Adventure bikes are so expensive because of their premium build, featuring fortified chrome-moly steel and aluminum alloy frames, dynamic electronically adjustable long-travel suspensions, comfortable saddle amenities, anodized spoked wheels with large on-and-off-road oriented tires, powerful and reliable low-maintenance powertrains, and gorgeous bodywork with ample crash and weather protection. They also hoard advanced electronic rider aids to help tame their insanely powerful rally-forged V-twins, parallel twins, L-twins, and boxer engines.
For these very reasons, the demand for adventure bikes has been on the upsurge, especially among riders aged 45-65 — a direct result of the increasing popularity of long-distance touring. It’s the classic case of supply and demand naturally driving up their prices. In fact, the global adventure motorcycle market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.7% during the period 2023-2028, further fueled by the younger generation’s quest for solitude, a connection with nature, exploration, or simply the joy of travel in North America, Europe, Asia, and even Africa.
And Dan Walsh hilariously echoes this dream in this eBook ‘These are the Days That Must Happen To You:’
“Riding a bike removes the need for clutter, toys, and rubbish that other men have to take on holiday. If I want adrenaline, I’ll rush a giddy overtake, not rent a jet ski… I get my pocket picked by a grifter and a gun pulled on me by a one-eyed midget who’s upset cause I winked at him. These are the days that must happen to you!”
But to ride off into the unknown, man must become one with the machine and live off the motorcycle. And that means buying gear and accessorizing the bike for life on the road.
Essential Gear for Your Expensive Adventure Bike
Scroll to the right to find out where to buy, discover the best prices, and see if you might be lucky enough to get a discount from the sellers.
Product Name | Category | Dimension | Check & Shop Now |
---|---|---|---|
AGV AX-9 | Best Helmet | 3 Shell Sizes: XS-MS, ML-XL, 2XL | RevZilla | CycleGear | Amazon |
AGVSPORT Mayhem | Best Gloves | 5-13 Inches | Amazon |
Alpinestars Corozal Adventure | Best Boots | 36-50 EU Size/3.5-14 USA Size | RevZilla | MotoSport | Amazon |
AXIAL Block | Best Balaclava | SM, MD, LG, XL, 2X. | RevZilla | J&P Cycles | Amazon |
AGVSPORT Flex Tex Vented Waterproof | Best Jacket | L-XL, XL-XXL | Amazon |
Klim Vented | Best Socks | SM, MD, LG, XL | RevZilla | J&P Cycles | Amazon |
Klim Nac Pak Hydrapak | Best Hydration Bladder/Backpack | Medium Size | RevZilla | MotoSport | Amazon |
AGVSPORT Mojave | Best Pants | S, M, L, XL, XL, XXL | Amazon |
NoNoise Motorsport Noise Filter Ear Protection | Best Ear Plugs | Single Pack | RevZilla | Amazon |
EVS R3 Collar | Best Neck Brace | CE and Directive 89/686/EEC Certified | RevZilla | MotoSport | Amazon |
AGVSPORT Super Alloy | Best Jeans | S, M, L, XL, XL, XXL | Amazon |
But where did the adventure riding discipline begin? What’s evolved? Why this sudden surge? More on that, and why the ADV market has become the most profitable niche for both motorcycle and gear makers, still to come. But first:
The Most Popular Adventure Bike Manufacturers Today
In the dynamic world of adventure motorcycles, several prominent players stand out on the global stage. These manufacturers have garnered attention not only for their capacity but also for their recent developments, which encompass capacity expansions, plant turnarounds, and strategic mergers and acquisitions:
Brand | Founded | Most Expensive Adventure Bike | Cheapest Adventure Bike |
---|---|---|---|
BMW | 1923 | BMW R 1250 GS Adventure | BMW G 310 GS |
Honda | 1949 | Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES DCT | Honda CRF300L Rally |
Yamaha | 1955 | Yamaha Super Ténéré ES | Yamaha Ténéré 700 |
Kawasaki | 1962 | Kawasaki Versys 1000 LT | Kawasaki Versys X300 |
Suzuki | 1955 | Suzuki V-Strom 1050XT Adventure | Suzuki V-Strom SX |
Harley Davidson | 1903 | Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special | Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 |
Triumph | 1902 | Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer | Triumph Tiger Sport 660 |
KTM | 1953 | KTM 1290 Super Adventure R | KTM 390 Adventure |
Ducati | 1946 | Ducati Multistrada V4 S Enduro | Ducati DesertX 937 |
Moto-Guzzi | 1921 | Moto-Guzzi V85 TT | Moto Guzzi V 100 Mandello |
Husqvarna | 1903 | Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition | Husqvarna 701 Enduro |
Aprilia | 1945 | Aprilia Caponord 1200 | Aprilia Tuareg 660 |
Now, let’s embark on a captivating journey through history, delving into the fascinating evolution that has shaped adventure motorcycle riding into the thrilling phenomenon it has become today.
