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KTM 890 ADVENTURE

ADVENTURE FURTHER

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There’s a moment on every journey when you are faced with a decision - continue down the path of least resistance or charge off into the unknown and let the adventure really begin. For KTM Adventure riders there's really only one choice - the more daring option! Join us for an epic journey as we reveal all our latest ADVENTURE models - stage by stage. 

Confidently work your way through a rugged rocky section, then let her rip at eye-watering speeds on the open plane. The KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE R is the apex predator out in the wild, devouring mile after mile of diverse terrain. There simply is no other like it when it comes to full throttle offroad adventure.

ADVENTURE HARDER

With 160 hp (138 Nm torque) at its disposal, the KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE R powers through anything that stands in its way. Combined with highly capable WP XPLOR suspension and the most innovative technology, this well-balanced big hitter offers limitless high-powered adventure across wide expanses of rugged terrain.

The KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE S is the fastest way to cover large amounts of ground without compromising comfort or composure. Whether you’re charging off to distant horizons or smashing out laps on a beaten up, abandoned racetrack, this insanely powerful traveler is sure to raise the thrill level as you attack the road in front of you.

With Its 160 hp V-Twin engine, sure-footed handling and class-leading technology, this sporty all-rounder is the ultimate high-performance adventure package. While perfectly capable of attacking long stretches of gravel, its asphalt-specific attributes embolden the notion that many thrilling adventures also take place without the rider or motorcycle ever leaving tarmac.

The KTM 890 ADVENTURE R is the ultimate offroad-focused travel bike for those more adventurous shortcuts. While there may be a perfectly groomed dirt road to your far-off destination, this nimble mid-weight machine urges you to jump into the unknown and enjoy the ride on a more extreme path. 

ADVENTURE EVERYWHERE

The updated KTM 890 ADVENTURE R proves that the destination comes second. With its unmatched ability to dispatch everything from highways to rocky gravel switchbacks, to single goat tracks, the KTM 890 ADVENTURE R boasts serious travel capabilities. Thanks to incredibly responsive powerplant, pin-sharp offroad handling, and all-day comfort, its all about the journey.

2024 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R

Seek uncharted territory.

2024 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S

The world just got smaller.

2024 KTM 890 ADVENTURE R RALLY

2024 KTM 890 ADVENTURE R

Jump into the unknown.

2024 KTM 790 Adventure

Adventure for everyone.

2024 KTM 690 ENDURO R

Ace of all surfaces.

2024 KTM 390 ADVENTURE

Make life a daring adventure.

2023 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S

It’s the unpredictability in adventure that makes it so appealing. Sometimes you are forced to leave your comfort zone, to take a different path and head blindly into the unknown. This is often where the best stories unfold, and the most memorable rides happen. The KTM 890 ADVENTURE thrives in these moments, rising to the challenge when the journey gets wilder.

This is the most offroad-capable Travel bike. A serious all-terrain machine for hardcore long-distance travelers who demand a capable, lightweight, and versatile adventure motorcycle. It’s packed with innovative features that give it real-world street credentials, while its new rally inspired styling confirms that it is also more than capable of powering on when the paved road ends.

Has the thought of doing chores all weekend got you feeling down? Grab the keys to your KTM 790 ADVENTURE and dare to take aim at the nearest dirt road to anywhere. This compact all-terrain travel motorcycle has its essence in offroad performance, meaning you have all you need for serious adventure fun just around the corner, or in more challenging terrain halfway across the globe.

ADVENTURE More

The KTM 790 ADVENTURE is an ultra-agile, offroad-capable machine for spirited young-at-heart travelers looking to access more extreme adventures. It is ideal for those wanting to step into KTM’s exciting world of twin cylinder exploration with a refined 95 hp, 799 cc engine. Its low seat height and center of gravity is confidence-inspiring, whether you’re making your way through more technical terrain or blasting along a wide-open dirt road.

DISCOVER THE TRUE MEANING OF ADVENTURE

On a KTM ADVENTURE RALLY you will discover the true meaning of ADVENTURE. It’s an opportunity to embrace the KTM spirit and take on more daring trails. Charge down epic dirt roads, power through unchartered forests, conquer extreme riding territory, and share it all with like-minded riders. Discover more about KTM ADVENTURE rallies 

Ultimate Dirt Bike & 4x4  Tours

 off-road motorcycle & truck  adventures , park city dual-sport ri de | august 25-29, 2024, moab, utah dual-sport ride | sept. 7-11 , 2024, southern california 4 x 4 tour | tbd 2024, moab, utah dual-sport ride | march 16-21, 2025   sold out.

Turn on sound for more info

De stry AB B OTT |

Jennifer emig |, mark kariya |, buyten , a rider-owned company / guided dirt bike tours, turn on sound, the best motorcycle tour company.

For the past seven years, former Dirt Rider magazine editors Ken Faugh t and Mark Kariya , have been working to build the world’s best VIP dual-sport, adventure bike, dirt bike, enduro and off-road tours and events. They have teamed up with some of America's best off-road riders to create what is unquestionably the most-exclusive rides in the most-scenic locations, and they are all guided motorcycle tours. 

Although the focus is on 5-day/4-Night events, the talented crew also hosts two-day events, point-to-point adventure rides, training sessions, boot camps, and much more. We are constantly updating our schedule , so check out our website  periodically to learn more about our upcoming rides.

2024 EVENT SCHEDULE

We kick off the year with two dirt bike tours on our schedule and will be adding more in the coming months.

MOAB, UTAH MARCH 21-25, 2024

*We are working with DualSportUtah.com on an amazing ride in this scenic part of southern Utah. The unique landscape promises to make this an unforgettable ride.  This is a guided tour by Jim Ryan, who is also part of t he MX and Off-Road Tours alliance . All meals and accommodations are included and cost is only $1995 and rental bikes are available for an additional fee.

PARK CIT Y DUAL-SPOR T RIDE - AUGUST 25-29, 2024

*Our world-famous off-road motorcycle ride is an event unlike any other. It starts from a 27,000 square-foot log cabin and explores some of the most-beautiful scenery in the United States. Prices range from $3295 to $3995 depending on accommodations. This ride typically has several guest riders. In 2021 it included Guy Cooper and Grant Langston, 2022 included Guy Cooper and Destry Abbott, those two were joined in 2023 by Rodney Smith and Mason Klein. A s urprise special guest or two is planned for 2024!

THE BUCKETLIST RIDE - PARK CITY 2024

     Our Bucketlist ride takes place in the beautiful Park City region in Utah, and its one of the very best rides in the United States. Park City 2024 will be an experience that will overwhelm the senses, tantalize the imagination and provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

This ride is an exclusive 4-night, 5-day luxury outing,  and cost ranges from $3295 to $3995 per person. This is a high-end adventure, designed for real off-road riding enthusiasts.  Although we encourage our customers to ride their personal street-legal dual-sport bikes, we do have several rentals for those who really need a bike.

     For this event , which is more like a dirt bike vacation, we plan to include intermediate- and expert-level riding tips from our staff and celebrity riders, along with photos and video of your adventure. That’s right, the award-winning Mark Kariya and Ken Faught—names you've seen in magazines like Dirt Rider, Dirt Bike , Cycle News and Racer X for over 25 years—will be shooting photos of each rider to create memories. It’s one of the many reasons this will be the number one off-road motorcycle tour in the United States and one of the top 10 dirt-bike tours in the world.

“Those involved in Speed & Sport Adventures have a lot of real history in the off-road industry. No doubt their tours will be exceptional." ~ Roger De Coster  |  5-time FIM World Motocross Champion / Legendary Team Manager

" mark, destry and ken are some of the most-dedicated people in the sport. no doubt their dirt bike tours will be incredible"   ~ lyle  lovett | 4-tme grammy winner, " love this what a great adventure for the partners and participants alike memories that will last a lifetime for sure. kurt caselli would give a big thumbs up"  ~  nancy caselli |    kurt caselli's mom.

ACCOMMODATIONS

28,000 sf private estate, 16 bathrooms, indoor pool, gourmet kitchen, ultimate dirt bike vacation, click here for video tour.

This massive four-story “log cabin” which will serve as our base camp. It’s more like a luxurious mini-resort with an indoor pool, hot tub, game room, chef’s kitchen, etc. It sits on over 10 acres and is able to sleep 60 people. This is an ultra high-end adventure and all rooms are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Oh yeah, there are also 16 restrooms!

"The best crew out there. No doubt this will be an incredible adventure!" ~Ty Davis  | Multi-time Baja 1000 winner and off-road legend

“ i am really looking forward to joining mark kariya and ken faught on their new endeavor, speed & sport adventures. these two gentlemen are well known in our industry for their talents in photography, journalism on top of having an undying passion for motorcycles and the joyful experiences they bring to the adventurer in all of us.”  ~ johnny campbell  | 11-time baja 1000 winner.

Celebrity Riders

Beautiful terrain, 2 different g uides, intermediate routes, expert routes, pro photographers, one-of-a-kind event, surprise activities, vip service, riding tips.

Our goal is to create an amazing experience for all, and we have worked diligently to find the perfect balance of riding and off-bike enjoyment. Mark Kariya and Ken Faught are arguably the two most-traveled professional off-road motorcycle journalists in the world. They have done off-road motorcycle tours in Peru , Zimbabwe , Botswana , Mexico , Canada , Costa Rica , Ecuador , Senegal , and Chile . Separately, they have ridden in 40 of the United States  as well as Australia and several countries in Europe .

"Such a cool concept. The crew is full of top-notch people, and  I wish I would have thought of it! I can't imagine a better dirt bike tour company. "   ~  Rodney Smith |  AMA Hall of Fame motocross & off-road racer

"this is going to be unreal no doubt this will be one of the best motorcycle adventures ever." ~ ashley fiolek  |  4-time ama women's motocross champ, "these guys do it right. i have been to park city two times with them, and its amazing." ~ mark mitchell  |  off-road travel tv ceo.

THE ACTIVITIES

More than 250 -miles of riding, movie night, epic benchracing, several surprises, learn trail advocacy, riding & tech tips,  “as a professional dirt-bike racer, i guess i’ve become best known lately for riding any type of race, from supercross to extreme enduros like erzberg to flat track to hill climbs. so, hearing about the luxury dual-sport tours that speed & sport adventures plans definitely interests me since it’d be nice to ride and just take in the scenery then bench race with the guys later. that's why i became one of the owners.” ~ ryan sipes |  international six-days enduro (isde) overall winner, "now that i’m cutting back from racing full-time, i can definitely see myself on one of the speed & sport adventures rides. i don’t think anyone’s ever done anything to this level, and the crew behind it is full of legends who’ve been very successful in the industry." ~ kailub russell  |  8-time gncc champ / isde world trophy winner / racing legend.

MEET OUR PARK CITY DUAL-SPORT CREW

Click a profile to read more

Jennifer Emig  

Vanessa  Zito

Mark Kariya

Kaylee Rish  

Rob johnson, wanda cooper  , danny carlson  .

Erin Gornik  

Danielle gornik  , christjen johnson.

