Researching motorcycles was proving quite different to researching cars. Some realisations were:
- The New Zealand version of the world’s motorcycle brand websites are pretty lacking, many with limited specs, some with missing pricing, and some even missing current models
- New Zealand’s motorcycle dealer websites aren’t all that better, with most just linking back to the national website when you click ‘new models’ and hosting no information of their own
- Unlike cars, motorcycles don’t seem to have spec sheets. The closest you might find being more of a brochure-style PDF with a short table of key highlights (I assume because there are less features to talk about)
- Motorcycle promotions are very different to car promotions due to the smaller price tags; e.g. a “Save $15,000” offer on a new car translates to more like “Save $500” on a motorcycle, as you’d expect as a percentage of the total price, of course
- There tends to be less stock of a particular model bike in the country versus a car model. A new car model may have a few hundred units in the country, while a specific new bike model may have in the tens.
Some big positives were:
- Motorcycles seem to offer good resale value, with $9,000 brand-new bikes selling three or four years later for $7,000 to $8,000
- Many people buy a learner approved motorcycle (Learned Approved Motorcycle Scheme, or LAMS) and then only use it for a few thousand kilometres, then when they get their full licence they upgrade to a new bike and put their LAMS model on the market
- There are some great reviews on YouTube, and some even better motorcycle films that are hugely inspiring and encouraging
- Some motorcycle experts are big fans of smaller bikes in the LAM category, often recommending them to both new and experience motorcycle riders thanks to their low cost, light weight, but high levels of manoeuvrability and fun to be had
I’ve found the research part of my motorcycle journey to be pretty exciting. With each new video I discovered a new potential motorcycle to explore, and once you start talking about motorcycles with your friends, family, and colleagues, all of the motorcycle enthusiasts come out of the woodwork, and so far they’ve been almost as enthusiastic as I am about my potential new purchase (thank you for your support to date, Shaun Grob, Lee Parkinson, and Neil C!). It’s a hugely supportive and tight community.
The negative in that has been the feeling of guilt in going down this road. In a family with two young children, investing in such a substantial purchase that only you will get enjoyment out of comes with, for me, high levels of guilt. After all, working parents get to spend so little time with their kids to start with, so to add solo motorcycle adventures into that mix only reduces that time further, let alone the expense of the bike purchase, the lessons, the gear, the registration, and the insurance. You have to balance that with the enjoyment you’ll get from the bike and the benefits to your mental health, plus the fact that the bike and the gear are assets that can be sold later on in life.
And of course, there’s a risk of injury when it comes to motorcycles, but then other hobbies I’ve had include rock climbing, mountain biking, and solo hiking, and each of those come with plenty of risks. Is the alternative to sit safely on your sofa
Criteria for the ‘top five’ list
To make this list of top five lightweight adventure motorcycles, I’ve focused on criteria of:
- Bike must be learner approved (LAMS in New Zealand, A2 Licence elsewhere)
- Bike must be available for under $10,000 New Zealand dollars
- BIke must be under 600 cc (for newbies, and also keeping the price down)
- Bike must review well
- I need to be comfortable sitting on it, at 6ft 2in tall
- Bike must be visually appealing
Obviously the latter is subjective, but I’ve also taken on board styling comments from professional motorcycling enthusiasts and journalists.
I wouldn’t buy any of them they are all underpowered and you will soon be looking for something with a bit more performance. At 6ft2 with the exception of the 400 Trumpy as I have never sat on one so cant comment the rest must seem like sitting on a mini bike, I’m only 5ft7.. Have you looked at some of the larger 650 + lams bikes in the dual purpose range, or some of the more enduro / off-road oriented bikes? With a more road suited tyre or a set off 17 inch rims it makes for some pretty good road handling. For a first bike I would never go new, the first time you drop it will suck big time. At the end of the day it’s your money and your bike so whatever you decide its a motorbike and it gunner put a smile on you dial so you can’t go wrong.
