light is right. It opens the world to you and keeps all the days fun.

[@rbaldinger]

You got that right!

[@darylclark8906]

Robert: we certainly have a plethora of data coming at us in regards to ADV Riding. You do an excellent job of communicating our choices without having to put the SALESMAN hat on ! Good on you! Came from a long series of BMW motorcycle ownership - so ended up with my R1250GS - yes it is a heavy bugger, but the weight is carried low... Don't look forward to picking it up; but like so many things - it was what I wanted. Excited to see what comes out in the LIGHT ADV market.... may need a SECOND motorcycle! HA....

[@rbaldinger]

Ha! Thank you sir

[@KevinStHilaire-ul8fp]

I started at 40 with a CRF 250L. It was great to learn on, then I went camping on it and realized the 50mile highway section to get to the trails was dangerous on such an underpowered bike. Thanks to Pol Tarres and yourself, I got a T7. Love the bike, but it’s definitely more capable than me and still heavy. I’m looking forward to the light ADV offerings in the states. I blessed and have an Africa twin, a KTM 990 ADV, a T7, and my original 250L. But I’m still searching for the perfect light ADV. I’m hoping the CF Moto fits the bill for me. Lesson learned, don’t go dual sport, to heavy, to super heavy. Love your channels, thanks.

[@rbaldinger]

Thank you Kevin. Indeed blessed with those bikes :) Best of luck

[@Liberty4Ever]

Great video. Sending it to my old rock climbing, whitewater kayaking and mountain biking buddy I'm now trying to get on an ADV bike as part of My Evil Plan. I bought a G310GS for my 60th birthday to ride back roads, gravel roads, dirt roads, and mild old man off road to go moto camping. My other buddy bought a CRF300L Rally, so now I apparently need to buy another dual sport. I'd ridden a small dual sport in the 70s and another in the 90s. I'm looking forward to the BMW F450GS later this year - almost a gallon more gas and 14 more HP than my G310GS at the same weight and more off road capacity. That's the sweet spot, for sure. Thanks to the Chinese for finally hearing us and making the CF Moto 450 MT and the Kove 450 Rally, and forcing the Big Moto cartel to sell lighter more off road oriented ADV bikes that also have a little more power for comfortable highway cruising.

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks buddy. Hearing the long time bikers gives me hope and inspiration. :) Indeed, we do owe the Chinese to actually listening to the market and pushing the big brands to follow. Happy new year

[@Liberty4Ever]

@@rbaldinger - There are old bikers and there are bold bikers but there are no old bold bikers. Old Biker Trick: You can brap, but you shouldn't brap brap Brap BRAP *BRAAAAAAAAAP!*

[@ManuelPerez-pn6yl]

Hello Robert, Brilliant and honest comments that is helping me to take the right choice. Thanks so much and take care, Manuel

[@rbaldinger]

Glad to help

[@skipstang]

Robert, thank you for this video and for your honesty about your experiences. Found it entertaining and helpful!

[@rbaldinger]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@damerowr]

Very good advice, Robert! I wish I would have followed it sooner, or at least come to the realization that the bike doesn't make the rider! I came late (around 50) to the sport, and my first bike was a GS700 which I took places I had no busyness taking her or my skills to. I made up for some of my short comings with brute strength, but that is a finite resource and one can get hurt in a hurry. However, I falsely believed my struggles went reasonable well, and like you, I was convinced that ADV riding was just hard, so I got myself the big bike for a big guy, a 1200GS! Then I took some expensive training class, hoping to catch up to Pol Tarres...I read someplace that one should have goals. However, I realized quickly that my ambitions were perhaps a tad optimistic, and I have now convinced myself that the training money would have been better spent if I had learned on a lighter bike. As it was, I spent 80% (or more) of training time, terrified by what the instructors wanted me to do on my GS, as well as the prospect of picking that bike up off the ground...again... In the end, and this took me several months to realize, the biggest take-away from that training was, that I need to face the fact that I was not going to be another ADV pro that can move a 250+Kg bike effortlessly through thick and thin. I jumped at the chance of buying an old Kawasaki KLR 250 and went instantly from white knuckled, big-eyed, oh-shit moments to having fun in the dirt! I kept the Beemer for long distance travel, as that is where that bike belongs...at least in my hands. I live in the US and being the slowest vehicle on the Freeway is a safety risk. I therefore sold the KLR and ordered a RE Himalayan 450 to make travel to and from the dirt a little easier, safer, and more comfortable. I hope I struck a good balance with that bike. Time will tell. Thanks again for another great video, Sir! Please keep up the good work. Happy New Year!!

