Scott Brady
Founder
Finding a perfect compromise is much more difficult with a motorcycle than it is with a 4wd. That is just an unfortunate fact. A Rubicon Wrangler can drive 80mph on the highway, be loaded full of gear for a RTW trip and still cross some of the most technical terrain in the country.
With a motorcycle, there are huge variations in attributes, with a KTM 530 being a great technical terrain choice (still street legal) and the BMW1200 GSA being the perfect RTW exploration platform - They are just so different. There is not a single moto that can do it all, at least not with me as a rider. The closest I was able to find was the KTM 950, which is a fun bike to ride on the street and good on the dirt up to about the single-track level. I did ride the 950 on single track, but it was a huge effort and do you really want to be bouncing around a 550lb, $14,000 ADV off of the rocks?
I am also convinced that an ultra-light bike is just not fun to ride on the road - at all. They don't corner, they don't accelerate well, the get tossed all over the road and the seats are implements of torture. So my idea of building a 530 or 690 and riding it for days on end is out too. It looks good on paper, but would be about as fun as commuting on a unicycle.
So the decision has been made to get a smaller street legal dirt-bike to work on by riding skills and satisfy random wheelie urges, but make no attempt at turning it into a long-distance cruiser. Sure, a long weekend trip in AZ with a couple GL bags, but no thoughts of riding it to Montana.
That leads me to my ADV moto decision. I need to replace the KTM950 as it is well over 22,000 miles and I am just ready for a new bike with fuel injection. . . Something comfortable on the highway, good Jeep road performance (preferably a 21" front wheel), powerful motor, two-up capability and good aftermarket support.
I think this is my top three:
1. BMW 1200 GSA
I actually have a lot of time on these bikes and really love them. Not nearly as fun on the dirt, but they do seem to always get there. The dirt riding style is just so much different. Road performance would be a big benefit. Also, a lot of the friends I like to ride with have this bike, so advantages of spares and similar terrain performance.
2. Triumph Tiger 800xc
I like this bike, but know little about its performance and overall packaging. It is very new to the market. A good looking bike too.
3. Yamaha Super Tenere
Probably would not get this bike, but it is worth discussing.
Outside chance: There is also an outside chance I would go with a KTM990 and built it more for road use, better saddle, taller screen, etc.
With a motorcycle, there are huge variations in attributes, with a KTM 530 being a great technical terrain choice (still street legal) and the BMW1200 GSA being the perfect RTW exploration platform - They are just so different. There is not a single moto that can do it all, at least not with me as a rider. The closest I was able to find was the KTM 950, which is a fun bike to ride on the street and good on the dirt up to about the single-track level. I did ride the 950 on single track, but it was a huge effort and do you really want to be bouncing around a 550lb, $14,000 ADV off of the rocks?
I am also convinced that an ultra-light bike is just not fun to ride on the road - at all. They don't corner, they don't accelerate well, the get tossed all over the road and the seats are implements of torture. So my idea of building a 530 or 690 and riding it for days on end is out too. It looks good on paper, but would be about as fun as commuting on a unicycle.
So the decision has been made to get a smaller street legal dirt-bike to work on by riding skills and satisfy random wheelie urges, but make no attempt at turning it into a long-distance cruiser. Sure, a long weekend trip in AZ with a couple GL bags, but no thoughts of riding it to Montana.
That leads me to my ADV moto decision. I need to replace the KTM950 as it is well over 22,000 miles and I am just ready for a new bike with fuel injection. . . Something comfortable on the highway, good Jeep road performance (preferably a 21" front wheel), powerful motor, two-up capability and good aftermarket support.
I think this is my top three:
1. BMW 1200 GSA
I actually have a lot of time on these bikes and really love them. Not nearly as fun on the dirt, but they do seem to always get there. The dirt riding style is just so much different. Road performance would be a big benefit. Also, a lot of the friends I like to ride with have this bike, so advantages of spares and similar terrain performance.
2. Triumph Tiger 800xc
I like this bike, but know little about its performance and overall packaging. It is very new to the market. A good looking bike too.
3. Yamaha Super Tenere
Probably would not get this bike, but it is worth discussing.
Outside chance: There is also an outside chance I would go with a KTM990 and built it more for road use, better saddle, taller screen, etc.