Choosing the right Adventure Bike 101

[DirtBoy12]

Let's spice up the banter a bit for 2014 -

Thanks to those of you that have suggested my next Adventure bike should be a 25 + year old design-you should read this blog by Walter Colebatch:

"Rule number one in adventure bike selection is weight matters. Don’t listen to manufacturers, or marketing people – they have never done real adventure biking. They honestly DONT KNOW what an adventure bike needs. No adventure motorcycling designer, marketer, or motorcycle company senior exec has ever ridden around the world".

Source:

http://www.sibirskyextreme.com/blog/201 ... ction-101/

[bully1]

and all that means is something that many of us have realised a long time ago, the BMW GS range is not suitable because of the weight, power is awesome, but when you are continually picking the behemoth up it matters.

After all of that diatribe what bike are you suggesting Ewen ???

I'm afraid that it still comes down to the DR..... 650 single carby motor, reasonable weight, availability of parts, ease of repair on the roadside, ability to carry loads.

No other manufacturers bike is capable of all of the above for the dollars.

They are no racing machine, bit like the turtle and the hare, but will get the job done.

[old betsy]

I'm afraid that it still comes down to the DR.

No it doesn't

650 single carby motor, reasonable weight, availability of parts, ease of repair on the roadside, ability to carry loads.
They are no racing machine, bit like the turtle and the hare, but will get the job done.

Well the turtle, the TW200 has all the above plus extras. Lite weight, good fuel economy, cheap to purchase, low to ground for the vertically challenged, a awesome amount of usable power( you use all the power available)

[bully1]

Can you buy 1 new

[old betsy]

Can you buy 1 new

No, but ..........................

[Swampy]

After thoroughly reading the articles as posted by Ewen regarding weight and Adventure Off Road Riding plus your responses, I now fully comprehend why so many BMWMCCWA members ride DR's.

Common sense = Less Weight= More Fun per Kilo.

Very Interesting subject Guys.

Cheers Swampy

[bill9117]

Well Mr Swampy do I detect a desire to get a new bike and maybe have some fun on the dirt?

[Digger]

You're all full of s***. This bloke did Sydney to England on a postie bike. Is that light enough for you??? There are so many stories and tales of guys doing amazing things on bikes that are probably not designed to go where they went (R1200's included). Most would agree...you will not find one bike that will do all that you want it to. it's all about compromise!!!
http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.p ... ike+called

[Davey_sprockeT]

Well the turtle, the TW200 has all the above plus extras. Lite weight, good fuel economy, cheap to purchase, low to ground for the vertically challenged, a awesome amount of usable power( you use all the power available)

But OB, you forgot to also mention it's missing another important accessory for a KIWI adventure bike.......
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'Bro, I'll do anything for you when you wear that mint sauce aftershave.....

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Or another version:
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"What do you mean?........I am hugging you tight.......*
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Or another:


"Oh Bruce, hurry up and get to the Hosien soy sauce....."
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So there you have it....The Perfect Adventure Bike.

[old betsy]

Well the turtle, the TW200 has all the above plus extras. Lite weight, good fuel economy, cheap to purchase, low to ground for the vertically challenged, a awesome amount of usable power( you use all the power available)

But OB, you forgot to also mention it's missing another important accessory
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So there you have it....The Perfect Adventure Bike.

Very good Davey. LOL.

[RobBD]

Sprocket, how come you have lots of photos of sheep on bikes? what are you planning to carry on your outfit? Are outfits the ultimate adventure bike? Apparently they carry more so you can adventure in style and comfit.

[profoundly_disturbed]

You're all full of s***. This bloke did Sydney to England on a postie bike. Is that light enough for you??? There are so many stories and tales of guys doing amazing things on bikes that are probably not designed to go where they went (R1200's included). Most would agree...you will not find one bike that will do all that you want it to. it's all about compromise!!!
http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.p ... ike+called

Can't argue with that Digger.


If you're sitting comfortably.... I may have recounted this tale before.

We were early to a French ferry terminal heading home on a GL1500 having spent a couple of days taking in the sights of Brittany.

A bloke rocks up on a Honda 50 Step Thru and we have a chat. I tell him how good the Wing is, how far we travelled in how short a time, and in what luxury; I could tell he was impressed given the shit order of his bike and how over-loaded with camping gear etc it was.

I asked if he was in France for a day trip, he says no, he's heading home also - from a six month trip touring India. He was honest enough to tell me he had to replace the piston and rings, but not the spark plug.

Never have got over how humble that made me feel.

[Davey_sprockeT]

Sorry about all the sheep photos guys.....it's been a bit quiet here lately, and you know what idiots do when they get bored.........

Hope OB wasn't too offended. (Rob and anyone, want any sheep on bikes photos?)

[old betsy]

Hope OB wasn't too offended.

Offended, I was turned on

[_Wilks]

Hope OB wasn't too offended.

Offended, I was turned on

What eva u do Davey. No pics of shorn sheep. OK.

Back on topic...

When will people learn... the RIDER is the FIRST variable and the BIKE is the LAST. We dont have to look very far either. I've watched Howard (Perth Snail Trails ride leader) on his fully loaded 1150 GSA make deep continuous sand like below look effortless, whilst mere mortals battle. Buy the bike that best matches your abilities taking into account your intended use for it.