Vital Members Adding Adventure Bike To The Stable?

Moto_Geek
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Moto_Geek
Edited Date/Time 8/5/2021 6:12am
At age 46, been renting few adventure bikes with friends to ride on and off road to understand their capabilities and fun factor.

What I have learned is going long distance and having the capability to do multi terrain, versus just go hit a moto track or designated ride area has some pretty significant advantages and fun factor to them and lots more ability to do long adventure and scenic segments with friends. I have my eye on the new Norden 901 coming out. Might be my next bike. I've been renting Tigers, BMW and KTM Adventures so far.

Chime in if your dual sporter and is going on technical (say jeep trails) So far done some dirt roads, but nothing close what I would do on my dirt bike. But I see videos of people doinf some technical stuff, just need the bike protection guards looks like.

Norden 901 - my next bike..


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Johnny Depp
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Johnny Depp 8/4/2021 11:52am
8/4/2021 11:52am
Moto_Geek wrote:
At age 46, been renting few adventure bikes with friends to ride on and off road to understand their capabilities and fun factor. What I have...
At age 46, been renting few adventure bikes with friends to ride on and off road to understand their capabilities and fun factor.

What I have learned is going long distance and having the capability to do multi terrain, versus just go hit a moto track or designated ride area has some pretty significant advantages and fun factor to them and lots more ability to do long adventure and scenic segments with friends. I have my eye on the new Norden 901 coming out. Might be my next bike. I've been renting Tigers, BMW and KTM Adventures so far.

Chime in if your dual sporter and is going on technical (say jeep trails) So far done some dirt roads, but nothing close what I would do on my dirt bike. But I see videos of people doinf some technical stuff, just need the bike protection guards looks like.

Norden 901 - my next bike..


Wrong title, not Dual Sports, you are talking about Adventure bikes.
9
TooTallJason
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TooTallJason 8/4/2021 1:25pm
8/4/2021 1:25pm
I bought a 2017 Honda Africa Twin in 2016. Last summer I got rid of it and bought my 450.

I don't regret it at all. Yeah once you got to the fun roads it was a blast, but it's not as fun as a proper dirt bike platform for me. Maybe if I lived somewhere more rural it would have been better but I hated getting my ADV out of the city. By the time I got to cooler mountain roads I was just ready to turn around.

That said, I also took it up a Jeep trail once. Ended up bending a front rotor then getting a flat front above the tree-line. That was the beginning of the end of my time with that bike and when I started to realize that I just wanted a dirt bike.
skeef
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skeef 8/4/2021 1:39pm
8/4/2021 1:39pm
I have a WR450 passed down from my father. Won't ever get rid of it. Just had it rebuilt top to bottom, I don't ride it much. I just like to look at it.

I am looking at getting an Adv bike for a trip to Alaska next summer. I will probably off load it after. The closest thing to being as fun as moto when it comes to street is riding an asphalt track. I urge some of you to try a Yamaha track day.
garagedog 8/4/2021 1:46pm
8/4/2021 1:46pm
I'm shopping for a Vstrom this month.
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KennyT
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KennyT 8/4/2021 1:50pm
8/4/2021 1:50pm
This is my 1190 KTM. Waaaaaay too much bike for my off-road abilities. Makes a excellent street bike but anytime I get off of anything more than a tight packed fire road I’m scared shitless. Those guys that haul ass across the desert on bikes like this is amazing.
I want to downsize and get a KTM dual sport so I found buzz on the backroads out to Pala and putt around the old mans track.
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moto67e
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moto67e 8/4/2021 1:55pm
8/4/2021 1:55pm
Bought this last November. Great bike.


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Fouled Plug 8/4/2021 2:00pm
8/4/2021 2:00pm
I added a DRZ400S to my fleet this year (same age 46) It's been fun and has opened up some cool new opportunities. It has it's limitations but you need to have a different mind set when riding it. It takes a special rider to ride something like an African Twin on challenging terrain. I've known a few people who have bought large adventure bikes who have gone back to smaller, lighter dual sports. It's really important to ask yourself where you will be riding and what the terrain is going to be like.
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queen of spodes 8/4/2021 2:27pm
8/4/2021 2:27pm
I bought a KTM 500 exc (2016 model) a couple years ago, love it, but wish I'd have bought an Alta EXR instead.
2
Dimblewambie
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Dimblewambie 8/4/2021 2:50pm
8/4/2021 2:50pm
If you’re looking for the most off-road oriented adventure bike, look no further than the 950/990 adventure, available in S/R models with more suspension travel, no abs and less weight they are really good off-road. An ever better but more rare option is the 950 super enduro. I’ve been riding my 990 adv anywhere and everywhere, many places that wouldn’t be considered “big bike” friendly and it does most everything with ease. It really feels like a larger 450 out on the trails when you’re moving.





