These are five adventure bikes we can’t wait for in 2026
Ducati, BSA, Triumph, KTM, and Yamaha, have all made the cut as we take a look at five adventure bikes you should be excited about in 2026.
In the UK, adventure motorcycles are booming right now, with BMW’s R1300 GS and R1300 GS Adventure proving to be the two most popular models for large parts of 2025. However, the German manufacturer will have some fresh competition to deal with in 2026, so let’s take a look at them.
You might be interested in reading our 2025 BMW R1300 GS review.
It goes without saying that not all of the bikes on this list are as high-powered as both R1300 GS models, so they aren’t direct rivals from that standpoint, but this list aims to cover the adventure segment as a whole.
So without further ado, here are five bikes that should pique your interest.
V2-powered Ducati DesertX
Set to arrive in European dealerships in May, the new Ducati DesertX features the same 890cc V2 IVT (Intake Variable Timing) engine as the new 2026 Monster.
You might be interested in reading our 2026 Ducati Monster V2 review.
Ducati previewed the new adventure bike at last November’s EICMA show in Milan, while also saying “all details” about the new model would be revealed in February, meaning that could happen any day now.
The 890cc V-Twin engine that’s set to be housed by the new DesertX is also shared by the Multistrada V2 and Multistrada V2 S models. Maximum power of the new DesertX will be 108bhp at 9,000rpm and 68Ib-ft of torque at 7,000rpm.
Ducati says the new V2-powered DesertX is lighter than before, and that its off-road capabilities have been improved “thanks to the adoption of advanced suspension with progressive rear linkage”.
BSA Thunderbolt
The first adventure model to arrive in the British manufacturer’s range, the new Thunderbolt 350 marks a new chapter for BSA.
That’s because the Thunderbolt name has already been used by BSA. However, that was in the 1960s and early 70s, when it was pitched as a middleweight tourer.
Now dressed as a small-capacity adventure model, the Thunderbolt is rich with tech as it gets traction control, three ABS modes, slip and assist clutch, turn-by-turn navigation (via an app), and Bluetooth connectivity.
In the summer of 2025, BSA welcomed the new Bantam 350, which the Thunderbolt takes after with regards to its 334cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine. Maximum power comes in at 29bhp, which it produces at 8,000rpm. The Thunderbolt also delivers 22lb-ft of torque at 5,800rpm.
You might be interested in reading our 2026 BSA Bantam 350 road test review.
Triumph Tiger 1200 Alpine
One of many new arrivals from the Hinckley-based company for 2026, the Alpine has been revised in both 900 and 1200 trim, which is also the case for both Desert models.
The Tiger 1200 Alpine is once again powered by its 1,160cc T-plane triple which produces 147bhp and 95lb-ft. However, it now benefits from heated rider and pillion seats for the first time. These standard features are also found on the new Tiger 1200 Desert.
Another new addition as standard is Triumph’s Blind Spot detection system, which was only available on the Explorer versions of the Tiger 1200, previously.
The new Tiger 1200 Alpine has arrived with a UK price of £16,995, which is a bump of £2,600 over the updated 900 edition.
KTM 1390 Super Adventure S Evo
The 1390 Super Adventure S Evo was initially earmarked as a 2025 model, however, KTM’s ongoing financial restructuring meant its arrival on the market was delayed.
The new 1390 Super Adventure S Evo was one of six models, including its 1390 Super Adventure S sibling that were affected by KTM’s financial issues, thus leading to them becoming 2026 models.
Still, that hasn’t hampered the intrigue surrounding KTM’s new flagship adventure bike, which is priced at £18,660.
For 2026, the new 1390 Super Adventure S Evo gains a new windshield, which can be adjusted by up to 70mm. It is powered by a 1,350cc liquid-cooled twin-cylinder engine, although the company has kept power and torque figures under the wraps, for now.
Yamaha Ténéré 700 World Raid
New electronics, revised suspension and improved comfort are all part of the lengthy list of updates made by Yamaha to its 2026 Ténéré 700 World Raid. The changes are designed to improve the bike’s capabilities both on and off-road.
Powering the new model is the familiar 689cc CP2 parallel-twin engine, which produces 72bhp at 9,000rpm and 50Ib-ft for torque at 6,500rpm.
The 2026 Ténéré 700 World Raid gets two new power modes thanks to the ride-by-wire Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T) system, which replaces the throttle cables. The new model is priced at £11,920.
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After graduating with a sports journalism degree, Robert joined Crash.net to lead the WorldSBK coverage in 2021, while also providing MotoGP coverage. Fulfilling that role for over three years, Robert was able to put his knowledge about all things racing to the test.
