@@generalyellor8188 Don't be a dick, At Least he shared Something useful Look at yo-self, Sharing nothing And pretending to be a smart-ass The Guy Showing Us The Moon, You: LOOK AT HIS FINGER ? Grow-Up
6:58 Just joining your channel today. Watched this video and one other. Love the passion and looking forward to more. Of course there are honest dealers and sales people who care. Finding one is a treasure and a pleasure. With that said there is also great pleasure in seeing your passion and honesty to help people and entertain, at the same time. Thanks!
Agree with all of that. And more frequent oil changes just has to be better. When I started as a motor mechanic apprentice in the 1960s oil changes were required about every 1500 miles. Oils and engine manufacture have greatly improved, but not enough to make the inter-change mileages the manufacturers are claiming. They just want you to wear your engine and gearbox out more quickly. And governments won’t step in to stop this, as they are all wedded to selling electric vehicles and getting internal-combustion off the streets (for good or ill). Thanks for the video Pavlin. Les in UK
I agree with you and Pavlin regarding oil changes. And the eradication of the internal combustion engine is ludicrous. When I bought my 1999 SAAB 93 SE Auto Cabriolet in December last year, it had only a genuine 72,000 miles on the clock. For the past 15 years it had been owned by a retired couple in south London, and were selling due to the new evil tax being imposed by the WEF puppet mayor. It had been parked in a leafy suburb under a tree that caused the roof to become somewhat blotchy. The alloy rims have all been damaged by the typical London granite curbs, and, judging by the nature of the scrape on front bumper someone recently introduced it to a concrete bollard! The bonnet catch refused to open due to being dried out, and the entire engine bay was filthy. My guess is that it has not been cleaned for years. Other than that it’s a clean car. But the really good news is that each year when it was MoT’d, it also had a full service - despite only doing an average of just 1,500 miles since the last one!! 🧐😎😜 The auto gearbox probably needs to be changed soon. It’s a wholly impractical car of course, quite quirky and not as ergonomic as my Mondeo TDCi estate that’s off the road. But I’m hoping it’s gentle treatment in the lube department bodes well for the future. As soon as prices come down a bit, I’m getting a bug-out van to convert. Peace
Keeping bikes clean, especially around suspension components (amongst others) will in fact make them last longer having a bike full of dust and rocks and insect guts burning onto your paint is bad. After you wash your bike, treat it to something like ACF50 or XCP, thus you wont have rust and if you treat your electricals to it you wont have electrical issues either. Most people's wash routine just sucks lol. And KNOW when to wash, there are fantastic products available today that can safely lift dust/bugs etc off a surface without requiring a you to bring out the waterbuckets. Detail sprays are a MUST for extending time between actual washes.
You are opening our eyes to a new different lifestyle Pavlin. This goes beyond motorcycle advice. Thank you. I traded my new heavy k1600 gt full of gadgets against a much lighter 2012 oil-cooled r1200rt with much less electronics. Will be traveling from Germany to Türkiye again this year. Hopefully for the 20th time. Now at almost 50, the landscape has a higher priority over the style, the bike's technology, and the steering capabilities.
@@mart4756 The new bikes have a screen as large as a computer. I work all day on a PC. The last thing I want is to keep looking at a screen on a bike when riding it. Less is better, indeed. Year after year, bike after bike, I've gone up the steps in 20 years and ultimately spent money on a new K1600 GT. A choice dictated by my ego for always "more". It was justified by the marketing arguments of power, comfort, and safety. After owning and traveling with it from Europe to Türkiye, I realized... it's way too heavy, too expensive, too sophisticated, too bulky, too flashy, too hard to handle when stopped; the big engine heats up too much in summer traffic, it consumes a lot of gas. It encourages you to drive faster (fines), and I was always playing with electronic gadgets. There is too much side wind effect. It costs too much, and I was always worried about dropping it or scratching it. The bike was at the center of my trips. It should be part of it only. After some introspection (and Pavlin's videos) I deduced that (for my needs and in my case) the top was reached in the 2010s with BMW, just before the switch to liquid cooling. I'm back on an old bike it's cheaper to insure, to maintain, and there are plenty of spare parts on ebay. I don't care if there is a scratch, it is easier to repair. It already has more then enough power.
Very very true words… after 500tkm I agree with all… an example from my life… in the 80th my wife and I drove on a Vespa 200 with 12 HP from Vienna to Göreme in Turkey wirh all camping gear… today we drive with the car and rest in hotels… am I happier? no…. threrefore I serviced my old Transalp and the camping gear is ready for this year😊
Big mile between oil changes will probably equal big problems when you least want them. Oil change is cheaper than a big bill on the road. Agree completely. Simple, sensible advice. Safe, happy travels 👍
@@bochiebochie depends on usage, but I would not exceed 10000km, (6000 miles) and I would change it more if the usage was hard. Just my opinion, though.
A key thing I keep in mind is that automobiles always have separation between motor oil and transmission lubricant. Most motorcycles use the same oil to lubricate the engine's moving parts AND the transmission's moving parts. That implies to me that with my oil doing "double duty," it definitely should not have to wait more than about 5,000 miles / 8,000 kilometers before it is changed, regardless of higher values that may be in my owner's manual. I also use very high quality oil so I know what is handling both the engine and transmission duties. If your owner's manual specifies a shorter interval, like 3,000 miles / 5,000 kilometers, then definitely follow that guidance, not this random guy on the Internet. As Scotty Kilmer (TH-cam personality) likes to say - "Oil is cheap. Engines (and motorcycle transmissions) are expensive."
I bought a very clean and low mileage motorcycle a couple of years ago. It sat around unused for many years but the owner before me got it, refreshed everything on it and took great care of it. But he was also very insistent on washing it all the time. This led to the rectifier under the seat to slowly start corroding which burned other electrics along the circuit and made for a fairly expensive repair.
This is one of the very best videos on motorcycle travel I have ever watched. Keep it simple - spend the money on skill development and travel is my personal mantra for motorcycling. It doesn't matter what you have - my most memorable trip was on a 1973 Honda 500/4. No windscreen, a duffel bag bungied on the back seat. Just get out there!
Totally agree with all your points. I've owned my Ducati ST4 for nearly 15 years. put 36,000 miles on her. The only things I do are change the oil and filter every year, and get the belts/valves done every 2-3 years. Never had a problem, and don't intend to "upgrade" to anything else. Simple bike, with no "toys" just a pure riding experience.
Motorcycle engines are not like car engines. Not only is the oil in the crankcase, exposed to some blowby exhaust and pumped onto hot cylinder &valve walls BUT it is also chewed by the gears and is the hydrostatic pressure of the wet clutch rings. After 3000 miles (4800km) mine is black and feels noticeablly thinner than when it went in as smooth honey color. I'd say with a filter 7000km is probably best upper limit and on small bikes without a filter 5000km. I'm not worried about particles on a bike thats over 5000km...but it is just the beating and outgassing that motorcycle oil takes.
Totally agree with you . Especially the oil and oil changes . I change mine 3 times every 10,000 miles . I also use turbo diesel oil , it's capable of withstanding very high temperatures and with 100s of 1000s of miles covered it's proved a good choice 👍
I agree with everything you say apart from the issue of cleaning. Cleaning with "motorcycle cleaners" will eventually ruin the finish of your motorcycle as most of them are very caustic. However, if you clean the bike with ordinary car shampoo frequently, use polish on the painted parts and coat the surfaces of the bike with protective oils it will last a long time. Kerosene or WD 40 will take off oily residues as bike cleaners are designed too without damaging the finish. I have a 21 year old R1150GS (that I've had for 19 Years and 90 thousand miles) that is evidence of this and which is used as my winter bike on Northern Ireland roads which are coated in road salt from November to late March. The other thing I do with all my bikes is coat the underside of the tank with car underbody wax to protect the surface which usually isn't painted much and which you can't easily access to clean the salt off on a regular basis.
Excellent vid and makes perfect sense. There is a lovely feel as you flip down the visor and roll on the throttle immediately after an oil change. The beautiful smooth feel of the gearbox and softer sound of the engine is reassuringly blissful and worth the effort and expense, especially if the oil has been changed by the rider. It's definitely worth learning how to do it yourself if you have the tools and motivation. And will help to ensure more frequent oil changes too! 👍
100% agree ,i avarage 24000 miles a year just on work commute, Always change oil around 3000/5000 miles ,I do approximately 4 oil changes per year. airfilter ,coolent full flush with break fluid , clutch fluid and spark on the 6 month mark , do alot of heavy riding in town bike and by keeping on top of services keeps the bike pering like a kitten .never let's me down .
