Best Adventure Motorcycles for Beginners


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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.

Ktm Adventure 390 parked in a paved road with a wall in background

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
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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.

Honda CRF300 Rally on a Dirt Road with a Rider

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
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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.

Honda CB500x being driven through a patch of water

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
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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.

A man riding a Royal Enfield Himalayan in a paved road in a desert mountain

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
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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.

A man riding a Kawasaki Versys X-300 in a paved road in a city

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
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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.

A BMW G310GS Parked in a Paved Road with Mountain and Sunset in Background

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
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Amitabh Borah

Amitabh Borah is the founder of OffRoadPioneers.com, sharing his passion for adventure on two wheels.

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