2
JOE_SPROCKETS#1 8/4/2021 4:20pm
8/4/2021 4:20pm
You guys on the bigger adventure ktms are they top heavy?. Man I’ve never rode one but look like it in the shops. Im used to heavy street bikes but not in the rocks and mud.
KennyT
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KennyT 8/4/2021 4:46pm
8/4/2021 4:46pm
JOE_SPROCKETS#1 wrote:
You guys on the bigger adventure ktms are they top heavy?. Man I’ve never rode one but look like it in the shops. Im used to...
You guys on the bigger adventure ktms are they top heavy?. Man I’ve never rode one but look like it in the shops. Im used to heavy street bikes but not in the rocks and mud.
I can not ride mine on anything but hard pack fire roads without fear of it going down and squishing me. Gassed up this thing weighs 480 or so. If it starts to tip it’s all I can do to right it before it goes down. It’s great on the street and I’m sure with a badass rider it’s fine off road.
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gt80rider
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gt80rider 8/4/2021 4:49pm
8/4/2021 4:49pm
The thing I enjoy most- to ride mx, I gotta trailer an hour... with adv, I can hop on any time for a quick fix...
2
APLMAN99
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APLMAN99 8/4/2021 5:10pm
8/4/2021 5:10pm
Fouled Plug wrote:
I added a DRZ400S to my fleet this year (same age 46) It's been fun and has opened up some cool new opportunities. It has it's...
I added a DRZ400S to my fleet this year (same age 46) It's been fun and has opened up some cool new opportunities. It has it's limitations but you need to have a different mind set when riding it. It takes a special rider to ride something like an African Twin on challenging terrain. I've known a few people who have bought large adventure bikes who have gone back to smaller, lighter dual sports. It's really important to ask yourself where you will be riding and what the terrain is going to be like.
I bought a DRZ400S this year too. It had a few mods done to it already like a small bar riser, etc. but being tall the first things I have done are try to increase the room. I got the Knight foot pegs and they are great! Ordered a Seat Concepts tall Comfort Seat about 6 weeks ago, but it hasn't been shipped yet. They were 8-10 weeks out when I ordered it so I am not complaining about it.

Being a big guy, to try to 'make do' with the suspension I basically turned the compression to full firm and put the rebound in the middle of the clickers. Horrible when it came to any sort of bumps on the fire roads, almost enough to jolt the bars out of your hands. Ordered the proper springs from Race Tech for my weight and put the Comp and Rebound clickers in the middle of the ranges and it was already night and day better. Unfortunately we have had some pretty big fires here so I haven't had a lot of time to get up in the hills and try to dial it in better.

Still looking to possibly add a taller bar riser, but I will wait until after my seat comes in to decide what else I need to do to make it fit better.

I can say that so far I am VERY happy with the bike as I am not looking at doing anything 'fast' off road and it is also very easy to use for my short commute as well.
2
APLMAN99
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APLMAN99 8/4/2021 5:13pm
8/4/2021 5:13pm
JOE_SPROCKETS#1 wrote:
You guys on the bigger adventure ktms are they top heavy?. Man I’ve never rode one but look like it in the shops. Im used to...
You guys on the bigger adventure ktms are they top heavy?. Man I’ve never rode one but look like it in the shops. Im used to heavy street bikes but not in the rocks and mud.
My wife almost surprised me with a KTM 950 before I got my DRZ. It was actually a killer deal and turned out that we knew the guy who was selling it and I have no doubt that the bike was in amazing condition for the price and was very well maintained.

But I'm glad that she ran it by me before she just went out and bought it because even though I had been casually looking at ADV bikes, I think that it would have been far too much for what I was wanting to do. She would have likely been collecting on my life insurance policy far sooner if I were to have went that direction!!!!
1
redshark
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redshark 8/4/2021 6:06pm
8/4/2021 6:06pm
Moto_Geek wrote:
At age 46, been renting few adventure bikes with friends to ride on and off road to understand their capabilities and fun factor. What I have...
At age 46, been renting few adventure bikes with friends to ride on and off road to understand their capabilities and fun factor.

What I have learned is going long distance and having the capability to do multi terrain, versus just go hit a moto track or designated ride area has some pretty significant advantages and fun factor to them and lots more ability to do long adventure and scenic segments with friends. I have my eye on the new Norden 901 coming out. Might be my next bike. I've been renting Tigers, BMW and KTM Adventures so far.

Chime in if your dual sporter and is going on technical (say jeep trails) So far done some dirt roads, but nothing close what I would do on my dirt bike. But I see videos of people doinf some technical stuff, just need the bike protection guards looks like.

Norden 901 - my next bike..


