Turning a Tiny Motorcycle into an Adventure Touring Motorcycle

The first question most people ask is “why do you want to adventure tour on a tiny motorcycle?” My simple answer is “because I enjoy the backroads, taking my time, and enjoying the flowers along the way”.

Different people have different ideas about what makes someone an adventure rider or what kind of bike qualifies as an adventure bike. There isn’t just one right answer because everyone sees it differently. Maybe we shouldn’t worry too much about putting labels on it. Why not just have fun riding whatever motorcycle we have or can get? Here’s a general look at what most people think adventure motorcycles and riders are:

What is a typical Adventure Motorcycle?

  • An Adventure Motorcycle offers endless possibilities for adventure and discovery
  • Having big multi-cylinder engines, usually 650cc to 1,290cc or more.
  • Using long-travel suspension to handle rough terrain
  • Having a tall, upright seat for a clear view, especially off-road
  • Designed for off-road riding with high ground clearance, knobby tires, and strong wheels
  • Equipped with large fuel tanks for longer rides
  • Made with storage options like racks and bags for carrying gear
  • There are many choices for luggage types like hard or soft cases
  • They’re versatile and adaptable for various riding conditions

What is a Typical Adventure Motorcyclist?

  • Adventure motorcycle riders are adventurous, enthusiastic, and passionate about exploring diverse landscapes on two wheels
  • They value independence, freedom, and traveling at their own pace
  • Nature lovers at heart, they seek out breathtaking scenery and outdoor adventures like camping and hiking
  • Adventure riders embody passion, experience, and a thirst for exploration on two wheels

While I fit the description of a typical Adventure Motorcyclist my desire for an adventure motorcycle doesn’t fit what is considered an Adventure Motorcycle.

Being short, under 5’0”, and not terribly big or strong the typical adventure bikes aren’t my cup of tea. With that, I have learned to create my own adventure bikes that don’t fit the standard but they fit me.

My first adventure motorcycle, a 2007 BMW F650GS, is classified as an adventure motorcycle by some and not by others. I found it too large for more technical off-road riding beyond well-maintained gravel roads. Despite this, I still enjoy riding it on pavement and occasionally on dirt roads.

Next in line was my 2007 Suzuki DR200SE, affectionately known as the Superbug. I purchased it for a trip into Baja California, Mexico, riding it from East Texas to meet friends in Yuma, then journeying back to Spokane, WA via Death Valley. The first ride was a 3000+ mile backroad tour. This reliable bike has given me many enjoyable miles.

Next up was the 2022 Honda Z125 Monkey, affectionately dubbed Clyde. Originally meant for quick jaunts and to be kept at a friend’s place in Texas, I purchased it in East Texas and flew out there to meet my friend for a ride in Louisiana. We traveled 300 miles over two days, with half the journey on dirt roads. Clyde’s lightweight design made the trip smooth and enjoyable, prompting me to return with my van on my next visit and bring Clyde back home with me for more adventures.

Buying a motorcycle straight off the showroom floor can be satisfying, especially when it meets all your wants. However, if you prefer smaller bikes and still want to take off on adventure tours with it, you might discover that it lacks the necessary setup right from the start.

While the manufacturer may offer some accessories, you might have to get creative to customize it according to your preferences. Fortunately, aftermarket vendors provide a wide array of options. Even if a product isn’t specifically marketed for your bike, it could still be compatible and serve your needs well.

Each rider has their own set of priorities, which may differ from person to person. Before making a purchase, it’s crucial to ensure that the bike aligns with your priorities. For instance, one of my top priorities is having an electric jacket hookup on my motorcycles. When I bought my Suzuki DR200SE, I didn’t check if it had sufficient electrical power to support my jacket. After experiencing battery drainage issues twice, I adjusted by using the jacket sparingly, only activating it when I’m on roads without frequent stops, and turning it off once I’ve warmed up.

When I purchased a Honda Z125 Monkey, it posed some challenges initially. However, I managed to overcome them, and now it’s fully set up for adventure touring. While it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it suits me perfectly.

To transform Clyde into the ideal adventure touring motorcycle for my needs, I went shopping. After carefully searching, comparing options, and making decisions, I added the following items:

The only thing the setup is missing is a skid plate and one will be added this season.  There are a few more things that were done and those are detailed below.

The side racks for the side bags was the biggest challenge for Clyde. The only thing I could find was side racks for the left side of the bike. I wasn’t able to find anything for the muffler side.

