Bigger is better, apparently! Well, that certainly seems to be how most major manufacturers view adventure bikes. The problem is that that no longer applies solely to the size of adventure bikes motorcycles but also to their price. $20,000+ is a lot of money to spend on a motorcycle that has a higher-than-average possibility of being dropped with attendant repair costs. Happily, if the size and cost of modern 1000cc+ adventure bikes puts you off, then there are plenty to choose from. The best part is that reducing your budget doesn’t mean sacrificing ability, comfort, or desirability, and the following adventure bikes are a perfect example of that.

BMW G310GS - $5,950

BMW introduced the ‘baby’ adventure G310GS in 2017 in a bid to have an entry-level machine to attract new customers. By and large, it has worked. The India-built model looks great, with overtones of the larger-engined GS models in its styling. With 33.5 horsepower on tap, it’s never going to be a road-burner, but it does also mean that it’s great for beginners, for both motorcycling and adventure riding alike. It’s not perfect, however, as the suspension lacks any adjustment and is a little on the soft side. As a basic, entry-level bike it can feel a little plasticky in its build quality, but the pay-off is the fact that it’s the cheapest way into the world of BMW, including the dealer experience and brand association. BMW is obviously hoping that ownership of the G310GS will lead to upgrading to the 850cc and 1250cc GS models, and, with the brand identity being so strong, there's a good chance that this bike will lead you down the long road of BMW ownership too.

Honda CRF250 Rally - $6,050

Honda’s CRF250 Rally is the ‘adventure’ version of the CRF250L, which is more commonly referred to as the ‘Trail Bike’ model. The line between the two definitions is blurred, but the Rally version does offer a bit more real-world usability over the ‘L’. With just 23 horsepower on tap, it has even less performance than the BMW G310GS, but that’s plenty for messing around off-road, even if it does leave the small Honda gasping a little on-road. The Rally features a larger gas tank (2.6 gallons over 2.1 gallons), larger touring screen, larger-diameter front disc brake, and taller, longer-travel suspension that is a little on the soft side for confident road manners. In the end, it's best to think of the CRF250 Rally as a great off-road bike that can be ridden to and from the trail and, if you’re patient enough, over longer distances as well. Typical Honda build quality is a plus, as are the looks.

KTM 390 Adventure - $6,799

Where BMW led, KTM had to follow, and that's where the KTM 390 Adventure comes in. The advantage of being second to market is that the target is much more clearly defined in a particular class and KTM had a lot of experience with small-displacement bikes to base the new baby adventure bike on, and it shows. Having said that, the 390 Adventure is more road-oriented than its bigger brothers, being novice rider-focused, but it can still be a very effective off-road performer as well, with a suite of electronic rider aids and suspension adjustments the BMW G310GS lacks. Its single-cylinder engine pushes out a healthy 44 horsepower which gives it sparkling road performance and plenty of lugging power to pull you along the wild trail. Perhaps, its biggest asset is that it doesn’t look like a small bike. If you see it from a distance standing alone, you could be forgiven for thinking it was a 790 or 890 Adventure. It’s that rarest of bikes: a small-displacement model with a big-bike temperament that will continue to satisfy even when your skill level has improved to the point where you could handle a larger machine.

Related: KTM Stirs the 390 Adventure Pot To Produce a 390 Enduro

Suzuki V-Strom 650 - $8,904

Suzuki’s evergreen V-Strom 650 first appeared in 2004 and was more adventure-styled rather than adventure-capable. With bullet-proof mechanicals and an easy-to-handle chassis, it has more than justified its long life. The V-Twin engine pushes out a healthy 70 horsepower which is more than enough to be entertaining on the road and the V-configuration ensures plenty of off-road torque.

Over the years, the V-Strom 650 has gotten better and better off- and on-road, to the point where you have to ask yourself not only exactly why you need to spend more but how much more capability you need? The overall design might be aging, but that simply means more time to iron out any mechanical issues there might have been in the first place. Another benefit of long life is the fact that there will always be plenty of spares should you throw it at the scenery a little too enthusiastically. If you think you really need wire-spoked wheels, there’s also an XT version for a little more cash.