Looking Back: The Origin of ADV Motorcycling
It’s hard to imagine, but cafe racers are the ancestors of the modern-day race bike with top-of-the-line aerodynamics and so much technology that they virtually ride themselves. What boggles the mind even further is the fact that adventure motorcycles are even younger than sport bikes (modern interpretation).
The Birth of Adventure Motorcycles
The ADV segment was born in the early 80s at the IFMA Motorcycle Show in Cologne, where the Bavarian maker unveiled the BMW R80 G/S as the first adventure motorcycle. And despite the popularity of the niche today, other manufacturers and the market did not welcome the R80 with much enthusiasm, although it’s easy to see why on the competitors’ part.
Nonetheless, different manufacturers began developing similar machines in parallel with the GS, often labeling them as dual-sport or enduro motorcycles, despite their strikingly similar off-road capabilities while remaining suitable for street riding.
And the design teams used enduro races, including events like the Dakar-Paris Rally (modern-day Dakar Rally), to refine their innovations. Their goal was to create the ultimate motorcycle capable of excelling both on-road and off-road, while providing rider comfort for long journeys.
Evolution of Adventure Motorcycles: Dakar Rally Winners and Their Latest Descendance
Winning Years | Bike Model | Latest Descendance |
1979-1980 | Yamaha XT500 | Yamaha XT250 |
1981-1982, 1984-1986 | BMW R 80 G/S | BMW R 1250 GS Adventure |
1983 | Honda XL 600 | Honda Varadero (Discontinued) |
1987 | Honda NXR 750 | Honda Africa Twin Adventure |
1988 | Cagiva Elefant 750 | Ducati DesertX 937 |
1989 | Yamaha Ténéré 660 | Yamaha Ténéré 700 |
1990-1992 | Yamaha Super Ténéré 750 | Yamaha Super Ténéré ES |
1993 | Cagiva Elefant 900 | MV Agusta Lucky Explorer 9.5 |
1994-1998 | Yamaha YZE 850T | Yamaha Ténéré 700 |
1999-2000 | BMW F 650 RR | BMW F 650 GS (Discontinued) |
2001-2002, 2004 | KTM 660 Rallye | KTM 790 Adventure |
2009-2010 | KTM 690 Rally | KTM 890 Adventure |
2011-2019 | KTM 450 Rally | KTM 450 Rally Replica |
2020-2021 | Honda CRF450 Rally | Honda CRF300L Rally |
P.S.: The GS name stands for Gelände/Straße German for Terrain/Street, and true to the name, this little rugged bike with a capable boxer twin and off-road spoked wheels had that go-anywhere attitude that makes you drool over a GS.
The Global Expansion of ADV Motorcycles
The Euro bike would find moderate success in its home continent, but not anywhere else, thanks to the economic devastation of the 1970s oil recession. And while pockets were slowly filling up once more, Japanese makers would pounce on the North American market bringing over dirt-ready machines like the Yamaha TDM 850, and Suzuki had their stab with the DR series calling them dual-sport but adventure in manners. The Yamaha TDM 850 was more of a hypermiler on the tarmac, while the DR was happier off-road.