Absolutely sensible and brilliant advice. As someone who’s not only ridden and toured for decades and built both cars and bikes I don’t get the point of spending on the latest and greatest when keeping it simple has always been the best. The most important point has to be changing oil more frequently and I’ll add to that filter changes as well. Changing your oil and filter more regularly is far cheaper than a rebuild or new engine.
My last bike Kawasaki Z1000 2006 had 60k miles on it when I sold it. Ridden every day except in the white. I cleaned the bike every week regardless if it needed it or not. Changed parts as needed. Still looked new when I sold it. My current Z gets the same treatment. Never use a pressure washer. Only about 30% of the bike actually gets dirty from the road. Clean by hand with quality products.
Pavlin, where have you been all my life? This video concisely (and mercilessly) summarizes all my beliefs with motorcycling. Don‘t just buy‘n‘brag, but RIDE the damn thing! Motorcycling is precisely about ENJOYING challenge, hardship, focus and expanding the own abilities. Greetings to Bulgaria, may you always have a safe ride! 🤙🏻
Oil… YES YES YES ! I own a T7 and change the oil every 3000 Miles, costs so little and even mechanically incompetent me can do it in 30 mins from start to finish. I even use Yamahlube full synth, which may or may not be the best, but I am happy with it. I was also in the Industry for 20 plus years, and agree with everything said here. I have seen guys commuting on Supersports bikes, who change their oil every 4000 miles, how about 198000 miles on a Fireblade running totally original engine !!!
I have kept my T7 as simple as possible. She's pretty much stock, apart from a luggage system, a Hepco/Becker center stand (-1kg compared to the orig. Yamaha one), a higher windshield and a titanium exhaust, the latter saving around 2,5 kgs. I love the Ténéré for the simplicity, which was exactly the reason why I bought it...
I am 82 years old and that is why I ride a 99 Harley Softail Custom. It was about the last big twin with the simplicity of the EVO engine. I can change carb jets in about 10 minutes without removing the carburetor.
Such clever advices ! Before I passed my driving licence, I rode a Honda 125 CM for years. Daily commuting, short trips, long trips. Basically every kinds of trips except off-road (don't ask a bike to do what it's not made for). Very simple, very sturdy, super easy to maintain and fix, when necessary... As a result, the most reliable bike I ever had. Keeping it as simple as possible is one of the main (if not the main) key to travel on a bike.
Ik heb altijd met oude Africa twins gereden, elke 6000 km nieuwe olie. Oliefilter. 100000km x3 zonder problemen. Het gaat idd om je ervaringen niet om de motor of de opties. Fantastische video dit!
Your Welcome. After 5 Africa twins i just startet a year ago with a „new“ one. This rd07 is like new with just 49200km on it. The digital Revolution is a Tripmaster and of corse the Tempature Koso. All the new stuff is beautifull but not for me. Just petrol and Oil thats it. Greetings and have A Safe trip and Nice Day from Holland/Germany . Edwin
Totally agree! I actually replace the oil every few thousand km, much more often than suggested. As for the mods - there are some that are extremely handy or borderline a necessity - but how many are there really depends on the machine, its model and what you want to do. Simple as that. Also, the word about the travels - YES! It's the experience that makes it great. Why own a cool motorcycle if you can't travel or can't use it the way it should be used? I know some guys who have supersport bikes, but they don't go on track and these machines are too powerful for riding around a city. Sure you can do it, but then you're not using its full potential.
I am new in the motorcycle adventure world, but even I understand the values of these lessons. I did travel a lot in my life, 74 countries (by the DXCC list). In my world, travel experiance is the most valuable investment one can do in oneself.
I found this video accidentally, and I love it. There is much wisdom here. I wish more people used their bikes for riding and adventures instead as an excuse to buy more and more things. As it comes to adventures I say the smaller bike the better. Last summer I rode a 3-month trip around Europe, from UK to Gibraltar, Venice, the Alps, to Poland and then back to England. My "adventure bike" was Yamaha MT-125 and my wife's bike was Honda CB-125R. And we had only A1 driving licenses too. It was more than enough for an adventure of lifetime. And pretty cheap too. Modern bikes are excellent machines indeed. We changed oil three times, we kept chains oiled and as it was said here: the simpler the better. So if a 125ccm bike is good for trips like that, imagine what you can do with your nice 600 or a 1000ccm motorcycle and all that "proper" adventure equipment! You can ride to the moon.
You are very right. I own a "bigger" 150 cc and have been riding for 8 years (2 different bikes but both 150 cc) all around my country (Argentina). Extreme heights, distances, winds, temperatures, and never had any problems. I love offroading and in that regard these bikes are super very agile and capable. I like to say that the smaller the bike, the greater the adventure.
Well said! I'll keep my Gazelle! I have never really understood the eager for 250-300kg's "adventure" bikes, size of a small car, that never leaves the tarmac. I'm so truly happy for my KTM 690 Duke. That's my Gazelle! And gadgets...yep, so true. When I look back on my motorcycle years (40 of them this year) I can honestly say, that most breakdowns are due to electric failure. And mostly poor made electrical connections. Thank you!
I agree with everything besides the oil one. I don't know about other bikes, but specifically in the Honda NC700/750 community there are loads of guys with 250-400K KM (trouble free) on the clock who stick to the 12,000 km oil change intervals. Granted, that's a low-stressed, long-stroke engine making 50-ish bhp, but it's still something.
Tell that all the riders that traveling on it trough the continents, like itchy boots.... Clearly you have different view/opinion on adventure riding and...Stick to it.
I totally agree with you but I noticed it is often when you wash your motorcycle that you find potential problems. Loose screws, leaks, broken spokes, nails in tires, worn off brake pads, chain that needs tension, etc…
Great video sir. I agree with all points. Specially the engine oil change point. RE service guys always told me to have a 5000-7000 kms interval between oil changes but I always got it done between 3000-4000 depending on rides and usage. As a result...I got an economy of 42-46 kmpl on my RE classic 350 even after 46K kms.
Thank you for this. It is so true. Many years ago I spoke with a man who organized travels around the world. This with motor-cycles. In groups not bigger the 6 or 8, I asked him, whit what bike he did that. He had a 1300 cc Yamaha. It had a carburettor. That bike was 15 years old. The only spare part he had was a Gas-cable. He gave the advice, give the bike new oil, and new brake pads. Just a small - service. Then it will be oke. But please do not start the trip with latest motorcycle. You need a bike that is simple, that anyone can fix in the middle of nowhere.
I've been a very competitive cyclist for the last 24 years (I'll still go on). I bought my first motorcycle, a humble tw200, to learn! You seems like the kind of guy I would like to have as a friend. I'll watch more, it look like you have answer I didnt knew I asked for!
Love the advice especially points 5 to 9 and your summary in 10. Bought my new bike for the way it handles and because the 'fit' feels right for me, being a tall guy. A bit too much in terms of electronics but couldn't find the right bike anymore without ride by wire. My old and trusted bikes are outlawed in the metropolitan area where I live because supposedly they pollute more than a new 6 cylinder three-liter plus car. Hopefully I won't miss the throttle and clutch cables ... at night alongside the road
10, 5:48 i dont agree, yes proper maintenance is must on all bikes, but bike choice is definitely one of most important things for reliability. Generally everything from Japan = reliable, simple, boring; KTM = performance oriented, BWM - ehhhhhhh i dont know, not a fan of that manufacturer; Ducati - befriend your local dealer and never leave city 😁
as example i abused and beaten my transalp in offroad to almost his death. Rode it like stolen and enduro. Eventually sold it in very bad condition for almost free, but engine was still working and starting like new ;
Oh Pavlin, you could have said "RTFM (read the f….g manual) of your motorcycle" which I would strongly advice to every motorcyclist - a very good read and often a life-saver as well. Same goes for the safety instructions of a pressure washer (1.5 meters etc.). Modern washing liquids are solvent-free and still work as the stuff (or sometimes even better) which we used 15-20 years back. Point 4 - bullocks as it´s said “once a year or max 16.000 KM, whatever happens first”. Following this advice to the point means that a bike should see at least once a year a workshop from inside for an oil change. But, as with washing, it´s at the owners discretion to have the oil changed or not to save some pennies (at the wrong end). I love farkles and people should buy them but only if something (eg. lousy headlight, buying aux lights in addition) needs to be improved. Don´t allow clever marketing people to tell you what you need - they´re just behind your money. The annotation of yours I liked the most was about Adventure - every ride on every bike to every place, by every person with whatever intention can be considered as an Adventure. No one needs EUR 25k+ so called ADV-bikes with most doubtful off-road capabilities to experience an adventure (besides, why anyway longing to buy a big fat ADV bike to go off-road when most of the interesting part of the world is reachable on paved roads?). Take what you have and go! See the world, meet people, enjoy every moment, create your own adventures, your own memories, stop longing or envy others already doing it - go for it yourself, to the next village, next big town, neighboring country - whatever suits you, but GO! Cos as it´s correctly mentioned in the vid - those memories will last till your last breath which is what counts in life. Stay safe Pavlin and take care, Q
Thank you kindly for all the good stuff you give on YT! I wanted to learn how to ride a bike. I loved my Puch Dakota moped, and when I now much later purchased a used Honda CB500 for equal ~1500 USD I knew the basics. Then, after having swept the Net for all info possible I made the P-lots unsafe for weeks, then step by step on roads. I'll never go on long journeys with an old 1998 bike but that was never my intention. I'd say I've spent my money well, and I've got reasonably fluent as my own grease monkey.
