Should You Buy an ADV or a Traditional Touring Bike? (discussion)

I always been a street bike harley guy but now i want a bike i can do all kinds of things on. Long road rides to a jeep trail and then ride out and camp. But also i can commute to work on it. These adventure bikes are like the jeep wranglers of the motorcycle world. I just need to find one for my 5' 6" height.

I have never liked long-distance touring on a motorcycle, and I'm too old to dump and smash up my bike pretending to be a redneck. I ride an ADV bike because the roads are sh!tty, and even "urban" areas tear up street bikes and sports cars. Couldn't care less about the "rugged image."

I got rid of my Africa twin and I'm the process of replacing her with three bikes. So far a Z900 and DR650. The third will probably be an FJR or some kind of sport touring bike. The reality is, you just need to own many motorcycles. We may not like it, but this is the way of the world, gentlemen.

My wife will ride on the Gold Wing but she won't even consider a trip around the block on the Africa Twin. The AT has a high CG and an additional rider + luggage makes it sketchy at slow speeds. We can load the Wing with ourselves and everything but the kitchen sink and I can barely tell the difference. If it's just me out for the day, I'm on the AT every time.

Would like to see this discussion revisited in a follow up video.

The Goldwing has from the beginning evolved with the times. Maybe the next one won’t be an ADV, per se, but maybe it’ll enjoy the benefits of sitting higher and having more suspension travel… if that’s what most serious long range riders are preferring now.

Well it's 2023. Back in 2018 I bought a Harley Fat Bob FXFBS. It is my touring bike. But now in 2023 I have been looking at the African twin, Kawasaki versus and triumphs

This question is haunting me at night. I am about to start commuting about 100miles M-TH. It will primarily be highway miles. So I’m looking at road bias adv bikes as well as sport touring style bikes. I’ve lately been leaning toward a GS. I like bmw warranty and it seems like something I can commute on for the next few years. I have a 500 exc dual sport, so if I want to go hard trail, I have that. I just figure I may take it through some fire roads down the line.

The price is pretty intense, but I hear they retain their value well. Some others I am considering are the 1050 vstrom and the AT. I like how under-stressed the engine is and I like the way it looks better.

I’m 35, but my body feels much older due to military service. My wife says I should look at goldwings or k1600, but I will not be able to do dct and the look like gpa bikes. The soldier in me makes me want to stick with a gs or another large capacity adv touring bike.

I appreciate what you do on this channel and sorry for yammering. I am just definitely wrestling with this question. Thanks for what you do sir.

Unless if you want to go to dirt roads, there’s no reason to get an ADV. Even for dirt roads, lighter dual sports are better than ADVs. The fact that ADVs are taller makes you susceptible to strong winds in speed, and the high center of gravity makes them more difficult to handle in slow speed and turns. I had Tenere 700 and sold it recently because of the above reasons. I just see no reason for ADVs.

Adventure riding is a tough, demanding sport few people can do. Don't learn this the hard way. Anyone can ride a low touring bike on the highway. You forgot to mention the high skills required to ride big ADV bikes off-road. 99% of riders don't have those skills and are not willing to drop the bike likely a few times a day, so the discussion is limited to road and very light off-road use. For real on AND off-road adventure, and for a tall, strong, skilled, committed rider there is no contest.Much of ADV is a romantic image we get from marketing. So we need to be realistic about the use we are actually going to give them. That said, I favor ADV style bikes for road use, light enduro bikes for actual off-road.

Quite by accident i rode a bmw r1200RS with bar risers and a touring windshield. Pure heaven for solo touring. Purchased it in Denver and rode it back to NJ. Next a short trip to the Dragon. Have been on the adv bikes and the tall stance is a bit much. Also have an RT and the mass is unsettling at slow speeds as well. I'm only 5'9" and 158. Was on an African twin for a week, way better than the GS I rented the year prior. That thing is a monster! Perhaps at the end of the day, a bike should just fit the rider. I wanted many bikes after reading reviews and when i test road them, they were awful. Marketing gets us all..