VIP TRANSPORTATION

Private jet service

Helicopter shuttle

Ultimate luxury

Ferrari, Lamborghini,  

      Bentley & more

​** Additional fees apply

“I’ve been racing for a long time, and it seems like Ken Faught and Mark ‘Kato’ Kariya have been around almost as long. Their work in the magazines has always been outstanding and with their combined experience in events and rides, the Speed & Sport Adventures dual-sport tours are sure to be awesome. We are quickly making a name for ourselves as the best enduro tours in the United States. "

 ~ Paul Krause |  Former Red Bull KTM Dakar Rally Rider / Team Green Kawasaki Racer

“Though I made my living playing basketball, motorcycles was my first love,  part of me always wanted to race motorcycles and I naturally read all the magazines. I feel like I know Ken Faught and Mark Kariya through their work in those magazines, and with guys like Destry Abbott, Grant Langston and others, the Speed & Sport Adventures dual-sport tours sound awesome and I’m looking forward to participating in them. "

 ~ Rik Smits  |  Former NBA Player (Indiana Pacers Center) / Vintage motorcycle collector / racer

Are you ready to ride   learn more about park city 2024.

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"Ken Faught and crew always know how to have the best times. I respect these guys a lot! They have built the best motocross vacation company out there." -Steve Lamson—2-time AMA 125cc National Motocross Champion, MX des Nations winner

"i scouted this area twice with ken faught. we've travelled the world together and i know this is going to be one for the books. i am confident this is the best dirt bike tour company this is the ultimate dirt bike vacation."   -travis arket - world adventurer / deadliest catch personality, "ken faught and mark kariya helped me put together a tour in africa, and it was one of the best experiences of my lifetime"   -greg albertyn — 3-time fim world motocross champion, ama 250cc national mx champ.

Speed & Sport Adventures, LLC requires all participants to sign a release of liability waiver and also assumes no responsibility for its guests actions and use of equipment at any time during any of our events/tours/rides.

Speed & Sport Adventures | America's Best Dual-Sport Tours

The Best Adventure Motorcycles for 2023: Ride Everywhere

Looking to buy a motorcycle for on- and off-road riding, or long-distance travel? Fortunately, there are many choices. Our list showcases 18 of the best adventure motorcycles on the U.S. market for 2023.

The adventure or “ADV” segment of the motorcycle industry is thriving, and the selection just keeps growing. Regardless of your preferences, skill level, or budget, you will likely find something to scratch your itch for adventure riding within the ever-expanding ADV bike lineup.

To be considered an “adventure” motorcycle we’re talking street legal, off-road capable, and comfortable to ride for long distances.

Adventure bikes inherently strive to offer equally good performance, handling, and comfort both on- and off-road. This is a complicated balance to strike, and there tend to be concessions one way or another. Choosing the best adventure motorcycle really means figuring out what qualities are most important to you.

This is not an exhaustive list of all bikes that meet those general criteria or could be made to meet them with after-market upgrades. Instead, we chose these tried-and-true adventure motorcycles that come from the factory ready for long-distance riding. 

18 Best Adventure Motorcycles for 2023

Here’s our list of the Best Adventure Motorcycles for 2023, in order of displacement — from smallest to largest.

Suzuki V-Strom 650, XT & XT Adventure

Aprilia tuareg 660 adventure, yamaha ténéré 700, bmw f 750 gs, suzuki v-strom 800de & de adventure, bmw f 850 gs & gs adventure, moto guzzi v85tt & v85tt adventure, ktm 890 adventure & adventure r, triumph tiger 900 gt & rally, husqvarna norden 901, ducati desertx, suzuki v-strom 1050, de & de adventure, honda crf1100l africa twin, ducati multistrada v4 rally, yamaha super ténéré 1200 es, triumph tiger 1200 gt & rally, bmw r 1250 gs & gs adventure, ktm 1290 super adventure s & r.

• Base price $9,104-10,799
• Engine 645cc V-twin
• Power 70 hp
• Wet weight 476 lbs.
• Fuel capacity 5.3 gal.
• Tire size 19”/17”

The V-Strom line offers new or budget-conscience adventure riders an affordable way to explore the world on a legendary V-twin. Well known for being reliable, versatile, and inexpensive, the 650 platform is a great way to join the fast-growing sport of adventure motorcycle riding.

Differences in the models are small but important. The standard V-Strom 650 (shown) comes with 10-spoke cast wheels with tubeless tires, while the XT model has spoke-style wheels with tubeless tires, hand guards, and a protective lower engine cowl.

The 650XT Adventure comes with everything the XT does in addition to a rugged accessory bar and 37L quick-release aluminum panniers. Depending on your riding style, goals, and budget, the 650 may be all the bike you’ll need.

If you can afford a bit more, budget adventure riders can now get a more purpose-built bike for their money with the new 800DE model.

• Base price $12,299-12,699
• Engine 659cc parallel twin
• Power 79 hp
• Wet weight 450 lbs.
• Fuel capacity 4.7 gal.
• Tire size 21”/18”

Aprilia, having just joined the adventure motorcycle scene last year, no changes have been announced for the Tuareg 660 for 2023. Aprilia has done a good job offering a compelling new ADV bike at a reasonable price.

At only 450 pounds wet, the Tuareg is nicely placed at the smaller end of the mid-weight options. The suspension has a whopping 9.4 inches of travel in both the front and rear, giving it one of the highest ranges of suspension travel in its class.

Fuel is carried low, having a big impact on how the bike handles and making it relatively easy to pick up for a bike this size. There are tons of unique, well-thought-out features to discover if you take the time to research this bike thoroughly.

For the many folks struggling to find a Ténéré 700 or who are thinking about paying over MSRP to get one, the Tuareg deserves consideration. 

• Base price $10,499
• Engine 689cc parallel twin
• Power 74 hp
• Wet weight 452 lbs.
• Fuel capacity 4.2 gal.

The Ténéré 700, or “T7,” has enjoyed a huge following since conception. Unfortunately, Yamaha has not been able to keep up with demand. If you can manage to find one, it is indeed a special bike worthy of the accolades it has received.

Yamaha has succeeded in offering the ADV community something that no other manufacturer has to date: a rock-solid engine in a capable ADV bike at an incredibly low price. How did they do that? Well, compared to the competition, the  Ténéré 700  has almost zero extras.

For some, this is a compromise; for others, a preference. If you need ride modes, traction control, and cruise control to enjoy your ride, this is not your bike.

If you like the simplicity of a basic setup that will help you become a better rider by the sheer absence of rider aids, start looking now. It might take you a while to find one, and you will likely have to pay above MSRP to get it. If you want more bang for your buck, look at the Tuareg 660 . 

• Base price $9,995
• Engine 853cc parallel twin
• Power 77 hp
• Wet weight 493 lbs.
• Fuel capacity 4 gal.

The F 750 is better suited for pavement than the F 850, coming with 19-inch front and 17-inch rear cast aluminum wheels. All GS models come equipped with innovative features and state-of-the-art technology, proving a plush ride regardless of which size you choose.

Additionally, BMW has a whole host of optional upgrades to make sure your bike meets all of your needs. If you go with the F 750 GS over the bigger, more off-road capable 850 models, you will potentially save a fair amount of money and a little bit of weight but also get a little less power, have a shorter range, and have less wind protection.

If you are looking at BMW because you want a GS and you’d like to be able to take your bike down any road you come across, check out the F 850 GS for better ground clearance, bigger, spoked wheels, and better suspension. 

• Base price $11,349-12,999
• Engine 776cc parallel twin
• Power 84.3 hp
• Wet weight 507 lbs.
• Tire size 21”/17"

Brand new for 2023, Suzuki has stepped up to the plate offering adventure riders a more dirt-oriented bike with the addition of the 800DE model (shown) to the V-Strom lineup.

The 800DE fits nicely into the V-Strom family between the popular 650 and 1050 options. This is particularly exciting due to the fact that the   larger, mid-weight lineup of ADV bikes is notably lacking affordable options, and the V-Stroms are known for providing great value for the money.  

The Adventure model on the 800 platform comes equipped with quick-release black-anodized 37L aluminum panniers, plus a rugged accessory bar and aluminum skid plate for true off-road touring capability.

While the base weight is unfortunately on the heavy side at 507 pounds (we don’t know what the Adventure model add-ons weigh), Suzuki’s reputation for reliability coupled with a fair price point will suit many.

• Base price $12,595-13,595
• Power 90 hp
• Wet weight 504 lbs., 538 lbs.
• Fuel capacity 4 gal., 6.1 gal.
• Tire size 21”/17”

The standard F 850 GS (shown) is a trimmed-down version of the F 850 GS Adventure with a smaller fuel tank, fairing, and shorter suspension . The Adventure model, or “GSA” as it is often referred to, comes with quite a bit more and, as a result, weighs significantly more.

At 538 pounds, the GSA is a heavy adventure motorcycle for the mid-weight category but also the most long-distance-touring-friendly for this displacement. With its large gas tank, windshield, and bulky fairing, the F 850 GSA offers good range, weather protection, and comfort.

Don’t be misled by the base prices, as you will quickly realize many of the BMW features you want are optional, and they add up fast. Depending on what kind of adventure riding you want to do, if you are a BMW fan, you might find that for the weight and the price of the 850, you can get more bike for your money with the GS 1250 .

A good reason to stick with a BMW? They have a 3-year, 36,000-mile warranty — one of the best in the business.

• Base price $12,190-13,190
• Engine 853cc V-twin
• Power 76 hp
• Fuel capacity 6 gal.

The Moto Guzzi V85TT has a transverse V-twin engine and is shaft driven — a unique combination. The standard model V85TT (shown) comes with quite a few comfort, performance, and tech features that you might not expect on an old-fashioned-looking bike.

The Adventure model has even more. If you crave classic, retro styling and a ton of character, and you’re more interested in road travel than aggressive off-road capability, take a peek at the details of this Moto Guzzi. You’ll be surprised by what you get for your adventure motorcycle money. Spoiler alert: there’s gorgeous luggage involved.

• Base price $13,949-15,199
• Engine 889cc parallel twin
• Power 105 hp, 103 hp
• Wet weight 473 lbs., 464 lbs.

Updated for 2023, the KTM 890 Adventure base model (shown) has received some nice upgrades that make it even more appealing at this price point. You might quickly find yourself spending more, though, as KTM has cleverly introduced a new demo mode, allowing you to test out all the optional electronic rider aids for the first 932 miles.

Upon startup, after you’ve passed that mark, the aids will vanish, and you may decide you need to purchase just one or two upgrades, or perhaps you’ll feel compelled to spring for the full tech pack. Regardless of your decision there, the reworked adjustable suspension, improved seat comfort, electronics, and better wind protection will serve you well.

The key difference between the Adventure R model and every other bike in the midweight ADV category is the suspension. Lightweight, responsive, and powerful, this bike is just as capable, comfortable, and fun on the twisties as it is on single track.

More dirt-oriented than the base model, this bike is for you if you want the highest-performing, easiest-to-pick-up adventure motorcycle money can buy.

• Base price $14,995-17,395
• Engine 888cc triple
• Power 94 hp
• Wet weight 501 lbs.
• Fuel capacity 5.28 gal.
• Tire size 19"/17", 21”/17”

Released in 2020 to replace the well-loved Tiger 800, Triumph has done an amazing job producing a high-quality, capable, and comfortable range of bikes to meet all your adventure motorcycle needs.

If you prefer more road riding, the 900 GT (shown) and 900 GT Pro will take care of you on everything from urban adventures to proper long-distance travel. It comes with a 19-inch front and 17-inch cast wheel.

