Adventure Motorcycles are a SCAM / Here is Why

Summary

This video script challenges the marketing hype around big adventure motorcycles, arguing they're often over-engineered and impractical for real off-road use. It points out the excessive weight, complex electronics, and high costs as downsides, suggesting lighter, more affordable dual-sport bikes as a better choice for true adventure seekers. The script also warns of the dangers of relying on these bikes for extreme conditions, as advertised, urging viewers to consider practicality and safety over marketing promises.

Takeaways

• 🏍️ **Adventure Bike Misconceptions**: The script challenges the notion that big adventure bikes are necessary for off-road and gravel road exploration.
• 💪 **Power Overload**: High horsepower bikes may not be suitable for off-road use due to the risk of wheel spin and difficulty in managing the bike's weight.
• 🛠️ **Over-Engineering**: Adventure bikes are often over-engineered with complex electronics that can be hard to fix, especially in foreign countries.
• 🔩 **Parts Availability**: Replacing parts on adventure bikes can be difficult, especially in remote locations, which can hinder the adventure.
• 🚫 **Legal Limitations**: Many countries restrict off-roading and gravel road use, limiting the practicality of an adventure bike for everyday riding.
• 🏞️ **Real-World Usage**: The reality of motorcycle touring often involves more road riding than off-road, making the specialized features of adventure bikes less useful.
• 💰 **Costly Investment**: Adventure bikes are expensive, and their value drops significantly with use, especially when used for their intended off-road purposes.
• 🌍 **Market Misalignment**: The marketing of adventure bikes often sells a lifestyle rather than a practical tool, leading to unrealistic expectations.
• ⚠️ **Safety Concerns**: The script warns of the potential dangers of relying on the capabilities promised by adventure bike marketing in hostile environments.
• 🏁 **Alternative Options**: Dual-sport bikes or sport tourers might be more practical and safer options for those seeking adventure motorcycle travel.

Q & A

What is the main criticism of adventure bikes in the script?

The main criticism is that adventure bikes are marketed as essential for off-road and gravel road exploration, but they are often over-engineered, heavy, and not as practical for real-world adventure touring as they are portrayed.

Why does the script suggest that the power of adventure bikes is not practical for off-road use?

The script suggests that adventure bikes with over 100 horsepower can lead to wheel spin and are difficult to control off-road, making them less practical for actual off-road adventures compared to motorcycles with less power.

What is the issue with the electronics on adventure bikes according to the script?

The script points out that the numerous electronics on adventure bikes can be hard to fix if they break down, and they add to the weight of the bike, making them even less suitable for off-road use.

Why might it be difficult to replace parts on an adventure bike in a foreign country?

The script explains that some parts, like the Cardon of a BMW GS, can be hard to replace in foreign countries due to the time it takes for parts to arrive from the manufacturer.

What does the script argue about the necessity of high ground clearance on adventure bikes?

The script argues that a high ground clearance is not necessarily needed for off-road capable bikes, and a lower center of gravity could be more beneficial for maneuverability and handling.

How does the script describe the usability of adventure bikes for day-to-day life?

The script suggests that adventure bikes are not practical for day-to-day use due to their size, weight, and the illegality of off-roading in many areas, making them less usable for everyday exploration.

What is the script's opinion on the value retention of adventure bikes after extensive use?

The script states that adventure bikes can dramatically decrease in value after extensive use, especially if used for off-roading, due to the wear and tear and potential for crashes.

Why does the script advise against buying an adventure bike for the purpose of touring?

The script advises against it because most touring is done on roads, and the off-road capabilities of adventure bikes are rarely needed for typical tours.

What alternative does the script suggest to adventure bikes for those looking for a motorcycle for touring?

The script suggests considering sport tour bikes or dual-sport motorcycles as alternatives, as they are lighter, cheaper, and easier to maintain.

What is the script's biggest concern about the marketing of adventure bikes?

The script's biggest concern is that the marketing of adventure bikes sells a dangerous and potentially life-threatening promise that the bikes can handle difficult off-road conditions easily, which is not true.

