I’ve still got my Suzuki Vstrom 650 but like you, I found the adventure riding is something that I’m leaving in my past. I still ride my RT all over North America. There are more paved roads to explore then I can ever ride before I’m done. Ride safe!
You can still do adventure riding, but with the proper bike, and tires. The bike has to be lighter, under 200 kg, knobbly tires capable of mud, and loose gravel. Keep a separate road adventure tourer for longer distances, and keep to tarmac, and simple off road.
Great video. I just turned 70 and ride K1600GTL. I am in the process of going to Australia and doing a lap around the country. I won't be taking my bike, but buying one over there. You have certainly given me some food for thought. Stay upright and keep enjoying your retirement.
I was in Australia last year, but didn't get to ride there. I have Australian friends who are doing a lap with their caravan (trailer to us North Americans). Some very hot weather in places. But certainly a trip of a lifetime. Enjoy.
I have come to realize that I ride the terrain that I’m capable of on my AT. You can get to wonderful places on a big adventure bike. I need both on and off-road capability, the AT does that.
Interesting. Bought my AT when 65 years, and still enjoy at 70 years. You are correct that serious off roading is our past, but the AT is still a very nice street ride. So, while the bike is much more capable than me, it's nice to periodically venture down a dirt road on a bike that enjoys su ch. Great bike. Glad to still be riding, retired too. Enjoy.
No doubt the AT is a great street ride, and I could have kept it and got a smaller bike for going off-road. I hope to be riding for a long time, so I don't know what the future will bring. Thanks for your comment.
I had an Africa Twin as well. I owned it for two years. It is a brilliant bike but it was too tall and heavy for me. My next bike was not a lot lighter but it was lower: a RE Himalayan. That was a great bike especially for gravel and trail riding. I did find it was a bit of a dog on the pavement and in North America, there is lots. I just bought a new bike a 2023 KLR 650S, which is about the same height and weight as my Himalayan but much more capable on the pavement.
I'm in that group. 65 and I bought a new 2023 R1250 GS Trophy late in 2023. Mine will never see dirt, only pavement. Headed out mid March 2024 for Baja California. 5 day trip about 1100 miles. Mexico will be an Adventure, for sure, though my bike is not the Adventure version. My dirt days are over. I much enjoy the upright seating position.
I did find the seating awkward at first. I added bar risers to help sit more upright, which also required a taller windscreen. A lot of people ride adventure bikes for the comfort on tours, there's some good logic there. Enjoy Mexico.
Thank you for making this video. You aren’t the only older rider (I’m 60) that has had the feeling of being glad to be back on pavement. I’m thinking on which bike to get next. Desire and reality often clash.
I'm 71. My street bike is my 2010 Harley Electri-Glide Limited and my trail bike is my 2008 KLR650 I bought both bikes new and changed the oils at 500 miles and then every 2k miles on the KLR and every 3k miles on the Harley. Guess what, after 14 and 16 years both bikes are still running great, never been any mechanical issues with either bike, not even a flat tire. The KLR650 is the perfect trail bike. Priced so low that you don't have to worry about scratching or damaging her, millons of after market parts, cheap factory parts. A 6 gal gas tank, 300 mile range, you can ride all day long and not need to look for gas. At 450 lbs. alittle heavy, but not too heavy like the African Twins and BMWs etc. Pulls through the mud and sand like a tractor with that big single cylinder. As far as Harley touring bikes, a little heavy, but zillons of after market supplier parts, the best dealer network, when on a road trip, HD dealers will bring you right into the head of the line at the service dept. great if you have a flat etc. 6 gal gas tank with a 240 range. Buy new and change your oils if you keep you vehicles for decades. Buy Used, if you want somebody else's problems, and /or if you don't maintain your vehicles, and then flip them before they break down on you.
Well said. You make a good argument for the KLR and for buying new. I think with motorcycles, there are a lot of low mileage garage queens out there that people just didn't ride. Of course bikes still deteriorate while sitting. You are an example of "treat your bike well and it will treat you well." Regular maintenance is critical. Ride on!
Nicely done. Much to my surprise, I'm 'there' as well, and while I like to be able to go where the cars don't or can't , or at least off the pavement, my off road is pretty casual, and that's the way I like it. Glad to be back on pavement, as you said. Thus the Tiger 850 suits me and my riding very well. And thanks for the CPP PSA at the end. Totally agree. From Vancouver
I was originally thinking about adding little "I'm not sponsored, but here's my income" PSAs on my videos but I ran out of ideas pretty quickly. The Tiger is a great bike.
I have a 2020 ATAS ES DCT and have often wondered about trading it in for something else over the past few years. But every time I looked at other bikes I found it impossible to trade it in for anything that wasn't a downgrade. The 1200 you got is a pretty sweet bike and comes close, but you are giving up a lot of offroad tech that comes in handy in construction zones, camping trips, or the occasional back road, even if you don't normally ride offroad.
