We tend to be influenced by the spec sheet. It’s natural; numbers don’t lie, do they? We want the motorcycle with more power, better fuel efficiency, and definitely the most features and electronics. This is all great during the honeymoon period, when everything is new and shiny. However, as the miles rack up and the years roll over, the spec sheet starts to matter less because there will always be a newer model with more power and features.
If you’re the kind that will keep a motorcycle for a long time, or if you tend to utilize your bike to the maximum, then you’ll want something that is beyond reliable. A dual-sport will be too extreme for certain things, so an adventure bike will be a great all-around compromise. Let’s have a look at ten adventure bikes that can handle years of abuse – because having something fail while you’re in the middle of nowhere is never any fun.
Royal Enfield Himalayan 411
Price: $5,449
The Himalayan 411 might have been replaced by the Himalayan 450, but it has always been a tough-as-nails product. Royal Enfield kept it simple on purpose, to keep it reliable – and to make it easy to repair if it failed. This engine is air-cooled, has just two valves, and the gearbox has only five speeds. The suspension is simple, with only rear preload adjustment. The chassis is a cradle frame, so hitting the bottom of the engine won’t always damage the crankcase. There are a few electronic features like the switchable ABS, but its calling card has to be the comfortable seats, especially for the pillion.
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Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
|
Displacement |
411 cc |
|
Max Power |
24.3 HP @ 6,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
23.6 LB-FT @ 4,000-4,500 RPM |
Honda CRF300L Rally
Price: $6,499
Hondas have always been reliable, and the CRF300L Rally is no exception. It gets extra reliability points because it has been derived from a dual-sport, the CRF300L. It has a liquid-cooled engine that focuses on torque rather than power, so you know it is going to be reliable. Honda has even refused to go with a TFT and instead given it an LCD instrument cluster – another component that won’t fail. The switchable ABS and aluminum swingarm are calculated nods to modernity that aren’t components that will not fail easily. This little Honda has many talents.
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Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
|
Displacement |
286 cc |
|
Max Power |
27 HP @ 8,500 RPM |
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Max Torque |
19.6 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
Kawasaki KLR650 Adventure ABS
Price: $8,199
The KLR650 Adventure is derived from the KLR650 dual-sport, and that particular model has a reputation for being unbreakable. It has the same mechanics, but with added bodywork and accessories like hard luggage, frame sliders, aux lights, a tank pad, and a 12V charging point. Like the CRF, it has an all-LCD cluster, liquid cooling, and fuel injection. The ABS is not switchable, though.
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Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
|
Displacement |
651 cc |
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Max Power |
42.1 HP @ 7,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
34.7 LB-FT @ 5,000 RPM |
10 Affordable Adventure Bikes That Refuse To Break Down
Adventure bikes need to be more reliable than other type of motorcycles, and we’ve got ten that will go the distance, but on a budget
Suzuki V-Strom 650XT
Price: $9,799
The V-Strom 650XT has been around for a while, and this engine has been powering Suzukis for a quarter of a century now. It is the only remaining V-twin in its class, and it is a gem of an engine, with great torque and decent power. The V-Strom 650XT’s mechanicals also haven’t changed in a while, which is why it is a proven model.
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Engine Type |
90° V-twin |
|
Displacement |
645 cc |
|
Max Power |
70 HP @ 8,000 RPM |
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Max Torque |
46 LB-FT @ 6,400 RPM |
Honda XL750 Transalp
Price: $9,999
The Transalp is difficult to fault. It has a great price coupled with a decent feature set and one of the most powerful engines at the price and in its category. At the same time, it is dead reliable. It is an imposing motorcycle in its segment, with a 21-inch front wheel. It has tubeless tires on spoke rims, a 5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth and navigation, ride modes, switchable traction control, switchable ABS, and a two-way quickshifter is standard. Despite all the electronics, it is a very reliable product, with Honda choosing to update it incrementally whenever necessary.
