'Adventure' bikes .....

[Ash-69]

Anyone ride an adventure bike solely for road tours ?

After 7 years with the current steed, I'm considering changing the Fazer for an Africa Twin and wondered if anyone else has dropped the horsepower and missed it, or whether the adventure bikes are just fun in a different way

Thinking of a change for comfort (the FZ1 seat aint the best), tank range (150 miles max between fill-ups a bit limiting), gravel roads and just cos I've never had one.

I'm eying up a year old manual (not DCT) Africa Twin Adventure Sport with panniers, but getting a test ride might be complicated by the current covid tier 3/lockdown bollocks

Cheers for any 'helpful ' input
Ian
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FZ1-S Fazer (licence killer😢) , CRF1000L - Adventure Sport

[A100man]

[doggone]

The Africa Twin won't disappoint on power, it's still a big change more in riding position and sheer weight and bulk up higher which feels very weird at first.
Through winter I mainly ride a 250 in same style and when I get back on main road bike the geometry is so different the first few corners need to be approached with care.

[LustyLew]

I covet the Africa Twin... But the reality is for 99% road riding, it's too much.
I don't fancy the hassle for changing an innertube for a road based trip.

Probably much better alternatives out there, but I've not ridden litre+ bikes so cant really comment.

[c_dug]

Not an AT, but I had an R1200GS for a bit over a year, mostly used it for commuting but also a good chunk of touring - The biggest trip was when I rode it from London to Scourie (North Scotland) via the Lake District, and back.

Very competent on the road, not half as heavy as it looked.

Even on Pilot Road 5 tyres, the 19" front wheel and the ability to stand up comfortably made it relatively confidence inspiring to ride off road - I'd imagine they're very very good with tyres intended for gravel/mud.

The beemer sort of ran out of poke a bit for fast road touring when fully loaded, I didn't notice it much until I went riding with my dad on his K1300GT and he was passing cars, caravans, and coaches with miles more ease than me. There were times when he'd have passed a coach and have to wait on the other side for a good few miles before I found somewhere safe to follow him through.

In the end the overall size sort of ruined it for me, my current Shiver 750 is about the polar opposite, it's almost certainly slower in a straight line too, but the overall size it just that bit more manageable for the commute.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[yen_powell]

I first switched to an adventure style bike in 1995. I went from a GPz750 and FJ1200 to a 750 Africa Twin. I thought I would miss the power but it was okay actually, from the very first overtake on the way home from the midlands back to London, which went very well and the ability to see further ahead due to the higher seating position was a big plus.

Since then I have only once switched back to a normal road bike style. In 1999 I had another FJ12 for about a year. It was a mistake. Much like working for the council ruins you for a real job, once you get comfort and leg room you can never go back. I went back to Africa Twins (2 more) after that FJ, then a Varadero 1000, a Versys 1000 and now I have a Super Tenere 1200.
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XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[Ash-69]

Cheers for the input chaps.

The Fazer is great on fast open roads and overtaking is just too bloody easy (sorry North Yorks police ), but with this years lockdown I've been exploring more routes with mountain passes and narrow country lanes, and packing the bike with camping gear, which it doesn't really excel at.

The Africa Twin should be better for the crappier surfaces and hauling the weekend accomodation, it's significantly cheaper than equivalent age GS's, offers Honda reliability and this one comes with Givi luggage and a few usefull extras.

Around here, all the interesting 'biker roads' are being neutered by average speed cameras, so I don't mind losing a bit of top end zip as long as there's still enough get up and go to cope with the inevitable motorway transit.
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FZ1-S Fazer (licence killer😢) , CRF1000L - Adventure Sport

[ThunderGuts]

There are halfway houses; my VFR800X Crossrunner is effectively a road-adventure bike (!). It gives a good seating position and weather protection, I think longer suspension travel than the VFR800F but still retains road-focussed handling and performance. I certainly wouldn't attempt anything other than a hard-packed surface on it - it's no off-road machine.

I did look at the AT but it was a bit too tall for me, just didn't feel comfortable (although like anything you're bound to get used to it).
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TG.

[Polarbear]

I had a Tiger 955i and a Tiger Explorer 1200. The most dirt either of them saw was the grass on a BCF BBQ!!

