Kawasaki Versys 1000 LT

[Ulvetanna_imp]

Well I think adventure means different things to different people, and even though the moniker is right there in the name Adventure bike, it doesn't necessarily mean one must ride in Paris to Dakar like conditions to own one. Someone who buys an ADV bike must certainly realize their own limitations if they intend to leave pavement and ride accordingly just as someone who buys a liter supersport has to know it takes certain skills to go through a set of twisties quickly and must ride within their limitations as well.

When I first started riding, an off road bike was a regular bike, with a set of upswept exhausts and some bumpier tires, and you'd be surprised where we rode those.

People take Goldwings down fire roads and I saw a story once about a guy that road an R-1 Yamaha in some gawd awful greasy places off road so you don't have to buy an Adventure bike to ride off road.just a certain skill set and some determination.

The real advantage of an adventure bike today is because of ergos, weather protection, fuel capacity, suspension compliance, and luggage capacity they make really excellent on road touring bikes. But list the disadvantages as being generally heavy with high centers of gravity and generally sky high seat heights.

I'd have one if I could but I'm not even tall enought to ride the lttle ones lol

I think you hit it right on the bull's eye as far as what I was trying to express. I get that it's fun to ride machines that seem improbable in extreme conditions; my initial responses were to the OP's statement that he had no intention of going off-pavement.

I stopped by my local dealer the other day and checked out their adventure bikes. I'm not planning on going off pavement but would like a more comfortable bike for long day trips.

I readily second the notion some riders are quite capable under various kinds of riding conditions, be it pavement or dirt or whatever may connect the two.

I really think you hit the nail right on the head with this:

The real advantage of an adventure bike today is because of ergos, weather protection, fuel capacity, suspension compliance, and luggage capacity they make really excellent on road touring bikes. But list the disadvantages as being generally heavy with high centers of gravity and generally sky high seat heights.

A Super ADV is going to be a lot better motorcycle for long distance rides under tough conditions of weather and substandard roads. They are not going to be a good choice for any kind of serious or even moderate off-road excursions. It's hard to take everything including the kitchen sink with you on a long solo tour and expect to be able to right the bike if it falls. Even the new CRF1000L is really too heavy for this kind of thing at over 500 pounds, around 530 with the automatic clutch and other features.

To the OP, I would honestly say I'd go with the CRF1000L (Africa Twin) over any of the others, as it's got the most features and power in a really nice package. The 21" front wheel is very nice for tight bumpy pavement or even the occasional fire road.

But if you never intend to go off pavement, the Kawasaki is the same money, with 17" wheels, and it appears to have gotten a couple of "Bike of the Year" awards last year.

Based on the original post I'd say the Kawasaki is a strong contender.