I would be interested in what you brought in your limited cargo space. I know there are ways to pack light but I can't imagine how you had enough gear to moto camp without relying on buddies or to be able to comfortably back country solo camp for a week rain or shine? I guess the variable for everyone is what constitutes comfortable.
Good question! I had everything I needed on my bike, here’s a rough list: My coyote bag: Tent Sleeping bag (summer rated) A cot (I have a old man back) Stove+gas Sandles Clothing Drone Some of my tools Extra oil Rain pants And a small chair strapped to the back of the bag. Tank bag: Sony camera Action camera Cables + lithium battery pack Handlebar bag Tools Lighter A couple snacks There’s a link in my description to most of my camping stuff Water I carried on my back in little USWE pack. The only thing someone else was carrying was tire spoons. Figured we didn’t need 3 sets of tire spoons in the trip. I have a link in bio with most of my camping stuff, but I
@rangeroadmoto That's impressive, including drone & camera equipment. I guess I was thinking of a week VIGL trip to San Josef Bay this summer where I was prepared for rain with small tarp, ground sheet, full rain suit. Stuff for no campground amenities, compact fold out chair & mini table to jet-boil on. 3 days food, 5 days socks & undies 😁. I gallon water, tire tools, Hatchet, bear bag... I couldn't fit the kitchen sink but had a backpackers collapsable one. Our weather ended up great without a day of rain, so I guess you could say I had excess weight, but I like to be prepared for the worst-case scenario.
@@mrjay4000start backpacking in alpine country and everything you learn and obtain through that will greatly translate to efficient lightweight adventure riding. Who wants to carry/load that much weight anyways? 😎 I’m extremely comfortable on 3-5 day trips with 40-50lb of gear including water, fuel, food, chair, tent/pad/bag/pillow, camp clothes, tools, tube, etc.
@@mrjay4000 the amount of cheap amazon but light and small gear these days its easily packable on a 500, i have been moto camping on week long 500 trips for 7 or 8 years now and can even pack enough food for a 7 day trip if ipack dehydrated + snacks, that includes rain gear and tablee and chair(naturehike) as well as all the above stuff he listed.
Great video mate. I have a 2022 KTM 500 exc from new and set it up for ADV riding in the outback of OZ. Now at 36,000km on the clock and other than oil changes (about 3,000km) and valve checks (still the same from new) it's my unicorn!
It been such a pleasure watching your videos. Your transformation as a rider and mechanic from your first trip across the country to your geo cache ride on the DR 650 to fully fledged adventure rider on your 500exc has been extraordinary. Your 100% commitment to what you do from riding /spannering to film making is extraordinary and inspirational. Cheers brother.
Great vid....thanks for dropping. I've been adventuring riding in the PNW and Utah mountains for the last 20 years and really enjoyed your perspectives and imagery. I explore the backcountry on a 990, a WR250R and a EXC 500. I recently added the 500 and absolutely love it. As you said, adventure riding takes on many of forms. And while I do love single tracking the 990 (there is something fun about putting big bikes in small places), there is no doubt the lighter bikes open even more territory. Call it what you like, true ADV riding is about the adventure, and is by definition a bit unpredictable and potentially (and hopefully) a little scary. Having a lightweight option helps dial back some of the implications of those risky situations, encourages more exploration, and opens even more opportunity for adventure. Thanks again!
Great freakin video dude! Oh and just to mention, my CRF250L is my Adventure Bike, all the way from Vancouver island to Nevada and back….no problem, no worries, and nothing but fun!
You ARE the man. I just picked up a 2024 500exc-f for use as an adventure bike but don't plan on going as far as you did. We're just going to explore the back roads and trails of western North Carolina. In 2024 they bumped the HP rating of the 500s to 64 and they are still 250lbs dry. That is apx 30 more hp than the KLR 650 and near half the weight. Dirt roads and single track is great, very flickable on super curvy roads...not so great on the highways but more than makes up for it everywhere else.
500s are the best! Also lots of people get scared of the 2017+ bikes for the less oil capcity and lack of kick but they have proven themselves just as reeliable as the 2013-16 era with round the world guys now. And the frame on the 17+ is lightyears ahead of the older bikes, so much more nimble and responsive. the old bikes are great work horses but if you get a chance to upgrade I strongly reccomend it!
I put a link in the description! I think we are going to try to do multiple little big locations next year, but most likely the first one will be the same date in June 8th ish. Hope you can make it out!
Great vid, used to have a '15 500exc and used it for everything including multi-day trips. Never had an issue with it as far as reliability and agree it's easy to work on. You can put an extend clutch cover on to increase oil capacity. BTW, with a dead battery the kickstarter won't start the bike. You need enough power to prime the fuel pump. Grab a cheap capacitor set up for a back up. A weak battery and kickstart does work.
Thank you for telling me about the battery ! That makes 100% perfect sense. This is the first fuel injected bike I’ve owned so I never even thought about that priming of the pump.
Looking forward to your 450 vs 500 vid. Ready to buy one of those bikes but can not decide which one. If those two would comingle an amazing bike would be had. Best in class weight, fantastic stock suspension, comfortable on the road, awesome off road, dealerships everywhere with parts availability never an issue...
