Best adventure motorcycle for self-isolation tour

Health organizations advise that people keep a 6 feet distance between them during the coronavirus pandemic: “either 6 feet away or 6 feet under.”

The further the better. How about 6 miles? Or 60? Or 600 miles?

There are many far-away open roads out there. Getting on your motorcycle would be ideal.

There are a bunch of great cruiser or touring motorcycles that will suit the need: Harley-Davidson Road Glide, Indian Roadmaster, Yamaha Star Venture, Honda Gold Wing, BMW K1600GT or R1250RT.

But with more than 12 million motorcycle in the United States and more than that in Europe, and more than a million in the UK and in Australia each, if all grab the chance to escape the lockdown there won’t be much room for social distancing.

Spare a thought for motorcyclists in the East; they can hardly consider a self-isolation tour. According to World Atlas, in Indonesia about 85% of the households own a motorbike; that is approximately 80 million two-wheelers. Vietnam has a population of 96 million people and 45 million motorbikes. The 18 million households in Thailand own some 20 million motorbikes. (Albeit mostly scooters.)

For the record, there are some 200 million motorcycles and 1 billion cars in the world.

Best adventure motorcycles for self-isolation

That leaves self-isolation touring to the adventure motorcycle segment, which is about 20% of the modern motorcycle market, sans scooters.

Imagine if adventure bikers were allowed to escape to the gravel roads, safely away from crowded communities, occasionally dropping into towns only for a quick “distanced” fuel top-up. Perfect.

Which adventure motorcycle would you choose?

We are spoilt for choice.

For a nice slow tour, consider the Kawasaki Versys X-300 or the Honda ADV 750.

However, you’ll need to load up on food and drinks thus might rather want to go off-road on the beautiful Moto Guzzi V85TT, the BMW F850GS, KTM 790 Adventure R or the Triumph Tiger 900 Rally.

1 + pillion self-isolation tour

After the coronavirus lockdown there will either be many new babies or many divorces. Time will tell but, since more than 60% of motorcyclists are married, it might be a good idea to take your missus (and her luggage) along. Thus a bigger adventure motorcycle.

Again, there are excellent choices for two-up touring: Honda Africa Twin, Yamaha 1200 Super Ténéré ES, Suzuki V-Strom 1050XT, KTM 1290 Super Adventure R, Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro, or, of course, the BMW 1250 GS Adventure. If you’re lucky enough to own a Moto Guzzi Stelvio or the brilliant Aprilia Caponord ETV 1000, you’re all set.

Which of these models went furthest or lasted longest. Take a look at the List of long-distance motorcycle riders. Also have a look at the amazing long-distance travel stories by Paul Pelland (longhaulpaul) and RTW Paul (who has been on the road since March 2011).

Before you throw a leg over, you might want to know what famous motorcycle reviewer Ryan Kluftinger of Fortnine has to say.

2+ self-isolation tour

Then again, how can you and your partner do a self-isolation adventure tour without your best friend/s. For that, you’ll be better off with a go-anywhere, 2-wheel-drive sidecar Ural motorcycle.

On the other hand, if you have deep pockets you might like to escape the pandemic on a private yacht or personal jet.

If none of the above falls within your grasp, consider spending the lockdown reading motorcycle adventure books.

Whichever you choose, stay safe!

05/04/2020. Category: Wheels. Topic: motorcycles.