Honda’s Impact on the ADV Segment
Honda waited out the ADV game and firmly planted a permanent flag a long 8 years after the R80 debut with the 1988 XRV650 whose DNA still runs through the modern CRF1100L Africa Twin. The success of the XRV650 was in the way Honda married the two concepts of on-and-off-road riding. Yes, this bold Honda move was more powerful and cost only a fraction of the price of a Beemer at the time, so it’s obvious why it was an instant hit.
But it wasn’t long until the Bavarians responded with a well-timed R1100GS and R1150GS which altogether moved nearly 100,000 units to the Americas in the second half of the 90’s alone. And just like that, the ADV segment caught on in North America and the rest of the world.
The Advancement Continues: KTM, Ducati and More
Honda’s adventure sports moniker lives on with the recent Africa Twin making a comeback to claim a familiar second most popular adventure motorcycle after BMW’s GS series. And despite the 1,048 cc parallel-twin punching above its weight, it’s a little underpowered compared to the rival boxer twin on the R 1250 GSA. In my opinion, it makes more power than you need even for a 500 pounder, but I digress!
Meanwhile, Italian makers Moto Guzzi and Aprilia weren’t about to miss out on all the fun, and each made a contribution with the Tuareg 600 Wind and Quota 1000 respectively, although both their sales were mostly domestic. The Moto Guzzi trademark transverse 1,000 cc twin reminds me so much of the showy Moto Guzzi V 100 Mandello while Aprilia’s Tuareg 600 DNA is unmistakable in the still running Tuareg 660.
And speaking of Italian, you may be wondering where the Lamborghini of motorcycles was at this time. Ducati and Mv Agusta were part of the same house (despite the current cutthroat competition they have going on) the Cagivas. This explains where both the DesertX and the just off the boat Lucky Explorers all pay tribute to the Elefants 750 and 900 with each of the siblings trying to claim that beautiful rally heritage.
Influence of Media and Racing
The current fascination with adventure bikes can be traced back to a single film sponsored by BMW, “The Long Way Round”, a documentary about two British blokes and their epic journey around the globe (quite literary) on a couple of Beemers. But while BMW was enjoying all the media clout from the reality show, KTM was gaining ground in the racing scene and were about to stun the world with one of the most significant winning streaks of any professional racing ever at the Dakar Rally.
The Austrian bagged not one, not five, not 10 but 18 consecutive wins at the Dakar Rally between 2001 and 2019. On the bright side for BMW, they enjoyed massive sales when the film came out. And the irony of it all is that Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman first approached KTM for free bikes and sponsorship for their trip and were promptly turned down before approaching BMW in a last-stitch effort to save the trip.
10 Reasons Adventure Bikes Are So Expensive
With a history on two wheels dating back to the 70s and a journey through nearly every motorcycle discipline across six accessible continents, I’ve witnessed the evolution of adventure motorcycling into the thriving industry it is today. Besides my “collector” pieces, I own and actively ride 2 ATVs and 11 motorcycles, including a KLX 250 Enduro in Vietnam, a Tekken 250 adventure touring in Ukraine, and a Kawasaki Z250 in Thailand.
And wherever I venture, I prefer to take the dirt roads, and so, I know firsthand the value of a go-anywhere motorcycle. Based on this experience, here is my take on why adventure motorcycles are justifiably so expensive:
1. Sourcing and Fabricating of Chromoly Steel Frames Is Costly
The frame of a motorcycle is the main structural component, which holds the engine and provides attachment points for other vital parts of the vehicle such as the suspension, steering column, and wheels.