Excited to see the Crf450rl comparison. I got one two months ago and I’ve been setting it up for adventure and dual sport riding. For me I think it’s the unicorn bike, although part of that involves me hauling the bike to the most convenient location to start a trip and only taking two lane back roads and off-road whenever possible.
Ive been thrashing around on a 21 690 Enduro. Having ridden a 2014 690, wow. The updated engine is smooth. Vibration is no issue. The bike in dirt, it just boogies all day long easily. Slides great, jumps fine. Can cruise at 75mph easy. 75HP with no tricks done other than dump the stock muffler/cat converter. 56mpg or a little better all the time. If I was gonna tour on singletrack all day a 500 would be great, in reality that doesnt happen much. But it sounds good. The 2019 and newer 690's are a very much better version of the older 690.
My experience has been the same. I started adv motorcycling at 43, on a Honda CRF250L Rally. 4 years later I'm ready for something with more power and better suspension. A lot of my adventures are solo and in remote locations. I think I'm going to choose a Honda CRF450 RL into my next lightweight ADV motorcycle.
I’m interested to see your Crf450l vs the ktm 500…I sold my 13 ktm 500 to buy the 19 Crf when it first came out….imo they are extremely similar with some mods done like the ecu, exhaust, etc on the Crf. Never had issues with my ktm but for some reason I feel like the newer Honda is more reliable lol. Both are great options - great videos’
Great video! I enjoyed watching it. rode that route so many times and look forward to doing it again this year. or maybe next year again. and the 500 is a good bike. I ride a 500 too
That was highly inspirational and extremely funny as well. Thanks! Is the 500 EXC faster than the big adventure bikes on gravel roads, or does it only go faster when the terrain gets more tricky?
Thanks! I’d say on gravel both are pretty much as fast as you wanna go. I was happy to cruise on gravel roads at 60-70mph (100-110km/h) and when the terrain gets tricker the lighter bike does much better
Awesome video! I just did a 4 day ride on the Washington BDR with my 501, about 800km. Probably the longest ride I've done on the bike.. usually it's just day rides etc.. I had it loaded up with luggage as well. I switched in a fresh air filter after day 2, but not the oil. I felt a little bad for the engine on day 4, but it ran perfect, and seems to be running even nicer after the trip tbh. I'm based in the Okanagan, and it was a very hot trip! Looking forward to some more lightweight adv rides in the near future!
The 500/501 is by far the best bike currently made. It can race in harescrambles or GNCC races, and then it can load up with luggage and crush BDR’s. The most fun bike I’ve ever ridden 🤘🏻
I have the diamond of DRZs the 250cc with both kick and electric but I need something for adventures thanks for introducing it to me,it even weights the same as Suzy so I'll already be use to the exact weight.Thanx so much brother and keep it on the road.🍻🤙cheers bud
Coming off an africa twin to a 450 xcf...and I've started the 'adventurizing' of the rig...its NEVER going to be as comfy and it's a secondary road and slower ride only but my God the capabilities of this bike make me 1000% more confident and a far better rider...I can pick it up all day...just haven't needed to. And that's made a world of difference.
Great video. I have my 525 set up for bdr use and use the 1200 for pavement with mixed gravel road use and 300 for single track and hard enduro. You must have many tools in your toolbox to accomplish a task 😂
I've a 2017 Husky FE450 i use for everything from motocross to enduro to multi-week adventure riding on the Trans Euro Trail - its the best bike I've ever owned. Sheepskin is a good idea though, My seatconcepts seat gets painful at the end of a long day.
Yeah it’s such a good bike! One of the things that surprised me about this sheepskin on this trip was how not hot it was in the heat. Even being black I never had a sweaty behind.
I just returned from a solo 2,000 km ride on my 2015 500 EXC, about 1,100 km off road. The only upgrades are protection for rads, handguards, skid plate, a steering stabilizer the bike came with, the capacitor mod (doesn't require a battery: just kick it over a couple times and it holds enough of that charge to start the bike) and a Seat Concepts seat. I get 160 km on the stock tank of fuel (about 7 litres); I coast down hills if I want to stretch that, and I carry a 4-litre fuel bladder I haven't needed yet. I've ridden many adventure and dual-sport bikes for a total of more than 100,000 km of dirt... and this KTM might be shaping up to be the best, most versatile ride I've ever had. One question: where did you find the cheap windshield?
That sounds so awesome! That windshield is made by Puig, they are available on Amazon. If you buy the smoked one just keep in mind you won’t be able to see through it
I am right around 6’2” and 220lbs (188cm 99kg) Bike feels good to me, I can get both toes on the ground when the suspension is compressed. It’s a stretch to get my foot over when I have my bags on the back but I can just do it
There are no solutions, just compromises. I have adventure ridden a 350xcw, a 450 xcw, a 690, a 790 (cam issue!!!) and a 1290. The 690/700/701 platform with a balancer is a better compromise to do longer adventure riding (ie BDRs) if you want a small light bike. They handle the wind better than a smaller bike, are still easy to pick up, do 100+mph on pavement, need to be shifted less than smaller bikes in the twisties, are the least vibey thumpers made, have excellent adjustable suspension, have reasonable maintenance intervals and the chassis tracks true. They handle everything as well as and most things better than the 500 platform excepting single track and sand.
