**note** It's January 17, 2025: The new DRZ-4S is launching in the USA🇺🇸 first this April (SM is May in USA). No statement from Suzuki Japan🇯🇵 when (or if) it will come here. Lots of made in Japan bikes are not sold here, so best not to bet on it. But I've recently been offered private MotoCross Track lessons on a Husqvarna 250. So maybe I'll just do that and keep chasing these guys. But stay tuned, the instructor is happy to be on youtube.
If you're doing your "adventure" on good roads, asphalt and maintained gravel roads, big "real" adventure bike is the choice. But if you're going to play with your toy, going on uncharted trails, visiting places where very few big horses go, occasionally drop your bike and lift it up by yourself, then you must rethink the purpose of big adventure bike. Weekend warriors, 600cc+ advs, real trail seekers, 600cc- that's how it goes.
@@KasperiVonSchrowe Well said …and another thing heat can dehydrate very quickly …and amazing how even strong men wilt in strength when they are dehydrated .
Good job Ben. I have not seen any other Is content providers Demonstrating side by side comparisons Is between lighter Dual sport style bikes versus Larger a d v style bikes. This is. Something I am Torn between also. When I take my ADV bike Off tarmac, it is exhausting. A light 250 or so bike would make life so much more fun......but I love the twisties more. 2 bike it must be. 1 for off tarmac primarily and one capable of great tarmac and light ADV.
@robertf4129 thanks, but if you're out on the road bike and see the trail, you wouldn't go home to get your second bike. Bringing friends helps with the weight.
I have a KLX and I enjoy it can take the trails pretty good. I will say as much as I like it the power on road is definitely not going to cut it on the highway or especially the freeway. I think the sweet spot might be in the 400 to 450 range and maybe 500. I ended up with a T7 and a KLX each is good for what I want. There isn’t a bike that can do it all but I continue to search for it. I just know I will never do the trailer thing.
I live in a flat land with absolutely no places to go offroad beyond trespassing on farmland, but If I did live in a place where offroading is viable, I would have a dualsport. In your situation I'd keep the transalp though since you already invested a lot into it.
I was mostly riding medium to heavy bikes before, but last year I got myself a 300l just to try if it was enough for me. It is amazing off road and also perfect for city traffic. Unfortunately it sucks big time on the open road and on highway, so I went back to a Supersport. But if I could afford two bikes and had the extra space, I would definitely get a dual sport. And the new Suzuki 400 looks to be a bit more capable than the CRF300, at least on the road.
If you can’t pick up the TA from the dirt after dropping it … it can’t be considered an off road alternative . I own the TA …needed help picking it up dropping it off the side stand . That was in the driveway can’t imagine trying it on a muddy hill
I don't go to the gym. Everything i need at home, focus on strength and do about 10 min a day. I'm not magazine cover ready😅 but decent for picking things up and putting them down
Sold my T7 as weight off-road (especially struggling to pick it up in slippery mud) then put me off wanting to do any off-road at all. Coming to the conclusion that my days of off-road are over and ADV Tourer is better and won't venture beyond gravel roads.
I have a dr650 as well as a Transalp, its also an excellent bike, especially off road compared to the TA. I don't ride it because it's not registered anymore but the strong point of the TA is on the pavement. Probably ride the dr anywhere you could ride the little Honda.
It’s all about how much time you will be in the dirt. Unfortunately, most of us can’t justify the cost of two bikes with one of them specific to each type of riding. I have a WR250R that I found that is in really good shape that I just can’t bring myself to buy to add to my 1290 Super Adventure S because the WR is too expensive for how much riding I think I will be able to do on it. Plus, how do I split the time? Most likely if i find a trail I want to hit, I will be be out on my 1290 and then what do I do, run home and get the WR? Seems impractical. Percentage of riding has to be considered.
