I have been riding my Yamaha WR250R for about 15 years, and although it’s a great bike, I think it’s about time for an upgrade. It’s OK on the highway but not exactly the most comfortable, and runs out of power going uphill or trying to pass. Also it’s quite tall and I’ve dumped in a few times by putting my foot down in a low spot.
Here’s my wish list in a replacement ADV bike:
- More power (it would be difficult to find something with less)
- Seat height lower than 36 inches (It would be difficult to find something with more)
- Something that makes power in the low and mid range, rather than needing to be wound up
- At least a decent suspension for lots of gravel forestry roads
- 18/21 inch wheels
I’m not too concerned with weight, I can easily lift any of the bikes in this size range. A couple bikes that caught my eye were the Tenere 700, Taureg 660 and F900GS, but I am open to other suggestions. I’m sort of out of the loop with modern bikes so would appreciate any input anyone cares to share
This is funny, because the WR250R is my dream bike. If only they didn’t all cost $5k on the used market. Atm I’m making due with my XT225. Def understand the desire for a shorter bike with more power if you do a lot of highway riding, though
It’s actually a fantastic bike. I’m about 225lbs, plus camping gear with quite a bit of pavement between me and the mountains. On the big climbs it’s just short on power, but otherwise outstanding, i’d say it’s worth the 5K if you can swing it
Modern bikes are for chumps. Consider one of the “big three” dual sports, the DR650, XR650L, or KLR650. Among those three the KLR is the most adventure-y, especially in its 3rd gen incarnation. I have a 2nd gen KLR and use it as the caveman’s adventure bike.
I personally don’t see the appeal of bringing a complicated high-strung bike that’s stuffed full of electronics on long distance trips where off road riding is on the menu and failure is not an option. I met a guy on the MABDR once who took a dip in a river with his Tenere and getting it wet somehow caused the electronics to wedge themselves into such a state that his bike wouldn’t start. By the time I met him he’d been camped there for two days with a dead bike after trying anything and everything to get it to run. I forded the exact same river with my KLR to a depth that came up over my boots, and after concluding that there probably wasn’t anything I could do to help him that he hadn’t already tried (plus he said he had a friend coming with a truck to pick him up), I rode away on my KLR with no troubles other than wet socks.
The ole faithful thumpers! I’m pretty familiar with them I’ve ridden all three, I especially love the BRP. You make a good point about modern electronics, I would be insanely pissed to be stranded by a puddle hah. And also not really enthusiastic about dealing with annoying menu systems
I’d go with the most recent KLR, like the other dude said. Still carbed.
The XRL is not the BRP, btw
Ah my buddy has a plated XR, just mentally lumped it in with the XRL
The XR line has been fully road-legal for quite a few years now, since 2007 I think. Kinda jealous, honestly… I’m in the middle of rebuilding a 1980 XR500 (still has the 23" wheel, too) that was never titled, let alone even equipped with a brake light 😅
Yeah, that’s common and it doesn’t really matter, tbh.
Have you seen the recent Ibex review by the Fort 9 channel? Seems you should give it a try if you can.
This looks insanely good
The real question is if there are any good reasons to not buy a T7.
The only reasonable course is if you legitimately want a bomb-proof bike for the apocalypse. Then you could get an XR or DR (KLR is ruled out because you want more power than your WR lmao). But, the T7 will be way more comfortable, capable, and faster than these pigs.
There’s the new Honda Transalp but i don’t know anything about it.
I guess “mid-size” needs a bit of definition.
I’ve got a Triumph Tiger 800, and love it. Decided against the 1200 because I didn’t really need that much more displacement. I went with the alloy rims, and that meant tires that aren’t meant for the
The vStrom 650 or 800 are both great bikes. By all accounts the 800 hits a sweet spot, except that it’s not actually a “V”.