I am a big fan of the 690 platform, I almost bought one after testing a couple out. I do have more concerns with reliability on that platform than I do with the 500
@@rangeroadmotoYeah, I do carry a fuel pump and a clutch slave just in case. All bikes have issues though, including the Japanese ones. It's still a thumper and generally straightforward to fix when issues do arise. Anyhow, enjoy your build and avoid the highways:-)
Big bikes are super fun but I also prefer to take the lightweight approach. I found the 500exc to be a bit too light for my preference and the stretched service intervals are still a bit short for me as I don't trailer or truck my bike anywhere. But I've really found my 701 to be the best of both worlds. My friends are always very surprised how well mannered it is on the road for a big single, and it still maintains a high level of offroadability. Maybe someday I'll be skilled enough to ride a big bike the way I'd want to in order to justify it over something smaller, but for now I'm very happy with what I've got, especially as somebody who rides solo a lot of the time.
Not sure if this was already said earlier, but the "Canadian Rockies" only exist east of Cranbrook/Golden. I'm considering this same bike, so happy to see this type of video.
You’re the first, and thank you! I honestly did not know that, I always sort of assumed (wrongly) that the Rocky Mountains were the whole area/range and then there areas within like the Cariboo and such... Are these the Selkirk mountains then?
@@rangeroadmoto I was a long time climber and mountaineer, so I learned al these subtleties more from that. It is not unusual to see even news reports that refer to the 'Rockies' when mountains near Whistler are being referred to! Now more info than you probably wanted: The geological break-down of the mountains in Canada is significantly different than that of the American Rockies. The "Canadian Rocky Mountains" is a single major range, dominated by sedimentary rocks (lots of limestone, as in around Banff/Canmore) which runs from Glacier National Park in Montana, all the way up to the Yukon border area. The massive valley system to its west is often known as the Rocky Mountain Trench. In the southern part of BC, the Kootenay and Columbia River systems dominate this feature. The cluster of mountain ranges that come next to the west are known collectively as the Columbias. The separate ranges that your trip would have passed through are the Purcells (Gray Creek Pass and the St. Mary valley), the Selkirks (west of Kootenay Lake to about Christina Lake) and then the Monashees as you go from there to the Okanagan Valley.
@@rangeroadmoto could be too late, but it would be really interesting to know about the weight difference e.g. picking them up from laying them down - if the CRF450L really is top heavy to the point of being unusable
Ive been riding my 500 since 2019 as an adventure bike. No bike can touch it when on the dirt. As for some narrow definitions of an adventure bike, forget them. A Goldwing is an adventure bike. A Grom is an adventure bike. Adventure bike is purely an advertising term, used to name lots of converted road bikes and build a new market. I say 2 cylinders = Too much weight.You also must be a mind reader as I have been thinking about a CRF450 as my next project bike.
I agree that the 2013-2016 500/501 bikes make the best dual sports. The newer 2017+ bikes are lighter, but having put 10,000 miles on both I prefer the sturdier frame, especially when loaded up. Neither my 2016 FE 501 nor my 2021 KTM 500 XCF-W ever required a valve adjustment or had any mechanical failure. The newer bike was much more manageable on hard enduro type terrain. I love my Africa Twin, but if you want the ability to explore any trail, the 500 is the best choice. The 350’s don’t work as well. Their high revving motors make considerably less torque,wear out faster, and have different internal gearing that is more suited to the trail. The superior KTM / Husky suspension alone is enough for me to pass on all the obsolete Japanese offerings. The Honda CRF 450 RL is a much more modern take, but suffers from stalling and snatchy throttling for any low speed trail work. Surprising to me as my Africa Twin fueling is perfect and that attribute makes the AT surprisingly good on single track.
I ran a 450exc for a couple of years before my 300L. The 450 vs the 500 are sort of same same but different. I think the 500 is a better bike for the purpose. The 450 was a blast in open trails, two track and twisties but i never really got along with it in single track and it was miserable to follow my daughters around on their bikes. I dis enjoy it as a multi day moto camping machine though. That said with 190+hrs and over 10000km on it i wasn't disappointed to sell it and buy the 300L with 50km on it for even money.
Are you sure you can kick start that bike with a desd battery? I thought the same thing and yesterday my battery went dead on a ride and i could not kick it started ao i had to pay for an expenaive tow. Folks online were saying kick start is dependent on battery . I thought then, what's the point of the kickstarter, but I guess it's when the starter itself dies. But your battery is good? I'm on a 2014
That sounds awesome! Where do you live? The only downside with North America is we have fast large highways and sometimes there’s no option other than to use them, makes having a slower bike a little hard.
@rangeroadmoto in Indonesia, here the road consist of washed off tarmac that destroyed after few big rain or landslides, or unfinished road that made off rocks and soft clay... alot of twisties and very rare of long long highway...
@@rangeroadmoto 100% can't wait, subbed right now and turned the bell on to know when that video drops! Hopefully the CRF has an ECU and a better seat (the main complaints). Really interested to know how the weight difference feels, and a pickup test.
The mighty DR is great for what it is, and it's price point. I feel that it's biggest disadvantage is weight, suspension, and lack of fuel injection. It's definitely a solid option, though.
Great video. But you really need to weigh your bike. Full of fuel your bike will be over 260 lbs. With all your gear and add ons you’ll be closer to 310 lbs. Much better than the 550 lb behemoths but not 250 lbs. Keep up the good work.