The high-end ADV motorcycle frames use 4130 chromoly steel (0.33% carbon, 0.60% manganese, 0.25% chromium, and 1.10% molybdenum), an alloy of steel regarded as the best for a good balance of strength, durability, and ease of weldability. Carbon makes steel harder and more weldable but also brittle, Chromium adds toughness and corrosion resistance, Molybdenum makes the steel strong at high temperatures and harden-able while Manganese is a deoxidizer removing air that might be trapped in the piece when under production.
It’s a combination of the careful choice of materials, a meticulous manufacturing process from tube formation to seam welding, cold working, heat, and surface treatments such as galvanizing (to ward off ugly corrosion) that makes ADV frames virtually indefatigable.
Other expensive materials for ADVs are Aluminum and even titanium. The BMW R 1250 GS, for instance, uses a cast aluminum single-sided swingarm and even titanium jacket on the sport silencer which stack up its production costs.
What about the chassis? The chassis of a motorcycle refers to all the components that makes the bike handle, function and perform as intended including the frame, swingarm, which is part of the rear suspension, the front shocks, wheels and tires, gas tank, fairings, along with the handlebars and controls, which make it possible to control the motorcycle.
2. Dynamic Adjustable And Adaptive Suspension For Every Surface
BMW has that trusty in-house Telelever suspension in the front, which is spring preload adjustable with optional ESA on the class-defining BMW R1200GS (2014-16 spec). KTM relies on their Austrian subsidiary, WP Performance Systems, to make those showy orange trellis frames and, of course, the WP 48mm XPLOR Pro that enhances the performance of their 890 Adventure R.
Honda has Showa to thank for the Prolink rear suspension and the real-time damping-adjustable 45mm inverted telescopic fork with a winning 9.1 in. wheel travel, which helps it catch air like a giant dirt bike and almost never bottom out.
3. Often Fitted With The Most Reliable Engines Ever Made
Yes, the engine is a stressed member of the chassis in nearly all ADV bike designs mainly to reduce the weight and complexity of the frame needed to handle the immense loads that these vehicles are put through in their adventuring life. Now, here all manufacturers have their own hat-tricks but suffice it to say that the engines they put on the ADV badged models are some of the most reliable they ever make.
Case in Point: the original 1988 Honda XRV650 Africa Twin. Big Red’s first great ADV was openly inspired by the success of the formidable racing model, the NXR750V made to win the Dakar Rally in 1986 (first appearance) and solidify the win with four more wins in the subsequent years. The thundering success was attributed to that powerful V-twin engine and of course the long travel suspension and rugged chassis all of which form the core DNA of the first Africa Twin whose engine has now evolved to a vertical parallel twin.
One need only look and see that the same goes for the mighty GS, which is a direct descendant of that 1978 unofficial prototype that was developed by staff at the Bavarian’s factory that made its first appearance at the Six Days and immediately got BMW’s top management interested. After two more years of refinement, a new class of vehicle was born with the1980 R 80 G/S and has been dominated ever since.
4. Amazing Transmission With Overdrive
Married to every legendary engine is a transmission of equal proportions. Honda knows this and makes the 6-speed transmission or the automatic Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) a choice for her Africa Twin buyers, leveraging the popularity of the long-distance tourer, the Goldwing, to boost sales for their ADV flagship.
Even with the manual transmission, you get lots of grunt down low and smooth cruising in sixth (overdrive) to eat up the long stretches of highway in between the fun sections. BMW only features manual transmissions but uses variable valve timing (BMW’s Shift Cam variable-valve-timing system) to achieve the same.
5. The Best Wheels and Tires To Truly Go Anywhere
ADVs sport heavy-duty, lightweight, spoked, and anodized wheels fitted with the best grade of tires for dirt and asphalt for the hyper-miles in between the fun. All the big boys, except for Multistrada V4 S, which is more of an upright sport-touring bike than enduro if you ask me, come with spoked wheels, which are significantly more expensive to manufacture than cast alloy rims.
