Which adventure bike for Picos, Pyrenees and Alps tour?
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- čas přidán 1. 09. 2023
- I'm off to Spain to take a group through the Picos, Pyrenees and Alps and thought it a good chance to go through some of the bikes and work out which might best suit the trip.
Tours for 2024 listed soon at www.dorothysspeedshop.com
Tom.
Thank you. That's a hell of a gesture.
Thank you to anyone who shared or donated. Can't tell you how much I appreciate you all. Regards, Richard.
It`s the biking brotherhood. Great, isn`t it!
I've had all the 'big adventure bikes' - GS, Africa Twin, Super Tenere etc. Without question, I've had more fun and better 'adventures' on my CRF. Far more versatile and you don't have the fear of getting stuck if you drop it or get into a tight situation. The 'sacrifice' of the highway cruising for a few hours is well worth it for having practicality everywhere else. I usually only take b-roads anyway - seeing small forgotten towns is part of the adventure.... 😎
I can believe that ….
I watch alot of CZcams motorcycle content, but what i love about Nathan is his zero bullshit attitude. Talks absolute sense, and tells it how it is. None of this video is sponsored by all the usual suspects🙄. Great channel and a good egg. Keep up the great work Nathan, your opinions make a difference 👍
Thanks 1gp. I appreciate that
I've watched so many videos and trying to decide which ADV bike to purchase for a month now.
This is the only channel that makes sense and points out important facts. I appreciate your work Nathan and wish you all the best.
Hats off to Tom! What a generous gesture.
Perfect! This should be required viewing for budding adventure/travel riders. Well done for putting it so clearly. Enjoy your trip👍
Thanks ktm
I’ve had loads of big adv’s over 50yrs and only now have I realised that it’s not the size but the way in which you get there that makes the journey, hence my current quest for one of these smaller adv bikes. You have been a real inspiration and I thank you. Stay safe John
Great review, free of brand bias, of so many likely suspects. I’m in the market for a long-term TET bike, was taken by Nathan’s review of the Voge, but still lean Himalayan for its luggage capacity - and for somehow looking like how a child would draw a motorcycle while in reality looking only like itself.
EasyJet flight to Faro. Walked to Hertzride and rented a PCX125 for 11 days. No topbox but carry on backpack just about fitted under the seat. Stayed in Airbnb's and had a fun time echoin exploring Portugal. Obviously not a lot of off-roading but ample for tracks and point and squirt on the twisties. Roads are amazing
btw!
At 61 I love taking my Honda Super Cub out for back country rides. So light and easy = fun. Took it for a ride in snow and ice in Australia & wouldn't have tried that with a heavier bike.
What a review. Well crafted, balanced, respectful. Thanks Nathan. Hope I'll get to ride with you some day.
I did it with a Royal Enfield Himalayan this last June. worked perfect. I had a quick resume in my youtube. Whatever the bike you going to enjoy a lot. There are some many great trails and awesome views. no mentioning the food! have fun guys!
It’s interesting that you mentioned the RV episode in the Picos. After the drama of his video I posted a comment pointing out that I hoped that people weren’t going to be put off attempting a very accessible track as a result of the way that the video was edited. I didn’t mention the groups affection for testosterone generating big name expensive adventure bikes nor the limited ability of their riders. I just pointed out that in my experience the track was straightforward and well worth riding. In reply I received a torrent of abuse, the funniest coming from Mr P English who claimed that I didn’t know what I was talking about because, unlike him, I didn’t have a back catalogue of CZcams videos. I suppose I should have simply pointed out that I rode that route on a smaller lighter bike and have been improving my off-road skills since I bought my BSA Bantam to use in a local farmers field in 1970 when I was 13 but I’m not sure he would have understood either the concept of a smaller bike or indeed the notion of skill.
Unsubbed from RV as the bikes he and his associates ride aren't really for me, hence why I'm here!
Refreshing to see the smaller CC bike being championed, I own a couple of bikes and I smile more riding the 250 than the 800.
