10 Versatile Motorcycles For Riders Who Want One Bike For Every Terrain 

Some motorcyclists are content riding their expensive Harleys to the corner coffee shop, while others want to get dirty on trails every weekend. But there is a small group of bikers that never seem to find their niche. Even their kit sometimes consists of MX boots, full gauntlet gloves, and a touring helmet; it’s almost as if they can never decide what kind of motorcyclist they are (guilty!)

If you’re anything like that, you’ll never be satisfied with a single bike in your garage. What good is a cruiser if you can’t take it off-roading when the mood strikes? For you, the ideal bike is something that can handle everything you want it to. Whether it is off-roading, highway cruising, cross-country rides, or mountain runs. Here are ten such motorcycles that promise to be the only bike you need for every terrain, ranging from road-biased tourers to dual sports.

Honda CRF300L

Power Output: 27 HP

Honda

The Honda CRF300L is hard to beat if you’re looking for your first dual sport. It’s unintimidating, lightweight, and simple, and given its price tag, dropping it while off-roading won’t hurt your bank, either. On tarmac, the same qualities should make it an excellent urban roundabout that can comfortably hop over bad roads, flick through narrow lanes, or sit in traffic. All the while, you get to enjoy Honda’s bulletproof reliability and fuel efficiency.

Big Red also offers the CRF300L in two other variants, depending on your use case. The first is the CRF300LS, which features a lower seat height, making it easier for beginners to manage. Meanwhile, the CRF300L Rally receives a larger fuel tank and an ADV-like fairing, which should make it more comfortable for long-distance riding.

Performance Specs

Royal Enfield Himalayan 450

Power Output: 39.5 HP

Royal Enfield

In many ways, the Himalayan 450 is to the ADV segment what the CRF300L is to the dual-sport segment. This Royal Enfield is an excellent all-rounder adventure bike that shines brightest in dirt, thanks to its Harris Performance frame, long-travel suspension, and a tractable engine. You’ll be surprised at how well this bike can handle off-roading. On the road, it transforms into an easy-going ADV that can maintain highway speeds and navigate rough roads effortlessly. The ergonomics are comfortable, too. However, beginners may find the bike to be slightly on the heavier side.

Performance Specs

Honda XR650L

Power Output: ~40 HP

Honda

The XR650L is one of the three Japanese 650 dual sports, and it makes the most sense if you’re looking for versatility in this lineup. This Honda is nimbler and lighter than the KLR 650, and it has more ground clearance and less complexity than the Suzuki DR650S. It’s also one of the most reliable motorcycles from Honda that will run for years with minimal maintenance. Since it’s an old-school thumper, it doesn’t get anything over a five-speed gearbox and a carb, so don’t expect any fancy tech from it. For that, you’d have to look at the KTM 690 Enduro.

Performance Specs

KTM 390 Enduro R

Power Output: 45 HP

KTM via Rudi Schedl

Strip the KTM 390 Adventure down to the basics, and you get a peppy single-cylinder engine in a lightweight trellis frame and adjustable suspension. That’s precisely what the 390 Enduro R is, with the essentials that promise to make it an entertaining bike to ride in all riding conditions. Of course, you will miss the wind protection and comfort of its ADV twin, but if touring isn’t your jam, the Enduro R is hard to argue against. It’s perhaps the most bang-for-buck dual sport for riders who want it all, including peppy tarmac performance.

Performance Specs

Kawasaki Versys 650

Power Output: 67 HP

Kawasaki

If any bike had an identity crisis, it would be the Versys 650. It can be whatever you want it to be. It will happily chug along at city speed during the weekdays and stretch its legs on the weekends. Since it shares its engine and frame with the sporty Ninja 650, it can also handle an occasional mountain run or a track day. Finally, the long-travel suspension allows you to navigate rough roads and light trails easily. It’s an excellent do-it-all bike that can do everything you ask of it.

Performance Specs

Yamaha Tenere 700

Power Output: 72.1 HP

Yamaha

The Tenere 700 is often regarded as a spiritual successor to the KLR 650, thanks to its bulletproof CP2 parallel-twin engine and off-road capabilities. What drives this point home is the fact that you can find Tenere 700 jumping around in hard enduro races. On the road, the same engine turns it into a capable highway cruiser, while the adjustable suspension can be tuned for the mood. It may not have the latest tech or produce the most power, but few middleweight ADVs balance off- and on-road capabilities like this one.

Performance Specs

Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES

Power Output: 100.5 HP

Honda

The standard Africa Twin already has a cult following among ADV riders, and the Adventure Sports ES adds to that. It’s a more road-biased version of the standard model, featuring a larger fuel tank, semi-active Showa EERA suspension, and 19/17-inch wheel setup. While it does sacrifice some of its off-road capabilities, it promises to be more comfortable on long hauls than ever, thanks to its advanced suspension and extended fuel range. And all of this comes in under $18k, making it quite a value for money, especially when you consider its reliability and maintenance costs over the years.

Performance Specs

BMW R 12 G/S

Power Output: 109 HP

BMW Motorrad

The R 12 G/S is a one-of-a-kind retro enduro that keeps the spirit of the original R 80 G/S alive, complete with a slash in its name. But unlike some other retro bikes that simply imitate the past, the R 12 G/S promises to be a modern bike in a simple retro skin. It features a powerful boxer twin, fully adjustable Enduro suspension, tubeless cross-spoke wheels, as well as rider aids like traction control and ride modes. This is the bike to get if you want to experience the old-school GS nostalgia without giving up on modern conveniences.

Performance Specs

Ducati Multistrada V2 S

Power Output: 115 HP

Ducati

In Ducati’s lineup of adventure bikes, the Multistrada V2 offers the best balance of urban agility, long-distance comfort, and sporty performance. Plus, it’s no longer an old model in new skin; it features Ducati’s new V2 engine and Multi V4-style aluminum monocoque frame. In its V2 S avatar, it also features semi-active Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS), which takes care of suspension duties on the fly. Even the standard V2 is a terrific bike if you don’t care about the advanced suspension.

Performance Specs

BMW R 1300 GS

Power Output: 145 HP

BMW Motorrad

Few full-size adventure bikes strike a better balance of all-road practicality than the R 1300 GS. It is, after all, the granddaddy of adventure bikes for many ADV enthusiasts. This is the most polished the GS has ever been, featuring a powerful boxer engine and EVO Telelever/Paralever suspension system with optional DSA electronic suspension. Then there’s the seemingly endless list of standard and optional features that allow you to fine-tune the experience as per your riding style. Put everything together, and the R 1300 GS promises to be the only bike you’d ever need, whether it’s for weekend rides, a year-long intercontinental adventure, or even a track day.

Performance Specs