Adventure bikes are the SUVs of the motorcycle world, and as we all know, SUVs are supposed to be these large, bulky things. They have to have a large boot and great ground clearance to help deal with any eventuality. It’s the same with adventure bikes – they’re built extra tough and extra large because you’re going to have to carry all that weight along bad roads, so suspension travel and ground clearance are necessary, and… you get the idea.
However, modern engineering is nothing short of magic, and manufacturers understand that the larger and taller the motorcycle, the more intimidated the rider will be, and less likely to ride it. So, real effort has been put into making adventure bikes that feel small when you swing a leg over them. Most of these make for great commuters as well if you have bad roads in your city!
BMW G 310 GS
Price: $5,895
The G 310 GS is going to be replaced soon by the F 450 GS. While this is great news for all fans of the GS, it will leave the US with one less quality small motorcycle. This was engineered to be low-cost, so it is one of the better beginner ADVs. It is available with only alloy wheels, and it has enough pep and reliability to offer a good time – now with added discounts!
|
Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
|
Displacement |
313 cc |
|
Max Power |
34 HP @ 9,250 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
20 LB-FT @ 7,500 RPM |
Kawasaki Versys-X 300
Price: $5,799
Like the BMW, the Versys-X 300 has been around for an extremely long time and gets passed over because it is a small capacity adventure tourer – words that make people turn away. However, you’d be hard-pressed to find an engine smoother than this parallel twin. It loves to rev, too, so if you enjoy wringing the last horsepower out of an engine without having to worry about reliability, the Versys-X will do you nicely.
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Engine Type |
180° I2 |
|
Displacement |
296 cc |
|
Max Power |
40 HP @ 11,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
19.2 LB-FT @ 10,000 RPM |
Royal Enfield Himalayan 411
Price: $5,449
Unlike the G 310 GS, the Himalayan 411 is positively agrarian. It has an air-cooled long-stroke engine with a single camshaft and only two valves. It also has a five-speed gearbox, and the suspension adjustment consists of rear preload only. But to fault the Himalayan 411 for being so simple is missing the point – this is supposed to be easy to ride and repair, and it is that for sure. The engine stays at peak torque under 5,000 RPM, the suspension and seat comfort have to be experienced to be believed, and in the right hands, it can go as far off-road as a mountain goat.
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Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
|
Displacement |
411 cc |
|
Max Power |
24.3 HP @ 6,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
23.6 LB-FT @ 4,000-4,500 RPM |
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Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
Price: $5,999
The Himalayan 411 is good, but the Himalayan 450 is better. It has a trellis frame, uses the engine as a stressed member, has much more advanced suspension from Showa, and the engine is Royal Enfield’s first liquid-cooled engine and six-speed gearbox. This is a basic motorcycle, but it is very modern in the way it rides and handles. It even has a by-wire throttle, ride modes, and switchable ABS! The instrumentation is a TFT display with navigation capabilities as well. It isn’t flashy, but it will put a smile on your face.
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Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
|
Displacement |
452 cc |
|
Max Power |
40 HP @ 8,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
29.5 LB-FT @ 5,500 RPM |
Honda CRF300L Rally
Price: $6,499
The CRF300L Rally doesn’t have any headline features. No massive power figure, or NASA-level electronics, or even a design that will wow you. But what it is is surefooted and unbreakable. It is derived from the CRF300L dual-sport motorcycle, so you know it is going to be light and good off the road. The digital instrument cluster and switchable ABS, coupled with the aluminum swingarm, will all contribute to a good experience, but you simply wouldn’t know it from the spec sheet.
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Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
|
Displacement |
286 cc |
|
Max Power |
27 HP @ 8,500 RPM |
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Max Torque |
19.6 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
KTM 390 Adventure X
Price: $6,499
The 390 Adventure R hogs all the headlines thanks to its premium off-road type suspension, TFT screen, and spoke rims with aggressive tires. That leaves the 390 Adventure X in its shadow, but it is arguably the better buy for most people. It doesn’t have fancy features, settling for a 19/17-inch alloy wheel combination and an LCD cluster. The suspension is also simpler, with less travel and only rear preload adjustment. But it still retains the six-axis IMU, so what this means is that over many years, it will be the easier sibling to live with – and it costs a fair bit less than the R.
|
Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
|
Displacement |
399 cc |
|
Max Power |
44 HP @ 8,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
28.7 LB-FT @ 6,700 RPM |
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CFMoto Ibex 450
Price: $6,499
For the same price as the KTM above, you can have the twin-cylinder Ibex 450. CFMoto always delivers incredible value, but even by its own high standards, the small Ibex stands out. The engine has a 270-degree firing order, and the KYB suspension not only has long travel but also full adjustability. The brakes have switchable ABS and radial front calipers. Meanwhile, the 5-inch TFT display is curved to reduce glare and reflections. And it has a proper 21/18 inch spoke rim combination!
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Engine Type |
270° I2 |
|
Displacement |
449 cc |
|
Max Power |
44 HP @ 8,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
32.5 LB-FT @ 6,250 RPM |
Honda NX500
Price: $7,399
The NX500 is an elder statesman, being an evolution of the CB500X. The fact that it doesn’t even pretend to be capable of off-road shenanigans means that it gets ignored a lot. However, Honda has given it switchable traction control, meaning it can and does handle light off-road work well. Not half as well as it handles tarmac-bound duty, though. Elsewhere, it has one of the smoothest, most efficient engines you’ll ever encounter, and has a 5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth and navigation. ABS is standard as well.
|
Engine Type |
180° I2 |
|
Displacement |
471 cc |
|
Max Power |
46.9 HP @ 8,600 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
31.7 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
Kawasaki KLE500
Price: $6,599
The KLE500 is a new product and yet tends to fly under the radar, because the base version is quite like the KTM. You get an LCD and simple suspension, and the real goodies lie with the $7,499 KLE500 SE. That unlocks a TFT screen with Bluetooth, a taller windscreen, a better engine guard, and all-LED lighting, among other improvements. At its heart, this is powered by the Ninja 500 engine, so it will be reliable, powerful, and smooth all at the same time. The trellis frame keeps weight down, helping with its off-road focus.
|
Engine Type |
180° I2 |
|
Displacement |
451 cc |
|
Max Power |
51 HP @ 10,000 RPM (est) |
|
Max Torque |
31.7 LB-FT @ 7,500 RPM |
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Suzuki V-Strom 650XT
Price: $9,799
The V-Strom 650XT looks substantial, but that V-twin engine makes it narrower than you’d expect. In a world of parallel twins, this engine offers much more confidence and a unique torque curve. Standard suspension, 19/17-inch spoke rims that support tubeless tires, and three-level traction control are all available. However, a new update is expected soon with a bunch of features that will make it much more modern.
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Engine Type |
90° V-twin |
|
Displacement |
645 cc |
|
Max Power |
70 HP @ 8,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
46 LB-FT @ 6,400 RPM |
Sources: Honda Powersports, Kawasaki USA