I changed from heavy sports tourers to an adventure bike, I'm tall enough at 6'1" so seat height isn't a problem usually though the AT adventure sport seemed too high in the showroom, never rode one though.
Thinking of getting a lighter ADV bike next something like the new transalp or if Suzuki release a cast wheel model vstrom 800 with cruise control, that would be perfect.
I do miss the shaft driven sports tourers though, chains are messy.

I believe there is a good mix of both in the growing cross touring (if it is called like that) segment. So Tracer 9, Versys 1000, F900XR or Tiger Sport 1050 type of bikes. They offer an upright seating position, decent wind protection, full luggage options, all the tech you need and come with 17” fronts for that more sporty handling.

I have a Goldwing gen 6 version as you show there. I don't find the seating comfortable at all and I have been looking at the K1600 and also the GS version bikes primarily for this reason. Honda did a lot of things right with the Goldwing, but In my opinion they botched the seat form. The Goldwing has plenty of power for me but I think some would like a little more punch in sport mode.

Adv's are taller.. Someone needs to market adv platform boots for shorter riders. The benefits would be twofold. You can flatfoot it and get an additional 6" of storage! 👍👍

A good compromise to me are ADV bikes with a 19" front, like a V-Strom. A good compromise between handling and off road capabilities.

I just purchased a KTM 1290 SAR to replace my Yamaha FJR 1300 AE. It is lighter, more nimble, and maneuverable than the FJR. I feel safer riding it. I just rode from Los Angeles to the Central Valley on the 405, I5, and Hwy 99. The roads are in bad shape, but I’m not as worried about crashing from hitting a pot hole like I was on the FJR. It’s easier to avoid obstacles like that too. I’ll have to get hard luggage to make it comfortable for my wife to ride with me with back support, but I do like the hard cases the FJR has. I’m looking forward to being able to take it off road, which I wasn’t able to do with the FJR. When the pavement ends, the ride can continue now. Your video is right on… you nailed it.

I’ve been riding motorcycles since my grandfather taught me as a toddler im 48 now, until recently I’ve mainly ridden sports bikes, even done a 2K miles adventure on a Ducati 748sp. But I’m now on a 18 year old Multistrada 1000 DS and absolutely love the commanding upright and high stance it gives, im 6ft2” with 32.5” inseam and find the extra leg room awesome! But I’m the same with cars now I’ve loved hot hatches or 4x4 but now have a SUV, the Adventure style bike or SUV car offers riders or drivers a super versatile easy to live with option, and that’s simply a great option for the average person, if I had millionaire in the bank ide have multiple bikes n cars that specialise in their designated field, but I don’t lol

Best motorcycle content on the net! You always address the things that actually matter to average riders. Appreciate you, cheers!

"I'll put the kilograms here"

Sloppy editing 🙄

I have been on sportbikes (mostly Kawasaki zx7s, zx10s and swapped to a Versys 650 10 years ago. Best thing I have ever done! Todays superbikes are useless on public roads and Versys are so much more useful and most important alot more fun on twisty roads. Last - carry luggage are way better on an adv style bike.
That is my opinion 🙂

Adventure bike is great for solo riding. But if your doing two up riding in my opinion.. nothing beats that gold wing. Great video

I can stand up and ride when i use an adv bike, since my ass gets sore riding for hours😅

The only reason for the big switch to SUVs and ADVs is that the roads are not that great as they used to. People just get tired of driving cars over potholes and hear your undercarriage cry for help. Sedans and scooter/standard bikes still rule in countries with well maintained roads just like Japan and China.

