10 Adventure Bikes That Double As Everyday Commuters

At present, it seems as though everyone is now gravitating towards more versatile motorcycles. Traveling on a motorcycle has never been more appealing, either, and not just any kind of traveling, either. People want a bike that can be taken off-road, too. If that is what you are after, you are most likely looking at getting an adventure bike. The adventure bike market has grown considerably over the past few years, and we now have a bike for just about every occasion at our disposal.

For those of us who can only afford to own one motorcycle – be it space, or budget – we need a bike that can also handle our daily commute. While bigger ADVs are great for travel, they are not great commuters. If you are going to be taking on the urban jungle, the lighter, the better, so we set a weight limit of 500 pounds (dry). We also limited it to one bike per brand simply for the sake of variety.

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 Yamaha Motorsports, Kawasaki and KTM. The motorcycles on this list are rated according to MSRP.

10

BMW F 900 GS

MSRP: $14,275

Often, when a manufacturer designs an ADV, it is forced to compromise in certain areas. In the case of the previous generation BMW F 850 GS, it was always more street-oriented, and a little overweight. The latest F 900 GS shows no such compromise. In terms of weight and off-road ability, it is right on par with the middleweight competition, and it still offers all the comfort and tech buyers have come to expect from the brand.

Specifications

9

Aprilia Tuareg 660

MSRP: $12,499

Compared to the rest of the brands on this list, the Piaggio Group – Aprilia’s parent company – is a pretty small company. So the dealer network will always be limited, but the bike itself certainly is not. It is one of the most capable middleweight ADVs on the market, with a long list of features and a wet weight of just 450 pounds. It is, in our opinion, the best all-rounder money can buy.

Specifications

8

Triumph Tiger 850 Sport

MSRP: $12,290

If you are on the hunt for the best off-road ADV, this particular Tiger certainly is not that. But, if you are after a reliable commuter that can double up as an equally good tourer, this should certainly be on your radar. Unlike the 800 and 650, this is still based on a genuine ADV platform, so while it is more street oriented, you are essentially one set of tires away from a significantly more capable off-road bike.

Specifications

7

Yamaha Tenere 700

MSRP: $10,999

While the aforementioned European bikes are all pretty reliable, nothing can touch the CP2 in this department. Over the years, Yamaha has been forced to keep up with the times and has added more tech to the bike, but the additional weight is not that noticeable, and the fact that the rear suspension has been revised is far more noteworthy. It was one of the very few weak links, the other being a glaring lack of comfort. Unfortunately, it is still about as comfortable as the average dirt bike. Which is to say… not very.

Specifications

6

Suzuki V-Strom 650

MSRP: $9,299

We all thought the 650 was about to leave us, but Suzuki doesn’t seem too bothered by the fact that this is stealing sales from the new 800. It is a comfortable, reliable motorcycle that is as proven as anything can be. This V-twin also adds a dash of fun to an otherwise average-looking platform, and we would go as far as saying it is the best commuter bike on this particular list of great commuter bikes.

Specifications

5

Honda NX500

MSRP: $7,399

For those looking for a commuter that gives you the option to travel occasionally, the NX500 is most certainly worth a look. It is a little heavy and expensive for what really is an entry-level bike, but with it being a Honda, it offers a level of peace of mind few can rival. While the initial price may be a little higher than its direct competitors, it more than makes up for that with superior fuel economy and generally low running costs.

Specifications

4

KTM 390 Adventure X

MSRP: $6,499

A certain new tariff has been particularly hard on the new small-displacement KTMs. The Adventure R might be here if it were not for the new, rather unattractive price tag, but the X still offers decent value. You get class-leading off-road ABS, lean-sensitive traction control, a TFT dash with smartphone connectivity, and a proven single-cylinder engine. It is no longer the bargain it once was, but it is still a feature-rich little bike for a reasonable price.

Specifications

3

CFMoto Ibex 450

MSRP: $6,499

CFMoto sums up the Ibex 450 in one line: “the unicorn they didn’t see coming.” While this is obviously a Chinese product and comes with several disclaimers, the device you are using to read this list most likely also has several parts that come from that country. Looking at it objectively, it really is the “unicorn” ADV so many enthusiasts have been waiting for. It is not necessarily the best at any one thing; it just does everything well and undercuts anything comparable.

Specifications

2

Royal Enfield Himalayan 450

MSRP: $5,999

The new Himalayan 450 finally gets its first price bump, but it isn’t nearly as extreme as the aforementioned KTM. It is still an affordable entry-level ADV and ticks all the right boxes in terms of equipment and performance, yet, for some reason, it flies under the radar. One thing counting against it might be its design, which moved away from the retro lines of the previous model in favor of something more modern, but much of its identity was lost in the process.

Specifications

1

Kawasaki Versys-X 300

MSRP: $5,799

The KLE500 hasn’t hit American dealerships yet. So the Versys-X 300 will need to plug the hole for now. It is a more street-oriented option, which won’t appeal to everyone, but it is more than capable of doing the odd tour over the weekend and is quite at home handling the daily commute.

Specifications