I've been asking for this for years. But this guy hit the nail on the head on why the unicorn will never be built:
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Why a true 50/50 Adventure Motorcycle will never be built
- Thread starter Lightcycle
- Start date
Good video ... I thought my hired F800GS was rubbish for pavement riding for the same reasons explained here, and the glowing online reviews of that bike were written as if pavement had not been invented yet. The non-GS versions of the same bike (doesn't matter which) are perfectly fine for riding the roads of the Alps, or Italy, or Spain. Only reason for the GS in Australia was that's all the agency had.
If you really are going trail riding then the choices switch around.
If you really are going trail riding then the choices switch around.
Yeah, expecting/hoping for one bike to do everything really, really well or to a very high standard is pointless. There's nothing wrong with adjusting your expectations and approach so you can enjoy what you want, when you want.
If I'm heading to the woods, I truck the blue-plated Husky 250, but I can also plod around all day on back roads if I choose. I'll ride the 1090ADV all day on main roads, back roads, unopened/summer only roads or abandoned railways.
One bike is fine, but more are always better.
Also, I know it's just me but I only got about a minute into the video before I was muttering, "Get to the point." and bailed in under 2 minutes. Maybe it's just old guy pissyness, but when there's that much preamble I figure there can't be much message/point.
If I'm heading to the woods, I truck the blue-plated Husky 250, but I can also plod around all day on back roads if I choose. I'll ride the 1090ADV all day on main roads, back roads, unopened/summer only roads or abandoned railways.
One bike is fine, but more are always better.
Also, I know it's just me but I only got about a minute into the video before I was muttering, "Get to the point." and bailed in under 2 minutes. Maybe it's just old guy pissyness, but when there's that much preamble I figure there can't be much message/point.
matt365
Well-known member
I agree with your approach.
There is always compromise, and there is always aftermarket modification to make a bike into your own personal "unicorn".
I think its -RtwPaul who converted a 2016 ktm 500 exc-f and rode it around the world. Nav tower. Bigger tank. Larger clutch cover to add more oil volume. Subframe and luggage mods, suspension.
Build what works for you, or own two bikes with different purpose (if that's an option).
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Nikola Tesla
Well-known member
my dr650 is amazing at doing everything pretty good lol… 2 bikes is ideal 3 or more is even better lolll
Yeah, we've already gone down this route, taking our 500s and adding a larger tank, beefing up the subframe so it can carry luggage, adding a more comfortable seat. If the market isn't going to accommodate this tiny sliver of the light-weight adventure market, then you just gotta take matters into your own hands.
I have an overweight adventure bike, but I spend way more time with the 500 because it's just so much more fun. When the guy in the video said he rides his enduro more than his Triumph ADV, I found myself nodding my head in agreement.
Also, the video brings up a really good question: is it technically possible to produce a multi-cylinder motorcycle and have it weigh under 400lbs wet? And to do it at a reasonable price-point?
450 lbs. Which is about average for a mid-displacement multi-cylinder motorcycle. Honda Transalp and T700 about the same weight.
Relax
Well-known member
But why? The 660 motor is pretty light for what it is, and look at the weights of the RS660 and Tuono 660. I get the feeling there's a lot of built-in fat on the Tuareg that could be cut or replaced with lighter weight components. Like the steel frame and subframe. An integrated 690/701-style fuel tank/subframe should help here.
I take 50/50 as being 50% of the time they are riding dirt, the rest of the 50% pavement. I probably do 80% dirt/20% pavement these days. In terms of hours spent on the bike, not kms...
Are there people who spend equal time on dirt and pavement? Maybe. But I doubt they're a majority. Most people tend towards one or the other.
Relax
Well-known member
I guess I was thinking of your around-the-world tours. What percentage was it for those trips?
Ask the manufacturer. You'll get no argument from me.
I don't understand how a Hypermotard 950 could weigh 436lbs, but the Desert X with the same engine (and is supposed to be more dirt-oriented) comes in 60 lbs heavier. Yes, I understand technically how it is heavier (spoked vs cast wheels, etc), but from a design standpoint, why?
That's the thing. With 600lb laden bikes, we had to turn away from some of the gnarlier trails. I'd say overall it was 85% tarmac, 15% dirt. Maybe even more tarmac.
If we were doing again with 250lb enduros, we'd probably be inclined to do more dirt. There are a fair number of guys on the Ride Reports forum on ADVRider who have "adventurized" their 500cc enduros. Now I totally see the appeal.
Could I spend a decade on the road with these bikes? Dunno. That's a lot of damn oil changes...
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