If you’re shopping for an adventure bike in 2025, we’ve got good news for you: You’ve got more choices than Nick Cannon has children. This vibrant and expanding segment of motorcycling offers an incredible array of machines, each designed to blur the lines between asphalt and dirt, promising unparalleled freedom and capability. While such a bounty of options can make picking a favorite harder than ever, it also signifies a golden age for those who seek the thrill of the open road and the challenge of uncharted trails.
There was a time when adventure bikes didn’t exist in their current form, and the term “adventure riding” was a much more literal pursuit, having more to do with long-distance travel into parts unknown than it did splitting your time between pavement and dirt in equal measure. Somewhere along the way, between the introduction of the first BMW GS, the publication of Neil Peart’s “Ghost Rider,” and everyone’s favorite Jedi taking the long way from London to New York, the definition of what was and wasn’t a proper adventure machine began to change. The bikes themselves started evolving rapidly to suit this burgeoning customer demand, transforming into the versatile beasts we see today.
Fortunately for us ADV riders, the machines we rely on for life-changing motorcycle rides have only gotten better, combining robust performance with advanced technology and surprising comfort. From nimble middleweights to powerful flagships, these motorcycles are engineered to deliver exhilarating experiences across diverse terrains. For 2025, the segment continues to push boundaries, offering unparalleled options that cater to every off-road enthusiast’s dream. We’ve rounded up some of the most exciting options of the year, providing an authoritative look at what makes them our top picks.
1. **Ducati Desert X**: You’ve gotta give it to the folks at Ducati for doing things their own way, and the Desert X is a testament to that philosophy. At a time when every other major manufacturer was scrambling for market share in the parallel-twin gold rush, Ducati doubled down on their V-twin roots. They delivered adventurers an engine we didn’t know we needed, combining the brand’s signature character with genuine off-road ambition. It’s a compelling debut in the ‘proper’ adventure mud fight, one that has been taken very seriously by the team in Borgo Panigale.
Truth be told, not much is changing for the 2025 Ducati Desert X, with the exception of the new “Discovery” trim. Considering the model is only on its fourth year of production, there’s really no room to complain about the steady evolution of this impressive machine. Riders looking for the gnarliest possible off-roader also have the option of the “Rally” edition for an additional $5,000, but for many, the original configuration remains a benchmark for balanced performance and striking aesthetics. Ducati has certainly delivered a convincing first stab at a trail bike, packed to the brim with riding modes for every occasion.
The heart of the Desert X is its Testastretta 11-degree engine, which delivers a class-leading 110 hp at 9,250 rpm and 68 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm, offering tons of tractable power and character. The fully adjustable KYB suspension, with 9 inches of travel upfront and 8.7 inches at the rear, is competent and well-balanced, allowing it to ride like a big dirt bike. What’s most surprising about this Italian exotic is that its maintenance sheet reads more like something from the Big Four Japanese manufacturers than you might expect from Ducati; the new water-cooled Testastretta is good for a whopping 18,600 miles between valve service intervals. It handily remains in the running for highest all-around sex appeal in the ADV segment, a drop-dead gorgeous design that also feels frisky and handles with eagerness on the road.
2. **Honda XL750 Transalp**: Next up, the Honda XL750 Transalp represents Big Red’s latest and greatest entry in the mid-size multi-cylinder adventure bike segment. After returning to the mid-capacity ADV category in 2023, the 2025 model gains a slight refresh and a slicker-looking front end. We’ve been logging some serious miles on the Transalp as part of our new rider training program, and there’s no doubt Honda has brought a serious contender to market here, one that propels the Japanese giant into the future while harnessing the good names of its past.
The engine is arguably our favorite aspect of the new Transalp, thanks largely to the XL’s outstanding power-to-weight ratio. The US model produces 83 hp at 9,500 rpm and 55 lb-ft of torque at 7,250 rpm, all while weighing in at a manageable 459 lbs. To put this in perspective, the Transalp only weighs about 30 lbs more than Honda’s NX500, yet cranks out about 30 more horses. Giddy up! This frisky new 755cc twin-cylinder engine punches above its size, feeling both competitive and engaging.
Another major highlight of our time with the new Transalp is its outstanding handling characteristics, both on and off paved roads. One of our instructors even went so far as to compare its light feel and flickability to Honda’s mini-ADV, the CRF300L Rally, which is no small feat considering the size and weight difference between the two. The Transalp has also proven to be a great companion for riders with a shorter inseam; despite its 8 inches of ground clearance and ample suspension travel (7.9 inches front/7.5 inches rear), team members with a 30-inch inseam can nearly flat-foot the XL, which hasn’t been the case for other budget favorites like the Yamaha Tenere. Furthermore, at a starting MSRP of just $9,999, the Transalp has officially taken the title as the most budget-friendly offering, making it the only major middleweight available under $10,000, delivering outstanding value for the money with second-to-none fit and finish.
