The best adventures are on motorcycles not made for adventures...
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- Опубликовано: 1 мар 2024
- In this video I talk about the utility of the BMW 1300GS but also other big adventure bikes like the Honda Africa Twin, KTM Super Adventure and Ducati Multistrada. They are at such a high price point, what are most people using them for? Can an equal adventure be had on an unimportant, plain Jane, run of the mill motorcycle?
See this bike and others at midwestmoto.co.uk/
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I set off from the UK in January and ended up in Barcelona, I did over 2300 miles on my 2019 Moto Guzzi V7 (750cc) and loved it. travelled light and wasn't racing. I didn't need anything bigger. I'm off to Iceland in May. You can tour on a 50cc if you want it just takes you longer. All manufacturers of everything push an image to sell their goods aat an inflated price...ignore them is my advice and enjoy what you have. Just tailor your adventure acordingly.
Thanks for the comment Dale. I really like the V7 and could see myself owning one someday. Interestingly I borrowed a book from a friend about a motorcyclist who toured the back roads of Spain in the early 2000s on a MG. Great bikes and loads of character. Thanks!
I was constantly getting stuck behind big stupid 20K bikes on the NC500 on my Classic 350 last summer 🤣 and some trying to follow me pulled in behind and were amazed at how easy i was riding my bike,
Smaller is often better!
Good film you did! 👍😁
Cheers Bruce
Smaller is often better Bruce! I'm a big fan of your Classic on the Heidenaus 😄👍
A mate and I toured a few of the Scottish islands on the 350cc Royal Enfield meteor without any issues. Not having to worry about looking for fuel stations and brilliant on country roads.
I sold my 1500cc cruiser and my Indian scout and bought another RE
Thank you for the comment. What's not to love about 100mpg! What is the second RE bike you purchased?
Great video, and very thought provoking...
I do feel a whole number of 'bikers' buy a machine that really is not going to be used in the way the bike is marketed. For example plenty of supersports owners never see a race-track, but they still ride around in their matching leathers, complete with their "Rossi lid".
Meanwhile, a cursory look on Auto-Trader Bikes will show just how many low mileage GS's have become available since the introduction of the 'mighty GS1300', all with F/S/H and likely never been anywhere more off-road than up the kerb outside the local Tesco.
Now I'm not a hypocrite and have indeed fallen for many bikes with my heart rather than my head, indeed I recently bought a 2023 Gen 3 Hayabusa, although I part exchanged it last month for a much more comfortable 2013 ZZR1400 and a Honda NC750X.
But as you rightly point out, as we get older many of us have the financial freedom to indulge ourselves, and it is this I suspect drives the (to me) overpriced GS1300 being snapped up by so many people. While I am sure it is a fabulous bike, is it really so good it is worth the many thousands extra it costs? Well only someone who has bought one can answer that. Incidentally, one of my brothers is a recovery truck driver and he tells me that BMW cars AND bikes are some of the most frequent vehicles he recovers, although car-wise Range Rovers are the most frequent occupant of the back of his truck.
So, as someone who has been lucky enough to own dream cars and bikes, I too have come full circle and my go-to machine is my Honda NC750X. It is so easy to throw a leg over, so easy to get on with, I never feel threatened by its (lack of) power and it does everything I want/need of a bike. My ZZR1400 has already been relegated to "shall I sell it" status, and in these uncertain financial times (cheers Liz Truss) I often question the sanity of owning 3 bikes and 2 cars.
Great interaction between you both btw.
Regards,
Bib The Boulder.....
(P.S.) Why do so many of your subscribers have ridiculous names?
Hi Bib, don't forget the knee sliders, a lot of people have those and it's hard (for me at least) to even find a space to try and get a knee down on the road 😂. Range Rovers as well as breaking down a lot are also easily stolen (at least the last but one version), so they are almost un-insurable in cities. I don't know why people have weird names, people love an online alias is all I can guess. What was better then the Busa or ZZR1400?
Never been anywhere more off-road than up the kerb outside the local STARBUCKS - They get parked outside Starbucks so the owners can watch ppl looking at their 'ADV Bike! 😜
Another great video Sean and Suzie. I enjoy the useful information you supply us all with, while having a nice cup of tea. keep up the good work.
Thanks William, that's a lovely comment. Very much appreciated! Hope you have a good week ahead. Regards, Sean
Absolutely brilliant - both of you go straight to the top of the class! 👏🏻💪🏻
Thanks Colin! I'm not sure what class you mean but we are pleased to be at the top of it 😁😊
Bloody love you both 😂. Glad I found your channel
Thanks Matt, really appreciate this kind comment. We are glad to have you on here too!
A wonderful channel keeping motorcycling to the basics! Much love from Bangalore, India.
