Are adventure bikes boring?
Discussion
LimaDelta said:
That and the his-and-hers matching BMW Motorrad textile suits and flip-front helmets. The full retirement package.
I'm curious as to why anyone thinks this is a bad thing or is to be ridiculed.What makes anyones bike or style better than anyone elses.?
Smacks of jealousy and self loathing to me
Crossflow Kid said:
People don’t dislike the bikes per se.
A lot of the ill-feeling comes from the way they’re ridden. Granted, you get cocks on all makes of bike, but the GS series seems to be right up there when it comes to an aura of “Out of my way, Mortals! Look! I could go round the world on my trusty steed should the desire overcome me but instead I’m forced to mingle with dross like you” and then proceed to get in everyone’s way as their bikes are just too damn wide to filter.
Rubbish. Total rubbish in fact. Why is it folk spout this crap.?A lot of the ill-feeling comes from the way they’re ridden. Granted, you get cocks on all makes of bike, but the GS series seems to be right up there when it comes to an aura of “Out of my way, Mortals! Look! I could go round the world on my trusty steed should the desire overcome me but instead I’m forced to mingle with dross like you” and then proceed to get in everyone’s way as their bikes are just too damn wide to filter.
I now have a tiger 800 xca.
I did have a street triple 765 rs before this.
I commute around 15 miles each way most days and ride a bit for fun. I tend to use my bike to get place rather than just riding around in loops.
I’ve done some light off roading and went to the triumph adventure course in wales - these bikes are incredibly capable with the right tyres and skills. The Electronics make a huge difference to less experienced too, they have an off road mode that limits traction control to allow power slides for complete rookies!
does it excite, not really, it handles well for sure, but it hardly knee down stuff. The engine makes noise rather than really pulling, yet has the most available torque anywhere in the Rev range I’ve known, almost like a diesel.
Where I live, the roads are not great, lots of Farm traffic and often half the field is on the road just around a bend - I just found anything sporty uncomfortable and too scary in these conditions.
However, these ‘adventure’ bikes really can handle a lot and when you start to ride one down crap roads etc, you get it.
I got given a speed triple RS for a day loan whilst mine was being serviced. Oooo I thought, proper fun. In truth I couldn’t wait to give it back. Then again it didn’t light my fire when I rode it before.
For real world, depending where you live of course, I think adevture bike are excellent and I’m a complete convert.
Are they too heavy, yes. Can I pick mine up, yes. Can you ride it slow, yes - barely moving slow and it’s super easy, best bike I’ve tried in this regard.
Do I see a fast bike and think I’d love to have a blast on that, yes of course!
Would I swap, no way.
I’d look hard at the new Yamaha Tenere for bang for buck. The smaller capacity is definitely where it’s at IMO.
I did have a street triple 765 rs before this.
I commute around 15 miles each way most days and ride a bit for fun. I tend to use my bike to get place rather than just riding around in loops.
I’ve done some light off roading and went to the triumph adventure course in wales - these bikes are incredibly capable with the right tyres and skills. The Electronics make a huge difference to less experienced too, they have an off road mode that limits traction control to allow power slides for complete rookies!
does it excite, not really, it handles well for sure, but it hardly knee down stuff. The engine makes noise rather than really pulling, yet has the most available torque anywhere in the Rev range I’ve known, almost like a diesel.
Where I live, the roads are not great, lots of Farm traffic and often half the field is on the road just around a bend - I just found anything sporty uncomfortable and too scary in these conditions.
However, these ‘adventure’ bikes really can handle a lot and when you start to ride one down crap roads etc, you get it.
I got given a speed triple RS for a day loan whilst mine was being serviced. Oooo I thought, proper fun. In truth I couldn’t wait to give it back. Then again it didn’t light my fire when I rode it before.
For real world, depending where you live of course, I think adevture bike are excellent and I’m a complete convert.
Are they too heavy, yes. Can I pick mine up, yes. Can you ride it slow, yes - barely moving slow and it’s super easy, best bike I’ve tried in this regard.
Do I see a fast bike and think I’d love to have a blast on that, yes of course!
Would I swap, no way.
I’d look hard at the new Yamaha Tenere for bang for buck. The smaller capacity is definitely where it’s at IMO.
Crossflow Kid said:
Antoniusbuche said:
For a 'proper' adventure involving plenty of off road, I wouldn't want too many of them...