The muffler cover keeps the heat inside and I can lay a hand on it without burning it so I thought a bag over it wouldn’t be a problem. For the most part it wasn’t a problem but there was one small issue. While riding the end of the bag curved around the tail of the muffler coming close to the end of the exhaust. The part that is hit us only about the diameter of a quarter and moving the bags forward a bit was a temporary solution.

What I determined was I either needed some sort of rack around the end of the muffler to keep the bag from bending in on to the hot pipe, or an extension on the muffler.

The solution was to go to Ace Hardware and see what could be found. A piece of stove pipe was found that looked like it would fit and I even found a piece of metal for a bracket to attach the stove pipe to the muffler. I was staying at my friend’s house in Texas for a few weeks and he helped me with the project.

The stove pipe and bracket were both silver colored so I painted them black with the hopes that they would blend in with the bike better. It’s easy to put on and take off of the muffler with just one bolt.

There were already holes in the piece of metal I bought but not in the stove pipe. My friend drilled a hole in the stove pipe to bolt the bracket to. There is a bolt in the side of the muffler that was usable for to attach the forward end of the bracket to the muffler. The bracket needed a slight bend in it to conform to the lines of the muffler and my friend did that for me too. Later I realized a little bit more of a bend would have worked better but it’s fine.

In the pictures you can see without the bag on the extensions placement is a little off. With the bag on it pushes into place. The little bit that the bag curves toward the end of the pipe is cool to the touch. It’s far enough away from the hot end pipe the extension does its job.

To make things more fun the exension changes the sound of the bike, it makes it louder. It’s not obnoxious, just a mellow little rumble.

With Tiny motorcycles, space is at a premium and sometimes some things can be done to make things easier. For the Monkey I needed a tool to remove the bolts to get the seat off. It doesn’t need to come off very often but occasionally I do take it off. The bolts were changed out for Star Knobs, removing the need for a tool.

Behind the the left side cover there was a tool box that only held a couple of things if they were in the right shape. The lock to the side cover took up space and I didn’t like how cumbersome it was to unlock it. Youtube provided me with the necessary instructions for the lock removal.  With the lock and tool box removed it opened up space for things I want to always keep on the bike.

The side cover is attached with rubber mounting post that fit into rubber grommets and the lock isn’t necessary other than if you want to keep the cover locked to the bike.

Now behind the cover is enough room for a Compact Tire Repair Kit and a Micro-Start Tire Inflator.

Turning a small motorcycle into a tiny Adventure Tourer can be quite simple in some aspects. Adding side bags, for example, is easy because there are many bag options available. However, the main challenge might be finding side racks to prevent the bags from getting caught in the chain or touching the hot pipe. Most soft bags have a wide strap between them, allowing you to either throw them over the seat or secure them under the seat. These bags come with straps to attach them to the bike, usually wrapping around the frame. Some side bags attach to a side rack, which is then connected to the motorcycle. However, these racks are often specific to certain motorcycle brands and models and may not fit smaller bikes.

Fortunately, as more people prepare their motorcycles for adventures, there are now soft systems available that don’t require racks. Companies like Giant Loop offer their Rackless line, while Mosko Moto has their Reckless line, among other options. Although these products may be a bit expensive, they are of high quality and can withstand rough use and abuse.

Just like side bags, there are plenty of options for duffle bags that you can carry on the passenger seat of your motorcycle or on a tail rack. You can find them at affordable prices or spend a bit more for ones that are completely waterproof.

Tank bags, if you like using them, aren’t as easy to find for smaller motorcycles, but 

they’re still some out there. My tank bag, for example, is magnetic, so it’s easy to move when I need to fill up the gas tank. There’s also a strap that goes through the handle and around the steering head of the bike, just in case the magnets don’t hold on bumpy roads. So far, it hasn’t come loose.

Accessories like the Ram Mount and 12V Socket/USB ports/Volt Meter are easy to install since most have a universal fit. The only challenge might be finding enough space on the handlebars.

Smaller motorcycles are a lot of fun and not as expensive as bigger ones, which is great for those of us on tight budgets. Part of the fun is figuring out how to set it up for what you want to do. Traveling on these tiny bikes opens up a whole new world. With their limited speed, it’s advisable to avoid freeways so it encourages discovery of new paved or dirt backroads that you’ve never ridden before. Give it try, It’s a blast!