Thanks Pavlin, great advice. On the engine oil, the commercial team at the manufacturer will go for the longest drain interval that will not cost them for oil consumption under warranty. The design engineers want no more than 50% of what ends up in the handbook. The other issue is that dealers can use any old oil, it just needs to brown, slippery and cheap. Thank you.
Absolutely true. The best oil is fresh oil, but users rather believe the manufacturer even when they know the manufacturer's business is selling new bikes and not making old ones last.
Many thanks !! This is really good and I agree with all of your pointers. Personally, I'm just happy riding my 2019 z900, stock. I've added a USB charger and that's about it. Simplicity is beautiful, and underrated.
The dealership is the only place that knows how to properly maintain your motorcycle. If you can not maintain your motorcycle yourself, you will have problems on a trip sooner or later. If money is not a problem and you only ride in populated areas, this might not be true but something that you could easily fix by your self could end your trip if you have to rely on others to fix things for you. You can only use genuine XXXX parts to maintain the bike because they are the best. (This is BS! You can get better parts after market and many automotive parts can be used as direct replacements. Sorry, this last sentence was somehow deleted.)
Good advice. I never let a pressure washer anywhere near my bike. Just use dish washing liquid and rince it off. My bike if a fine and clean example after 19 years and 225k km. When the engine oil turns black, it's abrasive, so change it frequently.
Excellent advice. I would like to add that one of the most important priorities when buying a motorcycle is weight. A lightweight motor cycle is easier to handle and more pleasurable to ride. It will not need such a large engine to go fast. It will almost certainly be much cheaper to run because it will use less fuel and components such as tires and brake pads will last much longer.
Loved this video! I just about fell off my chair with the comment about "big heavy elephant" - I too have realized that and down-sized. Great observations!
i have 13 bikes, one of them is Kawa KLR600 from 1985.....i have it since 1997. with 17.000km was on it, i am changing oil and filter (it cost me 6$ for oil (tractor oil 10W40 mineral, not for MOTO with wet clutch) plus 4$ filter) every 5000km and guess what, it has more then 130.000km now without any engine problem....have had burnt ignition coil once and changed doohickey at around 80kkm, right on time as it was half broken....only electronics on the KLR is CDI box, turn signal relay and rectifier(voltage regulator)....and lighting bulbs :))))
This is sound advice based on experience and I concur with everything said. I think that the most valuable piece of information is that concerning oil changes. Regardless of the bike you ride change the engine oil frequently ( I change mine about every 6,000 Km) It is now 25 years old, as strong as an Ox and has no oil loss either from leaks or bypassing the rings and being burnt. Keep up the good work my friend.👍
I’m still driving my Kawasaki Z1000 from 1977, and I did exactly that. Every year or max 10K I changed the oil and oil filter. It’s still running. I sometimes enjoy it more than my KTM 890 Adventure, although I must say since I’m driving that bike I’m abel to explore more remote Area’s because off-road is the best.
Agree with all … that’s why I still ride my 2007 r1200gs … over 100,000 miles and still chugging along. I love the purity of no buttons beside turning off abs …
Good video and all of your points are accurate. I do like and appreciate some creature comforts that my new Africa Twin has that either of my other two bikes do not have though. This is probably the last new bike I will buy so it's getting set up how I want it. Mostly that it just some engine guards and auxiliary lighting for at nigh and luggage for traveling. I ride where there is an abundance of large wildlife at night and I want to be able to see them. Other than that the AT has all of what I want. On the topic of engine oil, not all oil is created equal many years and a few million miles as taught and proven that to me. A big thing is oil filtration, buy good filters and change them every oil change. Honda has almost a 13000km oil change interval in the manual, but it says to only change the filter every other oil change! That is the most absurd thing I have ever read and no way I agree with that either. Also when/if adding any electrical accessories take time doing the wiring! soldered connections, sealed with shrink tube is a must and even on the weather proof connectors on an OEM harness set up I always use a little dielectric grease on the seals to help insure they stay watertight and keep moisture out. The extra time spent doing these things can safe a lot of frustration down the road. Do it right the first time.
An interesting fact is also that not too long ago (I'm 63) most motorcycles had around 250-900cc, most had no more than 50 hp, they had carburators, drum brakes, lousy suspension and skinny tires - no ABS, traction control, fairings for wind protection - and they fit everybody right out of the box. People were riding them at high speeds wearing low-quality helmets and gear, they had no complaints and went on real adventures! Today we have all the technology but a bike has to be personalized first. The seat height has to be changed, the sprockets have to be messed with, bigger tires, protection bars, huge trunks, high windshields and so on have to be installed. And the average ridden yearly mileage has never been as low.
@@motorcycleadventures Number 1 is the most important point. Dealers will try to sell you the most expensive bike, or the one they make the most on. If a smaller bike is not available, they will tell you that it's not good for you. Buy the bike that suits you, but don't buy the bike that looks the best. Don't try to make the bike to fit you but first find out which bike you actually need. Ask yourself how much city/country/highway you'll be riding, if you ride with a passenger or not, how economic it is, how much power you need and how much weight you can handle. Write the results down and then see which bike comes closest to this. You may be surprised. Also it can be smart to have a small scooter to go to work with and a bigger bike for weekend trips, that may be a better choice than a medium sized bike which is too big to go shopping with and maybe too small for a weekend trip. I ride my SH150i scooter every day, it's very economic and can be parked on a sidewalk in a pinch, and a NC750S which I can use for 500 km trips a day. And: It's more fun to ride a small bike fast than a fast bike slow! :)
Well said. Couldn't agree more. The same advice i got and realized over time. One of them being, focus on riding and travelling instead of over accessorising.
Excellent as always Pavlin! It makes me happy that I own a Suzuki DR650 - maybe the most basic adventure bike there is. Thanks again for great content.
The DR650 is a bullet proof little bike. I had one for almost 5 years. I just sold it actually the beginning of this week. Great dependable bike however it wasn't fitting all my needs any longer. I have a new Africa Twin sitting at the dealer waiting for weather to improve so I can get it home here. The DR650 I had wasn't big enough to have a passenger that was an adult, and may of my miles are road miles. Not always payment though, actually when I am working during the summer I put on about 650 miles a month all on gravel road. My old Heritage Softail is not meant for gravel road at all. My daughter is getting it so I will be down to one bike to take care of, and utilize far better.
Can't agree more with you brother! I have followed almost all of these instructions for my motorcycle. she's a 180cc air cooled 17 BHP tiny Bajaj Pulsar purchased in 2008; and I've clocked over 125,000 kms on it. It still starts with one kick.
I don't agree, buy what you can afford and really like. Life is too short to make compromises. Not everyone wants or has the time for adventure travels but wants to enjoy every free minute with something special. Also some don't keep their bikes for many years and don't care about longevity.
Amen, brother. Experience comes with miles and obstacles. If you truly want to ride - hold your nose and dive in. Just be mindful of your limits until you're ready to exceed them.
Agreed. Been riding motorcycles for 12 years now, but keeping it simple, and performing preventative maintenance are the hallmarks of a working vehicle. And over the course of owning five bikes, I've come to appreciate nimble 600-700cc engines.
6th point - hahaha nicely said, i think you called out like 90% of motorycle "community", people that spent so much time on forums, researching and buying shit then to drive 1000 km a year or less XD ;
i always 'mod' all my bikes the same way, just the really useful/necessary minimum: phone mount(chinese xmount), usb ports, cig lighter port(not necessary but good to have), heated grips(on every bike must have for me), windshield deflector and sometimes topcase. Thats it. Bike purchase, Maintenance, repairs and tires are expensive enough lol. Better to spend money for service to make sure its 100% good condition than farkles. americans usually can afford to do both and have 300sqm house with garden and own garage but thats different world 😂😂👍👍
This common sense and reality check in Pavlin videos is the reason i subscribed. All this marketing ADV took motorcylcing into new sphere. From a freedom to ride and choose we became traped into expensive tours, expensive motorcycles and gear. Maybe this is the reason i mostly on the road i meet full kitted 20k+ bikes. Seems like being motorcyclist today shifted into luxury premium segment. I still believe and i think, even older models such as Varadero, TDMs, Bandits, etc. that are properly cared and serviced are maybe even more durable and competent to go on long hauls. As long u dont compare PURE PERFORMANCE which mostly is far above most of riders abilities.