3. **KTM 890 Adventure R**: Of course, on the complete opposite end of the adventure bike spectrum, we’ve got the 2025 KTM 890 Adventure R. If uncompromising off-road performance is what you’re after, chances are you’ve got a big orange bike in your future. This machine has only grown more powerful and capable off-road thanks to some hands-on development from Mr. “Say No To Slow” himself, Chris Birch, solidifying its place as the “Wolverine of motorcycles” – arguably the most hardcore of the machines on this list.
We’ve loved our time aboard the current KTM 890 Adventure R, and we really can’t say enough about how dialed the whole motorcycle is for serious off-road riding. The long-travel WP suspension goes toe-to-toe with the best in the business, offering 9.4 inches of travel both front and rear. That ungodly 105-claimed-horsepower engine, delivering 74 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm, is an absolute menace when let off leash in KTM’s now infamous “rally mode.” It’s the bad-ass version of the KTM 890 Adventure, which was great when it first arrived in 790 form, and it just keeps on getting better with each and every update.
Interestingly enough, we’ve also found the Adventure R to be a sweet ride on the pavement despite its heavy off-road focus. This makes it a true adventure bike in the purest sense of the word: it’s equally at home carving ribbons of pavement as it is flying through the air or roosting around singletrack. The 2025 model remains largely unchanged from the 2024 version, although KTM’s “connectivity unit,” a 5-inch TFT display with full smartphone integration, will now be offered as standard equipment. While its segment-best WP suspension and thrilling engine keep it the king of off-road adventure bikes, its premium price and features that require payment to unlock (like rally mode and quick shifter) can be a consideration, as can its comparatively lower simple reliability compared to Japanese competitors.
4. **Yamaha Tenere 700**: The working man’s middleweight finally got its first complete redesign this year, and few machines are as hotly anticipated as Yamaha’s 2025 Tenere 700. At its core, this is still the same beloved, CP2-powered, middleweight adventure bike that changed the game in 2019, housing the MT-07’s parallel twin engine in a middleweight, off-road capable adventure bike. However, Yamaha has showered it with upgrades in all the right places, enhancing an already excellent platform that focuses on doing the basics very well.
Chief among the new enhancements is the addition of a ride-by-wire throttle, which adds a full electronics suite to the T7 for the first time in its history. The Tenere now sports multiple throttle maps, rider modes, and selectable settings for traction control and ABS, addressing one of the few criticisms of earlier models. All these new settings are now controlled through a 6.3-inch full-color TFT dash and an accompanying joystick on the left-hand switchgear, a significant step up from previous instrumentation. The new dash also includes full Bluetooth connectivity, which features calls, music, and on-dash navigation via Google Maps.
Aside from new tech (and the obvious new look), the Tenere also gets a major upgrade to its KYB suspension. While suspension travel remains unchanged (8.3 inches front/7.9 inches rear), damping performance has been improved, and preload adjustment has been added to the front fork, allowing for finer tuning for varying conditions. The 689cc crossplane two-cylinder engine, producing 73.4 hp at 8,750 rpm and 49.4 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm, still feels brisker than its modest output might suggest. The question, “Will all the new tech sacrifice the Tenere’s charming simplicity, or will the T7’s lovable engine and rock-solid engineering only be enhanced by electronics?” We’d argue the latter, but we’ll withhold judgment until we’ve logged some serious miles on one this year. It remains a smoking deal for the middleweight class, with unmatched CP2 reliability.
5. **Suzuki V-Strom 800DE**: Suzuki officially joined the modern adventure bike fray last year with their own middleweight parallel twin, the V-Strom 800DE. While some may mourn the impending loss of the V-Strom 650 (it’s hanging around for 2025, anyone’s guess for ’26), the all-new engine is lighter and significantly more powerful, while retaining much of that V-twin charm thanks to its 270-degree crank configuration. This move signals Suzuki’s serious commitment to competing in the rapidly evolving ADV landscape.
All the other modern perks are here as well, ensuring the V-Strom 800DE is a competitive package. This includes a big, colorful display, multiple electronic rider modes (including one specifically for gravel, showcasing its off-road intent), switchable ABS, and fully adjustable long-travel suspension, offering 8.7 inches of travel both front and rear. With 83 hp at 8,500 rpm and 57.5 lb-ft of torque at 6,800 rpm, the new engine packs a serious punch, delivering robust performance across various riding conditions. This makes it a formidable contender, especially for those seeking modern conveniences.
