Is a big bore adventuee to much for a new rider?

[Boostedxt]

Smeone i kow has about 2000 miles on a smaller 650cc bike and they are wanting to get into more off road adventure riding. They are wanting either the S10 or the tiger explorer.

Do you feel something 1200cc adventure bike wise is to much of a jump to quick? Or do you feel that the electronic gizmos like abs and TC make bigger bikes like this just as easy to ride and therefore OK?

Joe

 

[MikeBear]

Combination of knowledge of the bike, self control, and taking things slowly and there shouldn't be a problem getting on the big bike. Just getting used to it. ::021::

 

[num]

I went from a 250 to this bike. The 250 keeps me humble and if anything makes me a better rider because it had no bells and whistles to keep it right side up.

This bike is a big heavy but the 1200CC is amazing for those long hauls of highway between dirt roads. The triumph is good but i didn't like the maintenance/ price/ and thought the ST was more robust

this bike handles very well, it doesn't toss power at you like a sport bike would yet, it's no slug. If hes going for adventure riding, I'd find it really hard to beat the S10 it's got the right amount of everything in my opinion.

 

[Boostedxt]

Combination of knowledge of the bike, self control, and taking things slowly and there shouldn't be a problem getting on the big bike. Just getting used to it. ::021::

You dont think going from 54hp to 143hp is something to think about when someone has very few miles? I do... he wants the new explorer fyi...

Thanks for your opinion on the matter. ::008::

Joe

 

[Combo]

It would depend on how much riding time he has had. Is it only 2000 miles on a 650cc? Does he tend to over ride or is he level headed? In other words, is he a smart rider?

If he has had some good time in the saddle with different bikes without taking major league soil samples all the time, then I would say he could adapt to the Big XT or the Explorer.

If not, then I would say he needs more seat time. These big adventure bikes can be a hand full on nasty dirt or sand roads. They are not made for someone starting out on a motorcycle in the dirt.

 

[Racesbikes]

You dont think going from 54hp to 143hp is something to think about when someone has very few miles? I do... he wants the new explorer fyi...

Thanks for your opinion on the matter. ::008::

Joe

I went from 0hp to 110hp. It's the persons level of responsibility that counts. Everything else is learned.

 

[GrahamD]

I sold my Strom to a guy that had a 250 8 years ago and decided he wanted a DL1000. He was a very sensible guy and is still alive. So it depends on the person and whether they are level headed enough to grow into the bike.

As others have said, success will depend more on the personality than the bike.

If he can keep a two wheeled machine upright then it's just a matter of leaning the new one.

If he is a hot headed idiot then I would say no.

 

[oldtramp]

Lets face it this thing is heavy and gets even heavier once its set up for an adventure. At times off road I feel like it is taking me for a ride rather than me riding it. I still need to change out my tires and Iam sure this will help its off road manners. As with most things in life moderation is the key. This bike is a hoot to ride, the others are sitting waiting their turn.

 

[MikeBear]

Here is what I had and why: 1987 ural- just the cheapest bike I could afford. Got it in '97. Honda cbr600 f4i. First sport bike and didn't know what I was doing. Had that bike 2 month and sold it. 2004 r1. Greatest sport bike I've ridden. Still have it. I will never sell it. 2006 v-star 1100 silverado. Trying to get rid of it. Have 2850 miles on it. bike with horrible seat and ergonomics. My arrs was hurting after 25 minutes in the saddle and everything else after one hour. Now my s10. Just got it a month ago and 1300 miles later still getting used to it. As you can see all of my bikes had different purpose and different power and I'm still here . ::001::

 

[Tremor38]

Re: Re: Is a big bore adventuee to much for a new rider?

Lets face it this thing is heavy and gets even heavier once its set up for an adventure. At times off road I feel like it is taking me for a ride rather than me riding it. I still need to change out my tires and Iam sure this will help its off road manners. As with most things in life moderation is the key. This bike is a hoot to ride, the others are sitting waiting their turn.

I approached some of the things I did on my KLX with some apprehension, but, for the most most part, have been surprised at where this bike will go. That said, a degree of common sense is in order because we're dealing with greater than 2x the weight and the laws of physics don't change when you add electronic wizardry.

Sent from my F-05D using Tapatalk 2

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Smeone i kow has about 2000 miles on a smaller 650cc bike and they are wanting to get into more off road adventure riding.

He would be far better off getting a small bore, light weight dual sport and learning the ins and outs of dirt riding on that first before getting on the S10. Sure, you can learn it on the Tenere, but the learning curve is steeper and you'll be hard pressed to master the skills that are needed. Plus dropping an expensive big bike cost a lot more $$ than dropping a 12 year old 350cc bike. Even just a few months in the dirt on a small bike would be a huge benefit to his big bore riding. Plus he's not likely to lose any money reselling the bike at the end of the learning process.

But if the question can he ride it...? Sure, it's as gentle on the pavement as you need it to be. But good luck to the inexperienced dirt rider that wants to learn on 600+lbs machine. Not an ideal choice.

