Adventure Motorcycles Through the Eyes of a Sportbike Guy
Summary
TLDRThis video script explores the allure and practicality of adventure bikes, questioning their necessity beyond the appeal of a rugged lifestyle. The narrator, a sport bike enthusiast, delves into the culture of adventure biking, comparing it to the consumerism of SUVs. He argues that for most riders, specialized bikes like sport tourers or dual sports might be more suitable and cost-effective. The script challenges the notion that a fully equipped adventure bike is essential for all riders, suggesting that the trend is more about lifestyle than actual off-road capability.
Takeaways
- ποΈ Motorcycle manufacturers are promoting a rugged, adventurous lifestyle with adventure bikes, appealing to older riders looking for an escape from their mundane suburban life.
- π Adventure bikes are marketed as versatile, capable of handling highways, twisty roads, and off-road paths, though their true off-road capabilities are often exaggerated.
- π€ The speaker, a sport bike enthusiast, questions the practicality of adventure bikes, suggesting they might be overrated and a 'jack of all trades,' without excelling in any particular area.
- ποΈ The allure of adventure bikes is tied to the 'what if' factor, where owners buy into the dream of potential adventures, even if they rarely engage in such activities.
- π‘ Niche motorcycling is driven by emotional purchases, with manufacturers exploiting the desires of riders for specific types of bikes, similar to how SUVs became popular in the automotive world.
- π§ Adventure bike owners often invest heavily in accessories to make their bikes 'truly adventure capable,' which can be an unnecessary expense if the bike is not used for its intended purpose.
- π° The cost of outfitting an adventure bike can be high, and for many riders, a fully equipped bike may not be the right tool for the job they actually need it for.
- π£οΈ Sport touring bikes are presented as a more practical alternative for long-distance riding, offering comfort and luggage options without the rugged aesthetic of adventure bikes.
- π Adventure bikes have become the 'SUV of the motorcycling world,' often used for everyday tasks but marketed with the rugged appeal of being trail-oriented machines.
- ποΈ For those serious about off-road riding, dual sport motorcycles are suggested as a better option than adventure bikes, being lighter, more agile, and more suited for rough terrain.
- π‘ The middleweight adventure bike category offers a compromise for riders who want a balance between on-road and off-road capabilities, but they still represent a compromise in performance.
Q & A
What is the main idea of the video script discussing adventure motorcycles?
-The video script discusses the appeal and practicality of adventure motorcycles, suggesting that they are often marketed as a lifestyle choice rather than a tool for actual adventure riding.
Why do motorcycle manufacturers promote the rugged adventurous lifestyle associated with adventure bikes?
-Motorcycle manufacturers promote the rugged adventurous lifestyle to appeal to the desires of riders for a certain aesthetic and the 'what if' factor, which is the idea of being prepared for unexpected adventures.
What is the 'what if' factor mentioned in the script?
-The 'what if' factor refers to the idea of being ready for potential adventures, such as a transcontinental trip or tackling a rugged gravel road, which influences people's decision to purchase adventure bikes.
Why does the script suggest that adventure bikes might be overrated for some riders?
-The script suggests that adventure bikes might be overrated because they often come with a compromise in performance in various areas and may not be used for the adventures they are marketed for.
What is the comparison made between adventure bikes and SUVs in the script?
-The script compares adventure bikes to SUVs by stating that both are marketed for their rugged appeal but are often used for everyday, pedestrian tasks rather than actual off-road or adventure activities.
What are the additional costs associated with adventure bikes that the script mentions?
-The script mentions that adventure bikes often require additional costs for accessories such as hard luggage, comfort seats, crash protection, and rally lights to make them truly adventure-capable.
Why does the script argue that sport touring bikes might be a better option for long-distance riding than adventure bikes?
-Sport touring bikes are considered a better option for long-distance riding because they offer comfortable ergonomics, luggage options, and are designed for long-distance travel without the compromises found in adventure bikes.