Thank you very much Motoccino, appreciate the comment and support 😃👍
Agreed I started on a small bike stepping my way up to big bike and found not as fun stepping back to a Himalayan love it again
Thanks Phil, appreciate the comment. The 411 Himmy can now be had for £4k brand new, so much bike for the money, what a gem 🙏🙂
I enjoyed that.
Kinda echoes how I feel about so many other subjects, camping, cycling, shooting, hosting etc, buy this, buy that. When in reality most of the kit you've got is fine as is.
Back in the 80's I used to tour on an MZ ETZ 250. It was great.
As for your dear lady wife walking into shot, and poaching your presentation, that made me laugh. Gives a great casual air to the whole thing. Probably not too long before we see more n more of Monica on Freddy Dobbs' videos.
Thanks C.D. appreciate the comment. We live in a world where the newest is always best and something you purchased last year which you were perfectly happy with at the time is now not good enough. With respect to Freddie and Monica I've noticed the bigger channels do sometimes pop onto the smaller channels and see what's going on. I think it's great when Monica adds commentary to Freddie stuff, makes it more interesting. Thanks for the comment 😊
I have a lot of respect for folks that tour on small bikes and agree that you can tour on any bike.
That said I have several bikes and one of them is a GS. I managed to put 10000 miles on it in 6 months and on several occasions would do circa 1200 miles over a long weekend. For touring, the GS is supremely comfortable and offers performance and handling that you just wouldn't expect from a machine that looks like a tractor. It has a very low centre of gravity and is very manoeuvrable even at slow speeds.
Thanks Stui for the comment. Nice to hear you've got on well with it. 👍🙂
I passed my test just over 2 years ago at 59 and have now had 9 bikes including my 125 learner. Crf300 rally, Himalayan, tiger 900 gt pro, street scrambler 900, trident 660 etc so a fair range. I have ridden down to Turkey and all over Europe from the Isle of Man and back a couple of times. For my last trip I bought a GS and have to say it’s my favourite so far. Incredible winds across the plains of Serbia Bulgaria etc had me leaning dangerously for hours at a time and the GS was far more secure feeling than my Tiger but it’s the no maintenance shaft drive that really did it for me along with a good dealer network for added confidence in the event of a problem, as I don’t know anything about bikes. Each to their own and once you get a few quid in retirement do what makes you smile. I can’t wait to get going again before and after TT. We just hired KTM’s with a guide for a few days off the beaten tracks in Spain so you don’t have to use a big bike for every activity on your trip if you have some cash later in life. Cheers and I hope everyone enjoys the freedom on whatever they like.
Thats a really nice comment thanks for adding that. Great to hear. One thing though, I'm 36 so the retirement age for me I expect is pushed back to 70+, I have to do this now! Cheers, Sean
It is no different to the car industry, or the sports bike market. At the top end are ridiculously expensive aspirational machines that the buyers could never use to their full potential. Only the cruiser market is honest about what they sell - feel good status symbols that make you feel good to own (and ride).
Thanks Chris for the comment, good point about the cruiser industry, at least there is less 'pretending' in that segment of the motorcycle genres. It's all about the look and to a certain degree the engine character as well...
Really good video you covered alot I've got a 250 suzuki inazuma great little bike my go to bike over my 1000 gsxr, the 250cc it's great motorway 65mph can go little more but im happy with that.
On the plus side you've probably got the best engine ever to grace the 1000cc class of super bike! That must be fun 😄
@MindfulMotorcyclist 1000 is l2 model No electrics just plain throttle control no abs it's great, fast not used alot.
There’s something about single cylinder engines. The new Triumph 400 X has my eye, and if the BSA comes to the states, I’ll probably have to have one. And as the owner of a pre-upgrades Royal Enfield Bullet I think I’ve paid my dues. God knows I still love the old thumper.
That's precisely why I love the BSA, it's the engine character, I don't think it can be beat. The Triumph I expect is much more revvy with the same compression ratio as a CBR600RR and short gearing in first and second. More of a fast street bike than a thumper in my opinion... Thanks 😊🙏
Hi Sean. Hope the weather is staying nice for you both. Obviously due to my size and very short legs. Adventure bikes are not on my radar, but it sounds like the new GS is some kit.
I do like the simplicity of the RE 411 Scram.
Looking forward to the Scottish motorcycle show on the 16th.
Also now that I got my. Seats back, and fitted, I await a dry and less windy day to feel, how there are.😊
Believe it or not Mark I've also got short legs for my height. It's the weight being up top that's a bugger on the bike adv bikes, the cruisers I like as they can be much heavier with a lower CoG and still feel stable to move around. I'd love a Scram 411, I think if they roll out a 450 scram then prices of the older bike will plummet even more than they have already super bargains to be had. Scram with it's 19 inch front wheel would be perfect and nice choice of rubber. I hope the seats are nice as expected?
