Which ADV Tourer? BMW GSA vs Super Tenere?

[hppants]

There are quite a few dual sport motorcycles in the 300-325 pound range.

 

[Fred W]

Didnt you have a WeeStrom for a while John? What didnt you like about that?

I liked the Weestrom but thought the ground clearance was lacking for even gravel roads, I thought it was too top heavy for the Dempster last year so I traded up/down to the KLR. The KLR was great on the Dempster and in Baja but doesn't like 75 mph paved stretches much. As you said, every bike is a tradeoff.

I’ve never been on a gravel road where I needed more clearance than an FJR gives you for that matter, never mind a Strom. If your definition of gravel roads includes rough Jeep Trails and 2 tracks, then I can see what you mean. But honestly I don’t see the S10 or GS being any better in those same conditions than a Strom, and at a much different price tag.

Yes, the KLR has more ground clearance, but it weighs nearly as much as the others after loading all of your crap on it, has an anemic single cylinder engine that runs out of steam quickly on road, and is even more top heavy when the gigantic 7 gallon fuel tank (which is a nice feature) is full. When I owned one briefly I couldn’t see myself going much of anywhere but riding gravel roads, and it was an uncomfortable bitch to ride any kind of distance on the road.

As the old adage goes: That’s why they have horse races. If we all bet on the same horse it wouldn’t work.

 

[Fred W]

There are quite a few dual sport motorcycles in the 300-325 pound range.

I agree. There are no ADV tourer bikes in that weight range (yet).

 

[gregory]

I went with the Africa Twin. It does all I will ever need, except weigh less then I want it to. I looked at the ST, but at 5'8", with a 29" inseam, I opted for the slightly lighter AT to fit my needs better.

I was hoping that Momma Yamma would have brought the T-700 to market this year (they might still) but the need to gain off road experience for a trip next year out weighed the desire to wait.


I am sure that the GSA is an amazing bike, but for me, the extra upfront $$$$ and history of more $$$$ to keep it running down the road sent me to the reliability (albeit somewhat boring) of the Honda.

 

[Pterodactyl]

There is a trade off between being able to ride on dirt and being able to ride from FL to AK to get to the dirt. The S10, GS/GSA are attempts at doing both. In my opinion they all do LD road travel very well; with the GS/GSA having the edge on pavement and like the S10 being competent on dirt/gravel roads. Neither can compete with a 250-450 cc dirt bike or perhaps a Goldwing.

I once rode to Deadhorse with Greg Frazier, the motorcycle author. He was on a rented Kawasaki 350cc. He had a bed-roll on the rear, a tank bag and soft panniers with a gallon of gas in each side. He said it was his 10th trip up the haul road and he would never ride a bike he could not pick-up. Great bike for a 400 mile dirt road, but he flew to Fairbanks.

 

[Blind Squirrel]

I think "Adventure" is in the eye of the beholder and the biggest factor in considering one bike v/s the other (in this general market) is WEIGHT.
I'm 99% certain that when I retire to the mountains, I'm going to buy a used dual sport. It's going to weigh about 300 pounds full of fuel. We'll start there and see how I like it.

I hate to disappoint you but you better start reading some spec sheets. You won't find too many sub 300 pound options.

KTM 500 EXC-F, Husqvarna FE 501

 

[hppants]

That KTM is bad ass on the spec sheet. Now THAT's what I'm talking about!

 

[Blind Squirrel]

That KTM is bad ass on the spec sheet. Now THAT's what I'm talking about!

Feel the power!

 

[Fred W]

Heres a good rundown on the two midsize workhorses, KLR and DL650

 

[SkooterG]

I think "Adventure" is in the eye of the beholder and the biggest factor in considering one bike v/s the other (in this general market) is WEIGHT.
I'm 99% certain that when I retire to the mountains, I'm going to buy a used dual sport. It's going to weigh about 300 pounds full of fuel. We'll start there and see how I like it.

I hate to disappoint you but you better start reading some spec sheets. You won't find too many sub 300 pound options.

KTM 500 EXC-F, Husqvarna FE 501

I look at those bikes, especially the seats, and say there is no way those are Dual Sport motorcycles. They are street legal dirt bikes. That you would trailer somewhere. And can't sit on for any appreciable time.

 

[Fred W]

Yes exactly. That is what a dual sport bike is.

What you want is an ADV Tourer. Maybe you should wait for the Tenere 700?

https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/adventure-touring/pages/yamaha-tenere-700-prototype

 

[Uncle Hud]

SkooterG started this thread?!?! In a YAMAHA motorcycle forum? Jeez. Makes you wonder, don't it?

In case you didn't notice, both are heavy *******s if you drop them in mud or loose sand. Also, if you haven't read it in this forum before, I have lusted after the BMW boxer engine for the past 40 years. They're sexy, baby!

 

[Fred W]

Kind of a good point. Ive dropped my Strom in the mud before, and been able to lift it back up myself using good technique and a little adrenaline, but Skooter is not as big of a guy as me. He will just need to make sure he is riding with bigger friends

After you own a boxer you wont think they are so sexy. BTDT

 

[Fred W]

Alright... I just found Skooter Gregs dual sport / ADV.

 

[BigOgre]

Alright... I just found Skooter Gregs dual sport / ADV.

I couldn't stop watching. Had to be some crazy Rooskies.

 

[Fred W]

I dont know who they are, but I was laughing like a third grader watching that.

Which made me think it would be perfect for ScooterG!

 

[bigjohnsd]

New 16 Africa Twin DCT with ABS $11,900?

 

[Spud]

This is on the Honda Website for the Africa Twin:

Curb Weight506.8 lbs—Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel—ready to ride
Yamaha lists the "wet weight" of the S10 as 575 pounds. That's quite a difference. Just sitting on 2 side by side at a dealer to me the AT felt like it would be much better once you left the pavement, maybe because I also ride a motocross bike and the Honda feels more like that bike.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

I say buy one of each and make the trip twice. Then tell us which one you liked better.

If you cared about us at all you would do it.

 

[Pterodactyl]

I say buy one of each and make the trip twice. Then tell us which one you liked better.
If you cared about us at all you would do it.

Three trips are needed now that the Africa Twin is in the mix.