Why do adventure bikes feel like trail bikes?

**Winston001** · 16th May 2008, 10:43

Ok, I've ridden a Transalp, a 650 VStrom, and a GS 1150, all of which felt distinctly like trail-bikes. I'm not talking about the wide bars or the riding position - afterall that's much the same as a cruiser.

The vibration and general "feel" of the bikes made me immediately think I was riding a large version of my Honda XR200. The GS had probably the least trail-bike sensation and the VStrom the most.

Why is that? If I put wide high bars, larger front wheel and different pegs on my Duke - it would "feel" like a Duke.

**McDuck** · 16th May 2008, 11:09

I would guess it is stuff like frame design and high ground clearance.

**young1** · 16th May 2008, 11:37

All to do with handle bar, seat, pegs positioning etc. On my 990 the 21 inch front wheel also helps. I used to have a SS Ducati and I know (coming from a dirt bike background) that I much prefer the riding position on the 990.

**oldrider** · 16th May 2008, 11:42

Its probably the feel of the long travel suspension that you are noticing most.

John.

**timg** · 16th May 2008, 19:17

Originally Posted by Winston001

Ok, I've ridden a Transalp, a 650 VStrom, and a GS 1150, all of which felt distinctly like trail-bikes. I'm not talking about the wide bars or the riding position - afterall that's much the same as a cruiser.

The vibration and general "feel" of the bikes made me immediately think I was riding a large version of my Honda XR200. The GS had probably the least trail-bike sensation and the VStrom the most.

Why is that? If I put wide high bars, larger front wheel and different pegs on my Duke - it would "feel" like a Duke.

& here was me thinking my Transalp was a comfortable more road orientated bike after many years/decades of riding small XL & XR Honda's

It's all a matter of perspective I guess. Cheers.

**tri boy** · 16th May 2008, 19:59

+1 with John.

**Winston001** · 16th May 2008, 22:17

Originally Posted by timg

& here was me thinking my Transalp was a comfortable more road orientated bike after many years/decades of riding small XL & XR Honda's

It's all a matter of perspective I guess. Cheers.

And a particularly nice Transalp you have too Tim.

I suppose the test would be to ride a VStrom 1000 and then an SV1000. Same motor, should feel similar, maybe different tuning, I don't know.

Or may be it is my subconscious simply justifying why I bought a sports bike when my mates have all moved to adventure bikes in the last 6 months. The adv bikes are comfortable but right now, the Duke is for me.

**timg** · 17th May 2008, 09:03

Originally Posted by Winston001

And a particularly nice Transalp you have too Tim.

I suppose the test would be to ride a VStrom 1000 and then an SV1000. Same motor, should feel similar, maybe different tuning, I don't know.

Or may be it is my subconscious simply justifying why I bought a sports bike when my mates have all moved to adventure bikes in the last 6 months. The adv bikes are comfortable but right now, the Duke is for me.

I guess another aspect is also tyre choice. The trailwings which were the factory fitted tyres and more road orientated were very smooth and quiet on the seal, but not very confidence inspiring on the gravel roads or tracks. The Mitas E07's I'm currently running are definately noisier and a bit vibey but much more suited to the riding I do. I expect the TKC 80 going on next week will be a bit more noiser and vibey again.

The reality is that we all need at least half a dozen bikes to cover all we want to do. Until I win the Lotto the Transalp will have to do

**helenoftroy** · 17th May 2008, 21:39

Originally Posted by Winston001

Or may be it is my subconscious simply justifying why I bought a sports bike when my mates have all moved to adventure bikes in the last 6 months. The adv bikes are comfortable but right now, the Duke is for me.

Lifes for living

I love my Ducati more with each ride but to have the DR as well

Reckon Ive got my perfect pair

I throughly recomend one of each!!

**far queue** · 18th May 2008, 21:35

Originally Posted by helenoftroy

Lifes for living

I love my Ducati more with each ride but to have the DR as well

Reckon Ive got my perfect pair

I throughly recomend one of each!!

And a fine pair you have too !

Not that I'm biased at all

**McJim** · 18th May 2008, 21:43

I reckon it's definately gotta be perspective. More specifically your starting point. As far as I'm concerned the ST range of Ducatis are very upright with wide bars. I'm most comfortable on a bike where I've got my weight on my hands!

I think you should have a go at a Multistrada or (dare I say it? - Dare Dare!) a Ducati Hypermotard too....purely for comparison purposes

From my perspective adventure bikes, motocross bikes, motards, farm bikes are all pretty much one family of bikes so should feel pretty similar with the riding position, clearance and suspension needs.

**Winston001** · 19th May 2008, 14:18

Yes Jim, good points. We'll do a swop one of these days soon and have some fun!

I'd like to try a Multistrada just for comparison but I can't ever recall seeing one at a rally or in a bike shop. Don't know that I'd be keen if the Ducati snarl and rumble were gone and the motor felt like it was in a trail-bike.

As I said, the simple test would be to ride an SV650 and then a VStrom 650. I'm thinking that the whole suspension setup could contribute to the different "feel" of a adv bike.

Having said that, I recall riding both a Triumph 500 and also a Triumph 500 scrambler years ago and the engine response and vibrations was the same for both bikes.

**NordieBoy** · 19th May 2008, 17:50

Originally Posted by Winston001

I'd like to try a Multistrada just for comparison but I can't ever recall seeing one at a rally or in a bike shop. Don't know that I'd be keen if the Ducati snarl and rumble were gone and the motor felt like it was in a trail-bike.

Then you wouldn't like this one