Bought a KTM 1090R a few months ago, just to hold me over until the Norden 901 comes out, whenever that will be? I like it but don't love it. Yes, its heavy and under sprung for my weight (230lbs), but the weight goes away when your on the gas, seems like the harder I ride it the better it gets, with the exception of the occasional G-outs. I have rode some single track and even hit some very mild jumps close to my house and it responded surprising well. I just think the 890 / 901 platform is better for the more dirt oriented rider.
1
The Moto Log
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The Moto Log 8/4/2021 6:36pm
8/4/2021 6:36pm
moto67e wrote:
Bought this last November. Great bike. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/08/04/504347/s1200_IMG_7270.jpg[/img]
Bought this last November. Great bike.


that thing is sick. after seeing the guy railing that one at Erzberg this year, i fell in love. Id love to ride one
Fouled Plug 8/5/2021 6:12am
8/5/2021 6:12am
Fouled Plug wrote:
I added a DRZ400S to my fleet this year (same age 46) It's been fun and has opened up some cool new opportunities. It has it's...
I added a DRZ400S to my fleet this year (same age 46) It's been fun and has opened up some cool new opportunities. It has it's limitations but you need to have a different mind set when riding it. It takes a special rider to ride something like an African Twin on challenging terrain. I've known a few people who have bought large adventure bikes who have gone back to smaller, lighter dual sports. It's really important to ask yourself where you will be riding and what the terrain is going to be like.
APLMAN99 wrote:
I bought a DRZ400S this year too. It had a few mods done to it already like a small bar riser, etc. but being tall the...
I bought a DRZ400S this year too. It had a few mods done to it already like a small bar riser, etc. but being tall the first things I have done are try to increase the room. I got the Knight foot pegs and they are great! Ordered a Seat Concepts tall Comfort Seat about 6 weeks ago, but it hasn't been shipped yet. They were 8-10 weeks out when I ordered it so I am not complaining about it.

Being a big guy, to try to 'make do' with the suspension I basically turned the compression to full firm and put the rebound in the middle of the clickers. Horrible when it came to any sort of bumps on the fire roads, almost enough to jolt the bars out of your hands. Ordered the proper springs from Race Tech for my weight and put the Comp and Rebound clickers in the middle of the ranges and it was already night and day better. Unfortunately we have had some pretty big fires here so I haven't had a lot of time to get up in the hills and try to dial it in better.

Still looking to possibly add a taller bar riser, but I will wait until after my seat comes in to decide what else I need to do to make it fit better.

I can say that so far I am VERY happy with the bike as I am not looking at doing anything 'fast' off road and it is also very easy to use for my short commute as well.
Right on. Such a cool ride to go explore on. I waited to find a quality low mileage used one. Such a bargain. Previous owner had just installed some Dunlop D606 tires. I added an IMS fuel tank, hand guards and some Zeta wide foot pegs. Good to go! It's been fun exploring the back roads and seldom seen places.

Hopefully the fires clear up in your area. Scary stuff.
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Dimblewambie
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Dimblewambie 8/5/2021 9:10am
8/5/2021 9:10am
JOE_SPROCKETS#1 wrote:
You guys on the bigger adventure ktms are they top heavy?. Man I’ve never rode one but look like it in the shops. Im used to...
You guys on the bigger adventure ktms are they top heavy?. Man I’ve never rode one but look like it in the shops. Im used to heavy street bikes but not in the rocks and mud.
I’ve not been on the modern generation of the KTM ADVs but my 990 really carries the weight down low. Never does it feel top heavy, even when pushing it out or around the garage. Mine was originally a standard model, but had R suspension put on, and I put it on a weight loss program earlier this year, dropped 36lbs on top of what was already probably 25lbs less than from the factory. Still want to get it on a pallet scale but I guesstimate I’ve got it down near 990 super enduro weight of low 400s.



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nytsmaC
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nytsmaC 8/5/2021 4:34pm
8/5/2021 4:34pm
I got a Moto Guzzi Stelvio NtX about 5 years ago, it’s a big fat pig but has tons of character, doesn’t feel heavy while in motion and is awesome as a touring bike. I added a KLR650 as something that I felt would be more dirt oriented for exploring in the mountains. I want to do a trip to the southern cape of Argentina and the KLR is crude but trusty.

I realized I only need one bike, as I don’t even have the Guzzi insured this year since I so rarely ride it. Enter the Tenere 700. Worlds better than the KLR in every aspect and can do everything that the Guzzi can do for touring, since I never carry a passenger. It’s also a simple bike like the KLR, it’s just a twin, has simple on/off ABS and fuel injection. Twice the power, awesome ergonomics, better suspension, no real drawbacks as far as I can tell to replace the KLR as a round the world type of bike but so much funner to ride.

I sold the KLR to a buddy and the Guzzi is going up for sale this week. Totally in love with the Tenere.

1
garagedog 8/5/2021 6:19pm
8/5/2021 6:19pm Edited Date/Time 8/5/2021 6:28pm
I just got this today! 2011 Suzuki V-Strom 650 with 6400 miles. Like new! $4200. Heck of a lot cheaper than dirt bikes around here!


2
ktmwoods
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ktmwoods 8/5/2021 6:26pm
8/5/2021 6:26pm
I went 450 sxf FE, to that and a 690, to selling both and got a fe501 that I moto at Pala or Elsinore and mach over 100mph in the desert. Wont go back, this bike does it all super well.
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