Best Everyday Adventure Bikes 2024

Despite all the increasingly specialized segments of the ever-growing adventure motorcycles category, most riders just want a comfortable, versatile, and easy-to-ride new motorcycle that they might occasionally be able to tackle a fire road on. Affordability also factors into the equation; we’re not talking bleeding edge tech or single-track busting performance here, but something that works well on the street and can handle a bit of gravel too. We’ve already covered your go-to adventurers if you’re more inclined to off-road, as well as the gnarliest, best-equipped tools for fast touring and rough stuff, but most of the bikes here skew to the middle of the road, with competent engines and street-focused chassis that offer good versatility, yet offering a decent amount of ground clearance and better-than-average suspension. These approachable adventure tourers are off-road capable to a degree (some more than others) and comfortable enough to ride long distances, and some even include luggage in stock form, but their spec sheets don’t reflect top-tier components and for a solid majority of recreational riders, that’s good enough.

432 lb. wet weight

Ground clearance: 7.1 in.

Fuel capacity: 4.7 gal.

For 2024, Honda didn’t just rename the CB500X to NX500, but revamped it substantially, cutting weight and adding new cast aluminum wheels as well as standard Honda Selectable Torque Control, ECU updates, new suspension settings, a new 5-inch TFT display, and new LED headlight.

At its core is still the liquid-cooled 471cc parallel-twin engine that we loved so much in the CB500X, and chassis highlights include a 41mm Showa Separate Function Fork Big Piston (SFF-BP) fork with 5.2 inches of travel, and preload-adjustable Showa shock with 5.3 inches of travel, both connected to a 19/17 wheel combo. Seat height stays a reasonable 32.8 inches, but there’s still a healthy 7.1 inches of ground clearance. A pair of 296mm discs up front and a single 240mm disc take care of braking, and ABS is standard. Combine the improved acceleration feel with those other subtle updates and they’ll likely make an already well-liked and affordable machine even more manageable for more curious to explore where the pavement ends.

Related: 2024 Honda NX500 Review

487 lb. wet weight

Ground clearance: 8.3 in.

Fuel capacity: 6.1 gal.

With the introduction of the new KLR Adventure last year, Kawasaki seems to have settled the hand-wringing about whether the KLR should be slotted under the “adventure” or “dual sport” categories. Or not. In any case, the spec sheet of any current-gen KLR will be familiar to many, from the bike’s 652cc single to its five-speed transmission, big 21-inch front wheel, and its generous 6.1-gallon fuel tank, but with the Adventure trim, you’ll also get bright fog lights, an adjustable windscreen, hard luggage that’s removable, crashbars, and a tank pad to prevent scratches. It’s worth mentioning that the KLR ADV goes against the grain, at least in the modern adventure-touring bike sense, with the use of a 21-inch front and a 17-inch rear wheel, making it more suited to tackling off-road obstacles. If you’re up for off-road hijinks with the right gear on the cheap, the $8,199 KLR650 Adventure is money well spent. If you want to save even more cash, get the non-ABS version or just the $6,900 base KLR.

Related: 2023 Kawasaki KLR650 Adventure Review

505 lb. wet weight (approx. w/ luggage)

Ground clearance: 6.7 in.

Fuel capacity: 5.5 gal.

Although it’s not really marketed as an “adventure bike” the Versys is just a different set of rubber away from some excellent light adventuring, if you’re so inclined. Obviously Kawasaki’s adventure-focused KLR650 is a better off-road partner, but the multitalented Versys acquits itself well in almost every other department, with wonderful ergonomics for the road, an entertaining 649cc parallel twin delivering very linear power, light handling, and all kinds of travel conveniences, like removable saddlebags and hand guards. The Versys is a more touring-oriented ride and a willing companion for freeway blasts or strafing around on winding pavement, but it also has a bit of ADV in its styling and long-legged stance, even if fork travel is just 5.9 inches. What’s more, the LT features ABS, two-level adjustable traction control, LED lighting, and a new 4.3-inch TFT dash as well, so the versatility—and value proposition—is certainly there.

Related: Top 5 Motorcycle Features and Best Motorcycling Events

536 lb. wet weight

Ground clearance: 8.2 in.

