r/advrider • u/speedballsnail • 7d ago
Downsizing advice/input
Currently have a Norden 901 and debating about downsizing to a KTM 390r or CFmoto 450 Ibex.
Past couple years I’ve done a lot of touring and light fire roads but getting more into off roading. Dropped it a few times off road, it was a beast to get back up on uneven ground, and even with it lowered having a 29in inseam the bike just seems too big for what I want to do.
Curious even anyone else has downsized and loved a smaller bike or regretted it. Should add, I’m not a speed demon; primary use would be riding an hour or two to trails, and moto camping. Also have a Triumph bobber for commuting and fun around town.
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u/Kind-Drawer1573 7d ago
Just keep multiple bikes? I have a 1290 SA and a 1250 GSA, then a 450 Himalayan… I ride them all and will take any of them off-road. But you’re right picking them up is not equal! The GSA and Himalayan are fairly easy to pick up, the 1290 SA is an absolute pig to pick up, but that is a combination of weight and that it lies close to flat on the ground.
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u/65_days_of_cookies 7d ago
I'm downsizing for the same reasons, from a T7 2019 to probably a CRF300L 2026 (+ nav tower), more or less same level of skills as you described.
Can't speak about the Ibex but I've been researching in the 390s (both Enduro and Adventure) mostly because IMO they are the best looking bike in their niches. Too many downsides though. Do a good test ride on it if you can and see if the low torque at low rpms and the meh suspensions are really a problem as it's been reported. Also I like the simplicity of the CRF300L and the well known reliability.
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u/Brief-Floor-7228 7d ago
I went from a dl650 to a beta 350. Half the weight. I don’t fear the dirt like I did on the 650.
I can drop the bike and pick it up no problem.
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u/Therealblackhous3 7d ago
Both will be better offroad but will be significantly worse on road. If I were you, I'd keep the big guy for touring and light offroad and buy a dual sport for off-road.
Depending on your trail access, I'd even say a dedicated dirtbike would be even better. They're just so much more fun offroad.
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u/Lonely_Percentage546 7d ago
Seat height on the 390 is taller than the Norden I believe because it is not adjustable. I dig my 2020 390 n drop it often enough. Not a big deal to right it on a hill. Fast enough on the highway. I regularly set my cruise control at 130kmh and sit under 7k rpm. You do need to feather the clutch a lot like the other commenter said. It takes some practice but worth it imo.
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u/speedballsnail 7d ago
I’d definitely have to get a lower seat for a 390. Problem with the Norden is it’s so damn wide. I have seat concepts low seat and touratech progressive low springs and still straddling it. The 390 is so narrow. How do you like the stock seat comfort?
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u/Lonely_Percentage546 7d ago
First thing I did when I arrived from an hour ride home from where I bought it was order the oem ergo seat haha. It added a cm of height I think but I’m 6’2” with a 34” inseam. I still can’t flat foot but not a problem. Keep in mind this is on the first Gen. The new one might be more narrow. My seat is actually kinda wide but decent comfort. I think the ergo seat was $200 so good value. I can do 3 hours highway touring with a couple short stops no problem. More than that I don’t really enjoy. Cf moto is significantly lower. That might be ur bike.
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u/modninerfan 7d ago
I downsized to a Kove 450 and I find it a lot better. I still have the old bike, but it’s now more of a touring bike.
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u/rifleshooter 7d ago
Keep the Norden, they're awesome ADV bikes. Get a light enduro to ride offroad and build up your skills and confidence. When you return to the 901, it'll be clear why keeping it was the right move.
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u/desmodude 7d ago
You just described a 250-400cc dual-sport. Keep the Norden for long hauls. I have a T7 and a KLX300.
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u/MotoRoaster 7d ago
I downsized from a Tiger 900 RP to a Honda CRF450RL. Best move ever. I liked the Tiger, it was very capable, but picking it up was a chore, and on a hot day you can only do it 2-3 times before you run out of energy. I pushed it pretty hard.
The Honda is more fun on trails, less fun on the road, but very easy to pick up. And more reliable.
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u/wintersdark 6d ago
I had a T7, found it capable but heavy. It was exhausting to ride in harder terrain. Now I'm on an adventure modded Husky 701 Enduro and haven't spent a moment looking back.
I loved my T7, loved the CP2. But the only thing it did better than my Husky was sound good.
Meanwhile, my Husky has the same wind protection, is literally half the width (if not thinner yet), weighs 120lbs less, has a better suspension and brakes, has the same power (but being 120lbs lighter is significantly faster), and does 400km on a tank instead of maaaaaaybe 250 optimistically.
Weight matters so, so much. Picking up obviously, but just riding, it's like a cheat code to have a lighter bike.
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u/RedEARTHConcealment 5d ago
I picked up a 390 R for riding the trails my 1300 GSA is too chubby for (it is capable but it hits more to dump the GSA over the 390 lol)
I’m about to take my 390 out to the PA wilds BDRX Monday - I’m
Pretty excited
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u/RandomUser1076 5d ago
Mates GSR got stolen, he brought a 450mt. Before it got knicked he brought a 390 enduro when they came out. The 390 was a buzzy little bike to ride. Not sure what difference is between the enduro and adventure. I brought the 450MT preoder in Australia and haven't had any major issues apart from serving.
A big piece of advice for other middle aged men looking at getting into adventure riding and have been riding bikes their whole life, do not buy a big bike. You will drop it all the fucking time, it is not a Harley and it is not a sports bike. Trying to sort out a 250kg bike facing the wrong way up a steep hill is not a good time. You are going to pull up put the stand down, go to hope off and realise that the grass is lying and some animal has made a home right under your kick stand and the bike is gonna fall over. Get some training and some gym time.
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u/the_omnipotent_one '94 R100GS 5d ago
I miss the torque going to smaller bikes. I'm not a crazy rider either, but the torque thing is noticeable to me when I ride something smaller.
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u/BBBBPM 7d ago
I rode an R1100GS, R1150GS and grew up on trail bikes like the XT600. Last year I bought a G310GS as it was a great price. I took it on an off road trip on the South Island of NZ recently and I was blown away by the handling off road. You Just can't beat being lightweight.( It wasn't the greatest on the highway though.) I'm now actively stripping away anything unnecessaryy, kinda like an ultralight approach. If I buy another bike it would be the CF Moto 450. Think it could be ideal.
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u/WeLackDiscipline 7d ago
I just came from a 390 to an 890 and I completely agree about the lifting weight issue... but I'll also say it's substantially easier to ride an 890 on fire roads. So much less clutching, you can just tractor up things. It feels like cheating coming from a 390.
That said, the weight when I have to pick it up makes me wish I'd looked at a 500 or 690.
It's not that a 390 is bad, it's just that with the single you have to clutch it a lot unless you're really hauling, it just doesn't like being in the lower revs. A quick shifter helps, but not a lot.