Choosing the Perfect Adventure Motorcycle | Don’t Make These Mistakes.

[@jonwoodworker]

As a lifelong Honda fan, the perfect ADV bike for me is the Suzuki 800DE. I primarily ride dirt, and the adjustable suspension works well off road. It also has solid torque, I can put it in 3rd gear and drive out of the twisties on road with ease. There are many other reasons for my choice, but i am very happy.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Great bike

[@kyjelly5524]

Looks like a sweet bike. I really like the T700 from the reviews but I haven’t ridden one. My drz is too small but I love Suzuki, they make great stuff. I worry about the power of the T700. I’ll stick to Japanese bikes for sure. Not sure what to get but I need to sell the drz first. I think the Africa twin may be too big for trails for me.

[@VineV-Dutch]

Most drive to big motorcycles. Sick to the lightweight or even dual sports when driving mainly off-road.

[@RaptorPackAdventures]

Great topic for where I am now. After my recent fall at Giant Loop Ride which resulted in a major surgery, I’m questioning if my KLR 650 is the right bike for me. Thinking of transitioning to my KLX 250S when I can ride again. Crashes will make you think about if you’re suited to the bike

[@RIDEAdventures]

Roger, the lighter 250 bike sure will help take it easier on that shoulder until fully-healed. You might miss some of the comfort and carrying ability of the KLR, but pluses and minuses will be evident everywhere. Just glad you're already thinking about what you'll be riding next! Great meeting you out there and thanks for saying hi. - Eric

[@gsxrkz]

Great advice guys, I have broken it down to the Suzuki 800 DE and the Yamaha T7, As I am a smalIer rider I'm leaning towards the Yamaha T7, I really like the April tuareg 660 But there seems to be a lot of quirks in this bike. What it comes down to is reliability that's the most important thing to me. Leaning towards the T7 as it is roughly 50 pounds lighter, As far as reliability goes Suzuki and Yamaha are on par for me.

[@lawrencearabia9345]

Outstanding discussion. I like how not one bike was modeled around the conversation but criteria to consider. Good things to consider would also suggest narrow down the bike and then go rent one for a week in Bend Oregon to help decide if the bike meets expectations. Thats how I ended up with a 2020 Africa Twin Adventure Sports. Keep up the good work. Still waiting on the jersey in the store. Take care and stay on the throttle.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Good point! And we just made a few more prototypes so hopefully we’ll get our act together and get them up on the shop. Thanks for the encouragement.

[@richardkeeley6927]

I recently purchased a new leftover 2023 Honda ATAS manual and now my rides are focused on medium to long haul rides over highways, secondary roads, dirt & logging roads, ATV and snowmobile tracks. Moreover, the ATAS is a big bike and I'm a short fellow. Consequently, I installed a lowering link which dropped the rear 20mm and I dropped the forks 10mm (as suggested by the link provider). Everything feels fine and I ride pretty much anywhere but swamps or goat tracks in the mountains (you know what I mean). There is no perfect bike and it's tough to do every type of riding with just one motorcycle. I believe I have found a motorcycle that makes me super happy 80% of the time. Regarding the other 20%, I simply need tp manage my expectations and accept my limitations and find suitable workarounds for that particular motorcycle. :)

[@alozborne]

An affordable, comfortable, and reliable ADV, that I can ride on pavement for at least 2 hours straight, without discomfort. Yet, it also needs to be confidence inspiring when riding off pavement... My 2022 CB500X comes close, if only I was a smaller guy and if the CB500X was more off pavement oriented. I will be graduating to a Transalp XL750, V-Strom 800DE, or a Tenere 700 sometime over the next 3 years but I know I will miss my CB500X as it's been super reliable and it's just so easy and enjoyable to ride.

[@R0ger007]

Who you're traveling with is also a consideration. Can't take a gs into the wilderness alone, they can get very stuck and very heavy and you may see noone for days, solo travel bike choice is a compromise. Travelling with a buddy on same make & model allows for sharing of knowledge, tools & spares.

[@soilsmanadv6673]

I like that you mentioned geometry. I have a bike lowered with factory parts, internal to the suspension. I added a heavier spring because of my weight and the things I carry on each ride. I believe this has changed the shock geometry as the rear shock, piston shaft has failed twice. I am returning it to stock height but keeping the heavier spring.