Kawasaki Versys 650 - $9,099

Just like the Suzuki V-Strom 650, the Kawasaki Versys 650 could also lay claim to being all the bike you’ll ever need if your adventure ambitions aren’t too strenuous, like taking part in the Dakar Rally or something similar. Actually, this Kawasaki isn't really an adventure bike at all. It's more of an adventure-sports bike, with the styling and riding position of an adventure bike but with road-biased wheel sizes. That’s not to say it couldn’t handle a bit of dirt, but best to leave that to more off-road-oriented bikes. It has a parallel-twin engine, as opposed to V-twin in the Suzuki. It produces the same power - 70 horsepower - and a similar torque delivery but it is the chassis that provides the differentiation. It's much more up-to-date and dynamic while still being easy to ride for the novice. It also scores by somehow being large enough, despite its unintimidating size, to carry a pillion and luggage in comfort over long distances. It’s well-equipped and better looking than ever for the 2022 model year.

Yamaha Ténéré 700 - $9,999

The Yamaha Tenere 700, aka the T7, could be described as the adventure bike for the expert, having little in terms of complication or tech, meaning little to get in the way of the riding experience which, thankfully, is brilliant. Yamaha took a risk in taking a different adventure bike path for the T7 compared to the opposition, which is characterized by ever-increasing weight and complication. The T7 is simple to the point of being stark, with switchable ABS the only concession to ham-fisted adventure riders. The parallel-twin engine (as seen in the MT-07 road bike) produces 72 horsepower, which is plenty to give the 451-pound bike lively performance on- or off-road. It may be a simple bike, but that is its strength. The overall package has been well-executed and so well-balanced that it’s easy to see why Yamaha shied away from giving it a huge and baffling electronics suite of rider aids. Maybe that will put off the casual or inexperienced adventure rider, but Yamaha has pitched the T7 at the expert, for whom this bike matches offerings from the likes of KTM. The lack of any interference between the rider and the dirt is a huge strength. If the main focus is off-road, then that’s definitely not to the detriment of on-road behavior or performance, which is as punchy as you’d expect from the engine while the chassis and suspension are more than up to the task of controlling it all.

Aprilia Tuareg 660 - $11,999

If the Yamaha T7 is simplicity itself, the new Aprilia Tuareg 660 goes completely the other way with a full suite of electronics which is so much the norm now as to be commonplace and, therefore, nothing to worry about!

The parallel-twin engine also does service in the faired RS and naked Tuono, and has been tweaked internally to give more low- and mid-range torque in the Tuareg: peak torque of 51 foot-pounds comes at 2000rpm lower than in the other two applications. 79 horsepower is quoted and, thanks to the 270-degree firing order gives it the sound and character of a V-twin.

In terms of looks, it could easily be mistaken for the Honda Africa Twin, in that it eschews a high-mounted beak altogether in favor of a wheel-hugging fender. The styling is functional but not unattractive, while the seat is long and narrow so might get uncomfortable on long road rides.

The electronics package features switchable traction control and ABS, adjustable engine braking and three different engine maps, and four riding modes.

Aprilia has really got its act together in recent years regarding reliability and, being Italian, you just know it’s going to ride really well with a dynamic chassis and willing engine.

Triumph Tiger 900 - $12,500

One of the best adventure bikes on the planet right now, so good that Triumph had to delay introducing the new Tiger 1200 as they found the Tiger 900 was beating it in several key areas.

Supposedly a development of the old Tiger 800, the Tiger 900 is all-new from front to back and it shows: the engine with the T-plane crank and uneven firing order has so much more character and more vibrations but, crucially, is much more suited to off-road riding.

The chassis has been lightened and the electronics uprated. There’s more ground clearance but a lower center of gravity which works across the speed range in terms of agility at low speeds and stability at high speeds.