@@MindfulMotorcyclist I heard a 450 Hunter
In the seventies, my friend and I bought a couple of mobylettes in Northern Spain and rode them all the way to Switzerland via the south of France.They cost £30 each. I have also toured Europe on a large capacity Japanese bike. I'll let you guess which trip was the most fun...
No idea what a modylette is... Next job is to look those up 😁🙏. Thanks for the comment.
My wife and I both have cb500x we have looked at the tiger 900 and the triumph 900 scrambler but do we need too ? Probably not going heavier just seems wrong will probably end up buying nx500 when released locally when we feel the need to change my wife only uses her bike for w/ends away and touring holidays we are so comfortable on these light low
capacity bikes we hired the same in Gran Canaria we could have hired any bike of our choice. Speaking to my local bike shop while buying luggage for my current bike, the shop owners advice the more cylinders more complex more expensive to maintain and use more fuel.
Hence why I ride a single haha 😂, no but in all seriousness I loved my little Voge DSX, brilliant little bike (copy of Honda CB500X) when you load up with luggage its quite weighty, I wouldnt want to go heavier... Thanks for the comment.
Totally agree. I tried the ADV thing with a Mot Guzzi V85tt. Was great driving on big roads through France and Spain, but changed it for a V7 as soon as I got home. What was the name of the Facebook group you were talking about?
Thanks Goolders for the comment. If I was to have a retro looking adv bike I don't think I could do better than the v85. Was it just too heavy?
@@MindfulMotorcyclistnot heavy as such, more a case of a bit unwieldy when moving it around and in heavy traffic/filtering.
It's just the biking version of the SUV trend. They're supposed to be "all-rounders" but end up being average at everything. It's a very clever marketing con.
I agree, thanks for the comment Jerry...
Hey Sean, you have made a great point. As you know, I have the Tiger 900 and the GS. I am riding the GS more - simply because it is easier to get out of the garage (and of course it looks super cool). This morning, I was thinking of swapping the Tiger to a Triumph T120 simply because the T120 can easily tour and it's much smaller in bulk. Easier to get out of the garage, easiler to handle in car parks, and would look wonderful. I am off to Tenerife in April to go see Adam at 'Tenerife on Triumph' and will be having the T120 for four days. I will make a decission at that point on whether I keep the Tiger or move to the T120. That said, the Tiger is a great touring bike, but I only tour a couple of times a year and is therefore an expensive toy.
With regard the new BMW GS sales, from the numbers offered, wouldn't it be great to understand who actually bought the bike and who actually PCP'ed the bike? That then shows the state of play on such expensive machines. I suspect most are on PCP.
A T120 would be lovely, 2 Wheeled Willie is loving his! They are 236kg as far as I know but the CoG must be very different to the Tiger. The GS is still not a light bike at 213kg but again its light enough not to be a pain and a low CoG (supposedly the RE Interceptor has a high CoG!). I also suspect that most £15k motorcycles are on PCP. Even MCN lists prices of these big bikes in monthly amounts...
I think huge over engineered, expensive adventure bikes is definitely an aspirational item for those who fantasise rather than do. Similar to huge 4x4 cars. I bet they are really comfortable but are, as you say less practical for multipurpose than many bikes not professing to compete. For those that really do, I find grass laners, adventurers and touring owners have several specialist bikes to suit each function. As some of us get older, we downsize and maybe thin out the stable. I loved my big Harley, Victory and Triumphs, but also had my classic bikes and then always the go to road bike I the garage as well. The new BSA fits that go-to middleweight perfectly, go to the shops, bimble with classic bike mates, wiz up the motorway and tour on holiday. Maybe this is the growing market for budget focused owners?
A worry on clothing for me is spending more money is not proportional to protection ability. Learn to ride well, spend the money saved on over priced designer aspirational clothing on honing your skills.
Over engineering is definitely happening, so is ticking and option because you can, it's almost required now to have certain packs to sell the bike on again. If you can afford it do you need it? When I had multiple bikes as I do, at the moment have the BSA and the Triumph Daytona I always ride the bike that's comfortable and easy to ride, the Triumph hasn't had a look in. I'm also getting fed up with paying multiple sets of insurance for bikes I don't ride and of course the lack of space, I'm going to become a 1 bike guy again when the Daytona sells this year. I think I'll be able to do everything I want on the BSA provided it remains reliable and if I change out the tyres. It's even a hit with Suzie as a pillion... Thanks Crumbly.
Sold my Versys 650GT and bought second hand RE Himilayan 411 and 350 Meteor. No regrets.
That;s interesting, because the Versys I had down as a good middleweight almost sports tourer (I had the ER6F 650 from Kawa). Still you can't go wrong with a 350 Meteor, loved mine and would have another. Thanks for the comment...
