Interested in buying an adventure bike, but not sure where to start? Here’s a comparison on some of today’s best adventure bikes organized by displacement classes.

• Displacement: 1,000cc and Up

1. BMW R1200 GS Adventure

The big Beemer is arguably the world’s most recognizable adventure bike, partly thanks to Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman’s exploits in Long Way Round and Long Way Down. They rode earlier air-cooled versions of this machine; the GS is liquid-cooled these days, after BMW refined the motor back at the end of 2012.

You’ll always find somebody who’s willing to push these pretty far off the beaten track, but bikes of this size are best suited for more open terrain - think Dalton Highway, not gnarly single-track through the forest. But if you want to put down a lot of miles in style on rough ground, it’s hard to beat the GS, as not only do you have truckloads of power, but you’ve also got a charging system that powers all the heated clothing and other gadgets that you want.

BMW R1200 GS Adventure

The standard R1200GS is a bit cheaper, but riders with serious off-road intentions should definitely opt for the Adventure version of the bike, which comes with tubeless spoked wheels as standard, instead of cast rims. Wire wheels survive much better off-road where repairs can be a real concern. ABS is standard on the GS, but you can turn it off for riding off-road. Crash bars, a bigger fuel tank, selectable engine power delivery modes and electronic stability control are all standard as well masking th 1200GS one of the most full-featured big enduro's around. 

2. KTM 1190 Adventure R

KTM 1190 Adventure R

Take a superbike motor, detune it a bit, and throw it in an off-road chassis? Sounds like a crazy idea, but for KTM, it works. KTM took their RC8 superbike’s V-twin powerplant and built their new top-of-the-line adventure bike around it, replacing the old 990.

This machine isn’t just about the motor, though; the KTM is loaded with electronic aids to help the rider keep the shiny side up. The Adventure R has ABS with on-road and off-road modes (off-road mode allows you to lock up the rear wheel). You can turn the ABS off, too. There’s also adjustable traction control, and four selectable engine power modes, like most big-bore bikes have in 2014.

Where the KTM 1190 really shines in the suspension department. This is a bike that’s made to handle real off-road work. It’s big and heavy enough to deter all but the bravest of riders from single track, but it’s more off-road friendly than the R1200 GS, with a fully adjustable suspension that can shrug off bumps, ruts, roots, and the like with the greatest of ease.  Mixed with a standing friendly geometry, longer service internvals, class-leading power and weight, there's almost no doubt what you'd rather have in prodominantly off-road riding conditions. Check out the ADVMoto KTM 1190 test ride here.

3. Yamaha Super Tenere

Yamaha Super Tenere

Yamaha came to the big-bore adventure bike market a little later than the other manufacturers, but they really nailed it with their first effort in 2011. The Super Ten’s 1199 cc parallel-twin has the power to haul riders and all their gear around without struggling, and Yamaha’s reputation for reliability can keep their mind at ease when heading out on the open road.

The Super Ten has seen a few minor motor upgrades since it came to market, but the biggest boost was likely this year’s announcement that some markets would get electronically adjustable suspension, an area where it lagged behind the made-in-Europe competition. One feature the Super Ten is still lacking is an ABS switch - although many riders are OK with the ABS in the dirt, some still want the option to turn the system off, allowing for more control off-road.

Like it's class peers, it’s a bit heavy and makes a bit less power than its Euro competition, the SuperTen is still a tough, reliable bike that will see riders around the world in comfort, with lots of aftermarket support. Nick Sanders broke a world record on his SuperTen, riding from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to the tip of South America and back again (almost 29,000 miles) in only 46 days wihout any mechanical problems.  Reliability like that goes a long way in making the SuperTen a serious advenutre horse. 

4. Triumph Tiger Explorer XC

Triumph Tiger Explorer XC

Triumph brought out the off-road oriented XC version of their big-bore Tiger back in late 2012, with aluminum skid plate,engine guards, plastic hand guards and auxiliary lights as standard.. Unlike most of the competition, Triumph went with a three-cylinder motor (1215 cc) for the Tiger Explorers, instead of a twin, resulting in very unique and enjoyable power delivery, as well as a unique exhaust note.