21:44 *”It comes down to how well a small bike can handle the road sections”*
well said Nathan.
Super video.
Cheers max
Brilliant honest advice as usual from you. Love the comment “we’ll worry about a service another time” 😂😂. Have a fantastic trip; wish I was coming with you 👍
Very, very interesting and informative. Once we knew The Himalayan wasn’t running, I knew! 😊😊 HaHa!
Excellent video, would love to see a future video that covers the competition for the bmw 310 in terms of on & off road performance, comfort, reliability and maintenance.
Great analysis. Thank you
Excellent comments and advice, you always make sense
Brilliant video and summary - thank you for reminding us to focus on the type of adventure we want to have 🎶
Great reviews Nathan. Have a blast.
Excellent vid Nathan and you summed it up very well. Totally agree with your thoughts on the larger adventure bikes. I actually wanted a CCM GP450 and was really interested in your assessment but got distracted by the CRF450L when it came out. Piggin expensive but a great, light, bike. You pay for what you haven’t got on that bike…..weight. Still got it and love it to bits. Cheers bud!
Such a good, informative, engaging watch. No effects required. Very well done.
Hats off Tom-very nice gesture!
Hats off as usual Nathan…usual brilliant content.
Excellent assessment: Practicality over ego / reality over marketing. Practicality gets it every time for me.
Keeping it real on the small bikes. 😎🤙 more smiles per miles. travel safe. From C90 Calvin
Great review.😍
Great review, I took my KTM 390 Adv from Scotland to Stella Alpina this year, fully loaded with camping gear, and it was much more manageable than the CRF1000 I took in 2019.
Sat at 90mph for 5 hours on the autobahn on way home, after spending too long in the alps.
The Africa Twin only gets used for road blasts with my mates now. The 390 is my solo touring mule
Fantastic...If you can't make your mind up about what bike you really need after watching this and for that type of riding then you have an issue. Always comes across with a very experienced and honest review with no bull or selling attached. Been towing with what to go for myself after owning most the big adv bikes this has given me something to aim for so glad i came across it. Well done Brilliant👍👍
Nathan, you had me on the edge of my seat. Oh the suspense! What a great little bike that Voge 300 Rally has turned out to be.
You've come a long way since your presentation at Llandovery rugby club where I met you. You've become an impressive journalist.
Keep up the good work.
More good sense! Hope you have a great time Nathan. Les
Fun video, I enjoyed the rollout with pros and cons👍
I hope you are doing a video on this trip, would love to see how the different mix of bikes with just the every day rider gets on.
Great videos mates love it how you say it as it is.
Great video as always, had the Voge pegged from the start of the video you even might have me convinced to look at chopping in the T7! All the best for the trip 🤟
Brilliant Review..Just subscribed! I am 57 ..you have changed my train of thought!
Love the review looking forward to your trip 😮
There are some fantastic comments on here that make a lot of sense.
You speak actual facts and loads of sense.👍
Great video Nathan
Words of wisdom again Nathan! Just took the the Vespa GTS300 I took on the Garbage run in 2018 over to Switzerland doing a 10 day 5 country tour with others, fantastic trip, cruised at 60 to 70 on motorways and enjoyed the Alps and Black Forest etc without struggling with a big bike in the mountain roads. Used to have big bikes now love the the fun and freedom of the smaller classes. Have fun in Spain… very jealous!
Have a safe trip.
Another great video. I love watching Itchy Boots and Charly Sinewan, but I find your low budget, simple videos actually a lot more engaging.
Just great commentary and common sense. I thought you’d go for the KTM …. Lovely gesture from Tom donating the Himmy. Have a safe Trejo ( and get it serviced .. don’t want another Dorothy moment ! ) Ride safe
For a moment , I thought the Benly was the joker card! Hope you get your hands on the Triumph 400X in due course.
Haha. in hindsight I should have featured the Benly!
