What defines a good adventure bike rider?

[Fransw]

To put things in some form of perspective, these riders I see in morning and afternoon traffic on our busy roads are at higher risk than the rider crossing a desert.

Fact!..

[DUSTRIDERS]

To put things in some form of perspective, these riders I see in morning and afternoon traffic on our busy roads are at higher risk than the rider crossing a desert.

Die apteek Vespa's now they live dangerously and adventourisly every day.

[Oilspill]

An adventurer is going into the unknown "for you", taking informed risks when the majority crowd says it's dangerous or impossible, not being suicidal but facing your fears, not giving up but pushing through, all with a sense of wonder that even in our little corner of the world we will never experience it all, and yet we must endeavor to do just that, why? Well because we are alive and it's there to experience.

It is not the kit you have, the marketing you believe, the story you tell, or the fame you achieve that defines you as adventurer,  only you can define your own truth.


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[2StrokeDan]

An adventurer is going into the unknown "for you", taking informed risks when the majority crowd says it's dangerous or impossible, not being suicidal but facing your fears, not giving up but pushing through, all with a sense of wonder that even in our little corner of the world we will never experience it all, and yet we must endeavor to do just that, why? Well because we are alive and it's there to experience.

It is not the kit you have, the marketing you believe, the story you tell, or the fame you achieve that defines you as adventurer,  only you can define your own truth.


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Very true, and yet so sad to see how many riders get a less than full experience because of the marketing experience they believe.

If I had no money for any decent motorcycle, I'd be "exploring" around on a cheap Chinamen, yet finances keep many away from riding because they cannot afford a "real" bike.

[Oubones]

An adventurer is going into the unknown "for you", taking informed risks when the majority crowd says it's dangerous or impossible, not being suicidal but facing your fears, not giving up but pushing through, all with a sense of wonder that even in our little corner of the world we will never experience it all, and yet we must endeavor to do just that, why? Well because we are alive and it's there to experience.

It is not the kit you have, the marketing you believe, the story you tell, or the fame you achieve that defines you as adventurer,  only you can define your own truth.


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Very true, and yet so sad to see how many riders get a less than full experience because of the marketing experience they believe.

If I had no money for any decent motorcycle, I'd be "exploring" around on a cheap Chinamen, yet finances keep many away from riding because they cannot afford a "real" bike.

Oh ok, now I know why I took an rd400 on the Sabie area foresty roads!
Thanks guys now after all these years of being told I am mad, I realise not more than you Dan

[WNaude]

Hi Guys,
Probably too late, but as a 30 year old, with adventure running through my veins, here is my 2 cents worth: 

Kobus is spot on with his saying that most 20 to 30 year olds can’t afford an adventure bike, thus not fully experience the adventure rider spirit. I could never afford a proper adventure bike but my finances did allow me to buy a few forgotten Honda XR classics which I restored.

None the less that never stopped me from having an adventure. Whether it was building my own “kaskar” and riding it down in our street, or having to be very fortunate and doing a solo trip through Namibia on my boet’s 1150 GSA.

To me it is all about the spirit inside you, your willingness to explore and eagerness to see the unforeseen. If you have that passion, it can never be taken away. Passion is something that can’t be learned nor bought. Mechanical skills, endurance, stamina, strength, knowledge is all things you learn as life takes you on various journeys. Having all these skills doesn’t make you an adventure rider, it make you a good rider. Adventure comes from within.

Reading all the comment above and having followed the 2017 Quest closely, I can only dream of achieving all these things. But I will stand to my point, as a 30 year old I might not have all the skills and experience that defines a good adventure rider, but my passion, willingness and drive to learn, explore and go that extra mile makes me an adventure rider. I am young, I am fit, I am strong and I have passion. These are the only things that I can use to grow and evolve into a true experienced adventure rider.

I have learned all the necessary skills to take care of my bike, but no one has taught me to have a passion for adventure.

Getting on my bike every weekend and just driving on any dirt road I can find for as long and far as I can, man that feeling can never be taken away and sends chills down my spine.

[XR boy]

The one that comes home in one piece from whatever the ride


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[BuRP]

I knew that before I started the thread. Very interesting though - the different takes on what adventure really is.

You earlier mentioned the Land Rover Camel Challenge.
Does anybody know why Toyota Landcruisers never were used?
It wouldn't have been a challenge anymore!



