10 Adventure Motorcycles That Marry Urban Practicality With Dirt Road Fun

Adventure motorcycles often excel as a do-it-all package, thanks to the fusion of a tall stance, a relaxed rider triangle, and touring-grade powertrains. However, an equal balance of on-road and off-road prowess is limited to a few very well-rounded offerings. It is even tougher to find ADVs that combine peppy urban riding capabilities with dirt-stirring fun, mainly because ADVs are generally tall, wide, and long, making it tough to ace the nimble urban riding appeal.

However, entry-level and certain middleweight, as well as even a liter-class ADVs, manage to marry urban practicality with dirt road fun through their relatively compact form factor, slim dimensions, and tractable powertrain options. From tech-loaded dune-bashing motorcycles with automatic transmissions to affordable yet capable ADVs for under $6,000, this list has it all.

Honda Africa Twin DCT

Price: $15,599

Honda

Being the most expensive motorcycle on the list is never a good sign. However, this Honda is worth every dollar due to its versatility. The Honda Africa Twin is a highly capable do-it-all ADV powered by a tractable parallel-twin engine, also found on a cruiser bike and even a forbidden café racer. The DCT-equipped trim elevates the experience by simplifying the riding experience. The result is an intimidating liter-class ADV that can transform at will into a twist-and-go city runabout or a dune-bashing monster.

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BMW F 900 GS

Price: $14,275

BMW

The BMW F 900 GS is a mighty capable do-it-all adventure bike that is not receiving the recognition it deserves due to the overwhelming fame the R 1300 GS enjoys. The F 900 GS, due to its lean and slim form factor, has an urban advantage. Couple this with its peppy parallel-twin engine, and we have a Beamer that is not a tough pill to use in the city.

It is also lightweight at 482 pounds. Taking care of the dune-bashing duties is its tall stance, courtesy of a fully adjustable front suspension with a whopping 9.05 inches of travel and an adjustable rear monoshock with 8.46 inches of travel. It also features knobby tires for confident traction on gravel.

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Aprilia Tuareg 660

Price: $12,499

Aprilia

The Aprilia Tuareg 660 punches above its weight to shame the big daddies of ADVs. It is powered by the same 270-degree parallel-twin engine as seen on the RS 660 sports bike. Hence, its versatility is accounted for. The combination of being compact and slim, along with its weight of 449.7 pounds (making it the lightest in its class), makes this Aprilia a solid urban runabout that is easy to ride. However, the Tuareg has not gone soft to be urban-friendly, as it is prepared to stir up a sandstorm with fully adjustable Kayaba suspension at both ends, offering an impressive 9.5 inches of travel.

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Yamaha Tenere 700

Price: $10,999

Yamaha

The Tenere 700 has amassed a cult following for its unhinged off-roading prowess, which makes it more of a dual-sport than an ADV. Thanks to adjustable suspension at both ends with 8.3 inches of travel up front and 7.9 inches of travel at the rear, and knobby tires, the Tenere 700 doesn’t hesitate to tread challenging off-road trails, and even take flight. However, there is a tamer side to this Yamaha that makes it a capable urban runabout as well. The famed CP2 engine is shared with a streetfighter and a sports bike, giving the Tenere a versatile character. Its slim construction and low curb weight of 459 pounds also help this Yamaha navigate tight city roads with flair.

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Honda Transalp

Price: $9,999

Honda

The Honda Transalp is one of the most powerful adventure bikes under $10,000. It is powered by a 755 cc parallel-twin engine that produces 90.5 horsepower and 55.3 pound-feet of torque, which significantly contributes to its go-anywhere capability. Cementing its dirt-stirring capabilities are features like adjustable front forks and a rear monoshock with 7.9 inches and 7.5 inches of travel, respectively. However, thanks to its early torque surge, slim form factor, and relatively low curb weight of 463 pounds, the Honda Transalp can also be your urban companion. Features such as a low and compact center of mass, a 42-degree steering lock, and a slipper/assist clutch contribute to making city rides a comfortable experience.

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KTM 390 Adventure R

Price: $6,999

KTM – photographer: Tschann E.

The latest evolution of KTM’s celebrated entry-level ADV gets a serious overhaul. The more capable one is the 390 Adventure R, which has spoke wheels, knobby tires, and serious suspension hardware that offers an impressive 9.06 inches of travel at both ends. It also gets switchable ABS, traction control, a quickshifter, and ride modes to dial up the fun.

However, the same orange monster can transform at will into a composed urban runabout, thanks to the plethora of electronics and the single-cylinder engine. It produces most of its 28.7 pound-feet of torque in the mid-range, giving it heightened levels of tractability. The 390 Adventure R’s seat height is relatively low at 34.2 inches, and the curb weight is impressively constrained to 388 pounds. This adds to its nimble nature, making it ideal for use in breezy urban environments.

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Kawasaki KLR 650 S

Price: $6,899

Kawasaki

This Kawasaki blurs the line between an ADV and a dual-sport. The KLR 650 S is an urban-friendly version of the longest-surviving motorcycle models today. The S differs from the standard trim with a lower seat height, firmer suspension with reduced travel, and a modified rider triangle for enhanced comfort. These features are also what make this rugged, go-anywhere motorcycle urban-friendly.

But, even with the lowered suspension setup, the KLR 650 S still packs ample off-roading prowess. Its tried-and-tested suspension setup offers 6.7 inches of travel upfront and 7.0 inches of travel at the rear. For under $7,000, this Kawasaki puts a lot on the table.

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Honda CRF300L Rally

Price: $6,499

Honda

This is Honda’s versatile dual-sport that doubles up as a capable adventure bike. The CRF300L Rally is powered by a humble 286 cc single-cylinder engine that produces 27 horsepower. This is ample juice to help this CRF run around city roads. With most of its 19.6 pound-feet of torque available at the lower RPMs, peppy accelerations on tarmac and gravel are a breezy affair.

Now, despite being a tall-riding bike with a populated front fairing, the CRF300L Rally is slim, making it an easy bike to navigate through city roads. Its low curb weight of 335 pounds also helps this cause. Its latest 2025 updates address suspension-related issues (and more) and further strengthen this Honda’s gravel as well as tarmac treading capabilities.

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CFMoto Ibex 450

Price: $6,499

CFMoto

This is one of the hottest new entry-level ADVs available today, capable of doing it all. The CFMoto Ibex 450 is powered by a versatile 449 cc parallel-twin engine that also powers a sports bike and a streetfighter from the same stable. This adds to its tractable nature and helps the Ibex serve as a solid daily driver as well.

Its standard road-focused ride mode also plays a role here. Moreover, the Ibex 450 has a slim construction which, when coupled with its adjustable seat height and a low curb weight, helps strengthen its breezy on-road appeal. Off the road, its adjustable suspension, tall riding stance, knobby tires, and a sit-stand rider triangle contribute to its remarkable capabilities, which are grabbing eyeballs worldwide.

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Royal Enfield Himalayan 450

Price: $5,799

Royal Enfield

Royal Enfield has truly hit it out of the park with the Himalayan 450. This entry-level ADV is packed to the brim with practical and grin-worthy features, and is a go-anywhere motorcycle that punches well above its affordable price tag. It is powered by RE’s first-ever liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine, pumping out 40 horsepower.

It is the most affordable ADV on the market today, featuring a factory-adjustable seat. It gets a by-wire throttle, two ride modes, switchable ABS, and a circular TFT display with smartphone connectivity. The lightweight packaging of 432 pounds and a relatively compact form factor with a wheelbase of under 60 inches make this Himmi a capable urban runabout, too.

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