Best 2024 Adventure Motorcycle
What is an adventure bike?
An adventure bike is a two-wheeled Swiss Army Knife, versatile and multi-skilled enough to tackle any challenge put in front of it. From functional daily commutes to an annual cross-continent two-up tour, and from Sunday morning fun on local lanes to a once-in-a-lifetime round-the-world epic, an adventure motorcycle promises to do it all.
A key ingredient in the adventure motorcycle recipe is the ability (or at least the fantasy) to keep on going when the road runs out. There’s a crucial dash of off-road bred into any good adventure bike’s DNA – without it, it’s probably something else: a tall all-rounder, perhaps, or an upright sports-tourer. But if a bike has off-road inspired features such as spoked wheels, long-travel suspension, a 19in or 21in front wheel, grippy pegs, handguards or a sump guard, it’s likely identifying as an adventure motorcycle.
Beyond that, there are no rules. Adventure bikes can range in engine capacity from as little as 125cc to more than 1300cc, they can cost thousands or tens of thousands, and they can offer every electronic gadget ever imagined or be so basic you can service it with a hammer. They can range from lightweights to super-heavyweights, and there are options suitable for riders of all experience levels, all body types and all personal preferences. Whatever your requirements, there’ll be an adventure bike out there for you.
Why do I need an adventure bike?
Adventure motorcycles let you ride to places and see parts of the world you couldn’t on any other machine. The classic adventure dream fuses together the ability to ride a long way in comfort, spontaneously decide to explore a dusty goat track in the middle of a mountain range, then discover it leads to a breathtaking view of unmolested nature. Unlikely? With resources such as the Trans Euro Trail, Adventure Country Tracks and the Trail Riders Fellowship’s online Green Roads Map, it’s probably easier to turn this fantasy into a reality than ever before.
The catch, of course, is to decide which adventure bike is right for you, your ambition and your intention. The choice of machinery can be baffling at first, with every major manufacturer – and a number of relatively unknown brands – now offering a huge variety of adventure bikes in their lineup. Do you want one that’s good for solo riding, or are you likely to take a pillion? Is green-laning ability really important to you, or are you more likely to stick to familiar tarmac? Are you planning on heading to the Pyrenees, Paraguay or Portsmouth? If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at our shortlists below, offering three suggestions for some of the best new and used adventure bikes you can buy in 2024.
The best 2024 adventure motorcycle…
Best adventure motorcycle for tall riders
BMW R1250GS Adventure
£16,360 | 1254cc flat twin | 134bhp | 268kg | 890/910mm seat
If you’re a larger chap (or chapess), you may be seeking comfort in an equally large bike. The best-known and best-selling by far is the Adventure version of BMW’s genre-defining Boxer-engined GS. It’s big in every way – a huge 1254cc motor, a hefty 268kg kerb weight, and a dizzying 910mm seat height (when set to the taller of its two settings). If you’ve got the strength and the standover to stay in charge of it all, a BMW R1250GS Adventure offers the proportions and presence for even the tallest beanstalk inhabitant to feel protected. About to be replaced by the R1300GS Adventure, which claims a lower 890mm seat height.
Read our BMW R1250GS Adventure review here
Ducati DesertX Rally
£18,995 | 937cc V-twin | 109bhp | 227kg | 910mm seat
Inspired by the modifications made by Antoine Meo to race Ducati’s DesertX at the ludicrous Erzbergrodeo, the Rally version comes with enormously long and deliciously damped closed-cartridge KYB suspension. This gives hardcore off-road riders even more wheel travel, letting them leap off small buildings without worrying about bottoming anything out, but it also jacks the height of the one-piece saddle up to a lofty 910mm. The riding position is suitably spacious for equally towering riders, though this hasn’t really been built to spend all day sat down. Huge off-road ability, huge stature, huge price tag.
Read our Ducati DesertX Rally review here
Yamaha Ténéré 700 Extreme
£10,906 | 689cc parallel twin | 72bhp | 205kg | 910mm seat
The regular Ténéré is a respectably tall 875mm, but if you’re after an even more elevated position from which to stretch out your lengthy legs, then you’ll appreciate the Extreme model. This borrows the Ténéré World Raid’s longer-travel suspension, which adds an extra 35mm to the seat height. That makes this the tallest Ténéré going – the World Raid itself is ‘only’ 890mm. But despite being high-reaching, it’s not a heavyweight: at little over 200kg, it’s a middleweight in mass terms. And it's substantially lighter on the wallet than the other two suggestions in this category too.
