The Best Off-Road Adventure Bikes (2022)

Off road adventure bikes are usually closely related to their road focused siblings but with a longer name, longer travel suspension, higher seat, larger fuel tank, spoked wheels and lots of crash protection. What is an off-road adventure bike?

For road focused equivalents check out our top ten adventure bikes.

What Is It?

New for 2021 the Super Adventure R should definitely be on your test ride list, especially if you like a bit of orange. It has all the modern bells and whistles, like the phone charging glovebox on the tank, plus the hardcore kit you need for proper off-roading.

More info, pics, prices and videos →

Key Specs

• RRP: £16,000
• Engine: V-Twin
• Capacity: 1,301 cc
• Power: 158 bhp / 118 kW
• Top Speed: 165 mph / 265 km/h
• Economy: 45 mpg / 6.3 L/100km
• Range: 230 miles / 370 km
• Seat Height: 880 mm / 34.6 inches
• Dry Weight: 221 kg / 487 pounds

What Is It?

The GS Adventure has been steadily evolving since 2006, hot on the heels of its road focused sibling the R1250GS. It sets the standard that the competition are aiming for and has a huge following both in the UK and around the world.

For 2018 it gets a slightly larger engine with Variable Valve Timing (BMW ShiftCam) and with the BMW options catalogue you can add almost anything you can think of including dynamic electronic suspension, keyless ignition, cornering ABS and even a cool SOS button on the handlebar.

Just don't expect the end result to cost the £15,000. It's likely to be nearer £20,000 with all the key options and well over a quarter of a ton.

More info, pics, prices and videos →

Key Specs

• RRP: £14,985
• Engine: Boxer VVT
• Capacity: 1,254 cc
• Power: 134 bhp / 100 kW
• Top Speed: 125 mph / 201 km/h
• Economy: 45 mpg / 6.3 L/100km
• Range: 300 miles / 483 km
• Seat Height: 890 mm / 35.0 inches
• Wet Weight: 268 kg / 591 pounds
• Power to Weight: 0.500 bhp/kg

What Is It?

New for 2021 the Multistrada V4 replaces the 1260 V-Twin model, with a brand new V4 engine derived from the Panigale V4. The Granturismo version of the engine is smaller, less powerful than the Panigale version and optimised for long service intervals.

More info, pics, prices and videos →

Key Specs

• RRP: £18,605
• Engine: V4
• Capacity: 1,158 cc
• Power: 168 bhp / 125 kW
• Top Speed: 160 mph / 257 km/h
• Economy: 40 mpg / 7.1 L/100km
• Range: 190 miles / 306 km
• Seat Height: 840 mm / 33.1 inches
• Wet Weight: 243 kg / 536 pounds
• Power to Weight: 0.691 bhp/kg

What Is It?

The original Africa Twin Adventure Sports "ATAS" proved really popular and is loved by owners. New for 2020 is a larger engine, more power, a new clever dash with Apple Carplay, cruise / wheelie control and a chunk knocked off the weight.

A popular option is Honda's clever DCT automatic gearbox and new this year optional electronically adjustable suspension. There's also the standard Africa Twin, which it's based on, with a smaller screen, smaller tank, no cornering lights and a few less extras.

More info, pics, prices and videos →

Key Specs

• RRP: £14,650
• Engine: Parallel Twin
• Capacity: 1,084 cc
• Power: 101 bhp / 75 kW
• Top Speed: 130 mph / 209 km/h
• Economy: 45 mpg / 6.3 L/100km
• Range: 250 miles / 402 km
• Seat Height: 850 mm / 33.5 inches
• Wet Weight: 238 kg / 525 pounds
• Power to Weight: 0.424 bhp/kg

What Is It?

The funky DesertX is pretty much an extreme off-road version of the popular Multistrada V2, with 250 mm ground clearance, a larger front wheel and shorter gear ratios to optimise for off-road work.

It looks the business, has all the electronics you could want and can even be fitted with an 8 litre range extending tank at the rear.

More info, pics, prices and videos →

Key Specs

• RRP: £14,095
• Engine: V-Twin
• Capacity: 937 cc
• Power: 109 bhp / 81 kW
• Top Speed: 120 mph / 193 km/h
• Economy: 45 mpg / 6.3 L/100km
• Range: 210 miles / 338 km
• Seat Height: 875 mm / 34.4 inches
• Wet Weight: 223 kg / 492 pounds
• Power to Weight: 0.489 bhp/kg

GEAR & ACCESSORIES

Protection and Tail Tidies

Helmets

Jackets

Boots

Gloves

Jeans

What Is It?

KTM builds exceptionally good off-road bikes. By off-road we don't mean the occasional green lane, more full on mountains, rocks and dusty trails.

The 890 Adventure R should be super capable because it's basically the popular 790 Adventure R with more power, improved rider aids and rear suspension.

