Don't under estimate a good aftermarket windshield. I have a Madstad windshield with added winglets on my NC700X. It changed it from hell on the expressway to a joy to ride on a long 2500 mile trip. Find a bike you like and then research the specific bike forums for wind protection ideas.
Adventure Bike owners feedback
- Thread starter Jcornwell101
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2021
- Messages
- 27
The tough decision for me then would be scrambler 1200XE or africa twin.
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2022
- Messages
- 137
.
The AT is a huge and heavy bike. Are you up for that? Age, strength, and the other things discussed all play a part in your decision. Perhaps split the difference and get a middleweight.
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2021
- Messages
- 27
Maybe I have awhile to decide.
Weight and top heaviness are the big problems with most adventure bikes. One of best new bikes right now is the CF Moto 450. It’s lighter than most and has been getting rave reviews. And it’s pretty inexpensive.
I've ridden/ owned the 1200GS, tiger 800xc, and nc700x on adventuring trips.
For sizing the bike, critical factors would be:
That said, physics is also what keeps the bike up in proper adv riding, not waddling, and pretty much all marketed adv bikes will be rider limited... That goes both ways in the sense that if you oversize your plans and ambitions, you may also struggle through the bike until you master it offroad, which can be a costly learning exercise that most will opt out of (sensibly so.)
Good buffeting mitigation and horsepower help with long highway hauls. These tend to be best featured on the 1200's.
Rims that let you run tubeless tires ought be valued highly - changing a tube on the road is no fun, but a plug is quick.
Highway pegs should not be underrated for long hours on slab.
I wouldn't use an adventure trip to deliberately test the boundaries of your offroading or sport riding capabilities. Realistically, it will grow some slowly through unintended, marginal exposure. Ideally, you try and train locally.
For myself, if I had the dispensable funds, I would go back to the GS because I already can ride it everywhere I intend to go (technical double track at worst.) But I have kept the Tiger 800xc, and I know I can do just as much offroad. I love the nc700x for its fuel economy and as a commuter, but my iron butt is only case-hardened, and I wouldn't be willing to take that on high speed highway for days on end, nor would it be wise for technical two-track--low ground clearance as the only reason. The downside for the tiger is that while it is good on hp, its only OK on buffeting mitigation; after a few days that entail 6h of high speed slab, I am wrung out.
For sizing the bike, critical factors would be:
- how much highway riding (70+mph) do you want to do (hours/day) and for how many days of the trip?
- how much broken surface riding do you want to do each day?
- fireroads/country roads
- technical two-track / jeep trails
- very technical single track (dirt bike territory)
That said, physics is also what keeps the bike up in proper adv riding, not waddling, and pretty much all marketed adv bikes will be rider limited... That goes both ways in the sense that if you oversize your plans and ambitions, you may also struggle through the bike until you master it offroad, which can be a costly learning exercise that most will opt out of (sensibly so.)
Good buffeting mitigation and horsepower help with long highway hauls. These tend to be best featured on the 1200's.
Rims that let you run tubeless tires ought be valued highly - changing a tube on the road is no fun, but a plug is quick.
Highway pegs should not be underrated for long hours on slab.
I wouldn't use an adventure trip to deliberately test the boundaries of your offroading or sport riding capabilities. Realistically, it will grow some slowly through unintended, marginal exposure. Ideally, you try and train locally.
For myself, if I had the dispensable funds, I would go back to the GS because I already can ride it everywhere I intend to go (technical double track at worst.) But I have kept the Tiger 800xc, and I know I can do just as much offroad. I love the nc700x for its fuel economy and as a commuter, but my iron butt is only case-hardened, and I wouldn't be willing to take that on high speed highway for days on end, nor would it be wise for technical two-track--low ground clearance as the only reason. The downside for the tiger is that while it is good on hp, its only OK on buffeting mitigation; after a few days that entail 6h of high speed slab, I am wrung out.
Last edited:
After owning a number of Adventure bikes I figured out that most of them are far too heavy to keep up or pick up. You either ride with a group or go slow or both.
By contrast, my Yamaha WR250R had much better trail performance and could keep up with highway traffic. But the seat ain’t so comfy. We took some great trips.
