HP2 Adventure

[(RIP) maverick]

There is nothing else the HP2 does better - try naming something.

Been commuting the last two weeks with my HP2 into town and so far every single day been stopped or told by different riders on their various bikes that the HP2 is a) Awesome looking bike b)A beast of a machine

Number of times had this said about my previous Africa Twin, R1100GS etc - zero

So I might as well name that it does very very well in the posuer department

The HP2 does not make any sense when you start comparing it to financial economics but neither does sending freaking people to the moon Life is to short to worry about the minor details and thus far not one minute of regret buying the HP2 - I love it

So my only main reason for buying a HP2 is - Because I can

 

[snoopy]

Now that's the reason why I'd buy it.

 

[beachman]

hp2

snoop dude, u are digging deep with this drz story, You can travel (in hardship) on any small engined bike and get to where you want to go. Yes single track and short trips of say 3,000 kms in the outback but if u want to pack your bike travel big distances and the dirt tracks and cover big transport sections at speed,you are going to be on a twin cyl bike. The only exceptions are say the ktm 640 adv, and to a lesser extent the klr and dr 650's. where their cruising range allows them to cover some big kms. The hp2 can tour, ive done it so you are just going to have to except it or question it and thats up to you. The hp2 has short falls in areas of tank,fairing and luggage placement , all of which are being sorted by various mobs as we speak.
Now to reliability, shaft beats chain anyday.mile eating big twin vibrates less and stops you missing the ferry from some port, when your miles away in some little town and u need to gas it.All in all enjoy your drz but dare i say, "dont come to a gun fight with a slingshot"

 

[Loiq]

What beachman says is true but there is the other side which I can also see, if your really roughing it the smaller the bike the better. I just watched the DVD from Mondo Enduro again and I can see the benifit of a bike that weighs less is easier to pick up etc. They even mention that every now and then they'd meet people on the trip with big monster bikes who could not make the rough camping locations they'd scouted on the little bikes as the big ones just got stuck.

Forcing them to abandon the site and I guess making them think that big bikes are not the way forward. Perhaps also as they formed into a small band of travellers all being on the same sort of bike and any new comer would have always been an outsider, no matter what bike they're on.

There's merit in both and I think for what it's worth you take your choice and see how you get on, it's more important to go on the trip than what method you use. Lots of people are pepetual planners not so many are actual travellers.

 

[ChasF]

There's a long thread on advrider about using KTM 525exc as adventure bikes. Most enduros are hard work on the road due to the low gearing but I've not tried it so I can't really comment.

Personally, small engine and the prospect of a long road trip, I'd probably stay in bed. I've always thought an airhead GS or G/S with some adaptions is the best compromise and the HP2 is the more modern equivalent but everyone has their own idea of what an adventure is. There is always going to be a compromise in terms of tyres, gearing and luggage capacity.

 

[Trippy]

Im beginning to hate this thread cos I keep thinking about them.
Tell me, what are they like on the road on TK's, covering miles on the motorway, A and B road riding, loaded? Are they shit uncomfortable?




Edit - Please tell me their shit

 

[Loiq]

aye? I've fitted mine with the knobblies used at the school in wales, perfect tool to reduce speeding related offences.

Contact patch front smaller than 3x 1 pence pieces rear contact patch is about size of matchbox probably less. makes a noise and feels like sitting on cement mixer the tyres are not TK's think they are desertios? probably not road legal.... had a few odd looks from police cars but as I smile back they may have thought I was harmless....

on road tyres the air shock is alright not bumpy or horrible actually rather comfy

with 60 kg on back and the travel set to maximum farking lethal sorry wrong term lively sounds better

Stand corrected bridgestone motorcross m201 front and metzler whatever on the back can't read it and can't be fagged to move it all over.

 

[darkhorse]

Im beginning to hate this thread cos I keep thinking about them.
Tell me, what are they like on the road on TK's, covering miles on the motorway, A and B road riding, loaded? Are they shit uncomfortable?