Hey Sean and Suzie. Just a comment on Peter’s message to you. Interestingly my first bike was the Honda CX500, ( the plastic maggot) purchased new in 1980, and considered a medium to large bike at the time. It was a simple, reliable and comfortable ride but not considered a fast bike. They get a lot of hate online for some reason. I’ve owned 3 of them over the years and in fact now own the ‘81 variant GL500, still going strong. I’ve also owned larger and faster bikes but I like current trend to smaller displacement and less complicated bike is what many riders are now looking for. Bikes like your BSA and the Royal Enfield range. I have very little adventure/ off roading experience but I can certainly see the benefits of small, light weight bikes when watching what ItchyBoots has accomplished on her Honda 300crf rally. For me the “kiss “ method is the way to go. I think touring with some light adv riding on your BSA would be a blast. Really enjoying your channel. Cheers and ride safe, Dan ✌️🏍🇨🇦
Thanks Dan I appreciate the comment. I really like the look got the plastic maggot - is that an endearing name or a name used by detractors of the CX500 😂? I'm not sure. The plan for the BSA is to do some light trails on it, probably gravel tracks at the most! It's actually still quite a heavy bike being over 200kg but I think if I removed the cat it would drop around 7-10kg which would help things. In any case the weight is nice and low down plus a low seat means you've got flat footed position with a nice bend in the knee so it doesn't feel unmanageable... Cheers, Sean
@@MindfulMotorcyclist Sean. It’s a somewhat derogatory nickname . During the ‘80s it was the most common delivery bike in the UK I think. It was, and is very reliable even today , but the consensus was that it never had enough power and doesn’t have a 6th gear which would have made it quieter at highway speeds. I’m an outlier I guess ; always been a fan and it was fast enough for me. Ride safe. ✌️🇨🇦
Just in the process of selling my Triumph Tiger 1200. Why, loving my BSA GS 650 and realised it will do 95% of what the Tiger will do touring . But, the key reason is my wife no longer rides with me, which was effortless on the Tiger, the smaller bikes are less suited to two up touring. But ideal for just rider, imo. RE Classic 350 likepy to be incoming for local riding now.😊
Wow great comment. So you have the same bike as me (super choice by the way) and your also one of those downsizing which the video was about. I think the algorithm did well here 😂. I've had Suzie on the back of the BSA and it's no problem but and I suppose it's a big but, we've only been doing 40ish perhaps 50mph max as the roads here are slow and windy. I think on a longer stretch it would be more difficult two up. Luggage is a lot smaller for the retro bikes as a general rule. Finally, yes a RE classic would be super, if RE launch the Classic 650 there might be a few owners selling the 350 and you could get a deal. If not is cheap enough to buy a new one with MotoGBs current sale of stock.... Thanks!
My limited experience from several decades ago is that bikes no bigger than about 250cc are ideal off road. Bigger bikes, especially in wet/muddy conditions are so tiring that by the end of the day you can barely hold them up. All that fancy sliding around on gravel as shown in the promotional videos degrades to the reality of having to push your bike up a slippery slope in the rain.
Well said! Those fancy videos are always in the dry 😂👍
Brilliant, brilliant loved every second, you two should be on the telly 😂😂. Nah but seriously Sean you do know how to pick seriously good subject matter/content 👍. I'm with Peter it's a matter of natural progressive steps as you grow older, gain more experience your bike choices/styles change. Of late I have watched a number of adventure guys explaining how hard this type of riding is and not the vision promoted by salesman. Big bikes off road are an absolute hindrance.Your view as always was balanced and honest giving room for thought. You look so tall against Suzie vegan biscuits sound 🤮
Thanks Bob very kind of you giving us such a compliment. A lot of the inspiration actually comes from what people talk about in the comments and on Facebook groups. I find it all really interesting just reading and discussing bikes with people online. I've got the Goldstar review to plan this month, that will almost be a 'proper' video that will need some thought and prior planning as opposed to these more off the cuff type videos 😂.
I have toured Scotland on a 125 Super Cub and a Rebel 1100 both not meant for touring, both performed well and far cheaper than a 1300GS my Rebel was used for the four points challenge last year, all four points accessible by road, on the UK mainland, Lowestoft ness, Lizard point, Dunnett head and Ardnamurchan point the last being mainly single track roads so over 2500 miles in a month . The cub was used on the NC500 after riding up from Reading and then doing the NC500 in two days due to foul weather on a fully loaded Super Cub, This year it is the lakes and the passes on the Super Cub but this time it will be trailerd up and we will be staying at Ravenglass for a week before heading to Lanark Scotland which gives me the chance to ride around the borders during the week we are there. I have two bikes which give me loads of fun for far less than even a second hand GS. BTW 120mpg on the cub so far more economical than a GS just need to plan fuel stops and carry a small can just in case as the tank only holds 3.6 litres the most I put in was 3 ltr and never used the can.
