OWNING a brilliant, practical and fun adventure bike doesn’t necessarily have to mean shelling out a small fortune.
In fact, you can join the adventure bike club from just a few grand. At that price range there’s a huge pool of second-hand bikes out there so your dream of riding to Marrakech (or just getting about in comfort and convenience), is closer than you think.
Even though many of these models aren’t the ideal solution for off-road use, some owners do choose to venture away from tarmac with them, so when buying, be sure to check for marks, dings and damage as a result of being ridden (and possibly crashed / dropped) off-road. And if they have spent a lot of time getting caked in mud and grime, that means they’ve probably been jet washed a lot too – so check for damaged bearings and gaskets.
Some adventure bike might have been on massive trips, which mean they could have been loaded with specialist kit – so look for marks from panniers, mounts, etc.
The right extras are certain to make an adventure bike that bit more desirable. Some decent luggage is usually a safe bet but so are good functional additions from reputable manufacturers. Be aware of factory options on BMWs.
Private sales can be a good option as these machines tend to get thrashed, crashed and nicked less than sports bikes.
And don’t worry about high mileage figures – these bikes can handle it so high mileage engines should be fine, but check suspension and chassis bushes for signs of wear and play.
10. Triumph Tiger 800 XC (2011 - 2015)
10. Triumph Tiger 800 XC (2011 - 2015)
Engine: 799cc, 4-valve, DOHC, liquid-cooled, three-cylinder
Power: 94hp
Torque: 70 lb/ft
Weight: 214.5kg (wet)
Used prices: £4,000 - £5,200
Of the top-selling Triumph Tiger 800 range, the XC is the more adventure-flavoured option, with longer travel suspension, wide bars and a 21 inch front wheel shod with dual purpose tyres. It’s taller than the standard bike and turns a little more slowly, but if you’re planning a little light off-roading, the XC is the one to go for. It’s fuel efficient too and well put together, although if you’re buying an older XC, or one that you suspect of having had a hard life, be sure to check for signs of corrosion and flaky paint, especially on the frame. Some early models had a fuel injection issue which should have been solved long ago by Triumph.
9. Honda XRV750 Africa Twin (1989 - 2003)
9. Honda XRV750 Africa Twin (1989 - 2003)
Engine: 742cc, 3-valve, liquid-cooled, SOHC, V-twin
Power: 62bhp
Torque: 46 lb/ft
Weight: 207kg dry
Used prices: From £1,200
The Africa Twin name might have been resurrected for the new CRF1000L Africa Twin, but how can we leave the original XRV750 Africa Twin out of this list? Manufacturered between 1989 and 2003, the Africa Twin became an iconic model for Honda and has a cult following, with mint condition second hand examples going for upwards of £6,000, though about £3k should secure you a decent one. However, there are plenty of cheaper examples out there, so if you’re on a budget and are looking for a proper round the world bike, well, there’s not much cooler. It comes in a range of love/hate paint schemes and its motor doesn’t have the most power but is friendly and reliable.
8. Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom (2002 - 2009)
8. Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom (2002 - 2009)
Engine: 996cc, 8-valve, injected, V-twin
Power: 98bhp
Torque: 75 lb/ft
Weight: 207kg
Used prices: £1,500 - £5,200
Close but no cigar. The ex-TL engine’s great and the big V-Strom weighs less than many of its rivals. Less enticing are its odd looks and when the pace hots up, it's handling gets squidgy, especially if you've got a set Suzuki’s genuine panniers fitted (go for Givi instead). However, it is cheap and for the price you get a lot of motorbike. It's generally reliable but early (2002) bikes suffered juddery clutches which were remedied with a new clutch basket. 2006 onwards bikes had modified mapping which made the throttle response smoother. Finish is poor with corrosion first appearing on brake discs. Grand Touring (2006-’07) version had centre stand, heated grips and Suzuki genuine luggage.
7. BMW G650GS (2008+)
7. BMW G650GS (2008+)
Engine: 652cc, 4-valve, liquid-cooled, DOHC, single-cylinder
Power: 50bhp
Torque: 44 lb/ft
Weight: 195kg
Used prices: £2,500 - £5,300
If you’re after an adventure bike that won’t cost you the earth to buy and run, the single-cylinder G650GS will fit the bill perfectly. It might not be the most powerful or sexiest bike in this list but it’ll easy return over 70mpg. Its low price is evident in the build quality – it’s not the most premium bike to ever wear GS badge but it is comfortable, agile, a competent all-rounder. If you’re a young, cash strapped rider looking for a first time adventure, the G650GS will be hard to ignore because of its low running costs, insurance included, and how cheap it is to pick one up.