I have had a similar thought before. Nobody has more than 1 bike, you only have the bike you're on in that moment. I'm leaning towards the transalp at the moment
-International license (its not had, check your state on google) -Plane ticket to Japan (boats are slow, swimming is hard) -Rent a bike. -Fill with gas -ride it (ideally on the left side of the road)
I haven't even watched the video yet. I have just read the headline and I'm going to make a prediction. The 250L cannot replace your transalp ): . It can definitely be better in specific aspects and a lot worse than others. But I do think the 250L or 300 platforms elsewhere can totally replace the trans alp. They are 100% capable of highway speeds. They are fun on the road and their payload capacity isn't that far off. I really think there are no blanket unicorns, but ... As long as youre tall enough and willing to make a few key changes the 250-690 CC single thumper/dual sports are the closest you can get to magic creatures. To name a few greats you have the CRF/KLX platforms, You have the xr and dr/z platforms you have the performance end with the 690s and hyper motards from Ducati and many more! Common complaints are going to be vibrations, ergonomics ( specifically related to seat height), and comfort ( normally directed at the seat). I will argue, that with experience the seat height isn't as much of an issue people will make it out to be and that more comfortable seats are available. A lot of the highway road comfort stuff. I can understand why people may not like them due to wheelbase, lightness, skittishness, secondary vibrations. How often are you doing 160km highway stints a week, a month, a year? are you willing to compromise with over 50 kg minimal additional weight over these platforms that every single moment will impact you. Not even off road, that weight really impacts your rider fatigue. if your avg trip speed is 50mph 90kph or under a thumper is for you, or at least it is for me! Not that twin, triples and 4 bangers arent sweet too, lol! Lets be honest bikes are fun :D
I saw that one. I agree with home. But that would mean selling this bike to fully focus on offroad, then coming back to where I am in a year or too. And I still prefer the street
@@DragoniteMotoJP Yes, I agree. Not too many people have the luxury to own 2 bikes or sell and buy again with a loss. I just got the my Transalp but I think I will keep it for long time. I plan to ride much more on the road especially since in Germany it is illegal to go off road:( but I know if I want to go then the limiting factor will be me and not the bike. Probably it would worth to go to an off road riding school. It was very good to do the street course for me when I was preparing for my license and a bit cheaper than another bike:). The other option I thought is to buy something really old and cheap. I think you can learn on that too but I don't know which one is cheap and still OK.
**note**
It's January 17, 2025:
The new DRZ-4S is launching in the USA🇺🇸 first this April (SM is May in USA). No statement from Suzuki Japan🇯🇵 when (or if) it will come here. Lots of made in Japan bikes are not sold here, so best not to bet on it.
But I've recently been offered private MotoCross Track lessons on a Husqvarna 250.
So maybe I'll just do that and keep chasing these guys. But stay tuned, the instructor is happy to be on youtube.
If you're doing your "adventure" on good roads, asphalt and maintained gravel roads, big "real" adventure bike is the choice. But if you're going to play with your toy, going on uncharted trails, visiting places where very few big horses go, occasionally drop your bike and lift it up by yourself, then you must rethink the purpose of big adventure bike. Weekend warriors, 600cc+ advs, real trail seekers, 600cc- that's how it goes.
@@KasperiVonSchrowe Well said …and another thing heat can dehydrate very quickly …and amazing how even strong men wilt in strength when they are dehydrated .
Exactly the comparison I wanted to see. I'm on vstrom 800DE and it is heavy and low for offroad. Waiting for DRZ4s to come out.
@@FixingAndFlipping the vstrom is heavy. I haven't had too many issues where ground clearance is making me upset.
Learning to wheel could help me😅
Good job Ben. I have not seen any other Is content providers Demonstrating side by side comparisons Is between lighter Dual sport style bikes versus Larger a d v style bikes. This is.
Something I am Torn between also. When I take my ADV bike Off tarmac, it is exhausting. A light 250 or so bike would make life so much more fun......but I love the twisties more. 2 bike it must be. 1 for off tarmac primarily and one capable of great tarmac and light ADV.
@robertf4129 thanks, but if you're out on the road bike and see the trail, you wouldn't go home to get your second bike. Bringing friends helps with the weight.
I have a KLX and I enjoy it can take the trails pretty good. I will say as much as I like it the power on road is definitely not going to cut it on the highway or especially the freeway. I think the sweet spot might be in the 400 to 450 range and maybe 500. I ended up with a T7 and a KLX each is good for what I want. There isn’t a bike that can do it all but I continue to search for it. I just know I will never do the trailer thing.
@SmokinZen 1 bike, no car so no trailers here😅
Maybe 2025 drz can cut it, only a test ride will say for sure
I live in a flat land with absolutely no places to go offroad beyond trespassing on farmland, but If I did live in a place where offroading is viable, I would have a dualsport.
In your situation I'd keep the transalp though since you already invested a lot into it.
6:00 "ahh.. going into the rut", but shunning when I do it :@ But you didn't know the bike offroad at that time, I forgive you.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
I was mostly riding medium to heavy bikes before, but last year I got myself a 300l just to try if it was enough for me. It is amazing off road and also perfect for city traffic. Unfortunately it sucks big time on the open road and on highway, so I went back to a Supersport. But if I could afford two bikes and had the extra space, I would definitely get a dual sport. And the new Suzuki 400 looks to be a bit more capable than the CRF300, at least on the road.
It's tempting.
I also have a sport bike back ground and enjoy the street.
A test ride of the drz is the only way to know for sure
If you can’t pick up the TA from the dirt after dropping it … it can’t be considered an off road alternative .
I own the TA …needed help picking it up dropping it off the side stand .