Yeah with my camping stuff, Ti exhaust I was figuring right around 300lbs, the Africa Twin is probably pretty close to 600lbs with the racks and the panniers boxes full
Some GS1200 600lb monstrosity is NOT an adventure bike. Lay that thing down on a sandy uphill solo and that’s the end of your adventure. 250lb is probably as heavy of a bike as you can tolerate on a real adventure touring off/on road.
Lol, I have had a Husky 501s, BETA 430 RRS, KTM 990A, and currently ride KTM 1190R and KTM 300 XCW. I have riden them all (except the KTM 300) all over N.America and mostly in western Canada on and off-road, often in very challenging ST and DT situations. I could not disagree more with your statement. True, big bikes make things more challenging off road but it's very doable. Heck, how do you figure the KTM 950 won the Dakar repeatedly?
@@grayl5514he died on a 660 Dakar in 2005, not the 950. Regardless, I'm saying that it's ridiculous to claim the big Adv bikes are not good at technical off-road. I've ridden them, and I've ridden with lots of folks who have ridden them in extreme environments. Look up Cory Hanson to see examples of guys riding them on extreme single track...
Where’d you get that number? I changed it after the trip when I got home. If you’re riding off road you aren’t covering the same mileage as you are pounding the interstates.
You got better fuel economy than the 300 rally?? Really?? Only asking because I have one and it gets 74mpg (31.4 km/L) and has that 3.5gal tank. Not knocking the 500 - my buddy has one. They're amazing. Just shocked that it may have gotten better fuel economy than the "little 300 that could".
that is my childhood 1978 XL100 to the T and now one of my bikes in my corral is a pretty trick 17 Husky 501s hence why I tuned in here and look forward to seeing your opinion on Honda 450L versus Euro 500 s
great video 🙂 you can take my 500 excf from my dead hands if you have some serious weaponry and chain cutters, these bikes are unreal and far outweigh what people think they are - end of story, as for trading it for the heavy and underpowered honda - ewww no thanks bro
Great freakin video dude! Oh and just to mention, my CRF250L is my Adventure Bike, all the way from Vancouver island to Nevada and back….no problem, no worries, and nothing but fun!
I would be interested in what you brought in your limited cargo space. I know there are ways to pack light but I can't imagine how you had enough gear to moto camp without relying on buddies or to be able to comfortably back country solo camp for a week rain or shine? I guess the variable for everyone is what constitutes comfortable.
Good question!
I had everything I needed on my bike,
here’s a rough list:
My coyote bag:
Tent
Sleeping bag (summer rated)
A cot (I have a old man back)
Stove+gas
Sandles
Clothing
Drone
Some of my tools
Extra oil
Rain pants
And a small chair strapped to the back of the bag.
Tank bag:
Sony camera
Action camera
Cables + lithium battery pack
Handlebar bag
Tools
Lighter
A couple snacks
There’s a link in my description to most of my camping stuff
Water I carried on my back in little USWE pack.
The only thing someone else was carrying was tire spoons. Figured we didn’t need 3 sets of tire spoons in the trip.
I have a link in bio with most of my camping stuff, but I
@rangeroadmoto That's impressive, including drone & camera equipment. I guess I was thinking of a week VIGL trip to San Josef Bay this summer where I was prepared for rain with small tarp, ground sheet, full rain suit. Stuff for no campground amenities, compact fold out chair & mini table to jet-boil on. 3 days food, 5 days socks & undies 😁. I gallon water, tire tools, Hatchet, bear bag... I couldn't fit the kitchen sink but had a backpackers collapsable one. Our weather ended up great without a day of rain, so I guess you could say I had excess weight, but I like to be prepared for the worst-case scenario.
I forgot, I had a chair too! And rain gear, my jacket is waterproof but I brought rain pants. (I edited my comment)
Sounds like a fun trip!
@@mrjay4000start backpacking in alpine country and everything you learn and obtain through that will greatly translate to efficient lightweight adventure riding. Who wants to carry/load that much weight anyways? 😎 I’m extremely comfortable on 3-5 day trips with 40-50lb of gear including water, fuel, food, chair, tent/pad/bag/pillow, camp clothes, tools, tube, etc.
@@mrjay4000 the amount of cheap amazon but light and small gear these days its easily packable on a 500, i have been moto camping on week long 500 trips for 7 or 8 years now and can even pack enough food for a 7 day trip if ipack dehydrated + snacks, that includes rain gear and tablee and chair(naturehike) as well as all the above stuff he listed.
Great video mate. I have a 2022 KTM 500 exc from new and set it up for ADV riding in the outback of OZ. Now at 36,000km on the clock and other than oil changes (about 3,000km) and valve checks (still the same from new) it's my unicorn!
What's the maintenance intervals like? Is it in hours?
@@Dawgs241I run up to 2500km oil change intervals with the usage I put it to. Forget about the silly comp use hour based changes.
Great video man! I always get so pumped to see you upload.
Thanks man! I appreciate that
Amazing job! The dry humour gets me every time 😂 What a fantastic way to remember such an epic trip!
Haha thank you friend! And thanks for watching
Great video🫶👍👍… really enjoy your critique of the KTM 500 as a lite weight adventure tour😎🍻
Thanks for watching Jason!