[@RetiredAdventureRider]

I imagined myself adventure riding on an Africa Twin, but the reality was the bike was too heavy for me to gain the skills I needed for off-road. Watching videos of other riders with more skills makes off-road riding look easier than it is, and you need more than a one-day training program. I bought a CRF250L, which is so much easier off-road, but I'm finding it a little underpowered as an adventure bike. I've got a 10-day trip coming up, and after that, I'll think about whether I need to try a compromise with a little more weight but more power.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Well I think you made the right decision but learning offroad on a smaller bike to get the techniques down. -Garrett

[@PisgahGravelProject]

Big one, but only for the guys who ride solo......buy a bike that you can pick up-or maneuver of the stand on the side of hill if you need to turn around. Great video guys. The market is absolutely flooded with 1-3year old bikes that are essentially new. It is my opinion that many of these bikes were purchased by guys who are new to adv, and purchased 'what looks cool' or 'what everyone else has' There's more t7s for sale now than ever, both new and used. Same goes for liter+ bikes. The motorcycle marketing teams are geniuses. Now, the consumer market is figuring it out. Great topic, and I hope folks put their egos aside and use critical thinking skills and videos like this to find the right bike for themselves

[@RIDEAdventures]

Great points and thanks for the feedback

[@cdan1768]

Eric great seeing you guys at Giant Loop. I have a 2017 GSA that I love but I recently did part of the Idaho BDR and realized the weight was a challenge so I bought an Aprilia Tuareg and love it so far. This hopefully will be my BDR bike and my GS will be my road/fire road bike. My opinion is there is no perfect bike but I do think that the manufactures in the ADV space are getting close.

[@spencercole1583]

The Adventure is when things go wrong. Just as you said, you don't remember all the 'perfect' riding. You remember when dumped the bike, broke a part and had to duct tape/bailing wire fix the problem to get through the day. While I choose my bikes based on the idea of 'will it get me back, not just out', I'm always prepared for the unplanned part of the trip. In fact that's what I'm there for.

[@arnohag1]

I see that handlebar vibrations is not mentioned. I sold my DR650 because after adding barkbusters it vibrated awfully even with bar end weights. Most bikes have a throb but the high frequency vibes get to me.

[@RIDEAdventures]

I’m sure the nerves don’t appreciate it either. What did you buy?

[@arnohag1]

@@RIDEAdventures I had a couple of bikes but have kept my old 2010 F800GS. Fits the bill for most riding.

[@charlieb1696]

just change the handlebars.. different material, thickness, changes frequency of vobration

[@heinschwartz7941]

Great chat guys 👏👏 good example - in Mongolia we could only find 18” tubes in remote villages as they all ride small Chinese bikes with 18” front & rear. Can become a challenge 😎

[@RIDEAdventures]

The elusive 18/18 combo saves the day! Glad if you found what was needed. Thanks for watching.

[@duanneblouin7148]

I took my africa twin from the states to alaska and learned that most bike shops even a honda shop may not have the parts you need even things like chains and sprockets and batteries is was a rude awakening.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Especially since 2019, yeah, it seems like inventory levels are more sensitive than ever before. Thanks for watching and sharing.

[@BP-id4cq]

Great topic! And just in time for me...crashed my beloved T-7 last week. Other driver was texting and cut me off. T-7 is done. I'm good, no broken anything (thanks Klime!). T-7 was great on/off road, but a royal pain to pickup by myself. I'm 5'-8" & 180 lbs and workout, but need something else. I like riding on the freeway/tarmac but also fireroads, etc...any suggestions? Thanks again for another great video!

[@RIDEAdventures]

Glad you weren't injured, but tough to suggest another bike since the T7 is generally so great! Some folks have lowered their T7, making it easier from a few angles. Other than that, maybe a lower bike like a KTM 890 Adventure S would be in order for you. CFMoto 800 Ibex is another good low seat, mid-sized option. Hope that helps.

[@BP-id4cq]

@@RIDEAdventures thanks for your advice, I’m definitely going to throw a leg over those bikes once I’m healthy. The 2024 Africa Twin is also on my radar. Thanks!

[@markjacobs3956]

Maybe you should ask...when it comes to roads, are you crossing interstates or 2 lane highways? Are you doing 800 miles a day or 250? Will you be running 60 all day or 80? Are you camping or moteling? At age 60 I've had everything from 1200s to 250s. I've settled on a crf300l fully farkled. No tent, no interstate highways, no big miles. It goes anywhere... all day, reliably, lightly, economically. I've never said I wish my bike was heavier....

