Two dirt bikes parked in front of the Noccundra Hotel

The Embos compare dirt bikes while on Desert Gateway Tour.

There’s a difference between what you needed way back then and what you need in a dirt bike now.

As kids, these two dirt bike lovin’ wannabes used to thrash it out on the sand dunes of Cunnamulla riding their first bikes. One hauled from his first pay packet and the other handed down from his mate’s older brother. But today, the stakes are so much higher, keeping up with the technology that these modern-day steeds offer. When riding endurance trails, a rider needs something that’s going to be reliable, but also give confidence when wanting the thrill of fast. Oh, did I mention comfort? Well at the age of ummmm, older than back then, comfort is a necessity on a dirt bike tour, are you WITH ME!?

Sherco VS KTM

Steve and Craig were asked to share why they chose their latest ride. Here’s what they said. Please note that no commissions are received (or paid) from this blog.

Steve rides a Sherco 500 SEF, 2021

Steve wouldn’t trade his wife and kids for this sweet ride, but he almost had to! But in life there needs to be compromise, especially when it comes to motorbikes. He wanted something different from a KTM, he has always loved KTMs and may have shed a tear selling his KTM 450 but it seems he has moved on! He thinks Sherco is the best machine for what he needs to achieve in the dirt; the factory models come off the showroom floor with all the fruit you need for the desert, full Akrapovic exhaust, KYB suspension, mapping switch and Brembo Brakes, just to name a few. The price tag is up there however he is a firm believer in you get what you pay for.

https://www.sherco.com.au/news

Craig rides a KTM 500 6 Days 2018

Craig has always been faithful to a Yamaha ride, but when you throw a leg over something that’s got more grunt, you have to go with it. Craig wanted to take home a brand new 350exc but his mate Kelvy had a better offer in the 500. It was a great buy (mates rates of course). He reckons he hasn’t looked back, best ride he has ever had. (It would be inappropriate to reference trading wife and family here). Same as the Sherco the KTM 6 days comes with the complete package straight out of the box; WP suspension, Brembo Brakes, traction control, mapping switches and of course you can’t go past the smooth power delivery of that KTM engine through both bottom and top end range.

BUT if you want to try them both for yourself, feel free to join Desert Gateway Dirt Bike Tours and ask Steve and Craig for a ‘try before you buy ride’. (Again, no reference to anything other than dirtbikes here). Come ride the Queensland Outback and decide for yourself which motorbike trumps; The Blue n Yellow VS the Orange n Black; or heck just ride your own! Then you know what the deal is.