Super summary - glad I bought the Himmie - now wondering about the Voge! Have a great trip
Great video explaining your thought process for each bike, shame you are not taking the Motor Morini, I’ve got my eye on one to replace my 660z, would have been interesting to see how it got on.
Well done to Tom, a true gentleman. 👍
Looking forward to seeing the follow up video when you get back! Ride safe everyone.
Hima mate! From what you have said, tried and tested, reliable. Gained a sub, no-nonsense vlog, spot on. Ride safe pal
Big props to Tom! What a legend to give up his bike💪
Good debate Nathan. Honest points raised. Well done 👏👏
Looks like a good trip that
Good advice from someone who had been there and done it .i had a ccm450 low seat it wa one of the best bikes i have owned .but like you said always in the back of your mind if it plays up it can be a bugger to fix .my mate has had his in the a garage for six months and they still can't get it going difficult to get any answers and advice from ccm factory . enjoy your trip Nathan .
As always Nathan brilliant video :) having had the crf300 Rally, Himalayan an a 390 adv (dad had one at the same time both new) I agree with your takes on the bikes stock it was a shame the 390s we bought were plauged with tech issues for us as the engine was peppy like a rd350lc an for dad that was a good fit, apart from his constantly cutting out, build quality issues and both bikes suffering with tft issues (we both were riding in winter at altitude) both bikes went back for refunds at 147 an 269 miles both suffering with the same problems so wasn't much debate over it, Ktm now have a line in the warranty book not covering the tft displays 850 quid part an I know friends now who have had 3+ in the past (the lack of hazards was a shame to dads cut out on the start to a fast dual carriageway an wouldn't restart an no hazards so that lead to a few vans bibbing. Was an exciting bike to ride though an the suspension was very good for the money best of the 3 lightweight bikes I had.
I'd never had to reject a new before so was alot of learning.
The Himalayan I absolutely loved to ride but got a Sunday bike with that again alot of the issues should have been caught at pdi an it had chassis issues, + other problems all relating to a bad pdi the dealer agreed totally and apologised an offered me a much more expensive 310gs or another himmy or the money back.
It was a real shame they just need to button a few of the issues down like the front brake light switches that keep packing in (heard that's meant to be a recall at some point) hitchocks also now sell a replacment switch, RE don't seem to deal with a few of the issues that are long term I think they need to to capture more of us owners that tend to go towards the Japanese bikes.
Which lead to the 300 Rally which I got lucky finding one.
Totally agree with your comments on the suspension after trying green laning an figuring out that's not my idea of adventure an living with it for a while as a pure road based adv with the need to do alot of motorway riding to view houses up in Scotland (7hour trips each way at the mo) I ended up letting her go to a dealers for stock, the Rally Raid Shock did transform it though but a different bike fitted my needs more :)
I've got bikes like the fireblade which I've owned for 13 years since new Nortons for as long an an elsie 350 for longer but it's always interesting spending my money to try something new each year. Don't drink smoke etc so that covers any depreciation.
Out of all the adv class bikes ive had the vstrom 650xt was my favourite for my sort of riding. Would certainly have another one but then I'm not trail riding any more if I was I'd look at either of the 3 bikes being aware that the suspension is rubbish on the Honda an the KTM an Himalayan can have gremlins it just depends on what fits each person's flavour is my take.
I think adventure is an ever evolving an very personal thing thats for sure.
I agree about the 450 was hoping for something similar to the current one with the Gremlins sorted out an a slightly bit more poke.
Currently got an 1150gsa which I've just sunk 2 an a half grand into to sort out due to failiures down to poor previous maintenance in its life gonna be interesting to see what the sorted bike is like, got gs height brand new shocks on which make it manageable for my road based adventure travel anyway looking forward to getting back on that this week now I'm just finishing the work on her.
Keep the awesome vids coming an kudos to Tom doing that with the Himalayan.
Really good people about in the world
I’ve been doing the Pyrenees on my 67 Triumph metisse. Super simple, super light and with a 3 gal tank I have over 180 mile range with 120kg wet! I still can’t find anything modern.with 650cc torque that compares.