That's true, and on sober second thought, I could have found another adventure bike for touring with camping and also bought a dual-sport for more off-road ventures. There may be another adventure bike in my future, but I don't know if the finances will align in the right way or how long I'll stay fit enough to keep up with this kind of activity.
I sold my 2016 AT like 10 times but I just can't seem to let it go. I had 10 bikes in the garage and needed to make room and the AT was on that list I sold a XT1200 DL650 EXC525 and a TTR250 but the AT is still my go to bike for off road from the house with the YZ250X and WR250F for the really hard stuff..
I started adventure riding last year, and made the mistake of buying an africa twin as my first offroad bike. As a shorter rider, new to dirt, I just couldn't get over the size and weight of it. I ended up getting rid of it. Had all intentions of buying a dr650 but ended up throwing caution to the wind and bought a ktm 790.
@RetiredAdventureRider so far so good. I know KTM isn't known for their reliability. It's an absolute blast to ride and I don't feel intimidated about the weight or height and am already feeling way more confident on it.
Interesting video. I’m also 65 and had similar deliberations. I went from a GSA to an ATAS DCT ES. I never really gelled with it, the DCT being a mixed bag for me especially in town where it should have been perfect. It wasn’t plus the weight is carried high. I went for an 890 Adventure which is much more manageable. This year I’m doing a 4,000 mile ride in the US in May on a 690 Enduro which may well be my unicorn. Time will tell.
Hi I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the 690, but regarding a unicorn, it isn’t great at road touring especially if you want to cover long distances quickly, I think if you had the 690 and the 890 you have all the bases covered. In my humble opinion there simply isn’t a unicorn. The requirements for off road versus on road are too vast for one bike to fulfil, ie opposing requirements. Thks
@@MrBeracah Our ride is mostly gravel and trails hence the choice of bike but you’re right. Our unicorns are down to personal preference and circumstances. My GSA was the unicorn for my uses at the time (none off-road!). A great shopping bike when the traffic’s bad. Hardly Ewan and Charlie but when needs must. Cheers, Ian
@@RetiredAdventureRider The low weight (coming from ADV bikes) is a revelation and the power controllable. I’ve got a 701 which will, with a few tweaks, replace the 890.
If I had to estimate, I'd say that the majority of the bikes I saw on the highway during my tour last summer were in your class. You're in good company. Maybe there's something I don't know.
I am surprised that the Africa twin weighs 500 lbs. My 97BMW r1100rt weighs about that. How heavy is your BMW ? I got my bike for the road. Obviously it's not for 'adventure' trails, but I do have to ride on gravel roads. My road tires work just fine for that. Got no plans to ride in extreme conditions. I'd like to ride around Van. Island this Spring. I'm close by, across the Straights. Cheers !!
According to my research, the Africa Twin with DCT weighs 535 pounds, my 2017 RS weighs 520 pounds, but the boxer engine holds the weight very low. I never feel like it's going to tip. My worst challenge with street tires was on a previous bike, a Honda NC750. I was up near 100 Mile House going camping and the unpaved roads were super slick. There wasn't really any gravel, so it was just hard, wet dirt. It took me about an hour to ride 20 km. Last summer, I was on another trip, riding the BMW, and I was on a relatively smooth unpaved road, but with lots of potholes. Loaded with my gear, the BMW couldn't handle the bumps well.
In 2025 /26 I just mite sell my Transalp 750 And switch to the new yet to be launched 390 adv ktm with new 399cc engine Whixh by then shud be atleast 10 months old if not more.. With bulk of teething issues gone.
![เปิดใจ “ต้นหอม ศกุนตลา” หลังโดนพาดพิงธุรกิจที่เคยทำ และผลกระทบทำถูกปลดฟ้าผ่า! | แฉ 24 ต.ค.67 [2/3]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/vCi5OIqlxaE/mqdefault.jpg)
I’ve still got my Suzuki Vstrom 650 but like you, I found the adventure riding is something that I’m leaving in my past. I still ride my RT all over North America. There are more paved roads to explore then I can ever ride before I’m done. Ride safe!
You can still do adventure riding, but with the proper bike, and tires. The bike has to be lighter, under 200 kg, knobbly tires capable of mud, and loose gravel. Keep a separate road adventure tourer for longer distances, and keep to tarmac, and simple off road.
BMW RS/RT is an excellent choice. As a consumer, we have so many choices out in the market now. Safe riding!
Great video. I just turned 70 and ride K1600GTL. I am in the process of going to Australia and doing a lap around the country. I won't be taking my bike, but buying one over there. You have certainly given me some food for thought. Stay upright and keep enjoying your retirement.
