A little bit confused with Lightweight Adventure Class

Afan

Afan

... and this is my real name.
Joined
Jun 2, 2014
Messages
428
Location
Urbandale, IA
Bike
1998 ST1100
Usually, when I read articles (magazines or online) about Lightweight Adventure Motorcycle Class, they talk about G650GS, F650GS, KLR650, V-Strom 650, DR650/400... Eventually KTM 690 Enduro...
First, I don't understand how you can compare single cilinder bikes with two-cilinder bikes? And 80/20 street/off-road bikes (F650GS, V-Strom) to compare to 50/50 bikes? But, anyway...
Honda's answer to this class would be XR650L, right? If it's true, XR is barely mentioned ever in any comparison tests. Is XR really so bad that nobody's riding it?
 
The XR650L is a true enduro class bike....not street oriented other than licenseable.....the others are road bikes with varying degrees of dirt road ability.....in my day 500 lb "Light Adventure Bike" would've made people laugh.......ff
 
My 1967 Triumph TR6C weighed 365 pounds. It came with full knobbies, high pipes, 650 CC and was street legal. Back then, it was heavy compared with the two stroke screamers that were the up and coming deal.
 
flyfisher said:
The XR650L is a true enduro class bike....not street oriented other than licenseable.....the others are road bikes with varying degrees of dirt road ability.....in my day 500 lb "Light Adventure Bike" would've made people laugh.......ff
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So, Honda doesn't have a bike for this class? Or maybe NC700x or CB500x?!? :)
 
Magazine comparisons are sometimes made with the NC700X, DL650, and the Versys but the NC is at best a 90/10 bike in regards to off road ability. It is a street bike with ADV styling.
 
I'd rate the WeeStrom as 75/25. It's pretty capable on dirt roads and larger trails with appropriate tires. After the ST I had it's way more comfortable off the highway. Loaded up its not so happy off highway.. But some can make it work for them.

Mines a '15 WeeXT. 500-600 mile days easy on the road.. Did some pretty horrific gravel roads this summer without a problem other than having to clean it up after!
 
Stump said:
I'd rate the WeeStrom as 75/25. It's pretty capable on dirt roads and larger trails with appropriate tires...
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That part "... with appropriate tires..." is often confusing... I don't see people is taking a set of knobies with them and when they hit the off-road they switch immediately. And then 2-3 hours later back on the pavement and back on the road tires?!? I don't have a Wee (although very interested) but if I would leave for a multiple days 75/25 trip I would have regular road tires. But I believe Wee behaves on gravel/dirt road on these tires just fine.
Or am I wrong and/or not getting it?!? :confused:
 
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Afan said:
And the Versys, I forgot. I apologize to Kawasaki for any inconvenience.
:D


And V-Strom is pretty much the same, right?
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Yes. Some DL650 owners will beg to differ but none of these three are off road bikes. Maybe off pavement maybe but they not dirt bikes without stretching the definition.
 
Afan said:
That part "... with appropriate tires..." is often confusing... I don't see people is taking a set of knobies with them and when they hit the off-road they switch immediately. And then 2-3 hours later back on the pavement and back on the road tires?!? I don't have Wee (although very interested) but if I would leave for a multiple days 75/25 trip I would have regular road tires. But I believe Wee behaves on gravel/dirt road on these tires just fine.
Or am I wrong and/or not getting it?!? :confused:
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Well, any decent rider should be able to take a street bike on gravel and hard pack unpaved dirt. Is that 75/25? Many of us have done dirt and gravel roads on our STs on street tires but it's much harder and lots more to lose in a drop. I've done gravel and hard dirt roads on my NC but for the tiny percentage of riding it is for me I stay on street tires. I wouldn't get too hung up on the definitions.
 
Afan said:
Usually, when I read articles (magazines or online) about Lightweight Adventure Motorcycle Class, they talk about G650GS, F650GS, KLR650, V-Strom 650, DR650/400... Eventually KTM 690 Enduro...
First, I don't understand how you can compare single cilinder bikes with two-cilinder bikes? And 80/20 street/off-road bikes (F650GS, V-Strom) to compare to 50/50 bikes? But, anyway...
Honda's answer to this class would be XR650L, right? If it's true, XR is barely mentioned ever in any comparison tests. Is XR really so bad that nobody's riding it?
Click to expand...

One of my buddies has the XR650L and I'd rate it a bit more dirt worthy than than the older KLR and DR650. All those bikes have old, soft suspension which is good for poking around but suffer greatly once up to speed. Probably the best money that can be spent on any of those bikes is upgrading and dialing in the suspension for your needs.

For me, a dual sport should be able to handle roads that would require stock 4wd in a cage. Any of those bikes above can at a relaxed pace. A Weestrom can with the right rider and a willingness to accept possible catastrophic damage.
 
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I have the stock "dual sport" tires.... They work OK. But there are very decent truly dual sport tires out there... Both comfortable on the road and competent in the dirty stuff.

I was never comfortable on the ST on anything dirt except for hard pack. I guess you could say you could ride anything on anything... I've heard tell of Goldwings doing seriously out of the way places... I'd personally rather be on the Wee for that... of better yet a XL or KTM... but I couldn't afford the KTM and the XR sucks on the highway for any distance.
 
I've ridden some street bikes, including the wing on some pretty gnarly two track roads. I'd consider all the bikes mentioned above to be pretty good off road bikes, but not in the enduro class like the KTM.
 
The XR650 and KLR bikes are 2 old school, air cooled models that have been around for many years, with little, if any changes and to this day do not look like the current adventure class.
All the adventure series bikes are boring to look at and ride for that matter, my NC700 included, but it is ugly to boot.

Now the Africa Twin coming out has my interest with its' 21 wheel, fully adjustable tall suspension (with a not too tall seat height), big motor and has a true off road look and function, with no ugly adventure bike look.
The AT falls directly into the enduro class.
 
Afan said:
Usually, when I read articles (magazines or online) about Lightweight Adventure Motorcycle Class, they talk about G650GS, F650GS, KLR650, V-Strom 650, DR650/400... Eventually KTM 690 Enduro...
First, I don't understand how you can compare single cilinder bikes with two-cilinder bikes? And 80/20 street/off-road bikes (F650GS, V-Strom) to compare to 50/50 bikes? But, anyway...
Honda's answer to this class would be XR650L, right? If it's true, XR is barely mentioned ever in any comparison tests. Is XR really so bad that nobody's riding it?
Click to expand...

it all depends on what the definition of the word "is" is.
 
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