What is the main advantage of dual sport motorcycles for off-road riding mentioned in the script?
-The script suggests that dual sport motorcycles are lighter and more agile than adventure bikes, making them more fun, simple, and friendly to ride off-road.
What is the 'middleweight adventure' category mentioned in the script, and why might it be a good choice for some riders?
-The 'middleweight adventure' category refers to adventure bikes that are lighter and more agile than full-size adventure bikes. They might be a good choice for riders who want a balance between on-road performance and light off-road capabilities.
Why does the script suggest that adventure bikes are more of a lifestyle choice than a practical tool for most riders?
-The script suggests that adventure bikes are a lifestyle choice because they sell the idea of adventurous riding rather than the actual ability or necessity to do so, often appealing to riders who want a motorcycle that can do a little bit of everything.
What is the final recommendation made in the script regarding the purchase of adventure bikes?
-The final recommendation is that riders should be realistic about their goals and needs, suggesting that owning a dual sport for off-road riding and a sport touring bike for long-distance travel might be a more practical and cost-effective choice than a single adventure bike.
Outlines
ποΈ The Appeal of Adventure Bikes
The script discusses the allure of adventure bikes for many riders seeking an escape from mundane suburban life. It highlights how motorcycle manufacturers promote a rugged, adventurous lifestyle through various media, suggesting that these bikes are versatile for both highway and off-road use. The narrator, a sport bike enthusiast and part-time scrambler owner, questions the practicality of adventure bikes for the average rider, implying that they might be overrated and more of a lifestyle choice than a necessity. The script also touches on the emotional aspect of motorcycle purchases and how manufacturers exploit the 'what if' factor in buyers, encouraging them to invest in bikes and accessories for potential adventures that may never happen.
𧳠The Reality of Adventure Bike Usage
This paragraph delves into the consumerist culture surrounding adventure bikes, pointing out that many riders buy into the idea of needing extensive modifications and accessories to truly utilize their bikes for adventure. The narrator contrasts this with the idea that a simple, stock motorcycle can be just as capable for most adventure scenarios. The paragraph also addresses the misconception that a fully equipped adventure bike is necessary for real adventure, suggesting that this is more about image and less about practicality. It compares the trend to the popularity of SUVs, which are often used for everyday driving rather than their intended off-road capabilities.
π£οΈ Sport Touring Bikes vs. Adventure Bikes
The script compares sport touring bikes with adventure bikes, arguing that the former may be a more practical and cost-effective choice for long-distance travel and everyday use. It emphasizes the comfort, luggage capacity, and ergonomics of sport touring bikes, while noting that adventure bikes often lack the cool factor and aesthetic appeal that many riders desire. The narrator also discusses the performance and cost benefits of sport touring bikes, suggesting that they offer a better ride experience for the majority of time spent on the road. Additionally, the paragraph touches on the availability and affordability of sport touring bikes in the used market.
π² Off-Road Riding and the Dual Sport Option
The final paragraph focuses on the off-road riding aspect, suggesting that adventure bikes may not be the best choice for those serious about off-roading. It argues that dual sport motorcycles are more suitable for such activities, being lighter and easier to handle off-road. The script also addresses the challenges of riding large adventure bikes off-road and the specialized training that may be required. It concludes by discussing the middleweight adventure bike category as a compromise for those seeking a balance between on-road and off-road capabilities, but ultimately suggests that a dual sport and a touring bike may be a more practical solution for riders with specific needs.