Suzuki is also offering their new adventure bike with a proper “Adventure” package from the factory, which includes a set of aluminum panniers, a pair of crash guards, and an aluminum skid plate for an extra $1,450, making it ready for serious excursions right off the showroom floor. Ultimately, we believe the new V-Strom will be a smart buy for potential Tenere buyers who want a little more power and a few more modern conveniences, such as more extensive rider aids and a quickshifter, in exchange for the T7’s “big dirt bike” charms. While it’s a little on the heavy side compared to its Japanese compatriots, weighing 507 lbs, and featuring a 17-inch rear wheel, as an overall package, the V-Strom 800DE brings a lot of value to the table with its modern electronics at a fair price.
6. **Aprilia Tuareg 660**: The Aprilia Tuareg 660 is an undeniably intriguing character in the adventure segment, expertly blending high performance with genuine versatility. It’s cleverly built around the same high-performance 660cc parallel twin engine as the acclaimed RS 660, a motorcycle that earned Cycle World’s prestigious 2022 middleweight streetbike of the year award. This engine, derived from the RSV4 Superbike, delivers 80 hp at 9,250 rpm and 52 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm, showcasing Aprilia’s deep racing pedigree adapted for adventure duties with lively yet tractable power.
Far from being merely a repackaged street bike, the Tuareg 660 truly earns its adventure stripes as a serious contender. While it excels on pavement for its sweet handling and flickability, it’s equally proficient and skilled when the terrain turns to dirt, demonstrating genuine dual-sport prowess. What truly sets it apart in the middleweight class is its impressive suspension; it’s one of the rare bikes on our list that can actually match the formidable KTM Adventure R in outright travel, boasting 9.4 inches both front and rear, making it exceptionally capable for serious off-road challenges, especially combined with its respectably low 450 lbs wet weight.
This generous 9-plus inches of suspension travel, combined with a predictable, confidence-inspiring chassis, makes the Tuareg 660 a welcome companion across a vast range of off-road conditions. Whether you’re navigating groomed gravel roads, flowing through sandy washes, or tackling steep, rocky climbs, this machine feels remarkably at home, soaking up imperfections with exceptional ease and control. Its excellent handling on the street also ensures a seamless transition between different environments.
To further enhance its competitive edge and overall appeal, Aprilia has equipped the Tuareg 660 with a comprehensive, premium electronics suite. Riders benefit from swappable ABS for tailored off-road braking, multiple traction control settings to manage grip, adjustable engine maps to fine-tune power delivery to suit conditions, and electronic cruise control for added convenience on longer highway hauls. This intelligent technology package makes it a formidable competitor by any measurement, enhancing both safety and rideability across diverse conditions.
The Tuareg offers a compelling alternative to higher-powered rivals within the segment. If you’re drawn to the premium features and formidable all-terrain capability of the KTM 890 Adventure R but prefer a more moderate power output (and a lower price point), the Aprilia delivers damn near everything else we admire about the 890. Priced at a base MSRP of $12,299, it offers significant value and refined engineering, making it a smart choice for adventurous riders seeking capability without the top-tier price tag.
7. **Royal Enfield Himalayan 450**: Royal Enfield’s original Himalayan carved out a commendable niche as an adventure bike on a tight budget, embodying a back-to-basics philosophy that resonated with many. However, in truth, the simple machine often felt underpowered, somewhat overweight, and undeniably antiquated compared to its rapidly evolving modern counterparts. For 2025, the new Himalayan 450 bursts onto the scene as a radically different beast in every conceivable way, signaling a dramatic, exciting leap forward for the brand and setting new benchmarks for accessibility and capability in the adventure segment. This machine is truly poised to redefine expectations.
This latest iteration represents a significant milestone for Royal Enfield, proudly standing as their very first liquid-cooled motorcycle. This crucial engineering upgrade translates directly into a profound improvement in performance, with the new Himalayan boasting a legitimately entertaining engine that delivers more revs, increased torque (29.5 lb-ft at 5,500 rpm), and a substantial boost in power (39.5 hp at 8,000 rpm) across the board. Crucially, it is finally powerful enough to confidently handle interstate speeds, addressing a major limitation of its predecessor, and that’s just the beginning of its many thoughtful improvements.
During a recent rigorous test ride, we were genuinely impressed to discover that the Himalayan’s new Showa suspension system worked shockingly well, performing admirably both on and off-road. No longer is this a bike that demands a delicate, tip-toeing approach through rough terrain or careful line selection. With a generous 7.9 inches of well-damped travel both front and rear, it feels remarkably at home on all but the gnarly, most challenging landscapes, providing unexpected confidence and comfort, making it a truly capable machine for serious explorers.
