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Don't buy an ADV bike until you've watched this video | Desert Donkey Project EP1

Adam Riemann

354,223 views

Welcome to the Desert Donkey project - I want to get back to basics, so I bought a KLR650 Adventure to set up as a global conquerer. What started out as a joke, quickly turned into realisng the kind of rider I am and what I love about motorcycling.
In this video I'll show you the first steps in running-in my new motorcycle, the aspects of the bike that make it a capable and worthy off-road machine, plus the master plan I have for the Desert Donkey once the build project is complete.

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20 Comments

@adamlee581 11 months ago

KLR owners the world over have never been so happy 😁

@NickNorland 1 year ago

All my KLR pals have come out of the woodwork, sent me countless links to these episodes and ask if I’ve seen them. 😊 I have a T7, and have ridden with them and with a willing/skilled rider, that KLR can go anywhere. All the “spec-sheet” guys making negative comments don’t have much to say when the job is done.

@Ironsja11 1 year ago

"The more I ride it the more I love it." That is the KLR 650 in a nut shell my friend!

@jameslee5428 1 year ago

You’ve proven beyond a shadow of doubt that a simple motorcycle such as the donkey is fully capable of riding with bikes that cost 3 to 4 times as much, and will basically do the same thing. There’s a lot of ignorance/ill informed people out there that gravitate too much more sophisticated/advanced bikes, when in fact, all they really needed was a donkey. Cheers to you, be safe out there, and thank you for the great content.

@dashuntas.m4045 1 year ago

This video has no clickbait, no “epic” or dangerous moments and yet it’s so engaging just listening to pure motorcycle and riding talk

@HandyTot 1 year ago (edited)

You said it, you can absolutely flog them. It's slow, you run out of suspension, but they just keep going and you can ride them through anything. I've been through absolute bolder fields, down steeps where brakes dont help and forded rivers with water just about over the seat...it just keeps going.

@thepracticalman5905 2 months ago

"...Ready for a lifetime of flogging"...love it!!!

@joshbradstreet1736 1 year ago

Our motorcycles reflect the stages of our lives. You've just unlocked your KLR level.

@Moto_Bruno 1 year ago (edited)

Many people love them because of the value they offer. They enable the average adventurer entrepreneur who hasn’t got a bag of cash and a technical support crew on hand, they are for the average Bob and Marj to get into this famous hobby.

@NOMADXVENTURES 6 months ago

Not the prettiest child in the nursery, but that moto will run forever. The Toyota of motos. Glad to see it flogged and survive.

@memeMFjones 2 months ago

Thats all it takes, You ride a KLR 650 and its instant love, I sold my BMW 1200 and bought 2 KLR's, never been happier!

@Dillvech 1 year ago

Id love to see Adam get a DR650 and fully kit it out.

@tedstryker73 9 months ago (edited)

I’d rather have to fix a $7500 bike than a $40,000 GS. I went from KTM enduros and had my first back surgery so I bought my first adventure. 2025 Yamaha T7. It was between that and a beautiful donkey. I went with the T7 for several reasons, but now I’m seeing your donkey videos… I’ve got 500 miles on the clock and I’m already in love. It’s got me back on two wheels and it’s opened up a whole different world of riding. Your videos are the best fundamental instructional videos I’ve seen. I’ve been riding for 40 years. Long enough to know you never stop learning. I spent hours practicing some of the techniques in your videos and they’ve made a huge difference. Cheers from California, mate 🍻. I appreciate the knowledge.

@jeffreystephens3439 6 months ago

I’m a 52 yr old beginner motorcycle guy and just bought a 2024 KLR. I love that damn thing even though a lot of folks rag on it. It’s a great bike to learn on as far as I can tell. I wouldn’t want a much more aggressive bike to learn on. I must say, I can’t stop looking at that t7 and hope to work my way towards that sometime before I get too much older but for now, the KLR is doing everything I ask of it and I’m super happy with it.

@Mayzan841 1 year ago

Got one 6 months ago, have not ridden in 15 years but after 3 months I was river crossing and full mud trail riding and this thing just loves it, so did I. Now I just need to Loctite everything.

@myrobotandme 1 year ago

Looks l KLR will get a second renaissance world wide, after your videos :)

@WilliamCloud9 1 month ago

Epic!
Double spanner had me squirming 😂

@sirgalahadlives 1 year ago (edited)

You said it... the more I ride it... the more I love it... 2012 KLR ... bought with 2000 miles... one month later... 2,700 ... getting ready for a 5K trip... retirement is great... Oh'. I will be 64 in a month... lol

@Dan-qp1el 1 month ago

After watching your KLR video riding across Australia......today I rode one for the first time.
It is a hell of a motorcycle for the money. Im going to get one.