The new CRF1100 AT has beautiful gold anodized wheels keeping rust at bay and turning heads wherever you go. I have been to the Honda manufacturing plant at Kumamoto, and I can attest that the Africa Twin wheel-spoke assembly is done by hand with skilled labor for precision which significantly bumps up production costs.
I remember when they brought out the CRF1000 back in 2016, it came fitted with Dunlop D610’s with tubes, which were grippy on dry tarmac but horrible on almost any other surface. Thanks to rider feedback, the new Adventure Sports AT now comes with tubeless spoked fitment wheels similar to the GS wheel and either Metzeler’s Karoo Street or Bridgestone’s Battlax Adventure CrossTourer AX41T. And premium tires such as this cost a pretty penny, faithfully passed on to the end user!
6. Plush Saddle and Overall Ergonomics Make Every Ride Easier
ADV motorcycles are a luxury category often fitted with plush seats, weather protection, and general ergonomics even four-wheelers could envy. You experience hardly any fatigue on a BMW R 1250 GS Adventure (the king of adventure), thanks to the ergonomic riding position and cruise control, which I find to be quite useful when I need to adjust my mirrors, open my tank bag while not stopping and doubles as an eco-mode to save fuel on long boring stretches of tarmac.
Yes, the Africa Twin feels a bit like child’s play in the dirt and even the new Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro brings out the wild side of the track maestros but there is something about the GS that just calls every owner to hyper mile. Over-engineered, yes, perhaps, but I would rather have an engineer at BMW think of something that might go wrong with the bike in the future and put preventative measures than have to figure it out on my own in the middle of nowhere.
I know, too much tech has its downsides, but the reality is that when buying, people only consider the good parts.
7. The Latest In Electronic Rider Aids
These hyper-milers also need their GPS, ABS with multiple riding modes, advanced traction control systems, steering dampers, the latest in ABS and Combined Braking Systems (CBS), Android and iOS connectivity features, slipper clutch, TPMS and a horde of other small advancements in technology to help the rider tame the beast within.
All these systems are exposed to the elements unlike in cars, and have to be made hardy to remain reliable in very adverse conditions. This means they are expensive to manufacture and integrate into the motorcycle, adding to the already tall price point.
8. Luggage Brackets and Crash Bar Kit Amenities
No adventure is complete without going somewhere new, so ADVs also come with amenities to attach the iconic side panniers or soft luggage to bring some pieces of home along. The crash bar kits and other accessories equip the bike and rider for epic long journeys far from civilization. The extra puzzle of subframes, racks, and attachment points for luggage take up design time and more steel tubing which also adds to the GWR of each ADV bike and thus the cost.
9. Large Fuel Tanks and Reasonable MPG Give Range
The fuel range of an ADV bike is how far you can go on a full tank before you need to refuel. The range is important when embarking on long motorcycle journeys such as the Moroccan Dessert routes that have become a playground for avid European adventure travelers. Or, the Argentina Ruta 40, or La Cuarenta as the locals call it, one of the least traveled places on earth with sparsely populated gas stops along the way.
You can always add fuel bladders, auxiliary tanks, and What not, but that takes up luggage space and eats up your accessories budget, and so it is better to buy a bike with a mammoth tank already built for it.
On average, middleweight adventure bikes have gas tanks that hold 4-8 gallons (15-30 liters), providing a range of approximately 200 miles (322 kilometers) on a full tank. This differs from popular 4-cylinder sport bikes or street bikes in the same 600cc-950cc range, which typically have gas tanks with a capacity of 4-6 gallons (15-23 liters).
For instance, the Yamaha Tenere 700, arguably the best ADV bike for fuel economy, manages to cover 220 to 240 miles (354 to 386 kilometers) at an impressive 52 mpg to 57 mpg (miles per gallon, equivalent to 21.3 to 23.3 km/pl) with its relatively smaller 4.2-gallon (15.9 liters) tank.