π₯ Conclusion and Engagement Invitation
In the concluding part of the script, the narrator reflects on the adventure bike phenomenon as a lifestyle choice rather than a practical necessity, likening it to the appeal of SUVs for suburban drivers. The narrator, despite being a sport bike enthusiast, admits a personal desire for an adventure bike as a new dad. The script ends with an invitation for viewers to share their thoughts on adventure bikes in the comments section and a reminder about an ongoing giveaway, encouraging viewers to participate and join the community for more content.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Adventure Bikes
π‘Rugged Adventurous Lifestyle
π‘Sport Bikes
π‘Spec Sheets
π‘Harley Riders
π‘ADV Riders
π‘What If Factor
π‘Sport Touring Machines
π‘Dual Sport Motorcycles
π‘Consumerism
π‘Middleweight Adventure Bikes
Highlights
The appeal of adventure motorcycles as an antidote to mundane suburban life, particularly for older males.
The promotion of a rugged, adventurous lifestyle by motorcycle manufacturers through various media.
The versatility of adventure bikes for highway miles, twisty roads, and off-road paths.
The overrated nature of adventure bikes as 'jack of all trades' with potential compromises.
The emotional purchase aspect of motorcycles and how they appeal to specific rider sensibilities.
The 'what if' factor influencing the purchase of ADV bikes for potential, yet infrequent, needs.
Manufacturers exploiting the allure of adventure bikes similar to how they package sport bikes for racing.
The comparison of ADV bikes to SUVs, serving more as lifestyle choices than practical tools.
The high cost and extensive modifications often associated with making ADV bikes truly adventure-capable.
The argument that for most people, a fully equipped adventure bike may not be the right tool for the job.
The sport touring category as an optimal solution for long-distance riding with comfort and luggage options.
The aesthetic appeal of adventure bikes over the practicality of sport touring bikes.
The dynamic riding experience and practicality of 17-inch wheels on sport touring bikes.
The cross-selling of sport touring and adventure bikes by manufacturers on the same platform.
The suitability of dual sport motorcycles for serious off-road riding compared to adventure bikes.
The argument for the middleweight adventure bike category as a compromise for 50/50 on-road and off-road riding.
The suggestion to own a dual sport and a touring bike for specific use cases instead of a single adventure bike.
The lifestyle choice aspect of adventure riding versus the actual skills and bike capabilities required.
The humorous self-reflection of the speaker as a new dad with an interest in ADV bikes despite the analysis.
Transcripts
for many people the idea of going off on
a rugged beautiful motorcycle Adventure
is the antidote to their pedestrian
Suburban existence older males I'm
looking directly at you this seems to be
the lifestyle that motorcycle
manufacturers are most comfortable
pushing onto Riders nowadays you'll see
travel documentaries YouTube series and
all sorts of content promoting this
rugged adventurous lifestyle these bikes
are just as home crushing highway miles
as they are on the twisty roads or on
the the beaten path but are 0v bikes
really all they're cracked up to be if
you've never ridden one are they just
jack of all trades kind of compromising
in every field or the popularity of
these bikes really Justified as a sport
bike guy I kind of think they're a
little bit overrated but in full
disclosure I own a Scrambler which is
kind of a bad adventure bike anyways
you've seen the memes we've made the
jokes let's dive into the culture of
Adventure bikes on today's video and
dispel some myths and talk about these
machines from the perspective of a died
in the wool sport bike guy and part-time
Scrambler let's start with a big picture
here every motorcycle is designed to
appeal to some Rider specific
sensibilities Tendencies or desire for
specific flavor motorcycling is very
Niche nowadays you can find very
specific bikes to do very specific
things and that's okay because
motorcycles are emotional purchases and
people really want them to do specific
things and to appeal to their sense
abilities but don't get tooo lost in the
spec sheets sport bre Riders are want to
continuously buy 200 plus horsepower
machines that they'll never take on
track or experience what they can truly
do Harley Riders will keep buying
Cruisers just to get that sweet HD badge
even though their bikes are a little
underpowered and a little overpriced and
despite all the jokes and memes Harley
guys will keep being Harley guys at the
