Time For A New Bike? Grom ADV Ride Takes A STRANGE Turn...

It might finally be time for me to buy a real ADV/dual sport bike, but first I had to take the Honda Grom out for an off-road adventure to see if that would scratch my ADV itch! As always on my little Grom excursions, things got a little crazy. But this is the first time I saw something so strange that I was legitimately creeped out...
So what do you think? Will the Grom suffice for my needs, or should I get an adventure/dual-sport style motorcycle next? And if I do, should I go for the Honda CRF300L, Royal Enfield Himalayan, Royal Enfield Scram 411, OR should I spring for the Yamaha Tenere 700?! (Which conveniently costs as much as a CRF300 and Himalayan combined haha)
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[@marvinpena8113]

Great video Burch !!! 🤙🏽

[@antimatterhorn]

probably your ideal mix of urban trail making and off-road capability can be found in the Honda Trail 125. that is, if you can find one.

[@mvdh4959]

Love seeing that patreon list getting longer and longer :D You deserve it all, banger content!

[@LifeOfBurch]

Thanks so much dude!! 100% couldn’t be doing this without them 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@marthaburcham3509]

So I’m not really sure what had me more anxious - you exploring that inground, homeless shelter, looking thing where I thought for sure someone was gonna pop out of it, or the woman at the end who turned into your lane!!!! Fun video!!!

[@wesleemiller]

Great video.

[@Decepticon215]

There are so many cool places to drive around by you. I live in Easton on the other side of the bridge and there is definitely not much to drive around with my Navi.

[@bkad6238]

Moto camping!!! I'm getting everything together to go camping on the grom as soon as spring gets here

[@boedude8496]

'itchy boots' used the crf300 rally, taking bottom to top of the trans america. noraly schoenmaker did as much off-roading as she could. the bike seemed to do very well

[@TDubDrew]

A TW200 would be an awesome dual sport bike for the type of riding you’re talking about. Top speed is only around 60-65 but it will handle any trail you want to ride.

[@Irkin_Bollikans]

👏 especially for the lack of off road experience.

[@daniellandry9366]

plus its around the same weight as the grom

[@LifeOfBurch]

I’ve always thought TW200’s were rad, but not what I’m looking for right now. With how underpowered they are, I’d need to trailer it to any spot that would make an ADV style bike worth it around here. Even the Himalayan and CRF300L topping out around 80 has me concerned enough 😅

[@daniellandry9366]

@@LifeOfBurch good point, best be safe and sell the rebel and buy a T7.... Jk 😉

[@wooly9976]

“No body bats an eye” two people stop in the middle of the road because of his shenanigans lol

[@Snowburnt]

Grom. Nice ride/video.

[@terrywatts1060]

That leaf scared me too lol

[@erich.4305]

It might be time for the "life of burch" to get a RE Himalayan. I like the Scram411 better too, but you are probably right it might be too street oriented for what you have in mind. I vote for the Scram for the coolness factor though.

[@danasymosky5609]

CRF300L or TW200. Those would be good dual sport bikes for someone who is starting out venturing offroad. You want something light enough that you can maneuver over a log or around an obstacle, but has more torque and ground clearance than the Grom. Since you already have the dual sport tires for the Grom, put them on first and see how much of a difference it makes. That would be an interesting vlog too.

[@Atopper]

This makes me want a grom!

[@kmatsdaddy5338]

Can't beat the Himmy for low end torque to get over all of those obstacles. I love mine. What you might not like are the service intervals...

[@jessenewton2540]

CRF 300L Rally is going to join my Rebel 1100 shortly. Looked into the Himalayan, but heard the same stuff about the build quality and that it deteriorates pretty quickly. The Rally has a bigger tank than the regular CRF, and the windshield and upgraded lighting is nice. I owned a Grom for a few months, liked it, but that 60 mph top speed was a deal breaker.

[@williamwarren9362]

Great content. Dual sport tires for the Grom.

[@MsBrokate]

Could be fun to see you try out a non-name brand and could document your journey with that. CSC has there RX series and there TT250. Would be fun to see a bike shipped out to you and such. I've always been intrigued by the CSC model. They are extremely cheap as well.

