Motorcycles BS Thread 2.0

Bike build update: got some mirrors from Doubletake to replace the sketchy ones my bike came with. Got a great view of my biceps and riding jacket, but traffic not so much.

 

You could probably look into some bar end mirrors. I found that those usually provide a decent view from behind. Night riding puts right at headlight level so keep that in mind and position them carefully.

 

And he should send those Doubletake mirrors to a new ADV bike rider

Arguably OEM Honda mirrors are the best ones. I like them more than the OEM Ducati ones

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGeOR-i5bOQ

 

Do we like single swing arms here?

 

The 390 Duke Adv is basically just my bike with knobby tires. Dont tempt me!

 

I've been lurking on this thread for a while, and out of curiosity to review my contributions to it I recently searched it for my posts, only to realize I've never actually posted here.

I'm not sure how that's possible.

Rectifying that right now.

Been riding for 25 years, started on an old 1978 Suzuki GS750 and progressed through some street bikes like a Bandit 600, FZ1; before getting into kind of an ADV bike routine. Have had a few KLRs, few DR650s, KLX250, several WR250Rs, several 650 Stroms, an 890R, R1200GS, Tenere 1200, and Tenere 700 along the way.

Riding is pretty much my main hobby. I do about 25,000 miles a year. Lots of camping, general adventuring, dual sporting... I try to ride every day unless there's snow actually covering the road.

Currently have a 2020 V-Strom 1050 and a 2012 WR250R. My wife just bought a 2014 V-Strom 650.

 

@spencermarkd now you're going to have to get this too!

https://www.rideapart.com/news/573453/honda-st125-dax-2023-launched/

 

Thanks for posting! I was always hoping that orange and yellow color/styling would roll down to the 650. Would buy one in a heartbeat

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3FjfMTrgaY

 

Weirdly it's more red in person. Kind of the Marlboro scheme.

 

I don't smoke, but I do love the look of that bike! Glad to have ya around!

 

Thank you, glad to be around! LOL. I'm on ADV and Stromtrooper too, same name.

 

Its interesting to see that you find that a decent adv bike. Based on my noob introduction and review watching/reading (got my first adv bike this December), I've heard that they are a bit lacking in the offroad dept. Those reviews also say that they are probably best as on road tourers.

I do like the quirky design, best in yellow IMO.

 

definitely have seen your threads/pictures on advrider

a good amount of toyota and bike build threads on that forum

 

Welcome to the club! looks like a fun time. As someone blessed with primarily moderate weather, I too try to ride every chance I get.

 

Yeah, I mean there's better options, and I'm not going to be doing single track on it, but it'll do anything classified as a "road". I had a DL1000 for two years (forgot to list that LOL) and I did many of the Colo passes on it with no issues:





The 890R I had was really the best do it all ADV bike IMO... but the fucking thing was in the shop more than half the time I owned it, and the closest shop was 250 miles away! I'll sacrifice some badassery for reliability and a dealer in my town.

 

Im working my way up to better trails. Just gravel for now

 

What is your opinion for the best budget ADV bike you can get that can still comfortably do a 70 mph speed limit highway?

I know a lot of the times what makes a bike good for something is the rider not the bike, and it seems like you have the experience to show that. I currently am pushing a drz400s on rocky/sandy single track which is can absolutely do, but looking to replace it with a lighter husky or ktm 350 for that purpose. Was thinking about getting something more streetable on the highway for rides to work but can get offroad if I am feeling saucy. I thought a dr650 might be great budget wise but terrible for an hour on the highway.

Part of me just wants to slap knobs on an sv650 and let er eat because those bikes are super cheap and plentiful.

 

I’m not him but I still think the WeeStrom is highly underrated when it comes to N. America travel. If you want to hit the highway comfortably and not have to turn around if a camp site is down a dirt road I don’t know of a better, reliable, affordable tourer.