Once thought to be big and bulky and not capable of doing anything well, the humble adventure motorcycle has now gone on to become one of the most reliable kinds of motorcycles for traveling long distances. ADVs these days are able to ferry people across continents through a variety of different terrains, weather conditions, and more often than not, challenging gravity itself.
ADVs battle some of the most intense ups and downs when it comes to riding. Sometimes going through extremely hot and dry climates, and other times through cold, rainy days. Sometimes these bikes will ascend from a warm, humid coastline straight up into the dry, cold winds of the mountains. And all of these bikes are expected to go on for days on end without proper care and maintenance.
Now, yes, all ADVs are built like tanks, and almost all of them are designed to take on some of the most punishing terrains and maintenance schedules, but there are a select few ADVs that are in a class of their own when it comes to bulletproof reliability. Here are 10 adventure motorcycles that we think are known for how reliable they are.
Models are listed in ascending order based on starting price, from the lowest to the highest.
Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
Starting MSRP: $5,999
Starting off with the most affordable ADV, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is one of those underdogs that shine only when actually put to the test. Royal Enfield’s build quality has only been improving over the past decade or so, and the Himalayan 450 is a testament to that growth. Powered by RE’s first liquid-cooled 452cc single-cylinder, the Himi has been crossing continents without complaint. Yes, every once in a while, you will hear the odd breakdown, but it’s usually not a big fix, and from the cost of the motorcycle, it’s definitely not a big expense either.
Performance Specs
|
Engine Type |
Liquid-cooled, single-cylinder |
|
Displacement |
452 cc |
|
Power |
40 HP |
|
Torque |
29.5 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
6-speed |
Kawasaki KLE500
Starting MSRP: $6,599
If the Kawasaki KLR650 is known as their toughest dual-sport, the KLE500 is their toughest ADV. No, they’re not the same, and they don’t run on the same platform, but we just thought we’d mention it. The KLE500 is powered by Kawasaki’s reliable parallel-twin engine producing 51 horsepower. The overall package is extremely simple with very few complications; at most, there is selectable ABS. This also means there is less to maintain. But the KLE isn’t just a simple bike; it is rock solid and capable of taking a lot of abuse without complaining a lot.
Performance Specs
|
Engine Type |
Liquid-cooled, Parallel-twin |
|
Displacement |
451 cc |
|
Power |
51 HP |
|
Torque |
31.7 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
6-speed |
Honda NX500
Starting MSRP: $6,899
The selling point for the Honda NX500 is that its 471cc parallel-twin is already a proven engine running through thousands of miles of use on various Honda models. The bike itself is also fairly approachable in both size and power. This means there is less strain on the components, too, which means there is less to maintain. It’s not the most powerful machine in Honda’s lineup, but owners of the bike have spoken about its butter-smooth clutch and predictable throttle control. A lot of them also brag about going on for months and miles, needing only to follow a regular, basic maintenance schedule.
Performance Specs
|
Engine Type |
Liquid-cooled, Parallel-twin |
|
Displacement |
471 cc |
|
Power |
46.9 HP |
|
Torque |
31.7 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
6-speed |
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Honda Transalp
Starting MSRP: $9,999
Blending old-school spirit with modern tech, the Honda Transalp has consistently been praised for its performance and durability. The Transalp’s 755cc engine produces 90 horsepower and 55 pound-feet of torque, and thanks to the parallel-twin setup, vibrations are fairly muted. What puts the Transalp on this list is its reputation for being pretty uncomplicated. The electronics package is pretty basic, and of course, being a Honda, you have your signature reliability. A lot of times, owners end up using their bikes for everything from daily office commutes to weekend trail attacks.
Performance Specs
|
Engine Type |
Liquid-cooled, Parallel-twin |
|
Displacement |
755 cc |
|
Power |
90 HP |
|
Torque |
55 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
6-speed |
Yamaha Ténéré 700
Starting MSRP: $10,999
The Yamaha Tenere 700 is pretty synonymous with simple but deadly capability. This is one of those machines you can take just about anywhere and abuse. The Tenere gets a basic suite of electronics, including two interchangeable throttle maps. But what puts this motorcycle on this list is its brutal ability to handle anything that you throw at it. Built on the same lines as their rally bikes, Yamaha has baked reliability directly into the Tenere 700. It is powered by a 689cc CP2 parallel-twin that produces 72.4 horsepower and 50.2 pound-feet of torque.
