If a 500 size adventure bike sounds like a good idea, what would it be?

[Doggitter]

To start this off, to me the several classes of bikes, not including a couple maybe, are dirt bikes with no road legal parts, dualsports being dirt bikes made legal, adventure bikes which are road bikes with a few dirt parts, and road bikes.

Don't the adventure class of bikes seem to be missing some 500 class entries? Honda's CB500 isn't an adventure bike to me, even though I've seen it mentioned as such. It hasn't gone deep enough under the sex change knife for that. Is there another pretender for that lifestyle I'm not aware of? Nothing comes to mind. Not even oem side racks available for the FZ6R. Whats the problem, bike manufacturers?

 

Remember in this bs session a dualsport isn't a converted road bike, but a converted dirt bike towards road use. An adv bike would have a more road bike look, somewhat better road manners, but other than that to me it gets really blurry. Would a CB500 with 19" front, a trans that could be honestly thought of wide ratio, a weight more in line with it's 500cc engine instead of the 800cc class icon F800gs, and some proper rear luggage racks be all that it would take? Seems there would be a market, as it would be cheaper than the 700-800 class machines, lighter for smaller riders, more economical to operate, easier to pick up(oh geez, yes it should be included) and most adv riders that I know, have spouses along also ride a bike for each of them, or go solo with buddies. Give it a touch more susp travel, put some unused powered wire ends so we can use the outlets we want, decent engine guards and a decent seat. 

Yes, I'm rambling and just putting thoughts to type.

[Flagstaff]

Seems to me the 650-690 dualsports fit your bill in all ways except the looks and 500 displacement. Especially the Japanese 650's. Cheap, reliable, lots of mods available.

Though I also have a liter sized road bike, I'm on my second KLR650 after 2 converted dirt to DS bikes. I've taken one or the other on week + road trips, all day off road. or a 150 mile trip to Phoenix on road, then back home off road.

What's not to like in this category?

I primarily ride distance off road now, am eyeing the 690 KTM.

Mike

[JoeBlow Kokomo]

"Most" adventure touring = street touring, with bags and or trunk, etc.  Given that extra weight and what you'd put in the bags if you were really traveling, 500cc is just too small (for US interstates). Sure they'd "DO" it, but they'd be struggling to hold speed (loaded) and would generally be working too hard.  Threre's a reason touring bikes have big motors.  

[Doggitter]

nevermind. I'm not looking for you guys to figure out what bike I should be on, or be converted the lifestyle needed to warrant carrying 75-100lbs of gear. done here.

[Flagstaff]

nevermind. I'm not looking for you guys to figure out what bike I should be on, or be converted the lifestyle needed to warrant carrying 75-100lbs of gear. done here.

Ouch.

You're "just rambling" in "this bs session"

And I've never carried 75-100lbs. of gear, maybe half that, including a 3 month 23,000 mile trip that included Alaska.

Mike

[michigan400]

For this class (500cc ADV) there really is no perfect bike. So I think back to old school bikes like the XR600 (or 500) and think they had it almost nailed down with those. Basically, a very plain "platform bike" that can be set up in a multitude of ways. The ole XR6 would be smooth enough on road and still have decent off road capabilities. If they would bring out something like that again, that was just a simple, rugged, reliable and fun bike, then all that's needed is the "options" to make it what you want. Factory options so the fit and quality is good. Stiff enough frame to carry a load or go 2 up but not sooooo heavy it;s a whale.

 

Air cooled is fine, decent oil and fuel capacity and a wide enough ratio trans to cover you from cruising at 5 mph (trails) to 70mph (Hwy.) without stressing the clutch or motor too bad. That's my wish list anyway for something that's new. It would make the entry level model affordable as well since all the bells and whistles can be added later.

[willie]

To start this off, to me the several classes of bikes, not including a couple maybe, are dirt bikes with no road legal parts, dualsports being dirt bikes made legal, adventure bikes which are road bikes with a few dirt parts, and road bikes.

Don't the adventure class of bikes seem to be missing some 500 class entries? Honda's CB500 isn't an adventure bike to me, even though I've seen it mentioned as such. It hasn't gone deep enough under the sex change knife for that. Is there another pretender for that lifestyle I'm not aware of? Nothing comes to mind. Not even oem side racks available for the FZ6R. Whats the problem, bike manufacturers?

 

Remember in this bs session a dualsport isn't a converted road bike, but a converted dirt bike towards road use. An adv bike would have a more road bike look, somewhat better road manners, but other than that to me it gets really blurry. Would a CB500 with 19" front, a trans that could be honestly thought of wide ratio, a weight more in line with it's 500cc engine instead of the 800cc class icon F800gs, and some proper rear luggage racks be all that it would take? Seems there would be a market, as it would be cheaper than the 700-800 class machines, lighter for smaller riders, more economical to operate, easier to pick up(oh geez, yes it should be included) and most adv riders that I know, have spouses along also ride a bike for each of them, or go solo with buddies. Give it a touch more susp travel, put some unused powered wire ends so we can use the outlets we want, decent engine guards and a decent seat. 

Yes, I'm rambling and just putting thoughts to type.

This has Suzuki DL650 written all over it.

[NoFiddyPilot]

nevermind. I'm not looking for you guys to figure out what bike I should be on, or be converted the lifestyle needed to warrant carrying 75-100lbs of gear. done here.

 

?

[fudgypup]

690 isn't the best adventure bike, only because it doesn't carry gear that well.  I hear they're working on a 690 Adventure though that has a more substantial rear subframe and has better wind protection.

 

BMW f800 GS (more dirt), Triumph Tiger 800 (more street) come to mind.  Or find yourself an old 640 Adventure.  KLR 650 fits the bill too.  When Honda comes out with their "Africa Twin" or CRF1000 or whatever they call it, that will be a cool bike to get.

 

I weighed my hard panniers loaded up for AZBDR last year and they came to 64 lbs.  That's quite heavy.  With soft panniers and less gear, 30-40 is more realistic.

[Flagstaff]

690 isn't the best adventure bike, only because it doesn't carry gear that well.  I hear they're working on a 690 Adventure though that has a more substantial rear subframe and has better wind protection.

 

BMW f800 GS (more dirt), Triumph Tiger 800 (more street) come to mind.  Or find yourself an old 640 Adventure.  KLR 650 fits the bill too.  When Honda comes out with their "Africa Twin" or CRF1000 or whatever they call it, that will be a cool bike to get.

 

I weighed my hard panniers loaded up for AZBDR last year and they came to 64 lbs.  That's quite heavy.  With soft panniers and less gear, 30-40 is more realistic.

I always use soft bags, street or dirt.

The Great Western Trail should be next on your list for Arizona.

Mike

[highmarker]

Ktm has a new small twin motor in the works that could be offered in a few different displacements.  Targeted to compete with the bmw 650/800.

[fudgypup]

I even heard KTM is working on an 800 cc motor platform too.  Not sure if it will be street, enduro or adventure but I hope for the latter.

[ballisticexchris]

The two bikes I really look hard at for adventure is the Tenere and 800 Tiger. The demo ride on the Tenere got me hooked.

 

For now I will continue to be happy on my Beta 498. It might no be as comfortable. But it will do everything the big bikes do and go on more hard core trails.

 

This bike is like a transformer. I can set it up from full blown single track weapon:

 

 

To a Iron Butt extreme mile burner:

 

 

To a adventure touring machine. The bags aren't the best choice but it's what I had. I would go with GL Coyote in the future.

 

 

One thing to note if you plan on using a dirt bike for touring. If you do any kind of dirt whatsoever do not use the tires I have pictured. You will get hurt!