It been such a pleasure watching your videos. Your transformation as a rider and mechanic from your first trip across the country to your geo cache ride on the DR 650 to fully fledged adventure rider on your 500exc has been extraordinary. Your 100% commitment to what you do from riding /spannering to film making is extraordinary and inspirational. Cheers brother.
Great vid....thanks for dropping. I've been adventuring riding in the PNW and Utah mountains for the last 20 years and really enjoyed your perspectives and imagery. I explore the backcountry on a 990, a WR250R and a EXC 500. I recently added the 500 and absolutely love it. As you said, adventure riding takes on many of forms. And while I do love single tracking the 990 (there is something fun about putting big bikes in small places), there is no doubt the lighter bikes open even more territory. Call it what you like, true ADV riding is about the adventure, and is by definition a bit unpredictable and potentially (and hopefully) a little scary. Having a lightweight option helps dial back some of the implications of those risky situations, encourages more exploration, and opens even more opportunity for adventure. Thanks again!
Great freakin video dude!
Oh and just to mention, my CRF250L is my Adventure Bike, all the way from Vancouver island to Nevada and back….no problem, no worries, and nothing but fun!
That’s good to know as I have one as well
You ARE the man. I just picked up a 2024 500exc-f for use as an adventure bike but don't plan on going as far as you did. We're just going to explore the back roads and trails of western North Carolina. In 2024 they bumped the HP rating of the 500s to 64 and they are still 250lbs dry. That is apx 30 more hp than the KLR 650 and near half the weight. Dirt roads and single track is great, very flickable on super curvy roads...not so great on the highways but more than makes up for it everywhere else.
500s are the best! Also lots of people get scared of the 2017+ bikes for the less oil capcity and lack of kick but they have proven themselves just as reeliable as the 2013-16 era with round the world guys now. And the frame on the 17+ is lightyears ahead of the older bikes, so much more nimble and responsive. the old bikes are great work horses but if you get a chance to upgrade I strongly reccomend it!
Dude!!! Great video.. Any bike can be an adventure bike imo, so many pros and cons to them all!!!!
Totally agree!
Great video Bud , I’m going to be looking for the little bike big adventure dates next year 100%
I put a link in the description! I think we are going to try to do multiple little big locations next year, but most likely the first one will be the same date in June 8th ish. Hope you can make it out!
That was such a FUN adventure!! Can’t wait to do it again on lil bikes 😜🛵💨
Yes! Me too!
i just did a roadtrip around the UK TET on a KTM 500 2021, 4-5k miles in a couple of weeks. Not a single problem.
Great vid, used to have a '15 500exc and used it for everything including multi-day trips. Never had an issue with it as far as reliability and agree it's easy to work on. You can put an extend clutch cover on to increase oil capacity. BTW, with a dead battery the kickstarter won't start the bike. You need enough power to prime the fuel pump. Grab a cheap capacitor set up for a back up. A weak battery and kickstart does work.
Thank you for telling me about the battery ! That makes 100% perfect sense. This is the first fuel injected bike I’ve owned so I never even thought about that priming of the pump.
@@rangeroadmoto For big trips you could carry a battery booster but the capacitor set up is small and with a 9v can start your bike.
Looking forward to your 450 vs 500 vid. Ready to buy one of those bikes but can not decide which one. If those two would comingle an amazing bike would be had. Best in class weight, fantastic stock suspension, comfortable on the road, awesome off road, dealerships everywhere with parts availability never an issue...
Awesome video!!! As another local Alberta boy with a dual sport this is right up my alley man! Love the video and inspiration thanks!
That’s awesome man! Thanks for the kind words
Excited to see the Crf450rl comparison. I got one two months ago and I’ve been setting it up for adventure and dual sport riding. For me I think it’s the unicorn bike, although part of that involves me hauling the bike to the most convenient location to start a trip and only taking two lane back roads and off-road whenever possible.
Came straight over from the xr100 video. Good stuff.
Thanks man! Appreciate that, love the Volvo in your pic btw.
Your delivery and the subtle jokes scattered throughout are great. Got a sub from me.
Thanks so much!
Wow, great video. I’m hoping the rest of your stuff is this good.
Awesome, light is the way to go! I just finished a trip around Europe on a 2001 KTM 640 Duke II supermoto. It was amazing no regrets!
That’s awesome ! The 640 is amazing
Ive been thrashing around on a 21 690 Enduro. Having ridden a 2014 690, wow. The updated engine is smooth. Vibration is no issue. The bike in dirt, it just boogies all day long easily.
Slides great, jumps fine. Can cruise at 75mph easy. 75HP with no tricks done other than dump the stock muffler/cat converter. 56mpg or a little better all the time.
If I was gonna tour on singletrack all day a 500 would be great, in reality that doesnt happen much. But it sounds good. The 2019 and newer 690's are a very much better version of the older 690.
Excellent video quality and narration. Subbed!
Love the production! Well done mate
Thanks friend, really appreciate that.
This video was pure gold! You just earned a new sub!
My experience has been the same. I started adv motorcycling at 43, on a Honda CRF250L Rally. 4 years later I'm ready for something with more power and better suspension.
A lot of my adventures are solo and in remote locations. I think I'm going to choose a Honda CRF450 RL into my next lightweight ADV motorcycle.
