Beginner Adventure Motorcycle Riders Should AVOID These Bikes in 2026...

Search for “best beginner ADV bike” and you’ll find an amazingly wide variety of answers. Everyone has an opinion and everyone’s personal bike is obviously the best bike ever even though they have zero experience with any others. HUGE thanks to Quad Lock for sponsoring this video and the channel. Find out more about the best motorcycle phone mounts and cases money can buy here: https://bit.ly/4hQ7npt I’m not an expert, but I have ridden most and owned many of the bikes people suggest as good for ADV beginners and there are some features and criteria that make certain bikes better for mixed on and off pavement riding than others. Let’s talk about the oft-suggested good “beginner ADV bikes” that I think you should avoid. I’ve touched on the ADV bikes I do recommend for beginners a bit in this video, but if you want to see the full list with explanations for each, check out my previous video, which I’ll link for you: https://youtu.be/UiNOIvtIluE Bike choice is subjective and what works best for one person may not work at all for another. I’m as biased as any other rider out there, but I’ve ridden with, talked to, and even coached a large number of new ADV riders and based on the trends I see, you’re going to be better off in the long run if you avoid these “beginner” ADV bikes. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:45 What Makes a Good Beginner ADV Bike 02:12 What Makes a BAD Beginner Adventure Motorcycle 03:50 Honda NX500/Honda CB500X 05:14 Quad Lock Ad 06:47 BMW 450 GS 08:41 Kawasaki Versys-X 300 09:58 Kawasaki KLR 650 12:05 ANY ADV Motorcycle over 500cc 12:49 Motorcycle Choice is Subjective 13:40 Outro SUBSCRIBE for more adventures, how-tos, gear reviews, and moto shenanigans! http://bit.ly/dorkintheroad Want early access to videos and other perks? Become a channel member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrKYAp8fkN8yCbxcNK375rA/join Dork in the Road stickers and other merch available at: https://motocampnerd.com/collections/dork-in-the-road-merch?ref=dork Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/adorkintheroad TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dorkintheroad Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=26709234 Channel Sponsors: Brake Free: https://brakefreetech.superfiliate.com/DORKINTHEROAD (save $10 with promo code "dorkintheroad") Cyclops Adventure Lighting: https://www.cyclopsadventuresports.com/?AffId=15 (save 10% with promo code "dorkintheroad) MotoCamp Nerd: https://motocampnerd.com/?ref=dork Quad Lock: Save 10% at https://www.quadlockcase.net/discount/dorkintheroad with promo code "dorkintheroad" Want to support the channel when you buy your dual sport or ADV gear and mods? Please consider using these affiliate links: Rocky Mountain ATV/MC: https://tinyurl.com/23sjhhwr Brake Free: https://brakefreetech.superfiliate.com/DORKINTHEROAD (save $10 with promo code "dorkintheroad") Mosko Moto: https://moskomoto.com/dorkintheroad Amazon: https://amzn.to/3aDkk4z Revzilla: https://imp.i104546.net/4eMdJZ MotoCamp Nerd: https://motocampnerd.com/?ref=dork Cyclops Adventure Lighting: https://www.cyclopsadventuresports.com/?AffId=15 (save 10% with promo code "dorkintheroad) Amain Hobbies: https://alnk.to/7Bil0C0 Save 10% on https://butlermaps.com/ with promo code "dorkintheroad." Save 10% at https://www.quadlockcase.net/discount/dorkintheroad with promo code "dorkintheroad" Save 10% on Motion Footpegs (https://motionfactoryracing.com/) with promo code "dorkintheroad" Cardo Systems: https://cardosystems.rfrl.co/e2vdy (use promo code "dorkintheroad" to save 10%) Save 10% at Seat Concepts with promo code "DORKRD2025" Thank you for supporting the channel by clicking on the affiliate links in this description. FULL DISCLOSURE: MotoCamp Nerd pays me to create content for his YouTube channel. This isn't a "sponsorship" per se, but it does mean I use their products exclusively and may impact my opinions about camping gear. Fortunately their stuff is good so I'm happy to recommend it, but just FYI. Disclaimer for reasons: I am not a professional journalist, expert motorcycle rider, or a mechanic. These videos are for entertainment purposes and represent my personal opinions and experiences. I'm just a dude who isn't even good at riding or making videos, so be smart and don't risk life or limb trying to follow my example or advice.