Thanks William for the comment. I'm drawn to the rebel 1100, it just seems to look the part, they do some great colours and it has all the performance you would ever need. It's also very customisable too which I like. I saw a version of the cub in Korea that was adventure styled, I can't remember what it was called but I think there is an adv variant that didnt make it to the UK. Looked amazing. Lots of regular cubs in Korea too. Hugely popular motorcycle 🛵. Thanks!
Glad I'm a short arse because that takes the decision of getting a big Adv bike completely out of the question. But I sort of can see the appeal sort of .😄
I have short legs and I don't like not being able to get my feet down on a bike especially one so heavy up top. I'd have a cruiser any day. Kawasaki new Eliminator looks great actually if you want a low seat height and 500cc is enough. Cheers, Sean
I ride a Moto Guzzi 1200 sport apart from the Stelvio Moto Guzzi's seem to have a resonable seat hight@@MindfulMotorcyclist
People like the big bikes because of the power and mile munching especially the GS but they are too expensive, heavy & tall for me. So I have a 10 year old middleweight adventure bike for touring, a 30 year old light weight trail bike for green laning and city riding plus a 25 year “modern” classic for sunny day cruising.
Too expensive, tall and heavy for me too. I could get into owning bikes that are a little older, they are already at the bottom of their depreciation, I would probably by a popular model that sold well at the time with active owners groups and support both for service parts but also the aftermarket! Learning from experience 😄👍. Thanks Ian.
I have a GS310 and a Tiger 900. I could do without the Tiger, but my wife finds it much more comfortable on the back.
Big bikes are nice on the highway for travel but if you’re going off road in rough conditions you!ll inevitably drop it. Fun’s over when you have to pick it up.
Yes and if the tyres have nothing to grip when you try to pick it up it will slide away from you. Won't be fun!
Spot on.
My 2 cents.
The hardest is to find the sweet spot for you.
In our modern world there are highways, so a bike needs to have the ability to cruise at lets say 80 mph.
In 80 mph, you want a windshield if you're doing it for a long time. The bike needs to be stable enough, and not have that twechey front.
Than you heat some beautiful spot, that you want to explore, and the bike needs to have the opposite geometry, you want the bike to have a light front, and to have the agility to it.
And if you're by your on, you can't go gnarly places if you can pick your bike alone.
Now, if i want all of this, there is nothing that will fit.
From my experience, i rather go with a road scrambler like a caballero 500 rally, with a screen and some higher gears, from the road side prospective, or a dr 650 for better offroad.
In case that it's mostly highways I'll take a tuareg / scrambler icon/ caballero 700. With a screen.
The desert sled fell to me much heavier...
I haven't tried the pr7, but if its got that ability to change the suspension settings from road to offroad it can be the sweet spot.
Wr450f in the fantic suit, for short distance, the maintenance intervals of 2000km by the book, compared to the 500 exc of 750 km, make a big difference for me.. even so the 500 are 6 gears with better legs...
P.s. for me everything above 120 kg is enormous...
So no gnarly stuff...
So I'm yet too find the sweet spot.
The 250cc bikes are not for long days on the freeway.
Re and triumph are too havey.
Maybe the alp 4.0?...
Big gs is for touring 2up with some gravel roads. And it's a brilliant machine for the purpose.
But i hate plastic bikes the fairings are so cheaply designed this days, so not for me...
This is a great comment and you and I think very much alike. I've realised plastic fairings are a bit of a scam unless you are flat out on a track they are a bit unneeded. They increase labour costs/time during a service and they get damaged and it's £100s to replace. Aftermarket ones don't fit well. So I like a naked bike, I also like a classic styled machine, the Royal Enfield 350s are great but they struggle a bit at 70mph. The Fantic 500s you mention are brilliant and i actually went out on a ride with a chap on his 500 flat track, was brilliant. As for the off road stuff I like the idea of it but I rarely do it if truth be told. Thanks for the comment...
@@MindfulMotorcyclist thanks a lot.
Great Chanel 👍
The GS was still the best selling big bike of last year and at motorcycle live last year BMW and Triumph stands were packed with middle aged blokes. I think people like the performance and the comfort but most riders seem to stick to the road. Although I did watch a couple of guys do the ACT here in the UK on GSs and they did well. From the experts I watch eg Nathan Millward (Nathan the Postman) or Llewellyn Pave (Brake Magazine)they do seem to favour lighter bikes but there is more to it than weight. Not sure you should risk your BSA off road 🙂 Himalayan is a much better choice IMHO and you can get a new one for 4k right now!
You can indeed get the Himmy very cheap at the moment. It's still a great bike and I'd recommend it at £4k. I didn't personally click with the 411, I liked it but not enough to buy one. I also watch Nathan the postman and he seemed to like the Voge 300 rally, that bike also pretty cheap! Cheers, Sean.
