Entry Level Adventure Bikes

[Dirtydeedsman]

Fellow Fanatics,

Good morning from a stage 5 loadshedded Roodeport.

I have been riding road bikes on and off for a few years now but I have never really gotten the excitement of being on a bike even at "amazing" speeds it was just MEH for me. Then I watched a video on YouTube something called BMW GS Trophy and I have been hooked on adventure bikes and off-road riding.

Some Background:

I have no offroad experience on two wheels, except for mountain biking
I have never been on anything bigger than a 500cc bike
Always riding on road/pavement with road tires.

I would love to own a GS 1250 but I honestly don't think I am experienced enough to be on these big bikes.... yet. Also, they are not cheap. I am looking to spend around R50k on a bike. (+-)

Started looking around to see what I can get to scratch the itch and I stumbled on a VOGE 300 DS, a single cylinder 294cc Chinese bike that looks the part and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

Has anyone had any experience with these 300 DS motorcycles?

VOGE 300DS

Now with Electronic Fuel Injection! - The lightweight alternative to heavyweight dual-sport machinery, capable of long distance exploration. VOGE motorcycles are built in collaboration with one of Germany`s leading motorcycle manufacturers.

www.samotorcycles.co.za

The other option is a Honda NC750 or NC700X but reviews on the internet see them as more practical commuter bikes even though they look like adv/touring bikes.

Don't know how important this is but I am 187cm tall at about 96kgs

What is the bike going to be used for?

The daily commute to and from clients will most likely be in town with very little offroading if any. My current daily commute is from Krugersdorp to Florida via Ontdekkers. Nothing exciting there at all

I really want to get into adventuring maybe once or twice a month, nothing too hardcore like GS Trophy stuff but hopefully one day. My idea is to start with a couple of long-distance trips over 300kms to get the hang of riding for a couple of hours without stopping before taking my awesome riding skills onto dirt roads.

Thoughts?

Anyways, here is some cool YouTube videos that I am using to scratch the itch and learn some tips and tricks:

Pine's Adventures

Long Way Home

The Dromedaris

 

[Spanky]

Subscribed! Interested in this topic too.

 

[Nick]

Have a look at the XCX/XCA Triumph tigers...


Im on my second one atm. Great for everything.

With more offroady tyres they are great off road, and the 3 pot engine is silky smooth.
Iv done some cool stuff on these bikes, including MX tracks lol.

Watch this ....

Iv have some old vids on my channel too...

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCybHC_91VgVAI37masT_Z2A

My 1st 2012 XC

 

[modocrat]

I don't have any experience on motorcycles but my friends are trying to persuade me to get one and join them on their Sunday morning rides.
One of them has a Triumph Bobber and the other has a BMW R9T, such beautiful piece of machines. So I was just browsing online and came across the Husqvarna Svartpilen and Vitpilen, I have not not heard of this brand before but my goodness they are beautiful.

 

[Nick]

I don't have any experience on motorcycles but my friends are trying to persuade me to get one and join them on their Sunday morning rides.
One of them has a Triumph Bobber and the other has a BMW R9T, such beautiful piece of machines. So I was just browsing online and came across the Husqvarna Svartpilen and Vitpilen, I have not not heard of this brand before but my goodness they are beautiful.

Very cool bikes, single cylinder if i recall, not the best for long rides.

IMO Triumph and BMW are the bench marks...

 

[Nick]

Husqvarna are massive in the Off road scene, KTM actually own them... MX and endro types.

 

[Tickled_Tortise]

Unfortunately for us in SA alot of the small capacity bikes don't make it here, so choice is limited.

I have experience on Gomoto and big boy, I can't comment on the Chinese bike you mentioned but in general stay away from them, they are not reliable at all and don't give confidence on the road, generally unstable overall.

In your budget you might find a Kawasaki verseys 300x, or BMW 310gs. An older BMW 600/650gs is still a solid bike even at higher milage, will also be better suited to for your size.

If you need something cheaper you will need to look at older dual sports although they won't be as comfortable. Something like the xt660, Suzuki DZs 450 or 600, these will be hard to find and will be older.