 

[num]

He would be far better off getting a small bore, light weight dual sport and learning the ins and outs of dirt riding on that first before getting on the S10. Sure, you can learn it on the Tenere, but the learning curve is steeper and you'll be hard pressed to master the skills that are needed. Plus dropping an expensive big bike cost a lot more $$ than dropping a 12 year old 350cc bike. Even just a few months in the dirt on a small bike would be a huge benefit to his big bore riding. Plus he's not likely to lose any money reselling the bike at the end of the learning process.

But if the question can he ride it...? Sure, it's as gentle on the pavement as you need it to be. But good luck to the inexperienced dirt rider that wants to learn on 600+lbs machine. Not an ideal choice.

very true, and i still ride my 250, but given the choice between a 650 and the tenere, I'd just get the tenere.

 

[Combo]

But if it did fall over I would need one of these or a for sale sign. ::015::

Dakar rally motorcycle helicopter lift - Annie Seel

Looks like this guy is having as much trouble as I would by hand. ::025::

If your buddy can pick yours up, let him ride it.

 

[Rasher]

Do you feel something 1200cc adventure bike wise is to much of a jump to quick?

No, these bikes are easy to ride with a nice progressive power curve and handle well, even without the electronic aids, especially on Tarmac, I have had 175BHP bikes without TC and you would have to be going pretty mental to have traction issues on them on dry paved roads.

The throttle works both ways ::008:: In my experience bad riders are bad riders and will crash whatever you put them on, good (or even just fairly sensible) riders are OK regardless of what they ride, or how much experience they have.

I went from a 250LC to a GPZ750 at seventeen having only spent 6 months on the 250, I then bought an RG500 less than a year later, I had no problems whilst other lads I knew back then repeatedly fell off 125's.

 

[fossil]

Just my 2c worth but I think the more off road he wants his adventure riding to be the better it would be to stick with something smaller. I agree that the S10 can go a lot of places in the right hands, but a good 650ish dual sporter will go there easier and with less expense in a lot of cases. I'm talking about more than just a easy gravel road here, stuff like deep sand etc. where the weight as much as anything else can bite you pretty quick. The electronics while good won't take 100kg off at the press of a button. Once there really comfortable with the techniques for off road they can move up to something bigger.

Having said that if there going to stay on road or easy dirt, with a level head and a bit of CDF (sometimes in short supply) they should be fine. Anyway who really makes decisions like this with their head.

 

[MikeBear]

No, these bikes are easy to ride with a nice progressive power curve and handle well, even without the electronic aids, especially on Tarmac, I have had 175BHP bikes without TC and you would have to be going pretty mental to have traction issues on them on dry paved roads.

The throttle works both ways ::008:: In my experience bad riders are bad riders and will crash whatever you put them on, good (or even just fairly sensible) riders are OK regardless of what they ride, or how much experience they have.

I went from a 250LC to a GPZ750 at seventeen having only spent 6 months on the 250, I then bought an RG500 less than a year later, I had no problems whilst other lads I knew back then repeatedly fell off 125's.

::008::

 

[TRUBRIT]

I came from Harleys. Minimum dirt experience. Personally I believe you have to know your limits. The ST is 225 lbs lighter than my last HD so the weight is not bothering me. I am not expecting or wanting to do the things Wasp and others are doing on this very capable machine. I do like to get out onto the gravel roads here in the Everglades and on the Levies. I do intend to learn as much as I can and practice as much as I can. Pretty much as I did for road riding. Your Buddy should get the Bike he likes and learn to ride it at his pace. It is all about what you enjoy doing on the bike and not what you think you should be doing on it because others are able to do it. Each to his own.

 

[Scoop47501]

"

"I came from Harleys. Minimum dirt experience. Personally I believe you have to know your limits. The ST is 225 lbs lighter than my last HD so the weight is not bothering me. I am not expecting or wanting to do the things Wasp and others are doing on this very capable machine. I do like to get out onto the gravel roads here in the Everglades and on the Levies. I do intend to learn as much as I can and practice as much as I can. Pretty much as I did for road riding. Your Buddy should get the Bike he likes and learn to ride it at his pace. It is all about what you enjoy doing on the bike and not what you think you should be doing on it because others are able to do it. Each to his own."

Very well said . I agree completely

 

[Swagger]

There is a big element of 'it depends' to be applied to this. I find that the Tenere is perfect for fire trails and cinder tracks. When the going gets really serious with deep broken ground the thing is a mean handful if you don't have the right hoops and suspension settings. So far, and I mean so far, I haven't dropped mine in any of the rough stuff ... I will though as I keep pushing the boundaries. It's designed to be off roaded but within limits .... and I have to say that most won't be up to the bikes true capabilities. That said don't be frightened by it ... it'll help you achieve some reasonable stuff ...then it'll try to kill you ... just like any other bike.

Know your limits. Push the envelope just think about what you're expecting the bike to do. ::008::

 

[imrubicon]

As most have said it depends on the rider
I have heard the same for every forum I have been on
The ZX14 forum all freaked for some guy that had never written a sport bike before but he was adult level headed and had good control of the right wrist he has been at it over a year .
I was out of riding for five years and got back in with a Honda ST1300 sport touring. Its all on the person. If he is the kind to push the limits from day one a ZX14 might not be a good start ,if the rider weighs 140 LBs then maybe a huge goodlwing is not good to start on .
If 4'11" maybe the Tenere will be harder to start on .
either way its the mindset more than years on a bike