What is an Adventure bike? The debate gets controversial…
So what is an adventure bike really? With the Adventure Motorcycle sector showing no sign of slowing down, the manufacturers from to Honda to Harley Davidson are keen to get a slice of the action.
But is the name just a clever marketing tool? Can the likes of the mighty KTM1290 or BMW R1200GS really be seen as vehicles that are up to the job of exploring the world on two wheels?
Noah Horak thinks not, and as a man that has visited over forty countries in the last two years on his modified KTM 690 Enduro, he might just know. In an open letter posted on the Expedition Portal, he’s called out the motorcycle industry on the desperate lack of bikes that can really take on adventure travel.
So what is a ‘real’ adventure motorcycle?
Dear Motorcycle Industry,
Now I see the adventure bike market treading into Harley Davidson territory, which is to say selling an idea or image rather then a capable bike. Sorry to the HD fans out there, but the XR750 is the only HD I drool over. Every year manufacturers pump out more and more street touring bikes and slap an “Adventure” bike name on it. KTM, BMW, Triumph, Suzuki, Aprilia, Ducati, Yamaha, Honda are all doing it. The list of 1-litre behemoths is so long I can not keep up. They sell the image of adventure, but when you try to go off the pavement, you quickly find out the bike was not designed for it. So you search for a smaller bike only to find there is a huge gap in the market that no manufacturer seems to want to cash in on. I’ll call the small adventure bike market what it is, the enduro bike market: 250s, DRZ400, 450 race bikes, and outdated air cooled 650s. 450 race bikes are too highly strung for travel. Most of the air cooled 650s are great bikes, but they are all in desperate need of an update. So there is basically the choice between DRZ400 and KTM 690. Both are very capable off-road bikes and have been ridden around the world many times by many people. The gap between these 2 bikes is huge. What gives?
Now I see the adventure bike market treading into Harley Davidson territory …
Selling an idea or image rather than a capable bike
– Noah Horak
Maybe this is asking too much. Take one of your 450 race bikes and give it a reliable engine. The weekend warriors would love it if they didn’t have to change their oil every 10 hours. I would love to travel on a that bike. As stated before, the gap between the Suzuki DRZ400 and KTM 690 is huge. So once again, take a minute to let this sink in. We want a reliable lightweight off-road travel bike. We don’t want another 200 + kilo street bike. Adventure comes from the ride and the bikes you are pushing off onto the public are limiting that adventure.
Thank you,
Noah Horak.
All images are from Noah’s Facebook site RTW with Noah. You can follow his intrepid adventures – that’s REALadventures – on his website.
Share This Post…
Totally agreed with Noah～ Unfortunately, motorcycle manufacturers nowadays are not exactly focused on utilities of a motorcycle but tried to tab into the lucrative market of lifestyle and extravagant image～～～ To “Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro” Yes, I am talking about you!!!
The Ducati is a supreme example of the idea gone too far!
Julian – Ride Expeditions
I have ridden 2008 Yamaha 280R, 2012 and 2013 KTM EXC-F 350, and 2017 and 2016 Crossfire XZ250RR on adventures 800 to 2,000km long in BC Canada, Washington USA and Central Nepal in the past few years. I now own a 2013 350 EXC-f 350 that I purchased 2 years ago after lots of researching and a few rides on other bikes. I was certain I knew it would be the “most fun” motorbike with the perfect amount of power, weight, suspension, handling to safely and enjoyably ride trails, woods, and adventure routes, but the maintenance cost question was one I couldn’t easily answer without owning one and experiencing it first hand.
Now, to rate the bikes in my list I will start chronologically thus I must first say that I am a pedal head mostly and love the idea of an epic 8 hour mountain bike ride over a mountain pass or a imperial century on my road bike with 5000 ft of climbing and descending. I also commute a little but this more out of boredom sitting in a car, twice as fast compared to public transit, and an easy way to stay fit and alert for the adventures.
A highly modified WR280R was my first off-road woods riding and adventure bike after 26 years off a motorcycle. It was capable in all areas, but seemed a bit ‘anemic’ in that it topped out at 110km/h on the highway and seemed to regularly need downshifting to climb simple hills. Also I thought it had weird ergonomics when standing up on the pegs. Keep in mind that I hadn’t ridden a motorcycle in 26 years, so my opinions were at least a little immature. Really, the WR250R worked successfully in all riding situations and I enjoyed every minute on it but found myself constantly in want of a bit more torque and power, not much but more none the less.