Bought a 2009 Honda CBF125 2 years ago, no thrills motor, as simple as it gets. Gives me 100 km on 2 litres of gasolina. Best investment ever. A joy to ride. No more traffic jams. Dead cheap. Thanks for the tip on oil change. Have to learn that one.
Once a year I change the oil. Excellent advice. Ppl forget in many countries riding season is like 6 months or so. In any case, average motorcycle is sitting in a garage over winter at minimum. This season I rode first time in April, and before that in October last year. That’s 7 months of sitting in a garage… of course I changed the oil before this year season. Great video good advice, especially for new riders! Happy riding
100% agree on hardly ever washing it, and always do oil changes at 1/2 manufacturer recommendation - put over 200 000 miles on my Bandit with no dramas (probably also no coincidence that there are almost no electronics on that bike...)
Fully agree on the oil change: At the very least swap the oil every 5000km or once a year just before the winterization. Rule of thumb (even with cars): Cut the manufacturer‘s interval in half. They gain nothing from making your bike run reliably forever, quite the opposite. Compared to the overall cost of ownership and maintenance, the oil and filter is only pennies on the dollar anyways.
Great advice, and happy to hear about washing the bike, I have been riding for some 50 plus years, and was even reluctant to wash my motocross back in the day.... and I also appreciate hearing the other tips, as most come naturally, yet I feel some relief hearing from you. Thank you
Only thing I would question is the frequency of washing your motorcycle. Where I live the roads are salted and even after a short journey the bike requires some form of cleaning . 👍
i avoid wet or icy weather whenever possible, but because i spend most of my time riding on narrow lanes in the country the bottom of the bike ends up covered in mud and cowshit lol, so i give it a good clean every month or so and paint on acf50 where needed - seems to work so far.
They selling in Germany oils for motorcycles with fancy names with over 40 euros per liter! I have an old Honda CBR1000F and I buy Castrol Edge for cars for half a price. She's running perfectly! I change the oil every year. I agree with you on every point! Good luck!
Wonderful video. It reaffirms some thoughts I've been having, as I compare my 2022 KLR to all the folks with their Tenere 700s, BMWs, etc. I wanted SIMPLE and reliable. I have kept my modifications simple as well, and only when riding has convinced me the change was needed. Example: loads of KLR owners swap out the windscreen and I thought of doing it, but I LOVE the small windscreen because I actually like the airflow at speed. But I live in a hot climate, so...I need the air! Crashbars were done after recommendation, and that was 100% the right thing to do, to save the bike from my learning phase, and it makes me a little less fearful of trying some new skills, so good investment. Anyway, now I love my bike. Instead of getting bigger bags, I will learn to ride with less and lighter gear. Simpler is better.
An excellent video that every motorcyclist should watch and digest. Everything listed is common sense, but we so often let our hearts rule our heads. Possibly the best point and maybe the least understood, is that long and infrequent oil changes are total BS and only "benefit" the first owner.
Totally true, The only thing that needs to be cleaned on a regular time frame, is the chain and greased frequently is the chain, and clean the mud from the front shock absorbers so the seals are not get leaky. In the old days they always had rubber covers over it, I never understood why the took that off. And keep it simple especially on the electronics.
I bought a 1999 883 Sportster to use for transportation. I have had my Sportster for 25 years and 400,000 miles and have gone through 37 back tires and 17 front ones and 3 belts in 25 years on the original engine. I have had my Triumph Tr-6 with a hard tail and magneto for 40 years.
I do agree with you on the oil change topic. Sooner is better. But how soon also depends on your usage. This is something to be determined via oil analysis on a case by case basis, not from a general estimation.
Very good advice, especially on the oil changes. I ran all my bikes well past 100000 miles plus before replacement. Try to find a good dealer for maintenance or do it yourself. Get good rider training then get as much seat time as you can, then travel. 👍great upload
I enjoyed your video even though I didn't need to watch it. My idea of a great bike is my 1978 Yamaha SR500. The thing is as simple as a rock and will last forever. As for oil changes and maintenance. Changing oil on a bike is so easy and cheap, I change it way more often than I actually need to.
I spent on Garmin GPS, Anakee off road tires, crash bars and lastly I am thinking about better underneath bash plate. I hate spending all this money and you are 100% right about all your comments. I use you as the little Devil on my shoulder when I want to buy something. 😂
Cool wise words for me, after 43 years riding bikes and today with a 13 years old Honda VFR1200F. A dryer, more essential and simple bike than it looks I am keeping along with likewise attitude.
Double the price rarely ever means double the fun! IMO nothing beats a late 90s bike that you know every square millimetre of, maintain yourself and take pride in keeping it running perfectly while putting big miles on it.
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 88 | คู่เอก "ป้อมเพชร vs อัสลามจอน"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1ZqTVVbMgbo/mqdefault.jpg)
I was a motorcycle dealer for 21 years, and agree totally with you now that I'm older. Well done.
Thanks for sharing, Robert!
A motorcycle "dealer" or a motorcycle salesman? You don't even know the vernacular of the industry.
@@generalyellor8188 Don't be a dick, At Least he shared Something useful
Look at yo-self, Sharing nothing And pretending to be a smart-ass
The Guy Showing Us The Moon, You: LOOK AT HIS FINGER ?
Grow-Up
@@generalyellor8188 Meh
6:58 Just joining your channel today. Watched this video and one other. Love the passion and looking forward to more. Of course there are honest dealers and sales people who care. Finding one is a treasure and a pleasure. With that said there is also great pleasure in seeing your passion and honesty to help people and entertain, at the same time. Thanks!
Finally, a person that truly understands what bikes are about and how to enjoy them. Good vid brother.
Thanks!
Agree with all of that. And more frequent oil changes just has to be better. When I started as a motor mechanic apprentice in the 1960s oil changes were required about every 1500 miles. Oils and engine manufacture have greatly improved, but not enough to make the inter-change mileages the manufacturers are claiming. They just want you to wear your engine and gearbox out more quickly. And governments won’t step in to stop this, as they are all wedded to selling electric vehicles and getting internal-combustion off the streets (for good or ill). Thanks for the video Pavlin. Les in UK
Thanks for watching, Leslie!
it's better to use 'cheaper' oil and change it often, than use super expensive oil and change it -not so often...
@@seekter-kafa up to a point, I agree. But some “poorer quality” oils are pretty terrible. Les
@@leslieaustin151 of course, you wouldnt put in the cheapest kind of oil, that goes without saying
I agree with you and Pavlin regarding oil changes. And the eradication of the internal combustion engine is ludicrous.
When I bought my 1999 SAAB 93 SE Auto Cabriolet in December last year, it had only a genuine 72,000 miles on the clock. For the past 15 years it had been owned by a retired couple in south London, and were selling due to the new evil tax being imposed by the WEF puppet mayor.
It had been parked in a leafy suburb under a tree that caused the roof to become somewhat blotchy. The alloy rims have all been damaged by the typical London granite curbs, and, judging by the nature of the scrape on front bumper someone recently introduced it to a concrete bollard! The bonnet catch refused to open due to being dried out, and the entire engine bay was filthy. My guess is that it has not been cleaned for years. Other than that it’s a clean car.
But the really good news is that each year when it was MoT’d, it also had a full service - despite only doing an average of just 1,500 miles since the last one!! 🧐😎😜
The auto gearbox probably needs to be changed soon.
It’s a wholly impractical car of course, quite quirky and not as ergonomic as my Mondeo TDCi estate that’s off the road. But I’m hoping it’s gentle treatment in the lube department bodes well for the future. As soon as prices come down a bit, I’m getting a bug-out van to convert.
Peace
Keeping bikes clean, especially around suspension components (amongst others) will in fact make them last longer
having a bike full of dust and rocks and insect guts burning onto your paint is bad.
After you wash your bike, treat it to something like ACF50 or XCP, thus you wont have rust and if you treat your electricals to it you wont have electrical issues either.
Most people's wash routine just sucks lol.
And KNOW when to wash, there are fantastic products available today that can safely lift dust/bugs etc off a surface without requiring a you to bring out the waterbuckets. Detail sprays are a MUST for extending time between actual washes.