The GT Low model saves nearly 2 inches in seat height by slightly reducing the suspension travel. As this is the more street-oriented model, the tiny loss in ground clearance shouldn’t pose an issue.

If you want an adventure bike built for maximum off-road, all-day riding capability, control, and comfort, the Tiger 900 Rally and Rally Pro have you covered. The latter comes with a tubeless, spoked 21-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel. 

Triumph also offers a 3-year, unlimited-mile warranty. Imagine how many miles you could lay down on one of these in three years!

• Base price $14,499
• Power 105 hp
• Wet weight 472 lbs.
• Fuel capacity 5 gal.

First released in 2022, the Norden 901 is based on the well-loved KTM 890 Adventure platform. The key difference is the Norden is set up to be more comfortable on the road for traveling long distances than the 890, with a wider, plusher seat and softer suspension.

This bike stands out from the competition because of its relatively low MSRP and power-to-weight ratio — an impressive 105 horsepower and 472 pounds. Despite looking chunky, the fuel and engine weight are down low, making it feel surprisingly light and responsive.

Don’t let KTM’s reputation for being high maintenance scare you off; the oil change interval on this bike is a whopping 9,300 miles.

A welcome addition to the popular mid-weight adventure bike category, the Norden 901 handles very well on- or off-road and is comfortable, powerful, and fun to ride.

• Base price $17,695-18,295
• Engine 937cc V-twin
• Power 110 hp
• Wet weight 495 lbs.
• Fuel capacity 5.5 gal.

Introduced in 2022, the DesertX is an exciting addition to the mid-weight ADV motorcycle lineup. This is the first modern Ducati with a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear tire, long-stroke suspension, and a frame designed specifically for off-road adventuring.

Ducati did their homework, successfully offering an impressive package that stands out from the crowd. Head-turning styling and overall build quality; amazing suspension, brakes, and electronics package; and, of course, the most powerful engine in its class.

This is Ducati we’re talking about, after all. If you don’t want to make any concessions in performance or comfort going between on- and off-road riding, the DesertX is one of the most capable and highest-quality adventure motorcycles currently available.

• Base price $15,199-17,599
• Engine 1,137cc V-twin
• Power 107 hp
• Wet weight 554 lbs.

Suzuki has been inspired by the competition, introducing a whole host of revisions to the 1050 V-Strom and making it a better performing, more comfortable, and more versatile platform.

The new   DE model replaces the XT model from prior years, with the intention of offering a more off-road capable model to the lineup. How does the DE differ from the base model? The standard 1050 (shown) comes with 19-inch front and 17-inch rear tubeless 10-spoke cast wheels.

The DE has a spoked 21-inch tubed front wheel and 17-inch tubeless rear, offering better ground clearance and taller suspension for off-road performance, among other features.

The Adventure model is equipped with all the updates of the DE, with the addition of travel accessories such as aluminum panniers and LED fog lights.

• Base price TBA
• Engine 1,084cc parallel twin
• Power 101 hp
• Wet weight 505 lbs., 529 lbs.
• Fuel capacity 5 gal., 6.5 gal.
• Tire size 21”/18"

As of writing, the official 2023 models, options, and corresponding pricing for the Africa Twin lineup have yet to be confirmed for the US market. But no best adventure bikes list is complete without the Africa Twin.

Shown is the 2022 Adventure Sports ES model. With a lot of new adventure bikes popping up in the mid-weight category, Honda’s popular CRF1100L platform has some stiff competition.

It may not be the lightest, fastest, or highest-performing adventure motorcycle on the market, but Honda has given us a solid, good-performing, ultra-reliable, quality-made ADV bike that has been popular around the world for decades.

Most importantly, it handles the road just as well as the dirt and offers great value for the money. How do you argue with all that?

• Base price $29,995-30,595
• Engine 1,158cc V4
• Power 170 hp
• Wet weight 573 lbs.
• Fuel capacity 7.9 gal.

Making its world debut in 2023, the V4 Rally is an updated Multistrada on steroids. It has way too many bells and whistles to list (we have a whole article on that  here ), but you can trust that all your power, comfort, safety, and connectivity needs will be exceeded.

Solo or two-up, this bike will confidently adjust to accommodate any conditions you might throw at it. Leading the pack in radar technology, the V4 is the first motorcycle in production to have both front and rear radar for adaptive cruise control and blind spot warnings.

Boasting more horsepower than any other ADV bike on the market, fuel consumption is something to investigate, especially if you are looking for the longest range possible.

The main reason this may not be the bike for you? Sit down before you read the price range.

• Base price $16,299
• Engine 1,199cc parallel twin
• Wet weight 584 lbs.
• Fuel capacity 6.1 gal.

The Super Ténéré is Yamaha’s biggest adventure motorcycle and has been around for years. It has a large following and is known for being trustworthy and capable.

Unlike its little brother, the Ténéré 700 , which notoriously carries its weight high, the engine mass is kept low on the 1200 for great handling. It does come with more features than the 700, but fewer than its competitors in the heavyweight category.

Fewer electronics mean less to fail, making it a reliable and durable choice for long-distance travel. The Super Ténéré does have basic frills, like cruise and traction control, and adjustable suspension.

This bike has been and will continue to be a solid choice for adventure riding.

• Base price $19,595-24,200
• Engine 1,160cc triple
• Power 147 hp
• Wet weight 529 lbs., 575 lbs.
• Fuel capacity 5.3 gal., 7.9 gal.
• Tire size 19”/18”, 21”/18”

Triumph’s 1200 lineup got a complete makeover for 2022. A new engine, chassis, suspension, brakes — the whole works. The biggest complaint about the old 1200s was the weight. That has gone down, so good job Triumph for listening.

More road-focused with a 19-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel, the GT series includes the base model GT (shown), GT Pro, and GT Explorer. The Rally Pro and Rally Explorer models are more dirt-oriented, with a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked wheel, more ground clearance, and longer travel suspension.

The Rally models are the same bikes, except the Explorer comes with a larger tank size (5.3 gallons versus 7.9 gallons), blind-spot detection, fuel tank protection bars, standard heated seats, and taller handlebar risers.

Fast, agile, and comfortable, there is a Tiger for everyone in this broad lineup.

• Base price $17,995-20,345
• Engine 1,254cc flat twin
• Power 136 hp
• Wet weight 549 lbs., 591 lbs.
• Fuel capacity 5.2 gal., 7.9 gal.

The big BMW GS bikes are what come to mind for many when we think of adventure motorcycles. The GS Adventure — or “GSA” — is a beefed-up version of the base GS (shown), having bigger fuel capacity, more wind protection, spoked wheels, and higher clearance for off-road riding.

These behemoths may be heavy, but they are easier to pick up than you may expect, thanks to the big cylinder heads and crash bars that hold them partly upright.

If you are tempted to save money or weight by going with the base model, you might want to take a look at all the add-ons you’d likely want, calculate how the weight would be impacted, and compare it to what comes included in the price of the GSA.

There’s a reason BMW has a loyal brand following in the adventure bike ecosystem; they’ve set the bar high.

• Base price $20,299
• Engine 1,301cc V-twin
• Power 160 hp
• Wet weight 550 lbs.

Seeing extensive revisions in 2021, the KTM 1290 platform has only minor updates for 2023.

The Adventure S model (shown) is the more long-distance, road-oriented sibling of the aggressively off-road capable Adventure R model. The 1290 models cover ground quickly and effortlessly and have the ergonomics to make sure your adventures are as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

KTMs are highly customizable and known for being incredibly lightweight, fun, and powerful. Because of that, they’re one of the best adventure motorcycles on- and off-road.

2023 Adventure Motorcycles — No Perfect Bike

Full disclosure, I ride a Suzuki DR650SE, and I call it my adventure motorcycle. We have indeed been on many wonderful adventures together, but it’s really a dual-sport. Yes, it is street-legal and off-road capable, but it is not very comfortable. It becomes exponentially less so on long-distance rides , even with upgrades.

Adventurers the world over will share similar stories of epic times on all types and sizes of bikes , including single-cylinder or “thumper” bikes like mine. The point is that while you can certainly have adventures riding whatever bike you fancy (or can afford), an ideal adventure motorcycle will take you everywhere you might want to go, and you’ll be a lot more comfortable.

Adventure Motorcycle FAQs

Good ground clearance, suspension travel, and large spoked wheels all help make navigating different types of terrain and obstacles easier, safer, and more enjoyable.

Vibration, jarring, and wind buffeting are three big factors that are exhausting on long rides. Twin-cylinder engines or above will vibrate much less than single-cylinder bikes. Plush suspension will absorb changes in terrain, and a frame-mounted fairing will provide ultimate protection from the wind.

The lightest weight bike in this comparison is the new Aprilia Tuareg 660 , coming in just under 450 pounds (449.7, to be exact). The only other bike that comes close is the Yamaha Ténéré 700 , at 452 pounds. The heaviest is the venerable BMW R 1250 GSA , at 591 pounds. Leave it to German engineering to figure out how to perfectly balance that much weight on two wheels.

No surprises here. The priciest is Ducati, and the economy is a Suzuki. The new Multistrada V4 Rally can be yours in Ducati Red for just under $31,000. For that price, you can buy matching Suzuki V-Stroms for yourself and two of your friends. The base model V-Strom 650 comes in at $9,104 and has been successfully carrying adventure riders all over the world for nearly 20 years. 

Suzuki has gone after the adventure market with their new V-Strom “DE” models . They are still pretty far behind the competition in side-by-side comparisons, but the pricing is so good it might not matter. At the other end of the spectrum in quality, price, and cutting-edge technology, the Tiger 1200 line has been completely revamped for 2023.

If you want to do lots of road riding, the very popular BMW GSAs , Triumph Tigers , and of course, the Ducati Multistrada will offer the most comfort on the longest rides. Heavier, large-displacement bikes tend to ride better on the road.

Riding off-road can mean a lot of different things. Generally speaking, the lighter-weight ADV bikes tend to be easier to handle (and pick up!) riding off-road. Look at the KTM 890 R (really any KTM), Tuareg 660 , and Ténéré 700 if you live for dirt.

This is where the mid-weight adventure bikes win. The Ducati DesertX is creating quite a stir. I dare you not to want this bike. Also touted as equally well-appointed for both are the Tiger 900 , the new kid Norden 901 , and the Africa Twin .

How to Get Into Adventure Riding Without Breaking the Bank

Our intro to adventure riding guide will get you rolling on two wheels on the road less traveled without breaking the bank. Read more…

Motorcycle Suspension: A Beginner's Guide for Adventure Touring

Setting up motorcycle suspension properly is one of the most important aspects of motorcycle safety and fun-factor. Yet most riders don't do it. Read more…

6 Ways to Easily Turn an Adventure Motorcycle Around Off Road

Adventure motorcycle pros teach us six ways to turn a big bike around on narrow trails. It's not brute force, but technique and practice. Read more…

Misty Pine has been pushing her love of motorcycles on anyone who will listen for the past decade. Prior to that, it was horses. Currently based in Portland, Oregon, she is a rare native Oregonian and despite having lived and traveled all over the world, she has yet to find a place as magical as the Pacific Northwest. In addition to riding, Pine enjoys mushroom identification, searching for hot springs, sharing good food, traveling to remote riding destinations in her rad Moto Van, and endlessly photographing all of the above.

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Adventure motorcycle basics: long distance touring.

