- A compilation list of the best motorcycles for your first adventure model.
- What kind of motorcycle is an adventure model anyway?
-
What owners are saying about riding their first adventure model.
- Recommended for first-time adventure model mid-sized motorcycles (~250cc)
- Suzuki V-Strom 250
- HONDA CRF250 RALLY
- Large motorcycles (~1000cc) recommended for first-time adventure models
- Suzuki V-Strom 650XT
- Large motorcycle (1001cc and up) recommended for your first adventure model
- Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin
A compilation list of the best motorcycles for your first adventure model.
Webike's "Find a Motorcycle by Bike Life" section allows you to find the best motorcycle for each situation based on information from Webike users.
In this issue, I'm going to introduce you to some of the best motorcycles for your "first adventure model", along along with testimonials from actual riders!
What kind of motorcycle is an adventure model anyway?
Until a few years ago, adventure models were mainly big motorcycles over 1000cc, such as BMW's R1200GS, and their large bodies and heavyweights made them difficult to ride. However, in the past few years, many manufacturers have introduced mid-range adventure models, and now they are becoming a big hit.
The Adventure model's appeal lies in its touring performance. The Adventure model features a comfortable position that prevents fatigue even after long hours of riding, a screen that reduces wind, and high load capacity with a rear carrier and optional box. It also has a high level of off-road driving performance that allows you to explore rough roads, as it is called "Adventure".
What owners are saying about riding their first adventure model.
Here's some of what some of the owners say about their actual motorcycles, recommending them as their "first adventure model"! I've picked them up by displacement so you can use them as a reference when looking for a motorcycle!
Among the medium-sized motorcycles, there were recommended motorcycles according to their riding performance, and the V-Strom 250 was chosen for its emphasis on long-distance touring and the CRF250 RALLY for its emphasis on off-road riding performance such as on forest roads. As for the big motorcycles, the motorcycles with relatively good footing were chosen even in the class. Because of the big tank and high load capacity, the weight of the motorcycle also increases, so good footing is an important point!
Recommended for first-time adventure model mid-sized motorcycles (~250cc)
Suzuki V-Strom 250
| Purpose of purchase, purpose of use, comparative models | When it was first released, I was not interested in this motorcycle at all. After that, I started to see it often in touring and so on, and became interested in it little by little. The decisive factor was a feature article in a magazine, in which the motorcycle was highly popular in the 250cc class and was highly rated for its ease of use in the practical range, and I was hooked before I knew it. I bought this when it was released in a color scheme that I liked. |
|---|---|
| Strengths/Satisfactory points | The V-STROM's styling is instantly recognizable in the 250cc adventure class. A tough engine that delivers plenty of torque and power in the practical range. The ample size of the motorcycle provides a highly flexible riding position. The body packaging is very useful for touring. |
| Weaknesses and complaints | None |
| Advice to prospective buyers. | When comparing engine power and other factors, there is a large numerical difference between the other motorcycles and the 250SS, but when you actually drive it, there are no complaints because the mid- to low-speed torque in the practical range is sufficient. It has a relaxed and comfortable position and is tough enough to handle long distance touring. The price is also reasonable for the 250cc class, and I think it's a good motorcycle that can satisfy beginners and experienced riders alike. |
HONDA CRF250 RALLY
| Purpose of purchase, purpose of use, comparative models | I was looking for a motorcycle that has a good range, is not tiring on the highway, is easy to handle on dirt roads, is inexpensive to maintain, and has a certain size, and this is it. |
|---|---|
| Strengths/Satisfactory points | It's a manageable size even if you beat it on a forest road. Good fuel economy (30~40km)/L). Easy to maneuver on forest roads, mountain roads and parking lots. Not many people ride them, so they don't hang together. |
| Weaknesses and complaints | The front is unreliable on dirt (scary over 80km) Frequent gear changes due to low torque ⇒SP Tadao Power Box + Yoshimura Slip-On improved it somewhat! The side cover sticks out too far and I can't choose the side back. The suspension cannot be adjusted (it is not attached). ⇒As a result, the motorcycle stands upright when the side stand is out with full luggage. ⇒Changed to no complaints if there is no luggage (hit?) You can't do that unless the ABS cut is stopped. |