Hi guys. I have just circumnavigated my country Australia on a 2008 BMW 1200 GS .
I traded my BMW S 1000R for the GS specially for the trip for all the reasons in the video, even though my trip due mostly to being alone and time constraints was on tarmac what I found surprising was the capability of the GS on the road : comfortable on the straight roads appropriately good on twisty roads. On dirt roads, even though I have limited off road experience it was confidence inspiring. The versatility and just pain usability of this bike is why I am sure the worlds riders seem to love them. Like most people I would love a garage full of different bikes, but if I can only have 1 the GS is it. Hence I am now oozing to trade it for a later model one.
Cheers Art

Female rider, I have made the full circle. Started riding at 19, now I am 62. Owned 13 Ultra HD, 3 Goldwings, Africa Twin and now a 2022 BMW GS1250 Adv. and a KLX 300. So I have lots of experience on all. I am waiting for the 2024 big touring bikes to be announced and I am going back. That may be the trend to go ADV but for me and the long days in the saddle the comfort, luxury, bells and whistles of a Big luxury tourer like a Goldwing or K1600 BMW is the way to go.

Been putting in 500 miles every week in only 2 sessions on a drz400s, looking into an ADV for these longer pushes

I'm not sure the choice is really between a gold wing and an Africa Twin.

Maybe a BMW K1250RT or Ninja sx etc vs a GS or Triumph Explorer etc

I have an older 2007 K1200gt and have done some dirt roads - not trails. I would like a GS but I would have to give up the electric screen, full fairing and lower seat.

My old K1200 is great on any sealed road - but not much on unsealed and would not go on a trail (of course my skills as a rider are holding the bike back).

The road version of triumph gt Explorer might be a better choice than the full on adventure version - it would be better on sealed roads, could cope with unsealed and probably do some easy trails.

Good job - like your content 😊

Just my opinion....for me it become important that my feet are flat on the ground and adv cant provide me that...

FJR 1300 owner. What I cannot understand . . . unless you are actually going to go off-road then to me an ADV simply does not make sense and these really large ADV bikes going off-road - crazy - simply way too heavy. Road orientated cruisers may be heavier in absolute terms but the weight only matters when you are stopped and pushing the bike around a car park or garage. Once you are doing 5 mph under power the weight of pretty well any road bike is irrelevant. If I were doing serious off-roading I'd probably go with 750 cc or less - if it goes over you have to be able to lift it up solo. I think large ADV's are the Hummers of the motorcycle world - a fad that will pass . . . .or they will simply spend all their lives on asphalt . . . .and that is okay also.

I think it's personal preference or a person with huge ego and don't want to be a dinky wanna be biker on a scooter. Personally, I love Honda XADV750

If comments are the best indicator of great content, then you are Rocking it Big Rock Moto!!! Excellent job keeping your content interesting!😊

I'm 28 and bought a sport touring bike (fz6 and now an fz1).

If I'm doing off road stuf, I'm riding a dedicated competition dirtbike, if I'm touring and doing twisties, I'd prefer the bike that's sporty, but comfy enough to tour on.

If I did tons of distance, give me an adv bike with sport touring rubber 10/10 times over a gold wing or cvo.

I really like how adv bikes look and the upright rider position with good wind protection. However, I am not interested to go off road, so I prefer a road focused suspension with an adventure look. My choice is nc750x.

I own an RT and a Vstrom 650. I’ve also got a 28 inseam. I’ve tried to throw a leg over a GS and it was comical. I even had to lower my Vstrom 3/4 of an inch to make it usable. I really enjoy riding my Vstrom on day rides or one night out, but if I have to eat miles, it’s the RT. A lot of my riding is solo and at 67, if I dropped a GS on a gravelly hillside, I’d never get it back upright. When I want to see a GS, I just ride by any Starbucks.😂

After many years on a Concours 1000 and then a Concours 14 I finally, at the tender age of 74, took a step down to a Versys 1000. It's not really an adv bike (17" wheels), but an "adv styled" sport touring bike. If you're not going off-road, it makes perfect sense. Couldn't be happier.

Can bikes like versys 1000 or tiger 900 gt go a bit on dirty? I mean not to trail as fun but a casual off road you might find on your trip. Asking because I'd go 80% road and I prefer it. If the bike cannot cross gravel would be a bammer and not as versatile

I’m an experienced off-road rider, but now I’m more into LD touring. I have ridden my friend’s Super Tenere’, a Triumph dealer lent me a 2022 Tiger Explorer demo bike overnight, and I have ridden my brother’s 1200 GSA. The Tenere and Tiger don’t do it for me, but the GSA was much more to my liking. For touring, none of these ADV bikes come close to my K1600 GTL. I’m keeping it.