By contrast, my Yamaha WR250R had much better trail performance and could keep up with highway traffic. But the seat ain’t so comfy. We took some great trips.
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2021
- Messages
- 27
Realistically I plan on doing 80% on road 20% off and at most 70/30. I have a 2022 triumph street scrambler now that I can ride anywhere but deep soft mud and loose dirt. So I am going to continue building my skills in the dirt as I find tires I like for both (just put on the pirelli scorpion rally strs.
I don't find the street scrambler to be top heavy at all.
I don't find the street scrambler to be top heavy at all.
I don't find the street scrambler to be top heavy at all.
You’re absolutely right, it’s not. Especially compared to the Tigers or the Africa Twin.
You’re absolutely right, it’s not. Especially compared to the Tigers or the Africa Twin.
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2021
- Messages
- 27
Yeah I am thinking unit garage windscreen on scrambler 1200 lol
Color me biased for the trumpet crowd.
With patience you get good deals on triumphs. I was able to trade my hayabusa straight up for a 2022 street scrambler sandstorm edition which there was only 775 made.
Funnest bike I have had thus far only wish it had 6th gear lol.
Color me biased for the trumpet crowd.
With patience you get good deals on triumphs. I was able to trade my hayabusa straight up for a 2022 street scrambler sandstorm edition which there was only 775 made.
Funnest bike I have had thus far only wish it had 6th gear lol.
I am in a similar situation. My '07 GSA has been great but after 18 years and 107,000 miles the reliability just isn't there any more. I'm in my 60s now and have my eye on the Moto Guzzi V85TT as a possible replacement. 850cc, shaft drive, cruise control, and a bit smaller and lighter than the GS it clicks a lot of boxes for me.
I'm not sure how the Vstrom and Tenere 700 (450lbs) are being written off as street bikes, but the 1100cc Africa Twin (550lbs) is prime for offroad?? As with everything, it's a compromise. Any bike that has grace on the highway, will be a handful offroad. Just be honest with yourself on the type of "offroad" you want to do. Watching Pol Torres make a Tenere 700 look like a KTM 300 XC-W is something to behold, but us mere mortals don't have a chance.
I am subdued by Yamaha's marketing of the Tenere 700, but I purchased a WR250R to start with. It's a great bike for putting around on the same stuff guys rip apart on their Gas-Gas and KTM 2-strokes, but even it's moderately low weight can be work in the woods. The WR will do highway, but not comfortably and with a low ceiling of power for safety (or lack thereof). The DRZ650 lacks a 6th gear so I would not choose it for highway work either.
When the mid-size ADV bikes started being introduced, it was a refreshing entry into the market that is defined by huge BMW GS's. CF Moto is taking it a step further with offerings between the small dual sports and the mid-size ADV bikes. Hopefully the more established manufactures will follow suit and give you and us something that hits the best compromise possible, but in the end it will always be a compromise.
Let us know what you what end up with.
Like Ranger83, I've had some great trips on the WR despite it's compromises.
I am subdued by Yamaha's marketing of the Tenere 700, but I purchased a WR250R to start with. It's a great bike for putting around on the same stuff guys rip apart on their Gas-Gas and KTM 2-strokes, but even it's moderately low weight can be work in the woods. The WR will do highway, but not comfortably and with a low ceiling of power for safety (or lack thereof). The DRZ650 lacks a 6th gear so I would not choose it for highway work either.
When the mid-size ADV bikes started being introduced, it was a refreshing entry into the market that is defined by huge BMW GS's. CF Moto is taking it a step further with offerings between the small dual sports and the mid-size ADV bikes. Hopefully the more established manufactures will follow suit and give you and us something that hits the best compromise possible, but in the end it will always be a compromise.
Let us know what you what end up with.
Like Ranger83, I've had some great trips on the WR despite it's compromises.
Last edited:
I was thinking the same thing after many years on Harleys so I bought an R1200GS. I wanted to like that bike but I didn't. I understand it's one of the most popular adventure bikes in the world for a reason, but it always felt like a heavy compromise to me. It was a little better than a Harley on rough roads or no roads, but on the highway it wasn't, and oddly enough, the Harleys were better in the mud. Granted, these are rather old Harleys. I don't think the new ones would take the same beating.