[@rbaldinger]

Thank you for your story mate and Happy new year!

[@DJBR33Z3]

Thank you for this video. Weight is definitely not something that spoken about in most review videos I’ve watched concerning adventure bikes. I was in love with BMWs GS models up until now lol. These bikes are heavy just with stock barebones- imagine with the added bags and accessories.

[@rbaldinger]

Indeed things get heavy quickly

[@madsense]

T7 extreme 2024 är köpt tack för inspirationen 😊 och god fortsättning!

[@rbaldinger]

Tackar! Grym hoj :) lycka till

[@silveriojohan]

Thank you Robert, very real truth about why we ride, bike types, etc. I owned a 2022 Honda CB500X for 12 thousand kms, sold it and bought the 2023 Honda Africa Twin Adv ES manual, thinking that I needed to fit within a group, way too big, too much electronics, pondering to sell it and get the T7(the lack of tubeless wheels stopped me in the beginning). I barely have 500 kms off pavement with my ATA, sometimes I wonder, the big adventure,,,,

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks for sharing mate!

[@bencluroe4183]

Superb video, I’ll add my 2p worth. For me the answer is always the same-cheap cheerful and capable of basically everything. Cheap to fix when dropped and cheap to buy and repair/run. Ladies and gentlemen……………… Royal Enfield Himalayan 411. Gentle throttle, 21 inch front, cheap in all areas of ownership, does 70(120) and is ready to go right out the gate

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks mate :)

[@lastsonofkrypton36]

It's. Just. So. Underpowered. And I prefer smaller bikes, so I'm not looking for 80hp, but it's just too heavy for its output. 18.3 lbs per hp. Terrible.

[@bencluroe4183]

@@lastsonofkrypton36 yeah I know and I do agree to a certain extent sometimes I do find myself craving more but it’s definitely got its uses. Green laner, winter hack, and it does do 70 but I hear ya, Slow or not the 411 will go absolutely everywhere with relative ease. Im Not gonna say it’s perfect but what bike is…… Aprilia Tuareg 660 pretty close though just expensive, to me anyways 😂

[@andrewonmyway8184]

Hi Robert. Great advice. Think the whole world is beginning to realise heavy bikes are a pain when the going gets tough. The sales of the small ADV machines are at least moving where as the big machine sales have stopped. Many motorcycle shops in the EU are having a very tough time right now. Money is tight for many. There are a lot of great second hand machines out there one can do an adventure on. Perhaps a future video? Keep up the great work.

[@rbaldinger]

@@andrewonmyway8184 china has done something good for once. They listened to the market for smaller bikes where the EU brands didn’t listen. Now they are following in panic. Used bike is a great option from a time where small bikes were available

[@Alanvictoryoung]

I’m mid 50’s. Goin’ on an adventure! I road one litre sport bikes when I was a young man. I went for a Honda CRF300L Rally 3 months ago. I put all sorts of farkles that have made it heavier and heavier. Recently, I started stripping off the farkles and making it lighter. Part of me thinks the CRF300L and putting a bigger tank and windshield on it might have been the better direction. Still doesn’t feel like my mountain bike lol. Great videos! Thank you.

