Best Adventure Motorcycles
Adventure Motorcycle category is growing at a rapid pace all around the world. While sportbikes and naked motorbikes are still favourite among the younger lot, there’s no denying that adventure motorcycles are most practical.
Earlier this segment was ruled by European manufacturers. But today we have plethora of tasty options. Let’s look at some of the best adventure motorcycles you can buy today:
Contents
1) BMW G310 GS
BMW G 310 GS is the entry-level adventure motorcycle. It was first revealed at the EICMA 2016 but the launch was delayed till last year. This motorcycle is the result of BMW – TVS technology partnership.
It’s powered by a liquid-cooled 313 cc single-cylinder engine that pumps out 34PS of power and 28Nm of torque. The engine uses a 6-Speed gearbox to send power to the rear wheel.
This might not be for you if you’re looking for something serious. But if you want a taste of adventure bikes, try this one out. It’s probably the best choice for a beginner adventure touring enthusiasts.
2) BMW F750 GS / F850 GS
BMW Motorrad recently revamped its mid-level adventure bike lineup with F 750 GS and F 850 GS. The BMW F750 GS is pitched as a road-focused, can do it all motorcycle. While BMW F850 GS is offered as a purebred offroader (adventure bike).
Inspite of looking rugged and utilitarian, both adventure motorcycles are highly kitted out in terms of technology. This includes 6.5 inch TFT display, Bluetooth connectivity, ABS, stability control, cruise control, and three riding modes (rain, road, standard). Want more? Then you have optional extra that includes two extra riding mode (Dynamic, Enduro) and Dynamic Traction Control.
Both F 750 GS and F 850 GS are powered by the same water-cooled, 853cc, inline-twin cylinder engine. The difference lies in the way ECU has been tuned for each motorcycle. In the BMW F 750 GS, the power output is 77 bhp at 7,500 rpm. In BMW F 850 GS, the same engine churns out 95 PS of power at 8,250 rpm.
3) BMW S 1000 XR
This is a bit of an oddball in this list. Want sportbike, touring bike and adventure motorcycle in a single package. Look no further than the BMW S 1000 XR. Although people often compare this to the Ducati Multistrada, the owners say that it’s completely different.
BMW S 1000 XR leans more towards a naked sportbike rather than touring bike. All said, there no motorcycle quite like this one. Its 4 cylinder powerplant has been borrowed from the S1000RR superbike but with a different tune. It makes 165 PS of power at 11,000 rpm and 114 Nm of torque at 9,250 rpm.
To control all that power in all types of terrain, BMW S 1000 XR comes with two adjustable riding modes “Rain” and “Road”. Along with power delivery, ABS and stability control settings are also changes with riding modes.
4) BMW R1200 GS / GS Adventure
Talk about adventure motorcycles cannot be complete without mentioning the BMW R1200 GS. After all, it is the big daddy of this category. Most people use this motorcycle as the benchmark when comparing any other adventure motorcycle.
The R1200 GS is built to do one thing- go around world tour rides. It features beefed-up suspension, protection, big fuel tank, and a purpose-built chassis.
For the engine, it gets an iconic twin cylinder, flat plane boxer engine. This 1170cc engine makes 125 PS of power at 7750 rpm and 125 Nm of torque at 6500 rpm.
5) Honda Africa Twin
Does BMW R1200 GS intimidate you? Then Honda Africa Twin should be the one for you. It’s easy to ride package with low seat height, lightweight, smooth power delivery, and optional automatic DCT gearbox.
‘Africa Twin’ is a legendary name in the adventure touring community. That name was built by the original XRV750 (1990-2003). The current iteration of Africa Twin was launched in 2017.
The new Honda Africa Twin gets a liquid-cooled 999cc parallel twin engine that churns out 90 PS of power at 7,500 rpm and 93.1 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm. For the gearbox, there are two options 6-speed conventional or 6-speed Dual-clutch automatic gearbox. In India, Africa Twin is only offered with an automatic gearbox. That’s a limiting factor as well as its unique proposition.
6) Triumph Tiger 1200 Range
Triumph Tiger 1200 is again the top of the crop when it comes to adventure motorcycling.