My next woods riding and adventuring were on a borrowed 2012 KTM EXC-F 350. In fact he bought it for his son based on my research of my dream bike. That bike was amazing; playful, nimble, powerful, comfortable to stand on. I had a smile on the entire time we were out riding and commented that there was more torque and power than I needed. Thus I bought one within a few months and started adding frugal budget friendly adventuring modifications.
Next to rate was the ZX250RR we rallied around on in Nepal. A 250cc bike is a ‘big’ bike in Nepal and generally outperforms almost every other bike on the road or trail. The ergonomics seem better than the WR250R and the power seems slightly better like a 250 motocross bike. We travelled many thousands of km on loose paved roads, hard packed gravel, dustbowls, river crossings, as well as some crazy back roads and trails [totally wish we found more that were ride-able]. Some weeks were with all gear onboard and others were unloaded. I missed the playfully inspiring torque and power of my EXCF 350 occasionally (especially when I wanted to loft the front wheel in any gear over 1st) and my seat concepts seat every time I sat down (even got a warning from the traffic police for standing while riding in the city). The bike was a good safe functional fit for my type of adventure riding.
After my last Nepal trip I took my EXCF 350 out for a spin before the insurance expired. After a slow warm-up and I was a few blocks from home and opened up the throttle just a little more and up went the front tire, after a quick shift and on the throttle again up goes the front tire again. Instantly I was smiling profusely and I suddenly realized I had forgotten just how much ‘fun’ my little 350 is.
Now I am in the middle of a maintenance job on the EXCF 350 at 115 hours. There was nothing at all wrong with anything but the manual calls out for a top end and stuff at 105 hours and I wanted to avoid a certainly expensive repair bill if something like a piston or valve went literally sideways; darned internet videos made me want to check out the internals. Top end requires valve guides and a piston only since everything measures up perfectly; not even a mark on the cylinder. Fork and shock fluids and seals are next inline this week plus re-greasing everything that has bearings and reviewing all electrical connectors. Wow, $2000 for this and I am doing most of the work myself in my garage. That’s $20/riding hour just in engine and suspension pm. Next top and bottom end rebuild at 230 hours will be $3500 easily due to parts cost; that’s $35/riding hour just in engine and suspension pm. Also, on the 1600km WABDR in Washington we had to plan and complete an oil/filter change since we would be at 17 hours when got to the halfway point on the trip; this was discouraging but a local shop was supremely kind to lend some shop space for us; the oil really needed to be changed at that point on both our bikes.
Now it’s cold out and snow on the hills so I have some thinking time. My350 is 275lbs ready to ride without luggage, has 40hp and 22ftlb on tap with perfect ergonomics and makes rides through woods, trails, sand hills, forest roads, and twisty slabs spectacularly fun. It even has insurance at $500/year (half the cost of the next class up in my country). It is absolutely the perfect bike with the exception that the critical engine maintenance schedule is literally measured in weeks of continuous riding. 100 hours and 4000km goes by quick when doing 40 hour adventure rides. My initial reaction is this, I could accept 20 lbs more with the same torque/power/suspension/ergonomics, an oil change/valve check interval into the ~3-4000km range, and the engine repair interval into the 20,000km mark. Basically 5x what the 350 gets now.
Maybe the Husaberg 701 (or the KTM 690); expected engine maintenance 20,000km for rocker arms but more for piston. Extra power not needed but porky at ~ 300-320 lbs [330-350 wet expected]. Weight increase is around 50lbs over my preferred limit; bummer.
Maybe a good used Husaberg FE 570; but what is the maintenance really like; need to find more info on this bike.
Maybe the KTM 390 duke engine retrofitted into and EXC frame. This is probably the combination to make my dream work but how will I make it all work; I am not a motorcycle customizer.
What shall I do, wait for a KTM 390 Enduro R? Or maybe start a business designing and building light street legal enduro bikes that don’t need more time wrenching with than riding on? For now I will put my favorite bike the KTM EXCF 350 back together, ride my 26 lb carbon mountain bike in the snowy hills, and sleep dreaming about what some company may put together for us 2 wheeled adventurers. 2020?!