end of the day and advv Riders are no
different they know that their bike is
probably not going to see as much dirt
as they would like they're probably not
going to do Coast to Coast Adventures
every other month but they like to buy
into the dream they're attracted the
idea and the aesthetic of the what if
factor and that what if factor is the
idea of oh what if I have the
opportunity to do some massive
transcontinental trip what if I need to
tackle a rugged Gravel Road on my
commute What if I really need the long
travel suspension that my bike has this
type of thinking is what leads people to
purchase ADV bikes and they're willing
to pay the pre for the entire time they
own the bike even if they only use it
for those specific things a handful of
times manufacturers are very quick to
exploit this Allure just like they do
with sport bikes sport bikes are
packaged and sold in a way that adheres
them to homologated rules for racing
that means manufacturers build these
bikes so that they go and take them out
on track and go win races and they know
full well that the average Kyle is not
going to appreciate the suspension
components Top Line braking and true
Peak horsepower that these motorcycles
have vast majority of sport bike guys
are going to do 60 to 160 PS in the
highways with their buddies you can say
that every motorcyclist is cosplaying to
some degree but you could argue that
making the entry into true adventure
riding which Gatekeepers let me know
down in the comments below what a true
adventure is is actually more difficult
than a sport bike using it to some
degree going to a twisty Canyon Road or
a track day I mean some Riders don't
even live a 100 miles of a Forest Road
or a gravel road they can actually take
their adventure bike on here in Texas
for example the vast majority of land is
completely private meaning that you
can't even access it with an adventure
bike I don't even know why anybody would
own an adventure bike in Texas Adventure
bikes really have become the SUV of the
motorcycling world and what do I mean by
that what I mean is that 99% of them are
going to do relatively pedestrian
everyday tasks but they have a rugged
Allure of a trail oriented machine I
mean an SUV nowadays is a sport utility
vehicle but they're just cosplaying as
rail machines SUVs eclipsed minivans and
station wagons as a deao family vehicle
and now smaller SUVs called crossovers
have eclipsed even sedan so now pretty
much everybody drives an SUV and I'm
seeing this trend in the motorcycling
world as well because Adventure bikes
are so similar to SUVs in the sense that
you're going to have to dish out quite a
bit of money to actually do real
Adventure things with them in terms of
the accessories you're going to need to
put on this motorcycle and look
motorcyclists love modifying their bikes
there's no doubt about that but advv
guys really like modifying their
motorcycles I'm talking about going
balls to the wall to the parts catalog
and dragging your bike through it and
look anybody can go buy a bone stock ADV
bike and take it around town or some
like gravel roads and have some fun with
it but real Adventure motorcyclists on
YouTube know that the only way to have a
real Adventure is to outfit your bike in
serious Parts we're talking hard painer
luggage we're talking Comfort Seats
we're talking exhaust crash protection
frame sliders rally lights all sorts of
features on these bikes to make it truly
Adventure capable never mind the fact
that you can take a bone stock 400cc
single cylinder little beater bike and
do whatever Adventure you want with it
with a backpack on your back no no no to
have a real Adventure you need the
accessories many adventure bike riders
buy into this consumerism they start
advocating for the consumption communi
saying that you need this farle or that
farle to go and have a real Adventure
but you have this fully kitted out bike
that you don't do a whole lot with it's
kind of like those guys with the crazy
lifted jeeps and the skid plates and the
ladders on the side and the camping gear
I'm sure some of them have really rugged
crazy Adventures but the vast majority
of them have the moniker of M crawler
for a reason now look everyone's free to
modify or equip their motorcycle as much
or as little as they want I'm not here
to tell you how to live your life all
I'm saying is that you could probably
save yourself a couple of bucks if you
were more realistic with your expect
ation and your need of equipment because
I hate to break it to you and this is
the through line of this video for the
vast majority of people a fully equipped
adventure bike isn't even the right tool
for the job let me explain what I mean
by talking about the humble sport