The Tiger Explorer XC does weigh a bit more than the competition from BMW and KTM, and has less fuel capacity, and also doesn’t have switchable ride modes. Overall, though, it’s an exciting bike to ride, with the same basic lineup of electronic bells and whistles (switchable ABS, ride-by-wire throttle, adjustable traction control) as the other Euro adventure bikes.

One area the Tiger Explorers get high marks in is the comfort department, at least on the street. When off-road, the stock bars are too low for comfortable standing and the stiff suspension can be jarring, but most riders aren’t pushing any of these big bikes too far off-tarmac.  The sport-touring rider who love the triple-thrum, looking to take on the occasional gravel road should have a good time with this big cat. For more information, read the review here.

 • Displacement: 600cc-1,000cc

1. Kawasaki KLR650

It’s not as popular in other markets, but in North America, the KLR is the king of mid-sized adventure bikes. For 2014, it got much-needed suspension and seat upgrades, but this machine hasn’t seen a real revamp since 2008. Before that, the machine was essentially unchanged since its 1987 launch.

Kawasaki KLR650

The KLR isn’t popular because of a long list of factory features - it doesn’t have ABS, traction control, heated grips or even EFI as standard, and it isn’t particularly powerful. What the KLR offers instead is a basic, reliable platform that’s moderately competent on both dirt and street, with a great price. It’s better-suited for highway miles than similar bikes from the other Japanese manufacturers, and the aftermarket is building any product you could possibly imagine for the machine.

Despite the aftermarket parts availability, KLR riders have a longstanding reputation for being … thrifty … and many end up circling the world with DIY luggage systems. But it doesn’t matter whether the rider has pricy panniers or a milk crate zip-tied to the rack, the KLR has the ability to get them to their destination at an affordable price.

2. BMW F800 GS Adventure

BMW F800 GS Adventure

BMW’s first GS was the 800cc R80G/S, way back in 1980, which many consider the first purpose-built adventure bike. Another 28 years later in 2008, BMW returned to the 800cc segment with the twin-cylindered F800 GS to provide riders a mid-sized adventure bike option that was lacking in the market at the time.

The current F800 GS Adventure was announced in the spring of 2013, offering many of the same options (electronic suspension adjustment, automatic stability control, larger fuel tank, spoked wheels) as the larger R1200 GS Adventure, but at a lower price tag, and with more off-road capability due to lower weight. The 800s aren’t as popular as the big boxer-motored 1200, but they’re BMW’s second-most popular machine in the lineup due to their combined offering of power and luxury. Many riders “in the know,” who plan on using their bike for bad terrain, go to the 800 over the 1200. For more ideas on what you can do to an 800GS to make it an off-road monster, check out our 800GS project bike article.

3. Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

Looking for a top-notch mid-sized adventure bike, with a long reputation for toughness? Most of the world takes a long, hard look at buying an XT660 Tenere, but not riders in North America - for some reason, Yamaha won’t import the bike here.

In Europe, Australia and other markets, the single-cylinder 660 sells extremely well, and no wonder. It doesn’t require much maintenance, it has a reputation for handling well in the dirt, and the bodywork makes it look like something you might have stolen from a Dakar rider. It’s a bike that’s built for flying across the desert, mile after mile, and overseas buyers are lucky to have it as an option.

The bike was supposedly designed with plenty of input from Dakar vets, and includes little touches like a towing hitch in the front, to help you pull it out of a silt bed. Let's hope to see this in North America sometime soon!

4. Triumph Tiger 800 XC

Triumph Tiger 800 XC

Once again, Triumph breaks ranks with the competition with a three-cylindered motor. Most bikes in the 650-800cc range are singles or twins, but Triumph’s fantastic 800cc Triple has just as many fans as its 1215cc big brother. The motor produces plenty of down-low torque, which makes for plenty of fun on-road and off.