Thanks for your input – you certainly love your bikes! Maybe you should come ride with us?
The Husaberg is a peachy motor, just maybe too odd for the market. The KTM 790 looks good, but it’s 200 kilos plus yet again once you fuel it up so that’s an issue in the tough stuff. In reality most adventure bike don’t go off-road though, so maybe that doesn’t matter. For our money, we’d take the KTM EXC 250 anywhere in the world!
Julian
Agree! I looked around for something smaller but was dissatisfied so I ended up with an F800GS. It was the closest thing I could find. If it could shed 50kg it would be ideal.
Thanks for your thoughts – is the CCM a serious option? We’re testing it soon ….
Julian – Ride Expeditions
Noah has left out several capable bikes that fit the gap, but that gap does still exist. For starters, there’s the ever reliable, albeit discontinued BMW g650x-challenge. This is my #1 pick because it’s light enough, rotax durable, parts still available (at BMW price), and very very affordable. It does need suspension upgrades, a seat upgrade, and extra fueling, but these are common basic modifications. I am biased having one strictly as my overseas touring bike (currently in SoCal waiting for me to return to Baja and then continue to TDF). The younger fresher brother of this bike is the Husqvarna TR650 Terra. Same engine, better fueling (both are EFI), and much larger fuel tank stock. It’s heavier at 170kg BUT you can pick up a GPR 2into1 exhaust and you have a 160kg tourer that can tackle the rough. It’s a bit more expensive, but still reasonable 2nd hand…also discontinued. My current local bike for ADV riding is the 2012 Husaberg FE570. What a machine is all i can say, and with a safari tank and custom seat, this bike is reliable and incredibly capable at only 120kg! Dream bike, but you will pay more for it….again also discontinued. Do you see the pattern here? There’s not enough MARKET for the bike real adventure riders pine for (real as in rough off-road, reliable world touring, light, long service interval etc), so bikes that could work don’t make enough money for manufacturers and they fall by the wayside eventually. 690 and 701 are decent, but you will pay a lot for them. Where is the sub 150kg vtwin option?? Slowly coming perhaps but I’m not holding my breath. I won’t go into KLRs and DRs because they are a different kind of reliable, cheap, someone uninspiring and unchanged bike, used successfully globally. But when you want that power, that adrenalin, that lightweight flickability in the rough or no-roads…they are not the go-to bike. But a huge market for cheap and capable exists, so they also continue to not die away. Time will tell with the new AJP450 at 150kg, and perhaps SWM650, but here most of us are still left wanting.
Adventure is the buzz word and the huge generalisation, but for those who lean towards the technical and the challenging terrain (not just gravel roads or touring), we are a minority that still does not make money for corporate profit interests, so we are left wanting.
Thanks for the detailed and well reasoned response Jeff. Noah is just keen to see more options, which is a good thing to strive for, even if the reality may not bring on the bikes he might want.
Julian – Ride Expeditions
I have ridden a R1200GS across Australia and it was perfect for it . Vast distances on and off road. I never went rock hopping on it . But gravel , dirt , mud and sand trails or even just boring motorways didn’t bother it at all . It’s like it was built for this country . Not too sure why people don’t think it suitable? The tenere 660 would be one of the best adventure bikes around and no mention in the article? Any bike that’s takes you on an adventure regardless of cc is all you need. ” Adventure ” is a state of mind and not related to the bikes size or brand type. I say to the manufacturers build all the adventure bikes you can in all shapes and sizes . Let the buyers decide on what’s good or awful with their wallets !! Like the whole adventure thing , it’s about freedom of choice and no boundaries.
Agree with the idea of choice Paul, as does Noah it would appear – he just wants more options in the mid-range!