[@Goats_]

Yo Burch Great video. You should totally get an adventure bike. Seems like a fun way to do something stupid. Be Well. 🤘🐐🤘

[@LifeOfBurch]

Thanks so much brotha!! Hope life’s been treating you well! 😎🤘🏻

[@ethanrhanielle2474]

I've got a scram so maybe my insight might be helpful as I test drive both the him and the scram. For the light offroading you're doing the scram would handle it no problem. Its literally a scrambler in it's truest form. It'll do city and street stuff just fine and when you see a trail you can follow it and it's fine. It's got plenty of clearance and the power and really lends itself well to off-road but it's not winning and Enduro competitions. But if you're just looking to explore trails it's more than capable. The Him on the other hand which I didn't end up going for seems more geared for longer adv trips. Riding two hours into the mountains then riding on a Forrest road for an overlanding trip is where it feels like it shines the most. It was fine on the street but it's really not a looker and the 21 inch front wheel really disconnects u from the road compared to the scram. Both are great bikes though and even though they aren't fast they're a load of fun. I use my scram for what u just did with ur grom. I commune in the city and do some urban exploration which always ends up on me on some trail till I find a view or get bored.

[@THR33SIXX3MPYR]

Hey Man, if you're looking for a proper off road trail that's a day trip away, I can't recommend Peter's Mill Run in VA enough. Did it on a camping trip with my buddies on my Trail 125 and it was a piece of cake. I think you'd have a great time on it on the Grom or really whatever else you get!

[@LifeOfBurch]

Ooo thanks for the suggestion!! That sounds awesome and I’ve never heard of it before. Definitely gonna look into that! 🙏🏻

[@JasonCline]

Some kinda dual sport would definitely be the middle ground between the Grom and say a T7. I've got a DR650, but there are lots of options out there. It's a blast around town, got those hooligan vibes, handles the freeway just fine but I do wish it had a 6th gear for when I got miles to put on. I think that's where the adventure touring bikes are gunna win, in that 2nd or 3rd hour of riding to the ride.

[@terrywatts1060]

Wow. the odds of you running into that guy to help him.

[@that_bobber_guy]

That Royal Enfield looks pretty cool

[@LinkFelton]

Put some nobbies on the Grom before spending the money on an Adventure Bike. The Grom is so customizable. If you do get an Adventure Bike, Trail 125 is a beast for a Min-Adventure Bike. Got to ride one the other day and man, I'd love to own one.

[@LifeOfBurch]

Trail 125’s are dope, but not what I’m looking for for this. My Grom would dog walk a Trail 125 through the woods with some knobby tires lol but I don’t want to go full knobbies on the Grom either since I do so much on-road riding with it too. Maybe I’ll just have to see how it does off-road with my dual sport tires before I decide 🤔

[@phoenixfire47]

@@LifeOfBurch I bought Shinko SR428's for my Grom. They're a good mix of a street and trail tire for what I do with it, highly recommend!

[@LifeOfBurch]

@@phoenixfire47 funny story- I’ve actually had those exact tires sitting in my condo for over a year and just haven’t put them on yet 😅 I definitely need to quit slacking and get em thrown on!

[@LinkFelton]

@@LifeOfBurch That's fair. Then the Dual Sports and maybe some foldin bar end mirrors would be a good route for the Grom. I'm in the same boat with you in not wanting a full size bike for those AV rides. Grom can be turned into a serious dual sport ride. Plus you can customize and dial in the Grom as apposed to getting a AV. Also, look into the aRacer Mini-X and aRacer AF2 module. Replacement ECU with complete Auto-Tune capabilities. Even stock it gets you more performance but as you add more performance mods it auto-tunes for you. I plan on getting one myself.

[@michaelbarber6215]

Came here to basically say this! You’ll get away with way more on the Grom. A Trail125 would be next easiest to get away with stuff but you’re not really gaining much over a Grom. Throw some knobbys on that Grom!

[@KomotoVlogs]

I mean I’d miss nervously watching you ride down drainage ditches and jump off bridges😂 but an actual off road trail?! with an adventure bike?! Motocamping!? 👀👀👀

[@LifeOfBurch]

Who said I wouldn’t ride down drainage ditches and jump off bridges with my new bike too, hmmm?!?! 👀😳😂😂😂

[@KomotoVlogs]

@@LifeOfBurch gosh dangit😂😂

[@Tashin32]

You should look at the little "adventure" built that Blockhead did with his grom. Lots you can do with just more aggressive tires.

[@jamesthompson7969]

Thanks!

[@LifeOfBurch]

Thanks so much James! You da man!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@brandonwalker5762]

Possibly hearing a deer “blow” which can sound like a sneeze.

