10 Most Overlooked Adventure Motorcycles That Will Last A Lifetime

We are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to adventure bikes. The market is currently chock-full of incredible bikes that all offer different levels of capability for every kind of budget. With the popularity of the segment, it is also fair to say there are very few bikes that remain overlooked. This rapid rise in popularity has caused something of a bottleneck, and those that moved first have a distinct advantage.

It often comes down to which manufacturer has the better marketing team, and a few of these bikes have indeed slipped through the cracks. Reliability is obviously important on a bike you want to put a lot of miles on. As a result, most adventure bikes are proving to be pretty reliable, yet some of these overlooked bikes are actually the most reliable. While they won’t offer class-leading performance, they will last a lifetime.

2024 BMW F 900 GS action shot

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Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro

MSRP: $17,395

Triumph

While the Tiger has proven perfectly reliable and certainly has a lot going for it, the only thing holding the Rally Pro back is its pricing. At this price point, you will be saying no to a Ducati DesertX from the premium middleweight segment, and the full-sized options listed below. So it is understandable why it gets overlooked, but it is certainly a great option nonetheless.

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2024 Yamaha Super Tenere

MSRP: $16,299*

Yamaha

Right out the gate, this is more of a 70/30 adventure bike, with its heft proving a little too much to handle on a trail, even for more experienced riders. If you are looking to do more touring on your adventure bike, this is a great option. The fact that it went off sale last year only serves to underline how overlooked the model is, but you will certainly still find a few new 2024 bikes gathering dust at dealers.

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Suzuki V-Strom 1050

MSRP: $15,409

Suzuki

This is a prime example of a manufacturer choosing function over form. Suffice to say, the V-Strom won’t turn any heads. Look a little deeper, and you will find some interesting bones, as it has a V-twin nestled in that frame. Not just any V-twin either, but a V-twin that once gave life to an infamous 90s sports bike. Admittedly, it is in a vastly different state of tune these days, but that only makes it more reliable.

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2024 Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE adventure motorcycle

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Honda Africa Twin

MSRP: $14,799

Honda

The Africa Twin is not quite as capable off-road as some of the more prominent middleweight bikes. But it is a lot more capable than most full-size adventure bikes. Like any good Honda, this offers a more balanced approach and has broad appeal. Well, it should have a broad appeal. In reality, most buyers are choosing its shiny new middleweight sister.

Specifications

Suzuki V-Strom 800DE

MSRP: $11,709

Suzuki

Suzuki uses its new platform – the first in over two decades – for three very important motorcycles. It is clear that most of the attention was paid to the middleweight adventure bike, though. It offers a tractable parallel twin and truly impressive suspension, which makes it surprisingly good off-road. Unfortunately, it is held back by a somewhat underwhelming spec sheet – most notably that weight figure – but it is a bike worth testing because that spec sheet doesn’t mean much in the real world.

Specifications

Suzuki V-Strom 650

MSRP: $9,299

Suzuki

We feel that this is still a bike you will buy for its engine alone. It might be an aging platform, but that little V-twin makes all the new crossplane crank parallel twins look inauthentic. Suzuki has a couple more adventure-ready options, but this serves as a blank canvas. Spoked rims are great, but will only make a difference if you do some serious off-roading, and if that is the goal, then it might be best to rule the V-Strom 650 out as an option right from the get-go.

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Honda NX500

MSRP: $7,399

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With an approachable seat height, under 50 horsepower, and a glowing reliability record, the NX500 (previously CB500X) is all too often pigeonholed as a beginner bike. It actually offers much more than that in the sense that it is a real ‘go anywhere’ motorcycle. There's more comfort than significantly more expensive bikes, and enough off-road potential to handle the odd fire road.

Specifications

2024 Honda NX500

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Kawasaki KLR650 Adventure ABS

MSRP: $8,099

Kawasaki

Kawasaki brought the price of this down by $100 this year and somehow this means something when you take into account the fact that most manufacturers increase prices no matter how old the model. Granted, this is an aging dual-sport platform masquerading as an adventure bike. The thing is, you get absolutely everything for $8,099. It is highly proficient off-road, and has crash protection, driving lights, and luggage. Just don’t look at the power-to-weight ratio…

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Kawasaki Versys-X 300

MSRP: $5,699

Kawasaki

With so many really good small off-road-oriented adventure bikes on the market, the smallest Versys is really up against it. Kawasaki brought it back into the conversation this year by knocking a full $500 off the MSRP. At this end of the market that is a big price cut, and when you take into account that this actually comes with ABS as standard (which can’t be said for most Kawasakis), it starts looking like a bit of a bargain.

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2024 Royal Enfield Himalayan

MSRP: $5,449*

Royal Enfield

The original Himalayan is no longer in production but is most certainly still worth a look. After an inauspicious start to life, it went on to become a cult classic. Much of that is down to its simple, never-say-die character. It is slow and underpowered, but just like any good donkey, it will go anywhere you point it and won’t let you down. With dealers looking to get rid of old stock there will also likely be discounts on offer, too.

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