This thread is the perfect example of what a conversation about the ADV segment becomes, a search for the unicorn… In summary, all ADV bikes are compromised and biased toward whoever the manufacturer thinks their customer will be. The generic customer is just as mythical as the bike that serves their needs. No bike is perfect for everything and riding big bikes well in technical terrain is more dependent on rider skill than the stock bike. That said, some bikes allow for a greater margin when ridden closer to their limits, but for a truly tailored experience you will need to modify whatever bike you get to suit your interests.
If not the Tuareg (functionally, hard to fault for on road comfort, light tech, and offering a, “light, friendly, capable” feel in stock trim. There is a very good dealer network in the front range of CO, also good dealers in So Cal and Austin TX but potentially spotty elsewhere), then a Norden Expedition seems like the best fit as stock bikes go. (but then there’s KTMs financial woes and Indian ownership casting doubt on their future…) The T7 is also great if you ride it aggressively and don’t have to pick it up often. To me the T7 identifies as a heavy Yamaha dirt bike in that it doesn’t have the street bike planted/balanced feel on pavement of the KTM/Husqy but has a more WR/YZ like rear-steer biased chassis. If and when the US gets some of the T7 models available in Europe it may change the T7s place in the market here.
Chinese? European reports glowing about CF Moto and Kove products but, but, but…
No easy answers, just a lot of reasonably capable, versatile, and compromised motorcycles.
My solution for covering the full spectrum of rides I am interested in doing, is more bikes! Currently, A 300 2 stroke -TM EN300, an open class 4 stroke plated DS - Husaberg FE570s, a modified middle-weight ADV - Tuareg with Rally model wheels and aftermarket suspension. Considering a touring biased large ADV too, Multi Strada. Feed the addiction.
@shifty Your CRF, do you have a seat concepts and any type of a fairing? Mine is geared higher with a 48t, an advspec mini-fairing, with a seatconcepts seat (yoshi/vortex). I did the WYBDR on it and it was really good. Could have I been more comfortable with a bigger bike on the road? Absolutely. I think I did 1300 miles in 3.5 days. Several in the overnight spots not with us but doing the WYBDR commented on how they were jealous of my lighter more dirt style bike. Maybe they were just being polite, because that’s what motorcyclist do. Regardless, it’s really fun owning two motorcycles that span the use case scenario. I will always support buying more motorcycles.
Hey @cwilsun - Yeah I have a Seat Concepts saddle, Vortex, Yoshi, Lower (less gear inches) geared rear sprocket, heavier flywheel, Rekluse auto clutch, Scotts Damper, Tubliss and a few other things. All of those items were intentionally added to make the bike more friendly in chunkier, steeper, rutted and narrower terrain. They also compensate for my technical skill set short comings and lack of MX experience. I rode the bike stock for three years and then made the mods. They make a massive difference in the bike’s performance. I do have a shield, but I haven’t mounted it. I am waiting until I get it sorted with an electronics module to run heated grips, nav, more lights and a couple of charging ports.
@cwilsun Thank you! It’s a fun bike and I always get excited to ride it. My skills are getting better and I think the bike’s performance mods help with that.
The flywheel seems to help the motor to spin up a little more smoothly from idle without having to over-throttle it …but I’m not absolutely sure since I don’t have a lot of experience with other similar platforms and I added many things in one fell swoop. I can keep it in 3rd, idle down through a technical downhill and then when the terrain tilts up the torque and forward progression as I move on the throttle feels really controllable, ready and bright. The Rekluse is a great partner in that scenario.
I also use a left hand rear brake lever and hardly ever go for the foot brake. It feel more mountain bike familiar …although the left/rear and right/front are opposite on bicycles.
I have FMF exhaust, rekluse, Aim ECU and added 4 teeth to the rear sprocket to slow the bike down. I never thought windshield was worth having. They never seem to help with the wind and they look like they are ready to cut your head off. I run the stock seat, yes it uncomfortable but not as bad as a cyclist seat, which I’ve done countless years on.
Nice! I hear you on the saddle perspective …same here. I had a pretty long career (25 years) cycling 50/100/200 mile and 24/18 hour endurance events and self supported - design my own rides. I lived in Leadville for 6 years and then in Summit County for another decade+. I really never had a problem with sitting for those rides. Feeding myself properly? …different story. Took me a long time to figure that part out. A keto-ish diet works best for me. I can’t do the sugar goop/bars/waffles …or at least not too much. They tear me up. I don’t pedal anymore. It’s either too crowded on trail or too dangerous on the road …so the logical choice is to ride a moto instead??? It’s too much fun to not ride a moto. Plus I love learning new stuff.
All great responses so far! I would layer on thoughts about how much gear you are planning to carry (hotels vs camping), what sort of camp gear you have (heavy vs lightweight backpacking type gear), how far you would plan to go on a particular trip and where that trip will begin (trailer vs just ride to start?).
I have done about 40 multi-day trips over the past dozen years or so, mostly initially on a 990, and more recently on a Tuareg 660. My perspective, as several have already alluded, is a newer midweight bike is kind of the current sweet spot. You get some road capabilities and really solid off road performance, ability to carry all your gear, a windscreen to help deflect weather (be prepared for anything!!!), and gas range.
Good luck in the quest. We all have our unique preferences/opinions, so grab the bike you feel best fits your needs and Rock and Roll!!!
Excellent input that has context, experience and challenges the self examination of “what are you really wanting to accomplish?”.
If my crystal ball is working, then it’s mostly trailering, multi-day (1 - 4), credit card touring or an RV spousal unit sag (she’s down for that since she’s done it before). I can and will camp. I’ve camped a ton. I just truly feel like I’ve outgrown spitting my toothpaste out onto the dirt and wet nap bird baths. There’s a ton of adventure in the neighboring states and Colorado. So, not realistically interested Alaska, Mexico or even California beyond just the “idea” of it.
I seem to have a cognitive bias for the 890 R or 901. I can rip local canyon tarmac for 2 - 3 hours and have a lot of fun with that and still have the very capable platform for distance on dirt with a little bit of gnarly.
I can’t say enough good things about the 901 Expedition. It does what you describe exceedingly well. I’ve never been more comfortable on a bike right out of the gates.
Tractable power, with superlative electronics that convince you that you’re a terrific rider, comfortable, and if you’re committed to growing your technical ability (and your ability to pick the thing up), it has the cable-actuated clutch and suspension to allow you to push into 500cc territory - more than just a little bit of gnarly.
And it sure is easy on the eyes.
I haven’t ridden an 890 off-road, but even tho the forks and shock are from the same product line as the Expedition’s, the tune is a step more aggressive than that in the Norden. So, if you ride like Riemann, maybe the 890 is the better choice. For me, a mere mortal that enjoys some chunk to go along with everything else the bike already does so well, the Expedition is the right choice between the two.
I haven’t had any issues with the heat, oddly. I know what you’re saying, @mulebarn. On the test ride it was really bad. My right calf was scorched after 5 minutes. But I was in jeans and street foot wear.
After purchase I installed a Camel ADV heat shield with a custom honeycomb silicone liner (oven mitt from McGuckins cut to fit, thanks @MotoJason ), and even with the relatively low-cut A Stars Toucan ADV boots I dont really feel anything out of the ordinary.
Maybe fuel and ignition mapping differences between years? Variations in sensor readings may cause lean (hot) running too. Or your just a delicate flower…