[@jauken83]

I have a Scram and it's certainly not fast, but it is fun as hell to ride. Very torquey down low, but not a lot up top. I bought it because I am a firm believer in the slow bike fast is more fun than a fast bike slow.

[@kalebhartman7327]

Dude get a Sur-ron! It would be perfect for this kind of thing! Not sure if electric is an option but if so, definitely worth checking out!

[@theimmortalgriffithdavion1592]

Have you looked at used BMW GS series (not the giant 1200)? I have an older F800GS and i LOVE the thing

[@mattrosenberg6108]

Trail 125 might be the way to go! Unless you want some more capabilities. That new Honda Cl500 might be your route, less off road capability but it looks freaking dope. And would be a super natural transition from your rebel series

[@carvidz7504]

Ooh yea! The trail would be perfect for urban exploring

[@dav8388]

My brother just got a Kawasaki KLX300 duel sport. I never road a bike like that before, and always thought how fun can a 300 actually be. Just a run around the block I get why they are so popular that thing was a blast. I'm trying to talk my self out of spending more money to get the Supermoto version and I'm loosing.

[@brendon4558]

You could also look at the hero xpulse 200, it's a pretty good adventure bike, it's pretty light for an adventure bike and they're made to last🙌I've got one and it's a blast😅

[@HarambeJawn]

Check out the gpx 190advr. Think they will be selling them again in spring and are pretty cheap. Street legal and pretty sure they will ship to your door.

[@Irkin_Bollikans]

Another recommendation for the tw200. But buy used for sure

[@nephilymbass1]

If you enjoy messing around off-road with the grom I highly recommend a Yamaha TW200. It’s as cheap as the royal enfields, more reliable. Has a lot of the groms giggle factor being a small displacement bike that you still can ride wide open throttle on the street.

[@lyttlephetus5241]

300L deff. you will have more fun and progress faster learning on a smaller bike. 300cc is plenty of power off road and its fine for road use. I drove my DRZ400 to ride with you from NJ to Maryland and it takes a beating. I travel on it all the time. Itchy Boots does crazy adventure riding all around the world on her CRF300 Rally so deff check her channel out.

[@kenbowlus2995]

What about a 170cc or 186cc big bore kit and a pair of Shinko Mobber tires? You should be about $600 all-in for the parts kit and tires, then just watch a few KZbin videos, break out the tools, and have at it!

[@MrCODEmaster00]

Yo Burch, I have a playlist called "CRF300L Essentials", I made it for just myself to know like what's the creme de le creme of what I want to do/can do when I eventually buy a CRF300L. I just only made the playlist "Public" so it might take a few hours to show up if you search for it, but it's just a compiled list of all the awesome stuff you can do to it. Extra auxiliary fuel tank, custom handguards (like bark busters) that integrate the turn signals into them so turn signals don't break off when you drop the bike, that kinda awesome AND functional stuff is on the playlist. I'd recommend checking it out, it might take a day for youtube to turn it public (it took a day to turn "Zed125 Essentials Playlist" public so I could save it to the MotoDash1100 account).

[@LifeOfBurch]

Ooo hell yea, I definitely gotta check that out!! Sounds like you already did all the research for me! 😂🤘🏻

[@bmagada]

idk dude, have you seen the scramblers honda is making with the africa twin?

[@terrywatts1060]

Nice

[@matthatter93]

Hey Birch! If you want to do like what I’m thinking I have a great street bike so I’m going to get a 250-300cc dual sport that can do 70ish so it can do longer stints on the road but is super light and honestly easier to do off roading compared to any super expensive porky pig Adv bike. There is a ton of luggage solutions for dual sports for motocamping and whatnot as well.

[@matthatter93]

More specifically most people would use as crf 300 rally or Kawasaki but I’m leaning heavily towards the lifan KPX250. Cheap but if you service it well enough it will be just fine

[@quinnquinnds]

Keep the grom and mod and record vids for a adventure bike, people love groms and grom builds

[@birddogz545]

You found some kids fort. Did you never build stuff like that with your friends when you were younger?

[@Sea_Jay]

I'd totally be down for watching some Himalayan action. Just sayin'

[@michaeljaca7831]

Honda Trail 125 Burch!

[@Foodgeek]

I'm jonesin' for either the MT09 SP or the Suzuki GSX-S1000 😂 Four bikes is just kinda crazy, though :D

[@LifeOfBurch]

Remember- the formula for how many bikes you need is ALWAYS N+1, where N is how many bikes you currently have 😂😂😂

[@Foodgeek]

@@LifeOfBurch I know, I know. The same for guitars. I have 15 of those 😂😂😂

[@andyhorn2509]

Check out Stuart Fillingham on KZbin for good info on Royal Enfield. That trail you were on has orange blaze Mark's painted on the trees, so there should be a map somewhere.

