As a Beginner it’s tough to choose a proper Adventure Motorcycle, so we have compiled a list of the Best Adventure Motorcycles we recommend.
Now if you are looking for an adventure motorcycle then it means you probably want a motorcycle that can do +-60% on-road and +-40% off-road. This means that you will need a motorcycle that can do both off-road and on-road with ease.
To find the perfect motorcycle we have to first see the essential things that an adventure motorcycle must have to make it easier for the beginner rider to ride the motorcycle safely and without getting panicked.
Things to look for in an Adventure Motorcycle if you are a Beginner
Most people use an adventure motorcycle to cover hundreds of miles per day which consists of both off-road and on-road riding. This means the things to look for in an Adventure Motorcycle are Comfortability, Power, Reliability, and Safety.
Riding Comfort
Riding hundreds of miles will feel like hell when you don’t have a comfortable seat, A comfortable seat will keep your butt comfortable.
Having a soft and comfortable seat is a must-have in an adventure motorcycle. It will prevent your butt from getting numb due to prolonged sitting and vibrations from the motorcycle.
Power
In an adventure motorcycle, you need enough power to be able to cruise on highways at a good speed and also to be able to climb mountain roads, and ride off-road.
Most people prefer adventure motorcycles that are above 150cc / 20hp and have a good amount of torque.
Reliability
The reliability of a motorcycle is very important because it ensures that the rider can trust it and know that it will not leave them stranded on the side of the road or give up in the middle of a desert or jungle.
As a beginner adventure motorcyclist, you need a bike that is very reliable and has a very low rate of failure.
Safety
Safety comes first, the horsepower and the styling of a motorcycle don’t matter if it isn’t safe to ride. Along with proper riding gear, your motorcycle also needs to be safe to ride.
That’s why it’s important to get a motorcycle that has safety features like switchable abs, good braking, better balancing, good wheels, and powerful headlights.
So, now that we have talked about the things that an adventure motorcycle needs let’s see the complete list of Adventure Motorcycles for Beginners.
Best Adventure Motorcycles for Beginners
1. KTM 390 Adventure
The KTM 390 Adventure is a motorcycle that was designed for long-distance riding. It’s a great option for beginner riders who are new to adventure riding.
Here are the Basic Specifications of the KTM 390 Adventure :
| KTM 390 Adventure Basic Specs | |
| Made by | KTM ( Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen) |
| Engine | 373cc single-cylinder |
| Power / Torque | 42.3 bhp / 37 Nm |
| Tank | 14.5 L / 3.8 Gal |
| Seat Height | 855 mm / 33.66 Inch |
| Weight | 163 kg / 359.3 Pounds |
| Suspension | Front WP APEX 43/ WP APEX Monoshock |
| Tyres | 19 Inch Front /17 Inch Rear |
The KTM Adventure 390 handles very well as it’s lightweight, very balanced, and easy to maneuver.
The motorcycle comes with a compact 373 cc single-cylinder engine, which is more than enough for hills, off-road, and highway cruising. It also has a lightweight chassis, slipper clutch, class-leading electronics, and an amazing suspension.
As for comfort, it has a very comfortable riding posture and a comfortable seat, for safety the KTM 390 Adventure comes with switchable ABS, Traction Control, and LED Headlights with good visibility.
| Pros | Cons |
| TCS, ABS, TFT Features | No Spoke wheels |
| Excellent 390cc Engine | Low-end Torque is Low |
| Budget Pricing | Seat not Comfortable for Long Rides |
2. Honda CRF300 Rally
Honda CRF300 Rally is an Adventure motorcycle that is built for rough roads. It is designed to be used for both off-road and on-road touring.
Here are the Basic Specifications of the Honda CRF300 Rally :
| Honda CRF300 Rally Basic Specs | |
| Made by | Honda |
| Engine | 286cc single-cylinder |
| Power / Torque | 27.3 bhp / 26.6 Nm |
| Tank | 12.8 L / 3.38 Gal |
| Seat Height | 885 mm / 34.84 Inch |
| Weight | 153 kg / 337 Pounds |
| Suspension | Front 43mm USD forks/ Rear Prolink |
| Tyres | 21 Inch Front / 18 Inch Rear |
The Honda CRF300 Rally was designed with the goal of making it as versatile as possible to allow both beginner and pro riders to enjoy the thrill and excitement of off-road driving along with long adventure touring.
The thing I like about this motorcycle is the upright seating posture and the suspension which performs very well. And also it looks cool.
It has a large fuel tank with a proper windscreen for long-range riding ability and comfort. The motorcycle comes in two versions Non-ABS and ABS Version.
| Pros | Cons |
| Versatile for Both Offroad and Onroad | Limited Power Compared to other Adventure Motorcycles in its class |
| Fuel Efficient | High Price Tag |
| High Ground Clearance | Seat is Hard and Uncomfortable in Long Rides |
3. Honda CB500X
The Honda CB500x is designed to be a more comfortable and versatile adventure motorcycle, which can be used for both commuting and light off-road. The motorcycle is reliable and powerful, Honda has made it in a way that it can be used on any terrain, from paved roads to gravel paths.