I’m interested to see your Crf450l vs the ktm 500…I sold my 13 ktm 500 to buy the 19 Crf when it first came out….imo they are extremely similar with some mods done like the ecu, exhaust, etc on the Crf. Never had issues with my ktm but for some reason I feel like the newer Honda is more reliable lol. Both are great options - great videos’
Great video! I enjoyed watching it. rode that route so many times and look forward to doing it again this year. or maybe next year again. and the 500 is a good bike. I ride a 500 too
That was highly inspirational and extremely funny as well. Thanks! Is the 500 EXC faster than the big adventure bikes on gravel roads, or does it only go faster when the terrain gets more tricky?
Thanks! I’d say on gravel both are pretty much as fast as you wanna go. I was happy to cruise on gravel roads at 60-70mph (100-110km/h) and when the terrain gets tricker the lighter bike does much better
@@rangeroadmoto Thanks.
Awesome video! Through out the whole video I was thinking the same thing CRF 450l comparison! How did the crf Rally do? Keep up the great content!!
Awesome video! I just did a 4 day ride on the Washington BDR with my 501, about 800km. Probably the longest ride I've done on the bike.. usually it's just day rides etc.. I had it loaded up with luggage as well.
I switched in a fresh air filter after day 2, but not the oil. I felt a little bad for the engine on day 4, but it ran perfect, and seems to be running even nicer after the trip tbh. I'm based in the Okanagan, and it was a very hot trip! Looking forward to some more lightweight adv rides in the near future!
The 500/501 is by far the best bike currently made. It can race in harescrambles or GNCC races, and then it can load up with luggage and crush BDR’s. The most fun bike I’ve ever ridden 🤘🏻
Great video. So the 250lbs is the starting dry weight stock bike? What was your final weight fuelled up no luggage? Mine is getting closer to 300/310.
Can someone do this to the 350exc as well for small country adv riding, or different motor design and won’t last?
I have the diamond of DRZs the 250cc with both kick and electric but I need something for adventures thanks for introducing it to me,it even weights the same as Suzy so I'll already be use to the exact weight.Thanx so much brother and keep it on the road.🍻🤙cheers bud
Coming off an africa twin to a 450 xcf...and I've started the 'adventurizing' of the rig...its NEVER going to be as comfy and it's a secondary road and slower ride only but my God the capabilities of this bike make me 1000% more confident and a far better rider...I can pick it up all day...just haven't needed to. And that's made a world of difference.
Amazing work again!
Thank you friend!
dude that first shot! Wow
I got a sheepskin seat cover too! It's so great, never seen anyone else with one IRL
Great video. I have my 525 set up for bdr use and use the 1200 for pavement with mixed gravel road use and 300 for single track and hard enduro. You must have many tools in your toolbox to accomplish a task 😂
Your set up is the ideal set up :P haha my only real tool is stubbornness
Great video man - thx for sharing..
Thanks for watching!
You need some Motion Footpegs to help tame some of those sweet vibrations ;) Looks like an awesome trip.
I've a 2017 Husky FE450 i use for everything from motocross to enduro to multi-week adventure riding on the Trans Euro Trail - its the best bike I've ever owned. Sheepskin is a good idea though, My seatconcepts seat gets painful at the end of a long day.
Yeah it’s such a good bike!
One of the things that surprised me about this sheepskin on this trip was how not hot it was in the heat. Even being black I never had a sweaty behind.
I have a Beta 500 RR-S thats been « adventurized. Same mods as you KTM but have Talon cush drive hub. ». I love it.
I just returned from a solo 2,000 km ride on my 2015 500 EXC, about 1,100 km off road. The only upgrades are protection for rads, handguards, skid plate, a steering stabilizer the bike came with, the capacitor mod (doesn't require a battery: just kick it over a couple times and it holds enough of that charge to start the bike) and a Seat Concepts seat. I get 160 km on the stock tank of fuel (about 7 litres); I coast down hills if I want to stretch that, and I carry a 4-litre fuel bladder I haven't needed yet. I've ridden many adventure and dual-sport bikes for a total of more than 100,000 km of dirt... and this KTM might be shaping up to be the best, most versatile ride I've ever had. One question: where did you find the cheap windshield?
That sounds so awesome!
That windshield is made by Puig, they are available on Amazon. If you buy the smoked one just keep in mind you won’t be able to see through it
Thanks for the reply. Any chance you remember which Puig model? They have hundreds, and none specifically for the 500 EXC...
Never considered the 690? love mine to bits
What is yr height/weight? Do you feel you are too tall too short to heavy for the bike or is it just right? Great vid. Subbed
I am right around 6’2” and 220lbs
(188cm 99kg)
Bike feels good to me, I can get both toes on the ground when the suspension is compressed. It’s a stretch to get my foot over when I have my bags on the back but I can just do it
There are no solutions, just compromises. I have adventure ridden a 350xcw, a 450 xcw, a 690, a 790 (cam issue!!!) and a 1290. The 690/700/701 platform with a balancer is a better compromise to do longer adventure riding (ie BDRs) if you want a small light bike. They handle the wind better than a smaller bike, are still easy to pick up, do 100+mph on pavement, need to be shifted less than smaller bikes in the twisties, are the least vibey thumpers made, have excellent adjustable suspension, have reasonable maintenance intervals and the chassis tracks true. They handle everything as well as and most things better than the 500 platform excepting single track and sand.
