I was just wondering ...... about the new big adventure bikes and going RTW?

[Mosel Bikes]

Does anyone know of any blogs/reports about any of the new/newish crop of superadventuretourer bikes that are/have actually been used fro RTW trips? I was watching that video on the Honda Crossdresser and the other tackle with it and it started to make me think ....... they could have done the same stuff after buying a Freewind (feel free to add any number of other bikes) for a grand and saved ten. Just made me think about suitability of these uber-adv-tourers for going a bit further than the Med for a promo video. How'd their electronic gizmos/engine warning systems/traction control/electronic suspension/et al cope with the demands of a full-on RTW trip? Thinking of bikes like the Multistrada/Superten/KTM1190thing/Explorer.
They may well be very capable, they certainly are magnificent bikes, don't know, which is why I'm interested to read about any that are being used for more than a package-deal-to-Benidorm!

[nug800]

It appears that all these gizmos on the latest adventure bikes are paramount to the adventure bike experience...they would not fit them otherwise, would they ?

As you so rightly say, it could all be done on a Suzuki Breakwind, or a C90 come to that.

Hi Tech is the way forward for all we buy these days but personally I will stick with my old school DR750's which do everything well other than motorway munching (like any single really). My adventure riding is all about exploring which luckily minimizes motorway miles.

Having enjoyed many trips to Europe with other old bikes like mine, I have yet to encounter a breakdown that we could not fix between us at the side of the road.

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[nug800]

Maybe owners of these new bikes could start a snagging thread for any issues they get with them so it creates a data base for potential travellers to be pre-warned of potential issues before any long trips.

[jonny955]

It depends what you mean by a RTW trip. You can circumnavigate the world on tarmac (just about) and use an R1 - and even that will cope with a little bit of mud, too :S .

If you are planning to go mainly off-tarmac, all the 1200s are simply too big and too heavy, especially when loaded with all the essentials like folding battubs, vanity mirrors and evening wardrobe. Not saying you can't do it on a 1200 but you'd make little progress if you had to pick up a fully loaded GSA every half mile.

Most of us aren't actually going around the world but the potential issues are bigger than the bike you ride (health, finance, ability, planning). Having said that, I like riding a bike that makes me LOOK like I could do a RTW trip :laugh: .

Jon

[Mosel Bikes]

It's just academic interest really - hence question about blogs/reports. I have no intention of going RTW by any route. I genuinely want to know if they're up to the job if pushed off main tarmac routes over a sustained period of time. Not knocking them, but maybe find it annoying that they are market-hyped as full-on 'muck-in-your-pants' must-haves.
In truth, I guess I'm similarly-minded to both of you. My most interesting 'adventures' have been on my cheapest, slowest and oldest bikes, my DR250 and DRZ400 (especially travelling to Scandinavia and riding all through Sweden and Norway to the AC), but I have a puckkad-up lovely XT660Z Tenere which if I'm honest, is simply because I love sitting looking at it and imagining going ATW! Indeed, if I could afford it, I'd have that KTM Rally Raid that's currently on Ebay for £12k or so, just to drrol over in the garage and to ride to the local car park in Bernkastel, have an ice cream and to watch people's reactions! Maybe there are more of us than most care to admit - more abr reader than rider?

[gebrauchtwagen83]

im following several large adventure bikes on rtw's. if you got to advrider and into the ride report section you should find loads

[gebrauchtwagen83]

here is one ive been reading

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=635305

[Mosel Bikes]

Thanks Dan. That's the kind of thing I'm after. That advrider is new to me - must have been living in a cave. I'll take a look, cheers.

[gebrauchtwagen83]

Thanks Dan. That's the kind of thing I'm after. That advrider is new to me - must have been living in a cave. I'll take a look, cheers.

ill warn you, its mega busy because its mainly an american site. difficult to keep up with the info

[corbine]

smaller bikes and quick access channel for you...
http://www.youtube.com/user/RideTheWorldTogether