Outlines

00:00

🏍️ The Myth of Adventure Bikes

The paragraph discusses the misconception that a big, powerful adventure bike is necessary for off-road motorcycle trips. It challenges the idea that more horsepower and advanced electronics are beneficial for such adventures. The speaker argues that these high-powered bikes can be difficult to control off-road, leading to issues like wheel spin. They also point out that the extra electronics can make the bikes heavier and harder to repair, especially when traveling in foreign countries where parts may be difficult to source.

05:00

🚦 The Reality of Off-Road Riding

This paragraph delves into the impracticality of using large adventure bikes for actual off-road use. It highlights the excessive weight of these bikes, which makes them difficult to maneuver, especially in off-road situations. The speaker also discusses the challenges of lifting these heavy bikes when they fall and the impracticality of using them for single-track riding. The paragraph emphasizes that the high center of gravity and the need for specialized tires and crash bars make these bikes less suitable for the advertised off-road adventures.

10:01

🌍 The Limitations of Adventure Bikes for Touring

The speaker addresses the limitations of adventure bikes for touring, pointing out that off-roading and gravel road riding are often illegal or restricted in many countries. They also mention the social stress of encountering hikers who may not appreciate motorcycles in their environment. The paragraph discusses how the reality of touring rarely involves the need for off-road capabilities, and even if it does, most gravel roads can be managed by any bike. The speaker suggests that the marketing of adventure bikes sells a false sense of adventure and that a sport tourer might be a more practical choice for most riders.

15:04

💸 The Cost and Depreciation of Adventure Bikes

This paragraph focuses on the high cost of adventure bikes and the rapid depreciation they experience when used for their intended off-road purposes. The speaker explains that the harsh conditions of off-road use, including crashes and exposure to elements, can significantly reduce the value of these bikes in a short period. They also discuss the potential dangers of relying on the false promises of adventure bike marketing, which can lead to life-threatening situations. The paragraph concludes with a recommendation to consider dual-sport bikes as a more practical and cost-effective alternative for those seeking adventure.

🛣️ The Truth About Adventure Bikes

The final paragraph summarizes the speaker's main points: that the marketing of adventure bikes is misleading and that these bikes are not as suitable for real-world off-road adventures as they are portrayed. The speaker advises viewers to consider the actual use and value of such bikes, suggesting that a more practical and cost-effective option might be a used bike with off-road capabilities or a dual-sport bike. They emphasize the importance of making informed decisions about motorcycle purchases based on actual riding needs rather than marketing hype.

Keywords

💡Adventure Bike

An adventure bike is a type of motorcycle designed for long-distance travel and rough terrain. In the video, the term is used to critique the marketing of these bikes as being suitable for off-road adventures, despite their heavy weight and complex electronics which can make them difficult to handle in such conditions. The script points out that these bikes are often over-engineered for the average rider's needs.

💡Over-engineered

Over-engineered refers to a product that has more features or complexity than necessary for its intended use. In the context of the video, adventure bikes are described as over-engineered because they come with advanced electronics and a powerful engine that can be difficult to manage, especially when off-roading, which is not practical for their weight and design.

💡Off-road

Off-road refers to driving or riding on surfaces other than conventional paved roads. The video discusses the impracticality of using adventure bikes for off-road adventures due to their weight and the challenges of maneuvering them in rough terrain. It also mentions that many adventure bikes are not equipped with suitable tires for off-road use.

💡Electronics

Electronics in motorcycles refer to the various electronic systems that aid in the bike's operation, such as engine management, traction control, and rider aids. The video argues that the abundance of electronics on adventure bikes can make them more difficult to repair when they malfunction, which is a common concern during long trips in remote areas.

💡Ground Clearance

Ground clearance is the distance between the lowest point of the vehicle and the ground. The video suggests that adventure bikes have excessive ground clearance, which, while beneficial for off-roading, can make the bike less stable and harder to handle, especially when the center of gravity is high.

