The motorcycle market has seen a shift in the last few years not unlike what has happened in the automobile industry with the widespread preference for SUVs over the usual family sedan, or the all-but-extinct station wagon. This particular shift in motorcycle parlance means a move toward the ever-more popular Adventure bike segment. In other words, the Adventure motorcycle is the SUV of the motorcycle world.
The question naturally arises, just like when somebody asks why should one buy a big, heavy, gas-guzzling SUV (provided it’s still an ICE model) that doesn’t corner, brake or accelerate nearly as well as a good family sedan. The answer is pretty much the same. That extra capacity the vehicle offers and the ability to tackle some off-road obstacles translates into a more rugged, sturdy package in the mind of the consumer. Even so, a motorcycle is an entirely different machine to a car or SUV. They come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes, and each type offers a very distinct riding experience.
Adventure Motorcycles Provide Unique Versatility
This kicks off the discussion of why adventure motorcycles are taking over the industry, bringing in riders from the cruiser crowd, the sport bike crowd, and newcomers alike. What should first-time adventure riders expect an adventure bike will bring to the table? Does it match their desires and expectations as simply as if they were trading that family sedan for a new SUV? Is that choice justified by rational reasoning or is it an emotional one, based on biased expectations more than facts?
If taking into consideration big adventure bikes, it’s hard not to think about the OG of the bunch, the BMW R1250 GS, which is often pitted against the newcomer Harley-Davidson Pan-America 1250. In this weight class, there are other similar adventure motorcycles of comparable size, power, and capabilities such as the Ducati Multistrada V4, the Triumph Tiger 1200, and the KTM 1290 Super Adventure, just to name a few. Going down one step from the displacement and weight of the aforementioned motorcycles sits the slightly more manageable, less intimidating, albeit still pretty tall, Honda Africa Twin 1100.
Adventure Motorcycles Have Become A Very Desirable Product
These motorcycles have been selling more than cruisers and sport bikes for quite some time now. They offer great performance where it matters most for regular people not looking for the excitement of a track day, with good horsepower and torque distribution in the low and mid-range. On top of that, one thing that may not be obvious to some of the customer base is that adventure motorcycles offer outstanding comfort for the rider, and more often than not, the pillion as well. Just look at any list about best motorcycles for traveling and there will always be some adventure models there.
This comfort comes from the combination of a few key factors. First off, the usually tall seat height of adventure motorcycles means that the foot pegs can be positioned low enough to give the rider’s legs enough room, remaining at an angle that isn’t cramped like sport bikes for example. They can do that without compromising cornering clearance i.e.: lean angle due to how tall these bikes are. The riding position is very natural for most people. The rider sits upright, and the hands fall naturally on the handlebars.
Easier To Ride Than Their Size Might Indicate
As the bike gets going, the rider suddenly realizes how easy it is to check the surroundings by moving his or her head and torso to look around, including most noticeably ‒ behind ‒ without having to be over-reliant on the rearview mirrors. After riding a few different bikes the realization soon comes that some of them have terribly inappropriate rearview mirrors. They end up having limited visibility of what’s happening behind the rider, either because their positioning means the arms of the rider will occupy a good portion of the view, or simply due to poor adjustment by the rider.
Ever notice how sport bike riders usually take one hand off the handlebars to have a quick look back while in traffic? That’s so they can rotate their torso and head enough to provide a glimpse of what’s happening behind them. If riding a sport bike responsibly, the simple act of the rider turning your head becomes a hassle as the ‘chin’ of the full-face helmet will hit your shoulder, limiting the movement, which necessitates removing a hand off the handlebar while the bike is moving in the middle of traffic. No such inconvenience exists in the world of ADVs.
The Riding Position Is Arguably The Best A Motorcycle Can Offer
When riding an adventure motorcycle in such a relaxed and commanding position, everything falls into place seamlessly. The rider sits tall, has great visibility from all angles, and his body is relaxed, without aching pains caused by unnatural seating positions some motorcycles impose, which can ultimately distract you from what’s happening on the road. Then there is the definitive factor for why adventure bikes are so good in the comfort department, and it is such a simple, yet tremendously important thing to guarantee a smooth ride. That is high-suspension travel.
Since adventure bikes are supposed to be capable of mild off-road incursions, they have to have enough ground clearance and suspension travel to handle rough terrain without losing composure. Anyone who’s ever ridden a factory standard Harley-Davidson hard enough has likely noticed how inadequate those suspensions can be riding over potholes or other road imperfections. What is particularly traumatizing about this is the experience of bottoming out the rear suspension, which feels like a literal kick in the butt.
With the adventure market being so hotly contested, these bikes usually feature the latest technology available for motorcycles. They are quite simply able to traverse this continuum between cruising and sport-riding better than anything else. A Jack-of-all-trades, so to speak, which in a way solves the enthusiast motorcyclist conundrum of wanting to have several different bikes.