04 V-rod that I’ve had since 07….. will own a street glide one day.

Here you go, the bike or segment that is said to help save Harley Davidson.............who da thought that a little dirt adventure would save an American icon??

https://www.hotcars.com/the-harley-...ave-the-worlds-biggest-motorcycle-brand/

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthread...-sport-riders-out-there.html#Post2971098

https://www.fool.com/investing/2021/11/05/is-harley-davidson-speeding-back-to-success-with-i/

That new Max 8 engine is really something special. And not " For a Harley its a special engine" either. Its getting fantastic reviews plus unlike its competitors the valve clearance never needs adjusting. On a Ducati this can be quite the $$$$ and even my pride and joy Indian FTR1200 needs them adjusted at 20K Miles. HD never published HP numbers just torque. Now they have an engine where the power output exceeds the torque output all the while creating an engine with TONS of low end throttle response that continues waaaaay past 5000 RPM. When I bought my first ever modern motorcycle last year there were a couple models with inline 4 and an inline 3 power screaming engine. Im glad I went with the Indian FTR1200 and am now a fan of high performance liquid cooled V Twins.

I really need to test ride one of those Pan Americas! Everybody who I've talked to with one loves it. Same with the 1290 Dukes (both the naked and adventure versions). Ducati's newest V4 Multistrada looks pretty hot too.

So many sweet bikes available right now! With the new Harley motor being that good, they should really start showing it in everything...

I don't get it. Please explain these 1000cc and larger "adventure" bikes. Just by size alone they seem too large to do any type of off-roading/trail riding. These large bikes seem limited to gravel roads to me.

Maybe I have the definition of "Adventure bikes" all wrong. I think of something on-road/off-road in the 650cc range and either a thumper or a twin. And something that can easily handle 4x4 trails.

Dual purpose bikes look like lots of fun. I snowmobiled for years and got sort of bored rather quickly after I bought my Lowrider.

For me I consider this new wave to have at least three levels.......

1: The all in "dual sport adventure" with anything from a small bore 2-stroke/4-stroke that will get you down the road to another single track with very difficult trail. Not for everyone but the most experienced of off-road riders. Usually as you mentioned a 650 cc limit but anything over 450/500 4-stroke is a challenge even for experienced riders IMO.

2: The 500/650 cc dual sport class bikes that you can do much more dirt/gravel/graded and paved roads without the strain of not having enough power to cruise at highway speed (i,e., Interstate travel) and also be able to carry some baggage like extra weather gear or even light camping gear. Many single track trails are still possible but you don't want to tackle most of them alone for lack of help if you get stuck. Not fun by yourself DAMHIK.

3: The "Adventure Touring" which is what brought about bikes like the KTM 950/990/1190/1290 Adventure bikes and the BMW GS to name just a few of the dozens out there now. This is like the world touring class SUV/Range Rover that is IMO a great alternative to a full on road only touring bike as you can carry lots more baggage, gear and a passenger and go just about anywhere down to two track type trails or difficult off-road section as a #2 group adventure bike can on the upper end of their ability.....once again you need to have a friend on another bike with you.

You would be surprise at the ability of the big bore #3 group adventure bikes, especially the KTM R models with 21" front wheels and 18" rear wheel just like the smaller bore competition and dual sport bikes. Adventure Touring with fewer limits than most any type of motorcycle. A great blend of most all motorcycles now.

Hey A12....Number 3 is spot on. Many buy a big ADV bike as a touring long hauler 2 up bike and it does it well with the extra fuel capacity, storage accommodations and incredibly powerful engine. Just like those who buy a Jeep Rubicon will never go off roading with it many ADV riders stay on the pavement with their bikes. The Pan America is not heavy and at 150 plus HP (not just ANY hp but Liquid cooled V twin horse power!) would be a lot of fun to open up on the interstate!

I spent 5 days running around south Florida and the Keys on a BMW GS1150 is some such number. It was a nice bike, but definitely not for me. I found it amusing it had a switch for taking power out for riding in the rain. I didn't think it had that much to start with.

I normally ride a ZX-14.

Lots of GPX/GPS downloadable maps for Adventure rides in your area and the USA here https://ridebdr.com/routes/ Home page here https://ridebdr.com/


https://ridebdr.com/mabdr/ Mid-Atlantic ride

Thanks, A12. Helped a lot.

I stopped at a Honda, Yammie, KTM dealership this afternoon and the only "Adventure" bike they had on the floor was a KTM 390 Adventure. Single cylinder 4-stroke. No comparison when compared to those big-boy bikes, but it looked fun anyway. Plus I could put my feet flat on the floor, but just barely. Drive by wire & ABS - woooo.

At $6,700 MSRP, I had to laugh. Think I paid around $3,600 for my '79 Yamaha 1100 Special forty two years ago.

If they were to drop the price a couple of grand, I might consider it. But that ain't gonna happen so I won't.

My anti chrome ride. Night Train get it?

Good looking bike!

I have a soft spot for Night Trains. Spent a few days on one out in Vegas and loved it.

A friend knowing I'm a Mopar guy and knowing I have a RR and had a couple RR's (first car I bought in 1969 as some know and friend knows too) and also knowing my KTM Super Duke and KTM connection sent me this Surprised he didn't title it "Beep, Beep Your @$$" ...........back to OT sorry.