If you own an adventure motorcycle, you’ve likely bought it with, well, adventures in mind. But what defines a motorcycle adventure, what’s the best bike for long-distance touring, and how do you plan your routes?

Whether you’re going around the world or around your own country, if this is your first time going on a long-distance trip, you’ll need to plan ahead a little. You don’t need to obsessively plan out every single day armed with Excel sheets and Trip Advisor, but t’s handy to know a few basics before you hit that road.

In this post, we’ll cover:

• 1. Best adventure motorcycle for travel
• 2. Motorcycle luggage and camping gear
• 3. Route planning
• 4.Basic roadside issues and tools to carry
• 5. Long-distance travel tips

Ready to roll? Let’s take a look:

What’s The Best Adventure Motorcycle for Touring?

The short answer? The one you already own. While the marketers at BMW, Honda, and Yamaha would love to tell you otherwise, you do not need the newest adventure bike model to travel. Whatever you currently own – a dirt bike, a dual sport, a large-capacity adventure motorcycle – is a great choice for a long-distance trip because you’re already familiar with the bike, you can ride it confidently, and you can probably fix most of the minor issues that can arise on the road. Your own motorcycle will be the best choice – just make sure it’s recently serviced and road (or off-road) – ready, and you’re good to go.

If you’re considering buying a bike specifically for adventure travel and aren’t sure what to choose, go with light or medium-sized dual-sport or ADV bike. While those 1200cc beasts may look appealing, think of all the off-road trails you may want to ride, then think about picking up a 400kg bike on your own. Sound like fun? Yeah, we didn’t think so. If you’re a highly skilled and highly experienced rider, you can probably handle a large motorcycle well in any scenario, but if you’re just starting out, pick something that doesn’t weigh a ton, doesn’t break your bank, and won’t cost an arm and a leg to fix should something go wrong. Motorcycles like KTM 790, Yamaha Tenere 700, KMT680, or old but indestructible thumpers like the Kawasaki KLR650 or Suzuki DR650 are all great choices for adventure touring.

2. Motorycle Luggage and Camping

Aluminum panniers and top boxes or soft luggage? That’s a debate as endless as tire discussions, and luggage choices are very individual. However, we’d recommend sticking with soft panniers and a duffel bag: for one, it’s a simple setup that’s easy to put on and take off the bike. For another, it saves weight, and in case you drop your bike, your leg won’t get stuck under a metal box. Soft luggage is made for adventure travel, and if you’re worried about safety, just loop a cable lock around each pannier to keep your stuff secured.

As with luggage, your camping gear needs to be as light as possible. Choose tents, sleeping pads, and sleeping bags that are aimed at hikers and mountaineers: this kind of gear is lightweight and packs small, which means it’ll save space and weight on your bike. Add a cooking stove and a few basic utensils and pots if you plan to cook your own meals, and you’re ready for moto camping.

3. Route Planning

Even if you plan to simply head East until you come back home, a little route planning goes a long way. We’re all for improvising on the go, but if you’re planning a long-distance trip on your adventure motorcycle, having a rough idea of where you’re going – and how you’re getting there – is usually a good thing.

The easiest way to plan your routes is taking your starting point and your destination, then trying to connect them in the most interesting way possible. If you plan to stay on pavement, do your research and connect A to B by creating a network of interesting backroads, mountain twisties, and country roads that will allow you to explore the country or region in more depth. Sure, you can simply sit on a highway the whole way there… but where’s the adventure in that?

If you plan to venture off-road, do a little research before you go and make sure that off-road riding is legal in the country you’re traveling, then put together a few routes you can explore on dirt. If you’re not sure where to begin, be sure to check out these sites:

Wikiloc : an open-source track sharing app that allows you to search for off-road tracks on the map

Trans European Trail : an excellent resource for off-road riding in Europe complete with downoadable GPX tracks

Back Country Discovery: for those in North America, this is a fantastic resource for off-road and backcountry riding

4. Roadside Issues and Tools to Carry

When it comes to traveling on an adventure motorcycle, one of the first things that come to mind is, “what can go wrong?”. The answer is, not much. Breakdowns may happen, and you may get a flat tire or experience the joys of a dead battery after you’ve left your bike on overnight, but most of the time, it’s minor issues that can easily be fixed on the roadside. Even if you aren’t a skilled mechanic, carry some basic tools with you (tire levers, a basic set of wrenches and Allen keys, a spark plug key) and throw in some spares such as a spare tire tube, a tire repair kit, spare fuses, some zip ties, and a small electric tire pump. Hopefully, you’ll need to use them as little as possible, but it’s better to have them and not need them than the other way round.

What if you aren’t mechanically minded at all and your bike happens to break down somewhere along the way? Don’t worry: bike mechanics aren’t a rarity anywhere in the world, and you will always find help when traveling. Most people in this good green world are kind and generous, and you’re more than likely to receive help from fellow motorists, riders, or locals if your bike decides to unexpectedly die on you. You’ll find a tow, a truck, a bike shop, or a mechanic, and trust us, you’ll be just fine even if you can’t locate your own airbox.

5. Long-Distance Travel Tips

We could easily write an entire book on adventure motorcycle touring (and hey, maybe we will?), but to finish this post off with some pearls of wisdom gathered from years of experience as well as other world riders, we’d just like to remind you that whatever bike, gear, and destination you choose is up to you. At the end of the day, this is your trip and your adventure, so you get to decide what you want to do – and how. Don’t overthink and overplan it, just pack up your bike, hit that open road, and see where it leads you. And whether you do it on a scooter, a dirt bike, a Honda Africa Twin, or a Goldwing, more power to you!

crosscountryadv

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12 Best Dirt Bikes for Trail Riding [2021 Guide]

Trail bikes are types of dirt bikes built to specifically handle difficult off-road conditions. These can be pathways, tracks, field, sandy areas or even the woodlands.

In the world of dirt bikes, they can be described as cross-country runners as they are built for long range travel and not quite for laps on the fast tracks. Trail bikes are more of river riders, rock climbers, tree dodgers and mud slingers.

Even though trail bikes are based on motocross bikes, their engines are turned down and gearing is widened and lowered. This is done specifically to make the engine more manageable and easy to handle tight corners. Trail bikes also don’t have to be so sophisticated as they require less maintenance compared to motocross bikes.

Furthermore, they have softer suspension systems because riders spend a lot of time on the saddle. This would mean that a stiff suspension like the one found in a motocross bike would be very uncomfortable after spending some time on the trail.

Table of Contents

What Makes a Dirt Bike Suitable for Trail Riding?

The main features of trail dirt bikes include:

• Softer suspension
• Better ranger capacity (holds more fuel)
• Could have lights for riders who like night time
• Durable and reliable in many situations

Compared to motocross tracks, trail bikes don’t require stiff suspension as you wouldn’t find many opportunities to do wheelies and jumps as much as it for the former. Besides, there aren’t as many jumps out there in the woods. Either they are too small to do anything on or one would often find themselves crossing at a slower speed.

Trail bikes come with bigger gas tanks because one has to be away from the trailhead for a better part of the day. Conveniently, they come with bigger radiators and headlights in case the ride becomes longer than expected and it gets dark outside.

When it comes to speed, the acceleration is not as quick and they don’t even have to be ridden at full throttle the whole time because of the surroundings they are used at. The transmission is built in a way that you don’t have to keep shifting after every second like one does in motocross bikes. A majority of trail bikes come with an electric start which may come in handy when you stall on a steep hill.

Many people think since trail bikes seem like subtle dirt bikes, they aren’t as cool as motocross bikes, but the truth of the matter is that these bikes are great for beginners who want to have fun on the trails as opposed to the fast tracks.

What is the Difference Between Trail bike and Motocross Bike (MX Bike)?

If there’s a question that always keeps on coming up is the difference between a motocross bike and a trail dirt bike. Even though these two bikes look so much alike, there are a few differences here and there.

Observing them closely, one can notice that trail bikes are beefier and contain more when it comes to fuel capacity, weight and power. It is important to note that these differences cannot be pin-pointed by just anyone. One has to have ridden them and have some knowledge about dirt bikes. Here’s how motocross bikes are different from trail dirt bikes:

Motocross bikes are mainly used in racing dirt tracks where there are rules to follow. Because they are mainly used for racing, motocross bikes have raw power and there isn’t a lot of emphasis put towards safety. However, safety is undertaken where the track’s conditions are modified to guarantee safety.

On the other hand, trail bikes are used in different conditions. They are normally used on marked trails which cannot be changed to accommodate anyone. Riders have to simply adapt to the conditions and that is why these bikes come with low top speed and delayed pick up. Trail dirt bikes come with a harder suspension and are slightly heavier than the ordinary dirt bike. Since they can be ridden at night, trail dirt bikes come with headlights which one would not find on motocross bikes.

Shielding Components

Just like the name suggests, trail dirt bikes are ridden on trails where they have to be constantly protected from a lot of natural elements. There has to be shields that come in the form of engine cowls to enclose the engine, or bark busters that also shield the rider’s hands from tree branches or other dangerous physical factors. On the other hand, motocross bikes have little to no shielding.

Gear Ratios

Motocross bikes have sharper twists and turns when ridden on racing tracks. This only means that they will have to have narrower gear ratios compared to trail dirt bikes which usually get longer trail stretches unlike on the tracks. That is why the gear ratios of trail bikes will always be wider.

Exhaust Noise

Trail dirt bikes tend to be ridden on public roads too. Therefore, they have to have reduced noise levels so that they can meet street standards when they travel on roads in the event that the road and track overlap. Motocross bikes, on the other hand, are built with raw power and people enjoy the noise that exhaust makes. They do not have mufflers as in the case of trail bikes.

Which is Better for Trail Riding – 2 Stroke or 4 Stroke Dirt Bike?

Choosing between the two doesn’t need much discussion. There are some few things one should consider and determine their pros and cons when deciding which one to choose. For example, what is the type of riding you intend to do and are you going to spend more time on the trail or on sand dunes?

When it comes to trail riding, the 4-stroke is smoother to go on long-distance escapades as they are more predictable and can be controlled more than the 2-stroke. This can be vital especially in terrain where there isn’t a petrol station around. If that wasn’t enough, riders have to constantly take more than enough 2-stroke oil on every trip they go on.

It can get embarrassing when one has to keep checking the oil level or shake the bike when it’s filled up. What’s more is that 4-stroke engine dirt bikes have more low end and allow one to lug the bike and depend on its torque without having to foul the spark plug. You always have to rev the dirt bike to prevent fouling plugs.

Which is Better for Beginners (2 or 4 Stroke Bike)?

2-stroke dirt bikes are improving technologically. While increasing power, they have also reduced exhaust emissions. Even though a 2-stroke will not let you enjoy the torque of a 4-stroke, they aren’t as bad for weekend riders and beginners. If that isn’t enough, 2-stroke dirt bikes are lighter and are mostly easier to handle, making them even better for beginners.

Older 2-stroke bikes needed one to rev them to produce more power. It’s not the best situation when going around tight corners on a track in the woods. Advanced power-valve systems and exhaust-ports allow one to easily ride a 2-stroke at lower rpm, making them suitable in trails. Also, 2-stroke bikes need less maintenance compared to 4-strokes, hence, saving beginners their time and money.

Best 2 Stroke Dirt Bikes for Trail Riding

1. gasgas ec300.

