What is an adventure motorcycle? It’s a deceptively simple question. But there’s no fixed definition of what adventure really means, so pinning it down in the context of a motorcycle is just as tricky. And that is precisely why the ADV segment is so broad.
Some adventure bikes lean heavily toward off-road capability, making fewer concessions to on-road comfort. Others are built for long-distance touring, with minimal off-road ability. There isn’t a single formula, though one model from Honda comes dangerously close to nailing that sweet spot.
What Makes For A Good ADV Motorcycle?
The definition of a good adventure motorcycle varies depending on who you ask. Riders who spend most of their time off-road will lean towards lighter machines with maximum suspension travel. Touring enthusiasts will prioritize comfort, fuel capacity, luggage, and perhaps pillion comfort. That said, when a motorcycle can genuinely do both, it begins to give a little more meaning to the term and embodies what a fantastic adventure bike should be.
Different Types Of Adventure Bikes For Different Riders
The adventure segment has diversified significantly over the past decade. At one end sit hardcore machines like the KTM 890 Adventure R and Yamaha Ténéré 700, built with serious off-road capability in mind. But the very traits that make them excel in the dirt – tall and narrow seats, block-pattern tires, and a focus on minimizing weight – can compromise everyday usability and long-distance comfort.
At the other end of the spectrum are large, touring-oriented ADVs like the BMW R 1300 GS and Ducati Multistrada V4. These bikes remain capable off-road in the right hands, but they lean more toward on-road comfort, stability, and technology, with features like electronic suspension, advanced rider aids, and larger fuel tanks. The segment has room for both approaches, but most riders need something that splits the difference a little more evenly.
10 Adventure Bikes That Are Perfect For First-Time Buyers
Adventure bikes can be a tall proposition, but you can lower your expectations with these ten excellent examples
The Africa Twin Is A Living Legend In The Adventure World
The Honda Africa Twin occupies the space between more hardcore off-road bikes and touring ADVs. The 1,084cc parallel-twin on the Africa Twin delivers enough power for highway riding and two-up touring, while the wheel setup and long-travel suspension offer proper off-road capability. And if you’re looking for a little more road- and touring-focused setup, the Adventure Sports ES sports a 19-inch front wheel (among other notable changes) that favors on-road performance.
The Africa Twin Carries A Storied Legacy
The Africa Twin name carries significant weight in the adventure motorcycle world. Honda’s history in off-road competition informs the modern bike’s design, even as it has evolved into a more versatile and practical machine than its racing ancestors.
True Dakar Rally Pedigree
Honda dominated the Dakar Rally throughout the late 1980s, winning the event four consecutive times from 1986 to 1989 on the NXR750. The first road-going Africa Twin, the XRV650, was based on that Dakar-winning machine. The model was replaced in 1990 by a larger, more capable XRV750 Africa Twin that continued to sell for a decade before it was discontinued, after which the moniker would disappear for over 15 years.
Honda then revived the now-iconic nameplate in 2016 with the CRF1000L, featuring the Africa Twin silhouette that most of us today are familiar with. The subsequent generation introduced in 2019 is the CRF1100L, a significantly more sophisticated machine than every iteration before it, but tied together by the fact that the Africa Twin platform can still be traced back to the brand’s learnings from the Dakar Rally – a platform it has won eight times, with the most recent being in 2024.
The Modern Evolution Of The Platform
Honda reintroduced the Africa Twin in 2016 with a 998cc parallel-twin engine. As you can imagine, motorcycle technology has progressed drastically since the turn of the millennium, so the modern take on the model was a significant shift forward. The bike arrived with an optional Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), which initially drew mixed reactions from riders but has now been largely accepted as a practical addition for most.
In 2024, the current-gen Africa Twin received a fairly notable update, including revised engine tuning for better mid-range torque, improved intake and exhaust systems, and an increased compression ratio. The standard Africa Twin retained the 21-inch front wheel for better off-road capability, but the Adventure Sports ES received a 19-inch front wheel instead of the previous 21-inch setup, lowering seat height and improving on-road handling.
The Time Japan Made A Better Adventure Motorcycle Than The Rest Of The World
This Honda adventure bike offers the best balance of performance, capability, and smart pricing.
The Africa Twin Combines The Best Of All Worlds
The Africa Twin’s strength lies in its ability to balance on- and off-road performance. Rather than maximizing one aspect of performance at the expense of others, Honda built a bike that does multiple things well without major weaknesses.
