Here’s Why Adventure Bikes Are Taking Over the Motorcycle Industry

The motorcycling world wasn’t always colorful and diversified, considering there were only a few models or options to choose from. As engineers decided to take on off-road challenges, motorcycles became diversified. Versatility became a thing in motorcycling.

Initially, there were only road bikes that were only suitable for on-road performance. The ride experience used to become highly uncomfortable and painful as soon as the rider hit a bump on the road.

Motorbike engineers then went on to produce off-road bikes, known as dirt bikes. These bikes were the most fun and adventurous as they were very agile and responsive on off-road terrains. It led to the foundation of two motorcycling worlds, including on-road and off-road riding.

There were riders who used to travel on the road, and there were riders who loved off-roading. Soon, innovation and modern engineering transformed motorcycle designs, resulting in many different types of motorcycles.

With the advent of adventure bikes or ADV bikes, the motorcycling world completely changed. It took riders some time, but they soon became familiar with the abilities of adventure bikes. Without a doubt, ADV bikes had the potential to take over the motorcycle industry.

It may not be mainstream, but with the pace at which adventure bikes are progressing, they have become very popular. There is no motorcycling fan on earth who would not want to own an ADV bike. Continue to read this article to learn why adventure bikes are taking over the motorcycle industry. But before we get to the main topic, motorcycle riders must know what is an ADV bike.

Adventure motorcycles, or ADV bikes, are one of the most versatile motorbike segments, being capable of both on- and off-roading. ADV motorcycles are designed to be the best in both worlds. However, unlike dual sport bikes, ADV bikes are more road-oriented than off-roading.

Apart from their versatile nature, adventure bikes are also quite comfortable. They feature decently wide and comfortable seats. ADV bikes also offer an upright riding stance and adequate legroom, thanks to the mid-mounted foot controls.

The riding posture offered by the ADV bike not only ensures comfort but also provides superior control over the bike and agility.

Unlike dirt bikes, adventure motorcycles are quite heavier. It is mainly because they are well-equipped with top-end innovative features and powerful engines. ADV bikes are among the latest bikes with great appeal.

Talking about looks, adventure bikes have a trendy design. These bikes feature vibrant color schemes and attractive build that would make you want to ride one.

ADV bikes also have a rough and tough look, which will urge you to take the bike off-road. When it comes to dirt riding, adventure bikes follow the same dirt bike techniques to overcome off-roading challenges. However, you must be skilled enough to handle/manage a heavy motorbike on off-road terrains.

ADV bikes are often termed as the SUVs of the motorbike world. They are quite lavish, rough, sturdy, responsive, comfortable, and agile. It is an all-in-one bike that doesn’t lack styling, comfort, and performance.

ADV bikes feature top-end soft suspensions to ensure the ride stays comfortable on all terrains. They are designed intelligently as hybrid bikes with both road bikes and dirt bike features in mind. They also feature adequately knobby tires for both on-road and off-road experience. These tires are knobby enough to provide good traction on dirt tracks and gravel.

Unlike dirt bikes and dual sport bikes, ADV bikes have big and powerful engines. On top of their dual-purpose nature, adventure bikes are also quite sporty.

Another very important feature that makes ADV bikes capable of overcoming off-road challenges is their high ground clearance. They may not be as tall as pure dirt bikes, but they have adequate ground clearance for off-roading.

Due to being heavy, ADV bikes are prone to tip over while off-roading. Also, picking them up is another great challenge, especially if you are a beginner. This can make your off-roading experience difficult if you do not have help. Therefore, it is recommended not to go for an adventure ride alone on an ADV bike.

Due to being a premium class of motorbikes, ADV bikes also come with frame and engine guards for protection.

ADV bikes also come with standard windshields to block incoming winds while touring. The size of the windscreen can vary depending on the type of adventure bike. The windscreen is taller on an ADV touring bike than on a dual-purpose ADV bike.

Some of the ADV bikes are so good for road traveling that they can be used for daily commuting and city traveling. For example, the Honda NC750X and the Suzuki V-Strom 650.

