Edde after seeing where you crossed the Sahara on your K75 I would put that right up there as the most underrated travel bike.

So I am going to through the pro's and con's to the quad travel
Quad Cons
Thumb Throttle- must change out to twist throttle (that was our first mod)
Fuel consumption - 25 mpg (US miles and gallons)
Tires - have to plan ahead and have DHL deliver if traveling in the 3rd world.
Top Speed - only 50mph ( but we found that there is no need to do more than that in Africa, we were there to see the place so why fly by at 100 and miss it all)

Quad Pros
Storage - ability to carry 4 times more gear than a motorcycle.. my wife took all her camera equipment and now has signed a book deal. On a motorcycle she wouldnt have been able to carry the amount of gear she brought.
Terrain - the ability for a beginner to easily cross terrain that would challenge a Dakar Rally rider.
Novelty - on a motorcycle we couldnt get a magazine company to even talk to us, we were not famous moviestars with support vehicles, but on quads we write for 4 different magazines, in the end got a book deal and we even broke a Guinness World Record. *Diclaimer- we didnt do the trip for any hopes of fame or breaking records but it was nice to get the publicity while doing the trip.
Feeling - believe it or not you still get the same rush and feeling of the wind in your face and the sense of freedom that comes with a bike.
Safety - we did not fall over a single time, hitting dogs, chickens, pigs was never a concern. When we traveled in Mali on the BMW we had to miss some of the best countryside because we fell off the bike and hurt my wifes knee. But with the quads falling over in deep sand wasnt a concern.

Hey I just wanted to add that on my first trip around the world I couldnt get any magazine or media to publish a single article that I wrote. The thing about motorcycle traveling is that unless you are a jedi night that pretends to have his bmw panniers fulll you cant pay your bills. So traveling by quad I have now made serious money (well over $10,000) by writing articles. The cool thing about quads is that nobody does it. So please anyone who wants to try something different let me know and I can point you in the right direction.
Cheers,
Josh

Like T-W-B, I have a sidecar outfit (Ural) and so, having experienced now what a sidecar is like to ride, I do not feel the "Quad is like a car, because you do not have the sense of Freedom" arguement applies.

As someone said, ride/drive what you like. Having struggled in places, two-up, on our bike in S. America, I do know what it feels like to miss the scenery and only watch the "road", so I can empathise with that, too.

For me the reasons I would not (barring the fact I already have a Outfit for "terrain" peace of mind) use a Quad are the following.

Mainly expense: We do our travelling as a couple, predominantly, and so to use Quads we would have to buy two as, by all accounts, I understand they are "single rider". Then, as Josh mentioned there is the aspect of tyre availability, let alone other spares (although spares for newer bikes would probably have to be couriered in, anyway). Then there is my complete lack of mechanical knowledge surrounding quads, although I'm sure it has a lot of cross-over with bikes so perhaps not such a problem.

In short, I think cost would be the most prohibitive. Note these are all practical reasons, and not some vehement revolt against the non-bike.

I consider myself a biker, through and through, and for a long time I think that meant "damned if I'll ever give more that two-wheels even a second glance!!". Since coming to the conclusion that, whilkstmI still own and enjoy a bike, for travel with my partner, the Ural is the best solution and very good fun it its own right. So, if it takes your fancy, I say Quad away to your hearts content.

So when do we see some pictures, then??

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

Hi All

Like Josh I’m sold on the idea of Quads/ATVs.

Having held a bike licence for 30+ years and have driven trikes then quads for more than 15 in my work as a contract shepherd.

So much so I’m in the process of planning an overland trip all be it at a more sedate pace than Josh as I’ll be diesel powered plus hauling a custom built trailer.

Cheers
Chris

Chris, I'd love to hear more about your plans, either here or by mail.

__________________

I'd happily ride Africa on a Quad.. I reckon it would be "sensible" and also "Fun" choice.

I can certainly see the advantages of a quad. Being able to ride pretty much anywhere without the risk of being hurt or swallowed by mud and rivers..

You still get the sights, smells and sounds of not being in a "TIN BOX" but without the limiting factors of a bike..

On the other hand.. I can't imagine it giving you adrenaline, fun and freedom feeling that can only be had on 2 wheels..

I ride a bike because I don't want to be sensible.. If I did, I would have a car and drive to Rhyl.

So to answer your question... NO, its not better than a bike but much better and much more of an fun experience than a Landcruise/Landrover etc.

P.S. I think the reason you didnt enjoy your offroad parts is you picked a heavy TANK of a BMW1150GS... Personally, I think they are marvel of great marketing as far as Adventure bikes go. (but each to their own)

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.