Read our Yamaha Ténéré 700 World Raid review here
Best adventure motorcycle for short riders
BMW F800GS
£9995 | 895cc parallel twin | 86bhp | 227kg | 815mm seat
In standard trim the current F800GS has an 815mm seat, which is pretty low by adventure standards. But select the “Seat Height Reduction” option in the online configurator, and for £180 BMW will fit a shorter rear shock with reduced travel, as well as a new saddle. The difference is enormous, dropping seat height down to just 760mm. That’s around 30 inches in old money – which, by our reckoning, makes this the most accessible adventure bike option for riders who are a touch shorter of stature. Combined with its friendly, forgiving power delivery and light clutch, this is a perfect platform for building confidence.
Read our BMW F800GS review here
Royal Enfield Himalayan
£5750 | 452cc single | 39bhp | 196kg | 825/845mm seat
In the lower of its two positions, the Himalayan is shorter than Honda’s NX500 (830mm), KTM’s 390 Adventure (855mm) and BMW’s G310GS (835mm). Being a single-cylinder bike it’s also fairly slim, making it more manageable. It’s 196kg, which isn’t quite as light as we’d like, but it carries it well. Royal Enfield claim there’s an optional low seat which should reduce the height down even further to 805mm, but it seems we’re still waiting for it to arrive – it’s not yet listed on their website and is absent from their online configurator. Best to check with your Royal Enfield dealer for the latest on its due date.
Read our Royal Enfield Himalayan review here
BMW R1300GS
£16,470 | 1300cc flat twin | 143bhp | 237kg | 850mm seat
No, we’ve not lost our marbles. Yes, the R1300GS is suitable for shorter riders. Alright, the standard seat is listed at 850mm, and it’s not adjustable. But it has an ingenious trick up its sleeve, in the form of Adaptive Vehicle Height Control. Using some exceedingly clever electronics, it automatically winds off preload from both front and rear suspension units as you slow to a stop, temporarily lowering the seat by around 30mm. It’s not cheap, however: it requires the £1660 Dynamic Package, plus a further £515 for AVHC. Go for the Comfort Rider’s Seat Low too (£50) and you’ll save another 20mm, taking the stationary seat height down to just 800mm.
Read our BMW R1300GS long-termer review here
Best adventure motorcycle for new riders
Honda XL750 Transalp
£9699 | 755cc parallel twin | 91bhp | 208kg | 850mm seat
By ‘new rider’, we’ll assume we’re not talking L-plates or A2 licences (which we cover separately below). Instead, we’re simply looking for a friendly, easygoing adventure bike with no bad habits – and Honda’s Transalp fits that description perfectly. The Hornet-derived parallel twin is well-mannered and restrained at low revs, while the chassis isn’t excessively heavy and it doesn’t feel too tippy-toe tall. If you’re after a credible adventure bike, complete with 21-inch front wheel, that isn’t likely to catch you out, there’s nowhere better to start than right here.
Read our Honda XL750 Transalp long termer review here
Suzuki V-Strom 800RE
£9699 | 776cc parallel twin | 84bhp | 223kg | 825mm seat
The RE is the lower, lighter, less-expensive sibling to Suzuki’s excellent V-Strom 800DE. It uses cast wheels instead of spoked, swaps the DE’s 21-inch front wheel for a more agile 19-incher, and uses shorter-travel suspension. The result is a road-focused adventure bike that welcomes riders of all experience levels with open arms, greeting you like an old mate from years back. The saddle’s comfortable, the clutch action is light, and the motor serves up plenty of effortless (yet never overwhelming) grunt from rock-bottom revs. Find out why it won our Best Value Adventure Bike group test by watching here.
Read our Suzuki V-Strom 800RE review here
Triumph Tiger Sport 850
£10,095 | 888cc triple | 84bhp | 215kg (est) | 820/840mm seat
The most affordable and least intimidating member of Triumph’s Tiger 900 family, the ‘850’ (forget the number in the name – its engine is the same size as the 900) is a great place for a new rider to start their adventure journey. Its T-plane crank gives the three-cylinder engine an unusual, offbeat flavour: a slightly V-twin chug at lower revs, building to a quirky, grumbly thrum when the crank’s spinning faster. It strikes a great balance by feeling solid and substantial, without being bulky or burdensome. With excellent Marzocchi suspension and Brembo brakes, it’s a bike whose capabilities will continue to impress as your experience grows.
