Buying an adventure bike
Off road use
Despite these bikes’ weight, some owners do take them off road both here and overseas, especially BMWs. It shouldn’t do any major harm but check for dings and bearings damaged from too much jet washing.
Overlanders
A few bikes actually have been on huge trips and may be loaded with the specialist kit – and scars – to prove it.
Buying Tips
Extras
Unlike other market sectors, the right extras can add value. Quality luggage is the most desirable but decent, functional parts from good suppliers do to, especially on BMWs. Be aware of factory options on BMWs.
Private sales
Can be a good option as these machines tend to get thrashed, crashed and nicked less than sports bikes. A warranty can be handy on BMWs which have a few issues that can be costly.
High miles
They can handle it. Engines should be fine, check suspension and chassis bushes.
Hot tips: roads worth the ride
- Grimsel Pass Apine perfection in Swizerland. The Grimsel Pass links the Hasli Valley in Bernese Oberland with the Goms Valley in the Valais. Usually open from June to October.
- Dades Gorge Located in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains it’s got the classic winding switchback but so much more too; castles, caves and loads of other great sights. Used in Yamaha’s promotional videos and stills for their XT660Z Tenere.
- Trans-Fagaras Highway Feel the temperature drop as you ascend to over 2,000 meters, this spaghetti road connects Transylvania with Wallachia in Romania. Post Ceaucesceau the surface is suffering a little – perfect for monster trailies.
- Wrynose and Hardnott passes Hurray for merry old England. This stunning route from Eskdale and on to Ambleside is tight and very three dimensional. Signs warn off the caravans but a few myopic idiots still try, so watch for them stalling and blocking the 1 in 3 hairpins.
- Stelvio Pass THE famous one – with good cause. Those well surfaced hairpins just keep coming and the view more amazing. Located in the Italian Alps north of Bormio and a worthy highlight of any two wheeled trip.
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