Kawasaki Versys X-300 vs. Honda CRF250 Rally
Adventure bikes are the big ticket item for all manufacturers these days; if you don’t have one, you aren’t selling that many bikes. Furthermore, whereas new technology used to be debuted on top-of-the-range superbikes, now it is increasingly seen first on adventure bikes.
However, there is a problem and it is one of size. The modern large adventure bike is just that; large! 200kgs plus and physically enormous which means that some people literally do not fit. Then there is the complexity which might give the bike incredible ability but only if the rider has some to begin with!
That is why the new generation of ‘baby’ adventure bikes is so important and the charge is spearheaded by the new Kawasaki Versys X-300. As the name suggests, this is a 300cc-engined bike and has shed all of the size, complexity, weight and, yes, performance, of its bigger brethren but in doing so, has opened up adventure biking for a whole new audience.
Here, for once, is an accessible adventure bike - one that can handle dirt and off-road while still being competent and just about fast enough to fill a dual role, that of a practical all-round bike perfect for South African riding conditions which involve long distances as well as plenty of dirt roads.
Kawasaki is not alone, however. Honda has recently revealed the CRF250 Rally which is similar to the Kawasaki but, at the same time slightly different. Also on their way are the new BMW G310 GS and the Suzuki DL250 V-Strom. Things are about to get interesting on the adventure bike front.
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9 сен 2024