That was in the driveway can’t imagine trying it on a muddy hill
adventure bikes are for men, not ladys
I can pick it up.
But 1 time I dropped it on my leg and was happy to have friends to help.
Im a honda tech, dropped a goldwing. Not that hard to pick it up if you have the right technique
@ No doubt technique is important …perhaps you can post a video to demonstrate this technique for older riders who aren’t gym regulars.
I don't go to the gym.
Everything i need at home, focus on strength and do about 10 min a day. I'm not magazine cover ready😅 but decent for picking things up and putting them down
Sold my T7 as weight off-road (especially struggling to pick it up in slippery mud) then put me off wanting to do any off-road at all. Coming to the conclusion that my days of off-road are over and ADV Tourer is better and won't venture beyond gravel roads.
I think that's my real question. How far off road do i really wanna go
Don't sell it, it's a jewel 😅
I have a dr650 as well as a Transalp, its also an excellent bike, especially off road compared to the TA. I don't ride it because it's not registered anymore but the strong point of the TA is on the pavement. Probably ride the dr anywhere you could ride the little Honda.
Can't get the dr here.
But it would be cool to see a 170kg moder dr650.
But I am more a road rider still
It’s all about how much time you will be in the dirt. Unfortunately, most of us can’t justify the cost of two bikes with one of them specific to each type of riding. I have a WR250R that I found that is in really good shape that I just can’t bring myself to buy to add to my 1290 Super Adventure S because the WR is too expensive for how much riding I think I will be able to do on it. Plus, how do I split the time? Most likely if i find a trail I want to hit, I will be be out on my 1290 and then what do I do, run home and get the WR? Seems impractical. Percentage of riding has to be considered.
I have had a similar thought before.
Nobody has more than 1 bike, you only have the bike you're on in that moment.
I'm leaning towards the transalp at the moment
Sure it can.
how do i ride motos in japan? american here (oregon)
-International license (its not had, check your state on google)
-Plane ticket to Japan (boats are slow, swimming is hard)
-Rent a bike.
-Fill with gas
-ride it (ideally on the left side of the road)
I haven't even watched the video yet. I have just read the headline and I'm going to make a prediction.
The 250L cannot replace your transalp ): . It can definitely be better in specific aspects and a lot worse than others.
But I do think the 250L or 300 platforms elsewhere can totally replace the trans alp. They are 100% capable of highway speeds. They are fun on the road and their payload capacity isn't that far off. I really think there are no blanket unicorns, but ... As long as youre tall enough and willing to make a few key changes the 250-690 CC single thumper/dual sports are the closest you can get to magic creatures.
To name a few greats you have the CRF/KLX platforms, You have the xr and dr/z platforms you have the performance end with the 690s and hyper motards from Ducati and many more!
Common complaints are going to be vibrations, ergonomics ( specifically related to seat height), and comfort ( normally directed at the seat). I will argue, that with experience the seat height isn't as much of an issue people will make it out to be and that more comfortable seats are available.
A lot of the highway road comfort stuff. I can understand why people may not like them due to wheelbase, lightness, skittishness, secondary vibrations.
How often are you doing 160km highway stints a week, a month, a year? are you willing to compromise with over 50 kg minimal additional weight over these platforms that every single moment will impact you. Not even off road, that weight really impacts your rider fatigue. if your avg trip speed is 50mph 90kph or under a thumper is for you, or at least it is for me! Not that twin, triples and 4 bangers arent sweet too, lol! Lets be honest bikes are fun :D
Comparing apples and roofing nails.
@KeepItSimpleSailor LOL
If you only get to own 1 bike it's completely logical to compare a wr250 to goldwing because you only get to keep 1.
Unfortunately I also don't have money for 2 bikes but the truth probably is in this video:
th-cam.com/video/NCKS7GLwrkw/w-d-xo.htmlsi=lxMCKcmpnKOJQlQn
I saw that one.
I agree with home. But that would mean selling this bike to fully focus on offroad, then coming back to where I am in a year or too.
And I still prefer the street
@@DragoniteMotoJP Yes, I agree. Not too many people have the luxury to own 2 bikes or sell and buy again with a loss. I just got the my Transalp but I think I will keep it for long time. I plan to ride much more on the road especially since in Germany it is illegal to go off road:( but I know if I want to go then the limiting factor will be me and not the bike. Probably it would worth to go to an off road riding school. It was very good to do the street course for me when I was preparing for my license and a bit cheaper than another bike:). The other option I thought is to buy something really old and cheap. I think you can learn on that too but I don't know which one is cheap and still OK.
@illes.gergely002 yes, i was thinking an off road skills class would be a good answer
Why are you puffing and panting?
@krisdieber9459 this is hour 2 aft3r riding offroad up the mountain