Adventure bikes have evolved into many different subsets. The traditional ADV remains a go-anywhere machine that stays calm in the face of low-grip chaos, and stays comfortable even at the end of a day in the saddle. However, there is a subset of adventure bikes that are agents of chaos themselves. These chomp at the bit and egg you to go that little bit faster, go that little bit further, but also back it up with the ability. On that note, here are ten adventure motorcycles that marry aggressive acceleration with smooth handling.
BMW F 900 GS
Price: $14,395
The F 900 GS is a premium middleweight ADV, and as such, it has a very good power figure for the class. This chassis and driveline are shared by three different styles of motorcycle, and all three are enjoyable to ride, which says something about how good it really is. There are lots of options to customize it to your needs, which is nice.
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Engine Type |
270° I2 |
|
Displacement |
895 cc |
|
Max Power |
105 HP @ 8,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
68.6 LB-FT @ 6,750 RPM |
Husqvarna Norden 901
Price: $15,349
The Norden 901 is the Husqvarna version of the KTM 890 Adventure R. If you’re looking for value, it might be the better buy, as it is priced a little below the KTM. It also isn’t styled as aggressively as the Austrian bike, which might be to some people’s liking. For a little extra moolah, the Norden 901 Expedition is even more touring-capable, thanks to suspension with a little more travel, heated grips and seat, a taller windshield, and an engine skid plate that offers better protection.
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Engine Type |
270° I2 |
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Displacement |
889 cc |
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Max Power |
105 HP @ 8,000 RPM |
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Max Torque |
73.7 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
KTM 890 Adventure R
Price: $16,299
The 890 Adventure R is one of the best middleweight adventure bikes if your riding will involve more than a little off-road. It is light, aggressive, and still manages to be comfortable enough for touring on tarmac. Like the Norden, it has a variant that is specialized – but the 890 Adventure R Rally goes in the opposite direction, with features that make it much better for off-road riding. The regular 890 Adventure R should be enough for most people, with 105 horsepower, a full electronics suite, fully adjustable suspension, and a TFT display.
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Engine Type |
270° I2 |
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Displacement |
889 cc |
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Max Power |
105 HP @ 8,000 RPM |
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Max Torque |
73.7 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
10 Adventure Bikes That Can Truly Handle The Wild
These adventure bikes are more at home away from home
MV Agusta Enduro Veloce
Price: $16,998
The Enduro Veloce is an adventure bike that is true to MV’s core tenets: making sure the rider enjoys the performance and handling. It uses a new 931 cc inline triple with strong, but high-revving performance to achieve this. In MV fashion, the top speed isn’t limited, so it goes all the way to 137 miles per hour. The features list is just as impressive, with a 7-inch TFT display, fully adjustable Sachs suspension, traction control with eight levels, launch control, and an anti-theft system with geolocation.
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Engine Type |
I3 |
|
Displacement |
931 cc |
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Max Power |
124 HP @ 10,000 RPM |
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Max Torque |
75.2 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM |
Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro
Price: $17,095
The Tiger series has expanded quite a bit, and the Tiger 900 GT Pro sits right in the middle of it, as the road-going middleweight Triumph ADV with the most features. There are some quality components on this variant as well, including Marzocchi suspension with electronic rear preload adjustment, Brembo Stylema calipers, and a standard two-way quickshifter. This is also the entry-level engine with Triumph’s ‘T-plane’ crank that offers a better torque spread without giving up power.
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Engine Type |
I3 |
|
Displacement |
888 cc |
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Max Power |
106.5 HP @ 9,500 RPM |
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Max Torque |
66.4 LB-FT @ 6,850 RPM |
Ducati DesertX
Price: $18,995
The DesertX is one of a dying breed – an uncompromising machine that still holds itself to Ducati’s old standards of high performance with a pinch of madness. It is powered by the Testastretta engine with the Desmodromic valvetrain, and is the only Ducati ADV that is truly serious about off-road ability. This adherence to the past won’t last long, though: a new DesertX is on the way with an engine with regular valve springs. For now, you get it with fully adjustable KYB suspension, Brembo monobloc calipers, and aggressive Pirelli tires.
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Engine Type |
90° V-twin |
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Displacement |
937 cc |
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Max Power |
110 HP @ 9,250 RPM |
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Max Torque |
68 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
10 Powerful Adventure-Tourer Bikes For Speed Junkies
You can ride these adventure bikes to the race track, on the race track, and then back home!
BMW R 1300 GS
Price: $20,395
The big GS always had sprightly performance, but this generation has taken a leap thanks to a few things. One is the increase in displacement, and the other is the addition of variable valve timing to the intake valves. It was done ostensibly to future-proof it for emissions requirements, but the benefit is that it has even more torque on tap than before. It retains everything else that made it such a good product: the electronic suspension with the double wishbone front, the full electronics suite, and the ability to be customized a lot right from the factory.
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Engine Type |
Longitudinal boxer twin |
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Displacement |
1,300 cc |
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Max Power |
145 HP @ 7,750 RPM |
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Max Torque |
110 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Pro
Price: $22,095
This is Triumph’s attempt to take on the BMWs and Ducatis of the full-size ADV segment. The Tiger 1200 GT Pro has everything you need to cross state lines in comfort, but it does it in its own way. It is powered by an inline three-cylinder engine with the ‘T-plane’ crank, has a shaft final drive, electronically adjustable suspension from Showa, Brembo Stylema brake calipers with a Magura span-adjustable radial master cylinder, and has accessories like a heated seat for the pillion. It also has a full electronics suite.
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Engine Type |
I3 |
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Displacement |
1,160 cc |
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Max Power |
147 HP @ 9,000 RPM |
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Max Torque |
95 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM |
Ducati Multistrada V4 S
Price: $28,995
The Multistrada V4 is now more like a range of motorcycles rather than variants of a single model. Of these, if you’re going to stick to tarmac most of the time, the Multistrada V4 S is probably your best bet. It has 170 horsepower, rear cylinder bank deactivation when you don’t need most of those horses, semi-active electronic suspension that can be adjusted at the touch of a button, Brembo brakes with a radial master cylinder for the front, and a TFT display.
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Engine Type |
90° V4 |
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Displacement |
1,158 cc |
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Max Power |
170 HP @ 10,750 RPM |
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Max Torque |
91 LB-FT @ 9,000 RPM |
Here Are The Most Expensive Adventure Bikes From All Popular Brands
With the rise and rise of the adventure bike segment, all the major manufacturers have something high-end on offer
KTM 1390 Super Adventure S Evo
Price: TBA
Good news! The 1390 Super Adventure has shown up on US shores, finally! The R version is immediately available, but we’re more interested in the 1390 Super Adventure S Evo because of the features it offers. The LC8 engine has a bump in displacement, but has also added variable valve timing on the intake valve for the very first time in a KTM. It will also have an automated manual gearbox, complete with ‘Park’ mode, which should make it easy to ride in traffic.
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Engine Type |
75° V-twin |
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Displacement |
1,350 cc |
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Max Power |
170.3 HP @ 9,500 RPM |
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Max Torque |
106.9 LB-FT @ 8,000 RPM |
Sources: KTM USA, Triumph Motorcycles