Adventure bikes vs Harley: which is better?

Adventure bikes are way better for rough dirt roads, jumping creeks and running over wild pigs. That is what they are made for, innit?.
Harley's are much better on the bitumen, they are cool and women throw their underpants at you. They wouldn't do that if you were on an adventure bike on the bitumen.
A bit like comparing a chainsaw with a brushcutter.

I have owned a few big (1,200cc plus) Adventure bikes, and think they are the perfect bike if you had to have 1 bike only. They offer superior comfort for my 6' 3" tall frame, and soak up the bumps on our goat track roads.

I just moved from a 2015 model Super Tenere ES to a 2017 model Triumph 1200 Tiger Explorer XCA

The Triumph has 40 more HP than the Yammy, and the electronics package on the WP suspension works far better as well.

Like I said, if I was ever to have only one bike, it would be one of these types bikes.

But I am fortunate to be able to have a few Harley's in the shed as well.

And I ride in excess of 40,000 km's per year as well, so they all get used.

fuck me lofty how many bikes you got. i thought i was doin alright, i got nuthin on you lol

sportsters rule hey lucifer (((-;

A push bike ( mountain bike) no limits no rego no licence no fuel needed no resale value.

I like my 'Adventure bikes' to be lighter than the overweight monsters that they're becoming these days.

Bloody hell, there are some ordinary looking blokes riding adventure bikes...

Hey mate - I sold my Adventure bike for a Wideglide

I read somewhere that a man needs 8 bikes ? in the shed, you gotta have the right tool for the job, I've got a '09 Buell Ulysses XT that's the ducks guts,

You can find really good ones for sale around $7.5k, a very underrated machine,

'08 and later models are slightly better than the previous years, make sure you get one with all 3 luggage box's,

They are great to ride, handle well, very comfortable and lots of get up and go, gun it on take off and it will pull the front wheel up , around 100hp I think,

Wit Geof on this one .like a single in the shed just to get ma rocks off.Prefer 400 to 700 as I'm a fat cunt,and the ole 250 just is torturing the poor little thing.

https://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/inspiring-story-dave-barr-an-amputee-motorcyclist-who-rides-around-world

yes Geoff , hard act to follow for sure. last I heard he was riding an 883 sporty with side car across Siberia in winter. and have not read anymore about him since.

A good ol mate of mine says "anyone can ride an adventure bike, if ya want an adventure try doin it on a harley" LOL

Yes your Harley can be an adventure bike.
These blokes had an adventure in 1929.

Looks like the road near Cloncurry was not too smooth back then..
Probably would not have been much more enjoyable if you could have taken one of the modern adventure bikes back in time and done that road. GPS wouldn't work for one.
No cafe's for 2.

I reckon you can still have an adventure on your Harley these days too, if you want to and don't mind putting a few scratches and dings on your bike.

you just gotta have the right tool for the right job,

for shopping and zipping around town, handy as a pocket in a shirt,

pic off the net, but same as mine, great all rounder, go anywhere in comfort, great bike, it's the Swiss Army Knife of the bike world,

Now when you really have to chew up some miles, my Honda St1100 (minus luggage), it's the Camry of the motorcycle world, bland and characterless, but boy is it good at doing the job it was intended for, mile munching in safety and comfort,

And you gotta have a classic in the shed, this ones a '73 FLH (without the tank decals) it's bad at doing a lot of things modern bikes take for granted, but it excels at looking good, it's got presence, this is where you throw common sense out the window and say fuck it, I wanna be Cool, I've got half a dozen of these, it's a weakness i've got, I can't help myself,

The total value of all these four bikes wouldn't even get you one new HD big twin,  having one bike doesn't make sense to me, it's akin to using a shifting spanner for everything, give me the right tool , right now I've got some groceries to go get,

Thanks for the replies everyone. Everything is so clear now......

I sold my old 2010 Dyna with 95,000km on the clock and replaced it with a 2015 BMW R1200GS in my hope it would be a "1 bike to rule them all"

Within a year I was missing riding a Harley. so I added a 2014 Fatbob About 18 months ago. The beemer has done nearly 80,000km in just under 3 years and the Harley 30,000km in 18 months.

Negatives

The Beemer ADV Bike is far superior in every way except soul, it has none and thats what I missed not riding a Harley. It does everything TOO easily.

It is also much more expensive to maintain (I service the Harley myself) and wears out some parts quite a bit faster than I'd like (Front disks after 40,000km)

Positives

Its ability to give sport bikes a run for their money in the twisties then hit a switch and go bush is invaluable. As is the removable luggage. I've done 1000km days on the beemer and felt fresh the next day whereas on the Dynas you do take a bit more of a beating. Heated grips and cruise control are also nice to haves. The quick shifter (up and down) is also magical.

But if I had to sell one tomorrow I'd part with the beemer in a heart beat.

I have just ordered another (Harder edged) Adventure bike for going off the grid type outback riding.

KTM 690R with Hardkits pack on it, should do 600 Km's without refueling.

Will be nice to not have to worry about putting a stone through your belt drive.

I traded my BMW GSA last week for another harley.