[@paveldariusbogdan4367]

Hello there , i was wondering if in your test rides and adventures ylou got to ride the re himalayan 411 or the new 450 himalayan , and my qwestion is if you think that royam enfield are reliable bikes ? i have seen a lot of videos with guys conquering the mountains on those bikes and say that they are build as a tank but i aslo heard the other bunch of guys saing that they are unreliable bikes and poorly build , if you have any thoughts about the brand or about the himalayan specific i would like to hear because i am interested in these bikes and i also want to hear your opinion because i watched a lot of your videos and learnd a lot about adventure riding also aplying on my adventures , thank you a lot :D

[@RIDEAdventures]

We don't currently operate with any of the Himalayans, but have in the past with good results. Hope you can find one to test ride somewhere, which will help be sure if it's right for you. Thanks for watching.

[@kyjelly5524]

How much gear is too much ? I doubt o would bring 30 lbs but is that too much for a t700, Africa twin or de800

[@RIDEAdventures]

30lbs these bikes can handle. Though in my experience the fun you have riding reduces exponentially the heavier you go. But that's because I like more offroad riding. Also some things to think about are the terrain types you plan on riding and where you put the weight over the rear wheel. -Garrett

[@kyjelly5524]

@@RIDEAdventures yeah I watch the videos on here about the BDR rides and I can’t believe how big the bikes are and how much crap people carry. I want to be light weight. I’m selling my drz and plan on getting an Africa twin or T700. Probably the T700. The drz isn’t great in the road and I like twisty roads.

[@tree-service]

Why i might see this video like an youtube stream in small window on Android?

[@IRLtrolls]

Eric’s take on “unreliable motorcycles leading to more fun and memories” has got to be one of the most tone deaf “rich guy” bullshit opinions I’ve ever heard in my life. I’m glad that it worked out and you met some fantastic people and you brainstormed a solution to a mechanical issue but there is a flip side to that where your high performance European bike breaks down on the side of a mountain with no cell signal and a single track trail in and out that no truck and trailer can get to and you’re whole trip is ruined. The common man doesn’t want to deal with that. “Hopefully not too much adventure” is a big roll of the dice.

[@Drzzlt]

what has that to do with being rich? You think they would get a helicopter to lift the bike out? ^^ calm down my man, nobody hurt you

[@IRLtrolls]

@@Drzzlt Has everything to do with being well off. Flight deadlines, vacation time constraints, paying for transportation of you and the broken down bike, paying for parts and labor. You still have to pay for a tow truck and your way home. All of these are variables the common working man doesn’t want to voluntarily deal with on a motorcycle trip. His laissez faire attitude towards reliability says one thing. - More money than sense. What kind of room temperature IQ do you have to even ask that question? Lololol

[@Drzzlt]

@@IRLtrolls I think youre missing the point but hey keep on crying bud :)

[@Drzzlt]

@@IRLtrolls are you 12? Because I can tell. Hes saying that part of an adventure is living in the moment, making desicions, solving problems. You know, being present right then an there. Thats what you dont get. He doesnt want a bike that breaks down every 5 mins but if something happens on a trip, its always a (great) story that you actually remember. So is it that bad if a mishap happens or is it what we actually seek in an adventure? Quite philosophical actually. On my trips I live day by day. When I wake up in my tent, I dont know where Im going to sleep in the evening. I dont know, where Im going to get food. I fix mechanical issues myself or I look for help. Is this a "rich" guy priviledge, because I choose to live in the moment? Because to me it sounds more like Im homeless with a bike. If you cant afford a different flight. Dont fly? Start from home and ride as far as you can within your timeframe but have a few spare days for when things go sour. Work on your mindset and stop trying to prove your intelligence to stangers on the internet. Start touching grass every once in a while and Im certain, you will see the world and its opportunities with different eyes :)

[@Appalachianmuscle]

That's the dumbest thing iv ever heard an adventure bike is something u can ride on and off road that's the hole point of it

[@spencervidal3168]

I currently have an 05 KLR and it is NOT up to the task.. It is an antiquated turd. Little more than a grocery getter. The worst and least capable bike I have ever owned..