Julian – Ride Expeditions
Yep, I agree completely, Noah! The term ‘adventure’ seems to have been distorted beyond all belief now. After all, I can now buy adventure saucepans, adventure deodorant and even adventure slippers! Mostly, motorcycle manufacturers have realised that if they add the word ‘adventure’, they can churn out massively heavy, gadget stuffed, monoliths that need expensive serving every couple of thousand miles… and they can make a small fortune! The question is…why do people keep buying them? In my view, CCM are the only manufacturer to get anywhere close to what I’d call an ‘adventure ‘ bike, with their 450cc model, but, the cost, is considerably more than most would be willing to pay for such a small bike. The motorcycle industry is not listening to what people want, only to what they can make the most money out of. The first manufacturer to make the right bike at the right price, will make a fortune on mass sales.
Great observations chap – we agree!
Julian – Ride Expeditions
The CCM 450 is £7500……..the same price as a bog standard Yamaha WR450. In my book that makes the GP450 excellent value with comparable offroad performance but a 20 litre fuel tank, real travel capability and high quality finish rather than the mass produced stuff.!
Adventure biking/travel is not just for long legged men. There are plenty of women wanting/doing the adventure. And they need a bike that has a eat closer to the ground. Bike manufacturers/designers don’t seem to understand that there are a load of people In the 5ft to 5ft 7ins height range who would like to get both feet on the ground. So lower seats please
Thanks James – we’ve got the CCM450 soon – maybe that’s the answer …
Julian – Ride Expeditions
I agree with Noah. Thank you sooooooo much for posting!
I only passed my m/c test 5 years ago and within a year, realised how much more pleasure I experienced from more Adventure-style riding. I have also learnt how, as with other words in the English language, people adopt the word to broaden it’s definition. For me, Adventure riding is more true to the original definition. Hence why I agree with Noah.
For my experience, I have considered/tried different bikes for height/durability/manitenance/reliability/loading/fuel range/lighterweight/cost etc and agree with where the gap in the market is. Save to say, I have a modified dr650SE in Oz, but struggle to find something suitable for here to take out from the UK.
I strongly endorse Noah”s plea for manufacturers to please, please, PLEASE come up with a more suitable true/traditional ‘Advanture’ bike – I, too, would join the queue to purchase such a motorcycle.
Hi Helen – thanks for your input and enthusiasm. We’ll be trying the CCM 450 soon so will let you know whether it’s a viable option!
Julian – Ride Expeditions
KTM 690 is too fragile. Noah knows how to take care of his, they require great attention. Some say keep the airfilter immaculate and you’re half way there. Plastic rear sub frame (ie the fuel tank) for a loaded mule is troublesome. Lyndon uses the 450 subframes as its such a risk.
Cheers for the tips and detail Philip.
Julian – Ride Expeditions
This is either incredibly incorrect, or hysterically amusing. I don’t this man’s travels, but do doubt his math and reasoning abilities. In the second paragraph, he states his bike and gear weigh 210 kilos. Looking up basic specs on the bike, fully fueled it would weigh 148 kilos alone. This leaves 62 kilos for rider and gear. The math is clear, and with his “gear” Athe the extreme minimum, I wouldn’t expect a horse jockey to pick up a BMW, let alone see how his tippy toes reach the ground while riding one. In perspective, I weigh ore than the fully fuels bike when naked, so I don’t need a bantam weight professing what I should ride as an adventure bike.
Cool your jets fella – this isn’t a personal attack, more a plea for more suitable mid-range bikes to choose from. I’m sure Noah doesn’t care one bit what you choose to ride – trick up a Scott Squirrel if you want! But if Yamaha bought out a 450 Adventure bike we’d be all over it …
Julian – Ride Expeditions
read it again, he never said rider included.
his math works out fine, 160kg for a bike with light single pipe and 50kg worth of camping gear
KLR650 seems to match and seems popular.
The CB500X with the Rally Raid kit looks good,
Seems like an opportunity for the big manufacturers to supply a better solution and go down market at the same time.
The 500X has definite potential, but is that motor too sophisticated? Thanks for the input Mark
Julian – Ride Expeditions
Yes, indeed! I gradually moved from racing enduros, PE400. B rider, to ‘advriding,’ ~ 1983, with my first XL600R. Enough oomph for the freeways, yet capable ehough for exploring, and single track. I even did a 6 week US loop in ’85 on it, doing a lot of NF roads. When I wore that one out, I got an ’87. Moving to the Tengai in ’90, [keeping the XL,] did a CO trip w/ my brother [trucked the bikes to Denver;] rode single track, and even successfully negotiated Radical Hill. A ‘simple,’ ‘light-weight,’ H2O, 500-class thumper would be ideal. Offer the capability for options: serious dirt work, or rally. Such would dominate the [small] market.
