The adventure bike segment has exploded in recent years, and now, you can buy everything from dirt bikes with fairings marketed as ADVs to tall couches on two wheels. Most of these ADVs, as capable as they may be, cannot meet the demands of true long-distance adventures, though. Some can’t handle long highway rides, whereas others lack comfort for long hours in the saddle.
Look deeper, however, and there are a few amazing motorcycles that can deliver on all fronts. They have the power to sit at highway speeds effortlessly for hours, and the underpinnings to withstand the worst roads the world has to offer. And they top it all up with spacious ergonomics and conveniences to make your round-the-world adventure comfortable. Here are ten such motorcycles that will stop at nothing.
Aprilia Tuareg 660 Rally
Starting MSRP: $13,799
The Aprilia Tuareg 660 Rally is one of the very best middleweight adventure bikes that can actually go the distance and stop at nothing, complete with genuine off-road capability. It’s powered by an 80-horsepower twin-cylinder engine borrowed from the RS 660 sports bike, tuned for a punchier mid-range.
In its Rally avatar, the Tuareg features off-road-ready Kayaba suspension with over nine inches of travel and full adjustability. There’s also Ergal spoked rims and knobbies, Brembo brakes, APRC tech suite, and an SC Project exhaust that brings the weight down to just 438 pounds. While the Tuareg 660 Rally may be on the lower end of this list, it has enough oomph to put bigger bikes to shame.
BMW F 900 GS Adventure
Starting MSRP: $15,195
The BMW F 900 GS Adventure is easily one of the most underrated adventure bikes on offer today. Based on the standard F 900 GS, it carries the same parallel-twin engine producing 105 horsepower and 68.6 pound-feet of torque. What’s different here, apart from the slightly higher price tag, is the Adventure’s touring-ready features.
On this bike, the fuel tank is bigger with a 6-gallon capacity, and you also get an adjustable touring windscreen, standard fully-adjustable suspension, optional Dynamic ESA, and much more. Costing just over $15k, the F 900 GS Adventure offers one of the best balances when it comes to long-distance capability and comfort without shelling out for a full-size adventure bike.
Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE Adventure
Starting MSRP: $17,799
Most adventure bikes on this list try to win spec-sheet battles, but the V-Strom 1050DE Adventure is different. The focus here is on sensibility and reliability. Starting with its engine, it features a 1,037cc V-twin engine that produces 107.4 horsepower. It’s paired with a twin-spar aluminum frame, which pushes the bike onto the heavier end of the spectrum. It still manages to be one of the fastest ADVs on the market today.
There’s no shortage of essentials, either. You get a 21-inch front wheel, long-travel suspension, and lean-sensitive rider aids. The DE Adventure badge also adds hard panniers, a center stand, and engine protection. It’s one of the more mature options in the market, especially if your aim is to get something that will get you anywhere in the world with little trouble.
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.
Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES
Starting MSRP: $17,799
The standard Honda Africa Twin is already an impeccable ADV, but ask us, and we’d pick the Adventure Sports ES version despite it being more road-focused. Like the standard Africa Twin, this variant features the same 270-degree parallel-twin engine that pushes out 100.5 horsepower and is known for its smooth power delivery and broad torque curve.
The highlight here, however, is the electronic suspension that the standard AT misses out on. The semi-active Showa EERA suspension automatically adapts to various riding conditions, which gives it better overall capability. It still retains some of that off-road DNA, too, including a rally-inspired design, long-ish travel suspension, and a 19-inch front wheel. Honda also offers an optional DCT version of it, if comfort is a priority.
Ducati DesertX Discovery
Starting MSRP: $19,995
The Ducati DesertX Discovery is yet another off-road-ready adventure bike that can give smaller ADVs a run for their money on trails. It’s powered by the Ducati Testastretta 11-degree L-twin engine producing 110 horsepower. With the new DesertX V2 on the way, this is one of the final Desmo-equipped Ducati middleweights.
