What makes for a good BDR bike?

Well, my choice is to have a bike that is comfortable on the street and very capable for the off street sections. The adventure bikes fit that description, however, they are larger displacement bikes which could mean HEAVY! But, in my opinion, all bikes weigh the same when they are in balance. So, take some off road adventure rider training and learn the basics of balance and control. Build on that foundation and gain the skills that it takes to put your adventure bike where you want it, when you want it. I have ridden 8 of the 11 BDRs either on a Suzuki VStrom 650, BMW 650GS Twin, Royal Enfield Himalayan or a BMW R1250GS, all of which performed as they should. Yes, even the Vstrom and Himalayan! The Vstrom sooted me well for the first couple of years of adventure riding and then I decided my skills were out performing it’s capabilities. The Himalayan also did well. You just have to know that on the street, it’s not going to run away with you that’s for sure and on any kind of incline, have some patience. For the off street sections, the Himalayan is a little tractor. You just have to be mindful of the lower ground clearance and the not so great suspension. Pick a good line and those things aren’t really issues. Now, can I just wipe my 1250 around on a dime? No, especially not fully loaded, but, I don’t need to either. I want a bike that I can manage on the off street sections and be super comfortable and capable of kicking out the miles on the street. I also want a bike that can carry everything I need while in the backcountry for safety, repairs, food, water and shelter if needed. You never know when you might have to stop and deal with issues, rest, or simply stop for the night.

However, maybe an adventure bike isn’t what you’re looking for because of a number of reasons. So, I want to share a few things for you to consider. By the way, Pat Jacques of ADVWomen is a good resource for the smaller dual sport and dirt bikes as she has been riding and racing them for decades.

It is difficult to have a bike that is REALLY GOOD for both street and riding the BDRs. According to Pat, a dual sport bike like the KTM 350EXEF or the Husqvaarne FE 350 would be lighter than an adventure bike, but heavier then a dirt bike because of turn signals, possible luggage racks, and larger fuel tanks. They wouldn’t get pushed around on the highway as much as a dirt bike would and they are geared for higher speeds. But, they aren’t quite as comfy on the road as the more street oriented bikes like the adventure bikes. Dirt bikes will be lighter in weight, quick turning and nimble, but don’t have much fuel range and usually not geared for the higher street speeds.

A good dirt bike option where going on a BDR isn’t the goal could be the KTM250XCFW. It’s lightweight and powerful, but pricey. Honda CRF250 or Yamaha WR250F are good dirt bikes, but a bit heavier and less powerful than the KTM. Having less power is more forgiving for newer riders and something to consider. If you want a super lightweight single track bike you could also look into 2 strokes, KTM, Husqvarna, Gas Gas all make good 2 stroke lightweight dirt bikes. Two strokes have a very different feeling than 4 stroke bikes. They have a much more distinctive power band (and can get a new rider in trouble very quickly), lightweight and “flickable.” Four strokes tend to have a but more “grounded” feel to them. The best thing to do is to try out a few different ones. Perhaps ride a friend’s bike or try renting one.

The botton line is, ask yourself what are you goals for riding a BDR? What skill set do you have? Do you want to be able to ride the more expert/advanced sections? Will you be fully loaded? Do you care that you have to potentially carry extra fuel? Will you be riding with others who will be there in case of an accident or situation where being on a larger adventure bike might pose a bigger problem? I highly recommend, whether you are on a dual sport or an adventure bike, ride with at least one another capable buddy. We all want to be adventurous and push our limits at times, but being in the backcountry where you might be a day from civilization is no where to be alone, especially if there is a crash with injuries or simply a bike breakdown.

Below is some information that Pat Jacques put together to help define the difference between dirt bikes, dual sport and adventure bikes:

Weight Fuel Range Luggage Capacity Electronics Typical Use

Dirt Bike 250 Lbs or less 90-100 miles. Minimal None Single track or trail riding

Dual Sport 250-350 Lbs 150 miles Medium Some (ABS/Power modes) EZ single track, two track,

dirt roads, roads, limited

highway

Adventure 350-600 Lbs 250 or more Extensive ABS/Power Modes/ Two Track, dirt roads,

Traction Control/Cruise unlimited highway travel

Control

Side note: the BDR organization have 3 awareness programs: RIDE RESPONSILITY * RIDE RIGHT * YIELD TO ANIMALS