I am a big fan of the 690 platform, I almost bought one after testing a couple out. I do have more concerns with reliability on that platform than I do with the 500
@@rangeroadmotoYeah, I do carry a fuel pump and a clutch slave just in case. All bikes have issues though, including the Japanese ones. It's still a thumper and generally straightforward to fix when issues do arise. Anyhow, enjoy your build and avoid the highways:-)
Big bikes are super fun but I also prefer to take the lightweight approach. I found the 500exc to be a bit too light for my preference and the stretched service intervals are still a bit short for me as I don't trailer or truck my bike anywhere. But I've really found my 701 to be the best of both worlds. My friends are always very surprised how well mannered it is on the road for a big single, and it still maintains a high level of offroadability. Maybe someday I'll be skilled enough to ride a big bike the way I'd want to in order to justify it over something smaller, but for now I'm very happy with what I've got, especially as somebody who rides solo a lot of the time.
Great video! Would love to ride this route! Have GPX you can share? Thanks!
Not sure if this was already said earlier, but the "Canadian Rockies" only exist east of Cranbrook/Golden. I'm considering this same bike, so happy to see this type of video.
You’re the first, and thank you! I honestly did not know that, I always sort of assumed (wrongly) that the Rocky Mountains were the whole area/range and then there areas within like the Cariboo and such...
Are these the Selkirk mountains then?
@@rangeroadmoto I was a long time climber and mountaineer, so I learned al these subtleties more from that. It is not unusual to see even news reports that refer to the 'Rockies' when mountains near Whistler are being referred to! Now more info than you probably wanted: The geological break-down of the mountains in Canada is significantly different than that of the American Rockies. The "Canadian Rocky Mountains" is a single major range, dominated by sedimentary rocks (lots of limestone, as in around Banff/Canmore) which runs from Glacier National Park in Montana, all the way up to the Yukon border area. The massive valley system to its west is often known as the Rocky Mountain Trench. In the southern part of BC, the Kootenay and Columbia River systems dominate this feature. The cluster of mountain ranges that come next to the west are known collectively as the Columbias. The separate ranges that your trip would have passed through are the Purcells (Gray Creek Pass and the St. Mary valley), the Selkirks (west of Kootenay Lake to about Christina Lake) and then the Monashees as you go from there to the Okanagan Valley.
Great video!
Thank you for watching!
Funner is not a word, dr650 is best bike for this…. I want a 500 or 690 enduro r though, any experience on the 690? Yay or nah?
I did that C&W railroad this summer on my cb500x
Counting down to the CRF450RL vs 500EXCF impressions, any ETA?! Love the videos
It’s coming up next! Hopefully not too long now
@@rangeroadmoto MY BODY IS READY!
@@rangeroadmoto could be too late, but it would be really interesting to know about the weight difference e.g. picking them up from laying them down - if the CRF450L really is top heavy to the point of being unusable
Ive been riding my 500 since 2019 as an adventure bike. No bike can touch it when on the dirt. As for some narrow definitions of an adventure bike, forget them. A Goldwing is an adventure bike. A Grom is an adventure bike. Adventure bike is purely an advertising term, used to name lots of converted road bikes and build a new market. I say 2 cylinders = Too much weight.You also must be a mind reader as I have been thinking about a CRF450 as my next project bike.
I agree that the 2013-2016 500/501 bikes make the best dual sports. The newer 2017+ bikes are lighter, but having put 10,000 miles on both I prefer the sturdier frame, especially when loaded up. Neither my 2016 FE 501 nor my 2021 KTM 500 XCF-W ever required a valve adjustment or had any mechanical failure. The newer bike was much more manageable on hard enduro type terrain. I love my Africa Twin, but if you want the ability to explore any trail, the 500 is the best choice. The 350’s don’t work as well. Their high revving motors make considerably less torque,wear out faster, and have different internal gearing that is more suited to the trail. The superior KTM / Husky suspension alone is enough for me to pass on all the obsolete Japanese offerings. The Honda CRF 450 RL is a much more modern take, but suffers from stalling and snatchy throttling for any low speed trail work. Surprising to me as my Africa Twin fueling is perfect and that attribute makes the AT surprisingly good on single track.
I ran a 450exc for a couple of years before my 300L. The 450 vs the 500 are sort of same same but different. I think the 500 is a better bike for the purpose. The 450 was a blast in open trails, two track and twisties but i never really got along with it in single track and it was miserable to follow my daughters around on their bikes. I dis enjoy it as a multi day moto camping machine though. That said with 190+hrs and over 10000km on it i wasn't disappointed to sell it and buy the 300L with 50km on it for even money.
“GET OVER - SIT DOWN PLEASE” lol.
Bahah she sounded so mad! Someone must have fallen over on the slippery deck in the rain or something.. or she’s just grumpy.
I want to do this trip but I don't know where to find a map, any ideas
Add a clutch weight to the 500... really changes the bike. Lot smoother power.
Makes the 500 much better as a lightweight 'ADV' bike.