Thanks for your input JT – actually the Royal Enfield Classic did a fairly good job on our recent Himalayan Heights tour!
Julian – Ride Expeditions
Light is right! Colin Chapman and reliable that’s my favourite bike, KTM 990 adventure R
It’s a popular choice, but as it’s no longer made then supplies will naturally dwindle!
Julian – Ride Expeditions
I opted for a 2009 f650 twin. 377 lbs dry- 437 wet. The gas tank being under me rather than on top helps to keep things balanced when on gravel.
So- in short, I truly hope Noah hasn’t included my bike in that list as not truly Adventure Capable, as I have my heart and mind already set on it being just that!
It does seem that the “Adventure” branding is more about the look factor these days. Shiny new 1000cc+ bikes with nice shiny panniers and riders dressed in all the associated name branded gear are rife on the highways. Mainly the sealed ones. In 6 months of off road travel on our little Honda CT110 Australia post spec bikes, my wife and I have met a total of zero other riders doing the same gravel back roads and dirt tracks. We have travelled over 30 000 kms between Alaska and Los Angeles on these things. You don’t need bigger. You don’t need EFI. You need what you have. You don’t have to look a certain way, or wear a certain brand. Just be safe and be happy. If you’re too scared to drop your bike in case you either can’t pick it up or might scratch it, just maybe you have the wrong bike.
If we can do it on these thrashed out little under powered things, and others have and still are doing it on similar machines, then you can do it on anything too,
Nothing on the WR250R?
Not sure what you are driving at fella. Do you think it’s a good adventure machine? If so – tell us why!
Julian – Ride Expeditions
All I can say is CCM GP450 !!!!! Super lightweight 125kgs, 450cc BMW power plant, 8000klm service intervals, 400klm fuel range, highest of quality parts and now available Down Under !
WE are hoping to get hold of one next week John, so we’ll let you know!
Julian – Ride Expeditions
Not to forget the XR400!!!!!
Nice write up. As an owner of a DRZ I can attest to the lack of touring capabilities the bike has. It is neither a perfect off road machine nor a humble highway pilot. I was at a crossroads in August of this year and I retired my DRZ with 55,000km and purchased a new FJ09 instead. It suits the highway riding and sport bike mentality to a “t”, but it is not an adventure bike at all. With the resources of all the manufactures, we could have a capable bike with 65hp and under 375lbs. Someone fill the gap between the 690R(TOO EXPENSIVE) and the DRZ400(OLD, SLOW AND OUTDATED).
A ktm 690 adventure is what is required. Had a 640 and that is in my mind what I would travel the world on. Or a 450 platform in a trellis frame. But hey if you ride an R1 around the world its an adventure bike. The internet makes us feel like there is more people who want this type of bike but market research says people want cruise control to commute to work on (which i also want).
I guess these people may disagree but hey what would they know 🙂 http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/forwood/
thats great but I think that is the exception for HD not the rule.
Thanks for contributing Quinton
Julian
Well I am sure it falls short on power but for price and size the Royal Enfield Himalya may be an up and comming player for adv riding. size and simplicity it looks like a fun bike (although not awe inspiring) I agree with your comments that ADV bikes have gone to selling an image. they are the new mid life crisis machines. I do love the 640 and 690 by KTM but they require significant investment on an already expensive machine to get them rally tour ready (tanks, paniers, filter upgrades) . I am willing to give up a HP or two if they would make a ready to roll version (maybe the Yamaha T7 next year?) . Until then I still take my KTM 950 adv places it probably shouldnt go then complain about my back at the end of a big ride.
We’d love to agree, but we can’t see the Himalayan being anuthing but a very niche buy rather than a player in the adventure market. Until they sort the build quality and a decent dealer network we think it will stay in the background – for 4K we’d invest in used Tenere every day!
Let us know if you buy one ….
Julian
I’m onto my 2nd KTM 640 Adventure. I know you can’t get it anymore new but now and then there’s 2nd hand ones that become available that were really just parked in a garage somewhere. They tick a lot of the boxes you mention.