Browse any of the genuine adventure touring forums and the big BMWs are generally laughed at.Supercilious arrogant bunch of twots in my experience
Brads67 said:
Crossflow Kid said:
People don’t dislike the bikes per se.
A lot of the ill-feeling comes from the way they’re ridden. Granted, you get cocks on all makes of bike, but the GS series seems to be right up there when it comes to an aura of “Out of my way, Mortals! Look! I could go round the world on my trusty steed should the desire overcome me but instead I’m forced to mingle with dross like you” and then proceed to get in everyone’s way as their bikes are just too damn wide to filter.
Rubbish. Total rubbish in fact. Why is it folk spout this crap.?A lot of the ill-feeling comes from the way they’re ridden. Granted, you get cocks on all makes of bike, but the GS series seems to be right up there when it comes to an aura of “Out of my way, Mortals! Look! I could go round the world on my trusty steed should the desire overcome me but instead I’m forced to mingle with dross like you” and then proceed to get in everyone’s way as their bikes are just too damn wide to filter.
I've been held up when I was filtering on my adventure, by people on much smaller bikes.
the limit is the rider not the width of the bike
keirik said:
Because people are jealous.
I've been held up when I was filtering on my adventure, by people on much smaller bikes.
the limit is the rider not the width of the bike
And there it is. Everyone else is in your way, aren’t they?I've been held up when I was filtering on my adventure, by people on much smaller bikes.
the limit is the rider not the width of the bike
Like I said, there are cocks on all makes and models, but whenever I see someone tippy-toeing their way through a pack of bikes waiting at lights, squeezing through every last little space, staring down people who don’t yield or move aside, just to be at the very front when the lights turn green......nine times out of ten it’s a GS.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 22 August 08:02
Brads67 said:
LimaDelta said:
That and the his-and-hers matching BMW Motorrad textile suits and flip-front helmets. The full retirement package.
I'm curious as to why anyone thinks this is a bad thing or is to be ridiculed.What makes anyones bike or style better than anyone elses.?
Smacks of jealousy and self loathing to me
Crossflow Kid said:
keirik said:
Because people are jealous.
I've been held up when I was filtering on my adventure, by people on much smaller bikes.
the limit is the rider not the width of the bike
And there it is. Everyone else is in your way, aren’t they?I've been held up when I was filtering on my adventure, by people on much smaller bikes.
the limit is the rider not the width of the bike
Like I said, there are cocks on all makes and models, but whenever I see someone tippy-toeing their way through a pack of bikes waiting at lights, squeezing through every last little space, staring down people who don’t yield or move aside, just to be at the very front when the lights turn green......nine times out of ten it’s a GS.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 22 August 08:02
maybe get the chip off your shoulder?
Or maybe it's because you're jealous and couldn't afford one.
Btw I've never tippy-toed, because I bought a bike that fitted me.
At 6'3" I could comfortably get both feet flat on the floor
keirik said:
Err just responding to your comment that everyone gets held up by GS riders, ate you saying GE riders aren't allowed to filter like other people?
maybe get the chip off your shoulder?
Or maybe it's because you're jealous and couldn't afford one.
Yes, that’s it. The bottom line is I wish I was you.maybe get the chip off your shoulder?
Or maybe it's because you're jealous and couldn't afford one.
Get real.
I never said GS riders aren’t allowed to filter, but riding in to town most days there’s a distinct atmosphere of “We’re all in this together” by bikers, and when everyone gathers at lights or gets otherwise delayed and is happy to think “Oh well, not as quick as yesterday” and just live with it, there’s always that one rider who’s itching to make just that little bit more progress.
The AT is good fun, I thrash mine everywhere. The DcT gearbox is brilliant. I’ve done the odd off road trail and it’s good fun, the traction control works very well and is adjustable.
I do miss the power thou of the big sports bikes. I’m off later to take a Ducati V4s, that will be weird coming from an adventure bike!
I do miss the power thou of the big sports bikes. I’m off later to take a Ducati V4s, that will be weird coming from an adventure bike!
There is a degree of wannabe almost across the board within certain groups of the motorcycling fraternity.
Sure, there are the Charley and Ewan types, but there are also the Panigale riders in Ducati labelled Dainese leather, the Repsol coloured Fireblades, matching leathers and Marquez/Rossi/Doohan replica helmets. The Lucky Strike Suzukis, the Rizla Gixxer crowd. There's the jeans and leather waistcoated Harley rider (beard and mirror shades of course), there's the black leather jacket rider with all the enamel badges on a Triumph Thruxton or Bonneville. There is even the odd mod or two with the de-rigeur Parka with a roundel on the back.
