The Cheapest Adventure Bikes With More Than 100 Horsepower
Today, the adventure bike market is almost as diverse as the industry itself, with a wide range of bikes that will appeal to pretty much every kind of rider. While there is a growing contingent of riders gravitating towards lighter, more off-road oriented machines, there are still several great adventure-tourers on the market that will appeal to those looking for something more comfortable and powerful.
All these bikes offer a semblance of off-road potential, but bigger, more powerful engines most certainly weigh more, and once you reach a certain weight class, serious off-roading is more or less off the table. Realistically speaking, most riders are not buying an ADV for that purpose, they will primarily be using them for long distance travel, and that is where all these bikes shine. Offering more comfort and features than some dedicated touring bikes.
Most modern bikes share engines. For the sake of variety, we limited it to one model per platform.
10
MV Agusta Enduro Veloce
MSRP: $16,998
We are still struggling to unpack exactly how MV Agusta is able to price the Enduro Veloce like this for the US market. We can only assume that they are betting on selling enough of them to make up for whatever profit is lost on each model. These bikes come fully equipped with all the adventure-touring toys, from those hard cases to IMU-backed electronics. In an effort to win back some semblance of consumer confidence, these bikes come with a 5-year warranty … if MV will still be around for that long. It is worth remembering that this is a company that simply rolls from one financial crisis to another.
9
Ducati DesertX
MSRP: $16,995
Unlike MV, who seem determined to live out every conceivable Italian cliché known to man, Ducati has long since found a way to build more reliable bikes without losing their identity. One of the more recent reliability-centered decisions was ditching desmodromic valves for certain models, and the DesertX is one of them. While desmo has its place in high-performance models, conventional variable valve timing is most certainly a better, more practical choice for this middleweight ADV.
8
Moto Guzzi Stelvio
MSRP: $16,990
A third Italian bike in as many entries may leave some ADV enthusiasts scratching their heads, but the Stelvio’s unconventional transverse V-twin delivers an impressive 115 horsepower. Piaggio’s flagship ADV continues to get upstaged by the Aprilia Tuareg 660, though, and it is pretty easy to see the appeal of the lighter “brother from another mother.” For those looking for a more comfortable long distance tourer, the Stelvio is most certainly worth the extra outlay.
7
Suzuki V-Strom 1050
MSRP: $15,699
Suzuki has a knack for making the most out of older engines and the big V-Strom is no exception. This twin can trace its roots all the way back to the infamous TL1000S (and TL1000R sport bike). While it has been reworked to better suit the ADV, it is still a fun, tractable engine that belies the rather uninspiring design of the bike. At least the V-Strom won’t suddenly lose its rear end like the old TL1000S!
6
Husqvarna Norden 901
MSRP: $15,349
For all those KTM enthusiasts screaming at the screen, the Norden 901 is cheaper, and an objectively better looking bike. It certainly lacks the off-road capability of the 890 Adventure R (which really is remarkable for its size) but if that is really what you are after, then it might actually be worth considering the new 690 Rally, which is even cheaper than the Norden, but not even in the same conversation when it comes to long-distance comfort.
5
Honda Africa Twin
MSRP: $15,199
When compared to the aforementioned V-Strom 1050, we have always found the Africa Twin surprisingly affordable. The base model is more off-road oriented, but at the end of the day, this is still a 500 pound motorcycle, and off-road, it will handle like a 500 pound motorcycle. Along with being surprisingly affordable, it is also surprisingly comfortable. What is not surprising at all is the fact that it is as reliable as any Honda product, so peace of mind is simply part of the deal.
4
Triumph Tiger 900 GT
MSRP: $15,195
The base model Tiger 900 is more street oriented than any of the other 900s, and while you still reserve the right to go off-road with more confidence than the average street bike, it is more of a tourer. It is an exceptionally comfortable bike, and like most triples, it offers the best of both worlds in terms of performance, with the grunt of a twin and high RPM performance of an inline-four. Also, like most triples, you will get some vibrations through the bars at highway speed. It will bother some, and won’t fuss others. A test ride is essential!
3
BMW F 900 GS
MSRP: $14,495
Upon first inspection, the F 900 GS looks like a bit of a bargain. The base model already comes with an Akrapovič exhaust, and it offers the most off-road potential out of all these 100-ish horsepower ADVs (the DesertX might have something to say about this), but with BMW there is always a “but.” Even the paint you see in this photo will cost extra, and so will several other features that really shouldn’t be optional at this price point.
2
Moto Morini X-Cape 1200
MSRP: $12,999
China has arrived to the big bore ADV party in the most Italian way possible. While Moto Morini bikes are all built in China, they are also designed in Italy, and it shows, because the X-Cape family are among the best looking adventure bikes on the market. This V-twin was also developed in Italy (albeit some two decades ago) before the company was absorbed by its Chinese parent, and makes a healthy 129 horsepower.
1
CFMoto Ibex 950
MSRP: $12,499
The Ibex 950’s arrival is unusually quiet compared to the excitement that surrounded the lightweight 450. It features an uprated version of the KTM LC8c parallel twin which now makes 112 horsepower. Only time will tell if it still has the same appetite for cams as the version found in the aforementioned Norden, but if CFMoto has solved that problem, this might be the ADV deal of the year.
Sources: Various manufacturer websites
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