The Six WORST Adventure Motorcycles for Beginners

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their personal recommendations for adventure bikes, specifically focusing on the six bikes they believe new riders should avoid. These include the Yamaha Super Ténéré 1200, KTM 1290 Super Adventure, BMW 1200/1250/1300 GS, Suzuki V-Strom 1000, Triumph Tiger 800 XC, and Yamaha Tenere 700. The speaker highlights issues such as excessive weight, height, power, and lack of rider aids that make these bikes unsuitable for beginners. Instead, the speaker suggests opting for smaller, more manageable dual-sport bikes to build skills and confidence before advancing to larger models.

Takeaways

• 😀 New riders should avoid adventure bikes that are too heavy, powerful, or complex to handle, as they hinder skill development.
• 😀 The Yamaha Super Tenere 1200 is too heavy (584 lbs) and underpowered (112 horsepower), making it a poor choice for beginners.
• 😀 The KTM 1290 Super Adventure is too fast (160 horsepower), tall (35-inch seat height), and heavy (550 lbs) for new riders to handle effectively.
• 😀 BMW 1200/1250/1300 GS bikes are too heavy (522 lbs) and expensive (up to $27,000), making them difficult to manage for beginners.
• 😀 The Suzuki V-Strom 1000 is not a good option due to its limited off-road capability (only 62 inches of ground clearance) and less reliability compared to the 650 model.
• 😀 Triumph Tiger 800 XC has reliability issues and is often undervalued in the market, making it a questionable choice for a new rider.
• 😀 Yamaha Tenere 700 has a tall seat height (34.5 inches), is top-heavy, and lacks rider aids, making it difficult to control for beginners.
• 😀 For new adventure riders, it's recommended to start with lighter, smaller dual-sport bikes to build skills and confidence before moving up to larger adventure bikes.
• 😀 Larger adventure bikes over 800cc are generally not suitable for beginners due to their weight, power, and handling complexity.
• 😀 Rider aids like traction control and ABS can be very beneficial for new riders, helping them manage power delivery and improving safety in challenging conditions.

Q & A

Why does the speaker recommend avoiding the Yamaha Super Tenere 1200 for new adventure riders?

The Yamaha Super Tenere 1200 is considered too heavy for new riders, weighing 584 lbs, and underpowered with only 112 horsepower. This combination makes it difficult for beginners to handle, especially when learning off-road skills.

What are the main concerns with the KTM 1290 Super Adventure for beginner riders?

The KTM 1290 Super Adventure is very fast (160 horsepower) and tall (35-inch seat height), making it challenging for new riders to control. It also weighs 550 lbs and is quite expensive at $21,000, making it unsuitable for beginners.

Why is the BMW 1300 GS considered a poor choice for beginner adventure riders?

The BMW 1300 GS is heavy at 522 lbs, making it difficult to pick up after a fall, which is common when learning off-road skills. It's also expensive, and the risk of damaging such an expensive bike can be discouraging for beginners.

What issues does the Suzuki V-Strom 1000 present for new riders?

The Suzuki V-Strom 1000 is not highly regarded for off-road riding, with only 62 inches of ground clearance and a weight of 520 lbs. It's also considered less reliable than the 650 model, and may not be the best choice for new riders seeking a capable off-road bike.

What general advice does the speaker give regarding bike engine size for beginners?

The speaker advises against starting with bikes larger than 800cc for true beginner adventure riders. Larger bikes, like the Tiger 1200 or BMW 900, can be overwhelming in terms of power, weight, and handling for someone new to off-road riding.

Why is the Triumph Tiger 800 XC considered a bad choice for new riders?

The Triumph Tiger 800 XC is known for being unreliable, with many owners getting rid of it after owning it for a short period. Though it's relatively light at 473 lbs, its performance and reliability issues make it a poor choice for beginners.

Why does the speaker suggest avoiding the Yamaha Tenere 700 for new riders?

Although the Yamaha Tenere 700 is a capable and fun bike for intermediate riders, its tall seat height (34.5 inches) and top-heavy design make it difficult for new riders to handle. Additionally, it lacks rider aids like traction control, making it harder for beginners to manage in tricky conditions.

What does the speaker mean when they mention 'rider aids'?

Rider aids refer to electronic features like traction control, wheelie control, and ABS that help new riders manage challenging riding conditions. These aids are particularly helpful for beginners, as they provide safety features that can prevent accidents or loss of control.

What does the speaker mean by 'top-heavy' when discussing the Tenere 700?

A 'top-heavy' bike is one where the weight is concentrated higher up, making it harder for a rider to balance, especially when stopped or at low speeds. The Yamaha Tenere 700's high fuel tank and engine design contribute to this issue, making it more difficult for new riders to manage.

What type of bike does the speaker recommend for new adventure riders?

The speaker recommends starting with a smaller dual-sport bike that is lighter, has lower seat height, and is easier to handle off-road. These bikes allow new riders to build skills and confidence before moving up to more advanced adventure bikes.