[@rbaldinger]

Thank for sharing. Indeed we experiment, change and learn

[@chilly243]

Great overview for beginners! I started my "offroad" capable bike career 4 years ago at 34 with an 1190 Adv, then a 1290 SAS. Now on an 890 Adv R I still think 30-40 kgs lighter would be better for dedicated offroad tours. Maybe next year when I can afford a second bike like you I will consider a 690/700 Enduro or an AJP for those "gnarly" trips. But living in Germany makes it necessary to have very decent road capabilites on the bike because we cant ride any dirt roads here or in Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, etc. We have to ride tarmac until we are in Poland, France or Italy to be able to legally ride dirt roads which is a shame, really. So envious of the possibilities in Sweden or Finland.

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks mate.Indeed we are blessed with gravel

[@dutchminionandherbike3436]

At first: Happy New Year! Lovely video. Most important thing in your video is how you've developed in finding what fits you. That development is never standing still and you are open for it. I started on a touring motorcycle, then jumped over to sports motorcycles for a few years. When I got back to sport touring/ ADV, I had the development of small 500 cc to my current Africa Twin. Especially the Africa Twin I had to find the courage for due to my challenging height. But I have the luxury of having a T7 and little DRZ in the garage. Those two I train on after which I try to implement what I've learned on the AT.

[@rbaldinger]

Happy new year buddy. Awesome to have a stable with different sized ponys :)

[@dutchminionandherbike3436]

@rbaldinger absolutely!

[@eddiejaoude]

thank you, super useful. I am over 40 and in the saem situation, I always wanted a big GS but now realising it is not practical off road. So I might go for a Transalp or NX500

[@rbaldinger]

Glad to help. I think your reasoning is correct :)

[@hnalike7778]

man u were just right about everything. i felt it myself that after 40 we exactly need lighter smaller machines easy to control and maintain

[@rbaldinger]

Glad you liked it!

[@fritsjanssen5882]

Hi Robbert, you are so right. I have a 1500 Goldwing, and a Kle 500. ( and a Honda Mtx 50cc/80cc) . The Goldwing off course is super. But if i bought the Kle first , i probably did no buy the Goldwing, because i went more than once offroad with the Goldwing. I love the kle for it's thin body, two cilinders and it goes everywhere. You don't realy need more cc's. Greetings from Frits Janssen (Netherlands)

[@rbaldinger]

Cheers Frits!

[@turtle19dad]

Doing your own channel now…. Love the Nomad Sweden content too. My first dual sport is my Kawasaki Versys-X 300.

[@rbaldinger]

Welcome aboard!

[@swecruza]

Köpte mig en V-Strom 800de som min första Adv hoj för drygt en månad sedan.Har endast kört naken hojar tidigare, lite tung men funkar ändå rätt bra i skogen. Skit roligt att kunna stänga av ABS och leka med bakhjulet 😃 Bra material, följer för mer bra info.

[@rbaldinger]

Tack kompis! Skogen är kul som sagt :)

[@beddccom]

I think most of us go through this path. My first ADV motorcycle was crf1100, now T7 but it's spring I plan to change to drz4s or AJP PR7.

[@rbaldinger]

Good luck. Two good bike choices there :)

[@Peerbabakpk]

I am 58 and keeping 45 years on bike ridding. I kept from 50cc to 1800cc Valkyrie Then bmw 1200 adventure so on so on Word by word I agree with you, very good topic Ride safe

[@rbaldinger]

Thank you sir. Ride safe

[@LazyJack2003]

Very wise & helpful perspectives! And definitely the “be prepared to change your opinion” is the secret to end up with the best bike for your personal enjoyment . Thanks!

[@rbaldinger]

Thank you!

[@timeforadventure2808]

Another great video Robert, thx for that. I'm riding BMWs for lots of years and learned on it in the 70s, it was my dreambike. I've owned a GS 1200 for several years now and it takes me comfortably to faraway places on the road or off-road and, above all, reliably back again. There have never been any breakdowns worth mentioning.

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks for sharing. GS is a great bike

[@ChildishDfollowsGod]

35 and felt like I needed to be included in this, getting my first adventure bike this year. Will also be my first bike, period.