| Advice to prospective buyers. | It's an off-road motorcycle in the category, but you should think of it as an on-road motorcycle that can also be ridden off-road. It can go flat dirt a bit, but it is not suitable for gero attacks and bushwhacking. The weight of the motorcycle is much lighter than a big motorcycle, so it is easy to handle. I think that long-distance touring is recommended with full of luggage. (P.S.) It was fun to ride it on the paved forest road unexpectedly. |
Large motorcycles (~1000cc) recommended for first-time adventure models
Suzuki V-Strom 650XT
| Purpose of purchase, purpose of use, comparative models | 20L gas tank, lightness, footing, and I want to go to a remote island by ferry from now on, so it is cheaper than a motorcycle over 750cc, range, and regular gasoline are good. |
|---|---|
| Strengths/Satisfactory points | The 20L fuel tank allowed me to travel from Kanagawa to Osaka without refueling, which is great in these days of dwindling gas stations with a range of over 500km. It doesn't have the power of a liter motorcycle, but it's easier than a mid-size motorcycle! |
| Weaknesses and complaints | It's good on the open road, but when it comes to the forest road, if it was a little longer? I mentioned at the beginning of the ride that ABS on the brakes is not good on wet or unpaved roads, more front brake, less rear brake! When the rear brake ABS works, the front brake is weakened by the ABS and doesn't decelerate. Do different manufacturers have different ways of making the ABS work? So the front brake is too strong? I've found that I can drive better when the front brake is too strong and the rear brake is too weak. |
| Advice to prospective buyers. | 11 months and 14,000 km since I bought it new, I'm not tired even after a day of riding and this motorcycle makes me want to go far away! |
Large motorcycle (1001cc and up) recommended for your first adventure model
Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin
| Purpose of purchase, purpose of use, comparative models | Adventure Sports ES manual, long suspension model. I had been using an XSR900 for my solo motorcycle and a SKYWAVE250 typeM for pillion riding with my wife, but the SKYWAVE was so inefficient that I decided to get a bigger motorcycle when it was time to change. If you ride with your wife, you will have a lot of luggage, so a motorcycle with a high load capacity is a candidate. Scooters are not for me because I've ridden them before, and tourers like the Gold Wing and Harley don't suit my style. The latest model of the Africa twin was put on the market at the timing that the adventure system was stuck as a good-looking motorcycle even if it made it to full pannier, and was considering comparison with GS, Ténéré, and V-STROM, etc., and it was decided from the affordable view of the price compared with the Honda vehicle that I wanted to ride, the recommendation of the acquaintance, the style, and the foreign vehicle. I decided to buy it. As a result of comparing the old Africa Twin with the normal type (seat height 87cm) and the lowered type (83cm), I bought the type this time because I thought I could go somehow even with 87cm. Unfortunately, I have never been off-road. I think it is impossible to go off-road with this motorcycle. I will do my best gradually. |
|---|---|
| Strengths/Satisfactory points | The mental satisfaction of riding a big motorcycle. Of course, being too big is also a disadvantage, but the primary satisfaction is that it satisfies the desire to own. Next is load capacity. However, this is not limited to this motorcycle but applies to any motorcycle that can be fitted with full panniers. The second point is the balance between loadability and appearance. Third point, electronic suspension. |
| Weaknesses and complaints | The first point, handling. Even with the same weight, the center of gravity is very high, and it doesn't wobble half as much when handling or stopping. I need to work on it. Secondly, it became difficult to get into the back seat. (Unavoidable) Third, there is no place to put the iPhone, so applecarplay is no different than having the iPhone in a phone holder. if there was a USB cable under the seat at least, like GoldWing. Fourth, I was dizzy by the height of the center of gravity when I actually tandem. After all, the height is completely different from a scooter. I wonder if I can keep my strength. |
| Advice to prospective buyers. | However, if you intend to drive it for a long period of time, about 10 years, I think that you will be more satisfied with the low maintenance cost of Japanese motorcycles. |
See HONDA Moto Index Page
See SUZUKI Moto Index Page
See Accessories for HONDA CRF250 RALLY
See Accessories for HONDA CRF1100L Africa Twin
See Accessories for SUZUKI V-STROM 250
See Accessories for SUZUKI V-strom 650XT
See Accessories for SUZUKI V-STROM 650 (DL650)