More info, pics, prices and videos →

Key Specs

• RRP: £12,000
• Engine: Parallel Twin
• Capacity: 889 cc
• Power: 105 bhp / 78 kW
• Top Speed: 135 mph / 217 km/h
• Economy: 50 mpg / 5.6 L/100km
• Range: 220 miles / 354 km
• Seat Height: 880 mm / 34.6 inches
• Dry Weight: 189 kg / 417 pounds

What Is It?

The Norden 901 is new for 2022 from Husqvarna, part of the KTM group, sitting between the KTM 890 Adventure and KTM 890 Adventure R. It has all the on / off-road capability they are known for wrapped up in a nicer looking package. 

More info, pics, prices and videos →

Key Specs

• RRP: £12,350
• Engine: Parallel Twin
• Capacity: 889 cc
• Power: 105 bhp / 78 kW
• Top Speed: 135 mph / 217 km/h
• Economy: 55 mpg / 5.1 L/100km
• Range: 230 miles / 370 km
• Seat Height: 854 mm / 33.6 inches
• Dry Weight: 204 kg / 450 pounds

What Is It?

The much anticipated off-road version of the popular MT-07 features a stacked LED headlight, bash plate, Brembo brakes, handguards, long travel suspension, a flat seat, custom LCD dash and new tubular frame to hold the engine.

It turned out to be so popular that Yamaha introduced the £10,450 Rally Edition in 2020 with a special paint job and most of the parts catalogue.

For 2022, if you need more range, is the World Raid version with dual 11.5 litre tanks, new taller suspension, an Ohlins steering damper, more protection and 3-level ABS.

More info, pics, prices and videos →

Key Specs

• RRP: £9,500
• Engine: Parallel Twin
• Capacity: 689 cc
• Power: 72 bhp / 54 kW
• Top Speed: 100 mph / 161 km/h
• Economy: 60 mpg / 4.7 L/100km
• Range: 210 miles / 338 km
• Seat Height: 880 mm / 34.6 inches
• Wet Weight: 205 kg / 452 pounds
• Power to Weight: 0.351 bhp/kg

What Is It?

There are many reasons to love the Himalayan and only a few not to, so let's start with those. It's under powered for the A2 licence in the UK, it's heavy and has a minimal electronics package.

It is however super qualified for proper off-road mile munching with an easy to fix simple design, all metal construction, loads of low down torque, plush long travel suspension and a friendly low seat height. Plus it's incredibly good value!

For 2021 it received the "Tripper" navigation system, switchable rear ABS and improvements to the seat / screen / luggage rack.

More info, pics, prices and videos →

Key Specs

• RRP: £4,200
• Engine: Single Cylinder
• Capacity: 411 cc
• Power: 25 bhp / 19 kW
• Top Speed: 85 mph / 137 km/h
• Economy: 65 mpg / 4.3 L/100km
• Range: 210 miles / 338 km
• Seat Height: 800 mm / 31.5 inches
• Wet Weight: 199 kg / 439 pounds
• Power to Weight: 0.126 bhp/kg

What Is It?

It could well be the ultimate green laning machine you've never heard of, with genuine on and off-road potential.

For 2021 Honda have evolved the popular CRF250 Rally into the CRF300 Rally by adding 37 cc's of capacity, a few more ponies and reducing the already light weight by 4 kg. It also gets a gear position indicator, improved range and a modern slip / assist clutch.

More info, pics, prices and videos →

Key Specs

• RRP: £6,100
• Engine: Single Cylinder
• Capacity: 286 cc
• Power: 27 bhp / 20 kW
• Top Speed: 85 mph / 137 km/h
• Economy: 80 mpg / 3.5 L/100km
• Range: 230 miles / 370 km
• Seat Height: 885 mm / 34.8 inches
• Wet Weight: 153 kg / 337 pounds
• Power to Weight: 0.176 bhp/kg

Want To See More Bikes Like This?

Head over to the Choose & Compare Tool to see them all.

How Did We Rank Our Top Ten?

We looked at all the best off-road focused adventure bikes you can buy new at a variety of price points and picked the top contenders, taking into account style, power, technology and value for money.

What Is An Off-Road Adventure Bike?

Road Focused

Standard road focused adventure bikes are designed to be a jack of all trades. They tend to be so good at commuting, touring, some sporty riding and more recently looking good, that they are generally taking over from the other types of bike, particularly sports bikes with their aggressive and uncomfortable geometry.

They tend to feature long travel suspension, a decent sized screen, high seat height, extensive luggage options, optional wire-spoked wheels and decent drop protection.

The aim is maximum capability, range and the odd bit of very light off-road adventuring although many never leave the tarmac.

Off-Road Focused

Off road adventure bikes are usually closely related to their road focused siblings, but with a few key differences. Firstly and most importantly they have to have a ridiculously long name. The longer the better really and every press shot should feature riders in the standing position.

Secondly they usually have longer travel suspension, a resulting higher seat height, larger fuel tank in case you can't find a petrol station in the middle of the desert, wire spoked wheels for better off-road resilience and lots of crash protection. The benchmark for off-road adventure bikes is arguably set by the BMW R1250GSA.

Check out the other types of motorbikes.