For a good few years, the Adventure segment of the motorcycle market has been the big-ticket model for every manufacturer in the world. It’s easy to see why. Adventure bikes are several motorcycles rolled into one. They can tackle any road, with agility, comfort and speed. No matter your brand loyalty, there is an adventure bike with your name on it. Even Harley-Davidson has gotten in on the fun. But for those of us who prefer larger bikes, with bigger displacements and deluxe features, some are built better than others. And if you're taking on the world on two wheels, nothing short of the very best will do.
Updated April 2023: Every year, manufacturers release new flagship adventure motorcycles. Despite their size, they're becoming lighter, faster and more capable than the previous generation. And to keep our readers up to speed on these developments, this article will periodically be updated.
10 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition
Husqvarna hit the ADV world by storm when they released a concept version of the Norden a few years back. It took them a while to iron out the kinks and bring it to the market. But now that the Norden is here, Husky has begun to widen its capabilities with the release of the Expedition version. The most noticeable change on this variant are the integrated soft luggage panniers. It also comes with a bigger skid plate, a taller windshield and a more advanced and fully adjustable suspension. With these changes, the Norden is slowly becoming the adventure bike it was always meant to be.
9 Triumph Tiger 1200
Yet another example of Triumph knocking it out of the ballpark when the new generation of a model appears. The previous-generation Tiger 1200 was good, but the new one is infinitely better. The engine has tremendous low-down torque and howling top-end power, producing 148 hp. The GT models have 19-inch front wheels (cast alloy) and the Rally models have 21-inch front wheels (spoked). Shaft final drive matches the BMW for maintenance-free operation but where the Tiger 1200 really scores is in its lack of bulk. It looks and feels much lighter than the BMW R1250 GS. Triumph has also made the gas tank bigger without increasing the width to an extreme level.
8 Harley-Davidson Pan America
Huge respect to Harley for not only going way out of their comfort zone, but also for making a brilliant adventure bike the first time out. Not only that, but it introduced new technology to the class in the form of the self-lowering rear suspension. It can lower itself by 50 mm when you come to a stop, making the seat height problem go away for many riders. For the occasional adventure rider, the Pan America will be all the bike you’ll ever need, not to mention the ability to cover large distances in comfort. In one fell swoop, Harley-Davidson has shown that there is no secret to building a good adventure bike: all it takes is time and a willingness to get it right. Try one and be prepared to be surprised.
7 BMW R 1250 GS
For over 40 years, BMW has been refining the concept it invented in the early 80s to the point where it is an adventure bike of astonishing ability and peerless build quality. Development has never stood still, but in recent years, BMW has been pushed to new heights to counter the challenge from KTM, and by and large, it has succeeded. The traditional boxer twin has reached heights the original BMW engineers in 1923 could never have imagined, with liquid-cooling, variable valve timing, balancer shafts smoothing out the vibes, and a healthy 136 horsepower.
The electronics are staggering and necessary to control the 591-pound wet weight. In the right hands, the GS can go anywhere, and even if you lack the right hands, the bike will look after you in the most impossible situations. The semi-electronic suspension is quite incredible: giving a magic carpet ride on uneven terrain. It’s expensive, but it’s an incredible piece of engineering, all screwed together with typical BMW care and attention.
6 Triumph Tiger 900
The Tiger 900 loses very little in performance to its 1200cc brother, while managing to save a chunk of weight and bulk. This is a brand-new bike from the ground up, and it shows. Nothing wrong with the old 800, but the 900, in typical Triumph fashion, is light years ahead in every way imaginable. The biggest change came inside the engine, with the firing order changed to 1, 3, 2 (from 1, 2, 3) and a T-plane crank fitted which roughs up the feel and sound of the engine.
Naturally, the electronics, suspension, and braking components are excellent, and the chassis dynamics would leave many sport bikes wanting more. There are two distinct versions, the 900 GT and the 900 Rally, the former being more road-orientated, with 19/17-inch cast alloy wheels, and the latter the full-fat off-road version with a 21-inch front wheel, spoked but running tubeless tires.
5 KTM 1290 Super Adventure
Many would argue that 160 hp is simply overkill in an adventure bike, but KTM has coupled it with one of the most dynamic chassis in adventure motorcycling. There’s not much to separate the KTM and the BMW in terms of ability, both on- and off-road, although maybe the KTM has the edge while BMW has the edge on build quality. As with most bikes on this list, there are two versions, the road-orientated S and off-road R models. Both are a not-insignificant 50+ pounds lighter than the BMW. The KTM is a much more hardcore off-road machine for the skilled rider, when compared to the BMW. But in reality, it all comes down to brand preference. And KTM owners are just as vociferous in their support for the Austrian brand, and with good reason.
4 Ducati Multistrada V2
The Multistrada has been through many variations over the years. However, with the V4 taking the top slot, there was the opportunity to create a smaller-engined variant using the faithful V-Twin engine, so beloved by Ducatisti the world over. The newly-named Multistrada V2 features the 937cc Testastretta V-Twin engine that has done service in various Ducati models over the years. If we’re completely honest, the Multistrada is more of a road-going adventure tourer/sports machine, with very little off-road pretension.
3 KTM 890 Adventure R
KTM has poured all its expertise into the 890 Adventure models. The 890 really is the 1290 in miniature although, of course, it really isn’t that small. What it is, is an exceptionally capable adventure bike, with all the plus and minus points of its bigger brothers. Crucially, however, it is smaller, lighter, and more nimble off-road: if anything, it’s even more hardcore than the 1290 Super Adventure models because of that lightweight and the low-down pannier gas tanks which lower the center of gravity so much.
What’s better is that the 890 R loses nothing to the larger (and more expensive!) 1290 Adventure models in terms of long-distance ability, whether on- or off-road. Truly, the argument for over 1000cc gets weaker all the time, unless you are planning on traveling two-up with a full complement of luggage.
2 Honda Africa Twin
Africa Twin might sound like a compromise, but when you look closer, it has everything you'll need to tackle any road. 104 hp from the 1084-cc Africa Twin engine might sound tame compared to its competitors, but how often would you need more than that, especially while riding off-road? The balance, dimensions, size, weight and engine, all combine to deliver a very special riding experience.
One factor that has polarized opinions is the dual-clutch transmission, or DCT, which can be set to either fully automatic or with gears switched with buttons on the left side of the handlebar. While it is true that early versions of the technology weren’t perfect, the latest versions have had many of the bugs ironed out. All it really takes is to try it, and you’ll be hooked, especially when tackling hardcore off-road situations. Honda has gone in its own direction, which while different from everyone else, is no less effective.
1 Ducati DesertX
If Ducati's Multistrada V2 isn't your luxurious cup of tea, then perhaps the strikingly handsome DesertX is the right choice for you. It features the same 937cc Testastretta engine that is found in the Multistrada V2, but that is where the similarity ends and the dirt trail begins. 10-inches of ground clearance and a 21-inch front wheel both spell off-road ability, while the chassis is as rugged as you could possibly need. Everything else is in place: extensive electronics, Brembo brakes, KYB suspension, and rugged good looks. Okay, so that last one might not be all that important, but this is definitely the Ducati to get for all the rough roads you'd want to take.