• 6-speed transmission
• 300cc 2-stroke engine

The revival of the GasGas bike models has been quite efficient ever since KTM, the parent company, used its platform to create a diverse portfolio of its model bikes. One of these bikes is the GasGas EC300.

The GasGas EC300’s engine came with a wide-ratio, 6-speed, oil-injected gearbox. The frame is derived from an Australian-style chromoly chassis, linked rear suspensions, with WP XPLOR dampers in the front and shock absorbers that run through the linkage system. The aluminum sub-frame is supported with an enlarged exhaust pipe that comes with a muffler that is free of spark arrestors.

The engine is managed via an electronic control unit that integrates digital mappings for firm and balanced power. It regulates the ignition control and fuel to be injected using data collected from the sensor. This can include air pressure intake, coolant temperature and throttle position to pass the correct components to the cylinder.

The whole engine is very solid, has an electric start and comes fitted with an exhaust system that has an enlarged capacity to fend off blows. The GasGas EC300 is robust in power, starting right from the go with very adjustable muscle that begins at a low power band level.

The GasGas EC300 has a wide-ratio gearbox making the first and second gears too low when one is on tight terrain. The 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th speed are spread out perfectly for quicker terrain and extended transfer zones.

2. KTM 300XC-W/250XC-W TPI

• Single 2-stroke cylinder engine
• 293 cc displacement
• 6-speed gearbox

Are you looking for a 2-stroke dirt bike with TPI technology that you can ride on faster-paced trails that need more support from the suspension? The KTM 250 XC TPI and KTM 300 XC TPI are good bikes to start with.

The 293 cc KTM 300XC-W TPI dirt bike has a robust yet smooth low end power that makes it sufficiently easy for lugging even at low revs. The engine gives an extra punch while mid-range and drops off slowly at the top-end. This only makes it effortless to ride while the gear is high and function way better when it’s short-shifted.

The KTM 300XC-W TPI’s perfect low-end torque makes it easy for riders to navigate when the gear is high while also keeping track over the rear especially with slippery terrain. When it comes to the suspension of cross-country bikes, they are usually a substitute that one has to compromise by choosing between something fancy enough for the trails, and firm enough to withhold great impacts on the motocross tracks. This KTM 300XC-W TPI is a perfect balance of these riding types.

3. SHERCO SE250

• Anti-vibration balancer
• 250 cc, 2-stroke engine

There’s no debating that a modern 250cc 2-stroke trail bike with an electric start can be one of the most useful off-road race bikes you can find anywhere. The Sherco SE300 makes it even better by a mile further. This dirt bike is a very unique European 250cc 2-stroke bike that is quite attractive to the real off-road lovers.

You’d be surprised that Sherco’s range comes in two versions – Racing model and the upgraded Factory model that can be used for racing using KYB suspension, Galfer discs, black SM Professional rims, an FMF exhaust, and seats by Selle Della Valle, just to mention a few. These two variations were just made for different clients who have different budgets and preference.

The smooth throttle response of the Sherco SE250 is all that is so impressive about this carburettor-engine dirt bike. This SE250 reacts perfectly even to minor throttle changes when the rider is in the high revs, or wants to power up at the lower level and try to feel the grip.

Best 4 Stroke Dirt Bikes for Trail Riding

4. kawasaki klx300r.

• Digital DC-CDI ignition
• 6-Speed transmission
• 292 cc engine

Kawasaki hasn’t had a 300cc trail dirt bike in quite a long time. Those who are not so impressed by the Yamaha TTR 230 or Honda CRF 230can rely on Kawasaki’s own KLX300R. This bike has better performance and provides more power than the others. For street riders who want to take it off-road, this trail bike fits seamlessly especially with an awesome electric start button to match.

The Kawasaki KLX300R comes with an electric start and fuel injection that make riding this machine worthy. The 292 cc single 2-stroke engine provides constant power through its mid-range and pass through obstacles easily. The throttle body that takes the bike’s fuel injection is smooth at throttle and well metered

The amazing starter button fires up the bike without hesitation and immediately falls into a quiet steady idle. Ergonomically, the Kawasaki KLX300R bike fits perfectly for those who are 5-foot 8-inch. Depending on your preference in riding position, the handlebar can be adjusted in four positions to help the rider figure out which position suits them.

Experienced and mature riders who like to go for slower but technical trails should enjoy the Kawasaki KLX300R thanks to its standard suspenders which can also adjust the shock absorber’s settings. This Kawasaki also has a commendable bottoming resistance as long as one is not destroying it at the motocross track.

5. Yamaha YZ250FX

• Single cylinder, liquid-cooled engine
• Displacement of 250cc

Yamaha upgraded the YZ250FX for 2021 as they often do. The makeover looks amazing but what is even better is the stronger engine. It still has its signature torque and low end power, but it has improved in the lack of mid-top end power that was there previously.

It might not such a big revver like its competition, but it has one of the most versatile motors and is quite easy to ride. The suspension is just fine and can be tested on a wide variety of terrain. When it comes to handing, the dirt bike is quite balanced and steady.

Derived from the Yamaha YZ250F championship winner that had Yamaha’s ground-breaking front-intake, 6-speed gearbox, many cross-country improvements, wide-ratio transmission and a liquid-cooled 4-stroke engine, the Yamaha YZ250FX is a unique competition machine.

6. KTM 250XCF

• Single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 250 cc, 4-stroke engine
• Central tube steel frame

Straight out of Austria, the KTM 250 XCF is a 4-stroke trail competition bike. It looks quite similar to the 250 SXF motocrosser, but has a variety of off-road components such as a 6-speed transmission, softer suspension, a 2.24 gallon fuel tank, kickstand, 18 inch rear wheel, hand guards and Dunlop AT81 tires.

The power delivery of this KTM 250XCF is quite smooth from the low to top level. It comes with ample low-end, a robust mid-range, and a generous amount of top end and over rev. However, this machine could be better with just a bit more bottom-end grunt specifically for tight off-road areas. The top-end is the huge chunk of the power band, while the hydraulic clutch from Brembo retains a good rpm. The 250 XC-F’s suspension is more about comfort as opposes to performance.

Overall, the KTM 250 XCF is an awesome versatile dirt bike. It can easily handle faster trails well and is quite responsive on motocross tracks. It’s a great all-rounder for riders looking to switch from the trail to the track. With a huge fuel tank and other convenient components, the KTM 250XCF is a very dependable dirt bike to look out for.

Best Dirt Bikes for Desert Riding

1. yamaha wr450f.

• Powerful single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 450cc four-stroke engine
• 5-speed gearbox
• KYB Speed Sensitive System

Introducing the sharper, better handling 2021 Yamaha WR450F with improved features based on 2020’s Yamaha YZ450F motocross bike. Even though it might be a bit expensive, $16,000 is a steal compared to what value you get out of this desert riding bike. It comes with outstanding features such as a new aluminum double frame with broader bottom tubes and slimmer main spars, enduro KYB speed-sensitive system, lighter but more powerful brakes, and great engine modifications.

The engine is now more complete thanks to the strong 5-speed gearbox transmission that provides less ratios between the 1st and 3rd and a longer 5th gear in comparison with Yamaha YZ450F. Initially, the Yamaha WR450F used a cable clutch which was not so convenient.

• Single cylinder, 4-stroke engine

Introducing the KTM 500 which used to be the dual sport that other dirt bikes were compared with in terms of performance. This newest generation of the KTM 500 packs an exciting 4-stroke engine that can deliver amazing ride-ability.

It features a compact and light chassis, with a high-tech engine, giving this desert dirt bike awesome agility. The amazing power-to-weight ratio gives riders the most lively riding experience ever.

KTM 500 features a reinforced clutch cover to increase the resistance against physical impacts in mostly rocky terrain. The wide ratio 6-speed gearbox transmission makes it perfect for on-road and off-road fun. The bodywork comes with a slim design to provide good comfort and freedom to move and be in total control.

3. Honda CRF450X

• 450cc made for off-road riding
• Lightweight
• Convenient electric starter

Introducing the Honda CRF450X whose engine has been derived from the latest CRF450R motocross bike, but also contains some major differences to make power delivery convenient for off-road riding. Honda CRF450X has a more user-friendly engine due to its linear power provision.

The suspension is quite lavish and comforting in stock. The chassis responds well to the rider’s input, but it is also stable at high speeds. The Honda team did a great job at considering the ergonomics of the CRF450X that make it quite enjoyable to ride. This off-road dirt bike is quite fun to ride, while still offering great performance with the approval of being legally ridden all year-round in all 50 states.

Best Trail Dirt Bike for Beginners

4. honda crf250f.

• Single-cylinder 250cc 4-stroke engine
• Five-speed transmission
• Comfortable seat

There are certainly many ways to enjoy the outdoors. One gets to see a lot out there and get to experience the adrenaline, sights, smell and sound that will lift spirits. The Honda CRF250F is one amazing trail-friendly two-wheeler you can ever ride. Its perfect size makes it one of the most dirt bikes that beginners can enjoy adventures on.

With a fuel-injected engine, this dirt bike provides ample power across a wide power band. Even if it’s under cold weather or higher altitudes, or sitting idle for a while, there’s no carburetor to tussle with.

The Honda CRF250F comes with a double-spar frame which is light, firm and tough like all Honda models, making it great at handling. With an electric starter, it’s quite easy to start up with a design that is similar to the CRF motocross championship winner. This is the bike you definitely want to be on when you’re out there.

Honda CRF250F comes with a 21-inch wheel in the front and an 18-inch wheel in the rear, giving you a wide variety of trail riding tire choices to choose from.

5. Kawasaki KLX230R

• 4-stroke, single, air-cooled, 234cc engine
• High-tensile steel

Introducing the KLX230R designed by Kawasaki and made to be an affordable and reliable dirt bike for many riders out there. This KLX230R is pushed by an air cooled, 234cc fuel-injected, 4-stroke engine with a two-valve SOHC system that reduces maintenance without affecting performance. The fuel-injected design can make the Kawasaki KLX230R start up effortlessly, even in high or low temperature conditions or altitude.

The Kawasaki team was involved in making the engine and chassis simultaneously, which made them use that chance to adjust the dirt bikes agility and proficiency entirely. The firm, flexible, steel frame, short wheelbase and low seat height provides awesome handling while trail riding. With a 1.8 L gallon fuel tank, sturdy frame and comfortable seat, the KLX230R was ergonomically designed to give short riders better grip for improved chassis control.

New beginners who have not had experience riding and would like to have extra assurance to put both of their feet on the ground can be assured this dirt bike will not disappoint.

The Kawasaki KLX230R’s engine is very efficient and user friendly. It delivers smooth power with the right amount of torque in any situation there is even if it’s making a quick climb on the hill.

6. Yamaha TTR230

• 4-stroke, SOHC design, air-cooled, 223cc engine
• Racing style ergonomics
• Comfortable saddle

Arguably holding the top spot for trail riding bikes, the Yamaha TTR230 is one to look out for. Mainly made for new and experienced adults, this dirt bike offers the best chance for trail riding and conquer anything from flat to rocky terrains.

Powered by a 223cc, air-cooled, 4-stroke engine with 2 valves, the TTR230 provides 14 pound feet of torque throughout the rev range from down hops to high trail blasting revs. This trail dirt bike also comes with a 21-inch front wheel and an 18-inch rear wheel. Yamaha made sure there will be enough ground clearance so that any adult wouldn’t find it difficult riding the toughest trails.