You two are great luvin the channel , Adventure bikes do nothing for me ,I currently have a what I call a hefty bike at 240 odd kilos I am not tall so am on the balls of my feet I am considering going to something lower later this year I may or may not keep my current bike not sure .In reality these days I could get a 600 which will more than match my current bike for performance so really with 600's/750's kicking out upto 130 horses as with the Street triple why would anyone need a 1,000cc plus , horses for courses I guess maybe . 👌👍
Thanks Crumbly, appreciate the kind comment. I thought that when I was riding my 600cc Triumph with 115hp. Man that thing accelerated like a scalded cat 🐈 😂. I knew then I didn't need a 1000cc. Have you a bike or bikes in mind for the new ride later this year? Cheers, Sean
@@MindfulMotorcyclist Hi Sean I am currently looking at Harley or Triumph I have some test rides to do ,With Harley "used " it's low weight with low seat and I seem to have a bee in my bonnet just now for them also the Triumph 900/1200 lower and a bit lighter although neither are cheap but I am thinking V twin or parallel twin instead of the four cylinder but there are many other possibilities for less cost too .👍
Hi Sean, here's a contrary view... which probably doesn't fit the narrative of your video.
I have ridden bikes for 49 years now (I'm 66!) both on road and off, including track days, enduro and trials. I currently own a KTM 1190adv and use it as intended 30k miles up.. it's very competent off road and for making "good progress".
Sadly it's the riders who buy bikes on PCP and are terrified of damaging them. The manufacturer's love to get people on pcp's and they cover some of their costs by increasing list prices.
Just my 2 cents as they say!!
All opinions are welcome here WWWWLL. Nice that you have such a broad base of experience on all sorts of riding. I've done the track days but never the off road stuff. Thanks for the comment and there's no harm in a different view 🙂
@@MindfulMotorcyclist that's a refreshing point of view Sean!
Cheers Alistair 👍
I've ridden a few big heavy bikes in my time 😉😂
I rode one once and fell off. Stationary fall but I learned my lesson 😂
one I rode wanted to bring her sister the next time...... unfortunately there wasn't a next time but it was fun while it lasted! 😜
I have a GS and I would love a smaller, lighter bike but the problem comes when you want to tour with luggage two-up and then you start to research what bikes will actually carry legally and it is quite a shock to find how little weight you can actually carry legally and on many smaller bikes two decent sized adults will be pushing the legal limit before you even put any luggage on. I love my Bonneville but my wife is 6'1" and finds the pillion leg room too cramped so the GS wins for touring besides which it is supremely comfortable and the long travel suspension is so plush that even the roughest road surfaces don't upset the comfort. I have no interest in off-roading so, for me, it is just a big tourer that covers distance effortlessly. it wasn't at all expensive secondhand and was actually several thousand pounds cheaper than my Bonneville.
Thanks Mike for this comment. Great to have another point of view and I can see why it fulfills that role very well. Cheers, Sean
They never seem to show these adventure bikes with panniers/luggage.
I guess that makes them look bulky and heavier? The luggage systems are invariably £1k upwards too....
@@MindfulMotorcyclistYes, for empty boxes. How they justify that is beyond me.
This thing of " as you people get older they got wealthier and have a more disposable Icome so they can buy a 30k heavy adventure bike" I really never get it. I work hard, have a family and still I can imagine myself being able to buy such a bike, with bills to pay, and other expenses that come with life I'm certainly getting richer. It's a ridiculous hefty amount of money for a motorcycle, even at 10k is expensive and already boarderline in my eye.
I personally only look at bikes perhaps £7k most, I don't want the depreciation, the fear of it getting stolen for parts, the worry about damaging it, to have money tied up in something meaning I'm restricted elsewhere and finally I'm tight 😂😂. The people who are laying out £30k are not doing it in cash but I guess all on monthly payments. Thanks for the comment, Cheers, Sean
I had a gs 1150 now have a CCM gp 450 for Tet and adventure. Bikes are too big and expensive the big ones
Thanks Clark for the comment. I'm going to try some of the TET when I get a chance...
@@MindfulMotorcyclist I am going to the lightweight adventure festival in July and doing some UK Tet as well. There is a big following for lighter bike that the average person can take off road. Look into the festival, I think u will like its good content
@@MindfulMotorcyclist are you aware of the Lightweight Adventure show - ??
mid-adv is a thing for a reason. with popularity of Tet or Act, you need appropriate vehicle.
Very popular is mid ADV, but the thing is these bikes are usually in the 220kg range. Hard to pick up still if the tyres are on mud or other adverse conditions! Thanks Gamma!
If money was no object, would I own some huge bikes? Of course. As enthusiasts, most of us would. I also know that, inevitably, I'd find myself riding these massive machines down the back roads at 45 mph, relaxing and enjoying myself! 😂 Not exactly a great use of resources, when I can achieve the same happiness on a $6000 machine with 50 hp!