[@rbaldinger]

Awesome! Your life is about to change :)

[@ryanroux5429]

Another solid video, well worth a listen, I started traveling on bike in 2007.. had similar journey.. definitely looking at something smaller in future to complement the 890 Adv R..

[@rbaldinger]

THanks mate

[@samimakikorte]

Started my adventure type of riding with KTM 690 Enduro R and would not go any heavier than it.150 kg is well enough challenge for me on the difficult places where you easily end up when adventuring. Exellent video!

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks mate!

[@svendborganders]

How is comfort (seat and wind protection), luggage opportunities, and maintenance?

[@samimakikorte]

@@svendborganders Comfort is bit relative thing. For me the KTM 690 (2017 model) is comfort enough (I was not really look for the comfort when I bought it, but have been riding over 1000 km / day couple of times...with the stock seat.) For the wind protection I have the KTM OEM wind screen, but sometimes when you hit your helmet on it (while trying to avoid some tree branches) I have consider even remove it, but it still is there. On this type of bike with knobby tires, the speed will not often go over 120 km/h anyway. But in those speeds I have no complaints. As far as maintenance goes, I keep the oil change interval around 5000 km (7500 km is the KTM's normal oil change schedule and valve check every 15000 km). Also in my bike the valve rockers have been changed with the valve checks. Easy to do, when top of the engine is already open.) Otherwise it has been hard driving. For the luggage, I have used Kriega's soft luggage systems, which are simple, waterproof and durable. Not the cheapest, but good. Couple of other things to mention: 690 is not exactly beginners bike (although it can be set for limited power map which helps to get stared, Power map selector is under the seat), and my riding is toward the smaller trails if possible.

[@JoonesAdventuresMC]

It sounds like a really good way of starting. Try to get a rough idea what type of bike that might fit your “needs”, but not overthinking it. Go for the bike that gives the biggest smile and start to learn along the road and see if the bike still fits your needs. Knowledge, experience and needs change along the road. When we are new riders we try to fulfill our pictures of our adventure riding dreams, with more experience we know more of what we need to get there and the picture changes. Happy new adventure year Robert 🥳

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks and happy new rides 😊

[@wojtekstach78]

I just bought tenere world raid after being a cruisser guy for 15 years and I'm amazed how much fun you can have on the bike while being 20km away from home instead of going 1000km to ride in Romania, Austria or Italy 😁 The weight and the center of weight is crucial however and if your dream bike is heavy it may make you change where you end up riding unless you are stubborn enough to learn (and do the lifting at the same time)😅

[@rbaldinger]

Indeed, you don't have to go 1000km to have fun on a bike. THanks for sharing

[@matthewjames4268]

We are in good place with great lighter offerings we didn't have a few yrs ago. I rode a GSA for 13 yrs. Bought a Tenere 2 years ago. But CFMOTO and KOVE are offering enticing products.

[@rbaldinger]

I started with mtb. Then from GS I am moving my way down to mtb again? :) Cheers

[@tomthaiger]

Great video again. I got my first Adventure bike (T7) with 49, after some 25+ years street bikes only.

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks mate. Good for you!

[@samhill3496]

No. 1 expert, starting from the bottom. I knew I had seen you before at Taco Bell. I follow Una. Good report Robert. All said, light is right. Buy in to get started and figure out what you want to do then you can decide what you need to accomplish that. I went from a 50cc to a 1000cc. Then road a 500 Yamaha all over North America. Then the big super bike thing hit. Ever do dirt on a Suzuki GS100E. It can be done. I did it. So off to BMW GS's and further down the road. Since then all kinds but I've had and have a GS of some type always. Along with a Tenere that tries to murder me. It's a fing stalker just waiting to strike. All good my Nomad ADV friend. Happy New Year to you and the gang. Next time

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks for sharing bud. Happy new year to you.

[@curnobullen]

Great video. Made me think about my next bike 👍🏻. I really like this over 40 series you are doing.

[@rbaldinger]

Glad to hear it!