Fuel capacity: 6.1 gal.

We were on the fence about including the Goose as it’s the spendiest (and largest) bike here, but if you can find some extra change in the couch cushions, the V85 is worth a closer look. With its seductive motor, unique Italian styling, 6.1-gallon fuel tank, touring windshield, heated grips and seat, and included side bags, the TT Travel trim makes for a fairly compelling entry in the adventure-touring light category (emphasis on touring). The mighty 850cc air-cooled 90-degree transverse V-twin engine is good for a stated max of 80 grunty horsepower, and the V85 also sports ride-by-wire, a TFT color instrument panel, LED lighting, five riding modes, and a six-axis inertial platform that allows for cornering ABS and traction control. The chassis is capable too, with an inverted fork with adjustable preload and rebound damping and 6.7 inches of travel, plus spoked 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels with tubeless tires to cap it all off. So maybe it’s not exactly an everyday adventure-tourer, but it’s certainly a unique one.

Related: 2024 Moto Guzzi V85 Buyer’s Guide

432 lb. wet weight

Ground clearance: 9.0 in.

Fuel capacity: 4.5 gal.

The brand-new for 2024 Himalayan takes everything we loved about the last-generation Himmy and makes it even better. While it’s still a single-cylinder, the all-new Sherpa 450 engine is the star of the show, with the liquid-cooled 452cc lump designed to deliver broad torque across the rev range for everyday usability on road and off, and mated to a chassis with a new steel frame that’s more capable than anything before it. The 43mm inverted Showa SFF fork offers 7.9 inches of travel while the Showa monoshock has preload adjustability and an identical 7.9 inches of travel, and along with wheel sizes of 21 inches front and 17 inches rear, you get a whopping 9 inches of ground clearance. What you get is a fully modern engine, with up-to-date features and performance, including four ride modes and switchable ABS. Luggage isn’t included on the Himalayan but given its low MSRP, adding accessories should be no problem.

Related: 2024 Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Review

528 lb. wet weight (w/ accessories)

Ground clearance: 6.7 in.

Fuel capacity: 5.3 gal.

With its natural riding position, aluminum frame, and cast wheels, the Wee-Strom was always going to lean more toward the “touring” side of adventure-touring, but don’t discount its handling and refined road chops, especially with that long-running and oh-so competent 645cc engine, good for a claimed 70 hp. With the introduction of the 650XT trim almost a decade ago, though, the ‘Strom finally came to embrace the “adventure” side of its nature with the addition of wire wheels and a “beak” upfront, and the 650XT Adventure goes even further, adding 37-liter panniers as well as engine guards, a handlebar cross brace, and accessory bar. The rigid aluminum chassis and simple-but-effective suspension can limit the 650′s off-road effectiveness, but with road manners that good, you might be inclined to forgive. With non-switchable ABS and traction control and dated electronics in the cockpit, the XT Adventure is certainly not cutting edge, but it’s still a great fit for occasional weekend adventurers looking for the rideability and approachability of a smaller machine.

Related: Comparison: Kawasaki Versys 650 LT vs. Suzuki V-Strom 650XT

531 lb. wet weight (w/o accessories)

Ground clearance: 8.7 in.

Fuel capacity: 5.3 gal.

If 450, 500, or 650cc just isn’t enough for you, the middle V-Strom could be right up your alley. The second-priciest bike here is also the most equipped to go adventure-touring right out of the box, thanks to its super-versatile new-generation 776cc parallel-twin engine paired with a chassis with the most ground clearance of any V-Strom. In its Adventure iteration, the 800DE also packs long-travel, fully adjustable suspension, with 8.7 inches of travel on both ends, anchored by an inverted fork and a spoke-style 21-inch hoop upfront, shod with suitably off-road rubber. The 800DE Adventure also employs a TFT touchscreen giving you access to ride modes as well as traction control, a quickshifter, and ABS that can be switched off on the fly. Other convenient ADV bits include an adjustable windshield and quick-release black-anodized 37-liter aluminum side cases, plus a rugged accessory bar and aluminum skid pan for what Suzuki says is “true off-road touring capability.”

Related: 2024 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE & 800DE Adventure