Non ADV rider rides an ADV bike.
Discussion
First up, let me say that I have no skin in the game one way or the other, and am neither for nor against adventure bikes.
This past week I’ve had an Aprilia Tuareg demonstrator while my V4 Tuono has been having some work done to it. I’ve never ridden an ADV type bike before but have always wondered if one would fit in the garage alongside my other bikes for a while, so I was glad to get the opportunity to spend some time on one, and I dunno? But these ramblings may be of some use or interest to someone else in similar situation to me.
I left the dealers with 23 miles on the clock, and handed it back 8 days later with 660 miles which gave me an odd sense of satisfaction. All 637 miles were covered by me were done on the road.
First impressions.
I love the look of the Tuareg’s and like I alluded to earlier, I have had my eye on these since they first came out and wondered if it could be another bike for me.
Some of the finishes on the bike look a bit cheap, but in general it seems to be pretty well built.
I had a 40 mile journey back home from Thirsk to Seaham and could have taken the boring direct route down the A19, a slightly longer and reasonably interesting route via Northallerton, past Croft race circuit and Darlington, or the 3rd option of ‘The Helmsley TT’ route, which is the way I came on my V4. I chose the Northallerton route because for some reason, I just wasn’t really enthused about taking the Helmsley road back after jumping on and setting off.
After a few miles I was kinda pleased I had taken the route I did because riding with a 21” front wheel felt properly weird and alien to me. I felt like I had no idea where the front wheel was, what it was doing or where it was going to go. The front end just felt vague.
Also, the seat is bloody uncomfortable, after an hour in the saddle I was glad to get off. The seat is definitely the worst part about the bike for me.
The bike I had didn’t have a quickshifter fitted and I guess there will have been no IMU either? Although I’m not even sure if you can get them with an IMU??
It definitely would have benefitted from having a quick shifter though, and if I was buying the bike I would definitely tick that option box if it was available. The IMU? Well I can’t say I missed it at all and could happily live without one in this bike.
First ‘Proper’ ride.
I went out with the Mrs on her 660 Tuono on Sunday and we covered about 150 miles on a Seaham, Consett, Corbridge, Hayden Bridge, Alston, Barnard Castle, Seaham loop.
The seat again, was awful. The fuelling on the Tuareg seems to be better than the Tuono and that 5K flat spot doesn’t seem to be present, it’s a lovely tractable motor that seems well suited to that bike.
The Pirelli Scorpion STR Trail??? Tyres really impressed me with their grip, though there was some vibration through the bike which I am assuming comes from the blocky nature of the tyres?? I know it made my hands and feet tingle a bit.
Brakes just looks like some basic Brembo units, but I had no problems at all with them, they were really strong and had a nice feel through the lever.
The boring 5 mile commute to work.
This, for me is where the bike felt most at home.
Slow speed handling is an absolute joy on this bike, even at a slow walking pace it’s utterly stable and really manageable, filtering though traffic was a breeze and despite being 6’-2” the screen was just about perfect for me, the wind just brushed across my shoulders and the top of my helmet. It’s something I’d definitely appreciate in the winter.
For what it’s worth, i was getting low to mid 60mpg. I don’t know if that’s good or bad?? But might be a consideration for some people. All I know is that it seems to use at least 50% less fuel than my V4 does.
The long ride to Knockhill and back.
A 330 mile round trip via the A697 (I think??) on the way there. And the A68 on the way home.
The seat was torture and after 1 hour again.
Other than that, it was brilliant. I’d got used to the 21” front wheel a bit more and had more confidence in it, although it does still feel gauge mid corner.
Cruise control was welcome for the bit of motorway riding I had to do around the Forth Bridge.
The bike was pretty tight when I first picked it up, but it had loosened up quite nicely during my time with it so when I found a private road on the way back I opened it up a bit more. It’s definitely not a quick bike, all I could get out of it was 128, but it did feel pretty stable at those kinda speeds.
Would I buy one?
In a word, No.
There isn’t anything to dislike about the bike, other than the seat, but it just isn't the type of bike for me. I am really pleased I’ve ridden one though.
This past week I’ve had an Aprilia Tuareg demonstrator while my V4 Tuono has been having some work done to it. I’ve never ridden an ADV type bike before but have always wondered if one would fit in the garage alongside my other bikes for a while, so I was glad to get the opportunity to spend some time on one, and I dunno? But these ramblings may be of some use or interest to someone else in similar situation to me.