Triumph has proved time and again it is able to produce a new generation of an existing model that is measurably better than the outgoing model while still retaining the essence of the original.

Even though the new Tiger 1200 is brilliant, the Tiger 900 makes such a strong argument for itself that you really don’t need the extra expense of the 1200.

KTM 890 Adventure - $13,399

Expensive near-perfection from Austria. Like the Triumph Tiger 900, it is so good it makes you wonder why you might want to spend significantly more on the 1290 Super Adventure, unless appearances are more important to you than practicality.

The 890 Adventure does everything the larger-engined KTM adventure bikes do and just as well. In fact, they might be better as they are smaller, lighter, and therefore, easier to manage off-road while giving very little away on longer on-road journeys.

You might prefer the traditional gas tank position of the 1290 Super Adventure over the low-slung pannier tanks of the 890 Adventure, but there is no doubt the 890 feels so much more maneuverable off-road due to the much lower center of gravity.

Huge electronic sophistication makes the 890 easier to manage off-road, while the larger (over the 790 Adventure) engine is smoother and more refined.

That doesn’t mean to say it is soft: make no mistake, this bike has a tough edge. 103 horsepower and 74 foot-pounds are very good figures for this parallel twin and the WP suspension front and back are fully adjustable.

BMW F850 GS - $14,545

If money is no object but you still want to stay (just) below the $15,000-barrier, then the BMW F850GS is for you. So much better than the old F800GS in every single department. The engine, in particular, is a revelation: where the 800cc parallel-twin was flat and characterless, the engine in the 850 is just lovely, with so much personality.

If the engine is good, then the chassis is even better, if that is possible. The handling is vice free, the suspension perfectly dialed in, and the seat supremely comfortable. It might be 72 pounds heavier than the KTM 890, which is its direct rival, not to mention 61 pounds heavier than the Triumph Tiger 900, but it wears that weight very well.

The riding position is plush and roomy, with a narrow tank and good wind protection from the screen. Build quality is 100-percent BMW which translates as excellent and equipment levels are as high as the accessories catalog is long. Electronic rider aids are not especially comprehensive but there is cornering traction control and ABS, a quick shifter, and LED lighting. Options include semi-active rear suspension, tire pressure monitor, cruise control, and TFT dash.

Expensive but brilliant.

FAQ

Q: What is the best adventure motorcycle?

The best-selling adventure motorcycle is the BMW R1250 GS but that doesn't necessarily mean it's the best for you. There is strong brand loyalty towards BMW and KTM but with manufacturers such as Triumph, Suzuki, Ducati, Yamaha, and Aprilia all producing very good adventure bikes, the best one is the one that ticks all the boxes for you: price, size, specification, intended use and so on.

Q: What is the most reliable adventure bike?

The Kawasaki KLR650 is widely acknowledged to be pretty much bullet-proof in terms of mechanical reliability. The Suzuki V-Strom 650 runs it a close second. Both have been around for years so will have had all the bugs ironed out and both lack unnecessary complications which can lead to unreliability.

Q: What new Adventure Motorcycles are coming out in 2022?

Triumph is launching its new Tiger 1200 model, while Aprilia's Tuareg 660 is also new-for-2022. Ducati's DesertX is a much more hardcore adventure bike than the likes of the Multistrada V4 from the same manufacturer. Husqvarna's Norden 901 is basically a KTM 890 Adventure under the skin but it will have its own flavour. Perhaps the most interesting will be the MV Agusta Lucky Explorer 9.5 and 5.5 models, using three-cylinder and parallel twin cylinder engines respectively.

Q: What is the most comfortable adventure bike?

Whether or not you find an adventure bike comfortable depends entirely on your height and shape! Most adventure bikes are very tall so not suitable for shorter riders. Also, many adventure bikes are very heavy so you need to be fairly strong to handle them off-road. The shape of the seat can have a big impact on comfort so try as many different models as you can to find one that suits you best. They are all of a similar ability off-road so find one that you are comfortable on and can comfortably control without feeling intimidated.