10 Adventure Bikes That Combine Indestructible Builds With Modern Features

Globally, motorcycle sales are declining, but one segment is still flourishing. With one incredible bike after another getting launched each year, adventure bikes continue to capture the imagination of would-be explorers all over the world. While it isn’t explicitly necessary to go out and buy an adventure bike if you want to go out and explore, they certainly present themselves as the best tool for the job.

Adventure bikes need to hold up to the rigors of extended off-road rides, so they are built to withstand all sorts of abuse. They also still need to offer a modicum of comfort, and, as a result, include all the same modern features you might find on any other modern bike. Manufacturers have been forced to innovate and basically offer a motorcycle that can be all things to all people. Naturally, this is impossible, but the bikes on this list get pretty close, offering indestructible builds as well as a host of great modern features.

To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from authoritative sources, such as Suzuki Cycles, Yamaha Motorsports, and BMW Motorrad. The motorcycles on this list are rated according to MSRP.

BMW R 1300 GS Adventure

MSRP: $23,645

For those who really want to travel long distances and explore uncharted territory, a bigger ADV which offers more comfort will be the ideal choice. Over the years, it is the GS Adventure which has long since been the default choice in this particular space. While very capable off-road, the latest R 1300 GS Adventure weighs almost 600 pounds, which is always going to be a limiting factor off-road.

Specifications

KTM 1290 Super Adventure R

MSRP: 20,999

Out of all the full-size ADVs, the Super Adventure R is by far the most capable off-road. KTM also offers the best off-road electronics in the business. While it allows you the freedom to have a little fun off-road, it will always save you from yourself if you get a little too ambitious. It won’t be quite as comfortable on long highway stints as the BMW, but few motorcycles are.

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Ducati DesertX

MSRP: $18,995

Sitting somewhere between the full-sized bikes and the clan of middleweight offerings is the DesertX. In the past, we wouldn’t have been inclined to include anything from Ducati when it comes to something “indestructible,” but reliability has proven to be pretty good for this ADV so far. It also comes loaded with advanced electronics that help keep it upright in the rough stuff and help keep you entertained on longer highway runs.

Specifications

Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE

MSRP: $16,449

Suzuki updated the venerable V-Strom a couple of years ago, and that has kept it in the running as far as tech is concerned. It got an IMU and a TFT dash, which helped add a host of modern safety and convenience features. All this adds to what we all already know is a virtually indestructible V-twin platform.

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Honda Africa Twin

MSRP: $14,799

The Africa Twin offers what is arguably the most balanced approach to the whole adventure bike concept. While the new Transalp is grabbing most of the headlines, the Africa Twin has that proven Unicam parallel-twin which delivers over 80 pound-feet of torque. It also offers a pretty neat party trick in the form of DCT, if you are after an automatic ADV and willing to shell out an extra $800 on top of the base price.

Specifications

BMW F 900 GS

MSRP: $13,495

While the bigger GS offers touring bike comfort as well as the ability to go off-road, the middleweight GS is a far better option for those wanting to spend more time off the beaten path. With just a shade over 100 horsepower, the F 900 GS has more than enough power for a middleweight. It also offers exceptional build quality, and just like its big sister, a sophisticated electronics suite.

Specifications

Suzuki V-Strom 800DE

MSRP: $11,799

Suzuki’s latest ADV is let down a little by a rather underwhelming spec sheet, but in the real world, it is a genuinely capable middleweight which still offers a lot of value. It offers a robust parallel-twin and a host of modern features. Unfortunately, its design is borrowed from the V-Strom 1050 line, which, in our opinion, is not doing it any favors.

Specifications

Aprilia Tuareg 660

MSRP: $12,499

It is pretty clear that Aprilia studied the market carefully while developing this middleweight. Everything you could possibly want from an ADV gets packed into this bike. You get modern safety features like traction control, ABS, and ride modes, yet it still only weighs 450 pounds. Its punchy parallel-twin had a wobble in the sports bike, but that issue was rectified and has since proven reliable in the Tuareg.

Specifications

Yamaha Tenere 700

MSRP: $10,999

When it first came out, the Tenere 700 kept tech to a bare minimum. Yamaha responded to the demand for more tech, adding several modern features, including a positively massive TFT dash. It still isn’t the most tech-heavy bike on this list, but it does make a very good argument for being the most indestructible. Its CP2 engine has proven to be one of the most reliable engines ever put in a motorcycle.

Specifications

Honda Transalp

MSRP: $9,999

Initially, we thought this was going to be the biggest threat to the Tenere 700. In reality, Honda went in a slightly different direction. This is a bike that is more of a blank canvas, offering adventure enthusiasts an affordable entry point that they can transform into whatever they want it to be. It is comfortable enough to be a tourer, light enough to be a commuter, and with the right mods, competent enough to keep up with any of the other middleweight bikes off-road.

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