But if you’re in the market for an EV, the $24,495 Zero DSR/X, the best electric adventure bike today, delivers 180 miles of range (290 kilometers), which is a little shy of the $25,880 Energica Experia, the electric motorcycle with the longest range of 261 miles (420 kilometers) in urban areas and 153 miles (246 kilometers) in long-distance riding.
10. Soaring Demand For ADVs Is Driving Prices Up
When people really want something, producers charge more for it, so the price goes up. The same goes for the ADVs niche. And based on my own experience, these are the key factors behind the increasing demand and consequently, the rising prices of adventure motorcycles:
- Absolute Go-Anywhere Motorcycles: ADVs, like the BMW R 1250 GS, are ready to tackle any terrain and can cover long distances of more than 200 miles (320 kilometers) of a single refill, making them the perfect choice for long adventures.
- Easily Customizable to Suit Rider Needs: Most adventure motorcycles come with attachment points for adding luggage, crash bars, panniers, and more, making the bike more like a motorhome for life on the road.
- Long Distance Comfort: Naturally, manufacturers design these bikes to excel in long-distance rides with spacious seats and ergonomics. The GS brand is famous for this, with the Honda Africa Twin coming in second, in my opinion.
- Outstanding Engine Performance: Some days, we yearn for speed, and it’s easy to see why we desire a motorcycle that can do camel and horse at the same time. Such is the case with some performance-oriented ADVs like the famed KTM 1290 Super Adventure and the astonishingly fast Ducati Multistrada V4.
- Ability to Grab Air With Long Travel Suspension: Mainly inspired by dirt bikes and enduro riding, ADVs are able to carry more stuff and go further without missing out on the occasional jumps and drifts. The suspension is usually adjustable and adaptive to the riding conditions, which is like having a different bike for every stage of the journey. A good example is the Africa Twin, which despite its tall seat height and weighing over 500 pounds, it feels light and playful on the trails.
- Tall Dominant Riding Stance: Riding a taller bike, with an upright or standing position, has the advantage of seeing further down the trail or street, improving safety on the road. Furthermore, bikes, like the Beemers or the Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer have a big bike energy that means less harassment by other road users.
- Mile for Mile Cheaper Than Sport Bikes: ADV may be a tall order in terms of upfront costs, but they practically live forever. Along the way, you will find that they have cheaper running costs than sport bikes with longer service intervals. And people love them for it.
- ADV Style Motorcycles Look Good: It’s an open secret that we all sometimes drool over the possibility of owning and operating these rugged beastly motorcycles. The feeling subsides while you are aboard one of them, and all you can think of is its immense weight and not falling off, but yeah, their stunning bodywork and general aesthetic appeal is one big factor driving up sales for the ADV segment.
Even secondhand, semi-popular adventure ready-motorcycles hold incredibly high resale price because their owners bought them for luxury and equipped them with the latest farkle (accessories and bling) that can sometimes exceed half the value of the bike itself. I would buy a non-runner with no much concern for garaged time, but people are not often letting them sit. And as long as they run, most adventure bikes have a reputation for being exceptionally durable and long-lasting.
Michael’s Summary and Conclusion
Why are adventure bikes so expensive? We can go on and on about ADVs and the reasons why adventure bikes are so expensive in the USA and the rest of the world. But from my own perspective, you need to consider the technology integration, rider training, maintenance costs and availability of parts, fuel efficiency, and aftermarket accessories as additional costs to the purchase price of your dream ADV motorcycle. I feel there are too many hidden costs that make ADV purchases less sustainable for new buyers looking to enter the discipline.
Manufacturers should be more involved in creating awareness and rider training on how to use their products and keeping the environment safe. And while this segment offers such exciting possibilities for new and avid riders, addressing these cost-related knowledge gaps among the consumers and manufacturers striving to make the bikes more affordable and sustainable will help grow the whole ADV segment.
