N4teTheGreat
FknN8
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2009
- Location
- San Francisco
- Moto(s)
- 2012 DRZ 400s, 2018 Ducati Hypermotard SP, 2008 KTM 950 SM
- Name
- Nathan
It was mentioned that my review of the mighty Ibex was a bit overdue, so, what better thing to do while I enjoy my morning coffee at my hotel in Alturas than give my very person, largely uninformed and heavily biased opinion 
It should be noted I am not an ADV guy. I like taking long trips on light, impractical bikes and as of yet have only moto-camped once. I've never really wanted an ADV bike, aside from maybe the last 100 miles of a long day when all my poorly strapped on luggage is making me uncomfortable. That said, I do always peek at all the new "lightweight" ADV bikes and if money was no object I'd probably own a Desert X. That said, I think my DRZ does just fine and treat the Hypermotard like a sport tourer so, yeah.
Ibex in it's natural habitat, the land of the Ibex (photo credit: not me!)
I'll give the bike a 7/10 for looks. It's not, pretty, per se, but it looks like it means business and the fit and finish feels high quality. Ours had added protection I believe, and they felt ready to go anywhere.
I didn't fool with the dash settings much, so I have no idea what can be done there, but finding my way to the trip odometer was easy enough. Not sure what electronic goodies hide in there. The bike does have a button to turn on "off-road mode" which is basically disabling TC and ABS. Nice and easy, BUT you have to do it while stopped, or coasting in 1st with the throttle closed and like all bikes it resets if you stop / start. It was easy enough to remember, but ABS and TC can be a little weird in the dirt if you forget and are riding in a spirited fashion.
The seat was pretty comfortable, I initially thought it was gonna be too soft, but after spending back to back to back long days on the bike, I had no complaints. That said, I do 8 hours on a Hypermotard and DRZ for "fun".
The seat is proper low, and it took me a bit to get used to sitting IN a bike versus ON one. I got used to it quick enough though and aside from my knees not appreciating the sharp bend at the end of a long day, it was fine.
On that note, standing was easy and comfortable. My bike had bar risers (1/2 inch maybe?) and that made for a very easy standing position for me, aside from my legs getting worn out, I could stand as long as I wanted, so giving my knees a break was easy.
The engine was there While nothing to write home about, the engine does was you ask, particularly if you ask it to do things at a higher RPM, it is not tractor like the DRZ and if you do find yourself lugging it in the wrong gear you'll feel very bad and shift. One the road there it'll get up to speed just fine and had enough oomph to keep things interesting, but overall it's very utilitarian. The gearbox felt nice, shifts were snappy and it only took me a few miles to get a feel for things and get my rev matching going.
On pavement the bike hustles pretty good, I was able to carry a good pace and decent line in corners, and ended up dragging the tips of my boots a few times (not what I meant to be doing in Pakistan mind you). Off road, I'm no expert, but it felt like riding a slightly heavier DRZ. It was as good over rough rocky terrain as the ride, and slide around predictably. The stock tires are not bad all all for 50/50 work, but I think it'd benefit from more aggressive rubber for serious dirt work. The suspension is adjustable, and pretty good stock. I was probably a bit too heavy for stock on that bike but it plowed through some pretty rough rocky roads at a good clip and felt comfortable doing it. The DRZ is lighter and has more grunt so I'd be confident taking it on single track whereas I would not be with the Ibex, but it would probably do it if asked.
So yeah, there ya go. For the price it is absolutely a pretty solid bang for the buck as far as I am concerned. Also, we saw with with an aftermarket pipe and it sure did sound nice.
It should be noted I am not an ADV guy. I like taking long trips on light, impractical bikes and as of yet have only moto-camped once. I've never really wanted an ADV bike, aside from maybe the last 100 miles of a long day when all my poorly strapped on luggage is making me uncomfortable. That said, I do always peek at all the new "lightweight" ADV bikes and if money was no object I'd probably own a Desert X. That said, I think my DRZ does just fine and treat the Hypermotard like a sport tourer so, yeah.
Ibex in it's natural habitat, the land of the Ibex (photo credit: not me!)
I'll give the bike a 7/10 for looks. It's not, pretty, per se, but it looks like it means business and the fit and finish feels high quality. Ours had added protection I believe, and they felt ready to go anywhere.
I didn't fool with the dash settings much, so I have no idea what can be done there, but finding my way to the trip odometer was easy enough. Not sure what electronic goodies hide in there. The bike does have a button to turn on "off-road mode" which is basically disabling TC and ABS. Nice and easy, BUT you have to do it while stopped, or coasting in 1st with the throttle closed and like all bikes it resets if you stop / start. It was easy enough to remember, but ABS and TC can be a little weird in the dirt if you forget and are riding in a spirited fashion.
The seat was pretty comfortable, I initially thought it was gonna be too soft, but after spending back to back to back long days on the bike, I had no complaints. That said, I do 8 hours on a Hypermotard and DRZ for "fun".
The seat is proper low, and it took me a bit to get used to sitting IN a bike versus ON one. I got used to it quick enough though and aside from my knees not appreciating the sharp bend at the end of a long day, it was fine.
On that note, standing was easy and comfortable. My bike had bar risers (1/2 inch maybe?) and that made for a very easy standing position for me, aside from my legs getting worn out, I could stand as long as I wanted, so giving my knees a break was easy.
The engine was there
While nothing to write home about, the engine does was you ask, particularly if you ask it to do things at a higher RPM, it is not tractor like the DRZ and if you do find yourself lugging it in the wrong gear you'll feel very bad and shift. One the road there it'll get up to speed just fine and had enough oomph to keep things interesting, but overall it's very utilitarian. The gearbox felt nice, shifts were snappy and it only took me a few miles to get a feel for things and get my rev matching going.On pavement the bike hustles pretty good, I was able to carry a good pace and decent line in corners, and ended up dragging the tips of my boots a few times (not what I meant to be doing in Pakistan mind you). Off road, I'm no expert, but it felt like riding a slightly heavier DRZ. It was as good over rough rocky terrain as the ride, and slide around predictably. The stock tires are not bad all all for 50/50 work, but I think it'd benefit from more aggressive rubber for serious dirt work. The suspension is adjustable, and pretty good stock. I was probably a bit too heavy for stock on that bike but it plowed through some pretty rough rocky roads at a good clip and felt comfortable doing it. The DRZ is lighter and has more grunt so I'd be confident taking it on single track whereas I would not be with the Ibex, but it would probably do it if asked.
So yeah, there ya go. For the price it is absolutely a pretty solid bang for the buck as far as I am concerned. Also, we saw with with an aftermarket pipe and it sure did sound nice.
as the guy who does the BDR, travels to Pakistan, Alaska, and takes the L000000ng way to Colorado.