Small vs Big Motorcycle for Long Trip

Top 5 Benefits for riding small motorcycle on long trip

[@allanb52]

Blending in is the most important factor in safety. Buying a bike the locals use is a must, we did Vietnam on a Honda Wave, a tyre repair was £1 including a new tube and a full service £5. You are a strong guy, I am 73 and not that fit, so lightness and low certre of gravity is even more important.

[@Ian-ny6ux]

Way ahead of you sirrrr. Been adv'ing my 110cc Honda for the past 12 years now and saved so much money compared to my bigger bikes which have been draining my life hahaha

[@banditoo7]

A couple of months ago I sold my RE Himalayan and bought a Honda XR190 and building it into an ultra lightweight adventure bike. The reasons are exactly all the points you mentioned in your video. Great to see this video confirming my decision to trade down. I live in one of the best adventure bike regions in the world. Southland, New Zealand

[@tbillyjoeroth]

So Itchy Boots bike is too big?? Didn't seem to bother a woman in the boonies.

[@banditoo7]

@tbillyjoeroth where did I say itchyboots big is too big? The solo riding i do is remote and some of the tracks are advanced ADV. Although I managed with my Himmy, I'd like to go to more remote locations that are difficult and potentially dangerous with a heavy bike on my own. In saying that, I will be getting the 450 in March. I'm saving for it. I'll have two bikes then. I had my Himmy since 2019. Plenty of videos on my channel.

[@alainmaurice5383]

You are absolutely right. I traveled with my T700 for 81540 km solo. And now I travel with a DR 650 and I love it. You don't feel the need to ride at 110km/h. At 80 - 90km/h it's a great speed and I don't need a wind shield. It's easy to ride, you change direction on a dime, I push it easily, I can lift the rear or front completely off the ground to get out of a pothole. The lighter a bike is, the easier it is off road. Even to stop at a red light, at the gas station everything is easier. Lighter is better. Thanks

[@x-land-camp415]

You, Itchy Boots, The Wandering Honda, Jammy Gits and many more have proven that lighter is better! Perfect explanation! Greetings from northern germany, have fun on your trip!

[@enduromotorradtouren]

I always prefer a small and light bike to a Titanic. Especially when seriously offroad. With a small bike (like my Honda CRF 300 L) you have more money for travelling, exploring, seeing the world. All your money will be spent in the end, but you spend it on adventures and less for bikes & extras. Happy days, Günter/Nürnberg

[@pkaramer]

CRF 300 s one of he best out there

[@RIdeNTrevel]

Started riding around six years ago. Went from a 200, to 400 and a 650. Now enjoying much more on a 450 Himalayan. Bonus is that economical part.

[@saskokirovski]

Hi Pavlin, like your video. I'm from Makedonija from Skopje, currently living in the USA . I have been in Bulgaria so many times . Currently own 2016 Yamaha super tenere 1200 and 2024 yamaha tenere 700 . For on road super tenere is the King, for off road tenere 700 is the King . I hope l meet you one day. You are the very ones person. Thanks for every video you posted.

[@adenawerparra7308]

Got to correct you on one point, big fancy bikes are stopped way less on checkpoints here in Colombia as they usually have all paperwork in check.

[@Daz533]

Nothing wrong with small engines as long as you can do motorway speeds in comfort and it carry’s your kit that’s all you need. I have a 1000cc z1000sx fantastic bike but it’s heavy and thirsty. I have also got a Vstrom 650 and it’s a fantastic bike , I’m never off the Vstrom great little bike.

[@ossa60]

Im following this trip very closely and I´m very excited with this new adventure. I´m also sad I couldn´t get to meet you in cali where I live. If you come back to cali and need anything don´t hesitete to contact me. HAVE A GREAT JOURNEY AND LOTS OF FUN!!!!!

[@alainmichaud6747]

Love your last point , time to look and enjoy the scenery and not worry to stop .....not to heavy for most of the ground.