💡Center of Gravity

The center of gravity is the point at which an object can be balanced. In the context of the video, a lower center of gravity is preferable for motorcycles because it makes them more stable and easier to control, especially when off-roading or in situations where the bike might tip over.

💡Dual Sport

A dual sport motorcycle is a type of bike designed for both on-road and off-road use. The video suggests that dual sport bikes might be a better choice for adventure riders because they are lighter, more maneuverable, and often less expensive than adventure bikes, making them more suitable for actual off-road adventures.

💡Enduro Park

An Enduro Park is a facility designed for off-road motorcycle racing and practice. The video mentions Enduro Parks as places where riders can take their bikes off-road in a controlled environment, contrasting this with the impracticality of off-roading adventure bikes in the wild.

💡Tires

In the context of the video, tires are a critical component of a motorcycle's performance, especially off-road. The script criticizes the tires on adventure bikes as being unsuitable for off-road conditions, suggesting that riders would need to upgrade to more appropriate off-road tires for actual adventure riding.

💡Crash Bars

Crash bars are protective accessories for motorcycles that help prevent damage in the event of a fall. The video mentions the need for crash bars when considering off-road use of adventure bikes, as the risk of dropping the bike is high, and the potential for damage is significant.

💡Resale Value

Resale value refers to the amount for which a used item can be sold. The video discusses how the resale value of adventure bikes can plummet quickly due to the wear and tear from off-road use, including crashes and exposure to harsh conditions, which can significantly reduce the bike's worth.

Highlights

Adventure bikes are marketed as essential for off-road and gravel road exploration, but this may be an overstatement.

Middleweight adventure bikes start at around 70 horsepower, with larger models exceeding 100 horsepower, which may not be practical for off-road use.

The excessive power of these bikes can lead to wheel spin and difficulty in off-road maneuvers.

Manufacturers include electronic packages to manage the power of these bikes for safer riding.

The added electronics and powerful engines make adventure bikes heavy, which can complicate repairs and replacements abroad.

The complexity of adventure bikes can hinder their usability in foreign countries due to the difficulty of sourcing parts.

Many features of adventure bikes, like electronic lifting kits, may be unnecessary for the average rider.

The weight and high center of gravity of adventure bikes can make them difficult to handle and maneuver off-road.

A lower center of gravity and less ground clearance can be beneficial for off-road capability.

Adventure bikes are not typically designed for off-road use straight from the shop and may require additional modifications.

The reality of motorcycle touring often involves more road riding than off-road, making adventure bikes less practical for long tours.

Adventure bikes can be expensive, with some models costing up to €33,000, which may not be justifiable for their actual use.

The marketing of adventure bikes often sells a feeling of adventure rather than the practicality of the bike.

The high cost of service and potential for damage can devalue adventure bikes quickly.

Many adventure bikes become 'ride-offs' after difficult trips, indicating their durability may not match the marketing promises.

The marketing of adventure bikes can be dangerous, promising capabilities that the bikes may not deliver in harsh conditions.

Dual-sport bikes may be a better, safer, and more affordable option for those seeking adventure motorcycle travel.

The video concludes by advising viewers to consider their actual needs and not fall for the adventure bike marketing hype.