Are they really wannabes, or just conformists? A kind of tribalism, perhaps?
Should adventure bike riders face any more criticism for not going offroad than the power ranger outfitted superbike rider with immaculate knee sliders and two inch wide chicken strips? He's bought a race replica, but has it been on a track yet?
As for the choice of an adventure bike, much like road bikes, there are so many now to choose from, all with varying degrees of capabilities. However, any bike can be an adventure bike, it just depends on your definition of an adventure, but that's perhaps a little glib given the OP's question.
Ridden on tarmac roads, most adventure bikes could be considered boring. So are big tourers. They are not sports bikes, so that kind of excitement will be in short supply. However, if you take a brave pill, and venture offroad with your £15,000 to £20,000 worth of BMW, Ducati, KTM adventure bike or whatever, I can assure you that your heart rate might go up a few notches when you face your first steep climb or decent. A bit like risking your £20,000 superbike on a high speed corner that you have never been round before. It's all about risk/reward really. That also probably accounts for why most of these bikes don't venture offroad any more than £80,000 worth of Range Rover. They are all capable, but might get expensively damaged while doing so. Range Rovers don't tend to fall over though, so perhaps less of an excuse.
As a very capable tourer, a big adventure bike ticks all the boxes for most owners. Obviously they won't suit everybody, and to a degree the rider should suit the bike too. They can present a little bit of a challenge to those cheated in the leg department, but I've seen plenty of those managing, so perhaps that's all in the head.
So, big adventure bikes fulfill some requirements, but there are plenty of smaller alternatives in the trail bike market. DR400, WR450 etc can be thrown around with abandon offroad, can be modified to take a larger fuel tank and a fair load of luggage, and are light enough to easily pick up when dropped. The newer mid-range types like the XT700 Tenere and the KTM 790, fully loaded, are not as light as some would think, but better offroad than their larger brethren anyway. If your adventure is less than 300 miles, fine, but riding down to the South of Spain to get to Morocco or Tunisia would be a right pain in the backside.
If you never want to venture offroad, there will be plenty of excitement with a super motard style of superbike, like the KTM Super Duke or a Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak. I'm sure there are others, but they elude me for the moment.
Sure, there are the Charley and Ewan types, but there are also the Panigale riders in Ducati labelled Dainese leather, the Repsol coloured Fireblades, matching leathers and Marquez/Rossi/Doohan replica helmets. The Lucky Strike Suzukis, the Rizla Gixxer crowd. There's the jeans and leather waistcoated Harley rider (beard and mirror shades of course), there's the black leather jacket rider with all the enamel badges on a Triumph Thruxton or Bonneville. There is even the odd mod or two with the de-rigeur Parka with a roundel on the back.
Are they really wannabes, or just conformists? A kind of tribalism, perhaps?
Should adventure bike riders face any more criticism for not going offroad than the power ranger outfitted superbike rider with immaculate knee sliders and two inch wide chicken strips? He's bought a race replica, but has it been on a track yet?
As for the choice of an adventure bike, much like road bikes, there are so many now to choose from, all with varying degrees of capabilities. However, any bike can be an adventure bike, it just depends on your definition of an adventure, but that's perhaps a little glib given the OP's question.
Ridden on tarmac roads, most adventure bikes could be considered boring. So are big tourers. They are not sports bikes, so that kind of excitement will be in short supply. However, if you take a brave pill, and venture offroad with your £15,000 to £20,000 worth of BMW, Ducati, KTM adventure bike or whatever, I can assure you that your heart rate might go up a few notches when you face your first steep climb or decent. A bit like risking your £20,000 superbike on a high speed corner that you have never been round before. It's all about risk/reward really. That also probably accounts for why most of these bikes don't venture offroad any more than £80,000 worth of Range Rover. They are all capable, but might get expensively damaged while doing so. Range Rovers don't tend to fall over though, so perhaps less of an excuse.
As a very capable tourer, a big adventure bike ticks all the boxes for most owners. Obviously they won't suit everybody, and to a degree the rider should suit the bike too. They can present a little bit of a challenge to those cheated in the leg department, but I've seen plenty of those managing, so perhaps that's all in the head.