I've diligently categorized my motorcycle gear recommendations into all available categories, with the aim of providing you with a comprehensive analysis that showcases the absolute best options for all your needs. These items are the culmination of in-depth research, extensive testing, and personal use throughout my vast experience of 50+ years in the world of motorcycling. Besides being a passionate rider, I've held leadership positions and offered consultancy services to reputable companies in over 25 countries. To See Top Picks and the Best Prices & Places to Buy: Click Here! |
FAQS – I Have the Answers!
Q: Why Do People Like Adventure Bikes?
People like adventure bikes for their versatility, comfort on long journeys, powerful engines, and adaptability to different conditions. The tall riding stance improves safety, and they’re cost-effective in the long term. Their aesthetic appeal also boosts their popularity in the ADV segment.
Q: Why Are Adventure Bikes So Expensive?
Adventure bikes are so expensive due to their premium-build materials, robust frames, adjustable suspensions, spoked wheels, reliable powertrains, protective bodywork, and comfort.
Q: What Is Adventure Motorcycle Riding?
Adventure motorcycle riding is exploring diverse terrains (both on- and off-road), undertaking long-distance journeys, and navigating various conditions to seek new and often unfamiliar experiences, all on a motorcycle.
Q: Which Is the Most Expensive Adventure Bike?
At a retail price of $29,995, the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally (also known as the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally Adventure Travel & Radar in North American markets) is the most expensive adventure bike today. With adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, and heated rider and passenger seats, it’s known as the Lamborghini of motorcycles, and rightfully so.
Q: What Is the Point of An Adventure Motorcycle?
The purpose of an adventure motorcycle is to enable riders to traverse diverse terrains and road conditions, covering long distances for exploration in various regions. Their versatility and customization options cater to different riding styles, including off-road adventures, embodying the spirit of exploration and the thrill of venturing into the unknown.
Q: How Is an Adventure Bike Different From a Normal Bike?
An adventure bike differs from a normal bike by having rugged, versatile design features for both on- and off-road use, including adjustable long suspension travel, higher ground clearance, larger front wheels (typically 21″), dual sport tires, and advanced rider aids for long-distance exploration. In contrast, a normal bike has standard suspension, street-only tires, and fewer rider aids.
Q: Which Is the Best Middleweight Adventure Bike?
With a manageable weight-to-power ratio, the Yamaha Tenere 700 (T7) is the best middleweight adventure bike today. Its acclaimed off-road flickability is attributed to its slim and tall build, featuring a 34.4-inch seat height, and a robust 689 cc liquid DOHC motor capable of producing 74 hp and 50 lb.-ft. Of torque, all while handling a weight of 450 lbs. (204 kg).
Q: What Are the Best Middleweight Adventure Bikes?
Yamaha Tenere 700, Suzuki V-Strom 650, Kawasaki Versys 650, Moto Guzzi V85 TT, BMW F850GS, and Kawasaki KLR650 are the best middleweight adventure bikes on the market today. These motorcycles offer a balanced combination of versatility, performance, and affordability, making them popular choices for riders looking to explore a wide range of terrains and embark on adventure journeys with ease.
Q: How Long Do Adventure Bikes Last?
A well-maintained, stored, and ridden adventure bike can last for more than 20 years.
Q: Are Adventure Bikes Good for Long-Distance Travel?
Yes, an adventure bike is the best for long-distance riding, both on and off-road, thanks to its comfortable saddle, upright riding position, ergonomic controls, and larger gas tanks that can hold between 4-8 gallons (15-30 liters), providing a range of approximately 200 miles (322 kilometers).
Q: What Are the Best Handling Adventure Bikes?
BMW R 1250 GS Adventure, Honda CB500X, Honda Africa Twin, BMW F850 GS, Honda NC750X, Suzuki V-STROM 1050XT, Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro, and Kawasaki Versys 1000 are the best handling adventure bikes today. A combination of rigid frames, long travel suspension, responsive steering, and upright rider position, off-road streetable tires, capable brakes, and wide wheels enable them to tackle all terrains with mind-boggling efficacy.
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Information for this article was partially sourced and researched from the following authoritative government agencies, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations:
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