Over the course of the last decade or so, adventure bikes have exploded in popularity. With so many bikes getting launched each year, it is pretty easy to overlook a couple. One bike that has never been overlooked – and for good reason – is the Honda Africa Twin. It is easy to see why so many people love the Honda. An impressive balance between touring comfort and off-road competence is present.
It also just so happens to be a Honda, and with that comes a level of peace of mind that is hard to put a dollar value on. It is the safe option, and like most things safe, it lacks a little x-factor. If you are looking for something a little more interesting in this price range, there is a pretty impressive KTM ADV that is a bit of a bargain on the used market right now.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various authoritative sources, including KBB. Whereas, the opinions are our own. Buying a used motorcycle always has an element of risk attached, so please do your research, and proceed with caution.
The Honda Africa Twin Is The Japanese ADV That Might Be The Ultimate Choice For A One-Bike Garage
This ultimte all-rounder ADV brings a flexible engine, semi-active suspension, 300+ miles range, and much more
The 2020 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S Will Outrun A New Honda Africa Twin
Price Range: $8,000 – $12,000
With the rise and rise of the middleweight adventure bike, bikes like the 1290 Super Adventure S are depreciating faster than ever. As a result, you can now have a 2020 model for less than the base model Africa Twin. The Austrian bike also offers the same level of specification as the up-spec Africa Twin Adventure Sports, and has almost 60 horsepower more than its Japanese compatriot. The trade value for the KTM is currently pegged at $8,130, which is less than half what the bike cost back in 2020. Retail value is sitting at just over $11,000, which is impressive value for a bike as feature-laden as the Super Adventure S. Suffice to say, this is a pretty good deal to the right buyer.
The 1290 Super Adventure S Has A Raspy V-Twin Engine
Power: 160 Horsepower
In recent times, KTM has made headlines all over the world for all the wrong reasons. The one thing we can say for sure is that the LC8 engine has nothing to do with any of those problems. Ever since it was bumped up to 1301cc, there hasn’t been any report of mechanical issues. It also makes its power in the most theatrical way, with around 100 pound-feet of torque at your disposal through large swathes of the rev range. As a result, you get access to almost all of its glorious power at road-legal speeds.
The only thing counting against it is that with it being a big-bore V-twin, if you get a little too enthusiastic, fuel efficiency will all but go out the window. Which is something worth keeping in mind if you find yourself far from civilization, which is something you would never have to worry about on the Africa Twin.
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The 1290 Super Adventure S Is A Feature-Rich ADV
If you are in the market for a more off-road-oriented ADV, the 1290 Super Adventure R doesn’t cost that much more, but in all honesty, big-bore adventure bikes are not a top choice for off-road riding. A 2020 R model will most likely also have seen at least a little off-road use, and almost certainly would have been down a couple of times as a result.
That is why we would opt for the more street-oriented S model instead. It came with a long list of standard features, including cornering ABS, lean-sensitive traction control, ride modes, an adjustable windshield, and semi-active suspension. The semi-active suspension is a major point of difference for a bike that you will be using for travel. It allows for quick adjustments to the suspension if you are riding with a passenger or extra luggage. Although it was an option, most of these bikes can also be found with luggage already fitted.
Chassis, Suspension, And Weight Specifications
|
Chassis |
Steel trellis |
|
Front Suspension |
Electronically adjustable semi-active inverted 48mm fork (7.9-in travel) |
|
Rear Suspension |
Electronically adjustable semi-active shock (7.9-in travel) |
|
Weight |
474 lbs (dry) |
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The 1290 Super Adventure S Is Not The Only Used ADV Going For A Song
With the motorcycle market in a slump, and more buyers gravitating towards middleweight options, the appetite for luxury adventure bikes is no longer what it once was. As a result, these bikes are getting hit hard by depreciation. KTM is certainly not alone in this space, with a couple of great options offering exceptional bang for the buck.
2020 BMW R 1250 GS
For the past two decades or so, the GS series has been the default choice in the adventure-touring space. Generally speaking, you will end up paying more for one of these purely because of their popularity. But, there are deals to be had, and some of these bikes had the BMW parts catalog thrown at them, adding even more value to the right buyer.
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2020 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S
If you are willing to lean even further away from off-road competence, the previous-generation Multistrada presents itself as a rather enticing option. While this is undoubtedly more of a crossover than an actual adventure bike, it offers a little Italian flair to go along with a similarly impressive features list. Its luscious V-twin is equally powerful, if a little maintenance-heavy.
To be fair, none of these bikes are bad option, and all of them are more interesting than an Africa Twin. The KTM is just an absolute bargain on the used market, and with all its features just offers so much value. It might not be the best-looking bike in the world, but once you ride it, you won’t care much about what it looks like.