Motorcycle Forums

what are you doing?

I voted 'no' to the question, remember what that was? Simple reason being big adventure bikes are'nt being bought by the adventure going public, are they, really? I have a GSA and a great bike it is too for what I do with it. But if I were planning a true round the world, or long off road adventure I would buy a bike, probably second hand, that would fit the bill. I would'nt just say my bikes too big and not go!

At the risk of sounding daft who is Austin Vince?  An old car I haven't heard of?

But seriously, who does he think he is?  Unless I am totally mistaken it wasn't until two well known people went for a short bimble on BMW R1150GS's that 'adventure' bikes started to become popular.  For him to say that 1200cc bikes are a farce to do adventure riding simply proves his lack of credentials.  Like it or not, Mr Vince, the BMW GS has a high profile because of three things. 1. The Long Way Round. 2. The Long Way Down, and 3 KTM said that Ewan and Charlie weren't capable to doing number 1 and refused to sponsor them.

But back to your purile ravings.  Lets face it, an adventure bike can be anything you want.  It all depends on what you call an 'adventure'.  My first 'adventure' was a week in Holland, Belgium and a bit of Germany in 1983 on a 400/4.  Oh, sorry, you don't think that's an adventure?  Never having been abroad on a bike before it sure as hell felt life one to me.  Before that I went all over parts of the UK on my (t)rusty Honda CB200.  That was an adventure too.  These days my 'adventures' are done on a 19 year old K1100LT.  Physical problems mean I don't do off roading, and I want to be comfortable when I ride.  Personally I don't give a crap what anyone else wants to ride, it's entirely up to them.  Yes, there are those who will look down on anyone riding something they think isn't the right bike... Oh, hang on, that's you isn't it?  If I had the money I would quite happily get a GS.  The engine size is up for debate though.

Another thing.  You assume that everyone is going to buy a new bike.  What's wrong with second hand?  A quick search on MCN's bike for sale threw up a R1100GS for £3K.  So I saved the 9K you were moaning about.  And a 1150GS for not much more. 

Titosfuneral makes some good points as well.  Small bikes are going to struggle to carry stuff.  And if you have to do a long distance in a short time for any reason, you are stuffed.

But really does it matter what you are riding if you are happy with it?  Waiting for spares may be a pain, but allows you to find out more about where you are at the time.  And if it happens in the middle of nowhere it doesn't matter what you're on, you're still stuffed....

NO

I said NO.  The big bikes have not killed anything. The segment is more popular than ever because these big bikes have gotten more people out there, giving it a go, and they are doing it more comfortably, taking stuff with them you can't on smaller bikes.

"My opinion is that Austin Vince is a pompous ass"

I have to agree.  You can adventure tour on anything of any size.  He just couldn't afford one at the time of his original trip.  Nothing wrong with his choice.  There's just better options now.

Small bikes are great.  They are agile and easy to pick up.  But the lack of power sucks.  Ever been to the desert on a 250-400?  Sand saps power easily.  Killing the engine won't get you anywhere because it bogged down due to lack of power.  You need at least 600 cc on an adventure bike.  Loaded up, you need more.  The mighty CRF450R does fine in the dunes but it weighs 260#  fueled and has 55 HP.  A small, 400 lb adventure bike + luggage/tools and larger tank needs another 20-30 more HP.

I had a F650 loaner once.  Took it for some off roading...lots of sand where I live, and it was crap.  Handled for crap off road and when the sand got deep, forgetaboutit.

I've got good dirt bike skills and pilot a 1150 Adventure easily off road with hard cases and tent and spare fuel/tools.  I get everywhere a true off road bike goes, just slower.  And I get everywhere else I want to go in more comfort.  So I can put in longer days for 2 full weeks.

For those who can't ride a big bike, smaller ones are available.  Buy them instead of slagging off those who are capable.

I can go anywhere a real dirt bike can go, even long harsh, rooted climbs that some people say you can't do.  Said by those that have never ridden a big bike.  And if they have and can't, they just ned to work on their skills and strength.  It isn't for everyone.  Myself and many others on various other make of big bikes do it regularly.  But then again, we also race enduros.

Agree with Tito

Simplicty is a good reason to choose a KLR or similar.  Nothing to go wrong and easy to work on when it does.

I started out Adv riding on a Honda XL600R.  Added a rack, panniers, larger tank and some extra lighting and was good to go.  Street duty was ok but liveable, 75 mph had serious headshake.  So 65 was a sweet spot.  Off road, it did well too.  In fact, it was my off road bike for quite a few years before I got a CRF450.  Sold the XL with a little over 40,000 miles on it.  Durable as hell and the only issue I had was keeping the dual carb setup running right.  But Honda remedied that and went to a single carb in '86.

Popular?

BMW Mick, adventure riding was popular long before Ewan and Charlie made a TV show.  Just popular with the adventure crowd.  The show opened up the eyes of some other riders and no-riders.