In short, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is a bona fide homerun for the brand and a segment-disruptor in the adventure market, impressively backed by a three-year warranty that speaks volumes about its reliability and the manufacturer’s confidence in its new design. This comprehensive package includes standard features that truly belie its price point, such as practical rider modes to adapt to conditions, intuitive turn-by-turn navigation via its Tripper dash, and essential traction control for enhanced safety and grip. All this is delivered for an astonishingly low base MSRP of under $6,000.
We simply cannot say enough good things about this genuinely impressive, modern, and competitive adventure bike on a budget. The Himalayan 450 proves unequivocally that robust capabilities, thoughtful engineering, and genuine off-road prowess don’t have to come with an exorbitant price tag. While its technology suite might not be as exhaustive as some higher-end rivals, and it still lacks the outright power of multi-cylinder engines, its overall value proposition and improved performance redefine entry-level adventure machines, making serious exploration more accessible and enjoyable than ever before.
8. **Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special**: The Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 is, regrettably, criminally under-appreciated by many long-time Harley-Davidson faithful, who perhaps initially overlooked its unconventional departure from tradition. However, let us whisper it quietly so the traditionalist trolls don’t hear: this is, without a doubt, one of the best all-round adventure machines currently gracing the market. The most unfortunate aspect of this groundbreaking motorcycle is simply that too few people truly understand and appreciate how genuinely capable and good it is, making it a unique and compelling challenger in the ADV space, boldly defying brand stereotypes with its formidable performance.
Launched in 2021, the Pan America is propelled by a thoroughly enjoyable and remarkably tractable 1252cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine, a testament to Harley’s modern engineering prowess. This powerhouse delivers an impressive 150 horsepower and a robust 125 Nm of torque (or 92.1 lb-ft for those more accustomed to imperial measurements) at 6750 rpm, providing exhilarating acceleration and ample grunt for any adventure. While it may not be the lightest machine in its class, tipping the scales at 258kg (wet), it is undeniably plenty durable and can be pushed exceptionally hard off-road, a fact Harley-Davidson itself has rigorously proven by entering it in various enduro-style competitions.
However, it’s truly on the paved road where the Pan America 1250 Special often charms and excels, offering a sublime riding experience that transcends brand stereotypes. As one would rightfully expect from a Harley-Davidson, it offers exceptional comfort for day-after-day riding, making long-distance touring a genuine pleasure, especially with its generous 21.2-liter fuel capacity. And with all those ponies under the hood, combined with its adventure bike ground clearances, it transforms into a giggle-inducing machine in all those places where Harleys traditionally don’t shine: namely, dynamic handling situations, twisty curves, and spirited road riding.
The more expensive Pan America 1250 Special trim elevates the rider experience further by adding a number of desirable bells and whistles, enhancing both convenience and accessibility. Chief among these is the innovative adaptive ride height feature, which ingeniously lowers the seat at stops, making it significantly easier for riders of varying statures to confidently get a foot down (seat height 850-875mm). It’s worth highlighting that while this ground-breaking feature has appeared on several bikes in recent years, Harley-Davidson was notably the first on the market to introduce it, showcasing their commitment to rider-centric innovation and thoughtful design.
More recently, Harley-Davidson has expanded the versatility of the platform by introducing the purely road-focused Pan America 1250 ST. This variant retains all the inherent goodness of the Pan America platform—its powerful engine, advanced electronics, and comfortable ergonomics—but cleverly does away with traditional adventure conventions, instead creating a fast, fun, and highly capable touring machine tailored specifically for asphalt enthusiasts. The Pan America platform’s overall versatility, robust performance, and unique character make it a truly standout choice for discerning riders seeking something distinctive and powerful, proving that Harley-Davidson can indeed conquer new horizons.
As we’ve journeyed through the dynamic landscape of 2025’s top adventure motorcycles, it’s clear that this segment is not just thriving, but continually evolving with an exhilarating pace. From the nimble, budget-friendly pioneers that redefine accessibility to the powerhouse flagship machines that push the very limits of performance, each of these ‘top picks’ offers a unique blend of engineering prowess, cutting-edge technology, and a spirit of untamed adventure. The sheer variety—spanning everything from responsive parallel twins to roaring V-twins and sophisticated inline triples, across a spectrum of capacities—ensures that there truly is a perfect partner for every off-road enthusiast’s dream. Whether your compass points to challenging singletrack, endless ribbons of highway, or distant, uncharted horizons, these machines are engineered to transform your riding aspirations into unforgettable realities. So gear up, choose your steed, and prepare to redefine what’s possible on two wheels, because the adventure truly never ends.