In response to your last question, yes, adventure bikes seem to be taking over. It is sad, perhaps, that the pure touring bike is being usurped not just by the adventure bike but by this other concept called the sports touring bike (whatever next!). Nowadays, if one wants a pure touring bike (preferably shaft-driven to avoid daily chain cleaning on long trips) one is limited to the Goldwing, the K1600 or the RT. Given that the first two are bigger than the moon, that leaves only the RT. With the FJR, and the GSX, the sitting position is too forward-leaning to make them comfortable for long trips and in the case of the GS, the Multistrada and the Africa Twin, the centre of gravity is too high. Pity ... I don't know what possessed the Japanese to do away with the ST Pan European and the Deauville. The chaps at BMW must be rubbing their hands in glee!

Talk touring bikes sitting between two Hondas says it all.

people say SUV's have a higher seating position, so you see the traffic ahead better - but if everybody is driving a SUV, then that "benefit" falls away because they are so big and bloated they block the view ahead. It's only an advantage if everyone else is driving a sedan

I’m looking at my next bike as either a 2022 Africa Twin AS or a lightly used Harley Ultra Limited around the same price. Keep going back and forth between them. Haven’t test ridden either of them but kinda leaning towards the AT to do moto camping off gravel roads in the Colorado mountains.

I rode my 2017 Africa twin to the Oregon coast last year. The rhythmic vibrations from the engine over 65 mph just about drove me crazy. Ended up selling it two months later. On the other hand my 2008 FJR rides like it is on glass at highway speeds. Loved the Africa twin, it’s was just not a good highway bike.

God bless

Hi, Im 52 years old and Ive been riding motorcycles for over 30 years, had scooters (125) to ninja 600R and Honda Shadow700, but when I tried a KLR650 five years ago, went ADV and hardly think of going back, reasons: 1. the motorcycle height makes me feel more secure and gives a greater view in trafic, 2. the seating position on the bike is more comfortble for me, feel much more relaxed than on a ninja... 3. I dont like riding fast, I do 70-75 miles in the freeway no matter how far I go, 4. dont go that much off road but I prefer to have that advantage than wanting to go and not having it, finally I am a selfish rider, dont like company on my bike, it is a great deal of resposabilty to take somebody with me, I am super careful when I have someone on my bike, so I rather not have that stress on me when Im driving, therefore, ADV bikes are made just for me and my needs... Great video, congrats and keep them coming.

I am 62 and ride a 2018 star venture and with me living in the midwest i have to travel long distances to see the places I like to visit. Colorado 10hrs blue ridge parkway 800miles and with only 7 to 10 days of a year you have to do long days to get there to have any good days at your destination. The adventure bike lack the comforts of the big cruiser but I'm looking to get an adv bike to start the off road learning curve for retirement when I van slow down.

i dont think they will take over the world, but there are certainly distinct advantages, personally i have a cruiser and a "street fighter" currently and i have to say, that cruiser is a nightmare where i live, any time i get caught in less than ideal weather.

In fact that may be the main reason I am now considering an adventure bike (i got caught in the snow 1 time to many, yes i ride all year). now for someone who is short, heavy or lives in the southern states (neither describe me), the cruiser might continue being the "optimal" choice, maybe just style/sound etc, but there is no denying that if you are more than the weekend warrior, and you live somewhere where weather can creep up on you, and/or road conditions are limited, yeah i think adventure can become the best/most sensible choice.

For the record, i dont think adv will ever compete with the sport/super sport sector as that is a completely different niche& user

I now own a '22 1290 SAS. It is the most comfortable motorcycle I have owned. The suspension is great and can handle any surface. The engine is awesome AND gets really great fuel economy when ridden at legal speeds. Even with cadt wheels and 70/30 tires, there is no road I cannot traverse. It's not cheap, but the versatility makes those dollars spent seem well-spent.

As usual, depending for what?