this post was submitted on 21 Feb 2026
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Motorcycles

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Midsized adventure bikes (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 1 month ago by shittydwarf@sh.itjust.works to c/motorcycles@lemmy.world
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I have been riding my Yamaha WR250R for about 15 years, and although it's a great bike, I think it's about time for an upgrade. It's OK on the highway but not exactly the most comfortable, and runs out of power going uphill or trying to pass. Also it's quite tall and I've dumped in a few times by putting my foot down in a low spot.

Here's my wish list in a replacement ADV bike:

  • More power (it would be difficult to find something with less)
  • Seat height lower than 36 inches (It would be difficult to find something with more)
  • Something that makes power in the low and mid range, rather than needing to be wound up
  • At least a decent suspension for lots of gravel forestry roads
  • 18/21 inch wheels

I'm not too concerned with weight, I can easily lift any of the bikes in this size range. A couple bikes that caught my eye were the Tenere 700, Taureg 660 and F900GS, but I am open to other suggestions. I'm sort of out of the loop with modern bikes so would appreciate any input anyone cares to share

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[–] dual_sport_dork@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Modern bikes are for chumps. Consider one of the "big three" dual sports, the DR650, XR650L, or KLR650. Among those three the KLR is the most adventure-y, especially in its 3rd gen incarnation. I have a 2nd gen KLR and use it as the caveman's adventure bike.

I personally don't see the appeal of bringing a complicated high-strung bike that's stuffed full of electronics on long distance trips where off road riding is on the menu and failure is not an option. I met a guy on the MABDR once who took a dip in a river with his Tenere and getting it wet somehow caused the electronics to wedge themselves into such a state that his bike wouldn't start. By the time I met him he'd been camped there for two days with a dead bike after trying anything and everything to get it to run. I forded the exact same river with my KLR to a depth that came up over my boots, and after concluding that there probably wasn't anything I could do to help him that he hadn't already tried (plus he said he had a friend coming with a truck to pick him up), I rode away on my KLR with no troubles other than wet socks.

[–] shittydwarf@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 month ago (2 children)

The ole faithful thumpers! I'm pretty familiar with them I've ridden all three, I especially love the BRP. You make a good point about modern electronics, I would be insanely pissed to be stranded by a puddle hah. And also not really enthusiastic about dealing with annoying menu systems

[–] lka1988@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 month ago

I'd go with the most recent KLR, like the other dude said. Still carbed.

[–] Mac@mander.xyz 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

The XRL is not the BRP, btw

[–] shittydwarf@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Ah my buddy has a plated XR, just mentally lumped it in with the XRL

[–] lka1988@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

The XR line has been fully road-legal for quite a few years now, since 2007 I think. Kinda jealous, honestly... I'm in the middle of rebuilding a 1980 XR500 (still has the 23" wheel, too) that was never titled, let alone even equipped with a brake light 😅

[–] Mac@mander.xyz 1 points 1 month ago

Yeah, that's common and it doesn't really matter, tbh.