touring machine some might have
forgotten that this is a purposeful
category in motorcycling and not just a
long forgotten about Tire category sport
tour bikes really are the optimal
solution for what people are actually
doing with their Adventure bikes they
have comfortable ergonomics have lots
luggage options and are usually catered
towards people trying to do
long-distance riding most famously I
recently did a review of the Yamaha
Tracer 9 GT a sport touring machine that
in my opinion had me feeling wanting
nothing else if you were going to do a
long transcontinental trip the issue is
Sport Turing bikes just aren't as cool
as Adventure bikes they don't fit the
rugged cool aesthetic that a lot of
people are looking for and they
certainly don't have the what if Factor
what if you encounter a water crossing
on your transcontinental Journey what if
you find yourself in the middle of South
America and only a 21-in front end is
going to be able to roll over certain
rocks and obstacles in your path sport
terrain bikes are far superior to
Adventure bikes for everyday riding
consider the fact that they have 17-in
wheels front and rear making those tires
way cheaper and also they're tubeless on
cast Wheels if you've ever messed around
with a tubed tire on a longdistance ride
if you catch a flat it's going to be bad
on top of that too the fact that they
don't have super long travel suspension
means that you get a better feel at the
front end when you're actually riding on
road what has three cylinders an oland's
rear shock and enough torque to rotate
the Earth beneath you why it's the M9 SP
giveaway bike on yamy no. of course we
finally have one of these as a giveaway
and you're not going to want to miss it
head over to the website and get 10x
entries for every dollar you spend we've
got hats t-shirts keychains but best of
all I recommend becoming a member to
join our community and get automatic
entries to win you can stack them up and
apply them to giveaways and they never
expire we have some amazing bikes coming
up that you're not going to want to miss
3-day giveaways topshelf leader bikes
and much more to round out this year so
head over to yam and.co and get 10x
entries to win the M9 SP giveaway on top
of that too 17-in Wheels front and rear
make the motorcycle dynamically much
more fun to ride cuz it tips in faster
and doesn't have that kind of lumbering
feel that a 21-in wheel would have now a
lot of motorcycle manufacturers have
made Adventure bikes that are very quick
and Nimble you know the tarex 660
handles very well but it still pales in
comparison to a proper sport touring
motorcycle and manufacturers have kind
of figured this out and they kind of
cross sell both of these bikes on the
same platform Triumph's tiger GT is the
sport touring version of the tiger rally
Pro you have the Ducati multi strata v4s
as well sold alongside the desert X
which is really their adventure bike
offering the versus as well it doesn't
have a adventure bike counterpart but
you could argue that the KLR 650 is
their Adventure motorcycle but all these
bikes have 17-in wheels and are much
more sport oriented and way nicer to
ride down the road which is what you're
going to be doing 98% of the time with
this machine the other thing to consider
too is that sport Turing bikes are
almost always cheaper than adventure
bike models new for new and if you're
looking at the used Market sport Turing
bikes are a diamond dozen and nobody
really wants them so you can pick them
up for way cheaper but I already hear
you yam I actually want to ride offro
well let me talk about the humble dual
sport then if you're actually serious
about riding off-road an adventure bike
is a handful and I don't care what
people say online about it's just an
issue in skill or you just need to learn
how to ride it is more fun and more
simple and more friendly to ride a 280
lb dual sport motorcycle than a 540 lb
Behemoth of a BMW adventure bike Offroad
there are advv specific schools and
train the people go through because it
is so challenging to ride these big
bikes Offroad and God forbid you ride by
yourself good luck picking up an 8v bike
at a weird angle off-road you're not
going to be able to do it the average
aging father really can't buy a BMW GS
add $4,000 in accessories and expect to
go tackle a bdr if off-road riding
really is your preferred mode of riding
and you really want to lean into that
the Dual Sport is going to carry you so
much further and better than an
adventure bike would and speaking of
price a dual sport motorcycle is buying
far away better than an advv in terms of
initial purchase price maintenance and
reliability yeah those uh KTM cams on
the 790 and 890 platforms aren't looking