I was in Australia last year, but didn't get to ride there. I have Australian friends who are doing a lap with their caravan (trailer to us North Americans). Some very hot weather in places. But certainly a trip of a lifetime. Enjoy.
I have come to realize that I ride the terrain that I’m capable of on my AT. You can get to wonderful places on a big adventure bike. I need both on and off-road capability, the AT does that.
No doubt it's a fantastic bike. No wonder it's so popular. I just needed something smaller to build my off-road skills on.
@@RetiredAdventureRider A nice 250 could have don't that for you....
Interesting. Bought my AT when 65 years, and still enjoy at 70 years. You are correct that serious off roading is our past, but the AT is still a very nice street ride. So, while the bike is much more capable than me, it's nice to periodically venture down a dirt road on a bike that enjoys su ch. Great bike. Glad to still be riding, retired too. Enjoy.
No doubt the AT is a great street ride, and I could have kept it and got a smaller bike for going off-road. I hope to be riding for a long time, so I don't know what the future will bring. Thanks for your comment.
Good vid thanks. I'm keeping my AT but I am a bit younger and have an offroad background. Enjoy your new ride.
Cool bike . You will enjoy it very much!
I love it every time I ride it. And off-road, my CRF250L is so much more manageable than the Africa Twin.
I had an Africa Twin as well. I owned it for two years. It is a brilliant bike but it was too tall and heavy for me. My next bike was not a lot lighter but it was lower: a RE Himalayan. That was a great bike especially for gravel and trail riding. I did find it was a bit of a dog on the pavement and in North America, there is lots. I just bought a new bike a 2023 KLR 650S, which is about the same height and weight as my Himalayan but much more capable on the pavement.
I think the KLR 650S is a great choice. My friend has a older KLR but I found it too tall, the S version should be great.
I'm in that group. 65 and I bought a new 2023 R1250 GS Trophy late in 2023. Mine will never see dirt, only pavement. Headed out mid March 2024 for Baja California. 5 day trip about 1100 miles. Mexico will be an Adventure, for sure, though my bike is not the Adventure version. My dirt days are over. I much enjoy the upright seating position.
I did find the seating awkward at first. I added bar risers to help sit more upright, which also required a taller windscreen. A lot of people ride adventure bikes for the comfort on tours, there's some good logic there. Enjoy Mexico.
Thank you for making this video. You aren’t the only older rider (I’m 60) that has had the feeling of being glad to be back on pavement. I’m thinking on which bike to get next. Desire and reality often clash.
BMW RT
I'm 71. My street bike is my 2010 Harley Electri-Glide Limited and my trail bike is my 2008 KLR650 I bought both bikes new and changed the oils at 500 miles and then every 2k miles on the KLR and every 3k miles on the Harley. Guess what, after 14 and 16 years both bikes are still running great, never been any mechanical issues with either bike, not even a flat tire. The KLR650 is the perfect trail bike. Priced so low that you don't have to worry about scratching or damaging her, millons of after market parts, cheap factory parts. A 6 gal gas tank, 300 mile range, you can ride all day long and not need to look for gas. At 450 lbs. alittle heavy, but not too heavy like the African Twins and BMWs etc. Pulls through the mud and sand like a tractor with that big single cylinder. As far as Harley touring bikes, a little heavy, but zillons of after market supplier parts, the best dealer network, when on a road trip, HD dealers will bring you right into the head of the line at the service dept. great if you have a flat etc. 6 gal gas tank with a 240 range. Buy new and change your oils if you keep you vehicles for decades. Buy Used, if you want somebody else's problems, and /or if you don't maintain your vehicles, and then flip them before they break down on you.
Well said. You make a good argument for the KLR and for buying new. I think with motorcycles, there are a lot of low mileage garage queens out there that people just didn't ride. Of course bikes still deteriorate while sitting. You are an example of "treat your bike well and it will treat you well." Regular maintenance is critical. Ride on!
Nicely done. Much to my surprise, I'm 'there' as well, and while I like to be able to go where the cars don't or can't , or at least off the pavement, my off road is pretty casual, and that's the way I like it. Glad to be back on pavement, as you said. Thus the Tiger 850 suits me and my riding very well.
And thanks for the CPP PSA at the end. Totally agree.
From Vancouver
I was originally thinking about adding little "I'm not sponsored, but here's my income" PSAs on my videos but I ran out of ideas pretty quickly. The Tiger is a great bike.
I have a 2020 ATAS ES DCT and have often wondered about trading it in for something else over the past few years. But every time I looked at other bikes I found it impossible to trade it in for anything that wasn't a downgrade. The 1200 you got is a pretty sweet bike and comes close, but you are giving up a lot of offroad tech that comes in handy in construction zones, camping trips, or the occasional back road, even if you don't normally ride offroad.
