The Perfect Adventure Bike

I have little doubt this has been kicked around on here but I did do a search and didn't find anything.

I realize there is a need for different sized Adventure Bikes for a variety of reasons. But, if one were to get serious and really design something that would do almost everything real well what would you design. Could you simply borrow all the ideas already out there?

Here is what I think would be a good idea for one segment. I would like to have someone from the first pencil scratch set out to build a real deal.
I think most rigs are just too darn big and way to powerful. Like what has been cropping up on here thanks to bikes like Honda's 700 crosstour is that the blasting full smoke capabilities are seldom used by about 99% of us...even if we do own a rig capable of such things. So lets keep this discussion on the platinum level of trying to build the best for the most riders.

My idea is something like the VT 500 Ascot engine. I would like 7 speeds with a true granny gear and a true highway gear made for mileage without bogging down.
I want a tank/fuel system that would supply 300 mile ranges, and it sure seems like a combination regular tank and tank down under could do this. (Withness the Countour wasting that tank space for a dubious helmet storage area). I want a strong but light frame that can be designed.
I want real light right off to bat rather than have to add on a few dozen bulbs here and there. Give me a battle proof bottom plate, and a simple drive line...no chain. Make a tremendous effort to design a super light seat that is real comfortable...the basics are their...thats why aftermarket guys can make such an improvement...you have to support the buttocks.
Give me real wind protection for everyone...not just 5'8" test riders.
Keep the seat low enough to put my feet easily and firmly on the ground...a must for me for stability in the rare tough spots. I want the best suspension right off the bat.

Now the first to step up will be the bean counters and they will say this is impossible to do without a whopping price. I don't believe it for one minute.

So what do you folks say....what are you ideas.
Snide comments not welcome, fine humor is:)

I had the perfect Adventure bike with a WR250X with an additional set of dirt wheels and a Safari tank.

I just didn't realize how good it really was until I sold it after I banged some ribs on it:





I really don't care too much for big highway capabilities on an adventure bike. I was able to do 400 miles in a day with two busted ribs on the little guy. Guess I can do 700 or so with me being in good shape, so that's good enough for me.

And nothing can beat the low weight when the terrain gets tough.

Now see there you go. That is a sweet ride...but...why can't they put a seat on there that supports your butt like a Renazco, etc. Some people can ride on that seat but the majority on a day of a lot of miles would hate it.

Though I like the machine they are plenty tall which cuts a lot of people out. In the 70s we could make enduros that didn't sit in the clouds so what gives?

So for the very low highway crowd it is hard to beat 250s with superior tanks.

But they don't work for the sometimes a lot of highway crowd and on up.

To Me there are about 3 classes.

IN the seventies they could sell enduros with four inches of wheel travel.
I thought you wanted a real suspension?

I would love to see an Ascot like 500 or 600 engine in a full on dual sport type bike, set up for long haul adventure type stuff. Like a wee storm with the dirt bike's attitude.
I'd hit it.

Just bought an F800 GS, it's really good in dirt and rough terrain, but I'd like it better if it were smaller/lighter.
And yep, the original seat sucked big time.

The VT500/Ascot engine was the basis for the Transalp and Africa Twin lumps so if that's what you want you don't have to go too far to find your perfect bike. The motor has many fine qualities but fuel economy when ridden hard is not one of them. Apparently the 700 is better in this respect. The 52deg V but with NC700-style cylinder head technology and comparable economy would be a beaut.

The current 660 Tenere comes very close but lacks top-end, is lumpy at low revs and has some annoying features that make regular maintenance a pain - check out the location of the oil filler orifice for a start.

IMO the 800GS gets closest of current models on paper, needing only about 5l greater fuel capacity. Is it robust/reliable enough?

It has been so far, but haven't ridden it all that much. It has impressed me off road.

But no shaft.

IMHO an Adventure bike needs to be able to travel with some form of luggage, not just roost in the dirt. I just got back from a 1000 mile, 4 day camping loop with fair amount of dirt travel on my DR, and I don't think we have to reinvent the wheel. I've already modified the suspension, put on a 5 gallon tank, etc. and I'm thinking a 780 kit oughtta finish it off. Roomy, reliable, a ton of aftermarket, and dealers everywhere.
If I was to get carried away, I think I'd like to shoehorn in a Triumph Scrambler motor in my DR frame.