[@cloud9847]

I'm buying a Himalayan 450 Tubeless in a few months. Not quite ready just yet but getting there. I am terrified to go with a KTM right now but considered the 790 Adventure. For almost half the price I can get a new Himi though, so went that route. Game plan is to use the 'saving's' for gear and such and then use the little 450 for about a year or so and get some Adventure experience under my belt. Then I might move to something different, we'll see.

[@rbaldinger]

Good plan! Best of luck mate

[@Marcepan455]

After a long break, I returned to offroad 2 years ago. During these 2 years I had 5 motorcycles, from a 450 hard enduro converted to adv to a vstrom 800de, 230kg adv bike. Ultimately, I settled on one Adv 890R and an old dual sport (LC4 625 sxc). ADV is useful in the summer on routes around the house when it is dry (and easy) and when I want to travel 500 km to an off-road event. Light LC4 is useful in autumn and spring around the house (a lot of mud) and for more difficult TET (Balkans). It's hard to find a complete compromise, maybe the new Kove 800x in the Rally version (2025 in europe - 185 kg with fuel and 270 mm of travel, where the pro version from 2024 has 195 kg and 240 of the travel)

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks for sharing mate 👊🏻✊🏻

[@omri0007]

Thanks alot for that. I am 48 years old, and just bought my first bike. I bought cf 450 after watching 1000 you tubes movies. Also me ,riding mtb and emtb and I hope that it will help me with the beginning. The bike should come soon and I am looking forward.

[@rbaldinger]

Great to hear! Mtb is for sure good skills to have even for motorbikes. Best of luck

[@Jern-oe9pp]

Recently bought a Norden 901 at mid 40s and still in line to get my licence! Your videos really helps getting me prepared! Thank you from Lishöping😀👍🏻🇸🇪

[@rbaldinger]

Lisch rules 😊 lycka till

[@BlackThor15]

Awesome video Robert! Thanks for sharing your experience and this very important information! I'm 53, planning to go back to riding full time, after having stopped for about 20 years as "life" got in the way. I have my "dream" bike always on my mind (R1200 GS Rallye, 2017, blue frame) so every piece of information out there for people planning to get back or even start riding is truly appreciated! Finally, Nomad Sweden channel was great, but your new channel with your new selection of themes to share is something else, well done!! 👍👍 PS. Subscribed to Una Moto, thanks, great recommendation!

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks for sharing your story mate. Glad you like my new, unplanned direction :) Best wishes for your revived biker life :)

[@BlackThor15]

@@rbaldinger thank you Robert!

[@lingogringo]

Very good info, thanks for sharing your experience!

[@rbaldinger]

My pleasure

[@rsbharley4766]

Excellent video Robert, job well done mate. Cheers

[@rbaldinger]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@CanadianPhil506]

Happy New Year! Great episode!

[@rbaldinger]

Happy new year!

[@klemenm6967]

Nice video as always. I also went through BMW faze at the beginning, and then changed to MotoGuzzi V85tt as it is smaller and lighter but still has a shaft drive. Could not go smaller because of occasional passenger (wife) but I would go even smaller (600 - 650 cc) and loose the shaft if I would ride solo. We make compromises.

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks for sharing. Indeed always compromises :) Cheers

[@charliem5332]

Brilliant stuff.. anyone getting started or wondering how to progress further, this is the video to watch.

[@rbaldinger]

Thank you sir!

[@davorkrznar411]

Great video! I can relate to your experience, but with one difference-I started at the age of 50. I transitioned from a Harley to an Africa Twin, which turned out to be the best decision ever. However, the Africa Twin was far too heavy for learning off-road skills. To fix that, I got a Honda 300L. It’s a bit underpowered but excellent for building enduro skills, overcoming fear, and gaining confidence. Great bike for TET and similar tracks The Africa Twin is reserved for long-distance travel and tackling the AFT tracks.

[@rbaldinger]

Lucky when we can have multiple bikes :) Cheers

[@ricky12811]

Thanks brother you gave me an other perspective.