Transcripts

so you want to experience a big

motorcycle Adventure a trip to a foreign

country thousands of kilometers

exploring off the beaten path on gravel

roads and off-road and for that of

course you need a big adventure bike

with Cutting Edge technology and here is

why this is a profit orientated and

dangerous marketing lie and of that

welcome back to the free miles MC so

what does the term adventure bike

actually mean Adventure is if you look

at the average advertisement for a bike

like this seems to be defined by riding

off-road and on gravel roads and to do

that you apparently need a

top-of-the-line Engine with loads of

power and loads of electronics to help

your Explorer desires so how much of

this actually holds up with the reality

of a big motorcycle trip so first of all

let's talk about power if you look at a

bike like this um those middle weight

bikes start at around 70 horsepower and

the big ones have way over 100

horsepower this for me begs the question

what is all that power for if you would

actually take this bike off-road like

how do you want to get up a hill with

more than 100 horsepower with that heavy

of a bike I think this would just lead

to loads of wheel spin you would be a

lot better off with a motorcycle that

has less power and the companies that

produce these bikes are aware of that

that's why those bikes have huge

electronic packages to kind of dial this

power back to make it manageable for

your average Rider and to prevent them

from yeting thems off the road all those

added Electronics of course make the

bikes that are already quite heavy

because of their big engine even heavier

this kind of leads me to my next Point

many of those motorcycles are over

engineered because all those Electronics

can become quite hard to fix if they

break those components can be very great

when they work but when they don't work

they can actually stop your adventure

motorcycle trip thing this doesn't just

stop at the electronics also many of

these parts are quite hard to replace in

a foreign country even though something

like a Cardon of a BMW GS can have many

advantages just imagine trying to get

that thing replaced in the middle of

Africa I don't want to guess here but I

guess it takes quite a lot time for that

part to arrive from unique all the way

to where you are and I'm kind of picking

on the BMW GS here but this kind of goes

for all modern big adventure bikes also

often all these great features

sacrifice uh Simplicity that is well

needed on a trip like this just for

features that look really great on a

list picking again on the BMW GS the new

one uh who needs an electronic lifting

kit for the suspension to make it easier

to put the bike onto the center stand if

you're not physically fit enough to put

your motorcycle onto the center stand

you should really consider if it's a

good idea to tour and off-road that

motorcycle that nicely brings me to my

next Point let's talk about actual

off-road use I recently actually had a

midweight adventure bike on the channel

and I very quickly discovered those

bikes are way too heavy even turning

around on a normal Forest Road can

become quite the headache as it's just

too much weight to pull and to push

forward those motorcycles can basically

only be comfortably turned around with

the power of the engine and for a move

like that I personally missed the skill

to do that on a bike consistently where

if I drop it I have to pay for it so I

only can do that sometimes on my

personal motorcycle and it's not just

the weight of the bike itself it's also

how the weight is positioned uh for the

sake of quite High ground clearance the

weight is very up at the top of those

motorcycles and I have a little bit of a

controversial opinion on this in my

opinion a decently off-road capable bike

doesn't necessarily need huge ground

clearance so in my opinion you could go

with a very much lower center of gravity

because uh a motorcycle with less ground

clearance still has an incredible

approach angle and departure angle when

you look at the trails you realistically

going to be riding that are also open in

National Parks also because motorcycles

in general have a very short wheel base

the brake over angle is also quite good

of course with less ground clearance you

are going to have more issues on single

tracks and that's not going to work that

well but who seriously wants to take a

motorcycle with more than 200 kilos on a

single track and even if you want to do

that that's how that works on my Naked

Bike and I would say that looks all

right for the things that you are going

to do with a touring motorcycle on top

of that if the center of gravity would

be lower this bike would be way easier

to maneuver and to handle in difficult

situations for example uh if I on my

Naked Bike have off-road problems and

the bike starts to tip over I can still

catch that bike around the height of my

knee that's how far the bike can tip

over where I can still hold it um as you

see here if this would be a big

adventure bike this situation would have

been over already seconds before it came

that far as you're just not able to hold

a motorcycle with that high center of

gravity and when then a big adventure

bike lays on its side good luck lifting

that thing those bikes weigh quite a lot

of weight and you could lift this

motorcycle on your own on easy terrain

and with that I mean asphalt and you

could maybe lift it a few times but as

soon as you go off-road and have to lift