This is what "adventure riders" need to hear! I have been doing lots of rides in North America in Colorado, Utah and now in Florida. Planning to do the SEAT, 1700 mile loop soon. Riding an 07 KLX with a 351 big bore kit. It is light, fast, and good off-road.
Marketing gets to a lot of people and misleads them into thinking the mid capacity and large capacity bikes are the best choice off road; they’re basically mostly touring machines with some offroad capabilities.The companies hire professional riders in controlled environments for their adverts, most people can only dream of handling the bikes the way we see in the adverts. You can’t go wrong with a DR650 type bike
Fantastic gesture by Tom 👏🏻
Seriously- spend £8 on a 15t front sprocket, grind the chain catcher a bit and you’ll cruise at 74mph on the Voge and still have legs for the mountains 🏔️
Enjoy your trip 👍🏻
I did fit a 45 rear the day before departure but it needed a few links out the chain and I didn't fancy messing around so left the original on
Speaking to the guy with 14/45 it sounds like another great option 👍🏻
Great video. We have had just about every single model of big adventure bike as PX on Himalayan's. Like you say, travel at 65 mph and then get max enjoyment from your destination 😀👍
I really like these vids in the new unit, very straight talking no bullshit or glitz just good information then it’s left up to you to agree or disagree, keep up the good work Nathan 👍
Spot on Nathan. A smaller/lighter bike is always the better choice if part of your adventure is the freedom to take those unpaved tracks, especially if you don’t know in advance how challenging they may be. Earlier this year two of us flew into Marrakech and hired bikes for a 6 day tour of the Atlas Mountains doing roughly 50:50 tarmac/unpaved and had the choice of midsized bikes or BMW 310 GS’s and thankfully we took the 310’s.
Hilarious; I thought you were going to be taking the Benly for a moment. Of course you are taking the Voge - I called that right at the beginning, for all the reasons you've said many times, and of course its the right one, because its clear you love it. 👍
Big bike / small bike we have discussed his before when I talked about buying something larger than my CRF Rally. In the end for local rides and more technical stuff - I stuck with my CRF250 Rally. honestly I don't have a problem traveling on it either as I avoid interstate highways when I travel. I purchased a lightly used Kawasaki KLR650 EFI for my big bike. It's fast enough, comfortable seating position, good weather protection, and capable enough off road. Are there downsides? Sure but no deal breakers and I think my big bike/small bike combo covers the full range of riding that I typically do.
Great stuff I think you be talkin a lot of sense Nathan, for sure. Just remember to drop the oil and change the filter on the Voge and she’s good for another 2k trip! Have fun ride safe, not jealous honest….😉👍🤙
Voge Rally 300! Little beast all the way! Greetings from Greece.👍
Was secretly hoping you would take the vogue.
Hopefully you'll do a video on how the servicing went .
Testing it's alround capability.
Happy travels .
Quite agree with you Nathan, all my bikes are off road style, the Beta Alp 200 for tricky stuff , the Harley MT 350 for general purpose green laning and falling in muddy puddles but still light enough to pick up at 155 kg. For the road and light trails with Mitas EO7 tyres I have a Benelli TRK 502 X . A Chinese Italian like the Morini which I can't fault, but give me the two smaller bikes any day.
Totally agree about the small bike thing, been fettling my 27 year old Cagiva W12 350 over the summer (mostly routine stuff and a bit of cosmetics) and fankly can't wait to get back on it. Such a shame ahout the CCM, what a (nearly) wonderful bike, if only they'd had a bit more sensible engine available.
Amazing video and very wise choice I feel! Hope you enjoy that trip and fyi if I was rolling with you guys and could pick my bike of choice it would be the new Kove 450 rally...Chinese bikes all around lol, best of luck on your journey.
