10 New Adventure Bikes That Redefine Off-Road Comfort

Adventure bikes are the ideal choice for striking a balance between on-road and off-road capabilities. However, many ADVs do sacrifice off-roading prowess to dial up rider comfort. But there are a few that excel at being hooligans on the less-traveled roads, while also maintaining a cozy side in terms of riding comfort and ergonomics. It’s mostly a matter of top-spec suspension hardware and a host of electronic features that help bring comfort to the dune-bashing off-road world. From Harley-Davidson’s first-ever ADV to a sub-$6,000 do-it-all Royal Enfield, this list is vast and vibrant.

To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from authoritative sources, including Suzuki Cycles USA, CFMoto Motorcycles USA, Honda Powersports USA, Yamaha Motorsports USA, KTM USA, Ducati USA, Harley-Davidson USA, BMW Motorrad USA, Husqvarna Motorcycles USA, and Royal Enfield USA. This list is organized in decreasing order of pricing, from the most expensive to the most affordable ADVs that offer elevated off-roading comfort.

Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special

Price: $19,999

This is the sole Harley-Davidson motorcycle that perfectly blends on-road and off-road riding finesse. Harley offers a range of cool features to make the Pan America a versatile and comfortable off-roader. The most vital feature is its electronically adjustable suspension setup that consists of 47 mm inverted front forks and a monoshock, both with 7.5 inches of travel. Electronic features, such as switchable ABS with a cornering function, linked brakes, and hill hold assist, further enhance the comfort of this 150-horsepower Harley on off-road runs.

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Ducati DesertX

Price: $17,995

This is the most affordable Ducati adventure bike available today, excelling at striking the perfect balance between lightweight and heavy-duty ADV capabilities. Right off the back, Ducati has proved the DesertX’s mettle in off-road racing. However, this ADV can also take things steady and cozy on those off-road runs, thanks to fully adjustable KYB suspension at both ends. Couple this with capable Pirelli Scorpion Rally STRs, and the DesertX doesn’t compromise on off-roading comfort.

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Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition

Price: $16,499

This is an underrated adventure bike that pushes the envelope of off-roading comfort and capabilities. A KTM-sourced parallel-twin engine powers it, also found on the KTM 890 Adventure R. Staying true to the “Expedition” in its name, Husqvarna’s top-spec underpinnings are built on robust hardware. It is underpinned by a steel trellis frame that is suspended by a 48 mm WP Xplor inverted fork up front and a WP Xplor PDS monoshock at the rear.

Both ends are fully adjustable and offer a whopping 9.4 inches of travel. The Norden 901 Expedition boasts capable dual-purpose Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires. Technology features also play a role in making off-roading runs comfortable. Notable ones include nine levels of lean-sensitive traction control, four riding modes (two off-road ones—Off-road and Explorer), and switchable rear ABS.

Specs

Suzuki V-Strom 1050 DE

Price: $16,299

The V-Strom 1050 DE is the equivalent of a Swiss knife for motorcycles. This V-Strom is powered by a liter-class V-twin engine that produces 107.4 horsepower and 74 pound-feet of torque. The “DE” adds extra brownie points to the liter-class V-Strom, which features elevated suspension travel. It offers approximately an inch more suspension travel than the standard 1050 model. Fully adjustable 44 mm KYB forks upfront with 6.7 inches of travel and a fully adjustable KYB monoshock with 6.6 inches of travel are present, too. Dunlop’s Trailmax Mixtour adventure tire further amplifies this Suzuki’s off-road comfort.

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Honda Africa Twin DCT

Price: $15,599

The Honda Africa Twin is renowned for its versatility, primarily due to its adaptable main frame and engine, both shared with a cruiser bike and a cafe racer. Its off-roading comfort quotient is on a whole different level thanks to a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission system. This helps the Africa Twin ride smoothly, like a scooter, over dunes and rocky terrain. Couple this ‘ace’ feature with an adjustable seat height and a low curb weight, and this Honda shows us that off-roading can be a bed of roses.

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BMW F 900 GS

Price: $14,275

The F 900 GS is BMW’s off-road-biased ADV that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. Keeping things cozy on those off-road runs is its fully adjustable suspension setup that consists of 43 mm inverted forks with a whopping 9.05 inches of travel up front. The rear features preload and rebound adjustment for the monoshock, offering 8.46 inches of travel. This helps modulate this peppy middleweight ADV to be stable and comfortable at all times. Powering the F 900 GS is a versatile parallel-twin engine that also powers a streetfighter.

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Yamaha Tenere 700

Price: $10,999

Famed for its aggressive off-roading capabilities, the Tenere’s long-travel suspension setup, featuring adjustable inverted forks up front with 8.3 inches of travel and an adjustable monoshock with 7.9 inches of travel. Electronic assistive features, such as three-mode selectable ABS, traction control, and the “Explorer” throttle map, help this Yamaha remain composed in off-roading scenarios. Its peppy and tractable CP2 engine enhances the Tenere 700’s flexible character, with a power and torque curve that is spread evenly across the rev band.

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KTM 390 Adventure R

Price: $6,999

The latest evolution of KTM’s popular entry-level ADV receives a significant overhaul, enhancing its off-roading capabilities. Its 399 cc single-cylinder is also utilized on the track-ready KTM RC 390 and the 390 Duke, cementing its tractable nature. The primary contributor to making the 390 Adventure R a comfortable off-roader is its suspension setup, which consists of adjustable inverted forks up front and an adjustable monoshock at the rear. Both ends offer 9.06 inches of travel. Adding further to making the off-roading experience adaptive are features like switchable ABS, traction control, a quickshifter, and ride modes.

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CFMoto Ibex 450

Price: $6,499

One of the most desirable entry-level ADVs today, the CFMoto Ibex 450 is a do-it-all motorcycle. Its peppy parallel-twin 449 cc mill produces 44 horsepower and 32.5 pound-feet of torque; enough muscle to make it a peppy urban runabout and a cozy highway runner. It also offers enhanced off-roading capabilities. CFMoto also invests effort in making the Ibex a comfortable off-roader, featuring fully adjustable suspension that provides 8.0 inches of travel at both ends. The slim form factor also contributes to this ADV’s comfortable and easily transitioning sit-stand rider triangle when in motion.

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Royal Enfield Himalayan 450

Price: $5,799

This is the most affordable ADV that doesn’t sacrifice off-roading comfort. It features a long-travel suspension, with 43mm inverted forks up front providing 7.9 inches of travel and a preload-adjustable monoshock at the rear with 7.9 inches of travel; both tuned by Showa for a balance of on-road comfort and off-road stability. Additionally, features such as a factory-adjustable seat, switchable ADV, two ride modes, and a by-wire throttle enable RE to go the extra mile in making the Himmi 450 a comfortable trail runner. For under $6,000, its performance is also commendable, with a first-ever liquid-cooled mill from RE producing 40 horsepower and 29.5 pound-feet of torque.

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