it repeatedly that's when stuff really

becomes difficult and in general there

is this technique how you can lift a

bike and many people say oh then it's so

easy and that then there's this trick

and then you can very easily lift a

motorcycle that's that this

technique is the only way you can lift a

motorcycle and believe me after two to

three times of doing that you're done

not thinking of a scenario like lifting

this motorcycle in the sand on an uphill

incline to make this whole off-road

matter worse those motorcycles don't

come ready for off-roading from the shop

which you would think the tires even if

they're something like uh par Scorpion

tires kind of suck for off-roading those

tires look quite knobbly but they cannot

handle sand and mud at all when testing

an V bike a few weeks back I already had

quite a big issue when turning around

and driving into a mud puddle so if you

actually want to take this motorcycle on

your big off-road Adventure you would

need at least better tires and crash

bars cuz the reality of off-road riding

is that you are going to fall so let's

ignore all the obvious off-road issues

and just imagine for a moment that this

bike can perform all these things that

the advertisement promises here how good

would the actual usability of a bike

like this would be so in your day-to-day

life you of course also want to then

explore a little bit your surrounding on

that bike uh those bikes are targeted

towards the American market and the

European market mostly I would say here

in Europe in many countries off-roading

is illegal also going on gravel roads in

many cases is illegal as those roads are

restricted to agriculture use and even

if you then find a road that you can go

on which they they do exist uh you then

will have to deal with hikers and for

some reason hiking just attracts the

wildest people that think they're Liam

niss as soon as they see a motorcycle or

even a mountain biker and that is a

level of stress that is just very

unpleasant and I think everyone who has

ever taken a bike to places like that

they can tell you about it it just

really sucks so you cannot even really

benefit from the bike where you live

unless you take it to a proper Enduro

Park so let's talk touring of course

then when you're on the Big T tour

you're going to do loads of gravel roads

and off-roading

right not that much the reality of Tours

looks quite a lot different you're

mostly going to be on roads actually cuz

you're going to tour first through all

the countries where often off-roading is

even forbidden and then even if you are

in a country where this country kind of

forces you to go on gravel roads because

it's the only option that's still very

rarely the case and even if you then

have to go on these gravel roads those

gravel roads can be done by basically

any other bike as well I do those

motorcycle touring videos on my YouTube

channel cuz I'm actually trying to build

a career out of this and I have to say I

did about 2% of gravel road and off-road

riding in the last year for this YouTube

channel and for me it would not be worth

getting an advv bike cuz a sport tour

would always be the more capable bike

for me as I am mostly on road due to the

nature of being on a big tour and if you

then go off-road it doesn't really often

serve a for purpose on that tour it's

just for a little bit of exploration and

kind of half forced adventure and it's

often not even all that fun after just

having stated that in many cases this

bike from a usability standpoint would

not make sense for adventure touring uh

let's talk about the price you're

actually going to pay for this so

Adventure bikes start roughly at €10,000

when you're talking about something like

a ten um and then of course you still

have to get all the bells and whistles

to actually Offroad the thing and one of

the bigger bikes something like a BMW GS

can cost you up to €

33,000 that is just insane and quite

honestly if you plan on doing an actual

big trip and experience an adventure on

your motorcycle please just spend that

money on a trip and if you look at the

content of the video until now I've been

mostly complaining about false promises

of the marketing here and the marketing

basically doesn't sell you a motorcycle

it sells you a feeling the feeling of

being an adventurer this is is

you're not going to be more of an

adventurer or less of an adventurer with

this bike so let's say you're still

getting one of these bikes for this

money and actually use them how they are

advertised this will lead to those bikes

dropping dramatically in value like a

stock market crash cuz just imagine just

imagine you go out buy a new BMW GS and

then actually take it toing how many

kilometers will you do in the span of 2

years that is for a motorcycle probably

an insane amount of kilometers and those

will not be the easy kind of kilometers

you do from home to your job those will

be off-roading then all the things that

come with off-roading uh where on all

the different bearings those things need

to be serviced so the cost of service

automatically through proper use becomes

quite High when going off-road you of

course have things like crashes and the

general wear and tear of doing that and

then of course you also have difficult

conditions like sand River Crossings

salt on the road in the winter all that

stuff I would say that you can turn a

top-of-the-line adventure bike kind of

worthless in the span of 2 years with