Performance You Can Actually Use In The Real World
The 1,084cc parallel-twin doesn’t make class-leading numbers, but Honda has tuned it such that torque is produced smoothly throughout the rev band, with enough power to hold highway speeds with ease. Honda’s Unicam design (SOHC with four valves per cylinder) keeps the engine narrow and light, and the throttle responds predictably whether you’re crawling over rocks at walking pace or passing slower traffic. Peak output figures for those of you who are curious are 102 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 82.6 pound-feet.
DCT Makes Life Easier
Honda offers both Africa Twin models – Standard and Adventure Sports ES – with either a conventional manual transmission or the company’s dual-clutch transmission. The DCT option adds $800 to both models and eliminates the clutch lever and gear pedal, instead using paddle shifters or fully automatic operation. The system gets its name from the fact that it uses two clutches – one for odd-numbered gears and one for even – allowing the transmission to pre-select the next gear for seamless shifts.
The DCT proves particularly valuable for less experienced riders off-road, where manually operating a clutch while navigating technical terrain divides attention. The transmission can be set to fully automatic mode or manual mode using the paddle shifters. The system also ensures that the bike doesn’t stall. In off-road mode, the system reduces clutch slip during throttle operation, improving control on loose surfaces. The DCT adds weight but provides convenience that many riders find worth the trade-off.
Suspension That Works Everywhere
The base Africa Twin uses a 45mm Showa inverted fork with 9.1 inches of travel and a Showa rear shock with 8.7 inches of travel. Both ends feature manual preload and damping adjustments, allowing riders to tune the suspension for different loads and conditions. The Adventure Sports ES models use electronic Showa EERA suspension with 8.3 inches of front fork travel and 7.9 inches at the rear.
The system offers five damping settings controlled through the TFT display, allowing riders to adjust suspension characteristics without stopping. The reduced travel compared to the base model lowers seat height and center of gravity, prioritizing on-road performance. That said, it offers enough travel to handle gravel roads and mild trails without bottoming out.
Electronics That Make The Full-Size ADV Manageable
The Africa Twin features a six-axis IMU that enables lean-sensitive traction control. You also have the option of choosing from multiple ride modes – Tour, Urban, Gravel, and a custom User mode – each adjusting throttle response, traction control intervention, and ABS behavior to match surface conditions.
All of this can be toggled via a 6.5-inch TFT touchscreen that also includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, allowing riders to access navigation, music, and communication through the bike’s screen. Cruise control comes standard across all models, and Honda Selectable Torque Control offers seven different settings, allowing riders to customize intervention levels based on conditions and skill level.
The Adventure Bike That Shows Why Riders Trust Honda
Built like a globe-trotting tank with a calm heartbeat, this Honda ADV turns chaos into cruise and dirt into a detour worth taking.
Why The Africa Twin Makes Sense For Most Riders
The Africa Twin works for riders who want a single bike that handles diverse riding without major compromises. Rather than owning separate bikes for different types of riding, one Africa Twin covers most scenarios competently.
The Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES Delivers For Those Who Want More
The Adventure Sports ES variants, at $17,799 for the manual and $18,599 for DCT, provide additional features that improve long-distance touring capability. The 6.6-gallon fuel tank, versus the base model’s five gallons, extends range significantly, and the electronic suspension adjustment allows quick changes for varying loads and conditions without tools.
The 19-inch front wheel and wider rims improve on-road handling and tire selection compared to the base model’s 21-inch setup. The lower seat height – adjustable between 32.9 and 33.7 inches compared to the base model’s 33.5 to 34.3 inches – makes the bike more accessible for shorter riders. The additional weight of electronic suspension and larger fuel tank totals 25 pounds over the base model, with a curb weight of 535 pounds, but the added capability justifies the trade-off for most riders.
The BMW F 900 GS And Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Are Worthy Alternatives
The BMW F 900 GS, at $14,395, offers a lighter, more nimble alternative with its 895cc parallel-twin producing 105 horsepower. At 482 pounds, the F 900 GS weighs 28 pounds less than the base Africa Twin, which should make it easier to handle in technical terrain. The BMW also has plenty of optional add-ons you can equip the bike with, and it makes sense for someone who prioritizes off-road capability and doesn’t need the Africa Twin’s larger fuel capacity or the ease of riding offered by the DCT.
Another option worth considering is the Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro, which, at $17,595, commands a premium but brings a superb 888cc triple engine producing 108 horsepower and 66.4 pound-feet, with a distinctive character. At a similar price to the Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES, the Triumph offers comparable capability but with a different character. The triple engine provides more top-end power, while the Africa Twin’s twin delivers stronger low-end torque. Both bikes work well for adventure riding, with the choice coming down to personal preference for engine character and, perhaps, brand loyalty.
Sources: Honda, BMW Motorrad, Triumph