Motorcycles have always been a symbol of freedom. Escaping the ordinary and getting out and having an adventure, or just going for a ride can be better than therapy. Today, exploring far-flung regions by motorcycle has become more popular than ever. Adventure bikes of all shapes and sizes have exploded in popularity, not for what they are, but rather for what they represent.
The adventure bike market is also evolving. Consumers are slowly shifting away from bigger, more touring-friendly bikes and gravitating towards more capable middleweight options. For the sake of variety, we limited it to one bike per brand, and included something for every “purse and purpose.”
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from authoritative sources, such as Yamaha Motorsports, and BMW Motorrad. The motorcycles on this list are rated according to MSRP.
BMW R 1300 GS Adventure
MSRP: $23,645
Over the past few years, the GS has become significantly more powerful, significantly more luxurious, but also significantly heavier. No matter how much fans of the bike will rave about its off-road capability, its sheer weight makes it a handful off-road. It is, however, a fantastic touring machine still more than capable of handling some rough stuff when called upon, and if budget is not an issue, this is one of the very best travel companions.
Specifications
Engine Type |
Boxer-Twin, liquid-cooled |
Displacement |
1300cc |
Max Power |
145 HP |
Transmission |
6-speed |
Weight |
593 lbs |
KTM 1290 Super Adventure R
MSRP: 20,999
The Super Adventure R is by some margin the most off-road capable full-size ADV. Its off-road electronics are sublime, and will keep you moving in the right direction in the roughest of terrain. It is also the lightest in its class, which also makes a big difference, but it is still pretty heavy for an off-road bike. The LC8 engine makes it a great tourer, with more than enough power for comfortable highway cruising. It can be a little too much fun for its own good, though, and you might find yourself emptying a tank way faster than you should.
Specifications
Engine Type |
V-Twin, liquid-cooled |
Displacement |
1301cc |
Max Power |
158 HP |
Transmission |
6-speed |
Weight |
503 lbs (no fuel) |
Ducati DesertX Discovery
MSRP: $19,995
The Discovery trim offers a lot of value for those that want a DesertX and would have added all these ADV farkles anyway. Ducati stops short of actually publishing a weight figure for this model, but our guesstimate puts it at around 520 pounds. So, with all the added kit, it is heavier than the other two full-size bikes, but in this spec, the DesertX is an off-the-shelf travel machine.
Specifications
Engine Type |
L-Twin, liquid-cooled |
Displacement |
937cc |
Max Power |
110 HP |
Transmission |
6-speed |
Weight |
463 lbs (DesertX, no fuel) |
Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro
MSRP: $17,395
Much like the Ducati, its weight figure is closer to a full-size bike than a middleweight. Once more, you do get loads of features that make its added weight worth it. It also has that unique triple, which offers an ideal balance between torque and horsepower. Unfortunately, like any triple, it can’t be perfectly balanced, so you will get a few vibrations through the bars at highway speed. Most riders won’t feel it, but if you do feel it, it can be a dealbreaker.
Specifications
Engine Type |
Inline-three, liquid-cooled |
Displacement |
888cc |
Max Power |
107 HP |
Transmission |
6-speed |
Weight |
503 lbs |
Suzuki V-Strom 800DE Adventure
MSRP: $13,159
Unlike all the previously mentioned bikes, luggage comes as standard fitment here. The V-Strom 800DE is often overlooked thanks to its rather underwhelming specs, but in the real world it is genuinely capable. The adventure trim also makes it far better overall value, and while it doesn’t offer the same performance levels as some of the other high-spec ADVs, it will be more economical and certainly isn’t slow.
Specifications
Engine Type |
Parallel-Twin, liquid-cooled |
Displacement |
776cc |
Max Power |
83 HP |
Transmission |
6-speed |
Weight |
507 lbs |
Aprilia Tuareg 660
MSRP: $12,499
Out of all the lighter middleweight bikes on the market, none are able to balance features and weight quite like the Tuareg. You still get a long list of nice-to-have features like traction control, ABS and ride modes all packed into a highly capable off-road ADV that only tips the scales at 450 pounds. It also had a punchy parallel-twin that has so far proven reliable.
Specifications
Engine Type |
Parallel-Twin, liquid-cooled |
Displacement |
659cc |
Max Power |
80 HP |
Transmission |
6-speed |
Weight |
450 lbs |
Yamaha Tenere 700
MSRP: $10,999
The Tenere 700 was a game-changing motorcycle. With features kept to a minimum, that allowed the weight and price to also be kept to a minimum. The market response was quite spectacular, and for a time Yamaha struggled to keep up with demand. It has since evolved, offering more features and an improved suspension in an effort to keep up with the competition, which all responded to this particular bike that proved what could be achieved with a lighter, more off-road-capable ADV.
Specifications
Engine Type |
Parallel-Twin, liquid-cooled |
Displacement |
689cc |
Max Power |
73 HP |
Transmission |
6-speed |
Weight |
459 lbs |
Honda Transalp
MSRP: $9,999
In terms of price, the Transalp looks like a direct competitor to the Tenere. But, in reality, it is quite different. In base spec, the Transalp is more or less a blank canvas. Not entirely street-oriented, but equally not as capable off-road as some of the other bikes. It is a bike that begs to be modified, and the robust aftermarket for these bikes is a testament to this fact.
Specifications
Engine Type |
Parallel-Twin, liquid-cooled |
Displacement |
755cc |
Max Power |
90 HP |
Transmission |
6-speed |
Weight |
457 lbs |
Kawasaki KLR650 Adventure ABS
MSRP: $8,099
At $8,099, this might well be the most affordable travel-ready motorcycle. You get crash protection, driving lights and luggage all as standard fitment, but naturally, there is a catch. Based on “use case”, this is an ADV, and people have taken it as far as the Darién Gap, but it is dog slow and in no way, shape, or form, comfortable. It is essentially a heavily modified dual-sport, so going off-road is no issue, but long highway runs will get a little tedious.
Specifications
Engine Type |
Single-Cylinder, liquid-cooled |
Displacement |
652cc |
Max Power |
39 HP |
Transmission |
5-speed |
Weight |
487 lbs |
Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
MSRP: $5,799
For reasons that simply escape us, the new Himalayan 450 still flies under the radar. While the CFMoto Ibex 450 certainly stole some of its thunder, it is still cheaper, and for the most part just as capable as that bike. As a travel companion, this offers impressive value for money and proves that you don’t need to be rich to get out and explore.
Specifications
Engine Type |
Single-Cylinder, liquid-cooled |
Displacement |
452cc |
Max Power |
40 HP |
Transmission |
6-speed |
Weight |
432 lbs |