this just imagine all the things that

myaha XJ has been through on this

channel think about doing that to a new

GS and then trying to resell it at your

local BMW dealer also something that

many people forget many of those bikes

quickly become ride offs when you use

them like this when going to a country

that can be quite difficult to manage on

a motorcycle like Iceland and then on

the way back on the ferry uh basically

it becomes a middle-aged emotional

support club uh for people who just

total their bikes cuz uh after a trip

like this you see many bikes total on my

way back from Iceland I saw many Africa

twins with B frames and broken frames

BMW gs's that crashed in the Wind of

Iceland and then got pushed from the

wind over their own tank excapes with

broken engines and broken Transmissions

all that stuff many people that I have

met on my trip have spent on a big ADV

bike that was already used more than

€12,000 and then total their bikes and

honestly that does not sound like a good

experience and I think will rather than

giving you a great adventure make you

quite sad so please don't do that and

now we get to my biggest complaint

around advv bikes the marketing for advv

bikes sells a dangerous and potentially

life-threatening promise that just

straight up is not true if you look at

the commercials for these bikes these

commercials promise you that you can

somewhat decently maneuver those bikes

and those turns and in those conditions

with all the things I said until now it

should be quite obvious that that is

straight up not true on top of that many

places where those commercials are

filmed and also that are desired by the

motorcycle travel Community are quite

hostile to humans when from the

standpoint of how their nature there is

and this combined with potentially not

being able to lift the bike when it

falls potentially breaking your body

from the weight of the bike crashing on

top of you and you getting stuck with

this bike creates a very dangerous mix

it is not impossible to fail a river

crossing an Iceland and drown or then

freeze to death or shatter your leg in a

desert and then die of heat stroke and

thirst if you actually look at videos

where people take big adventure bikes to

something like a desert it often gives

me personally a quite uneasy feeling in

my stomach because uh you instantly

realize from your human senses that this

is just not a good idea so those false

promises can leave you in very

vulnerable situations I think this is

just a bit immoral because those

advertisements open up the possibility

of the customers that buy these

motorcycles and want to do these tours

potentially succumbing to Nature because

of the thing they think they can do with

that bike so all in all I think this is

quite a big difference between what you

expect from this motorcycle what is

Promised by the marketing and how it

actually looks also the wildest thing

about this in general is Adventure bikes

so per se exist there are bikes that you

can actually take on these Adventures as

a normal person and be a lot safer on

and have a way better time those bikes

are just straight up called dual Sports

and slowly they're being more marketed

as small Adventure bikes but due to them

not having all the top-of-the-line

engines and electronic bells and

whistles they are not as profitable as

something as a big adventure bike with

this hyper fixation of Adventurer having

to be off-road uh those bikes could

actually kind of back that up if you try

to go over the trans Europe Trail or

some other off-road Adventure those

bikes are light enough to be actually

maneuverable there without having some

crazy amount of skill of course still

some skill is needed but you get what

I'm saying it's a difference between 160

Kil and 200 something on top of that

those bikes are way cheaper or you can

get them with similar power to 70

horsepower something like the new gas

gas but then they're probably just as

pricey in the end and yeah um and also

many of the Japanese bikes and older

motorcycles are easier to fix they on

location and it's probably also easier

to get your hands on parts for those

bikes there so all in all what do I want

you to take away from this video I want

to make you aware of that this whole

adventure bike thing how it is presented

is uh this is not how this

actually works if you want to do stuff

like that rather spend money on doing

the trip yourself and we are way more

satisfied probably with a bike that is

basically less either with a used bike

that then has off-road capability that

is similarly bad but at least it doesn't

have that much electronics and the

center of gravity is lower or with an

actual dual

sport just don't fall for this whole

adventure bike touring exploring the

Wilderness stuff in general all this

contact between adventure and off-road

doesn't make all that much sense to me I

think if you are looking into an

adventure bike and want to get that bike

for the body position and for doing

those huge tours maybe you should look

into a sport tour one of those big BMW K

somethings they look a bit big and bulky

but I think they probably would make a

lot more people happy than Adventure

bikes that are being sold today when you

do your trips even with the crazy

expectations that often come with a trip

like this look after yourself I hope

that you likeed this video if you did

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see you next

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