Nowadays, there's a motorcycle out there for just about anyone. There's cafe racers, choppers, bobbers, streetfighters, and just about everything else and everything inbetween. However, for the motorcyclist who wants just about everything on their bike, as well as the ability to go wherever they want, adventure bikes are the way to go.
Adventure bikes have been around for a long time now, with BMW and Yamaha taking them to the next level in the 90s. Today, just about every established motorcycle brand makes an adventure model, but these are 10 of the very best ones on the market right now.
10 KTM Super Adventure 1290 R
Very good and very orange, the Super Adventure 1290, recent though it may be, has made a name for itself in the dual-sport/adventure bike world.
Powered by a 1.3 liter V-twin with 160 horsepower, and built for durability and toughness, the Super Adventure 1290 R is sure to be a hit with the off-road side of the dual-sport bike community.
9 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré
Launched in 2010 as the biggest in Yamaha's XT lineup, the Super Ténéré featured all sorts of unique technology that made it a big deal at the time. It had switchable engine mapping modes, for example, along with multi-mode traction control and an electronic throttle control system.
It develops less power than the KTM, with 108 hp from its 1.2 liter parallel-twin, but it was still plenty fast, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds.
8 Honda Africa Twin
The Honda Africa Twin has been around since the 90s, and despite being modernized back in 2016, it still has some old-school elements, making it an excellent dual sportbike for the customer who loves retro style.
The most recent Africa Twin now sports a 1.1-liter parallel-twin with 100 hp, which might not sound like a lot, but due to the light weight of the Twin, it's more than enough, and it means it's easier to handle. What's more, if the DCT automatic is opted for, the Africa Twin should make for a fantastic off-roader bike, taking the strain out of rowing through the gears on an off-road course.
7 Suzuki V-Strom
A dual-sport bike with lots of tech, the V-Strom 1050 should also prove to be among the most reliable bikes in the long-term. Powered by a 1050cc V-twin with 107 hp, the V-Strom is also very lightweight, which allows it to be extremely agile.
As well as that, it includes various selectable drive modes, along with the Suzuki Clutch Assist System, allowing for easier upshifts and downshifts. With all that being said, one of the best things about the V-Strom is that it's very, very good value for money. In the UK, it starts at around the equivalent of $12,500. For context, the KTM Super Adventure 1290 R starts around $18,600.
6 BMW F750 GS
Whenever BMW adventure bikes are mentioned, the most notable one has to be the R1200 GS. However, for those that don't need the extra power, engine capacity or size of the R1200, there's always the F750.
With an 850cc parallel-twin developing 78 hp, it might not seem like a lot, but the F750 is also a lot lighter than the R1200, and it also comes with the typical adventure bike features like selectable drive modes and combined ABS. It's also a very, very good price, starting at $10,395.
5 Triumph Tiger 1200
One of the reasons why the Tiger 1200 might be a compelling choice is the powertrain. Like all Triumph motorcycles, the Tiger also uses a 3-cylinder setup, a 1.2 liter, as the name implies.
That three-pot engine puts out an excellent 141 hp, which peaks at a sky-high 9,350 RPM. The bike also has six drive modes, including one customizable mode, switchable ABS and a ride-by-wire system as well. It also happens to have one of the coolest wheel designs in the bike industry right now.
4 Kawasaki Versys 1000LT
The Kawasaki Versys seems like the Bentley of adventure bikes. It features stuff like electronically controlled suspension, switchable rider modes, full LED lighting, a TFT driver's display, cruise control, heated grips and the ability to connect with your smartphone.
If you're less about the tech and more about the raw power and performance, good news for you too. The Versys' 1.0 liter inline-4 puts out 118 hp, fed through a 6-speed transmission. At 548 lbs, it's also among the lighter large adventure bikes as well.
3 Ducati Multistrada 1260
What happens if the concept of an adventure bike is mixed together with some Italian flair and design sophistication? Well, the Ducati Multistrada.
With 158 hp on tap from its unique 1260cc L-twin engine, the Multistrada also takes tech very seriously, with a smartphone app called Ducati Link. There are also various safety aids, and, for some reason, Ducati Wheelie Control. Yes, that's an actual safety aid on this bike.
2 Moto Guzzi V85TT
Sadly, the "TT" doesn't mean Twin Turbo, but instead, it means "Tutto Tereno," translating to "all-terrain." The V85TT is also available in some unique color schemes, along with the Special Graphics Pack and has some very nice looking exposed cage-like hardware.
What's more, it's very lightweight, at just 505 lbs, and the 80 hp output from its 853cc V-twin should be more than sufficient thrust. Not bad for the replacement for the legendary Stelvio.
1 BMW R1200GS
Arguably the definitive adventure bike, the R1200GS seems to be the go-to for all dual-sport bike customers, and with good reason.
It's one of the few bikes in the segment to have a flat-twin rather than a parallel or V-twin engine. It's also one of the best looking dual-sport motorcycles out there, and as befits a BMW product, it features all kinds of tech to enhance the rider experience. Oh, and it also develops up to 123 hp, which is a very balanced figure.
Though there's a huge variety of dual-sport or adventure bikes to choose from on the market these days, these are just some of the very best. Whether that would be due to their tech features, riding enhancements, power, or experience as a whole, they're definitely worth shortlisting if dual sport bikes pique your interest.