I think that TWB's view would also apply for the majority on here.
Thing is, we are a niche market in the motorcycling world, certainly in the western MC world...

When I first got into biking at the spotty, awkward age of 17 (it was for me) and finally got my first set of ballistic 12bhp wheels at 19, biking was still something of a fraternity. In the SE of England that has certainly changed since 1992: it is now either a commuting tool, or a weekend luxury toy. The fraternity has dwindled and the priorities have changed.

People want gadgetry, and speed or gadgetry and chrome. So back to us, here, in the overland market. What do we want, predominantly? Reliability, low-weight, comfort, decent MPG and often scope for off-road.

Not the same requirements as the masses...

So, in a nutshell, I too want something I understand and given that I am not massively mechanically minded: the simpler the better: a Ural, and a XR400r.

The Ural is basic in design but my model (2007) has been blessed with decent quality components and this has made a big difference. The XR too is straight forward: aircooled, single cylinder, basic wiring loom. I only wish I had researched a bit more as the oil changes bother me.

However, I will say that all this is largely for my peace of mind: despite all the horror stories, I do believe that, on the whole, most bikes are reliable nowadays, if well looked after.... just choose the right tool for the job...

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Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)