Agreed Mark, money no object I'd have a big cruiser I think, oh and one of those Vespa 300 scooters, with all the fancy Italian luggage 😂😂. For me right now it's a £5999 bike with 45hp that seems to tick a lot of boxes. Cheers, Sean
What is an adventure? Hate the word. Pure marketing. I went to Portugal return from England three times and Greece return once in the '80s on a Yamaha XT500. Nick
Nick that's actually quite inspiring. I'd like to do a trip over down the Balkans and into Greece. Better get planning 🤔😊 Cheers
@@MindfulMotorcyclist The run down the Dalmatian coast through the old Jugoslavia one Sunday in '84 on the XT was one of my biking highlights. I got the ferry from Dubrovnik around Albania to Igoumenitsa in Greece, then rode down to Athens and then to some island.
So in reality the best bike is the one you have BUT why knock those that buy the big ADVs. Most sports bikes don’t track day most cruisers do little cruising and most tourers (and let’s be honest that what the big ADVs are) don’t do much touring but there is nothing wrong with people having them and people knocking it is just odd. BSA looks fantastic BTW. I’ve had cruisers sports bikes Vespas etc currently Pan America and I love/d all of them.
Good point, I don't really want to encourage people to knock other riders. I've had quite a few types of bike, except a proper cruiser. Haven't had one of those despite being tempted by the honda Rebel. I guess I wouldn't want anyone to be disappointed after investing so much in a big bike. Cheers, Sean
P.s love the Pan, so different and probably the big bike to go for especially in that green colour option they had.
To handle going offroad or buying one of these big adventure bikes you obviously have to be physically fit. As you get older your level of fitness isn't as good and that to me is why smaller and less weighty bikes are becoming so popular.
Thanks Ian. Perhaps as the biker demographic gets older as a whole, there's not that many young people getting into riding so the headlines say. This would suggest that smaller bikes will become popular as bikers as a collective lose their strength. I have a friend who bought a 1250 GS and he's very fit and strong, he really struggled with it off road. On road he was ok but he's 5'8'' and that was hard on gravel and loose surfaces...
Look up "2022 Heavy Adventure KTM FAIL Compilation" for when the less-skillful riders meet heavy adventure bikes and dirt -- it's not even that muddy...
Thanks, I'll look that up 😃
A lot of these bikes are just for rich posers to take out on a Sunday for coffee, who wants to drop a £20k plus bike off road, most of them are stuck in a garage either the owners or the dealers having a recall fix or fault light sorted. Does it show that i'm poor and jealous 🤣
😂😂😂 I'm probably a little jealous as well 😄
I don't think anyone expects a big adventure bike to handle like a motocrosser off road , or if they do , they are sadly deluded . What the adv bikes do very well is handle fast motorways as well as bad roads, provide good weather protection and carry a lot of kit for a long distance with minimal hassle .
Yep they are expensive, but BMW is the benchmark price which all the others aim for .So blame beemer .
I have a 1200 Tiger and a Tiger 660 Sport and use both as much as possible. The differences between the two are quite distinct . The big Tiger eats up the miles and you can do 700 mile days without aches and pains ( and I am an old fart ) push it to a thousand and it will carry you nay bother . The little bike will have you feeling tired at half that mileage . I put this down to better suspension on the big bike . Performance is effortless on the big bike, you have to work the little bike but she'll do it too . Weather protection is important and both are equally good .
Big bike for distances , little bike for town and short rides where manoeuvrability is important.
I rode an older 1000 VStrom for many years , great bike , but it was a bit of a monster at low speeds and gravel roads . The new 1200 Tiger is much better in these respects, but more complicated 😔 which scares me .
I've also toured on other bikes like a DR 650 , great bike and other " classic bikes " .
You have to pick the right bike for the roads you want to ride and to be caught in bad conditions on the wrong bike can be a killer , literally.
Also spares availability on the road is important.
Most bikes will get you there but to take an unsuitable bike is asking for trouble . You parents told you not to put your hand in the fire or you'd get burnt and be in pain . But you did it anyway didn't you !
Have fun on the road 😂
Thanks DS for the comment. I know another guy with a Tiger 1200 and he loves it. I think you hit on the strong points of all day comfort, weather protection, two up, luggage etc that this bike really excels at. I also like the Triumph as they seem to offer a road focused version that I would go for I was buying this bike, I'd have the Tiger 1200 Pro GT (perhaps I got it wrong) but I believe it's got 19in cast alloy wheels. Much better on road that I'd use if for most of the time. As for spares availablity, well you can't get spares for most bikes in your dealer at the moment so out on the road I imagine won't be straightforward 😂😂. Cheers, Sean
@@MindfulMotorcyclist . My advice for long distance travel is to pick a Japanese bike , the chance of finding spares will be so much greater . It's a pity that I can't take my own advice .