In my opinion, the only bike that does everything so well that it's truly all-purpose is the Africa Twin. It's that good. No problem for extended trips on the highway, and while it's a little big for single-track riding, on anything else it really does shine.
Other than the Africa Twin, the only do-it-all bike I've got any familiarity with is the F700GS (actually 798 cc.) It's a little light for extended highway trips in high wind or heavy truck traffic, but this bike will do it all and do it well. And it is a real lot tougher than it looks with appropriate engine guards and a skid plate. I don't know how the new BMW F750 GS is, but if they are as good as the 700 they are worth a look.
Everyone I've known with the F800GS has come away disappointed in the highway characteristics for long distance and feeling like they are a little heavy for serious off-road.
The DRZ-650 is likely to be disappointing on the highway.
I've never understood the appeal of the Vstrom or the Tenere, they look like compromises to me. But that's why there are lots of different bikes, I'm sure they are just right for someone. I'm pretty sure I'd destroy them in short order.
It's a common affliction that we share with guitarists -- "How many motorcycles do you need? Just one more."
The Tenere 700 is far better off-road than the heavy Africa Twin.
Pretty sure you won't "destroy them in short order" compared to the F700GS you are recommending. The 800DE and T700 both have 21" front spoked wheels compared the BMW's 19" cast wheel. They both have ground clearance figures in excess of the F700GS too.
There's several posts here describing the Tenere 700 not being good for off-road that i don't understand. Perhaps those posters are confusing it with the much larger Super Tenere? The T7 has a wide spectrum of terrain ability compared to many bikes out there, but it is a stripped down, featureless, value-oriented motorcycle compared to what the ADV community typically desires. The 2025 model introduced drive-by-wire that brings more electronic features to the table though still no cruise control. The Aprilia Tuareg 660 is touted as the improved and more refined T7, having electronics and features found on more expensive and sophisticated ADV bikes, while having better mass centralization. That could be something to consider:
The Tuareg does have a lower center of gravity compared to the Tenere. It also has very good wind protection for highway use. I installed a taller WRS windscreen on mine. As soon as the stock Pirelli Rally STR tires wear out, I will be putting a more road bias tire on it.
I've seen many riders over the years get an adv bike and realize it is just too heavy offroad, leading to them selling it to get into something smaller. Even at just 20-30% offroad, it is really easy to end up face down in the dirt and trying to lift a barge, buddy who is a serial motorcycle changer briefly had a Super Tenere but got rid of it after one trip down a fire road. The T7 many have mentioned is probably the closest to a unicorn bike in the current ADV field, the KTM 890 is loved by those who get to ride them and cursed by those who are waiting for cams.
You'd mentioned the DRZ650 in your first post, that falls more under Dual Sport, perfectly capable bikes but not as refined or useful on road. Another friend does long distance riding on a DR400 sumo that he bought of a set of DS rims for, says he liked it better for touring them his gen 1 FZ1 which makes me head hurt a little but I haven't tried it so you never know. Both the 650 and 400 are fine, but if we're riding in a group offroad those guys fall under the "we'll meet you there" category, where as an adv bike can usually hang; although I have seen a dual sport on Blood Mountain in GA that was smooth and faster than many on that mountain, weight being a major advantage.
You'd mentioned the DRZ650 in your first post, that falls more under Dual Sport, perfectly capable bikes but not as refined or useful on road. Another friend does long distance riding on a DR400 sumo that he bought of a set of DS rims for, says he liked it better for touring them his gen 1 FZ1 which makes me head hurt a little but I haven't tried it so you never know. Both the 650 and 400 are fine, but if we're riding in a group offroad those guys fall under the "we'll meet you there" category, where as an adv bike can usually hang; although I have seen a dual sport on Blood Mountain in GA that was smooth and faster than many on that mountain, weight being a major advantage.
Nice!
I'll just lump another opinion in here 
I've had 3 opposed twin BMW GS', one GSA, one BMW 650 Dakar, a Suzuki DRZ400, Husqvarna WR250, A Yamaha Super Tenere and a KTM 990 and have ridden my brother's Tenere 700. I'm a decent rider, 50+ years in the saddle, but nothing remarkable.
Any one of these bikes can serve their mission well. The fundamental question is, "What is YOUR" mission?