Read our Triumph Tiger Sport 850 review here
Best adventure motorcycle for an A2 licence
Honda NX500
£6829 | 471cc parallel twin | 47bhp | 196kg | 830mm seat
The artist formerly known as CB500X might have received a new name and look for 2024, but its heart remains unchanged. The NX500 is arguably the most all-round capable bike you can buy that comes A2 compliant as standard, without needing any restriction or modification. Its twin-cylinder motor offers the maximum 47bhp, but its easy, linear spread of torque means you never need to work for it. Off-road ability is fairly modest, in truth, but as a decent-sized machine it’s a great choice for a taller A2 rider looking for long-range comfort. Phenomenally frugal too, easily returning 60-70mpg.
Read our Honda NX500 review here
CFMoto 450MT
£5699 | 449cc parallel twin | 42bhp | 175kg | 800/820mm seat
Something of an unknown quantity, but early reports are so glowing that you definitely shouldn’t overlook the 450MT. CFMoto are a Chinese firm with ties to KTM, and while their name might not be familiar they’re quickly proving that they need to be taken very seriously indeed. The 450MT is a case in point, combining a peppy twin-cylinder motor, a responsive chassis, an impressive tech spec and genuine off-road ability – and all for less than £6000. A four-year warranty might go some way to help settle nerves about buying into a less-established brand too.
Read our CFMoto 450 MT review here
Royal Enfield Himalayan
£5750 | 452cc single | 39bhp | 196kg | 825/845mm seat
The previous air-cooled Himalayan 411 was something of an unexpected cult favourite in the A2 class, offering simple tech, rugged styling and a bargain pricetag. The current Himalayan is a complete re-imagining, with a new water-cooled engine, nearly twice the power, more gadgets and a spicier price. It’s still good value though, and continues to offer a good compromise between on and off-road competence. The motor’s still a little lazy in its character, not wanting to be hurried, but the suspension offers a remarkably good ride and the handling is far more polished than you’d imagine.
Read our Royal Enfield Himalayan review here
Best adventure motorcycle under 800cc
Yamaha Ténéré 700
£10,116 | 689cc parallel twin | 72bhp | 205kg | 875mm seat
Yamaha first teased the idea of putting their naughty, rorty MT-07 motor in an adventure bike way back in 2016. It then took nearly three years for the production Ténéré 700 to finally arrive – but it proved well worth waiting for. It has the feel of an enduro-based rally bike that’s been enlarged by 75% in a photocopier: slim, tall and permanently raring to go. The punchy engine is a joy on and off-road, while the chassis similarly walks the fine line between tarmac and dirt. Well-built, reliable, affordable and enormously popular as a result, the Ténéré 700 is arguably the most complete middleweight adventurer going.
Read our Yamaha Ténéré 700 review here
Aprilia Tuareg 660
£10,750 | 659cc parallel twin | 79bhp | 204kg | 860mm seat
Often overlooked, the Tuareg isn’t too dissimilar to Yamaha’s Ténéré, mating a 270° parallel twin with a genuinely off-road capable chassis. In the Aprilia’s favour is that it offers a bit more power, a bit less weight, and a lot more tech including traction control, cruise control and an optional two-way quickshifter. Downsides are the slightly odd styling (debatable, granted), its higher pricetag (though Aprilia dealers always seem to have a sale on) and, perhaps, perceptions about Aprilia’s durability. But to ride, the Tuareg is fantastic – engaging, capable and well-rounded. If you like its looks and can haggle a good deal, it’s definitely one to consider.
Rear our Aprilia Tuareg 660 review here
KTM 790 Adventure
£10,499 | 799cc parallel twin | 94bhp | 218kg (est) | 840/860mm seat
Just scraping in under our 800cc limit, KTM’s 790 Adventure is easily one of the most complete and capable bikes in the class. It’s light, well-balanced, quick, comfy, easy to ride and has superb electronics. But it’s also proven slightly controversial. The original was made by KTM at their Austrian headquarters from its 2019 debut until it was replaced by the 890 in 2021. After a couple of years away, it re-emerged for 2023… but now built by CFMoto, KTM’s partner in China. It’s also been caught up in KTM’s well-publicised camshaft issues, with a number of pre-2021 KTM 790 engines suffering from excessive cam wear – an issue KTM say has since been resolved.