[@TechDeck_God]

Look into a SSR pit bike, they are some of the best adventure bikes🔥

[@jimmyonthedrug]

HERE!!!!!!!!

[@LifeOfBurch]

JIMMAYYY!!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@jimmyonthedrug]

@LifeOfBurch I use to take the ruckus off road when it was stock.

[@stephenbarabas6286]

I don't know where my suggestion went? It was here earlier but now poof it's gone.. Don't know if someone deleted stuff because I posted a link to a company or not but whatever. Check out a Brozz250 they are more affordable than a Honda and better quality than a Royal Enfield. Dork in the Road has a few videos on it and it seems pretty good. Plus he does a lot of ADV riding and moto camping on all kinds of different bikes. I figure if the Brozz can handle him and he is about 4 times your size it might work well for you.

[@patrickbouley9232]

Nope! Sasquatch lives there! Honda 300 CRF300L all the way buddy.

[@erickeller6691]

i think you should look into doul sports

[@holdendunavan7031]

Maybe you can do something completely different this time around and get like an old school xl75 or xl100 and then you can have something small and it will be like a complete 180 from all the rest of your bikes you own. (Or you could play it safe and go to a Royal Enfield dealer with both a scam and a Himalayan and test drive both)

[@holdendunavan7031]

Also you could do like a video series on fixing any problems the old bikes may have. I'd definitely watch that.

[@MotoDash1100]

Bro, if you do EVER wanna visit Florida by motorcycle and do some motocamping, lemme know if you're not against it, there's some BEAUTIFUL spots, I've been doing stealth camping/"urban camping" for like 3 months now with like 4-day to a week break at most (basically only when I watch a dog and house sit for a family I know) and could show you some interesting spots. I do love Chattanooga, but don't know a ton of spots around that area to lay low and do some motocamping without being [far away from] civilization/a bathroom. Stay safe man! Edit: misphrasing.

[@LifeOfBurch]

That would be sick dude! So crazy that that’s what you’ve been doing! 😳

[@joegoshen8992]

Looks like it's a hide for big foot! Hahahaa

[@LifeOfBurch]

Hahah right?! 😂

[@James-sir]

Make the grom an adventure bike upgrade some stuff

[@LifeOfBurch]

Yea I need to get these dual sport tires thrown on finally!

[@kenfreeman6417]

Definitely a kids Fort. but if you like the maneuverability and size of the grom. And are ok with the 125 cc. The new Honda ct 125 shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s not as stylish to some. But if you like vintage looking bikes. The versatility of the ct is unmatched. at the 125cc class.

[@bootsinthedirt]

Love my CRF300. The marginal increase in price over modifying mini bikes that still could not match the performance made that a no brainer. If you’re going to put a bike in the back of a truck to ride in the woods, maybe get an e-dirt bike for the stealth factor?

[@trevorf1838]

Bro. CRF450RL. :) It's heavy though.

[@BobbyMiller3]

Yeah man don't beach the grom at spriggs 😅

[@lizard5109]

look at the small dual sport around the 110~250 cc range you could replace the grom with it

[@LifeOfBurch]

I feel like if I’m gonna replace the Grom, it would have to be something with considerably more power/functionality. I don’t know if I could ever get rid of the Grom at this rate. Which bikes did you have in mind in that range?

[@lizard5109]

@@LifeOfBurch the first bike that came to mind was the older monkeys, the crf250L and the along the lines of a XT250. for how i have seen you ride in videos a lighter bike would be way better, stay away from any bike you cant pickup unassisted. large dual sports in my option have a place in large open trails/ open road for single track riding a small nimble bike out ways the 450+ bike.

[@RiosMensRights]

If you want to go deep into the mountains, unless your bringing your bike there on a truck a 300 is gonna suck on the way there. I would either get the 450 or the 650 cause they can actually go 60 lol

[@LifeOfBurch]

See that’s what I keep telling myself too, but then I see Itchy Boots doing 45,000 miles from South America to Alaska on a CRF300L and I start questioning everything 😂

[@daandhae7718]

I would recommend the honda crf 300.

[@Bobert383]

Me and my wife are looking at KLX300s. The suspension is supposed to be better than the CRF300s.