CRF450l or WR450 are epic but expensive for what you get if you can find the road versions.

KTM also came out with an "off-road Duke 390" but still new so expensive also.

Sent from my M2010J19SG using Tapatalk

 

[Nick]

IMO these smaller capacity bikes dont last, ''187cm tall at about 96kgs" not the smallest fellow.

iv heard the 390 duke engines like to explode at higher usage levels.

 

[Nick]

If you have a license, follow the Triumph JHB facebook page, they have demo days all the time.
Prefect to get your leg over some of the ADV bikes.

 

[Nick]

And Yes, im a Triumph Fangirl lol

 

[Dirtydeedsman]

If you have a license, follow the Triumph JHB facebook page, they have demo days all the time.
Prefect to get your leg over some of the ADV bikes.

I had never actually thought of triumph motorcycles or given them a second look until your first reply. Then I started watching the ADV Nick Channel (We need more uploads) and realized they are actually a big deal.

So this weekend I am trying something new,

Triumph Gravel and Mud Demo.

Caught and invite even though it's all the way in Cape Town if figured it's a free event and they will be teaching Adventure enthusiasts on training grounds and you can test their bikes.

"Among the models you will be able to test are the Scrambler 1200, the Street Scrambler 900, the Tiger 1200 Rally Pro, the Tiger 1200 GT Pro, and the Tiger 900 Rally Pro.

We welcome all brands, and with other brands demonstrating on the day, you can do a like-for-like comparison on the spot.

Entrance is FREE, but limited to 80 riders. Reserve your spot today!"

 

[Nick]

I had never actually thought of triumph motorcycles or given them a second look until your first reply. Then I started watching the ADV Nick Channel (We need more uploads) and realized they are actually a big deal.

So this weekend I am trying something new,

Triumph Gravel and Mud Demo.

Caught and invite even though it's all the way in Cape Town if figured it's a free event and they will be teaching Adventure enthusiasts on training grounds and you can test their bikes.

Triumph is amazing, all the people working there are so passionate about the brand - it like a lifestyle.

I dont upload anymore, sold all my cams. The new ones are just to expensive.


Are you located in CT?

 

[m0lt3n]

You are not a small oke, the first ditch you hit at speed on that bike and you will break something on the bike.

You are big enough to go for an 800, although I would suggest the BMW GS800 and not the Triumph, for the simple reason of there being more of them around will make chances of you getting one in your budget pretty good. Their only issues is neck bearings and starters (Bosch Opel starter fit, fyi)/ Triumph have some stepper motor issue. All have something-its not a reason not to buy.
Plenty 800's out there with more than a 100k km on, its not sport bikes, they are fine with high mileage.

ANd if you are really into it, know that there will be some maintenance and falling, witch is another reason I would suggest BMW, more of them around means more secondhand parts.

3rd reason for the GS is then you can actually go do the Trophy. Its a great event.

I have done the GS trophy, awesome experience, went to regional finals actually where I tanked the tanker on the barrel race. But I have moved on to KTMs now.

I would suggest to go for a course, its a huge benefit to your skills and self confidence. ANd you only have to NOT-fall once because of the training and you save the cost of the course.

Whatever you decide, dont let the bike option hold you back. Just get out there and ride those back roads.
And remember, if you dont fall...you dont try hard enough.

 

[m0lt3n]

Have a look at the XCX/XCA Triumph tigers...


Im on my second one atm. Great for everything.

With more offroady tyres they are great off road, and the 3 pot engine is silky smooth.
Iv done some cool stuff on these bikes, including MX tracks lol.

Watch this ....

Iv have some old vids on my channel too...

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCybHC_91VgVAI37masT_Z2A

View attachment 13337

View attachment 13339

View attachment 13338
View attachment 13340
View attachment 13341
View attachment 13342

My 1st 2012 XC

View attachment 13343

I was about to comment that this is how you identify the PRO's! no crashbars!

Then I saw the snakeskins....now I rank you as one brave man!