Time to, once again, consider the mythical WR450R...

6 speed wide ratio tranny, fuel injection, 4 gallon tank, plates and racks...

But we've had this debate before... and I got hammered...

NFE

Count me in. Combine my WeeStrom and my DRZ400 with a 300EXC-W and you just about have it.
Must be comfy, must have granny first gear, and highway gear, must carry my camping stuff, reliable,easy to fix, 250 mile range is enough. Fairly light no more than 350 lbs max. Must be able to flat foot it, good torque curve. Good aerodynamics. Suspended for a 200lb rider and gear, mirrors that you can see who is stalking you from behind. rack and bag racks. I think make a WR250R in a 650 v twin or even a 450 and maybe you got something there. 21 inch front tire.
So where do I send the deposit?

A 650 Wee that is much lighter with better suspension and more electrical power. Great engine looking for a better, and lighter, home.

I've owned many bikes and I regret selling the Wee. Riding a DR650 now that is quite capable but lacks the smoothness and power of a twin.

Something like the new Yamaha ST Worldcrosser crossed with the new 650 Vstrom would do it for me. I like the V twins.

I have a new V strom and like it, but it has cheap stuff for parts. I could throw $2500 at it easy and make it an ideal ADV bike for me. Which I am in the process of doing. Akra pipe is coming this week.

Possibly a F800 GS is the bike I'd choose. But the $$$$ I can't afford.

It wouldn't matter how "perfect" it is, some one, some where, would bitch about, some thing.

To me the "perfect" bike would be one that the manufacturer built to order, like Russell does with their seats. You simply go online, fill out the perfect bike form, and voila. A week later the "perfect bike for you is ready for delivery, and a test ride...

Then 6 months later when you've changed your mind for the 10th time on what constitutes the "perfect" bike for you....simply call the dealer, they rush out, pick up your not so "perfect" bike after all, and turn it into your new definition of a perfect bike. Of course they will deliver it back to you free of charge before you've changed your mind again.

Simple huh....

Well yes, someone is going to bitch but that doesn't really matter. We are a long way off from even coming close to the excellent ideas Oldman77 put up. I would second most everything he said at a 500 cc powerplant. Guys I like Weestroms...but they are not what I would call an adventure bike in regards to the seating arrangement but the engine is quite good though once again we are getting kind of big.

So far I like what I am hearing...I wish I could create with photo shop.

See post 11 . I've owned and ridden lots of bikes, 500cc's is not enough engine IMHO. Physically, the Wee is much bigger, and heavier, than it needs to be.

The reality is that none of the big 4 will build the bike that so many of us on this board want because they represent too small a market share for them and thus not profitable. Chrome laden luxo barges and sport bikes are what sell in large numbers = profits.

It would be absolutely impossible for a single bike to do everything I need perfectly. A 2 up rtw capable adventure tourer is going to be bulky. A lightweight single track capable dual sport is going to get blown around on the open road and have limited load capacities. Etc.

I would love to see a wr450r though. It wouldn't be 2-up touring capable, but I think it could do just about everything else!

I feel like the F800GS and the Tiger800xc are pretty damn close to what I most want in an adventure bike.

Sure they could weigh less, maybe the BMW be a less idiosyncratic, but they're definitely in the ball park as far as I'm concerned.

I have 2,000 miles on my Tiger 800 XC. For me it is the most perfect bike currently made.

Here you go.
KLR 650, 705 motor. Will take you everywhere you want to go.

Ironically I do think the KLR is pretty close in a lot of respects. I do believe that occassionally the posts forget the origins. That is to say to approach things a bit differently. The stats and the studies show that very seldom does the average individual wind out all that power, and that torque is most wanted when you are tooling around on these rigs.

I think a lot of these bikes are top heavy because they are not thought out initially...like keeping the bulk of the fuel low. Try to think how the suspension could be attached to the wheel to allow fair travel without having the bike seat next to heaven...or to ask how much suspension travel do you really need if you aren't jumping ridges.

Again the bean counter thing raise its head which I think is a hollow excuse. How can you know how many people would buy one of these until you execute the plan very well. Witness the F650 series...no one foresaw the tremendous number of sales for those bikes.