We’re used to naked bikes and sport bikes having small fuel tanks and high fuel consumption. You’re never too far from a gas station in the city, and you’re always going to pull into the pit lane for more fuel on a track day. The low weight is also more important than the better tank range on these models. When it comes to adventure motorcycles, good tank range isn’t an option but a necessity.
You’re going to want to go for a long ride, and you might not find a place to fuel up on your route. Different manufacturers solve the dilemma of tank range in different ways with their ADVs. Some offer a large enough tank, while others throw in hyper-efficient engines. The latter option works better for a larger audience, because who wouldn’t want to save money while going on a motorcycle trip? We’ve therefore lined up ten adventure bikes with big ranges on small budgets. Bear in mind, not all manufacturers release efficiency data, so in the absence of official claims, we’ve had to rule out some names that we’re positive should have been on this list.
Honda XL750 Transalp
Range: 244 miles
The Transalp is a midsize adventure bike with many talents. It is not really intended for off-road work, but it will not shy away from it. It isn’t supposed to be a commuter, but the slip and assist clutch and two-way quickshifter, along with its easy handling, make it a doddle. The engine puts out the most power for an ADV under $10k, and it has standard conveniences like a 5-inch TFT with Bluetooth and navigation. Its most surprising feature, though, is its fuel efficiency: it has made it into our top ten despite its size and power, and that is commendable.
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Engine Type |
270° I2 |
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Displacement |
755 cc |
|
Max Power |
90.5 HP @ 9,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
55.3 LB-FT @ 7,250 RPM |
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Price |
$9,999 |
Kawasaki KLE500
Range: 249 Miles
The KLE500 is a new entrant into the adventure motorcycle segment, but its driveline is a familiar one. It has a 4.2-gallon fuel tank, which will allow you to ride nearly 250 miles before you need more gas. Moving on, you can pick between the base KLE or the $7,499 SE model. The extra dough nets you a TFT screen, Bluetooth, a taller windscreen, a more substantial engine guard, and all-LED lighting.
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Engine Type |
180° I2 |
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Displacement |
451 cc |
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Max Power |
51 HP @ 10,000 RPM (est) |
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Max Torque |
31.7 LB-FT @ 7,500 RPM |
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Price |
$6,599 |
Honda NC750X DCT
Range: 250 Miles
The NC750X DCT is an even bigger surprise than the Transalp here. It has a 3.7-gallon fuel tank, which seems tiny in comparison to a lot of other bikes. However, the engine is an extremely torquey one, and coupled with the standard dual clutch automatic gearbox, it offers a stunning 67.2 miles per gallon. That means it is good for a 250-mile tank range. The tank position is different, too, so there’s a lockable storage space big enough for a full-face helmet in the conventional ‘tank’ area.
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Engine Type |
270° I2 |
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Displacement |
745 cc |
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Max Power |
57.8 HP @ 6,750 RPM |
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Max Torque |
50.9 LB-FT @ 4,750 RPM |
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Price |
$9,499 |
10 Adventure Bikes That Get Surprisingly Good Fuel Economy
The most fuel-efficient adventure motorcycle on this list is a city-friendly bike with an automatic gearbox and an under-$9,500 price tag.
Honda CRF300L Rally
Range: 256 Miles
The CRF300L Rally is a small, light bike with a proven engine. So it is little surprise that it is on this list. It’s got a great 75.8 MPG fuel efficiency figure, but its dual-sport roots show through in its 3.4-gallon fuel tank. Those roots also mean that it is indestructible under normal use, with features like an LCD instrument cluster, switchable ABS, and an aluminum swingarm.
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Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
|
Displacement |
286 cc |
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Max Power |
27 HP @ 8,500 RPM |
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Max Torque |
19.6 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
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Price |
$6,499 |
CFMoto Ibex 450
Range: 276 Miles
The Ibex 450 is usually known for its great feature set and value in its segment rather than its fuel efficiency. Let’s run through the features: there are radial brake calipers, KYB fully adjustable suspension, and a curved TFT display, all at a price that undercuts even single-cylinder competition. It has the only (so far) 270-degree parallel twin engine in its segment as well. Its torque no doubt helps it become efficient, and gives it a good range.