Hi Nathan I still love my little G310GS even more this weekend after riding Suzuki 1000cc road bike and Suzuki Vstrom 1000 today. Honestly bloody hard work to keep up with the owners riding the 310 and there suprise at how easy it was to ride (on the right roads) Bigger isn't always better 😉😂😂
As always good marketing using professional riders influences people’s choice !! These companies are only interested in making as much money as they can from each customer !! It’s great having a top of the line moto but once you add adventure into your plans then cheap , light and small should be top of everyone’s list !! This is a good video from someone talking from experience. We’ll done 👍💪 24:17
When you're younger, pushing the limits is not necessarily a bad thing. You learn. You're able to bounce back from those times when you grossly exceeded your limits. Get a little older and you become less interested in pushing your limits. Recovery times eat too much into work, family and hobby time. I'm pushing 70, so I choose the limits I'll consider pushing with great care. I value comfort more than I used to. Certain body parts (e.g. back) now make demands I can't ignore or put off. So smaller bikes are seriously on my radar, and even trailering a bike (hey, I'm in the Great American Southwest so some destinations are on the other end of very long hot boring roads) has a lot of allure.
I’ve written about the G310GS on your videos before but I really do think they’re excellent. If I was doing a European tour it would be the bike I’d purchase. Cheap, light, fun on the right roads, comfortable and sits at 70 on the motorway.
Yes had the 310 been ready I would have come on it
Very well said. The lighter, the better on trails. The safer, the brisker. I'm thinking about the Voge 300 Rally or the Kove 450 Rally (once it has Euro 5) as substitute for my venerable Transalp 600. The new Beta Alp 4.0 falls through. Enjoy the Picos, Pyrenees and Alps. Günter/Nürnberg
Tom 🙏🏻 legend
Stumbled on the videos from Nathan - and he talks a lot of sense. The 350 size motorbike provides a great option for most riding.
For me the Voge 300rally 😊
Great video. 120% common sense!
Absolute sense.
Tom, if I ever meet you. I might have to give you a hug.
If I was doing the above tour, I'd take my 650 Transalp, its very comfortable on the road and having completed the ACT Pyrenees, previous Morocco and Knordkapp trips and 3 Stella Rally summits. The Transalp, has that Himalayan go anywhere on or off road ability. As proved at the recent Sweet Lamb Adventure Weekend. Unfortunately it has that other Enfield trait, its heavy. So as you haven't offered a Transalp as an option. The Voge Rally 300, would be my choice.
Have fun in the peacocks mate came back from a recently and have a blast
I am hoping the 450 Himmy will be king amongst small ADV bikes when we see it next year, but sadly tubed tyres will still blight it unfortunately, so I will be factoring in the cost of tubeless conversion.
Nice real world comparison done there
Rode over 12,000 miles on my crf250l. It always did the job. Not fast, but true and tested.
The Morini does look nice tho in the red and black. The seat height loox less on a practical basis. This week I'm going to try the Himalayan and the Scram out.
Have a great trip, I did Picos 5 or so years ago on my Moto Guzzi V7 but have mellowed so much I'm riding a Honda CBR250R at the moment, off to Northern France for a week on it tomorrow, happy days. Did I hear you mention Rufus, if so would that be Magellan Rufus, that's who I did Picos with...
For me, small capacity, light, dual purpose bikes are where it’s at. I can do everything that I can on a larger capacity machine, just at slightly lower speeds. Once off road, the little dual sports come into their own. On back lanes I couldn’t go much faster on any bike, in fact I doubt a bigger, more powerful bike could keep up with a little dual sport; the weight, power, suspension and brakes of large capacity machine become liabilities on a tight , gravel, grass and mud strewn C road and only make sense when a road opens out. I don’t do high speeds on popular biking roads anyway as I’m no longer comfortable with the perceived risks and the skill/reactions required - essentially I no longer have the bottle and attitude for it. Big bikes are wasted on me.
Ever thought of testing the Kove 450 Rally? Looks very promising as a lightweight adventure bike with a nice 51HP punch.
