adventure bikes vs Harley

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  • kevinc
    kevinc
    6 years ago
    Adventure bikes vs Harley: which is better?
    Pros and cons.
    Harley: spend hours polishing the chrome to ride to the coffee shop.
    Adventure bike: Throw some mud on it and you are good to go for a cappuccino.

        Has anyone switched back or forth?
  • Far Canal
    Far Canal
    6 years ago
    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.

  • LOFTYBOB
    LOFTYBOB
    6 years ago
    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.

  • chriso
    chriso
    6 years ago
    fuck me lofty how many bikes you got. i thought i was doin alright, i got nuthin on you lol
  • 308bever
    308bever
    6 years ago
    sportsters rule hey lucifer (((-;
  • Krash Kinkade
    Krash Kinkade
    6 years ago
    A push bike ( mountain bike) no limits no rego no licence no fuel needed no resale value.
    And adventure bike not that good in rough as too heavy, not that good on road as too high poor economy so have to carry lot of fuel if off beaten track poor resale value. If I just had one it would be a 65 panhead!!
    But up to the owner should know what you want yourself.
  • Geoff3DMN
    Geoff3DMN
    6 years ago
    I like my 'Adventure bikes' to be lighter than the overweight monsters that they're becoming these days.
    Something with a single cylinder, simple design, 21 inch front wheel, a steel frame and a basic carby motor is more my speed (even if it means getting a bit muddy sometimes, that's half the fun I reckon).

    The KLR650 (or possibly the DR650 if you really have to) with suitable mods will travel single track off road well whilst still being capable of travelling on tar between the interesting dirt bits.


  • JFE
    JFE
    6 years ago
    Bloody hell, there are some ordinary looking blokes riding adventure bikes...
    Merry Christmas btw.
  • fxdwg_will
    fxdwg_will
    6 years ago
    Hey mate - I sold my Adventure bike for a Wideglide
    I reckon you're better off with a nice Harley and just buy a cheap DR650/WR450/KLR for 'adventures' if you want to hit the dirt.

    These all can be had for around 3k in the 2000-2004 years if ya look around- chump change really...
  • liberator
    liberator
    6 years ago
    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,
  • Baloffski
    Baloffski
    6 years ago
    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.
    Have had many, but they all do the job, which reminds me, going to check out a 600 this w/end. They bloody good fun.
  • Krash Kinkade
    Krash Kinkade
    6 years ago
    https://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/inspiring-story-dave-barr-an-amputee-motorcyclist-who-rides-around-world
    dave Barr road around Australia and up cap York on an old shovel 74 cubic inch 21 inch front wheel, no film crew did it solo, you blokes no adventure in your blood

  • Krash Kinkade
    Krash Kinkade
    6 years ago
    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.
  • chriso
    chriso
    6 years ago
    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

  • Far Canal
    Far Canal
    6 years ago
    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.
  • liberator
    liberator
    6 years ago
    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,

  • kevinc
    kevinc
    6 years ago
    Thanks for the replies everyone. Everything is so clear now......
    I think Rodders nailed it with his 'heart vs head' comments.
  • Big Steve
    Big Steve
    6 years ago

    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.





  • LOFTYBOB
    LOFTYBOB
    6 years ago
    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.

  • Big Steve
    Big Steve
    6 years ago
    I traded my BMW GSA last week for another harley.
    I added up all my receipts when I was going through my paperwork.

    Anyone care to guess what 2.5 years and 80,000km added up to in terms of servicing/maintenance? (Excluding tyres) 
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