With so many riders out there dreaming of that one bike that can do it all, manufacturers have been forced to build ever more versatile machines to satisfy this demand. Naturally, every motorcycle is a compromise of sorts. Every bike has certain attributes and certain detractors.
Middleweight adventure bikes offer us a window into what “ultimate versatility” may look like. It neatly balances comfort, performance, and off-road capability. Even so, each rider will have a different idea of which one of these characteristics is more valuable, and the truth is, there is no wrong answer.
The ADV Space Is Incredibly Versatile
As it stands, the middleweight adventure market is still growing, and over the last few years, one impressive bike after another has been launched in this space. Aprilia has left the base model Tuareg largely unchanged since it came out in 2022, but the new Tuareg Rally 660 is more than just an additional trim. It offers a host of desirable off-road-oriented features and is even lighter than the base model. It also offers a unique Rally livery, which certainly stands out from the crowd.
BMW offers the base model F 900 GS for a highly competitive price. Like most base model BMW motorcycles, it is relatively well-appointed, but leaves a few nice-to-have features optional. That Akrapovič exhaust isn’t just there for the pictures, though; it is actually standard equipment. Heated grips also make the cut, but if you are after something like a quickshifter, you will need to pay extra for that. While both of these bikes have a lot to offer, and will most certainly make several riders’ adventure dreams come true, there is one that will allow you to dream even bigger.
Why The BMW F 900 GS Adventure Motorcycle Is A Smart Buy In 2025
The F 900 GS is tough, technologically packed to the gills, and totally worth it
The Yamaha Tenere 700 World Raid Is Perfect For Riders With Big Dreams
MSRP: $12,999
Back when the Tenere 700 was launched, it proved to be a genuine game-changer. It was lighter and more off-road oriented than most of the competition, and not only that, it also only cost $10k. Five years after its US launch – seven since its global debut – and this ADV continues to impress, having been updated several times along the way. This year, we get an all-new World Raid version, which offers more features than ever before.
The Perfect ADV Motorcycle That Can Commute, Tour, And Explore Is The Yamaha Tenere
This impressive middleweight adventure bike offers incredible versatility
A Proven Parallel-Twin Engine Powers The Tenere
Power: 72 Horsepower
Yamaha’s CP2 is widely recognized as the most reliable motorcycle engine currently in production. It really is a fantastic base to work from, delivering ample torque through the midrange, which is ideal for riding off-road. While it certainly doesn’t seem that exciting on paper, it’s an engine that is highly tractable and certainly won’t disappoint more experienced riders in the real world.
Peace Of Mind Is Part Of The Deal
Most modern motorcycles are mechanically reliable. This has been the case – especially among Japanese manufacturers – for several years now. The fact that the CP2 is reliable and delivers good midrange grunt doesn’t make it stand out, but the way it is able to work in so many different kinds of motorcycles certainly does. From a sportbike to a retro roadster, the CP2 just works on every bike. This makes it even more appealing for riders looking for a do-it-all machine. It is an engine for every occasion.
The Affordable Adventure Bike That Challenges The Tenere 700
This affordable ADV offers incredible bang for the buck, taking the fight to significantly more expensive bikes in the class
The Tenere Gets High-Tech
The original Tenere was both praised and castigated for being a back-to-basics offering. It got ABS, which could be switched off once you were off-road, and that was about where the electronic features began and ended. The whole point of the bike was to keep the weight down to a minimum. Consumer demand eventually forced Yamaha’s hand, and a TFT dash, along with a ride-by-wire throttle and traction control, were added to the base model. Naturally, my weight went up, but only by a little to 459 pounds.
Still pretty light for an ADV. With the World Raid, Yamaha has essentially thrown the kitchen sink at the bike. The addition of an IMU allows for features like cornering ABS, lean-sensitive traction control, and slide control. A neat feature that allows you to break traction without fear of losing control. You also get ride modes and cruise control, but the quickshifter remains optional. The weight penalty is pretty severe, just shy of 30 pounds, or about as much as an actual kitchen sink.
The Adventure Bike Built For Riders Who Push Limits
The quickest way to live out your rally raid dreams.
A Great Way To make Those Big Dreams Come True
One of the biggest criticisms leveled at the original bike, arguably the biggest, was the fact that it was undersprung. While it would do OK with just one rider, adding a passenger or luggage would almost certainly result in bottoming the bike out off-road. This issue was resolved in a fairly recent update, but the World Raid takes it up a notch with up-spec fully adjustable KYB suspension, both front and rear. It also has an adjustable steering damper and a bigger tank to round out what is an exceptional package, ready to explore straight from the factory.
All these features transform the Tenere into the explorer many riders want. Several adventure enthusiasts have added similar modifications to their bikes, and we can say for sure that the sum of these parts would cost significantly more than the added $2k the World Raid model demands. The weight penalty would most likely be more severe, too. For riders with big dreams of cross-country adventures, this is a top choice.
Chassis, Suspension, And Weight Specifications
|
Chassis |
Tubular steel |
|
Front Suspension |
46mm inverted fork, fully-adjustable (9.1-in travel) |
|
Rear Suspension |
Single shock, adjustable preload with remote adjuster, and rebound damping (8.7-in travel) |
|
Weight |
485 lbs |
Source: Yamaha Motorsports