Read our KTM 790 Adventure review here
Best adventure motorcycle for green-laning
Honda CRF300 Rally
£6579 | 286cc single | 27bhp | 153kg | 885mm
If you want to take your adventure bike off-road, it doesn’t get any easier than Honda’s CRF300 Rally. No wonder it proved to be one of the most popular choices in a recent survey of Trail Rider Fellowship riders. It’s incredibly light (at least by the standards of every other bike on this page), making it supremely manageable off-road, while its skinny large-diameter wheels and long-travel suspension are ready to roll over obstacles. It’s so simple to live with too: reliable, doesn’t use a lot of fuel, has long service intervals, and doesn’t cost the earth to fix if you do come a cropper off-road. It can feel a little toy-like though: the suspension is extremely soft, while the 27bhp single soon gets breathless at speed.
Yamaha Ténéré 700
£10,116 | 689cc parallel twin | 72bhp | 205kg | 875mm seat
One of the reasons the Ténéré took three years to progress from prototype to production was the difficulty in making a bike this size work equally well on and off-road. But the fact Yamaha invested the time shows in the end result: the Ténéré is one of the few adventure bikes that really does have the all-terrain ability to belong on Britain’s byways. There’s loads of ground clearance, the riding position feels natural when you’re standing up, and the engine is equally at home whether you’re doing precise pootling on technical lanes or big, lairy blasting along forest tracks. Some say the suspension holds the bike back, but you have to be a pretty tasty off-road rider for it to really be an issue.
Read our Yamaha Ténéré 700 review here
KTM 890 Adventure R
£13,999 | 889cc parallel twin | 103bhp | 215kg (est) | 880mm seat
If your idea of green-laning veers more towards the chilled, adventure-travel end of things than sweating and slogging through mud at 0.5mph – if you’re more Adventure Country Tracks than Trans Euro Trail – then KTM’s 890 Adventure R will already be on your radar. The ‘R’ denotes additional off-road ability, thanks to long-travel, fully adjustable WP suspension giving better bump absorption and greater ground clearance. Its 889cc engine is a firecracker, fast-revving and fruity, with over 100bhp on tap – though it can be tamed slightly in slippery conditions thanks to its advanced electronics including IMU-informed traction control. Not a small bike, but the clever low-hanging fuel tank design lowers the centre of gravity, making it feel lighter and more manageable than many rivals.
Read our KTM 890 Adventure R review here
Best adventure motorcycle for touring
BMW R1250GS Adventure
£16,360 | 1254cc flat twin | 134bhp | 268kg | 890/910mm seat
Yes, we know it’s about to be replaced by the new R1300GS Adventure, but until we’ve had a chance to ride the newcomer a long way, the outgoing 1250 version will remain the definitive, default long-distance adventure bike. It’s simply astonishing: few bikes make travelling a long way feel so trivial. That ShiftCam boxer engine summons forth seemingly limitless amounts of torque from little more than tickover, the 30-litre tank means you only need to stop for fuel every 250-300 miles or so, and it has the carrying capacity of a Sherpa – no matter how much you load it up with pillions and/or panniers it just keeps soldiering on. Sure, the GS Adventure is an obvious pick, but its reputation as a prolific touring weapon is entirely deserved.
Read our BMW R1250GS Adventure review here
Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Explorer
£18,695 | 1160cc triple | 148bhp | 256kg | 850/870mm seat
Subtly but crucially updated for 2024, Triumph’s Tiger 1200 range has now been smoothed out and refined by some Hinckley engineering witchcraft, removing almost all the lumpy vibes from its T-plane crank. The result is a bike that’s so much nicer to cover distance on, especially if you’re in the habit of hacking along at motorway (slash autobahn) speeds. Like its German rival, the Tiger GT Explorer has shaft drive and a whopping 30-litre fuel tank, both of which make devouring miles quicky and easy. Semi-active Showa suspension gives a plush ride, while the lofty seat height can be lowered up to 20mm by pushing a button as you come to a stop. Heated rider and pillion seats fitted as standard is a pleasing treat too.
Read our Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Explorer review here
Ducati Multistrada V4S Grand Tour
£23,595 | 1158cc V-four | 168bhp | 252kg (est) | 840/860mm seat
The Grand Tour version of Ducati’s Multistrada V4 isn’t quite a direct rival for BMW’s GS Adventure or Triumph’s GT Explorer. To be clear, this isn’t the version with a 30-litre fuel tank – that’s the V4 Rally, which also claims to be more off-road capable. Instead the Grand Tour has its eyes set firmly on road touring, taking the toweringly talented V4S platform and adding a bunch of optional parts as standard, such as the panniers, centrestand and adaptive (radar-informed) cruise control. And it’s devastatingly effective as a result, that wondrously potent V-four engine and luxurious suspension combining to dispatch hundreds of miles in the blink of an eye. Only flies in the soup are the price, disappointing fuel economy and, occasionally, too much heat pouring off the engine.