Most people may not know that ADV bikes are usually of certain types based on their purpose and elements. The types of adventure motorcycles depend on their on- and off-road abilities. The different types of adventure bikes are:

The ADV Touring Bikes, or ADV Tourers, are highly road-biased ADV bikes. They are among the most comfortable touring bikes with little to no off-roading ability. The ADV touring bikes feature tires that are relatively smooth, as you would find on most road bikes. They are mainly used for long-distance motorcycle touring.

The ADV touring bikes are also fully loaded with motorcycle touring parts, including side cases, panniers, top cases, ADV Touring Luggage System, and tank bags.

Some popular Adventure Touring Motorcycles:

• Honda NC750X

• Triumph Tiger 1200

• Ducati Multistrada

• Kawasaki Versys 650

The type of ADV bikes that are good for both on- and off-roading is commonly referred to as adventure bikes. They are the most versatile bikes in all categories. They may be heavy, but they can conquer most off-road challenges, especially if the rider has good skills.

Some popular Dual-Purpose Adventure Bikes are:

• Honda Africa Twin

• Aprilia Tuareg 660

• Honda XL750 Transalp

• Ducati DesertX 

As the name suggests, the rally-style ADV bikes have superior off-roading abilities, like a dirt bike. They may not be as good as other ADV bikes when it comes to road travel, but they are good off-road bikes.

The most popular examples of rally-style ADV bikes are:

• Yamaha Ténéré 700

• Honda CRF300 Rally

There is nothing more good than what we have mentioned above that can best describe adventure bikes. The style, character, and nature are what set ADV bikes apart. Let’s discuss in detail why ADV bikes are taking over the motorcycle industry and why their popularity is surging over time.

There is nothing better than owning a bike that can do it all. An ADV bike is undoubtedly the most versatile bike that serves nearly all riding purposes. Before ADV bikes, riders had to own multiple bikes to ensure they never had to skip any fun on motorcycles.

For motorcycle sports racing, there are sports bikes. For highway cruising, riders can either use a cruiser or a touring bike. For daily commuting, riders usually look for a standard bike or roadster.

ADV bikes are one of those engineering marvels that don’t necessitate riders to have a garage full of bikes for multiple purposes. Owning an ADV bike means riders can have most of the motorcycling fun on a single bike.

Whether it is long-distance motorcycle touring, highway cruising, canyon carving, daily commuting, weekend riding, or off-roading on dirt tracks, riders can do all of these on an ADV bike.

Also, you do not have to make any changes to the bike as you switch from paved roads to dirt tracks. They seamlessly transition from one mode to another, ensuring superior fun and thrill.

Adventure motorbikes are highly advanced bikes with several technical and automated features. On top of the most versatile functionality, ADV bikes also feature the most advanced features, making rides more engaging and smooth.

The primary focus of the top-end tech features in ADV bikes is to ensure superior comfort, safety, performance, and smooth transition between on- and off-roading.

Apart from anti-lock braking system (ABS), traction control, and IMU, the premium ADV bikes also feature:

• Electronically controlled suspension

• Multi riding modes

• GPS navigation

• Charging ports

• Heated grips and seats

• Electronically adjustable seat height and ergonomics

Despite being trendy bikes, ADV motorbikes are also well-established in certain motorcycle markets. Motorcycle riders are not only restricted to road traveling or off-roading. They can now enjoy both at the same time on ADV bikes.

With ADV bikes, there seem to be no limits when it comes to motorcycling. People now crave to explore hidden spots and unheard places more.

The sense of adventure tourism in bikers has substantially increased. Apart from local bike riders, motorcyclists love to ride across different US states and countries.

If we talk about the US, motorcycling is not limited to city traveling or daily commuting. There are many crazy motorcycling fans out there who can continuously ride for days and weeks.

MotoVlogging has become a thing. Motorcycle riders not only ride, they make videos while traveling, sharing their live riding experiences with the whole community.