Disclaimer This is just my opinion and like arseholes we all have one :)
Thanks heaps for the input, Michael. I’m with on the size thing, but I also need to balance that with being on a learner licence and on a budget, while also preferring to buy new. Funnily enough, I asked this in a Facebook Group and a *lot* of people suggested a dual sport bike instead of the adventure/tourers that are on my shortlist, but I really have my heart set on the look of the bikes in this list. I’m going to have quite a limited amount of ‘bike time’ available to me and don’t want to be worried about maintaining an older bike or modifying a new one, I just want to get out there, with that being open, winding roads and a few flat dirt and gravel trails, nothing too serious at all. I’m more set on a bike that would suit this purpose well while I’m learning and then potentially for a few years after that. Still, food for thought. Appreciate your input, thanks again.
Hey Mark,
Great review on the bikes. I thought I over analysed bikes, but this is on another level (in a good way!) I’m Christchurch based too, if you ever want to discuss bikes or go for a ride once you get an ADV bike, you can contact me on IG at @_wesleyjames_
I’ve been seriously looking at the new Himalayan as a potential new bike. Don’t discard the second hand market either, you can get some great deals, as long as the owner has legitimate service history evidence etc.
My honest opinion. It’s between 3 models, the Triumph 400x if you want style, and a bike that suits 6″2. I’m 6″2 myself and found it very comfortable. Then the Himalayan & CF Moto are very strong contenders too. I think the CF Moto is probably the winner, but I’m a visual guy, and it just doesn’t look as good as the other 2.
Good luck with your decision!
Wes
Awesome, thanks Wesley! And very handy to hear from another local who’s the same height! I get you on the visual side as well. I know there are a lot of practical reasons to get other bikes, but I also want something that looks good and matches my style. It’s the heart vs brain thing there. I’m going to drop by CMG this week and look at their new CFMOTO 450MT and sit on the BMW G 310 GS while I’m there, and will also get to First European to check out the new Himalayan 450.
And thanks for that – I’ve subscribed and followed on YouTube and Instagram! Love the way you’ve put your videos together – I’ll add your recent Triumph 400 video to this page and my spreadsheet.
Hi Mark
Great reviews and comparisons, very thorough.
I’ve still got the blue lake Himalayan 22, and enjoying it, apart from low seat height, and have been contemplating a bigger bike.
Like me, yes, CF moto a contender although haven’t visited a dealership, – the new Himalayan 450, we’ll, yes, very strong and still appealing to me especially in the Kamet white with seat hoisted up.
I have progressed to restricted and picked up thise knobbly tyres – working well. I thought you might be on the Scram for a short time before something else took your attention. Hey – the 310 GS BMW, nice but too small.
Scramblers- I love – the Bear 650 looks worth a look.
Have a good Christmas
Signed,
Peter
OPAWA
still up for a relaxed gravel ride?
Fantastic veiws and information. I am a short 5’5″ 60yr old beginner-ish rider @ 135lbs wet. I previously owned a Honda GB500 and loved it. In a new bike I want feet firmly on the ground, a bike for my 85% road and 15% easy fireroads/ trails. With this said, a bike most comfortable on 2-3 hour road edventures/ cruising. Lots of choices and your article helped, thank you.
Hey Mark
Great article, and wonderful spreadsheet. I’m in a similar scenario today to you six months ago … facing mid-life head on, and embracing the need to have some freedom on the road
I see from your socials you went for the Scram 411? What steered you that way? I’m a big fan of the Scrambler style, and like (love?) the Triumph 400x, though I’m 5’6″, so the Speed or the Honda CL500 with lower seat heights appeal. A Ducati Sixty2 (second hand) is another idea. I’m looking forward to some test rides after the holiday season
Christchurch based here too, as I pull the trigger on buying a bike in February, hopefully see you on the roads
Thanks again for the hard work into your article & spreadsheet !
Kyle
You’ve got the basis there for a genuinely comprehensive comparison. Well done on the construction of the spreadsheet although I’ve yet to be able to view it on a proper screen.
One area you might like to add is the price AND availability of common breakage spares & maintenance items…Eg…OEM mirrors, front brake & clutch levers, handguards, engine oil filters.
In respect of the bikes themselves it’s actually pleasing to see how many options there are in the sub 500cc category…I wasn’t even aware the 300cc Kawasaki existed…but there again I’ve never been a big fan of Kawasakis.