If you're a single track aficionado, forget about the big bore bikes completely. I've ridden single track on all the big bore (990cc and above) and it just sucks - too big and too heavy to have real fun unless you specifically like the challenge of muscling these bikes through conditions for which they were not intended.
Double track (as primary riding route) can certainly be done on most of these class of trails, but is it genuine fun? Not for me and likely not for you as there are better weapons for this type of riding - the Tenere 700 comes to mind. Among big bore rigs, if I had to pick one I'd go with the 990 I had - the suspension was phenomenal. So phenomenal that I sold us because I found myself tempting fates as it encouraged me to ride above my abilities and it was only a matter of time...
Primarily Class 1,2 gravel roads? A big bore can be some fun with appropriate tires. We rode Gaspe last years and I had 70/30 street dirt tires and in the deep and very loose gravel that they have there (especially just after road grading!) they were not nearly enough - the excitement of staying upright for a couple hundred miles of that was just too much for this kid to ever want to do that again. Buddy with 30/70 tires thoroughly enjoyed the experience (until we hit the highway;-))
Primarily Paved roads... no choice, give me the big bore every time. My personal preference is the GS (duh!) but the Super Tenere was excellent (viva la drive shaft!) and a great value compared to the GS' and the KTM was ok (seat comfort and wind protection we sub-par in comparison to the others). KTM was also a horrible chestnut roaster (terrible heat management).
Many riders ride a combo of these surfaces so your choice will depend on which surface you ride predominantly AND what level of joy do you get from those different surfaces. I met a guy up in Nova Scotia who came in from Philly on a 400cc-ish KTM enduro and was happy with the choice because he enjoyed the 200 miles of dirt riding he did up there so much that he was happy (?) to put up with the 1500 miles of highway droning that he had to put up with. To each his own! It may also help explain why so many bikers are serial acquirers of bikes as actual experience tempers and informs their preferences.
Just a few random thoughts... YMMV!
I've had 3 opposed twin BMW GS', one GSA, one BMW 650 Dakar, a Suzuki DRZ400, Husqvarna WR250, A Yamaha Super Tenere and a KTM 990 and have ridden my brother's Tenere 700. I'm a decent rider, 50+ years in the saddle, but nothing remarkable.
Any one of these bikes can serve their mission well. The fundamental question is, "What is YOUR" mission?
If you're a single track aficionado, forget about the big bore bikes completely. I've ridden single track on all the big bore (990cc and above) and it just sucks - too big and too heavy to have real fun unless you specifically like the challenge of muscling these bikes through conditions for which they were not intended.
Double track (as primary riding route) can certainly be done on most of these class of trails, but is it genuine fun? Not for me and likely not for you as there are better weapons for this type of riding - the Tenere 700 comes to mind. Among big bore rigs, if I had to pick one I'd go with the 990 I had - the suspension was phenomenal. So phenomenal that I sold us because I found myself tempting fates as it encouraged me to ride above my abilities and it was only a matter of time...
Primarily Class 1,2 gravel roads? A big bore can be some fun with appropriate tires. We rode Gaspe last years and I had 70/30 street dirt tires and in the deep and very loose gravel that they have there (especially just after road grading!) they were not nearly enough - the excitement of staying upright for a couple hundred miles of that was just too much for this kid to ever want to do that again. Buddy with 30/70 tires thoroughly enjoyed the experience (until we hit the highway;-))
Primarily Paved roads... no choice, give me the big bore every time. My personal preference is the GS (duh!) but the Super Tenere was excellent (viva la drive shaft!) and a great value compared to the GS' and the KTM was ok (seat comfort and wind protection we sub-par in comparison to the others). KTM was also a horrible chestnut roaster (terrible heat management).
Many riders ride a combo of these surfaces so your choice will depend on which surface you ride predominantly AND what level of joy do you get from those different surfaces. I met a guy up in Nova Scotia who came in from Philly on a 400cc-ish KTM enduro and was happy with the choice because he enjoyed the 200 miles of dirt riding he did up there so much that he was happy (?) to put up with the 1500 miles of highway droning that he had to put up with. To each his own! It may also help explain why so many bikers are serial acquirers of bikes as actual experience tempers and informs their preferences.
Just a few random thoughts... YMMV!