Thanks for taking the time!
You are opening our eyes to a new different lifestyle Pavlin. This goes beyond motorcycle advice. Thank you. I traded my new heavy k1600 gt full of gadgets against a much lighter 2012 oil-cooled r1200rt with much less electronics. Will be traveling from Germany to Türkiye again this year. Hopefully for the 20th time. Now at almost 50, the landscape has a higher priority over the style, the bike's technology, and the steering capabilities.
Glad to help!
intresting comment you made ,Ive done something very similar ,should have kept my 2011 rt spent the money on petrol and oil
@@mart4756 The new bikes have a screen as large as a computer. I work all day on a PC. The last thing I want is to keep looking at a screen on a bike when riding it. Less is better, indeed.
Year after year, bike after bike, I've gone up the steps in 20 years and ultimately spent money on a new K1600 GT. A choice dictated by my ego for always "more". It was justified by the marketing arguments of power, comfort, and safety.
After owning and traveling with it from Europe to Türkiye, I realized... it's way too heavy, too expensive, too sophisticated, too bulky, too flashy, too hard to handle when stopped; the big engine heats up too much in summer traffic, it consumes a lot of gas. It encourages you to drive faster (fines), and I was always playing with electronic gadgets. There is too much side wind effect. It costs too much, and I was always worried about dropping it or scratching it. The bike was at the center of my trips. It should be part of it only.
After some introspection (and Pavlin's videos) I deduced that (for my needs and in my case) the top was reached in the 2010s with BMW, just before the switch to liquid cooling. I'm back on an old bike it's cheaper to insure, to maintain, and there are plenty of spare parts on ebay. I don't care if there is a scratch, it is easier to repair. It already has more then enough power.
every video like this simply proves my choice of my DR650 means I am a genius! It only took me 45 years to learn this!
Good!
Very very true words… after 500tkm I agree with all… an example from my life… in the 80th my wife and I drove on a Vespa 200 with 12 HP from Vienna to Göreme in Turkey wirh all camping gear… today we drive with the car and rest in hotels… am I happier? no…. threrefore I serviced my old Transalp and the camping gear is ready for this year😊
Thanks for sharing!
You are one practical, pragmatic, and No-BS guy. Love it.
Big mile between oil changes will probably equal big problems when you least want them.
Oil change is cheaper than a big bill on the road.
Agree completely.
Simple, sensible advice.
Safe, happy travels 👍
Thanks for taking the time again, Richard!
So how often should I change oil then approximately?
@@bochiebochie depends on usage, but I would not exceed 10000km, (6000 miles) and I would change it more if the usage was hard.
Just my opinion, though.
A key thing I keep in mind is that automobiles always have separation between motor oil and transmission lubricant. Most motorcycles use the same oil to lubricate the engine's moving parts AND the transmission's moving parts. That implies to me that with my oil doing "double duty," it definitely should not have to wait more than about 5,000 miles / 8,000 kilometers before it is changed, regardless of higher values that may be in my owner's manual. I also use very high quality oil so I know what is handling both the engine and transmission duties. If your owner's manual specifies a shorter interval, like 3,000 miles / 5,000 kilometers, then definitely follow that guidance, not this random guy on the Internet.
As Scotty Kilmer (TH-cam personality) likes to say - "Oil is cheap. Engines (and motorcycle transmissions) are expensive."
@@teneretraveller8980responding with above numbers are you talking about mineral, semi or full synthetic?
The best touring bike is whatever you've got. I've done 1,000s of miles on a 125, and enjoyed every minute.
Couldn't agree more!
Me on a 100 CC..about 1000KM recently... It was a great experience..
I bought a very clean and low mileage motorcycle a couple of years ago. It sat around unused for many years but the owner before me got it, refreshed everything on it and took great care of it. But he was also very insistent on washing it all the time. This led to the rectifier under the seat to slowly start corroding which burned other electrics along the circuit and made for a fairly expensive repair.
Thanks for sharing! I hope that many will read this commend.
This is one of the very best videos on motorcycle travel I have ever watched. Keep it simple - spend the money on skill development and travel is my personal mantra for motorcycling. It doesn't matter what you have - my most memorable trip was on a 1973 Honda 500/4. No windscreen, a duffel bag bungied on the back seat. Just get out there!
Thanks for taking the time and sharing your experience, Terry!
Totally agree with all your points. I've owned my Ducati ST4 for nearly 15 years. put 36,000 miles on her. The only things I do are change the oil and filter every year, and get the belts/valves done every 2-3 years. Never had a problem, and don't intend to "upgrade" to anything else. Simple bike, with no "toys" just a pure riding experience.
Thanks for sharing!
Motorcycle engines are not like car engines. Not only is the oil in the crankcase, exposed to some blowby exhaust and pumped onto hot cylinder &valve walls BUT it is also chewed by the gears and is the hydrostatic pressure of the wet clutch rings.
After 3000 miles (4800km) mine is black and feels noticeablly thinner than when it went in as smooth honey color.
I'd say with a filter 7000km is probably best upper limit and on small bikes without a filter 5000km.
I'm not worried about particles on a bike thats over 5000km...but it is just the beating and outgassing that motorcycle oil takes.
Agree!
Totally agree with you . Especially the oil and oil changes . I change mine 3 times every 10,000 miles . I also use turbo diesel oil , it's capable of withstanding very high temperatures and with 100s of 1000s of miles covered it's proved a good choice 👍
Thanks for sharing!
I agree with everything you say apart from the issue of cleaning. Cleaning with "motorcycle cleaners" will eventually ruin the finish of your motorcycle as most of them are very caustic. However, if you clean the bike with ordinary car shampoo frequently, use polish on the painted parts and coat the surfaces of the bike with protective oils it will last a long time. Kerosene or WD 40 will take off oily residues as bike cleaners are designed too without damaging the finish. I have a 21 year old R1150GS (that I've had for 19 Years and 90 thousand miles) that is evidence of this and which is used as my winter bike on Northern Ireland roads which are coated in road salt from November to late March. The other thing I do with all my bikes is coat the underside of the tank with car underbody wax to protect the surface which usually isn't painted much and which you can't easily access to clean the salt off on a regular basis.
Let's be honest, 99% of people will wash their bikes with whatever they have. People like you are not so many.
Excellent vid and makes perfect sense. There is a lovely feel as you flip down the visor and roll on the throttle immediately after an oil change. The beautiful smooth feel of the gearbox and softer sound of the engine is reassuringly blissful and worth the effort and expense, especially if the oil has been changed by the rider. It's definitely worth learning how to do it yourself if you have the tools and motivation. And will help to ensure more frequent oil changes too! 👍
Well said!
100% agree ,i avarage 24000 miles a year just on work commute, Always change oil around 3000/5000 miles ,I do approximately 4 oil changes per year. airfilter ,coolent full flush with break fluid , clutch fluid and spark on the 6 month mark , do alot of heavy riding in town bike and by keeping on top of services keeps the bike pering like a kitten .never let's me down .
Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely sensible and brilliant advice. As someone who’s not only ridden and toured for decades and built both cars and bikes I don’t get the point of spending on the latest and greatest when keeping it simple has always been the best. The most important point has to be changing oil more frequently and I’ll add to that filter changes as well. Changing your oil and filter more regularly is far cheaper than a rebuild or new engine.
Thanks for taking the time, Dave!
My last bike Kawasaki Z1000 2006 had 60k miles on it when I sold it. Ridden every day except in the white. I cleaned the bike every week regardless if it needed it or not. Changed parts as needed. Still looked new when I sold it. My current Z gets the same treatment. Never use a pressure washer. Only about 30% of the bike actually gets dirty from the road. Clean by hand with quality products.
Air filter or some other filter?
@@igwearinze5184 oil filter
Agree with all. Seen it all in the mountain bike industry. A £300 Hardtail bike can do 99% of all riding you'll ever need.
Pavlin, where have you been all my life?
This video concisely (and mercilessly) summarizes all my beliefs with motorcycling.
Don‘t just buy‘n‘brag, but RIDE the damn thing! Motorcycling is precisely about ENJOYING challenge, hardship, focus and expanding the own abilities.
Greetings to Bulgaria, may you always have a safe ride! 🤙🏻
Always here for everyone who wants to listen!
Oil… YES YES YES ! I own a T7 and change the oil every 3000 Miles, costs so little and even mechanically incompetent me can do it in 30 mins from start to finish. I even use Yamahlube full synth, which may or may not be the best, but I am happy with it.
I was also in the Industry for 20 plus years, and agree with everything said here. I have seen guys commuting on Supersports bikes, who change their oil every 4000 miles, how about 198000 miles on a Fireblade running totally original engine !!!
