Now, I like my Transalp and I'd like a new Ténéré and I'd like one of the BMW G650s as they seem to have great potential as trip bikes.

However, for some reason I find myself being drawn to the likes of scrambler style bikes: Triumph, Royal Enfield and the new beauty from Moto Guzzi.
Not off-roaders, but with enough dirt riding pretensions to open up most trails for most riders.

Plus they would probably be more comfy on tarmac than some more trailie based bikes. The only down sides are a hefty weight, and possibly not as good fuel consumption as those at the top.

What do HUBBers think?
Do they have potential as good compromise overlanders for those doing less than 50% riding on dirt?

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Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)

I am with you there, most of the bikes I have had or currently own have some sort of off road pretensions without actuallty being pukka dirt bikes. I like the styling, riding position and are good for touring as long as you are not in a hurry. The drawbacks seem to be carrying luggage and they often have smaller, more stylish petrol tanks.

There are quite alot people that travel all over the planet with
road bikes like moto guzzi,yamaha r1 ,entfield,suzuki gs750,
honda fireblade,harleys,...and a lot more,and i know they are
doing also dirtroads,and roads in remote areas.
So it is possible.I like the idea off traveling on the bike that
fits your personal style no matter what bike that may be.
You can make a rack on every type of bike to transport
your luggage.
Go with the bike that you love!
Good luck, e saludos!

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Exactly!
Some of the scrambler style bikes are probably excellent road bikes, but can take knobblier tyres, have a bit more suspension travel, wider bars, and so are more competent than most road bikes on dirt, but will probably be more convenient on the open road (saddle, power, smoother engine) than some of the popular enduro sinlges for example...

These types seem like they may be more of the 70% road 30% dirt style ratio to match the 70% road 30% dirt traveling that many travellers tend to do...

Some might say that the wee-strom etc would acheive the same, but then there is the aesthetics!

I really like the look of these scramblers too!

__________________
Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)

No it's not just you !

I also have a hankering for a classic styled "adventure" bike .
The Bonny is too heavy for my liking ,the Enfield a bit underpowered [ pity they don't make a twin ].
I haven't seen a Guzzi scrambler yet , but hopefully it has a bigger engine than the V7 .

My ideal bike would be something around 75-80 hp and weighing less than 400 lbs .

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Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."

Looks nice, I think. But still V7? 'Fraid so.
And that engine whispers "I love pies" to me. That said it is low down and the bike looks nice, IMO.

A viable trip bike though? As good as a Wee-strom? Ténéré? In some respects, definitely!

__________________
Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)

MMMMMMaybe just a styling exercise !

Looks nice ,but if it has the 48 hp V7 engine - no thanks .
My old 750 Norton has about 20 hp more than that and is a nice torquey bike .If I was going to buy a Guzzi, I would like more performance , not less .

Maybe a scrambler version of the new Commando 960 ?
Wow !

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Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."

I've had the Bonneville for seven years. Elefant rally on road tyres was "interesting", but get the knobblies on and it'll go anywhere. I've had a Scrambler for a day and the loss of 10 HP is noticable. Personally, I'd get a 2-1 set up made for a Bonneville when I had the luggage rack made rather than take the power loss. That said, you can pick up standard silencers on e-bay for peanuts because so many riders want noise. Riding in the UK and Europe the disposable route works while more than a truck ride from home I'd want it protected. The fuel tanks are way too small, reserve at 140 miles walking before 200. I run a 9 litre auxilliary tank, easy on the carbed bike, could be fun to fit to an FI one.

I wouldn't worry about the weight, it's low down. Compare Ted Simons TR, an airhead GS, Bonneville variants, Enfields, Kawasaki W800 and the Guzzi and you have to conclude all are perfectly capable of getting anywhere. My experience with Guzzi spare parts supply has been awful, they don't actually know what they used on my Dads Nevada, so it usually takes three goes to get anything that fits. The dealers treat them as disposable, three-summer bikes, so don't expect any help when you are stuck in Mongolia. The Kawasaki dealer didn't know what the W650 was (only interested in zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzr's) but I'm yet to see if they've changed with the 800. My Enfield was an old one and 18 HP is not enough, but it would ride up the side of a house on that thumper engine.

I find a lightly breathed on road bike is a superior all round package as nearly everywhere I ride is now tarmaced to some extent. Having a bike that feels planted and will cruise at 80 mph on the autobahn suits me better than a 21-inch front wheeled 600 that's ripping it's guts out and weaving (I did like the XT600E on the really rough stuff mind).

How you get there is personal choice. I know Bonnevilles, so that will nearly always be my starting point. If Triumph would get off the "play at Steve McQueen on any (dry sunny) Sunday (but don't get it dirty)" thing and fit a big tank and luggage rack I'd buy. While I have to make rather than buy the choice is endless.

Andy

I've always had a soft spot for scrambler & flat track styled bikes,but to me the new Triumphs are to big,they seem a lot longer & heavier than the old 60's triumphs.If they brought out a modern version of the old desert sleds I'd be very interested.I must admit these BM's look really good.
My purple airhead scrambler thing project - ADVrider
maybe we're just going to have to build our own scramblers

Hi Warthog,
We are selling our XTZ 750 in Capetown, fully set up for touring. Up to 20kms/liter and 600kms range. Dry weight 195 kilos Very tight engine, burns NO oil. Australian Registered $5000us
Patrick

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Patrick and Belinda Peck
www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/peck