Travel

The Ducati adventure bike family continues to evolve, and this progress comes in the form of the new DesertX. Truly a model for every surface, the DesertX rocks a tough-looking build supported by a robust frame, driven by a torquey twin, and backed up by a sweet electronics suite to manage it all.

BMW launched into MY2021 with a freshly updated R 1250 GS base model accompanied by a 40th year anniversary model that sports the Option 719 “bumblebee” livery. The boxer-twin powerplant remains the same mechanically but comes with improved ride-control and safety electronics along with some long-requested optional comfort gear and a full line of ex-werke accessory equipment to boot. BMW brings its on- and off-road experience together to make a truly capable globetrotter, and decidedly not the two-wheeled equivalent of a soccer mom’s SUV.

After the recent sighting of the mini 400cc enduro, it looks like KTM is now shiting focus on its touring lineup, as spy shots of a new 890 Adventure-based test mule have surfaced on the internet.

To jog your memory, KTM already has two 890 Adventure models - 890 Adventure and 890 Adventure R - with the former focusing on adventure touring while the latter is your off-roading partner. Thus, the new model makes perfect sense and will rival the Yamaha Tracer 900 GT.

A Bagger is a motorcycle that is equipped with panniers but is much leaner and lighter than a full-dress touring bike: it’s the best of both worlds - practicality alongside style and great riding dynamics helped by less weight. Here’s our list of the best baggers available in 2022.

After acing electric sportbikes and nakeds, leading EV-maker Energica has now forayed into the ADV space by taking the wraps off its first adventure tourer (possibly the world’s first, too), the Experia. Let’s jump right into its details.

Keeping true to his track record of doing insane things on a motorcycle, Pol Tarres has set a new world altitude record for a twin-cylinder motorcycle by riding his own Yamaha Tenere 700 to an altitude of 20,203 feet (6157.5m).

Over the past few years, the motorcycle industry has seen all kinds of electric motorcycles from puny dirt bikes to full-fledged 200HP track weapons, and it’s about time someone moved the goal post.

Doing exactly that, US-based EV-maker Robo Systems has unveiled the Ultra bike, an off-road motorcycle that can literally go-anywhere bike, as you’re about to find out.

QJMotor, which also owns Benelli, for the longest time, has only sold its motorcycles in its home country of China, but the bikemaker is slowly but surely bringing its expansive lineup of bikes to the European market, mainly to ruffle the feathers of its Japanese rivals.

After tackling 400cc and 600cc segments, the firm is now eyeing the mid-capacity ADV segment with its newly type-approved 650cc adventure bike.

No doubt about it, the Harley-Davidson Motor Company is breaking new ground nowadays as part of its “100 new bikes” initiative, and look no further than the new Pan America 1250 for one of the most obvious examples thereof. That’s right sports fans, H-D takes on the adventure bike segment with its very own entry that is a standalone machine with no direct connection to the rest of the lineup. An all-new Revolution Max 1250 engine powers this line with H-D’s new RDRS as part of the stock package to make the Pan America a technological marvel.

Harley-Davidson cultivates the “performance bagger” build within its Grand American Touring ranks with its new-for-2022 Road Glide ST. This is the fixed-fairing sibling of the Street Glide ST, and it rocks much of the same yummygoodness with the powerful Milwaukee-Eight 117 to push it all down the road. Infotainment and luggage come stock, but the factory holds its cornering-sensitive rider aids in reserve as part of the optional gear package.

Harley-Davidson adds some much-needed vim, vigor, and vitality to its Grand American Touring lineup with the new-for-2022 Street Glide ST model. This is a bagger based on the large tourbike frame with the classic Batwing fairing up front and lots of long distance-comfort items on board. Best of all, it comes with a performance bent due to the Milwaukee-Eight 117 powerplant and optional electronic engine-management goodies.

Indian Motorcycle carried over its popular Chieftain Dark Horse into MY2020 with much the same custom panache, but repowered it with the Thunder Stroke 116 engine. Classic historical touches abound on this ride for a healthy dose of nostalgia, but of course, it rocks all of the factory’s electronic fandanglery to make it a thoroughly modern machine. Whether you want to do some light touring or just do some boulevard cruising, the Chieftain Dark Horse brings something to the table for you.

Last year, Harley-Davidson forayed into the premium ADV space by taking the wraps off the Pan America 1250, its first-ever adventure bike.

Since this wasn’t your “usual” Harley, there weren’t many aftermarket accessories for the Pan Am. This, though, is changing and the latest company to join the Pan Am accessory club is performance exhaust maker, SC-Project.

Let’s take a look at what’s on offer.

Triumph punches up its Tiger 1200 Rally Pro with a number of improvements that increase comfort, performance, and rideability over that of its predecessor. Significant weight-saving measures were taken to put it over 55 pounds lighter. Plus it comes with new ergonomics to go with the new suspension components. The Rally Pro also receives a dedicated 21/18 wheel size and cornering ABS to give safety and peace-of-mind a little extra boost.

The 2021 model year marked an important milestone for BMW’s “GS” platform as the 40th year of adventure-enduro magic to come out of Germany. There’s a special limited-edition model year of the R 1250 GS Adventure to celebrate the GS line’s success through a special trim package and color selection, but even the base platform was improved, largely due to feedback from riders of the previous generations. New features join equipment that was previously considered optional along with an expanded range of ex werke features and gear.

Harley-Davidson’s CVO Road Glide is a bona fide showroom showstopper with lots of chrome and a trio of new paint packages. Powered by a top-shelf Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine – the largest production engine from the MoCo to date – this machine rolls with stock ride safety-control features that keep all that power under control. Stock bags and fairings complete the bagger ensemble to make this a viable bike for performance-minded riders looking to tour, cruise, or just boulevard bruise.

Based on the success of its Chieftain Dark Horse, Indian Motorcycle expanded its Dark Horse lineup in 2020 with the new Roadmaster Dark Horse. It brings blackout treatment to the table along with Indian’s newest technological treats. Touring amenities and comfort features join with the Ride Command electronics and 200-Watt sound system for your riding enjoyment. If you’re into power, then the Roadmaster Dark Horse has you covered with Indian’s Thunder Stroke 116 engine that churns out over 120 pound-feet of grunt.

Harley-Davidson kicked the Road Glide Ultra to the curb from its touring lineup ahead of MY2020 in favor of its new FLTRK Road Glide Limited. The Road Glide Limited takes touring comfort and safety up a notch with a host of new electronic features to go with its already-fabulous Infotainment system, and it all comes wrapped in a premium paint along with special bits of bling to finish off the package. Best of all, Harley powers the Road Glide Limited with its second largest production engine, the 1,868 cc Milwaukee-Eight 114 that brings over 100 pounds o’ grunt to the table for your touring enjoyment.