[@motorcycleadventures]

Absolutely

[@samhill3496]

Hanging out in the shade making vids before hitting the banana expressway. All good points. It's nice to ride a good handling smaller bike and see the world from a slower pace. Much more fun. Now buying that is half the price of a new CRF300 Hinda in USA. All the setup shipping and factory added money really runs the price up close to $8000 USD out the door plus insurance. Crazy yes but that is how it is. Your riding partner got into his for about 4000 dollars or so. Much cheaper than riding or shipping one down there from USA. Fly and ride seems my best option. All good Pavlin from east Kentucky USA. Next time. Light is Right.

[@jackt1400]

I'm from Singapore riding a Honda Crosstourer as my only bike for commuting and touring. Ever since i started watching your video, my perception about motorcycle travelling changed. I absolutely agree with your points mentioned in this video. In fact the only reason I'm getting such big bike is for highway cruising, and once I exit the highway, the 1200cc is pretty much unnecessary. I'll be planning an ASEAN tour in the near future and the choice of my bike will be in the range of 500cc. Ease and lower cost of maintenance.

[@jimpartin1144]

Pavlin, you definitely have the full big picture in clear focus!

[@richardwalker4518]

Agreed 100%. I think this logic can be applied even outside of the long distance adventure touring realm. For a long time now we have been sucked into the manufacturers arms race, every year the engines get nipped out a bit more, they get heavier, they get more tech, they get more expensive. Now we have dealerships going bust everywhere you look and the Chinese are in with bang, making the bikes in the smaller capacity classes that hit the sweet spot (400-500cc imo). T700 is a good bike, but really just a bit too big for me and too tall in the seat, RE Himalayans or that CF Moto 450 will work much better for me. If I was going to be doing mostly off road trails, I'd probably just get a Honda XR150.

[@wito4698]

100% agree.

[@TechnikMeister2]

100%. A friend of mine was trekking to K2 in northern Pakistan. He came across a New Zealander who bought a used Honda 125 in Singapore and he had traveled all the way from there and he had not even gone through a chain or rear tyre. Its the most common bike in Asia and even in small villages, they know how to fix them.

[@Ducafred]

Very useful tips everytime. Looks like it`s gonna be a wonderful journey!

[@SmokinZen]

They are good to a certain point in the US they become overwhelmed and dangerous if you try and use them on fast paced roads. Off the beaten path is where they shine, even though having enough fuel is always a concern but I guess that goes for most bikes.

[@teneretraveller8980]

Exactly. Save everything you can to put the saved dollars in the tank. Ride safe 👍

[@KPW2137]

I use a 750 for travel. It's small enough to be OK in the city or during the slower parts of my trips, and in the same time powerful enough for the highways.

[@Berw52]

Horses for courses, I travel in SE Asia, in Malaysia and Thailand I have a Kawa Vulcan 900, lots of good roads in these countris, however in Indonesia I have a Versys 250, its great on the norrow broken roads and doesn't get upset if it gets forced into a gutter.

[@gazman3568]

After riding my dads bikes as a child it leads to what we all do, we all do the same. Bigger faster more horse power. Many decades latter discovered by chance the fun of pushing a CRF 300 rally to its limits. Had to downsize and bought a T7 and spent lots on freeing it up, which is a great bike once unlocked but part exed a big KTM for a CRF. WTF have I done I thought running it in. Four thousand miles in remaped CRF is the bike I ride the most . It will go anywhere, it will always get you there and costs pennies to run.

[@tedleroux7131]

Tthank you for that very practical information

[@tbillyjoeroth]

XRE 300 isn't available in the USA. 34" seat seems pretty tall for the targeted buyers too. How about a review of the older small dual sport models? And the RE 450 Himalayan is over 400#. Thank you Pavlin.

[@cesarcano7940]

Is my favorite motorcycle for riding in South America, enjoy your trip my brother 🏍️

[@sicsempertyrannis4104]

Other than top end highway speeds, my drz400 has exceeded all mechanical limitations 🤙

[@lyubengeorgiev1751]

Light bike, happy man! Have happy travels, guys :)

[@peterekman5783]

super video, thanks

[@liviofenuccio]

I agree with you Pavlin: light weight and slow speed are the better way to do a motorcycle travel, especially in places where there are no real highways. I disagree about security, just because here in Brazil this model is one of the most liked by robbers to do their robberies, because of its agility and power to run away in the traffic of the cities, so I don't suggest you to enter Rio de Janeiro on this bike, if it is on your route, without the help of some locals, sadly. Enjoy 🙂

[@ottomondo1368]

Great work and information!