When the design thought of making this trail bike, they had racing style ergonomics in mind. The competition style flat seat gives the rider that extra edge while also offering fantastic mobility. The seat is low and made comfortable to allow the rider to move easily. Yamaha TTR230 also comes with a convenient electric starter push button that makes starting up a very easy task.

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Review Husqvarna 701 Enduro: For trails, or travel?

Photo: Laura Deschenes

Say someone handed you a massive dirt bike, and told you it was a touring bike.

A). Think it was a touring bike, despite the looks of the thing? B). Think you were being misled, and this motorcycle really was an overgrown dirt bike?

That’s the choice you get with the Husqvarna 701 Enduro. It looks like a massive honkin’ enduro bike, but Husqvarna’s website says it’s a “Travel” bike. So what’s the story?

That single-cylinder engine is far more advanced than anything Japan currently sells in the 650 category. Photo: Zac Kurylyk

Not your average thumper

It’s not just a thumper it’s an, uh…. super thumper. I wish all the OEMs made a single-cylinder that was this fun. Photo: Laura Deschenes

Open gravel like this is lots of fun for the 701. For the tight stuff, you need to know what you’re doing. Photo: Laura Deschenes

An aggressive chassis

The gas tank is hidden away inside that rear subframe, meaning the mass is centralized. Photo: Zac Kurylyk

I played around with the clickers and was able to quickly get the front end where I wanted it. Other past reviewers have had the same experience; this bike does not come dialed in for a “One Size Fits All” experience. Photo: Zac Kurylyk

Funky , modern design sets the 701 apart from its peers in the 650 class. Photo: Zac Kurylyk

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On your computer

Our podcasts have a play function directly on their episode pages. Navigate to the podcast episode page, look for the play button, and listen.

On your smartphone

The most convenient way to listen to a podcast is on your mobile device/smartphone.

Use the Apple Podcasts app if you’re on an iPhone  – just search for the term "podcasts" on your phone. Using an Android or other type of smartphone, you may need to download a podcast app such as Stitcher or Soundclound. Then, subscribe to our show and away you go.

Subscribing is where the power of podcasting really kicks in.

When you subscribe, shows start automatically coming to you. Next time you load up your app, the latest episodes are all there, ready to listen to. It’s amazing!

HOW TO LISTEN TO PODCASTS IN THE CAR

The car is the most common place to listen to a podcast. It makes sense – it was always a big radio listening space, and Podcasting is the new radio.

But, how do you listen to a podcast in the car? First is via Bluetooth connection. Most modern cars are set up to connect to your phone so that you can make hands-free calls. That same connection can also play audio from your phone. So, connect via Bluetooth as normal, and then play something from your Podcast app. Does it play over the speakers? Great!

No Bluetooth? Try a Cable

Next, if that doesn’t work, then an even more common car feature is an ‘aux in’ or a ‘line in’ port. It looks just like a headphone jack and all you need is something like this   3.5mm to 3.5mm cable   to connect your phone to your car.

As a last resort, some people use   radio devices   to basically broadcast your phone’s output on a particular frequency, then you can tune into that on your car radio. Or, remember those   tape deck connectors   for the really old school?

How to Plan a Boondocking Trip for Dirt Biking

Taylor Walsh

Taylor loves dirt biking and action sports, as well as photographing and filming his friends on tracks and trails. As he finishes his last year of high school, he’s pursuing both his passions while traveling with family and friends in his parents' Jayco Octane T26Y Toy Hauler .

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I’ve been dirt biking with my family since I was a kid. My dad, Chris, teaches dirt biking professionally and got me started at a young age. We’ve also been lucky to have a Toy Hauler RV in the family for almost as long, which means we’re always eager to plan our next RV trip to some awesome biking destination where we can ride. So we know a thing or two about planning RV trips for dirt biking, and there’s nowhere we’d rather be. 

Some of the best locations for dirt biking are also the most remote, which can mean camping with no water, electric or sewer hookups, also known as boondocking. Sometimes, what you gain in gorgeous views and great trail riding, you lose in convenience. But that’s okay––you just have to do a bit more preparation for boondocking. But once you get the hang of it, it’s actually pretty easy. Luckily, we have a few pointers for planning a dirt biking trip, no matter where you end up parking your RV. 

Make sure your bikes are prepped and ready for travel. Like anything with an engine, before you take your dirt bike out, make sure it’s in good working order. Check the oil, air filter, coolant and brake fluid levels. Make sure the chain is in good shape and has a couple of slack, then give it a fresh coat of lubrication. Double check all nuts and bolts to make sure they’re tight and secure so nothing shakes loose on the road or the trail. Check your tire pressure and top off with air if needed. And of course, make sure your gas tank is full. 

Pack gas, gas cans and oil for your gear and store it safely. When you’re in more remote areas, having extra gas for your bikes can make all the difference between a lackluster trip and an awesome trip. We keep extra gas cans in our RV for this reason. Some people are nervous about driving with reserves of gas on board. One thing we like to do is travel most of the way with empty gas cans, then stop at a gas station when we’re getting close to our destination to fill them up. You’ll have plenty of extra fuel for your dirt biking trip while cutting down on anything unexpected happening. When you’re packing up to leave, use the gas cans to top off the fuel levels in your RV or towing vehicle, and you’ve got empty cans again. 

For your bike, there are also specialty containers that hold small to moderate amounts of fuel so you don’t run out when you’re in the middle of nowhere. We also like to have some extra oil on hand in case the bikes need topping off, but if you followed our earlier tip, you should be good. 

Strap down your dirt bikes and gear for driving. On a paved road, a pothole, quick braking or need to swerve can jostle dirt bikes and knock them down. And if you’re headed to a location with unpaved roads, well...a few steps are in order for keeping your bikes upright and safe. Wheel chocks, mount rings and tie down racks can help. Wheel chocks keep bikes from rolling forward when they’re stored upright and are usually just simple pieces of wood that slide under the tires. Mount rings and tie down racks both provide stable and permanent solutions. With mount rings, you can use the tension from straps or ropes to keep your bikes standing upright. Some RVs come with mount rings already installed, but if yours doesn’t, they’re cheap and easy to install on the floor or walls of your RV with a power drill. Tie down racks often have bumpers to help hold bikes upright, and can be installed on an RV wall or even the back of a pickup truck bed. These racks usually also have a couple mount rings to assist the bumpers in keeping bikes secure. No matter what, strap your bikes down so that they don’t move while your vehicle is in motion--that’s the most important takeaway. Everyone does this part a little differently, so whatever works for you is good. 

Bring the right gear and store it safely. Dirt biking is a sport that requires a good amount of gear. You’ll need a full face helmet, as well as special protective boots, pants and a shirt to protect your body from the dirt and rocks that may fly up from under your wheels. Goggles are important to protect your eyes and, of course, you’ll want gloves to help keep your hands from getting ripped to shreds by sand. Multiply all this gear by the amount of people you’re traveling with and it can easily get messy. We recommend having everyone keep a separate bag for their gear and packing boots and helmets on the bottom of the bag. Or, if your bags aren’t big enough, tie down helmets or boots in the back with the bikes and secure them so they don’t fly around. 

Plan for emergencies. Even when everyone is an experienced rider, things can still go wrong. And when you’re off the beaten path, it’s critical to have a plan for emergencies. Your biggest consideration is having a way to call 911. Check your cell phone carrier’s coverage map to make sure you’ll have service where you’re going, or make alternate plans. Walkie talkies can be a good way to stay in touch with people back at camp if something bad happens while you’re out riding––we bring ours on every trip and make sure they’re charged before we take the bikes out. And finally, for smaller scrapes and wounds, keep a first aid kit in your RV and double check that it’s fully stocked before you leave town. 

Gear up for boondocking. If you’re going to a campsite that doesn’t have hookups, make sure you’re prepared for the duration of your trip. With no sewage hookup, you’ll want to make sure your black and grey water tanks are empty before you set up camp. Double check that your propane tank is topped off and pack firewood, which can come in handy both for keeping warm around a fire and for cooking at night. If you have a generator, give it a test run before you leave, and make sure you have enough fuel to run it if you plan to use it. Flush and fill up your fresh water tanks for bathing and cooking, and you might also want to pack several five-gallon jugs of water in the RV just in case. You’ll also want to check the weather forecast of where you’re going so you can prepare to stay warm or cool accordingly. We love to dirt bike in the desert, which is great during the day, but the nights can get real chilly. We always make sure we have extra blankets on board for anyone who needs them. 

When you’re boondocking, you also need a plan for food. Refrigerators can run on both electric and propane. Propane fridges can run on stores of propane gas, but if you have an electric fridge, it won’t work without an electric hookup. If you’re boondocking without a working fridge, you’ll want to have a plan for what fresh food to pack versus what you can store at room  temperature. Coolers are a great way to keep food and beverages cool on the road, and you definitely get what you pay for on this front. You should also plan for how you want to cook. There are no wrong answers, whether you plan to cook on a gas camp stove or bring a grill to cook some barbecue. We love to barbecue when we’re out in the desert, so we always make sure to pack enough ice to keep meat properly cool until we can cook it and bring enough charcoal to get the grill going on multiple nights. 

This should go without saying, but dirt biking is a dusty business. Bring drinks and hydrate well. 

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Welcome to ADV Motorcycle Tours & Dirtbike Travel, a friends business, running fully guided off-road motorbike tours in North Vietnam.

We are proud to offer the best on-road and off-road motorbike tours in North Vietnam for adventure enthusiasts who are up for a new challenge in new lands. On the ride with us, riders will not only experience the best abandoned trails with hidden scenic views in far north of Vietnam and Chinese border but enjoy hill tribe culture and local life in right their house at first hand.

Check out the list of Vietnam motorbike tours then let us know whether you are ready for the trip of a lifetime.

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This Vietnam motorbike tour makes sure you get to see the best of Northeast Vietnam and don't waste time visiting places that aren ... [ Tour details ]

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Northwest Vietnam Trails Motorbike Tour - 4 Days

These 4 days of Northwest Vietnam Trails Motorbike Tour will give you a chance to have an overview about North West of Vietnam, ev ... [ Tour details ]

Far North Vietnam Motorbike Tour in 11 Days

It is time to enjoy one of the best Vietnam motorbike tours. We promise to take you on some of the most untouched trails with uniq ... [ Tour details ]

Hanoi Enduro Motorbike Day Tour

Let imagine you are riding on big, deserted mountain on a single narrow track, crossing wild jungle to get the top of the mountain ... [ Tour details ]

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Dirt Bike And Off-Road Motorcycles

Off-road, motocross, and dirt bikes are all motorcycles used to navigate nature while on two wheels. Find the latest on these bikes at Cycle World.

Arguably the most fun you can have on two wheels off road, dirt bikes, motocross bikes, and off-road motorcycles are known for their grin factor. From mini bikes to putter around on, trail bikes to explore the wilderness on, to the latest cross-country enduro and race-derived motocross machines, dirt bikes cover a wide range of off-road motorcycles.

Featuring a long-travel suspension and knobby tires as well as a high seating position, dirt bikes are designed to tackle tough terrain. The tougher the terrain, the better. Whether it be woods, desert, or mountain single-track, to high-flying motocross action, these lightweight single-cylinder bikes can handle it. The most popular dirt bike, off-road, and motocross motorcycle manufacturers are Honda , Kawasaki , KTM, Husqvarna , Suzuki , and Yamaha .

