If you're a fan of adventure bikes, there's a lot to choose from in 2024. While BMW Motorrad grabbed all the headlines with its introduction of the R 1300 GS earlier in the year, not everyone wants or needs a big adventure bike. And, you know, the cool thing about bikes is that you can have more than just one.
While we're firm believers in the idea that any bike that you take adventures on can be an adventure bike, for our purposes, we're sticking to bikes that manufacturers file in the 'adventure' and 'dual sport' categories.
Typically, this means that they should have at least some characteristics that lend themselves well to both off-road and on-road exploration, like appropriate suspension and tires. Your mileage will vary, of course. As with all bike categories, you'll find something to appreciate about some bikes more than others.
While these bikes are sold in multiple markets around the world, the MSRPs reflected in this list are accurate in the US as of December 2023. Any exceptions to this rule are noted as they occur in the list. If you live elsewhere in the world, contact your local motorcycle dealer to find the most accurate pricing in your area.
As a final note, we've included bikes in this list that are specifically noted as 2024 models by their manufacturers. There are other bikes that could easily fit this category, but that aren't on this list because the 2024 version hasn't been announced (at least, so far).
With that said, let's get into it. We've organized this list in order of displacement, from smallest to largest. In the case of electric bikes, we'll slot them into the list with combustion bikes that offer similar power.
Kawasaki Versys-X 300
Engine: 296cc dual overhead cam parallel twin
Curb Weight: 385.9 pounds
Seat Height: 32.1 inches
Fuel Capacity: 4.5 gallons
MSRP: $6,199
The 2024 Kawasaki Versys-X 300 ABS comes with a six-speed gearbox, an assist and slipper clutch, a 19-inch front and a 17-inch rear wheel, a telescopic front fork with 5.1 inches of travel and a Uni-Track swingarm and rear shock setup offering five-way preload adjustability. Rear travel is 5.8 inches. ABS is present at both ends, and the braking system consists of a single 290mm disc up front and a 220mm disc in the rear.
2024 BMW G 310 GS
Engine: 313cc dual overhead cam water-cooled single making a claimed 34 horsepower at 9,250 rpm and 20 pound-feet of torque at 7,500 rpm
Curb Weight: 386 pounds
Seat Height: 32.8 inches standard; the OEM low seat lowers it to 32.3 inches and the OEM high seat raises it to 33.4 inches
Fuel Capacity: 3 gallons
MSRP: $5,890
The 2024 BMW G 310 GS comes with adjustable levers, has a ride-by-wire throttle, a six-speed gearbox, an inverted 41mm front fork, a swingarm and rear shock setup with preload adjustability, cast aluminum 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels, and suspension travel of 7.1 inches both front and rear.
For brakes, the 2024 G 310 GS gets a radially mounted four-piston fixed caliper up front with a 300mm brake disc, as well as a single-piston floating caliper in the rear with a 241mm brake disc.
2024 KTM 390 Adventure
Engine: 373.2cc liquid-cooled single that makes a claimed 44 horsepower and 37 newton-meters (about 27.2 pound-feet) of torque
Curb Weight: Not available, but the 2024 390 Duke now weighs 363 pounds.
Seat Height: 855mm (or 33.6 inches)
Fuel Capacity: 3.8 gallons
MSRP: Not available
The 2024 KTM 390 Adventure comes with a 19-inch front and a 17-inch cast wheel with tubed tires, WP Apex suspension with rebound and compression adjustability, ride modes (including Offroad Mode), a bolt-on steel subframe, two-channel ABS, and a 320mm brake disc up front and a 280mm brake disc in the rear.
Kove 450 Rally
Engine: 449cc dual overhead cam liquid cooled single with external oil cooler
Curb Weight: Not listed, but the dry weight is 319.7 pounds. Fuel capacity is 8 gallons. If each gallon of gasoline weighs approximately six pounds, a fully-fueled Kove 450 Rally carries 48 pounds of fuel. So, with fuel, the Kove 450 Rally weighs somewhere in the neighborhood of 367.7 pounds. Please note that this weight does not include oil, coolant, or brake fluid and is not a full curb weight.
Seat Height: 36 inches on the Low version; 37.8 inches on the Standard version
Fuel Capacity: 8 gallons (three-part tank)
MSRP: $8,999
The Kove 450 Rally is built with competition in mind, as should probably be evident from the massive 8-gallon, three-part fuel tank. It has a 49mm fully adjustable Yu-An front fork and monoshock setup, which the company says offers a full 12 inches of suspension travel on the Standard model. Switchable ABS and LED lighting come standard.
CFMoto 450 MT
Engine: 450cc liquid-cooled parallel twin making approximately 47 horsepower
Curb Weight: Not yet available
Seat Height: Not yet available
Fuel Capacity: Not yet available
MSRP: Not yet available
The 2024 CFMoto 450 MT is one of the more mysterious bikes on our list at the time of writing. Promotional photos of it were leaked shortly before EICMA 2023, and the bike was then formally introduced to the world at EICMA 2023. Since it's now the beginning of December and EICMA was about a month ago, full details haven't yet been made available. We look forward to learning more once they are.