I left the dealers with 23 miles on the clock, and handed it back 8 days later with 660 miles which gave me an odd sense of satisfaction. All 637 miles were covered by me were done on the road.
First impressions.
I love the look of the Tuareg’s and like I alluded to earlier, I have had my eye on these since they first came out and wondered if it could be another bike for me.
Some of the finishes on the bike look a bit cheap, but in general it seems to be pretty well built.
I had a 40 mile journey back home from Thirsk to Seaham and could have taken the boring direct route down the A19, a slightly longer and reasonably interesting route via Northallerton, past Croft race circuit and Darlington, or the 3rd option of ‘The Helmsley TT’ route, which is the way I came on my V4. I chose the Northallerton route because for some reason, I just wasn’t really enthused about taking the Helmsley road back after jumping on and setting off.
After a few miles I was kinda pleased I had taken the route I did because riding with a 21” front wheel felt properly weird and alien to me. I felt like I had no idea where the front wheel was, what it was doing or where it was going to go. The front end just felt vague.
Also, the seat is bloody uncomfortable, after an hour in the saddle I was glad to get off. The seat is definitely the worst part about the bike for me.
The bike I had didn’t have a quickshifter fitted and I guess there will have been no IMU either? Although I’m not even sure if you can get them with an IMU??
It definitely would have benefitted from having a quick shifter though, and if I was buying the bike I would definitely tick that option box if it was available. The IMU? Well I can’t say I missed it at all and could happily live without one in this bike.
First ‘Proper’ ride.
I went out with the Mrs on her 660 Tuono on Sunday and we covered about 150 miles on a Seaham, Consett, Corbridge, Hayden Bridge, Alston, Barnard Castle, Seaham loop.
The seat again, was awful. The fuelling on the Tuareg seems to be better than the Tuono and that 5K flat spot doesn’t seem to be present, it’s a lovely tractable motor that seems well suited to that bike.
The Pirelli Scorpion STR Trail??? Tyres really impressed me with their grip, though there was some vibration through the bike which I am assuming comes from the blocky nature of the tyres?? I know it made my hands and feet tingle a bit.
Brakes just looks like some basic Brembo units, but I had no problems at all with them, they were really strong and had a nice feel through the lever.
The boring 5 mile commute to work.
This, for me is where the bike felt most at home.
Slow speed handling is an absolute joy on this bike, even at a slow walking pace it’s utterly stable and really manageable, filtering though traffic was a breeze and despite being 6’-2” the screen was just about perfect for me, the wind just brushed across my shoulders and the top of my helmet. It’s something I’d definitely appreciate in the winter.
For what it’s worth, i was getting low to mid 60mpg. I don’t know if that’s good or bad?? But might be a consideration for some people. All I know is that it seems to use at least 50% less fuel than my V4 does.
The long ride to Knockhill and back.
A 330 mile round trip via the A697 (I think??) on the way there. And the A68 on the way home.
The seat was torture and after 1 hour again.
Other than that, it was brilliant. I’d got used to the 21” front wheel a bit more and had more confidence in it, although it does still feel gauge mid corner.
Cruise control was welcome for the bit of motorway riding I had to do around the Forth Bridge.
The bike was pretty tight when I first picked it up, but it had loosened up quite nicely during my time with it so when I found a private road on the way back I opened it up a bit more. It’s definitely not a quick bike, all I could get out of it was 128, but it did feel pretty stable at those kinda speeds.
Would I buy one?
In a word, No.
There isn’t anything to dislike about the bike, other than the seat, but it just isn't the type of bike for me. I am really pleased I’ve ridden one though.
The seat was the major letdown on my Dorsoduro. It's some kind of stiff plasticy slightly knobbled material that I think they pick as it's grippy and durable.
In my experience it's too firm in itself let alone the foam underneath, and attracts stains from filling the tank.
I've replaced the cover with a much more supple Italian leather one, and fitted a gel insert below. Night and day difference.
In my experience it's too firm in itself let alone the foam underneath, and attracts stains from filling the tank.
I've replaced the cover with a much more supple Italian leather one, and fitted a gel insert below. Night and day difference.
KTMsm said:
Not all ADV bikes are the same
If (as most) you're not going off road there's no need for a 21" wheel, nor spokes
Some even come with comfy seats
For someone like you I'd suggest trying the Multistrada V4 or the 1290 S
I’d not class those as true ADV bikes, more in a similar category to the XR.If (as most) you're not going off road there's no need for a 21" wheel, nor spokes
Some even come with comfy seats
For someone like you I'd suggest trying the Multistrada V4 or the 1290 S
I’d also say that they are right in the sweet-spot for a proper do-everything road bike.