Yes would love to try it. Looks very promising
I've done 40.000 km's around Asia now on my 250 Rally, around the Mae Hong Song area, 17.000 corners friends on bigger bikes and even the 300 were struggeling somewhat, but we found out that the 250 has a steeper front forks angle and corners a bit quicker, however i still like my RD7 Africa Twin and 89 Super Tenere better as the ultimate Adventure bikes, there is just no limits with the 80's bikes i find.
Nathan, before seeing the video, between the ones you have there, for me, its the himalayan. But the better choice is the AJP PR7. No thoughts!!!
Thinking of downsizing from 1200 gs and the ktm looks a good deal especially with the discount available
Thank you for a great video. Another good option is the KTM500 or CRF450L with some mods these make good lightweight adventure bikes. There lighter than the CRF300 but with more power and way better suspension.
Yeah it's a shame the 450l was a little bit flawed for long distances. So much potential.
Agreed. Sold the 450l in favor of a Kove 450 Rally. The 450L needed a lot of mods and wasn't that comfortable on the road. It's essentially an MX bike with a few changes so long distances would be harsh.@@nathanthepostman
I think you should build a adventure bike nathan, I'd buy it 👍🏼😂
You said all you need to say, take the himilayan, job done 👍
Tom, nice one mate, hats off to you 👍🤗
Not running? Sort it, if anyone can sort it, its you.
C' mon Nathan, cest le esprit, no ?
Thanks a million for your usual offering of what I always feel is like I've just bumped i to you at greasy Lil's cafe, shared a jaw over a sos+tom and basin of tea, li,e I was talking to a mate. BS'less fabulous conversation about stuff I have no solid experience of but have been captivated by. Thats a proper bloke with proper skills and attitude, that. At 5feet4, I doubt I could even sit on that Voge without loo,ing like a kid onhis grannys new big sofa! But, hey, it was fascinating information that I would not have known properly and any bloke who is more interested in the bikes and sharing his(genuinely proper) knowledge than the old crocs and mismatched outfit colours, or whether or not he needs a shave is just the perfect remedy for most of the utter tedium, virtue-signalling and fashionistas that I endure for a few seconds before going to clear up the dogs 'offerings' outside in preference. Take care of yourself, chap, have a good trip and I loom forward to more of your vlogs. Safe journeys, friend...
Bingo!
I think a Himalayan Scram would be the ideal bike for this tour, it's fast, torquey, and looks amazing, also doesn't rust like the Chinese bikes
There was a Scram on the trip and it coped with the trip just fine. No problems.
New bike to consider the kove 450 rally , I have a 790r but also just bought a kove
Yeah very interested in the Kove. I think it's a bit too focussed to 'compete' with these bikes here, but for anyone after some proper off road action it should be ace
Benley for me! 😂
Another great review- but I wonder if there are older bikes that would be better? Like the G650GS, or an older Transalp
Of course you could extend it to add in the older stuff. I personally don't rate the g and f 650s. Very top heavy for what they are. Transalps a good bet though.
I ride a 1200 GS but it's way too heavy to be throwing around on the tracks especially now I'm 65 years old, I'm really fancying a Voge 300 Rally but why o why did they have to make the seat height so high, it's higher than my GS and I can only just get the balls of my feet down on that. I'm going to have to find a dealer and have a sit on one to see if I feel comfortable, if I can't get both feet down then I won't feel confident riding it off road. Great videos and always informative, thanks.
People hate the 310GS… and it not the cast rims….. (I agree with you, it’s not a bad bike ! )
Hi. Thanks for the video. It was very interesting. I do understand that this video is about accessible bikes to you at the moment, but what would be your take on the husky 701 Enduro or the KTM 690 Enduro? On paper, they seem to be very close to the unicorn adventure bikes a bit more off road oriented , but with some mods can be comfortable for long-distance road riding as well.
Yes a great option and to be fair not bikes I've spent a lot of time on. I need to give them a proper go before commenting.