[@rbaldinger]

Glad to hear it

[@sweatyhelmets]

Hi and happy new year 🥳, I’ve started riding at the age of 40 as well and my first bike was Tenere xt660z which I’ve swapped for T700 after the year. Can’t be happier with that choice 😊. Greetings

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks for sharing. Happy new year!

[@DavyRo]

Great video, as a former rider of moto x bikes in my younger years, as well as owning older adventure bikes for road riding. I've been wanting to get another bike for the roads after a break of 20 years. There's that much choice now it's a minefield. After seeing the new BMW concept 450 gs. I'm really liking the look of it. But being the cautious type, I'd prefer to buy one after people have owned one for maybe a year. Then see what riders think & maybe the manufacturer will iron out any flaws if any. But I don't really want to wait another year before buying a bike. There's a few good choices, I think I'll probably go for a used bike that I can ride for a year or so until I take the plunge on the BMW. I'm leaning toward a Honda CRF 300 at the min but it could well change

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks for your feedback!

[@LimpeIven]

Once again e very informative video, keep that up! What i'm missing is the character of the bikes, for instance compare a triumph tiger 8 or 900 vs a tenere 700 where the tenere is more suitable for rough terrain due to torque at lower rpms. A 1 cylinder thumper vs a 2 or 3 cylinder, all very different characters wich can add to the overall expierence. Best wishes !

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks. Good points. Hard to cover all in a video though

[@enduromotorradtouren]

I've started unpaved roads only six years ago, Robert. And decided on a cheap, reliable midsize do-it-all bike (Transalp 600, 196 kg without extras). Fast enough and comfortable enough on longer trips, did three ACTs on it, not falling once. Learned a lot, saved a lot of money compared to a new bike. And found out that I want a much lighter bike. They transform your riding. Very helpful when on a solo trip. I bought a used Honda CRF 300 L (142 kg) and find myself exploring without sweat. Do I miss 100 hp more and 100 kg more? Not at all! 40 kg less would be amazing, but we don't have the roads in Bavaria for a more competitive bike. If I'd live in Portugal or Spain... or in Wales... Happy New Year, Günter/Nürnberg

[@rbaldinger]

Thank you Günther. Happy new year!

[@Rickmac22]

Started at 58 after decades of mountain biking as well! Got the Africa Twin for durability, been off-roading with it and find it exceptionally adept. Weight is only nerve-racking on single track… The Kawasaki KLE 500 sounds like the perfect fix! Just need to wait a few more months

[@rbaldinger]

Mtb is actually a great preparation for offroad if you don't have a childhood on dirtbikes. Good luck with the 500 :)

[@jpaulie2008]

I started on a road bike, wanted to try adventuring so I picked up a little Chinese dual sport not wanting to spend too much money if I did not like it, ended up selling the road bike, riding the little dual sport for three seasons before I upgraded to a heavier but only 450 cc adv bike. I still have my dual sport, is good to try new skills on before the much heavier adv bike. Only thing my bike is mission is cruise control for the longer pavement rides I have to make. Only reason I will go up in cc is to get the included cruise control, but I think it will only go up to about 800 cc. I do long multi-day rides and have done short rides I truck a bike to. All is fun and the lighter dual sport is much easier to load on to the truck or trailer. It is good to see someone advising to get the bike that fits your needs, not what the advertisers thinkg you need. I too follow Una Moto and have been enjoying his adventures. Have a Happy New Year.

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks for sharing. Happy new year 🎊

[@ScottishGSAdventuring]

This is amazing stuff. Just the insight needed, and I'm maybe a few years behind you on the same journey. Zx6R, to Z1000SX, to BMW 1250 GSA and sampling offroad.... now questioning this mid size bike range. I'm planning off road training in Scotland, with Ride Off Road Scotland. We don't have TET here, but that might be next to sample.