Are you sure you can kick start that bike with a desd battery? I thought the same thing and yesterday my battery went dead on a ride and i could not kick it started ao i had to pay for an expenaive tow. Folks online were saying kick start is dependent on battery . I thought then, what's the point of the kickstarter, but I guess it's when the starter itself dies. But your battery is good? I'm on a 2014
So it looks I was wrong on that information! If the battery is totally flat it can’t prime the fuel pump and it won’t start
@@rangeroadmoto If someone didn't already say it here, get yourself a capacitor so you can kick on a dead battery, I just ordered mine.
great content
Thanks so much! Love the drz btw
Here, we use 150~ 250 cc for adv bike, sometimes fitting road-biased bike like sport bike and naked bike and turned it for enduro ride...
That sounds awesome! Where do you live?
The only downside with North America is we have fast large highways and sometimes there’s no option other than to use them, makes having a slower bike a little hard.
@rangeroadmoto in Indonesia, here the road consist of washed off tarmac that destroyed after few big rain or landslides, or unfinished road that made off rocks and soft clay... alot of twisties and very rare of long long highway...
bring the CFR comparison asap pls.
Working on it!
@@rangeroadmoto 100% can't wait, subbed right now and turned the bell on to know when that video drops! Hopefully the CRF has an ECU and a better seat (the main complaints). Really interested to know how the weight difference feels, and a pickup test.
Would you do an exc 350?
since I bought my little crf230f I haven't touch my t7 in weeks xD
This is like an alternate reality "Fully Farkled DR650" video.
The mighty DR is great for what it is, and it's price point. I feel that it's biggest disadvantage is weight, suspension, and lack of fuel injection.
It's definitely a solid option, though.
And the xl will still be running when the euro stuff is long gone...
100% true. Thats why there is still an XL in my garage and the KTM is gone haha
Is ktm 500 slower then the dr? Or are they have same power? Or is it faster?
It’s a lot faster than my Dr650
Power to weight ratio.....
Great video. But you really need to weigh your bike. Full of fuel your bike will be over 260 lbs. With all your gear and add ons you’ll be closer to 310 lbs. Much better than the 550 lb behemoths but not 250 lbs. Keep up the good work.
Yeah with my camping stuff, Ti exhaust I was figuring right around 300lbs, the Africa Twin is probably pretty close to 600lbs with the racks and the panniers boxes full
Some GS1200 600lb monstrosity is NOT an adventure bike. Lay that thing down on a sandy uphill solo and that’s the end of your adventure. 250lb is probably as heavy of a bike as you can tolerate on a real adventure touring off/on road.
Lol, I have had a Husky 501s, BETA 430 RRS, KTM 990A, and currently ride KTM 1190R and KTM 300 XCW. I have riden them all (except the KTM 300) all over N.America and mostly in western Canada on and off-road, often in very challenging ST and DT situations. I could not disagree more with your statement. True, big bikes make things more challenging off road but it's very doable. Heck, how do you figure the KTM 950 won the Dakar repeatedly?
@@taurkon The KTM 950 won Dakar once, in the hands of the great Meoni who died in that race.
@@grayl5514he died on a 660 Dakar in 2005, not the 950. Regardless, I'm saying that it's ridiculous to claim the big Adv bikes are not good at technical off-road. I've ridden them, and I've ridden with lots of folks who have ridden them in extreme environments. Look up Cory Hanson to see examples of guys riding them on extreme single track...
250lbs? Damn that is a short list of bikes. I get your point, my DRZ400 would probably be ok.
By saying he died "in that race" I was meaning he died in a Dakar race. I do my research
Great for short trips, but having to do an oil change every 2 days is ridiculous on an "adventure".
Where’d you get that number?
I changed it after the trip when I got home. If you’re riding off road you aren’t covering the same mileage as you are pounding the interstates.
Cool
Not tall enough for you? Isn't it like 37" tall?
You got better fuel economy than the 300 rally?? Really?? Only asking because I have one and it gets 74mpg (31.4 km/L) and has that 3.5gal tank. Not knocking the 500 - my buddy has one. They're amazing. Just shocked that it may have gotten better fuel economy than the "little 300 that could".
No not better than the 300! Just better than the adventure bikes, the teneres and AT’s
Define Adventure Bike, part 1 of definition “it depends”, part 2 of definition “refer to part 1”,…….
Sub’d
Thanks buddy 👍
that is my childhood 1978 XL100 to the T and now one of my bikes in my corral is a pretty trick 17 Husky 501s hence why I tuned in here and look forward to seeing your opinion on Honda 450L versus Euro 500 s
The bike will not kickstart with a dead battery!!!
😂😂😂
great video 🙂 you can take my 500 excf from my dead hands if you have some serious weaponry and chain cutters, these bikes are unreal and far outweigh what people think they are - end of story, as for trading it for the heavy and underpowered honda - ewww no thanks bro
Oh man I thought the same thing, right up until I went and road my buddies 450!
@@rangeroadmoto enjoy the rides and good luck in the choice 🙂
Money slavery is a form of slavery not freedom.
Did I say that in the video? I can’t remember if I did.. 🤔
A true adventure bike should never be more than 500cc. And light. Africa twin is pure rubbish.
"a master's degree in rocket surgery"????
Yeah. Rocket surgery. You don’t need a degree in it.
Great freakin video dude!
Oh and just to mention, my CRF250L is my Adventure Bike, all the way from Vancouver island to Nevada and back….no problem, no worries, and nothing but fun!