too good are they so really The Sweet
Spot that most people have found is the
middleweight Adventure category bikes
like the tenor 700 tox 660 or BMWs f900
GS platforms they're bikes that are a
little bit over 400 lb they're not quite
as unwieldy as the gigantic Adventure
bikes that people try to sell you but
they have a little bit more on-road
prowess than a dual sport meaning that
if you really want to do proper 50/50
riding and assuming you're not going to
tackle crazy single tracks and stuff
like that a middleweight adventure bike
might be the right pick but again keep
in mind that a middleweight adventure
bike is a motorcycle that by definition
is compromised in nearly every single
vertical of motorcycle riding it's not
going to be that good at anything really
a 10 700 is a great bike and it's a lot
of fun but it's not particularly fast
it's not particular willing in Corners
it's not particularly great Offroad and
it's just not that particularly
interesting to ride it's not very good
at anything which means it's good at a
little bit of everything advv bikes
really are the modern form of the 1960s
scramblers they're designed to do a
little bit of everything a little bit of
touring a little bit of off-road riding
a little bit of twisty Road stuff and
for that reason they make a lot of sense
but big adventure bikes really have just
become another cash grab for motorcycle
manufacturers to try to capture the
dentist and lawyer monies that used to
go to Harley Davidson for many older
Riders an ADV is just a flagship fun
cool toy rather than a practical useful
tool for the application that they're
designed for so look from my perspective
as a guy who likes more specialized
machines even though I do own a
Scrambler I have to admit Adventure
bikes are cool they're powerful they got
Cool Tech they got all the latest
features and I can see that the
motorcycle manufacturers are investing
tons of time and effort into this
category meaning that new innovation is
cropping up all the time but for the
average person if you're realistic about
your goals and what you're trying to do
with motorcycling there's better options
in my opinion rather than buying a
single middleweight adventure bike you
should get a cheap dual sport and a
cheap Touring bike that way you can do
one or the other when you really want to
if you really have a specific use case
where you need to somehow do super long
distance on your motorcycle and get to
the trail when you're there then the
middleweight advv bike does make some
sense but I've always felt that loading
a bike up onto a truck and just slabbing
comfortably for miles and then getting
to your fun location Ty tyly makes more
sense Adventure bikes sell the idea of
adventurous riding to you not
necessarily the ability the skills or
the bike to do said adventurous riding I
promise you if you buy a dual sport and
you commit yourself to just ride down
the road and kind of suffer a little bit
when you get to the trail you were going
to have so much more fun than all of
your buddies on adventure bikes and
you're probably going to be way further
up the trail waiting for them to get up
the hill because they can't get up the
hill and then you got to put your bike
on a side standand and push them up the
hill with with their 550 lb bike from my
perspective as a sport bike guy buying a
top-of-the-line adventure bike and
expecting to be able to do the stuff
that Chris Burch does is really no
different than buying a brand new Honda
Fireblade and expecting to be Mark
Marquez it simply doesn't work that way
and the industry really is no different
than the guys who buy those Top Line
leader bikes outfit the bunch of faral
and then go out and roll race them
you're using a small iota of what the
motorcycle is capable of in my opinion
the adventure riding fat is really more
of a life style choice for motorcyclists
rather than a real deal thing it's a
niche style of riding that's become
incredibly popular because a lot of
people just want one motorcycle that can
do a little bit of everything but we
need to be realistic about what these
bikes are for and I really think that
you're better off just getting a sport
touring bike and a dual sport motorcycle
at the end of the day advv bikes really
are just two- wheeled SUVs for dads who
are a little bit bored and
truthfully as a newly minted dad I kind
of want an ADV bike what do you guys
think about ad bikes do you think that
they're a fad do you own one let me know
in the comments down below I'd love to
hear from you guys thanks so much for
checking out today's video I truly do
appreciate it I'll catch you guys in the
next one see you later unfortunately for
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