The Triumph 400X is an “interesting” bike and there were reasons why your fellow industry gent at CMG was so quick to proffer the 450MT in its place, dealer margins being the prime one…LOL? The Triumph 400s have a reputation for bugginess which Triumph themselves seem unable or uninterested in getting on top of. You need to be aware the 400X “Scrambler” is by no means a genuine off roader but merely a marketing exercise. The bikes Owners Manual even prohibits the bike being jumped or rock/log hopped. It’s fine for harder packed unsealed roads…but you could probably say that of most road bikes too. Show it anything slippery, deep in gravel or genuinely off-road gnarly and you will wish you’d stayed on your MTB bike or purchased a donkey.
The Suzuki hoses all over the lot of them in terms of price and it’s price advantage is even greater with the local distributors Summer Fest pricing.
The 450MT attracted an almost curiously large amount of good press before anyone in this country…and others…had even had a chance to sit on the bike let alone test it. It’s certainly sold well since arriving in NZ but I’m wondering if there’s not a lingering suspicion about the model & the brand itself’s longevity…which leads me to the…
KTM390. The KTM factory & its tech heavy parent group are in genuine financial dodo at present. Reliability issues with other KTM models and an apparent tardy factory response to the problem hasn’t helped their cause. In respect of the 390 these are made by Bajav Industries in India, (the same factory that makes the Triumph 400s), and build quality especially in respect of paint and trim longevity is reported as being suspect. The 390’s appearance is challenging for some including yours truly with the headlight assembly in line for some sort of industry Oscar for pure out of place ugliness!
The Honda 230…(now a 300?) is possibly one of the more tech compliant genuine off roaders but comes with a price tag that reflects a higher spec machine.
The BMW G310GS, most likely made in China, has some semblance of having genuine “adventure” credentials but suffers in my book from having an overbloated look to it.
The Honda CB500X is yet another of those “platform” bikes whereby the factory attempts to get maximum marketing & sales mileage out of a single donk. There’s nothing especially good or bad about it and in decades to come may well be regarded as the CB200 of it’s era…stolid, unspectacular but comfortable & reliable.
My pick…The Suzuki DS250 V-Strom 250SX. Cheap & cheerful, reliable, light, totally fit for purpose and having the advantage of being a brand that’s now being around for 75 years.
If I were in your boots, I would check Honda dealerships asap. They had Honda CB500X adventure bikes on run out for just a touch over $10K. They are real “sweet spot” bikes, much superior in every respect to any on your shortlist IMO. As an experienced, older rider, I recently bought the new model replacing it – Honda NX500. It’s a gem of a machine. But don’t take my word for it. Read the rave reviews they get. By the way, LAMS is NOT restricted to 600CC. It’s done on power to weight ratio now. Some are up to 700CC on the NZTA approved list. Good luck & ride safe.
Thanks Hoppy! Appreciate your insights on the Honda. Will be sure to check it out when the time comes to upgrade/switch!
Thanks Kyle! Awesome to hear it, and by now you will have bought your bike. Hope you’re enjoying it. I ended up with the Scram 411 in kind of a full circle, given it was Joe Ryan’s videos on a Scram 411 that made me first start considering a bike. I’d actually grown keen on the Triumph 400X Scrambler but buying new turned out to be pushing my limit, and a used 2022 Scram 411 was listed locally and ended up being a good compromise. It’s turned out to be perfect for what I want to do, and I do like the scrambler-style bike. I think I’ll reserve buying the more adventure-style bike until I’ve got my full licence and know more about what I want from a bike.
See you out there!
Damn, thanks Terry. That’s some very details insights you’ve provided there, I really appreciate it. Sorry it took so long to approve and reply – usually the comments are inundated with spam so they go into a queue for approval, and in all honesty I rarely get genuine comments so don’t check it very often! A pleasure to find that this article had attracted some quality feedback, though. Thanks again and see you on the road.
Paul, thanks for your comment! So glad the article could help in some way. Stay safe out there :)
Thanks Peter! Great to hear you’re progressing through your licence and enjoying the ride. See you out there!