Quick one on the camera angle with an apology for the screen blocking the view ahead - I went with chest mount on the basis I'd be riding standing up and that tends to give a better view with some of the bike still in the frame but hadn't factored in the screen getting all muddy. Live and learn but an accurate depiction of what the day was like at least. I'll try a helmet mount next time, though. Cheers! /Dan
I think you did brilliantly for a self-confessed ‘novice’ off-road rider! I’ve not turned a wheel off road (yet) after almost 20 years of riding, so colour me impressed with your exploits, in pretty crap conditions too! I quite fancy giving it a go tbh, perhaps in the summer 😂
Bikes are big, if you want a dirtbike get one and it will be good in dirt but nasty on the trip getting there, this can get you there, takeoff the luggage go see some waterfalls or whatever go back to the hotel and enjoy the memory. Everything is a compromise, i am enjoying the big bikes, nice video.
Nice video and good to see a bike test actually going off road this time… but to my mind it confirms that these putative adventure bikes are really all about an image rather than actual usage - I’d bet 99% of their mileage will be on road , just as Range Rover cars are. In a true travel / adventure situation you’d not want a bike you couldn’t lift yourself and ideally one that’s way simpler to fix too. Interesting videos over at Dorothy’s’s speed shop on his trips to Iceland and how small is beautiful. On a wider note I do find myself pondering ‘ what’s the point’ - the whole concept of UK style trail riding feels rather contrived, not to mention, environmentally suspect. But, hey, each to their own I guess.
Agree with much of that, and personally if I were doing some on/off-road touring something cheaper, simpler and smaller like the new Himalayan 450 would fit the bill or any number of the great mid-weight modern adventure bikes like the Tenere or V-Strom 800 DE. But impressive to see what bikes like this can do and, per vid, I'd encourage anyone who owns something of this style to at least do one of these days and find out what their own bike can do. Even if they save the actual off-roading for someone else's! Cheers! /Dan
This is not for an inexperienced rider. Period. An experienced rider can get the best out of these however still wouldn’t be their first choice from a riders perspective and giggle factor. It’s a nice GT with the ability to go off road.
Great video but if I were going to get a bike for offroading it'd be a Suzuki DRZ4S or a Fantic Scrambler or something light, not these overweight monsters.
Well heavy is relative isn't it? Not compared to a Goldwing but that would be crap in the dirt. Heavy compared to an enduro bike sure, but you can't load it with gear and the old lady and ride for a week. All the big adventures weigh around the same so no it isn't heavy
Quick one on the camera angle with an apology for the screen blocking the view ahead - I went with chest mount on the basis I'd be riding standing up and that tends to give a better view with some of the bike still in the frame but hadn't factored in the screen getting all muddy. Live and learn but an accurate depiction of what the day was like at least. I'll try a helmet mount next time, though. Cheers! /Dan
Good video Dan
Great video.
You did incredibly well. But having said that, I’ve never fancied off road stuff and you’ve done nothing to change my mind!
@@tommytraddles 😂
I think you did brilliantly for a self-confessed ‘novice’ off-road rider! I’ve not turned a wheel off road (yet) after almost 20 years of riding, so colour me impressed with your exploits, in pretty crap conditions too! I quite fancy giving it a go tbh, perhaps in the summer 😂
@ Thanks! Like I said in the vid those years of mountain biking definitely helped to a degree. /Dan
Great video, enjoyed it and impressed with how you just kept going! Nice one!
Thanks!
Bikes are big, if you want a dirtbike get one and it will be good in dirt but nasty on the trip getting there, this can get you there, takeoff the luggage go see some waterfalls or whatever go back to the hotel and enjoy the memory. Everything is a compromise, i am enjoying the big bikes, nice video.
Nice video and good to see a bike test actually going off road this time… but to my mind it confirms that these putative adventure bikes are really all about an image rather than actual usage - I’d bet 99% of their mileage will be on road , just as Range Rover cars are. In a true travel / adventure situation you’d not want a bike you couldn’t lift yourself and ideally one that’s way simpler to fix too.
Interesting videos over at Dorothy’s’s speed shop on his trips to Iceland and how small is beautiful.
On a wider note I do find myself pondering ‘ what’s the point’ - the whole concept of UK style trail riding feels rather contrived, not to mention, environmentally suspect. But, hey, each to their own I guess.
Agree with much of that, and personally if I were doing some on/off-road touring something cheaper, simpler and smaller like the new Himalayan 450 would fit the bill or any number of the great mid-weight modern adventure bikes like the Tenere or V-Strom 800 DE. But impressive to see what bikes like this can do and, per vid, I'd encourage anyone who owns something of this style to at least do one of these days and find out what their own bike can do. Even if they save the actual off-roading for someone else's! Cheers! /Dan
Target fixation is your worst enemy. The more you think and talk about a challenging spot, the more likely you will fall.
This is not for an inexperienced rider. Period. An experienced rider can get the best out of these however still wouldn’t be their first choice from a riders perspective and giggle factor. It’s a nice GT with the ability to go off road.
Great video but if I were going to get a bike for offroading it'd be a Suzuki DRZ4S or a Fantic Scrambler or something light, not these overweight monsters.
No light is right
Well heavy is relative isn't it? Not compared to a Goldwing but that would be crap in the dirt. Heavy compared to an enduro bike sure, but you can't load it with gear and the old lady and ride for a week. All the big adventures weigh around the same so no it isn't heavy