[@rbaldinger]

Cheers and best of luck

[@chris24j48]

Great advice as always

[@rbaldinger]

Cheers mate

[@jensomat8270]

Hej Robert! I have been riding motorcycles since I was 18. All were street motorcycles with 900 to 1100 cc. I have been living in Sweden since 2019 and bought my first enduro, a Husqvarna 701, at the age of 57. I wonder why not earlier. It is so great when you see a trail in the forest and can just ride it. Great! Now I am 61 years old and my muscles are a bit deeper. Now I have sold my Husky and am looking for a lighter motorcycle. I think the problem is not when you have too little horsepower, but when you have too much weight. I am not a professional at the rally either. I live right next to the TET and see a lot of people with big motorcycles and way too much luggage. Some have big problems with that and get out of the TET. With a smaller motorcycle they would have more fun and would have taken part in the TET. I continue to watch your great videos and wish you a lot of fun in the "off-road".

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks for sharing mate

[@zulkifliahmad5476]

Hi, Robert. Really enjoy watching your video. I'm from the thick jungle of Borneo island. A great place for adventure riding.

[@rbaldinger]

Thank you. Wow! That is for sure an adventurous place to ride.

[@samuelegli1318]

Good video, very true what you say. I also started adventure riding at 46. My first off road bike was a 1990 Yamaha xtz750 super tenere, always loved the Dakar & the 80s rally scene, when men were men & machines were brutal !!! Totally the wrong bike for so many reasons, sold it & bought a crf300 rally, easy to fix, easy to mod, crashes but keeps going. Skill sets ready for more, I really wanted the PR7 but to expensive, so got a 2006 Yamaha XT 660r, underrated, forgotten awesome reliable go pretty much anywhere machine for ⅓ of an PR7. Long haul adventures, bmwr1250gs, king of adv touring, just my opinion as a shorter rider. Little shout out, my tiger 800 was a great bike too, BM better!

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks for sharing mate

[@Peter-DOC-Docter]

Great video again man, i did the same thing you did, i went for a bike that more suits my needs, not looking at how it looks, but more what it can do, started with a XJ900 which i could effort and had enough power and weight, maybe a little bit too much for a starter, then got an chopper, because i just wanted it, wanted to know how it feels and it's completely different. Now i own a XL700 Transalp, because i wanted i lighter bike, one that you can ride long distances with, without getting back pains and you can take offroad, whenever you want. Not hardcore but enough and still be good as an everyday bike, for work and life. (but i'm already thinking about an upgrade and that would be the T7)

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks for sharing sir!

[@alban370]

I follow Una Moto and his KLR 300. He is a good man and his story is very interesting. I ride actually a T7 Extreme because my last travels and the futur are long and I ride on the gravel pistes and small roads. When I was young, I did amateur motocross. But today, I'm too old (60 years) to act as a clown !!!

[@rbaldinger]

Extreme is a great bike. And tall :) Cheers

[@alban370]

@@rbaldinger Yes, my height is 1,90m ;)

[@OffweGoMoto]

Nice Video again :). exactly the reason why we movedfrom our old bike to the CFMOTO 450MT lighter, more flexible and better. (okay the X-cape breaking down each longer trip did make it easy to switch :) )

[@rbaldinger]

Cheers buddies and happy new riding year

[@hughmac7423]

I'm well over 40, been riding on the road 42 years, did a lot of dirt riding in my youth, vintage motocross and enduro in my 20's and 30's, and classic track racing in my 30's and 40's. I have always had a motorcycle and I ride pretty much every day currently. I have a 1988 HD Lowrider with a sidecar. I brought a 2022 HD Pan America (Army Green version) in 2023, I have taken it on rough dirt roads and some trails, but that is not why I brought it, I got it as a sports tourer and commuter (I have 20km of freeway on my city commute). I think the Pan Am is fantastic, the flexibility with the suspension and power settings, and it suits our rough sealed roads in Australia, and is capable to handle our dirt roads. I have 4 motorcycles, I would like to have a smaller ADV or Scrambler, saving for one. I'm past wanting a dedicated off road bike, I would like something more classic looking, like the Royal Enfield Bear and then modify it to be more dirt biased. Most of my dirt riding was on a 1974 Yamaha DT400 stripped for motocross, Honda XL250's and other late 70's bikes. I know there are better dirt road bikes than the Bear, but given what most of my experience is on, it would run rings around my old bikes. I still have the DT400, it is a beast, with its porting and high compression head.