Read our Ducati Multistrada V4 Grand Tour review here
Best adventure motorcycle for pillions
Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE
£15,569 | 1043cc inline four | 118bhp | 257kg | 840mm
Alright, this might be pushing the definition of ‘adventure’ a smidge, given the Versys 1000 has 17in wheels front and back, and very clearly has absolutely zero off-road ambition whatsoever. However, what it does have instead is one of the largest, longest and deepest pillion seats in all of motorcycling. It’s magnificent – if you want to treat your other half to a positive passenger experience, plop their posterior on one of these. For the rider, the Versys 1000 feels a big old beasty – wide, tall and quite heavy, but that inline four is buttery smooth, and bulging with low-down grunt.
Read our Kawasaki Versys 1000SE review here
BMW R1300GS
£16,470 | 1300cc flat twin | 143bhp | 237kg | 850mm seat
We’ve picked the R1300GS here for the same reason it appears in our ‘short riders’ section above: that Adaptive Vehicle Height Control, which automatically lowers both ends of the bike at low speeds by swiftly unwinding preload from the shocks. For riding two-up, this offers two key advantages. First, having a lower stance makes it far easier for a pillion to clamber on and off, particularly if there’s any hard luggage fitted to the back of the bike. And secondly, it gives the rider more control and more confidence at low speed, helping to mitigate some of that towering top-heaviness that can come when you load an adventure bike up with a second rider.
Read our BMW R1300GS vs R1250GS review here
Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES DCT
£17,649 | 1084cc parallel twin | 101bhp | 253kg | 835/855mm seat
One of the hardest things about carrying a pillion is changing gears smoothly. No matter how slick and polished you are riding solo, with someone on the back it only takes the slightest hiccup before their visor ends up smashing into the back of your lid, like an especially expensive Newton’s Cradle. One solution is Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission system, which offers perhaps the most seamless gear-shifting experience in motorcycling. For the minute, at least: DCT has proved so popular that BMW, KTM and Yamaha are all introducing their own semi-auto systems. It’s available on the regular Africa Twin too, but we’ve picked this Adventure Sports model for its lower seat height, larger fuel tank and slightly more generous pillion seat, all of which are a better match for two-up touring.
Read our Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports review here
Best adventure motorcycle for less than £5000
BMW F800GS (2008-2017)
From £3200 | 798cc parallel twin | 84bhp | 207kg | 880mm
Ten years before Yamaha’s Ténéré 700 there was another parallel twin adventure bike with a 21-inch front wheel and genuine all-terrain credentials. BMW’s F800GS lived in the shadows of its far more famous big brother, but it was arguably the more authentic adventure bike: lighter, slimmer, and far more capable off-road as a result. It had a fabulously quirky design too, from its rear-mounted fuel tank to its vestigial third conrod engine balancer. There were only fairly modest tweaks over its life, so buy on condition and miles rather than year - £5k should bag a tidy 2015 model. Weak points are dented rims, tired clutches and knackered head bearings.
Read our BMW F800GS buying guide here
Suzuki V-Strom 1000 (2014-2019)
From £4395 | 1037cc V-twin | 99bhp | 228kg | 850mm
The original V-Strom 1000 ran from 2002-2008, and while there are plenty of used bargains to be had, we’re concentrating on the later, heavily updated 2014-on version which featured a larger 1037cc motor. It’s a refined, sleek, subtly charming road-focused adventurer that doesn’t particularly excel in any one area – it’s not the lightest, the fastest or the smartest – but a great all-rounder and exceptional value. Search hard and five grand might even stretch to one of the lightly updated 2017-on models, which had a taller screen and gained an IMU. Suzuki’s faith in “well proven” tech means reliability is generally pretty excellent.
Read our Suzuki V-Storm 1000 review here
Yamaha Super Ténéré 1200 (2010-2021)
From £3250 | 1199cc parallel twin | 108bhp | 261kg | 845/870mm
When Yamaha dusted off their legendary Super Ténéré moniker back in 2010, they took it seriously, throwing the engineering equivalent of everything plus the kitchen sink into it. They created a completely new engine, new frame, new shaft drive, and even a new traction control system (yes, back in 2010) for it. Build quality was Yamaha at its best, and despite all the years that have passed, no serious issues have ever arisen with any aspect of the Super Tenere. Those early bikes were hamstrung by a convoluted internet-ordering system, modest supply and steep pricing, but as a used buy in 2024 it offers a whole lot of high-quality adventurer for your £5000.
Read our Yamaha Super Ténéré 1200 buying guide here
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