As for looking for an "adventure" , well no matter what you plan , the adventure will come and find you .( As you found out with your car . ) .
C'est la vie .
The 2025 BSA Victor: ruclips.net/video/kO3mPEdZ_uE/видео.html
Sadly I think this video is AI and not real. Shame as it looks so nice 🙂
@@MindfulMotorcyclistMaybe. If it did, maybe it would be the one for you adventure...
She's not the sharpest mind of them, is she? :))
WOMAN, JUST STAY AWAY OF THE FRAME!!! =))
Suzie is actually very smart, we just joking around here.
I have no idea why we keep going on about this subject. You pay your money and take your choices. Who cares what other people are riding or why? We are all brothers and sisters in the riding family.
True, with the only caveat being the marketing and hype is getting a little over the top at every bike launch. But generally yes buy whatever bike you like! Cheers, Sean
think there's a huge dollop of jealousy regarding expensive bikes. saying this as a cheap bike owner. Horses for courses. Huge mileage paved road riding,I'd want a newish GS. Rough road riding,probably an old CRF 250. Buy what suits your circumstances
Thanks for the comment Rodney, yes I'm probably a little jealous 😂, whenever I have test ridden a new and powerful bike I've always been impressed. Not enough to actually buy one but I can see why you would...
Fools and their money are easily parted.
True 😂
You have to learn how to ride on the roads first! 😂
Thinking of earlier video where you fell off on a slow corner. And all the problems you had repairing scratches etc. Do you really want to go off road with it? In doubt it!
😂 thanks for the comment Ian...
That’s all B-lox. What? The fake down-sizing. All and everybody buys the big bikes and even the mid-size bikes are actually big bikes. The Peee Nitz competition is so relevant to the very most. But wait! It’s not only that.
Many are big lads, they can cope and need to use higher bikes to feel better ergo wise.
Big Bikes offer long-range comfort and road stability, serious mile-eater qualities.
Off-Road needs to be defined, what is off-road for you, you, and you. That makes very very very different needs.
If you go sandy and muddy you need something in the categories of a CRF300 or any other similar.
If you go off tarmac every now and then, but stay on firm dusty ground with occasional manouvers of complexity, you should think about the lower bike.
If you do not think about off-road and just pass a few villages or miles that are without tarmac you can easily take a big comfort tourer. Been all across morocco, norway, romania, greece, portugal and everything inbetween with a big american cruiser, the best tourer for all of that.
But would I take it really off-road, on stone shredding, pistes and sandy things? No, If I can avoid it.
For that, I’d think of a comfortable (for long distance) Enduro tourer, solid, stable, good enough for traveling not sport-riding/-racing. That needs to be a twin for simplicity and comfort, and have 19” wheels at minimum, still allow me to ground my feet without getting the belly of the bike too far down: MG v85TT, AfricaTwin RD04, Supertenere1200ZE, … what? They’re too big? No, they’re comfy and solid. I will not go into terrain with them, where I have to constantly lift them up. I may occasionally have to, but that’s ok.
For tough off-road, clearly You have to go CRF300 and pimp the suspension or go AJP PR7. Or wheel a 125 scooter uphill with the tiy knobbies, i.e. a camino or the like, light and small.
GS' are just for poseurs who ride on tar roads
Don't mince your words then Peter 😂🤔.
What you have to realise is that your BSA is just a copy of the Original touring motorcycle, if you go to India the Enfields like the Bullet are used on dirt roads and dirt tracks all over India, they can take the punishment, they have zero "technology" and can be repaired in the most isolated villages anywhere in India by a farmer with the most basic of tools. So people have been touring on classic motorcycles since the invention of the motorcycle. Adventure bikes are made popular by the Paris to Dakkar Raleigh but those big powerful bikes fitted with sophisticated technology are accompanied by a host of technical and mechanical back up like an F1 team. There's an old term we used in the military Kiss, keep it simple stupid. You can tour on anything when I was in India on my friend's Bullet I saw many riders touring on mopeds going from Goa to Kerela so tour on what you have don't think you need an adventure bike to have an adventure.
Let's hope you're right as I do want to tour on this bike! Cheers, Sean
I do love your videos but for me sadly I wish you didn’t get interrupted by your other half with something which is not relevant to what your video is about I find it irritating. Sorry
That's fine Tony, everyone is entitled to their opinion. Some of the videos are more us messing about and others are more serious, we don't really plan it, just how things materialise on the day. Cheers.
I think it’s great to see real life😂
@@MindfulMotorcyclist I like it! It made me smile. Keep it that way! You seem to have a great relationship. No need to hide it. We need more nice people like you. Nobody is forced to watch your channel. There is enough other content that might be more suitable for such people.
You could also consider this a case of jealousy when people complain about it here ;)