Royal Enfield Himalayan 452
Engine: 452cc liquid-cooled single cylinder that makes a claimed 40 horsepower at 8,00 0 rpm and 29.52 pound-feet of torque at 5,500 rpm
Curb Weight: 196 kilograms, or about 432 pounds
Seat Height: 825mm to 845mm (or 32.48 to 33.26 inches) standard, or 805mm to 825mm (31.6 to 32.48 inches) low
Fuel Capacity: 4.5 gallons
MSRP: Pricing not yet announced for the US, but it's 5,900 Euros (about $6,367) in Italy and France.
The 2024 Royal Enfield Himalayan is a completely new bike, redesigned from the ground up. New engine, new chassis, new everything. The Sherpa 450 engine is liquid-cooled, and this is the first ride-by-wire bike in Enfield's lineup. Four rider modes, switchable ABS, a new TFT Tripper navigation pod with a clean, bright screen, and Bluetooth connectivity are just the start.
It comes with 21-inch front and 17-inch spoked rear wheels and a 43mm upside-down cartridge-type front fork and rear monoshock offering 200 millimeters (about 7.9 inches) of travel. Brakes consist of a two-piston ByBre caliper and a 320mm brake disc up front, and a single-piston caliper and a 270mm disc in the rear.
Honda NX500
Engine: 471cc liquid-cooled parallel twin that makes a claimed 47 horsepower at 8,600 rpm and 31.8 pound-feet of torque at 6,500 rpm
Curb Weight: 196 kilograms (or 432 pounds)
Seat Height: 32.7 inches
Fuel Capacity: 4.6 gallons
MSRP: Not yet available in the US, but it's £6,799 in the UK, which is about $8,563
The 2024 Honda NX500 is a renamed, restyled CB500X, resurrecting the NX badge in honor of the NX650 Dominator. It has a six-speed gearbox, assist and slipper clutch, 41mm upside-down Showa SFF-BP front fork, ProLink monoshock with five-way adjustability in the rear, and 19-inch front and 17-inch rear cast aluminum wheels.
For brakes, it gets two Nissin axial-mount front two-piston calipers and a pair of 296mm brake discs, along with a single Nissin one-piston caliper and a 240mm disc in the rear. A five-inch TFT display comes standard, along with Honda RoadSync smartphone connectivity.
Benelli TRK 502 X
Engine: 500cc liquid-cooled dual overhead cam parallel twin
Curb Weight: 235 kg (or about 518 pounds)
Seat Height: 860mm (or about 33.8 inches)
Fuel Capacity: 20 liters (or about 5.2 gallons)
MSRP: US price not yet listed, but it's £6299 in the UK, which is about $7,932. Promotions may be available.
The 2024 Benelli TRK 502 X includes a 50mm upside-down front fork and a rear swingarm and shock setup offering preload, rebound, and compression adjustability. Front suspension travel is 140mm (about 5.5 inches) and rear travel is 65mm (about 2.5 inches). It rolls on a 19-inch front and a 17-inch rear set of spoked wheels.
Brakes consist of a pair of two-piston floating front calipers with 320mm brake discs up front, and a single one-piston floating caliper in the rear with a 260mm disc. ABS is present at both ends. Backlit switchgear comes standard, which is nice to have when it gets dark out.
Suzuki V-Strom 650
Engine: 645cc liquid-cooled dual overhead cam 90-degree V-twin
Curb Weight: 213 kg (or 470 lbs)
Seat Height: 32.9 inches
Fuel Capacity: 5.3 gallons
MSRP: $9,199 to $10,899 (if you go for the V-Strom 650 XT Adventure)
The 2024 Suzuki V-Strom 650 comes with a telescopic front fork and a link-type rear shock. It rides on a 19-inch front and a 17-inch rear cast wheel if you choose the base model, or you can pay a little more for the V-Strom 650 XT or XT Adventure if you want spoked wheels and/or hard side cases already installed.
For brakes, you'll find a pair of Tokico two-piston calipers and discs up front, and a single Nissin one-piston caliper and disc in the rear. ABS comes standard at both ends. The V-Strom 650 lineup also comes with traction control, Suzuki Easy Start, low RPM assist, and a multifunction display with adjustable brightness as standard.
Moto Morini X-Cape 650
Engine: 649cc liquid-cooled parallel twin making a claimed 60 horsepower at 8,250 rpm and 42.5 pound-feet of torque at 7,000 rpm
Curb Weight: 514 pounds
Seat Height: 33.26 inches
Fuel Capacity: 4.8 gallons
MSRP: $8,299, but promotions may be available
The 2024 Moto Morini X-Cape 650 gets LED lighting all around, two USB ports, adjustable hand levers, Bluetooth connectivity, backlit switchgear, and a 7-inch TFT dash with day and night modes. Suspension-wise, you'll find a 50mm Marzocchi upside-down front fork and a rear KYB shock, both with adjustability. Suspension travel is 6.9 inches up front and 6.5 inches in the rear.