The ADV bike community has also gained much momentum. This has helped ADV motorcycling be more feasible and safe, considering there are registered routes and tracks that you can explore on your ADV bikes.

Being very different from normal motorcycle riding, there are many riding schools and workshops that train you to become a skilled ADV bike rider.

The old days are gone when motorcycling was mostly about riding a chopper while wearing a bandana. Nowadays, ADV bikes have gained the limelight, along with other popular motorbike categories.

There are several of the best motorcycle TV shows and documentaries based on long-distance adventure motorbike tours across the globe. These TV shows not only take you to another world of motorcycle adventures; they help you learn more about motorcycle culture.

Some of the top motorcycle TV shows and documentaries promoting ADV bike culture are:

• Long Way Round

• Long Way Down

• Long Way Up

• Ride With Norman Reedus

Considering the increase in demand for ADV bikes, motorcycle manufacturers have started targeting this market. Considering that ADV bikes are the most trendy and that their popularity is still increasing, there is huge potential in the ADV segment.

Initially, there were only a few players in the ADV motorcycling scene. However, almost every motorcycle brand has launched its ADV bike models, and some are on their way to releasing one.

Harley-Davidson, which is famous for its cruiser motorbikes and touring bike lineups and sticking to its traditional production strategy, has one of the top-rated ADV bikes in its lineup. The Harley Davidson Pan America 1250 Special is a familiar name in the ADV segment. It is one of the 5 most wanted Harley-Davidson bikes in the US right now.

While BMW, Honda, and KTM are some of the notable ADV bike manufacturers, Suzuki, Yamaha, Royal Enfield, Harley Davidson, and Ducati have also made a strong mark in this arena.

No matter what your skill level is, whether you are a beginner or an expert ADV rider, and what your budget is, there is an ADV bike for all. Royal Enfield makes one of the best budget-friendly and capable ADV bikes, known as the Royal Enfield Himalayan.

• If you are a beginner, you can easily find a lightweight, low-powered, small ADV bike that suits your skill level.

• A middleweight ADV bike is good for both intermediate and skilled riders who are experts in handling off-road terrains.

• A heavyweight, high-powered ADV bike is only good for trained and experienced riders who prioritize long-distance comfort.

Adventure motorcycles have many advantages compared to other motorcycle types. They are highly versatile, all-in-one bikes that can handle most terrains. You can comfortably use Adventure bikes for highway cruising, long-distance touring, daily commuting, and off-roading.

These bikes offer a comfortable upright riding stance with longer wheel travel suspensions to manage off-road tracks and hurdles. ADV bikes also have big fuel tanks for a better range.

The BMW R 1250 GS Adventure is considered the King of Adventure Bikes in the ADV bike segment. It has undeniably been the undisputed king of ADV bikes for years. The level of engineering, highly versatile functionality, exclusivity, and premium design make the BMW R1250GS Adventure stand out in the ADV bike category.

This bike features a powerful 1,254 cc air/liquid-cooled, flat-twin Boxer engine, capable of producing 136 hp of horsepower at 7,750 rpm and 105 lb-ft of peak torque at 6,250 rpm.

The reason why people stand on Adventure Bikes is the same as why they stand on dirt bikes while off-roading. It is a common practice to stand on adventure bikes to overcome challenging off-road obstacles, bumps, and logs.

When you stand on your adventure bike’s pegs, it improves your ability to maneuver on off-road obstacles. Riders’ legs and body act as suspension and springs when you stand on an adventure bike.

If you don’t stand while experiencing obstacles during off-roading on your adventure bike, you are most likely to get thrown over the handlebars.

Adventure bikes are gradually taking over the motorcycle industry and are on their way to becoming mainstream. There is no other bike that offers multiple advantages and is a jack of all trades other than the ADV bikes.

The ADV bikes are highly versatile, which is why riders love them so much. If you are a skilled rider and experienced in tackling both on- and off-road challenges, ADV bikes can be your best friend. You can do almost everything on these bikes and can explore the whole world.