Glad to see the old DR650 get a mention! I bought one brand new as my first bike, had an absolute blast on it (and falling off it!). It was such a great blank canvas with so many aftermarket customization options at reasonable prices….if only it had a 6th gear. I recently bought a new V-Strom 800DE (you are partially to blame here Curtis! 😂) so I had something more suited to longer distance adventure rides. While aftermarket gear for it is very minimal at this stage, out of the box it doesn’t need a hell of a lot to become awesome adventure bike! Came with the factory rally pack so that was bark busters, bash plate and tyres sorted. Threw a set of pannier racks, crash bars and heated grips on it and it was ready to launch. Oh and I stole the Barrett muffler off the DR and made it fit. I hesitated to start with, but it got the better of me and I reluctantly dropped the $1k on the MCCruise kit for it, absolutely brilliant! I had intended on keeping the DR but unfortunately the realities of life caught up and I made the decision to let it go after getting an offer I couldn’t refuse. I’m sure in years to come I’ll be kicking myself for it because the DR was a 2021 model and one of the last in Australia before they got killed off, but hey I’m not complaining about having the 800 one little bit. Awesome vids mate! Keep them coming!
Having just picked up a Kawasaki Versys X300, I can say you should definitely try to ride one. It’s more capable than it appears, both on and off road. Having a 40hp twin makes road trips easy, along with a 17L tank and great fuel economy and its weight being 174kg puts it between the Honda Rally and CFMoto and RE Himalayan. It has spoke wheels and while the suspension isn’t as long travel as the others, it’s a good setup from factory. Check it out, you might be surprised.
Love the content! I guess it doesn't count a "budget" but I'm curious about how the Tuareg would fit into these recommendations. You seemed to love it when you tested it a while back. I'm looking to replace my 08 KLR 650, and torn between the 800DE and the Tuareg. Maybe a Best Mid-Priced Bikes of 2024 video? 😁
Well I didn't see that coming until I reread the title.....'Budget'. Huge arguments here Curtis for second hand bikes versus new. My Triumph Tiger 800 was so much value I couldn't pass it up, even though I was at the dealer with cash in hand looking at the new 900!!
Hehe I knew someone would comment on the shave! I'm working on the kwaka, just been busy is all. Hoping this week I'll have something with reporting on
I agree with most of the list except the Benelli 701...after the first 200 meters when I did the test-ride I wanted to make an U turn and just return it to the dealer. I did gave it a chance for two more hours but my opinion didn't change.
Maybe at the top end of your budget range but so well worth a look is the Triumph Tiger 850. My local dealer was offering them for around 16K a few months back and a quick check on bikesales shows a selection in the dealers with one or two hundred kms for about $16k. This bike does nearly everything the Tiger 900 can do.
The recently renamed Honda CB500x I think its called the nx500 now. for me IM always dissapointed to see no one really bothers with the 500x, I have a 2022 model and I love it
@@davidgrunklee8407 once you have done it once, it's only a 20 minute job from start to finish. I can afford 20 minutes every 3000klms to clean the filter.
I think CF Moto has good chance of being a brand that secures a permanent seat in the world market. In the US market, the g310gs, Versys 300x are super bargains! Unfortunately, we don’t have access to the vstrom 250, or Himalayan 450, yet! Great review and thanks for sharing. The benelli was the prettiest one in the bunch.
@@rmcdudmk212 I hear that same, positive sentiment from all 300x owners. It fit my 6’4 frame really well when I put a leg over it. Regrettably, that was back when I thought I needed at least a liter bike. A great example of a less is more machine!
Great video Curtis, my pick is the 800 MT explore, it’ll suit most riding that I do and for the price, it’s pretty hard to beat. I’m also looking at an older crf450l, to do more of the rougher stuff.
Great video Curtis. I don't think a person can go wrong with the lil 300's and the Rally would have a leg up with a bit more fuel capacity. That was the downfall of the KLX300 for me, no aftermarket fuel tanks to increase the range.
@@onthebackwheel I agree, I’d consider getting another KLX 300 if I could get in that 3.5 - 4 gallon size. Quite a few of us wrote to IMS asking for a higher capacity tank.
Great comparisons......waiting for both to come to Canada.....just a note...got the recall for my 22 klr for fuel pump. Now that approaching the older age, looking at scaling down in size. Garth
Good effort mate, but you forgot to mention the KTM 390 Adventure. Its still a current model and as an overall "Adventure bike" does a better job than some of those big bikes you've taken off road. Also the 300l is a dual sport not an adventure bike per say as it sucks on the aussie highways, plus easy fix suspension? Yeah if ya got a spare 2-3 grand in ya pocket! I would have added into the mix the Honda Transalp and also the new NX500 which is much more lite off road, but still worth a mention. All in all nice video with some cool edits. 🙂
Good suggestions mate. I'm in between with the 300 rally. It's kind of a dual sport, kind of an adventure bike so I decided to put it in. You can get away with fixing the suspension up for about grand. 2-3k would be better for sure though!
Could you please recommend some good heavy duty hand guards for a heavy bike la Benelli TRK? I just dropped mine and the stock ones couldn't handle a 0 mph fall. Are there any handguards for heavy bikes 240kg+? Thank you!
hello looking to get into riding ( still havent even gotten my endorsement yet ) and really like adventure bikes. was looking at the crf 300 and the klr650 because they are cheaper bikes but from the research ive done the crf300 doesnt really like to do freeway speeds (basically wide open in 6th at 80mph). is there a bike youd recommend thats beginner friendly (also not too expensive) and will do 80mph comfortably?
The CRF300 is pretty underpowered, but it will cruise at 70 comfortably if you aren't too heavy and loaded up. Lighter is generally better, but I'd look at the Royal Enfield 450
I have a question or two, what would be your top 5 budget big boar long distance adventure bikes between (7-12k) including the super 10 & GS cheers A lot of people have done videos about the 250cc to 890’s reviews. Not much on the big hippo’s mile munching machine
Mate I don't think there are really any budget options per say unless you go second hand. There's some bargains to be had though, second hand Africa twin, V-Strom 1050 and spring to mind
@@jakaberdajs4378 Lots of reasons. Change of circumstance can't afford toys anymore, health etc. People buy into the dream then realise they don't actually use the bike much. Or people just want a change. Have a look people sell bikes, it's unusual.
Really interested in the CFmoto 450, took a look at the Royal Enfield 450 but it feels very heavy, especially off the side stand, not riden it just sat on one though.
do you have Kove in Australia.. they have an interesting lineup ... from Kove 510x and Kove 450 RALLY to Kove 800x SUPER ADVENTURE they all look interesting on paper ... wold love to see a had to head of Kove 510x and CF moto 450 mt ...
@@onthebackwheel Definitely not. Yes, was originally designed with it installed, and would suspect that "somewhere" there is a simple on/off switch in the software, but because google/china don't get along real well, was canned before release... Sad!
For the time being I think the Chinese bikes have to prove their endurance, I haven't seen any long-term reviews to assess 70- 80 000km's and ease of parts availability? Reviewers get the bikes and then we hear nothing but crickets. Time for Curtis goes around the world unsupported on a Chinese bike.
Just check out the mt 800 owners forum you might change your mind l know of some owners who are at 90000 klms plus going strong not using oil and didn’t even require valve adjustments when checked at around 85 000 klms I own a mt 800 explore early days only 7500 klms just spot on no recalls no hiccups starts every time l commute every day all weather Owned most leading brands and could not be happier with this bike and saved a shit load
If you go to benelli foruns, there are a bunch of guys there with their trk502 with over 150k kms on the stock engine. The information is there for brands that have been here for a while