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks for sharing mate

[@xani666]

I wish we got more on the "bigger dual sport" range. Just big enough to be not terrible on highway while still keeping dirt provess, and good maintenance intervals. Preferably with scrambler styling :D

[@rbaldinger]

We're all looking for the perfect unicorn :) Cheers

[@pmp0giboy]

Good content and points to consider. Thanks

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks mate

[@vincentmontminy6063]

I went vintage with a Dominator 1993 just for the feeling 😂 loving it 😃

[@rbaldinger]

Cool bike 👍🏻

[@Stig4n]

The best advice - be gentle to yourself. When you have the imbition to more offroad, but you have no experience, but want to be able to continue with road travels, the mid adv section is a good place to start with. Also the price for these bikes are okish for someone in the 40s that is doing a good for for a while. The big ADV bikes are likely more in the category of a car and when you have that on lease/loan you will likely not do any risk situation, while when you own the mid ADV it will feel different - plus maintenance and spare parts are cheaper. I did not made any longer trips on a lighter bike, but also from the time when only on the road a bike (+/-20KG) at 200KG is also good to handle on the road while lighter bikes on the highway or long distance is more exhausting as you are constant active to keep the bike stable. But that is just me, the guy who loved his 600N Bandit for years and now switched to a V85TT for the same reason you selected the Tenere - to be able to continue when tarmac stops.

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks for sharing mate

[@DualSportDoug]

I love my DR-Z400S! I'm adding a DR-Z4S to my collection as soon as they land in the US.

[@rbaldinger]

Indeed the DRZ4S looks cool!

[@gerharddahlheimer5485]

Hi Robert. Nice approach to the topics. Especially about choose and buy your first bike. You're right by saying if you have a special imagination in your head, buy the bike that fulfills it. Then start to learn to use it. Or as Pavlin mentioned in one of his older Videos - the best Bike to start your adventures is the one you have in your Garage. But keep in mind that it might be not that what you expected. Wish you a happy new year and a mild headache tomorrow 🤣

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks and happy new year!

[@scandimc]

I find the 690 / 701 enduro the most fun both on gravel/off-road and still fun on the road. 10.000 km service intervals and 147 kg dry weight 🏍️

[@rbaldinger]

Indeed fun bikes

[@NooBiker]

My second bike is a Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 which i use for trips and a bit of green laning. I think it was a great introduction but now I'm starting to think about something a bit more capable.

[@rbaldinger]

Best of luck mate

[@stephanematis]

Great summary. Happy New Year!

[@rbaldinger]

Thanks. Happy new year!

[@efrainlariz490]

Thank you, great video as I'm looking for my first bike at 46 years old

[@rbaldinger]

Best of luck!

[@brunobb3356]

Hello, Robert. I own a Suzuki 800 DE for road trips, ACT and TET when I am accompanied by friends because too heavy and risky used alone . And a Yamaha 250 TTR to do enduro, and road trip engaged as the TET when I go alone!

[@rbaldinger]

Sounds like a great combo :)

[@diZno8]

Started at 39 (2019) with a Yamaha FZ6 naked. Wanted that bike since I saw it back in 2006. Rode it from march to october, but then I made an error by accepting to ride an R1200gs. I rode it about 80km, when I got home I decided to put my FZ6 up for sale. So I bought an R1200GS from 2008. I've been riding that for the past 3 years, but now I want to sell it and buy a 2017 version, just for a little more confort ( cruise control) and finesse (not so cluncky gearbox). Still gonna buy myself back an FZ6 when I'll afford having 2 bikes.

[@rbaldinger]

Great plan :) cheers