Thanks for sharing!
I have kept my T7 as simple as possible. She's pretty much stock, apart from a luggage system, a Hepco/Becker center stand (-1kg compared to the orig. Yamaha one), a higher windshield and a titanium exhaust, the latter saving around 2,5 kgs. I love the Ténéré for the simplicity, which was exactly the reason why I bought it...
Thanks for sharing!
I am 82 years old and that is why I ride a 99 Harley Softail Custom. It was about the last big twin with the simplicity of the EVO engine. I can change carb jets in about 10 minutes without removing the carburetor.
Good!
Such clever advices !
Before I passed my driving licence, I rode a Honda 125 CM for years. Daily commuting, short trips, long trips. Basically every kinds of trips except off-road (don't ask a bike to do what it's not made for). Very simple, very sturdy, super easy to maintain and fix, when necessary...
As a result, the most reliable bike I ever had.
Keeping it as simple as possible is one of the main (if not the main) key to travel on a bike.
Thanks for sharing!
Keeping it simpel is also the best strategy for evetything else, but the work you do. Simple jobs are unfortenerly bad payed
Ik heb altijd met oude Africa twins gereden, elke 6000 km nieuwe olie. Oliefilter. 100000km x3 zonder problemen. Het gaat idd om je ervaringen niet om de motor of de opties. Fantastische video dit!
Thanks for taking the time and sharing your experience, Edwin!
Your Welcome. After 5 Africa twins i just startet a year ago with a „new“ one. This rd07 is like new with just 49200km on it. The digital Revolution is a Tripmaster and of corse the Tempature Koso. All the new stuff is beautifull but not for me. Just petrol and Oil thats it. Greetings and have A Safe trip and Nice Day from Holland/Germany . Edwin
Totally agree! I actually replace the oil every few thousand km, much more often than suggested. As for the mods - there are some that are extremely handy or borderline a necessity - but how many are there really depends on the machine, its model and what you want to do. Simple as that.
Also, the word about the travels - YES! It's the experience that makes it great. Why own a cool motorcycle if you can't travel or can't use it the way it should be used? I know some guys who have supersport bikes, but they don't go on track and these machines are too powerful for riding around a city. Sure you can do it, but then you're not using its full potential.
Well...it is what it is! Everyone is free to buy or to do whatever he or she likes!
Super sport bikes on streets? It makes no sense to me at all.
I am new in the motorcycle adventure world, but even I understand the values of these lessons. I did travel a lot in my life, 74 countries (by the DXCC list). In my world, travel experiance is the most valuable investment one can do in oneself.
I found this video accidentally, and I love it. There is much wisdom here. I wish more people used their bikes for riding and adventures instead as an excuse to buy more and more things.
As it comes to adventures I say the smaller bike the better. Last summer I rode a 3-month trip around Europe, from UK to Gibraltar, Venice, the Alps, to Poland and then back to England. My "adventure bike" was Yamaha MT-125 and my wife's bike was Honda CB-125R. And we had only A1 driving licenses too. It was more than enough for an adventure of lifetime. And pretty cheap too.
Modern bikes are excellent machines indeed. We changed oil three times, we kept chains oiled and as it was said here: the simpler the better.
So if a 125ccm bike is good for trips like that, imagine what you can do with your nice 600 or a 1000ccm motorcycle and all that "proper" adventure equipment! You can ride to the moon.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Martin!
You are very right. I own a "bigger" 150 cc and have been riding for 8 years (2 different bikes but both 150 cc) all around my country (Argentina). Extreme heights, distances, winds, temperatures, and never had any problems. I love offroading and in that regard these bikes are super very agile and capable. I like to say that the smaller the bike, the greater the adventure.
Well spoken! Take that from a man that have 50 years on bikes! You are spot on!!🤩
Good, thanks!
Well said! I'll keep my Gazelle! I have never really understood the eager for 250-300kg's "adventure" bikes, size of a small car, that never leaves the tarmac.
I'm so truly happy for my KTM 690 Duke. That's my Gazelle!
And gadgets...yep, so true. When I look back on my motorcycle years (40 of them this year) I can honestly say, that most breakdowns are due to electric failure. And mostly poor made electrical connections.
Thank you!
Thanks for watching and sharing your experience!
big adventure bikes are fantastic you just need to use them properly and not as enduro ;
I agree with everything besides the oil one. I don't know about other bikes, but specifically in the Honda NC700/750 community there are loads of guys with 250-400K KM (trouble free) on the clock who stick to the 12,000 km oil change intervals. Granted, that's a low-stressed, long-stroke engine making 50-ish bhp, but it's still something.
This only means that they can have even more km if they shorten the intervals.
Truth! That is why after many big bikes I have bought myself crf250 rally. It just suits me most!
Great! Enjoy it!
@@motorcycleadventures 👍👍👍👌
then it means youre not doing adventure riding but enduro..
singles are aweful, useless as an adv bike ;
Tell that all the riders that traveling on it trough the continents, like itchy boots.... Clearly you have different view/opinion on adventure riding and...Stick to it.
I totally agree with you but I noticed it is often when you wash your motorcycle that you find potential problems. Loose screws, leaks, broken spokes, nails in tires, worn off brake pads, chain that needs tension, etc…
Fair enough, but if you do a regular maintenance, you will see it as well.
i guess you have a point there ;
Great video sir. I agree with all points. Specially the engine oil change point. RE service guys always told me to have a 5000-7000 kms interval between oil changes but I always got it done between 3000-4000 depending on rides and usage. As a result...I got an economy of 42-46 kmpl on my RE classic 350 even after 46K kms.
Thanks for sharing!
I work at a RE dealership. Yes the 350 classic is Soo nice. Thick clutch and break lever is nice. So balanced and the little crackle from exhaust.
Thank you for this. It is so true. Many years ago I spoke with a man who organized travels around the world. This with motor-cycles. In groups not bigger the 6 or 8, I asked him, whit what bike he did that. He had a 1300 cc Yamaha. It had a carburettor. That bike was 15 years old. The only spare part he had was a Gas-cable.
He gave the advice, give the bike new oil, and new brake pads. Just a small - service. Then it will be oke. But please do not start the trip with latest motorcycle. You need a bike that is simple, that anyone can fix in the middle of nowhere.
Agree!
So much common sense thinking , applicable to any owner of any vehicle!
Great video, great advice!
Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
My fellow bikers. Listen to this man- and strive to follow his advice.
Safe riding out there!
Good!
10 out of 10, congrats. I'm also a automobile trainer in Africa and i can assure you the same principles apply 👍👍
Good! Thanks!
Hello cor, what is ‘automobile trainer’ please? Same as mechanic?
I agree, this also applies in small displacement motorcycle/scooters
True!
I've been a very competitive cyclist for the last 24 years (I'll still go on). I bought my first motorcycle, a humble tw200, to learn! You seems like the kind of guy I would like to have as a friend. I'll watch more, it look like you have answer I didnt knew I asked for!
Glad to help! Enjoy your rides!
Love the advice especially points 5 to 9 and your summary in 10.
Bought my new bike for the way it handles and because the 'fit' feels right for me, being a tall guy.
A bit too much in terms of electronics but couldn't find the right bike anymore without ride by wire. My old and trusted bikes are outlawed in the metropolitan area where I live because supposedly they pollute more than a new 6 cylinder three-liter plus car.
Hopefully I won't miss the throttle and clutch cables ... at night alongside the road
Thanks for sharing!
10, 5:48 i dont agree, yes proper maintenance is must on all bikes, but bike choice is definitely one of most important things for reliability.
Generally everything from Japan = reliable, simple, boring; KTM = performance oriented, BWM - ehhhhhhh i dont know, not a fan of that manufacturer; Ducati - befriend your local dealer and never leave city 😁
as example i abused and beaten my transalp in offroad to almost his death. Rode it like stolen and enduro. Eventually sold it in very bad condition for almost free, but engine was still working and starting like new ;
Thanks for sharing!
