And ps. you are 100% right about manufacturers forgetting about ease of maintenance – it’s almost as if they make it hard so we have to take our bikes to their dealers!

I wouldn’t say the BMW 850 is going to be easier to repair than the Honda. BMW parts are always expensive and more difficult to source. It’s a bigger bike too so it’s not going to be any easier to ride on roads through Asia and Southeast Asia than the Transalp. Even though the Honda is new, I would still trust its reliability and it’d probably still be easier to source parts for it. You adjust them by running them at full throttle and turning the high speed needle in and out till it runs best. Same for the idle. Let it idle and turn the slow speed needle in and out till it runs it's best. The high and low speed needle adjustments will effect each other a bit. In other words, richen the low speed and it will also richen the high speed just a bit, and visa versa. A lot of the newer pumper carbs don't have an adjustable high speed jet, but a fixed one. Big brother wants us to buy a new engine, not make the old one run better. As an experienced rider, I can’t stress enough how important it is to invest in a carrier made from sturdy materials like aluminum. Steel motorcycle carriers can also withstand regular use and exposure to the elements. My next guest is also a reliable companion, able to bear the weight of my biking dreams. Let’s get to know him in more detail.I think it will be easier to repair the BMW 850 adventure, because Honda is a new motorcycle and probably not tested. You can buy them for the same amount, but BMW is probably better. Please tell me. Reply

Hitch carriers come in different classes, and you should choose one that matches the hitch class of your vehicle. Additionally, pay attention to the drawbar weight limits provided by your vehicle’s manufacturer. Overall, the Honda Africa Twin is a lighter and more off-road focused motorcycle than its competitors in the heavyweight division. It used to be a simpler machine too, but with the latest update it has gained a selection of new electronics to bring it more in line with the current range of heavyweights. If you really want to play with one I imagine You could still get them as I think they are still used in two stroke Ultra-Light airplane engines. You will have to run a line from the intake manifold, crankcase, or exhaust pipe to get a vacuum pulse to run the pump. Also, you must prime the engine when you first start it, to get the pump going. After that, you start it normally, with the choke. A fuel return line, from the carb to the fuel tank, may be needed too. I've never run one on a motorcycle, just snowmobiles, chain saws and weed eaters. Now-a-days I make every effort to avoid working on them at all.Suzuki upped their game with the 1050 XT and treated their new Strom to rider aids to keep it in line with the competition. It received reworked suspension for a firmer ride, but engine remained the same with tweaks to get it through Euro5 with a slight increase to power and modifications to give it a torquier delivery. And for all three of you who have made it this far, thinking, “Man, I’d really love to see one of these in action,” fret not! I’ve got you covered. A year ago I bought a Ducati Multistrada V4, an excellent motorcycle, I rode it a lot in Europe, but I think it will be difficult in Asia and I don’t want to leave it there and be at home without a motorcycle. I traveled many countries on different motorcycles, of course, my Ducati is more convenient for Europe, and in Asia I went to Royal Endfield and other 600-700 cc. I was sitting on a Honda 850, but I didn’t drive. I drove a BMW, worse than 1000 cc, but probably more convenient to repair, cheaper and easier to drive on bad roads. I call it free-range because it doesn’t need to be tethered to a steel floor and a cheese grater ceiling, like those old-fashioned carnie rides. Instead, this little electric motorcycle is free to ride around anywhere, thanks to its on-board battery. I’m not saying this is how your kids are going to ride to school from now on, but I’m not saying they couldn’t, either – though true commuting is probably out of the picture since the specs on this bike don’t inspire a lot of confidence.

Boasting an all-steel construction and a robust powder-coated finish, this platform ensures years of rust-free service. Its 500 lbs load rating surpasses many pricier competitors, catering to heavier rides. Even loading and unloading is a breeze, thanks to the ramp that attaches to either side of the carrier. The new for 2020 Twin gets an engine capacity increase to 1084cc, giving it 6.8bhp more power and 4.4 ft-lbs of torque. It also gets a very slight weight reduction and higher bars, new TFT screen to match its mates in this sector, cornering ABS, cruise control, traction control, riding/power/braking and user modes and the option to switch the rear wheel ABS off. Where the m3 really pulls ahead is its exceptional finish. However, keep in mind that this superior quality comes with a premium price tag.I’d say the most easily accessible bikes are single cylinders like the Yamaha XT660 or a CRF250/300L or Rally, but again, it all depends on your budget and what exactly you’re after.

Remember the KTM 990? The original carburetted version before the new fuel injected model took over? What a bike! Then the 1090 and 1190. Well, they’ve all been replaced with KTM’s biggest ever machine – the 1290 Super Adventure R. This is a behemoth of a bike and takes on BMW’s mighty GS Adventure. Before the 1050 XT, it was the V-Strom 1000 – a great all-round adventure bike. Much like the middleweight 650XT listed above in the middleweight section, it wasn’t exceptional in any one area, but instead, was a versatile workhorse – and competitively priced too. And for all our adventure motorcycle guides in one place, have a look at the comprehensive Adventure Motorcycle Guides section.

Now, its 7.5″ wide loading ramp isn’t the most generous, but it’s competent enough to handle most bikes. And that built-in anti-rattle device is a game-changer – a quiet cabin means a peaceful journey. Great summary of the options available. Adventure riding can mean so may different things. The bike I’d choose for a south-east Asia trip is different than what I’d choose for a European journey. And finally, if you are really doing a RTW, the criteria would be slightly different again. For shorter trips, availability of parts or service isn’t that important. For a longer journey, it’s something to consider. I’m in favour of bikes that are available in whatever country you plan to ride in. So a BWM is fine in Europe but less so in South-East Asia (unless you have time to wait for parts or are with a tour company that can support you). Historically the Honda CRF250 has been a favourite of mine but the seat is not great for long trips (yes, this can be fixed). Also, it’s not sold in South-America so parts are surprisingly hard to get. The Himalayan is a bike I’m growing more fond of. Sold in a surprisingly large number of countries now and very comfortable for long trips. No to big but still big enough for mountain climbs. In 2022, the Suzuki V-Strom 1050 XT held this spot in our best adventure bikes article. However, now in 2023 the improved 1050 DE model has taken its spot. And while we’re discussing the faux-troncycle’s limitations, now might be a good time to point out that it’s not really a motorcycle in the traditional sense. There appear to be either three or four smaller wheels under the chassis that actually drive the thing, making this more of a motorcycle-shaped go-kart.