What did THEY choose? (a day on the small capacity adventure bikes)

Looking to get my first bike at the start of spring (it's the middle of winter down here in NZ) and I've narrowed it down to the CRF, the Triumph and the Himalayan 450. I have concerns about each. The CRF would be my first choice but I'm concerned about power, we have mountains in NZ and I'm worried about it being able to do 100km/h uphill. The Triumph looks the best but the ground clearance and muffler location seems like it would be easy to damage the muffler. And the Himalayan I'm concerned about aftermarket support and reliability, is it true you have to buy tyres from RE? Are these valid concerns or nothing to worry about?

No CB500X or NX500 in the mix, which is surprising. It's a great bike.

For short distance rides on those roads... Triumph
Overall... Honda

I really enjoyed the video thanks - just a shame the KTM 390 adv wasn't there to put them all to shame

Love the commentary at the beginning. I have gone down the rabbit hole of researching and listening to everyone else's opinions to try to decide the best bike, but everything changed once I put a leg over and test rode a bike- bought the Triumph 400x a few months ago, already have 1000 miles on it and absolutely love that bike. everyone says don't take it off road but with a bit more aggressive tires it shines off road and does a fantastic job!

Through the reviews I've done on my channel I've come to the conclusion that there are few 'bad' bikes anymore. Every bike has a mix of strengths and weaknesses and the best bike for anyone is the one whose strengths most closely match the persons priorities. In short folk need to honestly access what their priorities are and then ride as many bikes as possible and read those reviews that try to pull out the bikes various pros and cons.

Nice review again Nathan I rode the New Himmy yesterday , yes more power obviously than my 411 but more vibes 4th gear at 3000revs @30mph it gave me numb fingers , longer gearshift for really smooth changing other than that ok heavy off the side stand. I have to ride the Triumph adv yet but waiting for the CF450 Moto MT no doubt you will be there when available.

Did you not take the Voge Rally out?

Wise words

Did I see in brief as you rode round Lee Beach, the Lee Bay Hotel has gone..!
Didn't look too good in passing, when walked the South/West Coast Path back in the last 90's..
Round that same time the House on the Beach was a prize with a Sunday Newspaper.. might have been Sunday Express.? Identifiable, as having recently walk passed the House, that close the Beach, likely the Sea would be in it with a really bad storm.
These bikes are getting more difficult to make a call on anyone being the best.. I've no plans on charging the 411. Cheers, stay safe.

DRZ 400S? 😬

Great episode. Thanks!

Having only ridden my 310gs with an upgraded windscreen I don’t know how much I’d like the naked scrambler wind blast. I’m sure the triumph is a great bike and it looks great but I’ve gotten used to the wind protection.

Im new subscriber . Just wanted to say keep on doing what your doing.

Where was the KTM. I bet they’d of had at least one going for that.

CRF all day long for me 👍

The Himalayan 450 is the best of them all.....its a very versatile bike....the engine on Himalayan 450 the Sherpa....its a gem...very refine,powerful and efficient....and the gearbox its amazing ....smoooth....Himalayan 450 needs a bit time to adapt by the rider....after that it does all the jobs....

Another brilliant video mate :) it’s a great point you made about riding them an also I think if financially able don’t be afraid to change bike if it’s not turned out to be quite what you were after. All to often we stick with stuff that’s not worked out and as I found out with my dads unexpected stage 3b/4 prostate cancer diagnosis life’s to short really.

We actually went looking at the Triumphs yesterday saw a speed 400

Having had the 300 rally I agree with everyone’s take on it good do it all bike I think if they had put 500x seats on it an another 50cc would have been spot on oh an a better rear shock.

(edit we just sold the t7 for an nx500)

Keep up the brilliant videos Nathan an look forward to the next one.

Life is all about change

Triumph fan here (and owner) Loved your small capacity bike commentary. Helpful to me just starting out here in the States

The conclusion was surprising.

im torn between the CRF300 and Triumph and possibly KTM 390 ADV

If only honda would bring out a crf450 rally with decent service interval then they would have a real winner.

Hmm not what I expected but hey don't knock it until you've ridden it. If I were buying new I'd go for the Triumph too. However I could buy at least 4 good used bikes for that money 🤔

I agree totally every bike is individual to each and every person one mans medicine is another mans poison as they say keep up the good work Nathan 👍👌

Very helpful. Thank you.

I do have a question for Nathan but only if he's got the time. He often says the 411 is the better overlander and the G310GS is the better commuter out of the 2, but how is the beemer a better commuter than the Himmy? And vise-a-versa what makes the beemer not as suitable for long distance? Seems like being good at one would make it good at the other.

Interesting that the new kid on the block - RE450- didn’t shine.

this is a great way to review bikes. Get a general consensus from the troops. Maybe do this on all the "Dorothy" rides? Real world comments. No Royal enfield eh?
🇬🇧🇨🇦🇺🇸

Two better choices would have been a used DR650 or a CFMOTO MT450. Both are more capable and can keep up with highway speed.

How surprising to hear the results.
I believe The Warrior may have considered the CB 350 with knobbies. Apparently, Triumph and CF Moto are making leaps and bounds in this category.

I wonder if the Honda CRF 300 or 450 would hold up in this category.
I would consider the BMW being a 411 owner.

Well, UNLESS the CRF has suspension upgrades - this is a massive vote for the Voge then. 😉

Shame the Voge wasn't in the mix but, all things considered I'm not surprised at the choices made from this bunch of bikes.
On the road and gravel I'd probably like the Triumph for its engine, but on the dirt the lighter and better suspended CRF would shine. (though I'm sure the Voge would have shone more).
Perhaps, if there had been some deep muddy sections, the 411 would have come into it's own? I can't honestly see a place for the BMW which to me is "neither use nor ornament". I'm tempted to say the same about the new RE 450 but I've not ridden one.
Of course experience plays it's part and I'm sure people opinions would and will change as their abilities increase.
As a wild card, a DRZ400 would be an interesting bike to add to your arsenal. I used to "greenlane" one and it was a proper go anywhere bike and completely indestructible. Not for short inexperienced riders though.

411 Himalayan fallen out of favour? This is outrageous!!

Looks glorious down there, future trip methinks. There's a lot of discussion regarding the 'Unicorn' bike but I think as you've helped show, it's a different bike for everybody. Manufacturers are up against it, I reckon. They have to please as many people as possible so end up compromising in so many areas. Good fun choosing, mind. All the best!

Saw a 450MT for the first time yesterday. Nice looking bike and seems to be built very well

I'm not surprised by the Triumph. While it's not best suited for lane riding at least compared to the CRF and other that engine is so sweet and tractable.

So neither of the Himalayans got a look in. Surprising. 400x or CRF depending on road/trail bias. Now we just need to throw the 450mt into the mix.

I really want a yellow helmet like you have. Shoei Ex-Zero? Nick

you miss cfmoto 450mt and honda nx500, then you would cover it all 😊

Interesting

No votes for the 411 or 450 Himmy, surprised by that.

Where's the ktm

Very interesting! Surprising verdict too. Thanks. Les

Comment for the algos, because they too love Bentos pies.