Can’t think of anything I’d change the XR for, except maybe for a real MT10 SP ‘Touring’; I’d sell a kidney for one of those, and maybe chuck in a testicle to seal the deal.
Edited by Tribal Chestnut on Wednesday 21st June 18:07
Edited by Tribal Chestnut on Wednesday 21st June 18:07 - too much use of the word ‘proper’
Edited by Tribal Chestnut on Wednesday 21st June 18:08
Tribal Chestnut said:
I’d not class those as true ADV bikes, more in a similar category to the XR.
I’d also say that they are right in the sweet-spot for a proper do-everything road bike.
I'd agree the XR is in a same groupI’d also say that they are right in the sweet-spot for a proper do-everything road bike.
I'd suggest the true ADV bikes mostly died out years ago - and in the UK rightly because less than 1% actually use them off road
Manufacturers keep the 21" spoke wheel for marketing - the PO of my 1190 swapped the 19" spoked wheels off it onto his new 1290 S which came with cast wheels
It was one of the reasons I bought it - I wanted the S for the 19" front and I saw the cast wheels as an upgrade. I'm not taking it off road, I just wanted the easy torque, comfortable position and cornering ABS
Like a Range Rover, I'm not doubting modern ADV can go off road, it's just you're making compromises for the 99% who don't go off road
KTMsm said:
I'd agree the XR is in a same group
I'd suggest the true ADV bikes mostly died out years ago - and in the UK rightly because less than 1% actually use them off road
Manufacturers keep the 21" spoke wheel for marketing - the PO of my 1190 swapped the 19" spoked wheels off it onto his new 1290 S which came with cast wheels
It was one of the reasons I bought it - I wanted the S for the 19" front and I saw the cast wheels as an upgrade. I'm not taking it off road, I just wanted the easy torque, comfortable position and cornering ABS
Like a Range Rover, I'm not doubting modern ADV can go off road, it's just you're making compromises for the 99% who don't go off road
That's funny, the 1290 S cast wheels, whilst undoubtedly better performing than the spoked rims, just don't look "Adventure" to me... hence why I went for another 1190.I'd suggest the true ADV bikes mostly died out years ago - and in the UK rightly because less than 1% actually use them off road
Manufacturers keep the 21" spoke wheel for marketing - the PO of my 1190 swapped the 19" spoked wheels off it onto his new 1290 S which came with cast wheels
It was one of the reasons I bought it - I wanted the S for the 19" front and I saw the cast wheels as an upgrade. I'm not taking it off road, I just wanted the easy torque, comfortable position and cornering ABS
Like a Range Rover, I'm not doubting modern ADV can go off road, it's just you're making compromises for the 99% who don't go off road
if I could get the 1290 S with spoked rims(without paying $4000 extras fee +tax) i'd be in like Flynn....
Steve Bass said:
That's funny, the 1290 S cast wheels, whilst undoubtedly better performing than the spoked rims, just don't look "Adventure" to me... hence why I went for another 1190.
if I could get the 1290 S with spoked rims(without paying $4000 extras fee +tax) i'd be in like Flynn....
It's funny how the looks plays such a big part in our decisions. I take my Africa Twin off road maybe once every 2 years at the moment, yet I cannot bring myself to fit the best road tyres I can get, as I feel it just looks weird on smooth rubber...if I could get the 1290 S with spoked rims(without paying $4000 extras fee +tax) i'd be in like Flynn....
Alex@POD said:
It's funny how the looks plays such a big part in our decisions. I take my Africa Twin off road maybe once every 2 years at the moment, yet I cannot bring myself to fit the best road tyres I can get, as I feel it just looks weird on smooth rubber...
I think because an Adv bike on spoked rims has to have a certain 'look'. A Multistrada can wear Pirelli Scorpion 2's because it's an adv bike with a small a. Spoked rims make it a big A which need the correct rubber to look right 
Steve Bass said:
That's funny, the 1290 S cast wheels, whilst undoubtedly better performing than the spoked rims, just don't look "Adventure" to me... hence why I went for another 1190.
if I could get the 1290 S with spoked rims(without paying $4000 extras fee +tax) i'd be in like Flynn....
If I was in Africa / Canada and going to use it off road I'd agree but it's a 100% road bike to me and I hate rusty nipples if I could get the 1290 S with spoked rims(without paying $4000 extras fee +tax) i'd be in like Flynn....
When I come to sell it, I'll find out if I'm in a minority of one or not
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