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Engine Type |
270° I2 |
|
Displacement |
755 cc |
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Max Power |
90.5 HP @ 9,500 RPM |
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Max Torque |
55.3 LB-FT @ 7,250 RPM |
Yamaha Tenere 700
Price: $10,999
The Tenere 700 has been the go-to middleweight ADV if you wanted to go off-road, and a lot of that was down to how simple Yamaha kept it. It has only recently gotten a by-wire throttle, ride modes, switchable traction control, and an optional two-way quickshifter. A taller windscreen also makes it better on the highway. Despite the changes, this is still a light and reliable motorcycle that is made to go off-road. And that means it is designed to deal with adverse conditions much better than the competition.
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Engine Type |
270° I2 |
|
Displacement |
689 cc |
|
Max Power |
72.4 HP @ 9,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
50.2 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
10 Most Overlooked Adventure Motorcycles That Will Last A Lifetime
These overlooked adventure bikes offer a lot of value to those looking for a reliable motorcycle
BMW F 900 GS
Price: $14,395
We’re getting properly premium now. The F 900 GS sits at the premium end of the middleweight segment, and is in fact just a few hundred dollars shy of the full-size Africa Twin. However, you’re paying not just for the brand, but the reliability it stands for as well. The F 900 GS will keep going no matter what, and you can add packages to it that will help it suit your requirements better. Fully adjustable suspension and spoke rims are on the standard list, and a two-way quickshifter is optional.
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Engine Type |
270° I2 |
|
Displacement |
895 cc |
|
Max Power |
105 HP @ 8,500 RPM |
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Max Torque |
68.6 LB-FT @ 6,750 RPM |
Honda Africa Twin
Price: $14,799
The Africa Twin is a Honda, and despite being a full-size adventure bike, it doesn’t generate as much power as the BMW above. That is a big hint to its intentions – it wants to be reliable rather than grab headlines. Even if you get the six-speed automatic gearbox ($15,599), you won’t lose reliability because this gearbox and technology have been around long enough to prove themselves. The Africa Twin even has an LCD display like a Dakar Rally bike that shows speed and fuel level, meaning you can keep going even if the TFT touchscreen fails!
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Engine Type |
270° I2 |
|
Displacement |
1,084 cc |
|
Max Power |
100.5 HP @ 7,500 RPM |
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Max Torque |
82.6 LB-FT @ 5,500 RPM |
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Transmission |
6 speed DCT |
Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE
Price: $16,449
The V-Strom 1050DE is a throwback adventure bike, and it has a twin-spar aluminum chassis to show for it. Another throwback feature is the V-twin engine, making it the only Japanese full-size ADV with one today. It has been on sale for a very long time, and its relaxed state of tune and proven electronics mean that it won’t fail easily. Speaking of electronics, it has a by-wire throttle, ride modes, cruise control, and a two-way quickshifter. A six-axis IMU is also present, as is a 5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth and navigation.
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Engine Type |
90° V-twin |
|
Displacement |
1,037 cc |
|
Max Power |
107.4 HP @ 8,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
73.7 LB-FT @ 6,000 RPM |
10 Motorcycles That Still Prove Reliability Matters
In a market chasing innovation, these ten motorcycles remind you that reliability is the one spec that never goes out of style
BMW R 1300 GS
Price: $20,395
The GS series from BMW has earned its reputation for being indestructible and a round-the-world option. The R 1300 GS is the current king of the hill, and it sports quite a lot of tech, including variable valve timing and electronic suspension. It also has a full electronics suite, with a six-axis IMU and things like adaptive cruise control on the options list. It is also one of the few motorcycles with the option of an automated manual gearbox, offering a fully automatic experience.
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Engine Type |
Boxer twin, intake VVT |
|
Displacement |
1,300 cc |
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Max Power |
145 HP @ 7,750 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
110 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
Sources: BMW USA, Honda Powersports