[@PubRunner]

Take a Himalayan for a ride and then make a decision. They are as fast as the need to be and faster than a Grom. Those that complain about it’s speed haven’t actually ridden one. I find with mine it’s real easy to speed on and I take corners much faster on it that on a bigger more powerful bike. If you testing a brand new one they loosen up a lot the more Ks they do.

[@mikes.7900]

I kept getting a Blair Witch vibe with some of your forest discoveries, then I realized it took place in Burkittsville, MD, you're not far away, are you sure the woods are safe? lol

[@LifeOfBurch]

Dude honestly I don’t even know! 😂 Burkittsville is actually right around the corner from where Nina and I took our last trip (the video 2 weeks ago), and I think we actually briefly passed through…so maybe some of the creepiness followed us back 😅😭

[@mattd3518]

If you can find one, you can always get a Honda Trail 125

[@csorgb05]

If you want a Grom style ADV bike... How about the Honda Trail 125?

[@koldkustard]

What about a benelli trk 502 for a budget adv bike?

[@koldkustard]

502X I mean

[@jgeph2.4]

In your option how is the monkey compared to the grom for the riding you do?

[@backyardr.c.channel4732]

Honda CL300 or the CL500 they should be out by spring time.

[@LifeOfBurch]

I was waiting for them to be announced for sooo long, but they aren’t even coming to the U.S.! 😭😭😭

[@greenpython2304]

Crf 300 all day long brother lol watch Itchy boots

[@Yurii.M]

Just pout those wells on. Adventure bike is overkill for those short , kind of urban, rides.

[@ronniecurnutt4309]

Groms Rule

[@toxicarius3894]

get the CRF300 rally. I got that for my son.

[@nickalderman5943]

get a big grom (cb300r), bigger and more powerful than a grom, the better 300cc engine (vs the crf), and lighter than the cb500x. It checks all the boxes

[@Forestervulpes]

Always Himalayan.

[@keithdosik]

Pleaseeee get an ADV! You can find CB500X’s all over the place

[@James-sir]

Upgrade suspension and you have tires

[@joeburcham9099]

Do you really need ANOTHER bike? 😂

[@LifeWithStiel]

Get a mini dirt bike

[@waitwhat1331]

Get a TW200!

[@MrChanw11]

Needs different gearing for going up hills

[@LifeOfBurch]

Nah it just needs tires that aren’t so slick. The power is there, it just wouldn’t grab.

[@MrChanw11]

@@LifeOfBurch I feel like once you get grippier tires it'll just force you to burn the clutch more since you're not spinning the wheels anymore. That's my guess.

[@VVoltz]

Get a TW200 or a CT125

[@James-sir]

Adventure bikes are big and heavy

[@LifeOfBurch]

The CRF300L is actually only like 85lbs heavier than the Grom! 🤯

[@MotoDash1100]

#notAll :p

[@carvidz7504]

Who else’s thinks he should buy a crf300l or 300l rally?

[@terrywatts1060]

Look where you want to go. that's how it happened

[@jimramsey8020]

Deer blind in ground, not living facility

[@brianw391]

If you just want to ride walking trails, stick with the mini. If you want to go off road for real, get a dual sport, you'll be way better off.

[@LifeOfBurch]

Yea I think I just need to nail down what kind of riding I’ll ACTUALLY be doing. Legit off-roading is the goal, but I’m not sure how realistic that is based on my area. It would suck to get a bike designed for ADV style riding, just to end up making it a pavement queen lol

[@thetimetotakeastandj.g4985]

Bro just stay with the Grom just get different tires

[@Julio-bc7pj]

hi burch, stick with honda. honda forever 😉

[@LifeOfBurch]

That’s the way I’m leaning!! 🙌🏻

[@James-sir]

85 pounds is a lot

[@LifeOfBurch]

Not when you’re talking going from a mini-bike to a full sized bike with 10+ inch ground clearance and a 250+ mile range lol

[@James-sir]

Yeah so your then top heavy and easier to drop it off-road where as the grom is closer to the ground so you can get a foot down on uneven terrain

[@keelamor]

look at the nc750x buy Honda.

[@LifeOfBurch]

Those are nice, but they’re $3-4k more than a CRF300L or Himalayan, so at that point I might as well just go with the Tenere 700. The main thing drawing me to those 2 bikes is their low cost for a first time ADV style bike.

[@Tylerawoo]

first

[@LifeOfBurch]

Let’s gooo!!! 🏆🏆🏆