Latest Dirt Bike And Off-Road Motorcycle News

Dirt Bike And Off-Road Motorcycle Reviews

Designed to tackle the toughest of terrain, and possibly fly through the air, dirt bikes and off-road motorcycles reviews are demanding on our editors. Not every single-track is the same. The same goes for jumps. Our editors take care in every review they write, ensuring that you know which is the best dirt bike that you can buy.

Not only do our editors produce reviews, but they orchestrate some of the best comparison reviews of dirt bikes and off-road motorcycles of the same caliber. They even have time to dyno the bikes, so you have actual real-world knowledge, making you more prepared for your dirt bike purchase.

Dirt Bike And Off-Road Motorcycle Buying Tips

One thing to always consider when buying a dirt bike or off-road motorcycle is if you are ever planning on taking the motorcycle on the road. By their nature, dirt bikes are sold as OHV, or off highway vehicles. This means they are not road legal and can only be driven on private property, or property that allows their use such as off-road trails or tracks. If you ever plan to take your dirt bike on the road, there are ways to get it legal for on-road use, or you could consider purchasing a dual sport or adventure motorcycle .

Now you know that you want a dirt bike or off-road bike you have to consider a couple of things, like what level of rider are you? Have you ridden in the dirt before? Do you want a 2 stroke or 4 stroke motor? How often are you going to be riding, and can you work on this or will you need to be taking it to the shop for maintenance?

Dirt bikes are considered some of the best beginner motorcycles because of their lower price, light weight, the fact that they don’t have fairings and other bits and bobs to break when you crash, and you get to learn how to ride without the worry of traffic. You can learn the fundamentals of shifting, braking, and turning, while not having to worry about dodging semitrucks.

Some popular dirt bike manufacturers are Honda with its CRF lineup, Kawasaki has its KLX and KX models, KTM has its SX, EXC, XC, and E-XC ranges, Suzuki has its RM and DR series, and Yamaha has their YZ line of dirt bikes.

Dirt Bikes vs. Motocross Bikes vs. Enduros

Every motocross bike is a dirt bike, but not every dirt bike is a motocross bike. Think of the dirt bike as a 10-inch chef’s knife. Sturdy, reliable, able to do a lot of work before it has to be fixed or honed. That’s your basic dirt bike. Your motocross bike is more of a scalpel. Very sharp, very light, but it requires a higher degree of maintenance to keep that edge. Your motocross bikes are dirt bikes built for racing. They feature the best parts, tires, and have a considerable amount of weight-saving work done to them. This is to ensure that when you are racing motocross, you are getting the holeshot every time.

On the other hand, enduros are the cleaver of the dirt bike family. They feature larger gas tanks needed for the longer-distance races that they participate in. Overall, the delineation in the dirt bike family depends on where your dirt bike is going to end up. A motocross bike finds its home at motocross and supercross events, and landing jumps at big air competitions, while enduro bikes can be found at multi-hour cross-country races like the Grand National Cross Country. Shooting up backcountry roads, then any dirt bike will be your best option.

2 Stroke vs. 4 Stroke Dirt Bikes

When shopping for a dirt bike, off-road motorcycle, or motocross bike you’ll run across models that either are powered by a two-stroke motor (2T) or a four-stroke motor (4T). The main differences between the two types is that the 2 stroke has one revolution of the crankshaft within one power stroke, while the 4 stroke has two strokes. Another difference between the two is that a 2 stroke doesn’t have a system dedicated to lubricating the crankcase while a 4 stroke does. This is why you need to add oil to the fuel in your 2 stroke dirt bike.

What does all of this mean for you? Well, it means that a 2 stroke can produce torque quicker because the crank only has to revolve one time instead of two before power delivery. Two-stroke engines, because of their lack of complex moving parts and lubrication systems, are easier to work on and rebuild. On the other hand, 2 strokes are known for their distinctive “tinny” noise and smell. As a result of tightening emission standards, 2 strokes have come under harsh scrutiny because they do create more exhaust emissions than their 4 stroke counterparts. 

Another strike against the 2 stroke engine is due to not having a lubrication system integrated. So when an unlubricated engine fails, it happens quick and there is a catastrophic failure to the moving parts within.

Depending on your riding style and how noisy you want to be, a 2 stroke or 4 stroke dirt bike will get you over the terrain you want it to.

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How to Choose Your Adventure Bike Riding Gear

Adventure motorcycle clothing is big business. There are hundreds of brands out there and a complex world of adventure bike riding gear to choose from, making it hard to know what you do and don’t need. If you’re getting suited up for a big trip, have a read of this first…

Choosing the Right Adventure Bike Clothing

Forget the catalogues and glossy mags. Sure, the riders look cool in their adventure bike riding gear with sun glistening of their goggles, branded kit drenched in dirt and their KTM’s front wheel high in the air as the rear tyre spits dirt.

But that’s not long-term motorcycle travel and you don’t need top of the range jackets and trousers to go on a motorcycle adventure – no matter how long you’re going for. It’s seductive marketing and there’s plenty of well marketed garments dubbed “Adventure” motorcycle clothing, which are wildly inappropriate for long-term motorcycle travellers. Of course, a lot of that kit is high-quality and good stuff, there’s no denying that, but that doesn’t mean you need it or that it’s right for you. 

So, what do you really need? This guide will help you decide, offer options and provide top tips and advice for picking the right kit for your trip. 

Adventure Motorcycle Riding Gear Guide

Now we’ll get into the specifics of motorcycle riding gear. This section is broken down into helmets, jacket and trousers, boots, gloves, thermals and extras. We’ll discuss the different offerings in each category and their pros and cons before giving examples.  

For specific gear guides, check out the adventure riding gear guides section below. It holds all of our top kit lists, buying guides and the best riding gear out there. 

READ MORE: Riding Gear Guides

Adventure Motorcycle Helmets

Above all, your helmet needs to be 100% comfortable. If you’re buying a new one just for the trip, then test it for at least one-month before setting off.  Reading helmet reviews is tricky because what fits someone else might not work on your head shape, so it’s worth trying on as many as you can. 

Don’t skimp when it comes to buying a helmet, it’s the most important bit of kit you’ll buy. Your brain is priceless. 

When it comes to looking for lids, you’ll be weighing up road, off-road, adventure bike and flip front helmets. Here’s an explanation of the pros and cons of each, a few examples and our choice. 

Touring: Road Helmets 

Road helmets can be worn for travelling. The negative is that they don’t usually have as much ventilation as adventure bike helmets, the opening for your eyes is smaller, the mouth piece ventilation is almost always tiny in comparison to an adventure bike helmet, the interior padding isn’t made for sweaty rides and they don’t come with peaks. Peaks aren’t a must, but they’re helpful in sunny countries. However, if you’re not thinking of riding off-road much, then these are the way to go because they’re more aerodynamic and don’t have unnecessary extras for off-roading.  

If you’re interested in road focused helmets, check out our selection of the best touring   lids on the market today. 

READ MORE: The Best Motorcycle Touring Helmets

Off road: Enduro Bike Helmets

Perfect for off-road focused travel. Dirt bike helmets are simply motocross helmets and the lightest lids you can get. They have wide front openings, which take goggles, peaks for protection from the sun and stray stones and let in the most amount of air. The benefit off goggles is that they protect your eyes more than visors and allow more airflow through your helmet. Off-road helmets can vary dramatically in price.

Dual purpose: Adventure Bike Helmets

Adventure bike helmets are specifically made as hybrids between dirt bike and street bike lids. They have wider visor openings, more ventilation, often come with removable peaks and can usually take both goggles and visors. 

Check out the below examples of adventure bike helmets. The Arai and Kilm helmets use visors, but the openings are big enough to take goggles. They’re both road lids with more vents, peaks and wider openings. 

READ MORE: The 10 Best Adventure Bike Helmets

Our choice: Flip Front/ Modular Adventure Bike Helmets

We recommend Adventure styled flip front helmets and use the Schuberth E1 helmet . I went for this helmet because I used the flip-up Schuberth C3 Pro for years before our trip and the E1 is the dual-sport ‘adventure’ version. It’s one of the quietest flip-fronts on the market, easy to open and close, high protective ratings and very comfortable.

Because it’s the ‘adventure’ version of the street bike focused C3 Pro helmet, there is more ventilation (especially around the mouth area), it comes with a detachable peak and padding more suited to sweaty rides.

And we also use the Schuberth SRC Bluetooth communications system with our helmets, which is basically a replacement collar with a microphone attached. It’s brilliant for those who ride with a pillion.

The reason we prefer flip-front helmets is because they make life so much easier when travelling. Pulling over for directions, taking a photo, having a chat, a quick sip of water, a bite to eat, stopping at petrol stations etc. It’s just easier and more comfortable for us, but it’s personal preference, so go for what works best for you.

There are normal road bike flip-up and adventure bike flip-up helmets. They both have the same pros and cons as detailed above in the road and adventure lid sections. Below are three example flip-ups from the adventure bike segment. These helmets vary hugely in price and specs. Some of the big spec differences that affect the price are how easy the peak is to remove and reattach, integral sun visor, comms ready and, of course, safety ratings. 

Top tips for buying an adventure bike helmet

• Is the padding easy to remove and washable?
• Does it have decent ventilation, especially at the mouth?
• Does it have a handy flick down/up internal sun visor
• Is it lightweight? 
• Does it have a peak? 
• Is it easy to lift the visor with a gloved thumb?
• Do you prefer a Double D or clip strap?
• Does it come with a fog free and pin lock visor?
• Is the visor easy to take off and clean?
• Have you checked the safety rating?
• Top Tip: Look at all your helmet’s colour options. A different colour could mean saving hundreds of pounds. For example, the Schuberth E1 in Gloss Black is £299 but in Matt Black it’s £461!

Adventure Motorcycle Boots

Consider your footwear carefully. If you’re going hardcore off-road, opt for either adventure boots or proper off-road boots. But remember, they’re uncomfortable for walking and hiking, so you’ll need to pack extra footwear for that. 

READ MORE: The 10 BEST Adventure Motorcycle Boots

Top tips for buying adventure bike boots

Ankle Support: Is there ankle support on both the inside and outside of the boot? Your ankle is one of the hardest bones to fix, make sure it’s protected.

Waterproof: Nobody likes wet feet, but waterproof boots with thick liners and no breathability can get soggy with sweat too. Rain resistant boots and Seal Skinz  waterproof Socks are another alternative. Again, it depends where you’re travelling, but for the majority of circumstances, breathable waterproof boots are a good idea.

Shin Protection: Adventure and off-road boots have tougher shin protection because it’s far more likely they’re going to get a smack when off-roading. The more protection you opt for the less flexible and walkable your boots will be. It’s a compromise.

Comfort: Comfort is a very important factor for different reasons. Some motorcycle travellers care more about all day comfort and walking in the boots than about what it’s like to ride in. If so, you can go for a lighter style boot with less protection. If you’re all about off-roading then this isn’t as important, but they’ll still need a comfortable sole and to not dig in the shins as you’ll be standing on the pegs all day.

Take a look at the below examples. The Richa boots are more road focused, less shin protection and there’s not as much hard wearing material, no buckles for keeping your foot strapped in and a softer sole. These are suited for touring. 

