Triumph Tiger Explorer

[eemsreno]

Great explanation Snake, There should be some kind of criteria before a manufacture can use the name Adventure bike. I laugh when people call my DL650 an Adventure bike, It’s just a glorified street bike.
I have ridden a LT2 [Yamaha 100] two up over Scholfield Pass Colorado. That was an Adventure but it doesn’t make the old Yamaha an Adventure bike. True Adventure bikes need to be able to do anything and go anywhere Two up if need be, Be at home standing on the pegs, good suspension, good ground clearance, plenty of power, HANDLE GRAVEL !!! Lots of little things add up to the full package.

 

[protondecay123]

I have ridden a LT2 [Yamaha 100] two up over Scholfield Pass Colorado. That was an Adventure

??? You did what? ???

I wish I would have known that before I started on the Blue Loop with you!

 

[GrahamD]

So in summary, I am simply trying to say that it might be true that the Honda or Triumph may be superior on tarmac. And maybe by a considerable margin. But not enough to render the S10 or GS tarmac toads.
However, those same design biases towards dirt that Yamaha and BMW made for dirt prowess could be HUGE when you are having the "adventure ride" of your life! Supposedly, that's why we wanted one of these bikes.

I love motorcycles. All kinds. But this unique class of Big Beast adventure bikes is getting a little "stretched" with the latest editions, if you ask me. Or at least the word "adventure" is starting to mean other things.

I think the spread of bikes is a good thing. Many Europeans and Especially Poms seem to have little use for Nuclear Powered Dirt bikes like the S10 and many people "THINK" they are afraid of dirt based on past experience with very nervously set up bikes with inappropriate torque curves. (Like a Tiger 1200 ) And from my own experience, it doesn't matter how many times someone says that the S10 is different (off road and ABS) most people will just assume that a lowly YAMAHA couldn't be capable of that and that all the owners are just over zealous noobs.

The percentage thing, to me, is a bit of a strange one. I can be doing mostly tarmac most of the year (80/20) and then spring for a big ride (like the Alcan except with dust hiding ruts and sand and flies instead of mozzies mud and ice, which will see 0/100 for a couple of days straight. SO my main frustration with the "jacked up road bikes" was how much constant concentration it took over a long distance in those conditions. YAMAHA have decided to make that a whole lot easier without loosing too much on the road. Because it is easier you tend to push into harder places and go just a bit overboard, past the real design limits of the bike on occasion.

The main thing for me though is the transition from tarmac to gravel/dirt/track whatever is easy, not draining. It's pretty natural on this bike. Which was just what I was after. So I picked up some big pluses from the Strom without many negatives. I was thinking of going down the KTM or DR650 path but luckily YAMAHA saved me from that one because it would have meant gaining something and losing others. This way it's a win win (Mostly). I still have to watch the weather though. 900Km of mud is no fun on a huge bike.

Hey GrahamD, is there snow on this trek now? )

I don't know. Where is it. I know of many roads that look like that. ::024::

 

[snakebitten]

I think the spread of bikes is a good thing...........

I don't know. Where is it. I know of many roads that look like that. ::024::

Don't misunderstand. I am very glad that ALL these bikes are becoming available. More choices is a GOOD thing for us 2-wheel folks. But the comparisons between them become less apple/apples as the design intent continues to "spread out", so to speak.

Oh, and that road was somewhere just outside of Jindabyne. (East) After you complete the "Alpine Way" from Khancoban. Stunning ride!

And finally, stop bragging.

 

[howie ronic]

I agree with the spread theory. I own the perfect bike for my purposes and that's all that matters to me. I am 100% pleased 100% of the time with the Tenere. What a great horse.

 

[Paulvt1]

Had another go a few days back. Still an impressive machine. Finally got a chance to demo a Honda Crosstourer DCT next week. Looking forward to it.