Seems like this dual purpose vs adv talk has happened here multiple times now.
Interesting almost everytime though because it happens so rarely.
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Originally Posted by Red Liner I think what everyone seems to want is a KTM 690 adventure, or a Honda CRF 450L, or a Husky 501 LR... |
Wait a minute. The CRF 450L and Husqvarna 501 are basically dirt bikes though. And the enduro 690 is on its way there. Are you making an arguement for or against these dirt-bike based advs?
Anyway, the CRF 450L is a dream for me, but it'll likely stay a dream. No way in the foreseeable future would I be willing to fork up the 8-10L for that if honda ever brings it here. And even if I were to fork it over to honda, no way would I be able to put those horses to safe, consistent use on a regular basis. I'm just not that person unfortunately. And if I have to get on the highway to be able to safely squirt out all its power, then that's laughably antithetical to buying what's basically a dirtbike.
Personally speaking, I think power is hugely overrated for average Indian usage scenarios. As someone who doesn't have intentions of world touring or staying on multilane NHs most of the time, I think I'm good with smaller capacity bikes.
250s to 300s make perfect sense to me right now. It's within my abilities to squeeze out satisfying riding from them on all kinds of roads. Anything faster, and I'll have heart-in-mouth moments or worse all too often for the way I like to ride and the roads I like to ride.
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Lets face it, if i want a dirt bike to smoke the trails where i stay, then its the Impulse or the xpulse. Plain, simple, cheap, easy.
But if i want a travel bike neither the impulse or the xpulse will cut it.
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I'm kind of with you here. I have a road bike and a dual-purpose, and I like my garage this way. I want two more of the same order, but larger. Hence why I've been considering the vstrom as my next roadbike.
But.... and I've been saying this for a while now.... these lighter dualsport bikes like the impulse\xpulse aren't just for dirt and trails. They do MARVELOUSLY for everyday commutes and touring too. I mean, of course not as efficient on the road as a roadbike nor as efficient a travel bike as the likes of your adv390, but definitely more versatile and involving less effort in terms of the variety of places you can go, mainly due to the light weight. Wouldn't you want that?
I did a few 100 kms over the last weekend on the Impulse, part of which involved the Bangalore-Mysore under-construction highway. I was doing 90-100 on the smooth sections (of course at noisy, buzzy high rpms and at low fuel efficiency). And I was positively zooming ahead on the crap sections compared to the rest of the traffic. The bike didn't complain much through either.
Yeah, my bike tops out at 110 and anything over 100 comes very slow and at stupidly inefficient fuel mileage. And it's nice to have a bit more speed on reserve. But atleast, it handles the multilane highway adequately enough that when I get onto smaller state highways, hills, rural roads, trails and such, the agility and just the toy-like nature make it an utter liberating joy to use. It's a compromise I'm extremely willing to live with.
But if all someone does is in ride highways, of course, this kind of bike is definitely the wrong choice.
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If the bike is too light, then the frame strength is probably sacrificed. So how does one carry some semblance of luggage for a 3 month trip to the Himalayas?
Or lets suppose, as most indians think, i want to carry my girl friend along at the back, a light trail weapon like the xpulse or the CRF 250 is not going to make that happen. Hell even the 390 adventure will feel tremendously cramped.
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Riding 2up is something on which I will hands down agree with you. Larger seat space is a definite need in this case. I personally do not like riding with pillion though. I've tried it on much more comfortable bikes than my own. Too many compromises, it tends to rob the enjoyment out of the ride for both people over longer durations.
But for a solo rider... come on. The subframe cracking from the load of luggage and bad roads and all that are stories in foreign markets. Here, we see people riding triples to sextuples on splendors all the time. A bike that's made IN India FOR India will usually take into account the many antics of the common consumer. Bikes can usually be trusted to take a guy and what, 20-30kgs of luggage up north comfortably.
Lightweight doesn't necessarily mean weaker materials are used. If that were the case, my 82,000 rupee Impulse should've given up a long time ago for the kinds of stresses I've put it under.
I've put a lot of harsh kms on both my bikes over the last decade and I've had troubles with my suspensions multiple times, but never with my frames, clamps, swingarms, footpegs. And while I don't torture my bikes, I don't go easy on them either, I do abuse them (touch wood tho, I want my bikes to last me some more time). People have been traveling super long distances on impulse\xpulse for years now. I've done multiple >2k km trips on my impulse here in the south (though I travel light, just a couple of bags, I don't carry my home with me). I'm average built and butt and shoulder ache is the only major issue I face on such long rides and I'll blame that squarely on keeping my bike utterly stock as far as ergos and comfort goes.
I'll concede though that it may not be a good choice for larger people.
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Now if we have the xpulse 400 and the Himalayan 450 at 180 kgs, 40hp, and great torque at 2500 rpm, good seat space for me and the luggage, good carrying capacity so the frame doesn't crack with the weight and broken roads, 21 inch front wheel, longer travel suspension, 10k service interval... I think that will have a lot of interest.
That would be a nice travel enduro bike.
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They would be great travel bikes for people whose riding intentions are more mainstream.
The current bunch of advs are also well upto the task even without 21 inch wheels and 40 hp. Not saying 21 inch wheels and 40 hp are not welcome though.
I personally know people who've done the northern and NE circuit on first year model carburetted Himalayans (which are still running BTW). So, it's not like a 180kg xpulse 300\400 or himalayan 450 would bring something radical to the table.
On the other hand, if Hero were to make a sub 150 kg Xpulse 300 like Honda is doing with the ~140kg CRF300L, that would be a rarer and more valuable addition to the market.