Here are the Basic Specifications of the Honda CB500X :
| Honda CB500X Basic Specs | |
| Made by | Honda |
| Engine | 471cc Liquid-Cooled Parallel-Twin |
| Power / Torque | 46.93 bhp / 43.2 Nm |
| Tank | 12.8 L / 3.38 Gal |
| Seat Height | 830 mm / 32.6 Inches |
| Weight | 199 kg / 438 Pounds |
| Suspension | Front 41mm forks/ Rear Pro-Link single shock |
| Tyres | 19 Inch Front / 17 Inch Rear |
It has plenty of power and torque for the hills, highways, and offroad with a very comfortable seating posture and abs for safety.
The only downside of this motorcycle is its weight, which can be a little bit of a problem for beginner riders if they want to do some off-road riding. Now if you don’t mind the weight then it’s the perfect adventure motorcycle.
| Pros | Cons |
| Reliable 471cc engine | Limited Wind Protection |
| Comfortable Seating Position | Vibration at Higher Speeds |
| Affordable Pricing | Lack of high-end features compared to competitors |
4. Royal Enfield Himalayan
The Royal Enfield Himalayan is a lightweight adventure motorcycle that is designed and built for the mighty Himalayan mountain range. It’s a perfect lightweight adventure motorcycle for off-road and on-road riding.
Here are the Basic Specifications of the Royal Enfield Himalayan :
| Basic Specs of Royal Enfield Himalayan | |
| Made by | Royal Enfield |
| Engine | 411cc Single Cylinder, 4 Stroke, SOHC, Air Cooled |
| Power / Torque | 24.3 bhp / 32 nm |
| Tank | 15L / 4 Gal |
| Seat Height | 800 mm / 31.5 in |
| Weight | 199 kg / 439 lbs |
| Suspension | Front Telescopic, 41 mm Forks, 200 mm Travel Rear Monoshock with Linkage, 180 mm Wheel Travel |
| Tyres | 21 Inch Front / 17 Inch Rear |
It has plenty of power and suspension travel to tackle rough roads and also due to its low weight it’s very easy to handle and ride on all types of terrains.
The motorcycle comes fitted with a fuel-efficient engine and Dual Channel ABS (Switchable to Single Channel), making it great for long journeys. It also has a comfortable seat which makes it easy to ride for long periods of time.
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable price | Vibrations at higher speeds |
| Comfortable seating position | Engine reliability issues |
| Unique design and retro style | Poor fuel efficiency compared to other bikes in its class |
5. Kawasaki Versys X-300
The Kawasaki Versys X-300 is an Adventure Touring Motorcycle that can be used for touring, commuting, and some off-road riding.
Here are the Basic Specifications of the Kawasaki Versys X-300 :
| Basic Specs of Kawasaki Versys X-300 | |
| Made by | Kawasaki |
| Engine | 296cc Parallel 4-stroke, 2-cylinder, DOHC, liquid-cooled |
| Power / Torque | 38.7 bhp / 25 Nm |
| Tank | 17L / 4.5 Gal) |
| Seat Height | 815 mm / 32.1 Inch |
| Weight | 175Kg / 385.9 lbs |
| Suspension | Front Telescopic fork / 5.1 in Rear Uni-Trak swingarm with 5-way spring preload adjustment / 5.8 in |
| Tyres | 19 Inch Front / 17 Inch Rear |
The motorcycle is very lightweight due to which it’s very fun to ride on both highways and off-roads, also the compact 296cc twin-cylinder engine gives you a smooth riding experience along with the long travel suspension which works great off-road.
Kawasaki Versys X-300 comes in two versions ABS & NON-ABS. The ABS version is always recommended.
| Pros | Cons |
| Lightweight and nimble design | Limited wind protection |
| Good power-to-weight ratio | Vibration at higher speeds |
| Comfortable riding position | Basic suspension setup |
6. BMW G310GS
The BMW G310GS is a perfect adventure motorcycle for those who want to enjoy the ride but don’t want to take too much weight on their shoulders.
Here are the Basic Specifications of the BMW G310GS :
| Basic Specs of BMW G310GS | |
| Made by | BMW ( Bayerische Motoren Werke AG) |
| Engine | 313cc Water-cooled, single-cylinder 4-stroke engine |
| Power / Torque | 34 bhp / 28 nm |
| Tank | 11.5 L / 3 gal |
| Seat Height | 835 mm / 32.8 Inch |
| Weight | 175 kg / 386 lbs |
| Suspension | Front Inverted fork, 41 mm / Cast aluminum dual swing arm |
| Tyres | 19 Inch Front / 17 Inch Rear |
BMW G310GS is very fun to ride a motorcycle due to it being lightweight and agile. This makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. The motorcycle handles pretty well on off-road/on-road.
The motorcycle has a good suspension with a comfortable seat which makes it perfect for riding in different types of terrain and conditions. Also, it looks pretty good.
| Pros | Cons |
| Lightweight and easy to maneuver | Limited power output |
| Fuel-efficient engine | Lack of wind protection |
| Affordable | Small fuel tank capacity |