Nice thread, needs a bit of humour 

[JoeR]

The one that comes home in one piece from whatever the ride

That does not only apply to adventure bikers ....

[Grunder]

A Bike

[Frikadel]

Good sense of humor, exceptional braaing skills and know exactly how your riding buddies take their alcoholic beverages.

The rest will come naturally.


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[DUSTRIDERS]

Good sense of humor, exceptional braaing skills and know exactly how your riding buddies take their alcoholic beverages.

The rest will come naturally.


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And you must know how to boskak the correct way!!

One of the may positive side effects of taking Psyllium Husk is that it makes your kak solid.

Why is this a good thing?

Boskakking!

There’s nothing worse than a boskak that doesn’t go well - especially in motorcycle gear. Psyllium Husk makes it a one-and-done deal. That also means that you pollute the bos less, because you use much less toilet paper.

aka (kaka) Boskak Bruce!!

[Gerrard]

Good sense of humor, exceptional braaing skills and know exactly how your riding buddies take their alcoholic beverages.

The rest will come naturally.


Sent from my SM-A515F using Tapatalk

And you must know how to boskak the correct way!!

One of the may positive side effects of taking Psyllium Husk is that it makes your kak solid.

Why is this a good thing?

Boskakking!

There’s nothing worse than a boskak that doesn’t go well - especially in motorcycle gear. Psyllium Husk makes it a one-and-done deal. That also means that you pollute the bos less, because you use much less toilet paper.

aka (kaka) Boskak Bruce!!

Eerste trip grens toe ontplooi ons tydens opleiding nog in ons overalls. Daai eerste paar dae kry jy mos nou jippo's van die water. Daar is so trens genaamd Rooies op ons buffel. Met 'n keer vang hy so slap bossie maar vergeet om sy overall deur te trek en voor sy bors te hou. Toe hy hom nou oor sy rug gooi smeer hy homself van sy kroontjie tot by sy hakskene. Daar's nie water nie.

Hy het die res van die week aan die roll bar vasgeklou agter op die bin tot by die vlg basis.

[DUSTRIDERS]

Good sense of humor, exceptional braaing skills and know exactly how your riding buddies take their alcoholic beverages.

The rest will come naturally.


Sent from my SM-A515F using Tapatalk

And you must know how to boskak the correct way!!

One of the may positive side effects of taking Psyllium Husk is that it makes your kak solid.

Why is this a good thing?

Boskakking!

There’s nothing worse than a boskak that doesn’t go well - especially in motorcycle gear. Psyllium Husk makes it a one-and-done deal. That also means that you pollute the bos less, because you use much less toilet paper.

aka (kaka) Boskak Bruce!!

Eerste trip grens toe ontplooi ons tydens opleiding nog in ons overalls. Daai eerste paar dae kry jy mos nou jippo's van die water. Daar is so trens genaamd Rooies op ons buffel. Met 'n keer vang hy so slap bossie maar vergeet om sy overall deur te trek en voor sy bors te hou. Toe hy hom nou oor sy rug gooi smeer hy homself van sy kroontjie tot by sy hakskene. Daar's nie water nie.

Hy het die res van die week aan die roll bar vasgeklou agter op die bin tot by die vlg basis.

Selfde ding met Savage gebeur na  paar dae naby Rundu in hul "deurgangskamp" waar ons geleef het van steaknkidney in unlabelled blikkies!!
Toe ons Mashare se werf inry op daai wit Samag lorries toe sê ek"spring Savage"!! Met hartseer gesig het hy net gesê "te laat"!!!
Hyt op sy hurke teen die klap gesit hy was vol tot by sy kraag en sokkies!!!!
Klere weggegooi en met hosepyp afgespuit.
Onthou jy daai maand buite Rundu? Jis daai Rundu had n gawe savi winkel, ek sweer die kartonne Winston Box het baie lekkerder daar geproe of was dit die feit dat my ma my twee cartons Lexington Umathiya toe gestuur het want sy het net die rooi en wit pakkie onthou!!!

[roxenz]

Enjoyed going through this fred. Lots of insightful comments.

My own take on "what defines a good adventure rider?" is that it is a zen question. And if you have to ask the question, you won't understand the answer.

As to what makes a trip an adventure, I can be absolutely clear. If you find yourself with a bit of a cold sweat, and distinctly out of your comfort zone, it is an adventure.