But like the bigger Explorer XC, the 800 will be happier on pavement than on dirt, despite its off-road friendly spoked wheels and switchable ABS. The rear subframe is welded on, which can make for serious problems if you bend it in a spill. But if most of your riding is on roads, the 800’s fantastic motor makes it a serious contender as a middleweight ADV bike. For more info and images, check out our Tiger 800XC review.

Honourable mentions: The 650-1000 class is full of fantastic machines, many of which aren’t sold as pure ADV machines, but are easily customized towards that end. Suzuki’s DR650 isn’t a huge seller for the North American ADV market, but is very popular in other countries, once riders put a better seat and bigger fuel tank on, and add some wind protection. Their 650 V-Strom is also very popular with riders who plan to stick to pavement and easy gravel. Honda’s XR650L provides a fantastic mount for minimalist riders who want to explore deep into the trails, as does KTM’s 690 Adventure R. BMW’s 650 Sertao and F700 GS are also legitimate contenders in this mid-sized market. As long as you don’t mind a bit of customization, it’s hard to go wrong with any of these bikes.

• Displacement: Under 600cc

1. Honda CRF250L

Honda CRF250L

Honda brought this machine out late in 2012, and it met with immediate success. They’ve based this dual sport around the same liquid-cooled motor they put in their CBR250, with a few tweaks to the transmission and EFI systems. When they introduced it, many riders were put off by the weight (it’s porkier than most of the quarter-liter competition), but Big Red has had no trouble selling them, partly due to fantastic pricing.

The aftermarket was quick to catch up with this machine, offering oversized fuel tanks, luggage racks, suspension upgrades, EFI reprogramming tools and even big bore kits.

There are lighter bikes in the 250cc segment, and bikes that make more power or have better suspension, but if you’re looking for a small-bore machine with the peace of mind of Honda quality, the CRF250L could be the ticket.

2. Yamaha WR250R

Yamaha WR250R

Many riders poo-poo the 250 class as only suitable for beginners, but the WR250 has a lot to offer, including decent suspension and a tough, high-tech engine (titanium valves!) with long maintenance intervals. They’re not an aggressive, all-out dirt bike, but they have great reviews from owners who use them as a lightweight all-rounder. They’re much smaller than a full-sized ADV bike, making it easier to pick it up if you’re riding in the dirt alone, but you can still strap down plenty of luggage, and average-sized riders shouldn’t feel cramped.

The only real downside to the WR? The price tag is significantly higher than other bikes in its class.

3. Yamaha XT250

Yamaha XT250

Want simple? Yamaha’s got what you’re looking for with this quarter-litre air-cooled bike. It doesn’t make a lot of power, and the aftermarket is sparse when compared to other bikes, and it’s definitely aimed towards smaller riders. But if you worry about holing your radiator while touring the wilds of Bolivia, this machine should ease your mind. It has EFI, which eliminates the need to change carburetor jetting in areas with extreme altitude differences - a common bugbear for small-displacement machines.

4. Kawasaki KLX250S

Kawasaki KLX250S

You don’t see many KLX250s on round-the-world trips, but for shorter excursions closer to home, they’ve got a lot going for them. They’re light, and the adjustable suspension means they can be tuned to handle well, and in the North American market, there are several over-the-counter big bore options, thanks to its close relation to the KLX300. The six-speed transmission is a big help at keeping down vibes on the highway, but making sure there’s torque available where you need it.

Like all bikes in this class, you’ll need to add plenty of aftermarket add-ons if you want to do distance in comfort, and you’ll have to pack carefully. But there are enough people out there making bolt-on bits that you should be able to build a small-displacement mileage eater that handles well in the tight stuff off-road. ADVMoto modified a KLX250SF into a potent do-it-all ride designed to inspire confidence in beginning off-roaders and new riders alike.  ADVMoto Kawasaki KLX250SF Project Bike

Final Note: Every year new and exciting adventure models are introduced or rumored to be release in the very near future.  Many of the models, old and new, are not listed here but each has their own qualities which command a loyal and passionate following.  Ultimately thoguh, ADVMoto insists that it's the rider that makes the ride, and what's most important is you ride what you've got the the places of your dreams!