Oh Pavlin, you could have said "RTFM (read the f….g manual) of your motorcycle" which I would strongly advice to every motorcyclist - a very good read and often a life-saver as well. Same goes for the safety instructions of a pressure washer (1.5 meters etc.). Modern washing liquids are solvent-free and still work as the stuff (or sometimes even better) which we used 15-20 years back. Point 4 - bullocks as it´s said “once a year or max 16.000 KM, whatever happens first”. Following this advice to the point means that a bike should see at least once a year a workshop from inside for an oil change. But, as with washing, it´s at the owners discretion to have the oil changed or not to save some pennies (at the wrong end). I love farkles and people should buy them but only if something (eg. lousy headlight, buying aux lights in addition) needs to be improved. Don´t allow clever marketing people to tell you what you need - they´re just behind your money. The annotation of yours I liked the most was about Adventure - every ride on every bike to every place, by every person with whatever intention can be considered as an Adventure. No one needs EUR 25k+ so called ADV-bikes with most doubtful off-road capabilities to experience an adventure (besides, why anyway longing to buy a big fat ADV bike to go off-road when most of the interesting part of the world is reachable on paved roads?). Take what you have and go! See the world, meet people, enjoy every moment, create your own adventures, your own memories, stop longing or envy others already doing it - go for it yourself, to the next village, next big town, neighboring country - whatever suits you, but GO! Cos as it´s correctly mentioned in the vid - those memories will last till your last breath which is what counts in life. Stay safe Pavlin and take care, Q
Thanks for taking the time, WV!
Thank you kindly for all the good stuff you give on YT!
I wanted to learn how to ride a bike. I loved my Puch Dakota moped, and when I now much later purchased a used Honda CB500 for equal ~1500 USD I knew the basics. Then, after having swept the Net for all info possible I made the P-lots unsafe for weeks, then step by step on roads. I'll never go on long journeys with an old 1998 bike but that was never my intention. I'd say I've spent my money well, and I've got reasonably fluent as my own grease monkey.
Thanks Pavlin, great advice. On the engine oil, the commercial team at the manufacturer will go for the longest drain interval that will not cost them for oil consumption under warranty. The design engineers want no more than 50% of what ends up in the handbook. The other issue is that dealers can use any old oil, it just needs to brown, slippery and cheap.
Thank you.
Thanks for watching, Ray!
Absolutely true. The best oil is fresh oil, but users rather believe the manufacturer even when they know the manufacturer's business is selling new bikes and not making old ones last.
Many thanks !! This is really good and I agree with all of your pointers. Personally, I'm just happy riding my 2019 z900, stock. I've added a USB charger and that's about it. Simplicity is beautiful, and underrated.
Thanks for taking the time!
The dealership is the only place that knows how to properly maintain your motorcycle. If you can not maintain your motorcycle yourself, you will have problems on a trip sooner or later. If money is not a problem and you only ride in populated areas, this might not be true but something that you could easily fix by your self could end your trip if you have to rely on others to fix things for you. You can only use genuine XXXX parts to maintain the bike because they are the best. (This is BS! You can get better parts after market and many automotive parts can be used as direct replacements. Sorry, this last sentence was somehow deleted.)
Fair enough!
Good advice. I never let a pressure washer anywhere near my bike. Just use dish washing liquid and rince it off. My bike if a fine and clean example after 19 years and 225k km. When the engine oil turns black, it's abrasive, so change it frequently.
Good!
Excellent advice. I would like to add that one of the most important priorities when buying a motorcycle is weight. A lightweight motor cycle is easier to handle and more pleasurable to ride. It will not need such a large engine to go fast. It will almost certainly be much cheaper to run because it will use less fuel and components such as tires and brake pads will last much longer.
Well said!
Loved this video! I just about fell off my chair with the comment about "big heavy elephant" - I too have realized that and down-sized. Great observations!
Thanks for sharing!!
Highly interesting and precise information to the core of the motorcycle riders ❤
Loved this vlog 💐😊
Thanks, man!
i have 13 bikes, one of them is Kawa KLR600 from 1985.....i have it since 1997. with 17.000km was on it, i am changing oil and filter (it cost me 6$ for oil (tractor oil 10W40 mineral, not for MOTO with wet clutch) plus 4$ filter) every 5000km and guess what, it has more then 130.000km now without any engine problem....have had burnt ignition coil once and changed doohickey at around 80kkm, right on time as it was half broken....only electronics on the KLR is CDI box, turn signal relay and rectifier(voltage regulator)....and lighting bulbs :))))
This is sound advice based on experience and I concur with everything said. I think that the most valuable piece of information is that concerning oil changes. Regardless of the bike you ride change the engine oil frequently ( I change mine about every 6,000 Km) It is now 25 years old, as strong as an Ox and has no oil loss either from leaks or bypassing the rings and being burnt. Keep up the good work my friend.👍
Thanks for taking the time, Robert!
I’m still driving my Kawasaki Z1000 from 1977, and I did exactly that. Every year or max 10K I changed the oil and oil filter. It’s still running. I sometimes enjoy it more than my KTM 890 Adventure, although I must say since I’m driving that bike I’m abel to explore more remote Area’s because off-road is the best.
Agree with all … that’s why I still ride my 2007 r1200gs … over 100,000 miles and still chugging along. I love the purity of no buttons beside turning off abs …
Good decision!
Good video and all of your points are accurate. I do like and appreciate some creature comforts that my new Africa Twin has that either of my other two bikes do not have though. This is probably the last new bike I will buy so it's getting set up how I want it. Mostly that it just some engine guards and auxiliary lighting for at nigh and luggage for traveling. I ride where there is an abundance of large wildlife at night and I want to be able to see them. Other than that the AT has all of what I want. On the topic of engine oil, not all oil is created equal many years and a few million miles as taught and proven that to me. A big thing is oil filtration, buy good filters and change them every oil change. Honda has almost a 13000km oil change interval in the manual, but it says to only change the filter every other oil change! That is the most absurd thing I have ever read and no way I agree with that either. Also when/if adding any electrical accessories take time doing the wiring! soldered connections, sealed with shrink tube is a must and even on the weather proof connectors on an OEM harness set up I always use a little dielectric grease on the seals to help insure they stay watertight and keep moisture out. The extra time spent doing these things can safe a lot of frustration down the road. Do it right the first time.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
10 different reasons why you should listen to Pavlin's advice, thanks Pavlin! 👍👍
My pleasure!
An interesting fact is also that not too long ago (I'm 63) most motorcycles had around 250-900cc, most had no more than 50 hp, they had carburators, drum brakes, lousy suspension and skinny tires - no ABS, traction control, fairings for wind protection - and they fit everybody right out of the box. People were riding them at high speeds wearing low-quality helmets and gear, they had no complaints and went on real adventures!
Today we have all the technology but a bike has to be personalized first. The seat height has to be changed, the sprockets have to be messed with, bigger tires, protection bars, huge trunks, high windshields and so on have to be installed. And the average ridden yearly mileage has never been as low.
True! We live in a funny world!
@@motorcycleadventures Number 1 is the most important point. Dealers will try to sell you the most expensive bike, or the one they make the most on. If a smaller bike is not available, they will tell you that it's not good for you.
Buy the bike that suits you, but don't buy the bike that looks the best. Don't try to make the bike to fit you but first find out which bike you actually need. Ask yourself how much city/country/highway you'll be riding, if you ride with a passenger or not, how economic it is, how much power you need and how much weight you can handle. Write the results down and then see which bike comes closest to this. You may be surprised.
Also it can be smart to have a small scooter to go to work with and a bigger bike for weekend trips, that may be a better choice than a medium sized bike which is too big to go shopping with and maybe too small for a weekend trip.
I ride my SH150i scooter every day, it's very economic and can be parked on a sidewalk in a pinch, and a NC750S which I can use for 500 km trips a day.
And: It's more fun to ride a small bike fast than a fast bike slow! :)
Lol 😂😅😊 @ primo
Well said. Couldn't agree more. The same advice i got and realized over time. One of them being, focus on riding and travelling instead of over accessorising.
Good!
Excellent as always Pavlin! It makes me happy that I own a Suzuki DR650 - maybe the most basic adventure bike there is. Thanks again for great content.
My pleasure!
The DR650 is a bullet proof little bike. I had one for almost 5 years. I just sold it actually the beginning of this week. Great dependable bike however it wasn't fitting all my needs any longer. I have a new Africa Twin sitting at the dealer waiting for weather to improve so I can get it home here. The DR650 I had wasn't big enough to have a passenger that was an adult, and may of my miles are road miles. Not always payment though, actually when I am working during the summer I put on about 650 miles a month all on gravel road. My old Heritage Softail is not meant for gravel road at all. My daughter is getting it so I will be down to one bike to take care of, and utilize far better.
Can't agree more with you brother! I have followed almost all of these instructions for my motorcycle. she's a 180cc air cooled 17 BHP tiny Bajaj Pulsar purchased in 2008; and I've clocked over 125,000 kms on it. It still starts with one kick.
Glad it helped!
I don't agree, buy what you can afford and really like. Life is too short to make compromises. Not everyone wants or has the time for adventure travels but wants to enjoy every free minute with something special. Also some don't keep their bikes for many years and don't care about longevity.
