10 Best Adventure Bikes For Riding Off-Road

The primal desire to explore has been driving humanity to discover the unthinkable in this world. The discovery of the New World, space exploration, and the moon landing, those are just a few results of expeditions that showed how far the passion for adventure can lead people. However, for motorcycle enthusiasts, the longing for adventure has opened up the market for adventure bikes. Some are satisfied with just going for a long tour on tarmac, while some need something more. Long journeys on mud and dirt are not easy and require both the riders and the bikes to have strength, resilience, and adaptability.

For these reasons, it is paramount to review your options before you go and purchase an adventure bike. Is your current choice actually capable of tackling rocky terrain and surviving the wilderness? Nobody wants to be stuck with a broken down motorcycle or unable to handle tough terrain when going on a journey to the middle of nowhere. So, aside from having the actual knowledge of how-to-survive while adventuring, you are also going to need a dependable bike. Off-road adventures require a bike that can withstand strong impacts, have enough maneuverability in the dirt, and is equipped to support the riders on an extended ride.

Related: 5 Reasons Why the Upcoming Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Could Be The Best Entry-Level ADV (And 5 Why It Won’t)

10 Royal Enfield Himalayan

Himalayan on a hilly road

For young bloods who want to immediately be free of the tarmac, the Royal Enfield Himalayan might be the perfect choice. The RE Himalayan possesses a flexible frame and suspension with long travel that can pull through any type of treacherous terrain. The engine is not too powerful and still manageable for any adventure enthusiasts. The Royal Enfield Himalayan off-road capability is complemented by its off-road tires and narrow body. In addition, the 31.5 inches set height allow riders to sit comfortably while on the highway. All-in-all, the Royal Enfield Himalayan deserves its place in any list of «best adventure bikes.»

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9 Honda CRF300L Rally

Honda CRF300L going on a dirt road

If you think the 1100 cc Africa Twin is just too excessive for both your off-road preference and your budget, the Honda CRF300L Rally is a solid alternative. Instead of taking the CB500X, you should consider the CRF300L Rally which is a more off-road capable machine. Honda designed this bike around the base CRF300L and knock it up a notch in terms of long-distance capability. The lightweight nature of this bike ensures riders can confidently control the bike no matter how dangerous the path is. If you are a survivalist who would like to invest in off-road motorcycling, the CRF300L Rally is a perfect candidate for your next purchase because of its overall dependability.

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8 Kawasaki KLR650

Candy Lime Green 2023 Kawasaki KLR650 S tearing up a trail

For the third generation introduced in 2022, Kawasaki has upgraded this bike to fit into adventure class with better suspension, luggage options, and even fog lamps for the KLR 650 Adventure model. The current KLR650 keeps its 80s thumper engine with several upgrades to slightly improve performance and comply with emissions regulations. Kawasaki designed the engine to be under-stressed. Granted, the old thumper engine only makes a meager 40 horsepower. However, it means the bike is predictable and will not break down after hours of long harsh off-road adventure. Additionally, the price keeps the KLR 650 accessible for almost everyone.

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Related: Why The Kawasaki KLR 650 S Is The Ultimate Dual-Sport Motorcycle

7 Aprilia Tuareg 660

A rider on the Aprilia Tuareg 660 racing through a forested area

The Aprillia Tuareg 660’s rugged and adventurous nature is suitable for seasoned riders who want a middleweight adventure bike. Aprilia takes the same engine as in the RS 660 and Tuono 660 then puts it in this adventure bike. However, the Tuareg 660 features a unique camshaft set to adjust the power delivery for adventure riding. With its cutting edge technology, the Tuareg 660 has four riding modes, urban, explore, off-road, and individual. The Tuareg 660 can handle any obstacle and rough terrain with no problem. Reviews on its sophisticated technology, great power, and off-road biased chassis show that the bike will satisfy veteran adventure riders who look for a wilder experience off the tarmac.

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6 Yamaha Ténéré 700

An action shot of the Yamaha Tenere 700 in a desert

The classic choice, the Ténéré 700 is most at home in the wilderness. Yamaha built the Ténéré 700 for off-road heavy adventures. The lack of rider-aids such as traction control gives more freedom on how riders would like to ride it. You can even completely turn off the ABS on this bike and give yourself a raw experience. Yamaha updated the 2023 model with a new TFT display which has two modes, explorer mode for showing the tachometer and street mode for showing the speed with analog-style circular dials. Although the Ténéré 700 may come off as a simple and straightforward adventure bike, its prowess off-road is all you ever need for your next adventure.

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5 BMW F 850 GS Adventure

2017 BMW F 850 GS airborne in the desert

In the middleweight adventure bike class, BMW offers the F 850 GS Adventure as an alluring option. For a mid-size adventure bike, the F 850 GS Adventure is very well-equipped. BMW guarantees riders will not run out of advanced features, BMW accessorizes the bike with various additional features to support long tours. For performing off-road, the F 850 GS has an ABS system with a specific off-road mode. The refined and plush suspension give a smoother ride even when traveling on rough and uneven terrain.

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4 KTM 890 Adventure R

A rider puts on his goggles over his motocross helmet next to a KTM 890 Adventure R

Some bikes give you smooth and comfortable ride, KTM is the opposite. The 890 Adventure R is the definition of adrenaline-pumped adventure. The 890 Adventure R is relatively nimble compared to its competitors. Its aggressive nature also comes from the powerful engine. The bike will feel exceptionally natural off-road. Its geometry design provides easy handling and sturdiness for all kinds of terrain. Without a doubt, the KTM 890 Adventure R is not for those who just want a touring bike with a touch of trailing, but it is perfect for off-road maniacs.

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Related: KTM 890 Adventure R Goes Under The Knife For 2023

3 Ducati DesertX

The DesertX in its natural habitat

Have you ever thought of taking your Ducati off-road? Well, not the Panigale V4, that would be insane. Gear up and prepare to get down and dirty with the DesertX. The perfect Ducati for a passionate adventurer. As a newcomer in the market, the DesertX sure knows how to make an impression. Ducati designed this mid-size adventure bike from scratch to suit off-road escapades, and they certainly did not hold back. For starters, the bike adopts the Testastretta 11° engine as its core. This is the same engine the Multisrada V2, Supersport, and Hypermotard use. So, you can expect plenty of power from this Ducati. With a Dakar-inspired design, combined with Ducati’s interpretation of modern adventure bike should look like, the Ducati DesertX is eye-candy in the wild.

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2 Husqvarna Norden 901

A set of soft-but-spacious side bags comes standard here

Husqvarna made the Norden 901 as a rugged and off-road focused machine. Featuring the WP APEX 43 mm upside-down front forks, the bike has no problem dampening the shock from impacts or bumpy road surfaces. Both the rear suspension and front forks offer considerable travel. So, there is no need to worry that you might accidentally bottom it out. The bike is powered by the same engine as the KTM 890 Adventure R made by KTM. With Husqvarna’s design added to the mix, the Norden 901 is an excellent all around adventure bike for going off-road.

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1 Triumph Tiger 900 Rally

A sideview of the Triumph 900 Rally on lakeside

To compete with the growing adventure bike market, Triumph has the Tiger 900 line. The Tiger 900 Rally offer better balance, more power, and more advanced technology compared to most of the competition. Triumph outfitted the bike with big 45 mm front forks and spoke wheels. On top of that, Triumph equipped it with a new 888 cc triple cylinder engine that can make 94 horsepower and 64 pound feet of torque. With a premium price tag attached to it, you can expect excellent off-road performance and a considerable grunt from that triple.

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