In the end the Derbi Terra Adventure won me over, even over the plain Terra which I'd previously prefered. It was the little things that swung it between the two, like handguards, and not liking red, they really are the same bike after all. Also the dealers I'd tested them at had sold the Terra, and were willing to give me a good price on their demo model Adventure so in the end the Adventure worked out cheaper than the Terra plus extras, so that was another great reason. And they gave me more coffee, a good deal on a jacket and gloves, serviced the bike before I rode out the door and said come back in a month or two for us to check it over once it's run in - free. Put that in your pipe and smoke it Mister Honda.
I've not yet toured on her (she's a she I'm sure) but she's got about 1400kms on her now, and all's going well, tip-toeing on cambered roads hasn't been a problem because the bike's plenty light enough for her size and anyway I do what all French bikers seem to do and sit myself in the middle. The luggage looks to be pretty good quality too, although so far it's held my shopping and not my camping gear, I'm sure it's made by someone else but it's branded as Derbi, one day I'll have to try and work out who it is. I'm waiting on my top box from them though but the built in luggage rack seems sturdy enough and theres plenty of things to bungee onto if I wanted to put a stuff sack on instead.
Quality of manufacture seems excellent, the paint's good and thick looking and very scratch resistant, all the welds look good (but what do I know) and the everything fits together well, and most things come apart easily if you want them to. There's a couple of annoyances - the tank's a bit small, and there's no fuel guage, just a warning light that comes on when the reserve level has been reached, it'd be nicer to have a proper fuel guage. Mind you I fill up so rarely because the consumption seems so low that perhaps that doesn't matter too much, and I have made myself a nice dipstick. I've noticed that Derbi now have a 250cc engine in their range, how long before they pop this in the frame I wonder? I reckon that'd be a great lightweight tourer too.
Performance has always been fairly brisk, at least compared to memories of old CG125s, and I've never felt I couldn't keep up with the traffic even on the RN (110 kmh 70mph limits), although there's one sharp bend followed by long hill on my way home which does seem to sap that a bit and I end up at the top doing about 85kmh when the speed limit is 90, but I've noticed as she frees up a bit this is improving. Off-road I've done nothing more serious than gravel fire tracks which are all hard-packed and quite well maintained, but she' grips well and the potholes don't end up shaking my teeth out.
So the next thing is the tour, she's due for her free service in a couple of 100kms and hopefully the top box will be in by then so the plan is to head off for a few days after that, and get some touring miles in, I doubt I'll go far from home, but I want to give her a good test on a variety of roads to see how she feels fully loaded. Then off to wheelie-school so I can be a right proper Charley.
Oh and I stumbled on
THIS website yesterday for those who doubt a 125 as a tourer. Argentina to Australia - four years and two Yammie YBRs.
Would I recommend ithe Terra Adventure? Well Ok My bike experience is very limited, and I've only ridden something with an engine bigger than a 125 a couple of times so I have little to compare to, but I have to say - YES, if you want a lightweight, but full-size feeling bike she's excellent, and the Adventure equipment is a big plus. There might be a trade off speed against weight, but from might point of view touring is about looking at my surroundings, not watching the blur as I whizz past.
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