6. Yamaha TDM900 (2002+)
6. Yamaha TDM900 (2002+)
Engine: 897cc, 10-valve, injected, parallel twin
Power: 86bhp
Torque: 66 lb/ft
Weight: 190kg
Used prices: £2,000 - £5,000
A sensible choice. It’s a hybrid, not a real adventure bike but for many people that’s a better option. It’s been slowly refined since appearing in 1991 and while the latest bike’s not the most exciting thing out there, it’s still fun, incredibly competent, reliable and cheap to buy and run. Later models with improved forks springs handle the best and make sure tyres are at the correct pressures (36/42psi) or it can feel a bit wobbly. Fork springs updated for 2003, fork springs changed again for 2004 along with YISS immobiliser, and larger front brake master cylinder, ABS an option from 2005, black engine, white clocks, extra catalysis and other tweaks for 2007.
Click to read Yamaha TDM 900 reviews
5. Ducati Multistrada 1000/1100 (2003+)
5. Ducati Multistrada 1000/1100 (2003+)
Engine: 992cc, 4-valve, injected, V-twin
Power: 86bhp
Torque: 65 lb/ft
Weight: 195kg
Used prices: £2,600 - £6,500
It’s only got very slightly knobbly tyres and is really a road bike. But it’s a damn fine one. Quality suspension, set up for the road, plus powerful brakes and wheels that’ll take the proper, road-specific tyes make it a potent real world road package. The engine’s low tech two valve per cylinder and air-cooled, but possesses bags of torque and does the job well. Running costs can be high, although bikes from mid-2007 onwards need less service work and less frequently (every 7,500 rather than every 6,000 miles) so make more sense. 2005 on bikes improved, capacity increased to 1,100cc in 2007. High spec S-model even better.
Click to read Ducati Multistrada reviews
4. BMW R1150GS (1999-2005)
4. BMW R1150GS (1999 - 2005)
Engine: 1,130cc, 8-valve, injected, flat twin
Power: 85bhp
Torque: 71 lb/ft
Weight: 229kg
Top speed: 125mph
Used prices: £1,900 - £5,000
This is the bike that really began the GS effect. Although it's not hugely different to its 1,100cc predecessor, the 1150 became massively popular. It’s incredibly comfortable and capable but also handles far better than such a big, ungainly looking bike has any right to. Many have clocked up big mileage, either from foreigns jaunts or simply getting on with life at home. Problems are well documented but it’s still an incredibly reliable bike – more so than the 1200 say some. Clutches are costly to replace and oil seals can fail, final drive and ABS can give problems so check high milers carefully. The Adventure model (from 2002) has longer suspension, optional lower first gear and bigger fuel tank.
Click to read BMW R1150GS reviews.
3. Honda Varadero (1999+)
3. Honda Varadero (1999+)
Engine: 996cc, liquid-cooled parallel-twin
Power: 94hp
Torque: 72 lb/ft
Weight: 232kg
Used prices: £2,200 - £6,800
The Varadero loks like an adventure bike but it's more of a more of a stylish all rounder / tourer. The huge Honda might be heavy, but it's great on the tarmac. Later (2003 on) bikes got a six speed box, injection and are slightly more frugal – but are heavier again at a portly 235kg. Early bikes suffer from poor fuel consumption. 2003-on bike also have an adjustable screen and other minor mods. 2001 bikes got HISS and modified rear suspension. The ex-Firestorm engine can have minor camchain issus at high miles but it’s rare. It’s a properly ugly bike but is reliable and does everything well.
Click to read Honda Varadero reviews
2. KTM 990 Adventure (2003+)
2. KTM 990 Adventure (2003+)
Engine: 999cc, 8-valve, injected, v-twin
Power: 98bhp
Torque: 70 lb/ft
Weight: 199kg
Used prices: £3,500 - £8,500
Arguably the 990 Adventure takes the award for best in class. The BMW might be more easygoing and comfortable but the KTM is more exciting. There’s no denying it’s a superb bike and a genuine round the world machine, not a parts bin special that's capable of flirting with the tarmac every one in a while. Throttle response varies from machine to machine and some riders find some bikes too aggressive but there are modifications to improve it (but they don’t always work). Early models blew the head gasket on cylinder one, but that was fixed. S-models get longer travel suspension and fancy paint, R models more performance and no ABS. 950cc had carbs, 999cc not injection until 2006.
Click to read KTM 990 Adventure reviews
1. BMW R1200GS (2004+)
1. BMW R1200GS (2004+)
Engine: 1,170cc, 8-valve, injected, flat twin
Power: 98bhp
Torque: 85ftlb
Weight: 199kg
Used prices: £4,500 - £9,500
Yes, the ubiquitous big Bavarian adventure bike, and its massive sales success means it really is everywhere, from city centres to TV screen across the land. The reason for that is: it's very good. Its ace is handling – it’s capable of staying with sports bikes on twisty roads and it’s much less soft and baggy than most adventure bikes, thanks partly to its innovative ssuspension. The GS Adventure version is bigger, tougher looking and more expensive and is the one to pick if you're planning on riding across Russia, but it's heavier too. The GS is expensive though and isn't completely free from problems that include gearbox issues and elecctrical gremlins thanks to the CANBus wiring.
Click to read BMW R1200GS reviews