[@motorcycleadventures]

Thank you!

[@roger5455]

Thanks! good information always

[@motorcycleadventures]

Any time!

[@SololaneMvlog]

I am actually on the search to what change from my ktm 1290 super adventure 2021. I love it it is perfect travelling bike. But I went recently on a trip with about only 20% off-road and I looooved it. But I also realise, my bike is too big for what I use. So I am considering lighter bikes. My list (no specific order): cfmoto 450mt, kove 800x pro, Tuareg 660… thé Tuareg is on top for one and only one reason for me….. cruise control and a quick shifter. I went on a 7400 km trip in 2 and half weeks but I had to do 1300km on highway in one day to go and same to come back… doing that without cruise control…. Aie aie aie

[@arainmk]

100% correct.

[@nelsondamasceno1]

Você está correto! Motos menores, representam custo menores. Quem tem pressa deve utilizar avião

[@motorcycleadventures]

Exactly!

[@mateus_rufatto]

Hey. Where are you in Brazil? Are you coming to state of Bahia? Tell me

[@lukasvandijk6796]

On the tires, try the ceat grip XL 120, 190,000 cop which is about $45 USD. I’ve put over 3500kms on mine and it’s not even halfway worn

[@bombadil_moto]

I agree, my thaughts! 😊

[@RafaRiderandNature]

Good video

[@S.A.L.Z.D]

All the best, Pavlin..

[@AlexLeu812]

Hi, what do you think about Honda 350ADV SUV scooter? Is good for long trips? I really like it and I would preferred it instead of an adv motorcycle. Please give an insight!

[@motorcycleadventures]

Why not? People travel with everything!

[@peternoble4172]

Agree 200 percent

[@Patshes]

Good stuff!

[@phuckingmicrosoft]

On all points, I could not agree more. Especially, light is right.

[@Windsweptyetinteresting]

Is that a Rogal XL or a smaller bag on the back of the Honda ? How have you found the straps connecting Rogal to your bike ??

[@motorcycleadventures]

Yes, it is Rogal XL

[@TheVegasJones]

Thank you

[@motorcycleadventures]

You're welcome!

[@skulijakobsson5116]

Much Enjoyment 👍😎

[@motorcycleadventures]

Thanks for the visit!

[@bighit2011]

I went on a long trip of about 20,000 km with a 1000cc engine. At that time, I wished I had a bigger engine like 1250 and stronger bright lighting. Of course, if you are on a trip with 50% off roads and (alone), a light bike like a Yamaha 700 is much better. Regards.

[@motorcycleadventures]

Thanks for sharing!

[@anotheryoutuber_]

next step adventure scooters, all the same arguments apply.

[@rogersmith8480]

👍💯👍💯👍💯👍!!!

[@simmysharma6845]

👍😊🙏

[@JP-Seeker]

i guess you trading the t7 for a honda 300, once you back in Bulgaria😇 😂

[@oldrideradventure9848]

Hello Pavlin. CAN you tell me if you use gas 100% éthanol for your 300 Honda and wharf is thé price1L éthanol. I Know is very usualy in Brasil. See you son. ✌️

[@motorcycleadventures]

No idea

[@thelonewolf666]

for long trip--- take the 4 wheel drive

[@lungulet]

The problem with the light motorcycles is that they ar small so not good for tall riders. At 6'3" (191 cm) I can't ride small mc...

[@motorcycleadventures]

True

[@adisadewa1337]

Most big heavy adventure motorcycles are never riding out of europe.

[@guzziman]

Small basic motorcycle will save you money up front, on gas, on tires, on repairs, on insurance, and also save you trouble and money, because you do not get into trouble riding fancy motorcycle in poor countries ! making yourself a target for every thief

[@londonshanghai]

Less is more😊

[@hmoosawi]

Eight you are

[@Mariolucker]

Big bikes big problems.)

[@motorcycleadventures]

True