The Tiger 1200 lineup is segmented in two. Adventure tourer’s favourite, XC range has spoked wheels and more off-road-ready elements like handguards and off-road pegs. This is offered in two trim levels: the XCX and top-shelf XCA.
The XR range is more road focused. It has cast-aluminum wheels and is available in four trim: XR, that doesn’t get the TSAS semi-active suspension among other features; the XRX, the XRX LRH, a shorter version with a 31.1-inch to 31.8-inch adjustable seat height and dedicated suspension; and the range topping XRT.
If horsepower is your thing then Tiger 1200 pump out the highest numbers for any shaft driven bike. Its inline-3 cylinder engine makes 141 PS of power at 9,350 rpm and 122 Nm of torque at 7,600 rpm.
Inspite of being relatively new motorcycle, the Tiger 1200 has stolen lots of BMW R 1200 GS customers.
7) Triumph Tiger 800
The mid-level Adventure bikes are quite a rage nowadays, thanks to motorcycles like Tiger 800. They offer a more affordable package with not much to lose when compared to their bigger counterpart.
The Triumph Tiger 800 is also more flexible when it comes to usage. It feels at home during casual city commutes as it does while tackling long road trips to offbeat locations. It would feel kind of odd to use Tiger 1200 for office commutes. So that’s what it is, a less serious adventure bike.
Powering the Tiger 800 is a liquid cooled inline 3-cylinder engine that develops 95 PS of power at 9,500 rpm and 79 Nm of torque at 8,050 rpm. Tiger 800 comes in three spec: XR, Xrx, Xcx
8) KTM 1290 Super Adventure R
KTM engineers are the masters when it comes to making enduro motorcycles that actually win races. All that race winning technology is trickled down into the 1290 Super Adventure R.
This motorcycle is purpose-built to do one thing and one thing only, that is to munch some off-road miles.
The hot news nowadays is that the updated version of KTM 1290 Super Adventure will launch in 2020. In fact, several reporters have published the spy images of the test mule.
The current model is powered by a 1301cc V-Twin engine that churns out 160 PS of power and 140 Nm of torque.
9) Ducati Multistrada Enduro
Is the Ducati Multistrada 1200 too tame for you? Don’t worry, there’s Ducati Multistrada Enduro for you. It the most hardcore adventure bike in the stable.
It gets a new 1260 cc Testastretta DVT 1262 motor with fat torque curve and improved chassis for greater ease of riding at low speeds or tackling offroad course.
This engine makes 160 PS of power at 9,500 rpm and 128 Nm of torque at 7,500 rpm.
It’s laden with safety features like Traction Control, Cornering ABS, Riding modes, Cornering headlights, Wheelie control, and Vehicle Hold Control.
There’s one restriction though, The seat height of 840 – 800mm filters out short riders.
10) Suzuki V-Storm 1000
Suzuki V Storm 1000 is not that popular in the adventure touring fans, but it’s something that can challenge the best of the best.
Japanese manufacturers like digging into the parts bin of different models and mix and match new concepts. However, V-Storm 1000 is a ground-up development that’s built to excel at “sport adventure riding”.
For the engine it gets a 1037cc V-Twin liquid cooled engine tuned for low-end and mid-range torque. Suzuki wanted it to perform on the tight tarmac as well as on the offroad trail. This engine develops 100 PS of power and 103 Nm of torque
This was achieved by using lightweight aluminium chassis, high-quality suspension components, and advanced safety systems.
11) Yamaha Super Tenere ES
Yamaha was the latecomer to the adventure motorcycle party. It was only in 2010 that Yamaha Super Tenere landed in Europe and disrupted the BMW-KTM monopoly.
The latest 2019 Yamaha Super Tenere has come a long way since then. This motorcycle was known to be better than heavy adventure bikes in the dirt, and the same ethos continues with the new model.
This bike is powered by a 1199cc parallel twin engine with 270 degree crank for high torque figures. The engine itself is mounted low for the reduced centre of gravity. This shows up well while carving tight corners.
Read these cool motorcycle quotes
You might wanna follow these youtube channels for bikers
- Cost of Changing Transmission Fluid - August 23, 2021
- 5 Symptoms of Blown Head Gasket - August 16, 2021
- 7 Symptoms of Bad Fuel Pump - August 11, 2021