I loved both of them for touring. Immensely comfortable and smooth. A triple is much better than a twin for touring in my view.

The 1200 was shaft drive as well.

Saying all that, I'd rather have a Goldwing for touring, it has a radio.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Copycat73]

well i did test ride one Africa Twin .. around Alston & nenthead we were took on a variety of roads and some tracks .... did not buy because
1.too big for any type of off roading..
2.underpowered for road riding
3. far too much plastic to break
4. HOW MUCH !!!!
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caveat emptor

[Weisse Schlange]

For years and years.
Started with an Aprillia Touareg then big KTM's and a Yamaha Xtz660
then had two R1200gs Adventures.

Loved every bit of them and for road touring they are perfect.
2 up round Europe a number of times on the beemers and nothing does it better.
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Hing Oan

[hellkat]

Super Tenere 750.
Great bike, loved it.
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[Kentol750]

Had a few. R1200gs, f800gs, tiger 800xcx and now have a 790 adventure. Always wanted the perfect mix...had a few big singles too, husky 701 enduro was the closest. I think the 790 at 9ish grand now is the best around (unless you can get an 800xrx for under 10k new). I'd rather herpes than an Africa twin, I tried it and it broke my heart... The 750 was amazing, the new one was just not as good as an 800gs or tiger 800. And then ktm dropped in the 790, 30kg lighter and a 250 mile tank! Dind' t believe it until I got one at the massively reduced price. 3k miles and I can't really fault it.
You don't miss the hp when they handle so well!
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Some bikes.

[gbrand42]

I've had one for a couple of years now - it will do all the things you say you hope it will. But I will say the seat will be no better than the Fazer, its a bit of a solid old plank for my peachy buns. You may find a sheepskin or Airhawk necessary for anything longer than a couple of hours. Otherwise it's a great choice. I was a bit worried that I might find the DCT a bit un-engaging after the novelty wore off but not at all. It's a great bit of kit once you have found the mode that suits your style (hint: It wont be "Drive") And the power loss will not be as noticeable as you may think, entertainingly grunty.
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Yamaha RD50M, Honda C90, Yamaha RS100, Yamaha RD125LC, Honda XL125 V9 Varadero, Honda NT700VA, Honda VFR800X, Honda CRF1000L, Honda ST1300 Pan European

[Skudd]

Had Adventure bikes since about 93 when the Africa Twin was the dogs bollocks, It was great being the only Adventure in the carpark of a thousand bikes, Had a couple of ATs then a Varadero and now a BMW R1200GS Adventure, I did have an FJR for a year, but it wasn't right for me. I like the big bars, brilliant turning circle, the torque of a big twin engine, the view from the saddle and the ease that they can be ridden, they're not the fastest of bike, but who goes 140mph every day? They absorb luggage with ease and can go two up for days on end taking all types of roads and a little off road if needed. For a tall fat bloke like me they are perfect.
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[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[redeem ouzzer]

Two wheeled cars. Anyone who owns one should be shot.
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[Tdibs]

I'd have a good think about what you really want to get out of it. The AT is a huuuge bike.

If you are serious about doing some lanes, a 790 adventure/Tenere 700/KTM 990 might be bit of a better option. Enough legs for the touring and not too big for lanes. I think I would struggle to pickup a loaded africa twin on a muddy lane if I dropped it... but just for road and some super light lanes, might work decently.

Some of the big KTM's might be worth a look too.
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Previous : 09 Vanvan 125| 02' Sv650s || Current: 1999 Xj600n | 1992 DR650 RSE | 2005 Fazer 1000

[yen_powell]

On my way to work this morning, got sick of using the M11 so cut across country and stopped to look at this pillbox. Nice big comfy seat, no cramped legs, plenty of weather protection, especially for my hands.
https://www.adventuremotorcycles.net/forum/uploads/monthly_2020_12/20201201_104028cr.jpg.44d9585974b08d962e4b9d60f9e4c274.jpg
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Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[Skudd]

[A100man]

[ThunderGuts]

I am envious of your commute; I get to travel in the dark both ways through the usually murky urban jungle of Manchester. Ironically given the state of the roads around here, an adventure bike would probably be more suitable . . .
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TG.