Edit - Please tell me their shit

ditto

 

[AndyT]

Im beginning to hate this thread cos I keep thinking about them.
Tell me, what are they like on the road on TK's, covering miles on the motorway, A and B road riding, loaded? Are they shit uncomfortable?




Edit - Please tell me their shit

Bad news Trippy - they are a really nice ride on the road.

I have the original Metzler Karoos on mine (Havn't tried the road wheels yet as still struggling to fing a courier that will collect on a Saturday). Just had a new rear fitted today, it has only lasted about 3000 miles but at £52 a pop they are cheap to replace.

When I bought the bike from Jeremy I rode it from Kingston upon Thames back up to Aberdeen in a single run. I set off around 4pm and stopped off at My brothers for about a hour then cracked on and arrived about 0200 in the morning. Got straight off the bike with no sore feelings at all.

I'm off to Kelso in the morning complete with tent etc... and that will be the proof of riding it loaded up. My R100GS PD Loaded up is so light at the front end its unbelievable and the front wheel is like a supermarket trolley if I take my hands off the bars

You know you want one.....

 

[Loiq]

get an HP you'll not regret it appart from not having the money anymore that is.... mental bike, first bike I've ever had when people stop you to say it's cool...

 

[NZGSer]

Im beginning to hate this thread cos I keep thinking about them.

Go on, you know you want one

The HP2 doesn't make any sense, but that's a good enough reason to have one - oh, and it's gorgeous, pulls great wheelies, and rocks in the dirt/on the beach/in the bush .............

What's a DRZ

 

[Trippy]

Go on, you know you want one

Your right I do but I also like my 1150 and I cant have two bikes .

How would an HP2 get on living outdoors, is the build quality any better or worse than an 1150?

 

[NZGSer]

Your right I do but I also like my 1150 and I cant have two bikes

Lose the 1150 then

I intended keeping my Dakar when I got the HP, I ended up selling it pretty quickly - I never rode it again, and the other 3 bikes in my garage don't get out much anymore either

 

[ovenpaa]

Your right I do but I also like my 1150 and I cant have two bikes .

How would an HP2 get on living outdoors, is the build quality any better or worse than an 1150?

Mine lives outside with my 1150 Adventure and seems to cope very well, it also gets used every day and just laps up everything I throw at it, only downside in my opinion is tank range if ridden hard and it is very quiet. Ridden hard it teaches you how to use the back brake a lot more.

OE Enduro tyres seem to work OK for moderate stuff as well

 

[snoopy]

There is a pattern between HP2 owners - they all have several bikes and several cars. They've only got the HP2 for a quick mental spin to the supermarket and bought it using pocket change.

Here's how to do a desert properly; none of these photoshop'd stunts.

http://www.sahara.it/bm/saharaThree/tecnica/lamoto/preparazione-di-un-drz400.shtml

 

[ovenpaa]

OK, I will bite

Our 1000 mile days are behind us for the time being so the Adventure is going, since getting the HP2 it has been the only bike I have ridden, I did try the Adv again for a couple of weeks but found myself back on the HP2 very quickly. 2 big bikes is a bit of a luxury and it pains me to see the 1150 doing nothing so it will be replaced by a bike for the wife, we will still do the trips but share the load between us and, she will be riding a 650 single so we will be fairly evenly matched and will spend our time doing leisurely 300 mile days,

Still camping and exploring though

Only one car though!

 

[Vern]

Snoopy,considering the DRZ is the best bike at everything,and nothing else comes close,you don't half spend a lot of time on this HP2 forum.

Now tell me,just how far have you ridden an HP2?(to the nearest 1000 miles)

 

[Deleted account 220427002]

Here's how to do a desert properly; none of these photoshop'd stunts.

http://www.sahara.it/bm/saharaThree/tecnica/lamoto/preparazione-di-un-drz400.shtml

That's some dune jump

and why's it in bits at the side of the road

 

[Loiq]

where's the rider with the HP rider normally on ground next to it or still mid air... for the more action looking shot

 

[snoopy]

Vern... what can I say...

I've had one on a test ride. Mental bit of kit and I'd have one if I could justify n the cost. Wouldn't take it on an adventure though.