That's true, and on sober second thought, I could have found another adventure bike for touring with camping and also bought a dual-sport for more off-road ventures. There may be another adventure bike in my future, but I don't know if the finances will align in the right way or how long I'll stay fit enough to keep up with this kind of activity.
I sold my 2016 AT like 10 times but I just can't seem to let it go. I had 10 bikes in the garage and needed to make room and the AT was on that list I sold a XT1200 DL650 EXC525 and a TTR250 but the AT is still my go to bike for off road from the house with the YZ250X and WR250F for the really hard stuff..
Nice to have that much choice. The AT is certainly a very capable bike and it looks like you have the skills to take advantage of it.
I started adventure riding last year, and made the mistake of buying an africa twin as my first offroad bike. As a shorter rider, new to dirt, I just couldn't get over the size and weight of it. I ended up getting rid of it. Had all intentions of buying a dr650 but ended up throwing caution to the wind and bought a ktm 790.
Wow; that's a bold choice. How's the 790 working out?
@RetiredAdventureRider so far so good. I know KTM isn't known for their reliability. It's an absolute blast to ride and I don't feel intimidated about the weight or height and am already feeling way more confident on it.
Interesting video. I’m also 65 and had similar deliberations. I went from a GSA to an ATAS DCT ES. I never really gelled with it, the DCT being a mixed bag for me especially in town where it should have been perfect. It wasn’t plus the weight is carried high. I went for an 890 Adventure which is much more manageable. This year I’m doing a 4,000 mile ride in the US in May on a 690 Enduro which may well be my unicorn. Time will tell.
Hi I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the 690, but regarding a unicorn, it isn’t great at road touring especially if you want to cover long distances quickly, I think if you had the 690 and the 890 you have all the bases covered. In my humble opinion there simply isn’t a unicorn. The requirements for off road versus on road are too vast for one bike to fulfil, ie opposing requirements. Thks
@@MrBeracah Our ride is mostly gravel and trails hence the choice of bike but you’re right. Our unicorns are down to personal preference and circumstances. My GSA was the unicorn for my uses at the time (none off-road!). A great shopping bike when the traffic’s bad. Hardly Ewan and Charlie but when needs must. Cheers, Ian
I thought the 690 might be too much for me to handle due to height and power, but it certainly was something I considered.
@@RetiredAdventureRider The low weight (coming from ADV bikes) is a revelation and the power controllable. I’ve got a 701 which will, with a few tweaks, replace the 890.
I'm in that age group and stick to the roads on a K1600GT and Goldwing, love the heavier vehicles.
If I had to estimate, I'd say that the majority of the bikes I saw on the highway during my tour last summer were in your class. You're in good company. Maybe there's something I don't know.
Amazing bike.. But it is too expensive! I love your videos and your style!
I am surprised that the Africa twin weighs 500 lbs. My 97BMW r1100rt weighs about that. How heavy is your BMW ? I got my bike for the road. Obviously it's not for 'adventure' trails, but I do have to ride on gravel roads. My road tires work just fine for that. Got no plans to ride in extreme conditions. I'd like to ride around Van. Island this Spring. I'm close by, across the Straights. Cheers !!
According to my research, the Africa Twin with DCT weighs 535 pounds, my 2017 RS weighs 520 pounds, but the boxer engine holds the weight very low. I never feel like it's going to tip. My worst challenge with street tires was on a previous bike, a Honda NC750. I was up near 100 Mile House going camping and the unpaved roads were super slick. There wasn't really any gravel, so it was just hard, wet dirt. It took me about an hour to ride 20 km. Last summer, I was on another trip, riding the BMW, and I was on a relatively smooth unpaved road, but with lots of potholes. Loaded with my gear, the BMW couldn't handle the bumps well.
@@RetiredAdventureRider I had a great ride yesterday. I went to the Dungeness Spit. Sunny and warm !! Thanks for the info.
Your local mechanic for a bmw would be interesting to know. I’m in Chilliwack 🤓😎🏍💨💨💨💨👍🏻🇨🇦🍻
There's only one licensed motorcycle mechanic shop on the Sunshine Coast, but my friend knows a guy...
Suzuki vstrom 800 de❤❤
In 2025 /26
I just mite sell my
Transalp 750
And switch to the new yet to be launched
390 adv ktm with new 399cc engine
Whixh by then shud be atleast 10 months old if not more.. With bulk of teething issues gone.
Agreed. It's a sweet bike and can probably do everything that I want to do.
The BMW weighs as much as your AT did???? And is less capable off road...
True. According to the published stats. But it's not designed for off road, so it's not a problem for me. That's why I bought a second, smaller bike.
because you want a cvo pan america PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!