Wheels are 19-inch front and a 17-inch rear Akront tubeless spoked units wrapped in Pirelli rubber. Brakes are by Brembo, with a dual-caliper setup up front and a single-caliper setup in the rear. Bosch ABS is also standard. It also comes with a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty in the US (warranties may vary by market internationally).
Kawasaki Versys 650 LT ABS
Engine: 649cc liquid-cooled dual overhead cam parallel twin
Curb Weight: 482.9 pounds (not including saddlebags and hand guards, which add about 20 pounds)
Seat Height: 33.3 inches
Fuel Capacity: 5.5 gallons
MSRP: $10,099
The 2024 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT ABS has a 41mm telescopic front fork with preload and rebound adjustability, along with a single rear laydown shock with preload adjustability. Suspension travel is 5.9 inches up front and 5.7 inches in the rear. It rolls on a pair of 17-inch alloy wheels.
Brakes consist of a dual two-piston front caliper setup with 300mm petal-style rotors up front, and a single one-piston caliper and a 250mm petal-style disc in the rear. ABS and traction control come standard, as does smartphone connectivity. The bike also comes with a pair of color-matched hard saddlebags that use the Kawasaki Quick Release mounting system for ease of use. Did we mention the handguards? You get those, too.
Kawasaki KLR 650 Adventure ABS
Engine: 652cc dual overhead cam single
Curb Weight: 487.1 pounds
Seat Height: 34.3 inches
Fuel Capacity: 6.1 gallons
MSRP: $8,199
The 2024 Kawasaki KLR 650 Adventure ABS has a 41mm telescopic front fork and a Uni-Trak rear shock with preload and rebound adjustability. Suspension travel is 7.9 inches up front and 8.0 inches in the rear. It rolls on a 21-inch front and a 17-inch rear spoked wheel.
Brakes consist of a single two-piston caliper and a 300mm disc up front and a single one-piston caliper and a 240mm disc in the rear. ABS is present at both ends, as you'd probably guess from the model designation. It comes with a set of hard cases and factory-installed fog lamps. If you're the kind of person who appreciates that the only thing listed under Technology on the official spec sheet is ABS, then the KLR 650 might just be the bike for you.
Aprilia Tuareg 660
Engine: 659cc liquid-cooled dual overhead cam parallel twin making a claimed 80 horsepower at 9,000 rpm and 51.6 pound-feet of torque at 6,500 rpm
Curb Weight: Aprilia gives a dry weight of 412 pounds. The fuel capacity is 4.8 gallons. Assuming that a gallon of gasoline weighs about six pounds, that's 28.8 pounds of fuel. Added together, that's 440.8 pounds with fuel. That still doesn't account for the weight of oil, coolant, fork oil, and brake fluid, but it's at least somewhat closer to a curb weight.
Seat Height: 33.9 inches
Fuel Capacity: 4.8 gallons
MSRP: $12,299
The 2024 Aprilia Tuareg 660 has a fully adjustable Kayaba suspension consisting of a 43mm inverted front fork offering 9.4 inches of travel, and a piggyback shock also offering 9.4 inches of travel. It rolls on a pair of spoked wheels and tubeless tires, with a 21-inch unit up front and an 18-inch unit in the rear. A set of Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires comes stock on the Tuareg 660.
Brakes are by Brembo, with a pair of four-piston calipers up front with 300mm discs and a single one-piston caliper in the rear with a 260mm disc. ABS is standard at both ends, and you also get braided stainless steel brake lines. It's Aprilia, so it also comes with the APRC electronics suite with four riding modes, traction control, cruise control, and more.
Triumph Tiger Sport 660
Engine: 660cc liquid-cooled dual overhead cam triple making a claimed 81 horsepower and 47 pound-feet of torque
Curb Weight: 455 pounds
Seat Height: 32.87 inches
Fuel Capacity: 4.5 gallons
MSRP: $9,695
The 2024 Triumph Tiger Sport 660 has a Showa suspension with 41mm upside down separate function front fork and a monoshock in the rear. Suspension travel is 150mm (or 5.9 inches) at both ends. It rolls on a pair of 17-inch cast aluminum wheels wrapped in Michelin Road 5 tires. If you're planning to do much off-road exploration, you may want to fit a more dual-sport-oriented tire.
Brakes are by Nissin, and consist of a pair of two-piston sliding calipers up front with 310mm discs and a single one-piston sliding caliper and a 255mm disc in the rear. ABS is standard at both ends.
It has ride-by-wire throttle, switchable traction control, two ride modes, a configurable TFT display, and LED lighting as standard. It's also the only triple on this list.