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Engine Type |
270° I2 |
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Displacement |
449 cc |
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Max Power |
44 HP @ 8,500 RPM |
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Max Torque |
32.5 LB-FT @ 6,250 RPM |
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Price |
$6,499 |
Royal Enfield Himalayan 411
Range: 277 Miles
The Himalayan 411 is a very efficient motorcycle, managing to extract nearly 280 miles from a 4-gallon fuel tank. This is despite the fact that it has just five speeds in its gearbox and a 439-pound curb weight. Simplicity is key here, as you get an air-cooled engine with just two valves and suspension with only rear preload adjustment. Overall, it might be long in the tooth, but it remains one of the most comfortable adventure bikes in the small-displacement category.
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Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
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Displacement |
411 cc |
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Max Power |
24.3 HP @ 6,500 RPM |
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Max Torque |
23.6 LB-FT @ 4,000-4,500 RPM |
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Price |
$5,449 |
10 Cheap And Fuel-Efficient Adventure Bikes For The City
With the popularity of ADVs at an all-time high, there’s no shortage of capable models perfect for city duties
Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
Range: 294 Miles
The Himalayan 450 takes the 411’s abilities a step further. Not only does it have more power and torque, but it also has a larger fuel tank and, consequently, a much better range. The 4.5-gallon tank, coupled with the 65.5 MPG efficiency figure, gives it an almost-300-mile range. It has other modern bits as well, like Showa suspension with SFF inverted front forks, a liquid-cooled engine, a trellis frame with the engine as a stressed member, and a six-speed gearbox. ABS is switchable, and the instrumentation is a circular TFT display with Bluetooth and navigation.
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Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
|
Displacement |
452 cc |
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Max Power |
40 HP @ 8,000 RPM |
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Max Torque |
29.5 LB-FT @ 5,500 RPM |
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Price |
$5,999 |
Kawasaki KLR650 Adventure ABS
Range: 297 Miles
The KLR650 was designed to be the kind of bike that can cover great distances in comfort, and it has a single-cylinder engine, so it isn’t a shock to see it here. What is surprising is how heavy it has gotten over the years. For something that originated as a dual-sport, its 487-pound curb weight is quite high. As for range, you get nearly 300 miles out of a tank, although the five-speed gearbox might limit its fuel efficiency at highway speeds. If that isn’t quite enough for you, there is a massive aftermarket for it, and you get a much larger fuel tank for not much more.
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Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
|
Displacement |
651 cc |
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Max Power |
42.1 HP @ 7,000 RPM |
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Max Torque |
34.7 LB-FT @ 5,000 RPM |
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Price |
$8,199 |
Honda NX500
Range: 302 Miles
The NX500 is one of the great adventure tourers if all you want is a no-nonsense, reliable machine. It differs from the naked CB500 mechanically in that it has long-travel suspension, a 19-inch front wheel, and different gearing. You also get features like a TFT display with Bluetooth and navigation, ABS, and switchable traction control. However, its most impressive feature has to be its tank range. The 4.7-gallon tank and 65.3 MPG efficiency combine for a 300+ mile range.
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Engine Type |
180° I2 |
|
Displacement |
471 cc |
|
Max Power |
46.9 HP @ 8,600 RPM |
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Max Torque |
31.7 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
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Price |
$7,399 |
10 Adventure Bikes With The Longest Riding Range
The most affordable 300+ mile adventure touring bike on this list is priced under $7,000 and is powered by a single-cylinder engine.
Kawasaki Versys-X 300
Range: 315 Miles
The Versys-X 300 is a surprise model at the top of this list. There are other single-cylinder adventure bikes that you’d expect will have better efficiency (and they do). However, the Versys-X 300 has a knockout combination of great 70 MPG efficiency and a 4.5-gallon fuel tank, which puts it at the top of this list. It helps that this engine is smooth; what won’t help your quest to extract over 300 miles from a tank is its appetite for revs. Unlike a lot of Kawasakis, ABS is standard and included in the price.
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Engine Type |
180° I2 |
|
Displacement |
296 cc |
|
Max Power |
40 HP @ 11,000 RPM |
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Max Torque |
19.2 LB-FT @ 10,000 RPM |
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Price |
$5,799 |
Sources: Honda Powersports, Kawasaki USA