It's official - ADV bikes are trendy

1leglance

2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
pretty rough story when you read it all the way through...
true? well yeah lots of adventure machines never go on adventures, just like lots of hot rods never go fast, lots of divers watches never dive and lots of wicked rifles never hunt....but we all still enjoy our passions and that is fine by me.
 

zolo

Explorer
I'll delete mine and both will be gone. Kneejerk responses are fun!

I appreciate it. I still think the article is stupid, esp the Dakar part.

But its not Navman writing it. So he/she is cool with me.

Sorry for the display of crazyness....
 

BigAl

Expedition Leader
The article did not have alot to say about the adventrue motocycle, just the riders, which was...who the @#$ cares
 

Christian P.

Expedition Leader
Staff member
I am not sure if these articles really mean anything. I don't think they have as much mass effect that one would think.
 

MarcFJ60

Adventurer
Actually, I really liked the article and think it applies to 90+% of people out there. Not in the sense that we're all trying to portray an image, but that we get stuff in anticipation for things we might do or would like to do. Look - we're on a forum with "Expedition" in the title but 98% of us on here really just camp. By and large, we aren't going places where there isn't already a road or trail. It doesn't mean it isn't enjoyable and doesn't mean we can't hope to do something more adventurous that probably won't happen because life gets in the way.

The article certainly doesn't describe the 2% who are certainly bold travelers. But that 2% really doesn't make up a market.

I loved this quote:
As with Cialis, divers' watches and submarine-launched thermonuclear devices, it is not necessarily what you do with what you have, it's what you — and others — imagine you could do that counts.

Not the part about what others imagine, but about what we imagine. I've never taken my XChallenge or Landcruiser anywhere near their limits. But I can have hope that some great adventure is in the near future and am ready for it when the opportunity comes. That way, I don't eat my gun while sitting in Washington, D.C. traffic for another Groundhog Day.

The article also brought up a very valid point about the ergonomics of adventure bikes. I have to admit, I always thought the R1200GS was a bit showy and way too heavy to ride offroad. But after sitting on one and seeing others' comments, I can totally understand somebody buying one just because it is a darn comfortable bike.
So it is with adventure bikes. You want the bike that can go anywhere, even if there's no real chance you'll actually go there. But unlike choppers and road racers, adventure bikes work really well at what real riders really do: ride around in comfort at near-legal speeds, on standard-issue asphalt. Their upright, motocross-style riding stance is easy on older riders' knees and wrists, their generous seats accommodate older riders' generous seats and their ample luggage space allows taking along both belt and suspenders.

Truly there's no shortage of people acquiring things to portray a persona. Not to be a basher, but there is little or no utility in leather vests and doo rags - particularly if you never wore them prior to purchasing a cruiser. But I think that is different from somebody buying something that has some utility, even if you may not utilize it to all its potential (offroad capability, suspension travel, aggressive tires, etc.).
 

Loco-Nomad

Adventurer
Ridiculous article...Yes, there are those that buy a GS but it never sees dirt. SO WHAT! I bought an '03 GS and put my own military sadlebags on it but never went offroad. I intended to but had to sell due to finances. I guess this makes me a poser?? This writer is obviously out of his element. How about write an article about all the posers on Harleys that "dress up" to go to Bike week or Sturgis and play bad boy, yet trailer their bikes..
 

sandalscout

Adventurer
Actually, I really liked the article and think it applies to 90+% of people out there. Not in the sense that we're all trying to portray an image, but that we get stuff in anticipation for things we might do or would like to do. Look - we're on a forum with "Expedition" in the title but 98% of us on here really just camp. By and large, we aren't going places where there isn't already a road or trail.

I used to get sort of bent out of shape (and sometimes still do to an extent) when I realized I had a bike that was capable of doing so much more than I was (as well as my old Jeep); I sort of felt like I was letting myself and the bike down. I've changed my line of thinking some since then.

I read a quote recently that was along the lines of "An adventure doesn't have to mean no one has ever been there, just that I haven't."

I doubt I will ever be able claim that I have participated in an expedition, however, I try to have an adventure every time I ride. This last weekend, I rode about 400 miles on my dual sport moto, right alongside a very good friend who was riding his Vulcan. We rode in some very cool places that neither of us have been, found leads to new places we will check out as time permits, and had a blast doing it. Not one single mile was off pavement. Don't get me wrong, I understand what you are saying, but I really think it's a matter of perspective and motivation. I've decided to ride for me, and really experience all the riding I can. I still love riding off pavement, but why not enjoy the accessible stuff too, especially if it's with people you enjoy hanging out with that aren't into off-pavement travels.
 

Frank

Explorer
I wonder if there is an article for soccer moms who drive Unlimited Rubicon Jeeps to the local fields and super markets or business people who are now a focus target of the Harley-Davidson marketing team? My Dad's Harley has 6,000 miles on it, 1000 of which are mine...and its a 2005...that he bought brand new. I could easily write an article about the new age of Harley riders. I guess if the shoe fits, wear it.

The bottom line, crappy news sells and newspapers aren't doing real hot these days. Posting a link sends people to the page which gets hits...which allows the the newspaper to sell advertisement. It worked.
 

WU7X

Snow on the Roof
Yup, I'm a Euro-Butch kinda guy!

Actually, I'm just finishing up one of the best summers of my life. Started adventuring off with a weekend down in Hells Canyon DSing with some really great riders. Then a quick weekend at the Expo Rallye, near Ellenbsurg, WA, where I was one of the few two wheelers there. Slipped in many single day and weekend local rides and campouts, followed just the past weekend by taking the Adventure Sidecar class down in Hood River, OR.

My '02 Dakar has served me well the past two years, but now I'm hooked on a new concept; adventure sidecaring! Whoopiiee! So I'm going to have to sell the Dakar to help fund building up my '82 R100S with EML leading link suspension and car and a Squire chair for adventuring past the asphalt.

If anyone is interested in seeing what the class on sidecars was like, take a look at the pics at www.adventuresidecar.smugmug.com . I'm the handsome guy in the neon yellow jacket. The hacks we used were two KLRs with sidecars, a Suzuki Bandit, and a Ural. What a blast! Sleeping in a tipi and eating gormet food out of a dutch oven every night wasn't too bad either.

Oh, my Beemer friends and I do get together at a local Starbucks every Saturday morning to plan trips, etc. And I meet up with local adventure riders on the regional section of ADV Rider. It's all fun. Even the Walter Mitty's of the world have to take that first step some time. Let's be kind and help them along.

p.s. If anyone knows of a soccer mom looking to sell her used Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, tell her that I may be interested in swapping it for a 650 Dakar plus $$.

p.p.s. Anyone know where I can find some Uniroyal Rallye 280 125SR15 radial tires, or their equivalent? My hack needs new shoes.
 
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Dave Bennett

Adventurist
I wonder if there is an article for soccer moms who drive Unlimited Rubicon Jeeps to the local fields and super markets or business people who are now a focus target of the Harley-Davidson marketing team? My Dad's Harley has 6,000 miles on it, 1000 of which are mine...and its a 2005...that he bought brand new. I could easily write an article about the new age of Harley riders. I guess if the shoe fits, wear it.

The bottom line, crappy news sells and newspapers aren't doing real hot these days. Posting a link sends people to the page which gets hits...which allows the the newspaper to sell advertisement. It worked.

Agreed.
 

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