Fair enough!
i never own bike longer than 2years but still maintain them as well as i can afford ;
Thank you 🙏
Any time!
Amen, brother. Experience comes with miles and obstacles. If you truly want to ride - hold your nose and dive in. Just be mindful of your limits until you're ready to exceed them.
Absolutely!
Agreed. Been riding motorcycles for 12 years now, but keeping it simple, and performing preventative maintenance are the hallmarks of a working vehicle. And over the course of owning five bikes, I've come to appreciate nimble 600-700cc engines.
Thanks for sharing, Chris!
@@motorcycleadventures Yep, good size bikes.
Для тех кто ездит давно, ничего нового, а для новичков вы кладезь знаний и кмных мыслей! Удачи и всего доброго
Спасибо!
6th point - hahaha nicely said, i think you called out like 90% of motorycle "community", people that spent so much time on forums, researching and buying shit then to drive 1000 km a year or less XD ;
i always 'mod' all my bikes the same way, just the really useful/necessary minimum:
phone mount(chinese xmount), usb ports, cig lighter port(not necessary but good to have), heated grips(on every bike must have for me), windshield deflector and sometimes topcase. Thats it.
Bike purchase, Maintenance, repairs and tires are expensive enough lol.
Better to spend money for service to make sure its 100% good condition than farkles. americans usually can afford to do both and have 300sqm house with garden and own garage but thats different world 😂😂👍👍
Good!
This man is 100% correct!!!
Listen to him😉
Ex motorcycle mechanic/dispatch rider/test rider🤓👍
Thanks, man!
i just.....loved your video.Finally, a reasonable person with a motorcycle!!Greetings from Greece.
Glad you liked it!
It's refreshing to hear someone with a more practical understanding.
Glad to help!
This common sense and reality check in Pavlin videos is the reason i subscribed. All this marketing ADV took motorcylcing into new sphere. From a freedom to ride and choose we became traped into expensive tours, expensive motorcycles and gear. Maybe this is the reason i mostly on the road i meet full kitted 20k+ bikes. Seems like being motorcyclist today shifted into luxury premium segment.
I still believe and i think, even older models such as Varadero, TDMs, Bandits, etc. that are properly cared and serviced are maybe even more durable and competent to go on long hauls. As long u dont compare PURE PERFORMANCE which mostly is far above most of riders abilities.
It is what it is!
Bought a 2009 Honda CBF125 2 years ago, no thrills motor, as simple as it gets. Gives me 100 km on 2 litres of gasolina. Best investment ever. A joy to ride. No more traffic jams. Dead cheap. Thanks for the tip on oil change. Have to learn that one.
Glad to help!
Once a year I change the oil. Excellent advice. Ppl forget in many countries riding season is like 6 months or so. In any case, average motorcycle is sitting in a garage over winter at minimum. This season I rode first time in April, and before that in October last year. That’s 7 months of sitting in a garage… of course I changed the oil before this year season. Great video good advice, especially for new riders! Happy riding
Thanks for taking the time, Gordan!
100% agree on hardly ever washing it, and always do oil changes at 1/2 manufacturer recommendation - put over 200 000 miles on my Bandit with no dramas (probably also no coincidence that there are almost no electronics on that bike...)
Thanks for sharing!
Fully agree on the oil change: At the very least swap the oil every 5000km or once a year just before the winterization.
Rule of thumb (even with cars): Cut the manufacturer‘s interval in half. They gain nothing from making your bike run reliably forever, quite the opposite.
Compared to the overall cost of ownership and maintenance, the oil and filter is only pennies on the dollar anyways.
Good!
Great advice, and happy to hear about washing the bike, I have been riding for some 50 plus years, and was even reluctant to wash my motocross back in the day.... and I also appreciate hearing the other tips, as most come naturally, yet I feel some relief hearing from you. Thank you
Good to hear!
A+ video Pavlin! Such good and honest advice. Thank you.
My pleasure!
Simple is best. Like you often state, Pavlin. Your videos are condensed experience, not marketing platitudes. Thanks for your honesty, Günter/Nürnberg
I appreciate that, Günter!
Only thing I would question is the frequency of washing your motorcycle. Where I live the roads are salted and even after a short journey the bike requires some form of cleaning . 👍
Fair enough!
i avoid wet or icy weather whenever possible, but because i spend most of my time riding on narrow lanes in the country the bottom of the bike ends up covered in mud and cowshit lol, so i give it a good clean every month or so and paint on acf50 where needed - seems to work so far.
This is the best motorcycle related video I ever seen. Thank you much.
Glad it was helpful!
Nice to have someone who thinks like me!!! From a proud Suzuki Vstrom 650 owner and traveler!!
Good!
I love that everything said in the video has friendly vibes instead of teaching vibes
Good!
They selling in Germany oils for motorcycles with fancy names with over 40 euros per liter! I have an old Honda CBR1000F and I buy Castrol Edge for cars for half a price. She's running perfectly! I change the oil every year. I agree with you on every point! Good luck!
It is what is is, Robert! In the end it is our decision what to do.
Wonderful video. It reaffirms some thoughts I've been having, as I compare my 2022 KLR to all the folks with their Tenere 700s, BMWs, etc. I wanted SIMPLE and reliable. I have kept my modifications simple as well, and only when riding has convinced me the change was needed. Example: loads of KLR owners swap out the windscreen and I thought of doing it, but I LOVE the small windscreen because I actually like the airflow at speed. But I live in a hot climate, so...I need the air! Crashbars were done after recommendation, and that was 100% the right thing to do, to save the bike from my learning phase, and it makes me a little less fearful of trying some new skills, so good investment. Anyway, now I love my bike. Instead of getting bigger bags, I will learn to ride with less and lighter gear. Simpler is better.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
well done enjoyed your presentation thanks and learnt a couple of things ciao paul
Glad it was helpful!
An excellent video that every motorcyclist should watch and digest. Everything listed is common sense, but we so often let our hearts rule our heads. Possibly the best point and maybe the least understood, is that long and infrequent oil changes are total BS and only "benefit" the first owner.
It is what it is, man!
Spot on with the comment about Adventure bikes. I've upgraded from a BMW GS1100 to a Suzuki V-Strom 650. It's so much lighter and nimble. I love it.
Thanks for taking the time!
Totally true, The only thing that needs to be cleaned on a regular time frame, is the chain and greased frequently is the chain, and clean the mud from the front shock absorbers so the seals are not get leaky. In the old days they always had rubber covers over it, I never understood why the took that off. And keep it simple especially on the electronics.
Thanks for taking the time!
Great advice, most of which I already worked out many years ago!
I bought a 1999 883 Sportster to use for transportation. I have had my Sportster for 25 years and 400,000 miles and have gone through 37 back tires and 17 front ones and 3 belts in 25 years on the original engine. I have had my Triumph Tr-6 with a hard tail and magneto for 40 years.
Thanks for sharing!
Some hard truths here, and I agree with most of them. Loved the camera analogy.
I do agree with you on the oil change topic. Sooner is better. But how soon also depends on your usage. This is something to be determined via oil analysis on a case by case basis, not from a general estimation.
True! If you race you have to change your oil every day.
Very good advice, especially on the oil changes.
I ran all my bikes well past 100000 miles plus before replacement.
Try to find a good dealer for maintenance or do it yourself.
Get good rider training then get as much seat time as you can, then travel.
👍great upload
Thanks for sharing!
I enjoyed your video even though I didn't need to watch it. My idea of a great bike is my 1978 Yamaha SR500. The thing is as simple as a rock and will last forever. As for oil changes and maintenance. Changing oil on a bike is so easy and cheap, I change it way more often than I actually need to.
Thanks for taking the time!
I spent on Garmin GPS, Anakee off road tires, crash bars and lastly I am thinking about better underneath bash plate. I hate spending all this money and you are 100% right about all your comments. I use you as the little Devil on my shoulder when I want to buy something. 😂
Glad to help!
why people buy dedicated gps when every phone have one, and many different navigation apps to choose from
I've been riding most of my life and I didn't know about some of these things. Never too late to learn something. Cheers
Glad to help!
Everything you said was correct. 10 out of 10.
Thanks, man!
Cool wise words for me, after 43 years riding bikes and today with a 13 years old Honda VFR1200F. A dryer, more essential and simple bike than it looks I am keeping along with likewise attitude.
Thanks for watching!
6000 Mile own service, Greased all moving parts and swing arm bearings. Just keeping on top of this helps like you say.
Fair enough!
Double the price rarely ever means double the fun!
IMO nothing beats a late 90s bike that you know every square millimetre of, maintain yourself and take pride in keeping it running perfectly while putting big miles on it.
Agree!