So, big adventure bikes fulfill some requirements, but there are plenty of smaller alternatives in the trail bike market. DR400, WR450 etc can be thrown around with abandon offroad, can be modified to take a larger fuel tank and a fair load of luggage, and are light enough to easily pick up when dropped. The newer mid-range types like the XT700 Tenere and the KTM 790, fully loaded, are not as light as some would think, but better offroad than their larger brethren anyway. If your adventure is less than 300 miles, fine, but riding down to the South of Spain to get to Morocco or Tunisia would be a right pain in the backside.
If you never want to venture offroad, there will be plenty of excitement with a super motard style of superbike, like the KTM Super Duke or a Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak. I'm sure there are others, but they elude me for the moment.
I'd say they are not boring.
Given the glorious state of our roads in the UK, I find I can hustle along at a brisk pace, in comfort and then un pack my sandwiches at the other end.
The above was a brands evening track day, rode there, top box off, had a blast, rode home.
I've owned a few adventure bikes now, my current bike is an Africa Twin Adventure Sport, it's daily duties are commuting and every now and then it gets treated to some light green laning, only light as commuter tyres do not fair well off road.
I like an adventure bike for commuting for top box duties or strapping a bag to the pillion seat. I like the weather protection, up right position, etc etc.
I've also had the absolute joy of attending the BMW Off Road Skills learning what an R1200GS can actually do with the right skills, technique and more importantly tyres.
I think a small part of the problem of you not seeing these big adventure bikes off road is down to a few things.
A - They are heavy, and picking them up all day is going to knacker the fittest of persons.
B - you need a different set of tyres for any form of decent off roading, most of us cant be arsed or afford a spare set of wheels, just in case.
C - as mentioned a few times already, the round the world touring 'dream'
In short. I like them and I don't find them boring. I like them just as much as I like owning and riding sports bikes, they just tick different boxes.
Given the glorious state of our roads in the UK, I find I can hustle along at a brisk pace, in comfort and then un pack my sandwiches at the other end.
The above was a brands evening track day, rode there, top box off, had a blast, rode home.
I've owned a few adventure bikes now, my current bike is an Africa Twin Adventure Sport, it's daily duties are commuting and every now and then it gets treated to some light green laning, only light as commuter tyres do not fair well off road.
I like an adventure bike for commuting for top box duties or strapping a bag to the pillion seat. I like the weather protection, up right position, etc etc.
I've also had the absolute joy of attending the BMW Off Road Skills learning what an R1200GS can actually do with the right skills, technique and more importantly tyres.
I think a small part of the problem of you not seeing these big adventure bikes off road is down to a few things.
A - They are heavy, and picking them up all day is going to knacker the fittest of persons.
B - you need a different set of tyres for any form of decent off roading, most of us cant be arsed or afford a spare set of wheels, just in case.
C - as mentioned a few times already, the round the world touring 'dream'
In short. I like them and I don't find them boring. I like them just as much as I like owning and riding sports bikes, they just tick different boxes.
Part of the issue with the UK (and lots of Europe) is that people lump "off road" into one thing - it's not.
If you're in Africa and leaving the tarmac behind then a big adv bike is perfect. I've ridden Super Ten's, AT, etc over there and they (like most adv's) are great at fast gravel.
In the UK we don't have that - we have 600 year old byways through the woods designed for a horse and worn down into ruts over the years. Stuff a big ADV bike is not as good on as a lighter bike (yeah, yeah.....you can ride a GS on tracks in the UK - but you'll be faster on 140KG or less bike)
So is a GS a good off road bike - it's fine, but not great on 100% of stuff (nothing is) and not ideal on a LOT of UK based stuff.
That is why UK based "off roaders" laugh at people on tanks stuck in ruts.
As to why people buy them for road use only - same as an X5. They are big, expensive, comfy and Charlie/Ewan.
If you're in Africa and leaving the tarmac behind then a big adv bike is perfect. I've ridden Super Ten's, AT, etc over there and they (like most adv's) are great at fast gravel.
In the UK we don't have that - we have 600 year old byways through the woods designed for a horse and worn down into ruts over the years. Stuff a big ADV bike is not as good on as a lighter bike (yeah, yeah.....you can ride a GS on tracks in the UK - but you'll be faster on 140KG or less bike)
So is a GS a good off road bike - it's fine, but not great on 100% of stuff (nothing is) and not ideal on a LOT of UK based stuff.
That is why UK based "off roaders" laugh at people on tanks stuck in ruts.
As to why people buy them for road use only - same as an X5. They are big, expensive, comfy and Charlie/Ewan.
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