NEWS | TRAVEL SCENE: DUO93 ADVENTURE – The perfect motorbike for a trip around the world

Renata and Dieter, aka duo93adventure, have gained a lot of experience on well over 200,000 motorbike kilometres around the globe - and on two very different bikes. So is the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure or the Yamaha Ténéré 700 the better motorbike for travelling around the world?

We had already covered around 170,000 kilometres on our BMW R 1250 GS Adventure, which is extensively equipped with Touratech products from the suspension, protection, ergonomics and luggage segments, when we reached the Peruvian capital Lima. Time to take stock.

 BMW R 1250 GS: MANY PROs, FEW CONs

We had already covered around 170,000 kilometres on our BMW R 1250 GS Adventure, which is extensively equipped with Touratech products from the chassis, protection, ergonomics and luggage segments, when we reached the Peruvian capital Lima. We didn't have to think long to give the Adventure top marks for reliability, range, ergonomics, rideability, engine characteristics, ease of maintenance and availability of spare parts. It took a little more thought to identify the real weak points. But they do exist.

In our experience, the only downer in the otherwise convincing overall concept of the Adventure is the high weight and the associated rather low payload. Even without accessories and luggage, the R 1250 GS Adventure weighs 267 kilograms. If you add the accessories and luggage, the starting weight is around 320 kilograms - without rider.

Even on the countless challenging gravel tracks we had to tackle, the high weight hardly caused any problems, but on loose surfaces and during everyday manoeuvring you can feel the pounds.

In our way of travelling, we try to be gentle on the material and tyres, so we don't really need 136 hp and 143 Newton metres. Basically, we are overpowered - with the corresponding excess weight.

70 KILOS HAVE TO COME OFF

So we asked ourselves which motorbike in the class up to 200 kilograms could be suitable for our purposes. In addition to a weight reduction of around 70 kilograms, other important criteria were a good price-performance ratio, low petrol consumption, a large selection of Touratech accessories and an acceptable loss in value. After careful consideration, we opted for the Yamaha Ténéré 700.

While we were still travelling in the Amazon region, we started a Ténéré project with Touratech and Motorradhaus Limbächer so that we could set off for the Orient on the freshly built Ténérés after our return from South America. For the time being, our GS remained in South America for further adventures.

YAMAHA T7: OFFROAD FUN WITH THE AGILE TWIN

The Ténéré 700 initially impressed us with its lightness and agility. Compared to the Adventure, it almost feels like a bicycle. The lower output of ‘only’ 73 hp did not bother us, nor did the spartan equipment and the lack of assistance systems. The strengths of the T7 clearly lie in the off-road area. The 21-inch front wheel and the high-torque twin are great fun off-road. Its reliability also proved to be outstanding.

However, the longer we travelled on our tour through the Orient, the more we missed the characteristics of the GS - especially its range, performance, superior turning ability, assistance systems and, last but not least, comfort.

A QUESTION OF PRIORITIES

To judge which of the two bikes is the better world tourer is of course a little unfair. After all, you have to pay about twice as much for the BMW as for the Yamaha. For our requirements, however, the R 1250 GS Adventure has the edge. If you attach more importance to handling and off-road capability and therefore opt for the Yamaha Ténéré 700, we recommend upgrading the bike with wheels for tubeless tyres, a larger tank, Touratech seat, heated grips, automatic chain lubrication and a suspension system from Touratech Suspension. This package drastically increases the T7's long-distance capability and suitability for travelling.

DUO93ADVENTURE ON (AND OFF) THE ROAD

North Atlantic (2021) Germany - Denmark - Iceland - Netherlands - Belgium - France - England - Wales - Ireland - Northern Ireland - Scotland

To the ends of the earth (2021/2022) Chile - Argentina

Discover South America (2022/2023) Chile - Argentina - Uruguay - Brazil - Paraguay - Chile - Bolivia - Peru

Amazonas / Machu Picchu (2023) Peru - Brazil - Argentina

Journey through the Orient (2023) Germany - Austria - Italy - Slovenia - Croatia - Bosnia and Herzegovina - Montenegro - Albania - Greece - Turkey - Iran - Iraq - Kuwait - Saudi Arabia - Bahrain - Qatar - Oman - United Arab Emirates

South America Good Bye (2024) Brazil - Argentina - Chile

You can find out which destinations Renata and Dieter will be travelling to next on duo93adventure's social media channels and on their homepage at www.duo93adventure.com