Performance Specs
|
Engine Type |
Liquid-cooled, Parallel-twin |
|
Displacement |
689 cc |
|
Power |
72.4 HP |
|
Torque |
50.2 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
6-speed |
Suzuki V-Strom 650XT Adventure
Starting MSRP: $10,999
One of the Suzukis on this list is the V-Strom 650XT Adventure. The V-Strom name has a reputation for indestructibility, mostly thanks to the durable engine found in the V-Strom 650. The 645cc engine has been around for years now and has only been refined over the years. The bike, too, has been taking a beating from different riders on very different terrains. All of them swear by the bike’s refinement and reliability, saying that regular maintenance is usually the most that is required to keep the bike functioning well.
Performance Specs
|
Engine Type |
Liquid-cooled, V-twin |
|
Displacement |
645 cc |
|
Power |
69 HP |
|
Torque |
50.9 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
6-speed |
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Honda Africa Twin
Starting MSRP: $15,199
This list wouldn’t have been complete if the Honda Africa Twin were not to be added. It has been the standard for Honda’s reliability reputation over the years, taking thrashing after thrashing every time it’s taken out of the garage. It’s got a brilliant 1,084cc parallel-twin engine, one very robust cooling setup, and a well-sorted electronics package. There is a DCT gearbox option as well, but that has also proven fairly reliable so far. The Africa Twin has been designed to survive anything the world throws at it, from scorching deserts to snow-capped mountains.
Performance Specs
|
Engine Type |
Liquid-cooled, Parallel-twin |
|
Displacement |
1,084 cc |
|
Power |
100 HP |
|
Torque |
82 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
6-speed manual/DCT |
Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE
Starting MSRP: $16,449
After the 650 XT, the other V-Strom pulling on the reliability rope is the 1050DE. Adding off-road capability to the standard V-Strom 1050, the DE is also powered by a 1,037cc engine that has proven itself over the years to be pretty reliable. Owners talk about how sturdy the bike feels on any kind of terrain and in any kind of environment. The 1050 crossing continents on just basic service and regular maintenance is one of the reasons owners love the bike.
Performance Specs
|
Engine Type |
Liquid-cooled, V-twin |
|
Displacement |
1,037 cc |
|
Power |
107.4 HP |
|
Torque |
73.7 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
6-speed |
Ducati Multistrada V4
Starting MSRP: $19,995
Moving into the more premium segment now, the Ducati Multistrada is one of those dark horses that you won’t really know is reliable because a lot of people get a Ducati simply as artwork. Real riders, on the other hand, talk of its dependability as a positive. This is a testament to where Ducati has come from, being a brand with temperamental motorcycles to one that can cross countries without batting an eyelid. The Multistrada V4 is powered by the brand’s 1,158cc Granturismo engine, pushing 170 horsepower to the rear wheel.
Performance Specs
|
Engine Type |
Liquid-cooled, V4 |
|
Displacement |
1,158 cc |
|
Power |
170 HP |
|
Torque |
91 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
6-speed |
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BMW R 1300 GS Adventure
Starting MSRP: $23,795
And finally, the gold standard for adventure bikes everywhere. The BMW R 1300 GS has been evolving from the first-ever R80 G/S to what it is today. This is where ADVs began, and this is where the industry found out what is needed. The BMW GS series of bikes is all known for their rugged durability and extremely refined boxer twin engine. Add a shaft drive to that equation, and you even take away the chain maintenance from your daily activity when traveling the world. The R 1300 GS Adventure is powered by BMW’s new 1,300cc boxer twin producing 145 horsepower.
Performance Specs
|
Engine Type |
Liquid-cooled, Boxer-twin |
|
Displacement |
1,300 cc |
|
Power |
145 HP |
|
Torque |
110 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
6-speed, shaft-drive |
Sources: Various Manufacturers