The bike sits on fully-adjustable KYB suspension and a 21/18-inch cross-spoked tubeless wheel setup, which gives it plenty of off-road chops. With the Discovery version, you also get to enjoy a touring windscreen, turn-by-turn navigation, standard protection, and optional aluminum side panniers for going the extra mile.
Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special
Starting MSRP: $19,999
The Pan America 1250 Special might just be the most value-for-money Harley-Davidson you can buy today. It’s a true multitasker that can do everything from touring to off-roading. It’s also powered by Harley’s most powerful production engine: the Revolution Max 1250 V-twin. While this engine is relatively high-revving, it produces 70 percent torque from 4,000 RPM, which should translate to a punchy power delivery.
For $20k, the Pan America 1250 Special also offers an unreal amount of top-spec tech that makes it a better tourer. This includes electronically adaptive suspension with 7.5 inches of travel, a large TFT display, and cornering-enabled electronic aids. Being a big bike, it also boasts roomy ergonomics that shouldn’t make you feel tired after hours on the saddle.
10 Cheapest New Adventure Motorcycles With Impressive Torque
Some of these have more torque than even cruiser bikes
KTM 1390 Adventure R
Starting MSRP: $21,649
KTM hasn’t had the best months recently, so it’s a minor miracle that we get to see the 1390 Super Adventure R on American roads. It’s one of the more extreme options on this list, as a KTM should be, featuring a powerful LC8 engine that dumps 170.6 horsepower at the rear wheel. This bike also features Camshift Technology, KTM’s version of VVT, giving the bike a more versatile character.
Apart from sheer horsepower, the Adventure R also features high-performance WP XPLOR fully-adjustable suspension, Brembo brakes, and a 12/18-inch wheel setup. Ergonomically, it offers a neutral riding position with plenty of space for most riders. The only thing that ruins this otherwise awesome package is that some features are hidden behind a paywall, like the advanced front radar.
BMW R 1300 GS Adventure
Starting MSRP: $23,795
BMW says the R 1300 GS is as strong as your willpower, and you’ll need a lot of it to get past its fugly design. Look past that, though, and you’ll find one of the most capable GS motorcycles ever made, and that’s saying something. This purpose-built ADV is powered by BMW’s most powerful boxer engine, producing 145 horsepower, which should offer dependability you’d expect from your GS.
Where the GS Adventure shines is its kit. It features better wind protection, docking points, and integrated storage solutions, a massive 7.9-gallon fuel tank, and plenty of rider tech, including Dynamic Cruise Control. BMW also offers a few flavors of it, like the Trophy, Triple Black, and 719 Karakorum. Put simply, the GS Adventure is all the bike you’ll ever need on our cross-country ride.
Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer
Starting MSRP: $24,895
You’d need something seriously capable to dethrone the R 1300 GS Adventure, and the Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer comes pretty close. It’s powered by a beefy 1,160cc inline-triple engine producing 147 horsepower, paired with a shaft drive that’s designed to take off-road abuse. So, there’s no lack of power for endless highway journeys.
The Rally Explorer also features a massive 7.9-gallon fuel tank, offering 50 percent better fuel range than the Rally Pro, along with semi-active Showa suspension, tubeless spoked wheels, and a slew of rider aids. Like the GS Adventure, this bike, too, has everything you’d ever need from your bike. Although for almost $25k, the Rally Explore is not a cheap bike.
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
Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally
Starting MSRP: $32,495
Sitting at the top of the globe-trotting adventure bike segment is the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally. It’s a genuine complete motorcycle, powered by the punchy V4 Granturismo engine that promises effortless grand touring smoothness and superbike power figures. Don’t worry, the Enduro mode will help you tame the bike down to 115 horsepower for off-roading, too.
It also gets Ducati Skyhook EVO suspension, which constantly adapts to various road conditions. Comfort and practicality are just as central, too, as it gets neutral upright ergos, multiple seat options, plenty of wind protection, and a laundry list of features. Few motorcycles come close to the level of balance that this bike achieves without making massive compromises in any regard, and that’s what makes the Multistrada V4 Rally so great.
Source: BMW Motorrad, Ducati, Suzuki Cycles, Honda Powersports, Harley-Davidson, Aprilia