The TCX Pro boots are proper heavy duty off-road and motocross boots, suitable for hardcore off-road riders. They are very uncomfortable to walk in but will keep your feet well protected. 

The Forma Adventure boots are a halfway house between the road and off-road boot and are well-suited to adventure bike riders. 

Richa Zenith

Forma Adventure

TCX Pro 2.1

Adventure Motorcycle Suits

Your adventure riding suit is really important. You’ll be wearing your jacket and trousers all day everyday and it’s got to do its job perfectly. 

Not only has it got to protect your body from crashes, but also from the elements, keep you both warm, cool and dry, hold your valuables, be comfortable whatever the weather and be able to withstand rough treatment from continuous riding and travelling. So, it’s important to choose the right suit for the job. Here’s how to pick the right kit…

If you’re after some inspiration, we’ve listed the best adventure and touring jackets on the market today in two easy guides below. And also take a look at our jacket reviews for gear we’ve worn while riding RTW. 

• The Best Adventure Bike Jackets
• The Best Motorcycle Touring Jackets
• The Best Summer Motorcycle Jackets

Adventure Motorcycle Jackets and Trousers

Motorcycle riding gear and adventure bike clothing comes in three options: w aterproof outer shell, waterproof and thermal inner layer, non-waterproof. Let’s get into each one.

Waterproof outer shell

These garments are waterproof and shouldn’t let water pass through the outer layer. The best of the bunch here is Gore-Tex Pro Laminate, which causes the water to slide off. These garments are best suited for colder weather touring. 

Pro: your jacket and trousers don’t feel sodden and heavy after a ride because they won’t have retained any water. They’re excellent in cold and wet weather.

Con: They almost never have decent or any ventilation, are heavy, very hot and very expensive.

If you are after a laminated waterproof jacket because most of your adventures will be in cold or wet weather, then check out this comprehensive guide:

READ MORE: The Best Waterproof Motorcycle Jackets

Waterproof and thermal inner layer

The ‘technical layers’ (sales speak for waterproof and thermal liners) is what most people go for. The jacket and trousers themselves aren’t waterproof, but they come with a thin waterproof liner that can be buttoned and zipped inside your jacket. Same goes for a thermal layer. Note, not all of these jackets have removable liners, some come with them fixed in.

Pro: If you buy a decent jacket with a decent waterproof liner, it’ll keep you dry

Con: You have to take your jacket off and zip the liner inside if it starts raining. If it buckets it down, then your outer jacket will soak up all of the water and be heavy and soaked by the time you stop. Unless the waterproofing in your pockets is excellent, everything will get wet in there. The liners are always sweaty and horrible to ride in if it’s not raining. 

Non waterproof

These are simply jackets and trousers that don’t have any waterproofing properties. Or, garments which come with inner layers but you just choose to not use them. This is what we do.  If you go down this route, then you’ll need waterproof throwovers. 

Pro: You can wear inexpensive lightweight, breathable jackets and trousers without worrying about the climate. If it rains, use your throwover and your kit won’t be soaked at the end of the ride. If it gets cold, shove a fleece or down jacket on underneath.  

Con: It is a faff having to stop the bike to put on a waterproof outer layer, but it’s less of a faff  than zipping a liner inside your jacket or using a heavy winter suit. It also means that you have a rain jacket for walking about it when off the bike, as you can’t really wear a jacket’s waterproof liner on it’s own. 

Your options

Oxford Montreal 4.0

Rev’it Sand 4 Jacket

Rukka Flexius

Top tips for buying an adventure bike suit

• Ventilation. Your garments need to be well ventilated on the chest and back. If there are vents on the arms and pits then all the better. Check that the vent zips are sturdy and won’t snap as you’ll be using them often.
• Protection. For some reason, manufacturers have started selling jackets without back protectors and using cheap foam inserts instead. Make sure your jacket has a decent back protector. If it comes with a crappy foam thing then chuck that and get a proper insert for it. You will also want elbow and knee protection and for it all to be CE certified. 
• Pockets. All adventure bike suits love a good pocket! You can stuff maps and chocolate and penknives in there, what’s not to love? They do come in very handy when you’re exchanging money and paperwork at borders and riding all day. Check they’re big enough and zipped and have at least one decent waterproof , zipped inside pocket.
• Comfort. The suit needs to be completely comfortable and in no way tight. You’ll be wearing thermals underneath, maybe even a heated jacket. Make sure it’s not tight fitted. 

Adventure Motorcycle Gloves

For instance, go for a winter glove with a plush thermal lining and Gore-Tex membrane for cold weather, it’s less likely to get sodden and will keep you warm. And choose a lightweight, breathable and flexible glove for summer riding with no waterproofing qualities. 

Top tips for buying bike gloves

Protection. Do your gloves have the bare minimum of knuckle protection?

Touch sensitive. Do you use a sat-nav or GPS? If so, go for a glove that has a touch sensitive fingerprint so you don’t need to constantly take your glove off. 

Material. Don’t go for leather summer gloves! Your summer gloves should be mesh and stretchy with decent palm protection as you’ll be wearing them when off-roading and gripping the bars tight. 

Take a look at the below three examples. The Dakar gloves are more like motocross gloves, with zero protection. They’re super light, mesh and let loads of air through. The Alpinestars are the middleweight, short-cuff gloves that are worth taking if you have the space. And the Richa Carbons sit at the opposite end for those cold rides. It’s always worth taking a pair of cold weather gloves and if you’re heading somewhere very cold, consider bar muffs too. 

Weise Dakar

Alpinestars Scheme

Richa Carbon Winter

Motorcycle Thermals and Winter Gear

The adage here is wool and synthetics are your friend while cotton is your enemy. Wool and synthetics help wick moisture away from your skin, dry quicker and don’t cling to body odours. Merino wool is especially good at this and well worth the investment. Cotton does the opposite.

Thermals are an option for motorcycle travellers whether you’re riding in the sun or through cold climates as they work both ways; keeping you cool in the sun (base layer only) and warm in the cold (base and mid-layer).

If you’re going to be riding in seriously cold conditions, then it’s worth checking out our dedicated and comprehensive winter riding gear guide. You’ll find a lot of information on the different types of layering systems, outer shells and the best cold weather gear out there. 

READ MORE: The Ultimate Winter Motorcycle Riding Gear Guide

Cold weather riding with thermals

Consider your layering system when choosing thermals. The general rule of thumb is a skin tight base layer made of merino wool or synthetic. Next up is the mid-layer, this is usually fleeced and warmer. Or you can go for a down lightweight down jacket. Finally, your outer layer is your motorcycle jacket.

It’s always better to use multiple layers to trap warm air instead of one big woolly jumper. However, the problem with layering is that it’s likely you’ll be putting your motorcycle riding gear on in a warm room. By the time you get to your bike you’ll be a sweaty mess. Same goes for getting off the bike and going into petrol stations etc. Layers are a huge faff, restrict movement and can be uncomfortable on long rides.

Cold weather riding with heated jackets

Heated garments are the future! You can get heated jackets, vests, trousers, gloves and even socks. It takes away all the time consuming layering and means you have less to pack and more space in your bags. It also does away with the sweating as you just leave it off until you get on the bike, plug in and you’ll be toasty in no-time!

Check out the best heated gear guide and our tried and tested heated kit reviews below.

READ MORE: The Best Motorcycle Heated Gear

Keis X10 Heated Vest Review

Gerbing Heated Jacket Review

Gerbing XRS-12 Gloves Review

Neck Buff. Don’t leave home without one! Neck buffs are a versatile and handy bit of kit. They keep the wind chill off your neck and chest in the winter and stop your neck from getting sun burn in summer. They’re also handy as sleeping caps on those cold nights in the tent.

Hydration Bladder Pack.   These are particularly useful for adventure riders who love to off-road. Stopping every five minutes to open a bottle of water is a pain and you’ll likely just skip doing it, potentially leading to dehydration.

Ear Plugs. Your call, but you’ll be thanking those little plugs in the future if you wore them.

  Waterproofs. Throwover waterproofs are a great idea if you’re not taking waterproof lined kit with you. There’s a full suit zip up option (attached jacket and trousers) or separate top and bottoms.

Merino Wool Neck Buff

Kriega Hydro 3 Backpack

Auritech Biker Ear Plugs

Richa Warrior Rain Jacket

Round the World Motorcycle Riding Gear

Try tapping adventure motorcycle clothing into Google and you’ll find an endless sea of super-dooper adventure bike riding gear that’s bullet proof, rain proof and nuclear bomb proof… Sounds like you need it, and some people will, but most of it is pretty unnecessary for someone riding round-the-world. Think about where you’re heading and the temperatures you’ll be facing first, that will help put into perspective the kind of kit you need. 

After 15 years of riding in temperatures ranging from -20C to +48C, I’ve found the best option is a lightweight jacket and trousers, a pair of military boots and waterproof throwovers. Before you spit out your Cheerios, here’s why… 

The reason I opt for that set-up is because of the constantly changing temperature and climate we travel through. It can be freezing cold one month and boiling hot the next. So, it doesn’t make sense for us to take Gore-Tex Pro Laminate for example, as we’d swelter in the hot countries and the kit would be unusable. 

If you know you’re only going to be riding through South America and it’s going to be hot the whole way, then opt for light, mesh kit with plenty of ventilation.  If you’re planning a ride to Nordkapp and then onto Russia , then Gore-Tex waterproof gear is a must.

But, if you’re travelling through multiple climates, keep your kit as light and comfortable as possible. Adapt to the weather by layering over the top or underneath of your adventure motorcycle clothing. When it rains, chuck your throwovers on. When it gets cold, layer up or use a heated jacket. When it gets hot, just use the gear you’ve got. 

For more info on riding in specific countries, their climates, terrain and paperwork info etc, check out our detailed country guides. And if you’re planning a RTW trip, check out our Round the World Guides section. You’ll find what round the world gear we use at the bottom of this article. 

• Round the World Travel Guides 
• Country Guides

Our Round the World Adventure Riding Gear

Here’s the adventure bike riding gear we use on our long-term, multiple climate, round the world motorcycle trip. 

Helmet: We use a Schuberth E1 flip front helmet. Modular helmets make life on the road easier. And having an adventure styled flip front is the best of both worlds.

Jacket and trousers: We remove the thermal liners from our jackets and trousers. If they’re not removable, then we don’t use them that kit. The liners are too hot in the sunny countries and they’re pretty rubbish when it gets cold anyway. 

We use our own mid-layer instead, which doubles up as our jacket when walking round towns and cities and at the campsite. We use a SubZero thermal down jacket because it’s light, compresses under the motorcycle jacket, packs up small and is incredibly warm.

Heated motorcycle clothing: Make sure your jacket and trousers aren’t too tight fitting, that way you can squeeze a pair of your own, quality thermals underneath. If you’re going through multiple cold countries, then a better alternative to the bulbous and bulky layering option is to go for a heated jacket. It’s a lot less restrictive and you don’t sweat up every time you get off the bike. We use both the Gerbing and Keis heated jackets and Alissa uses Gerbing heated gloves.   

Boots: We used  Altberg Military boots  for the first few years of our trip. They proved a brilliant compromise, we can hike in them, walk around cities and wear them on the bike. They were excellent in the scorching Gobi Desert and kept our feet warm through our Siberian Hell Ride . Altberg also offer a motorcycle specific variant of this boot called the Hogg. We have since moved to adventure style boots since we changed our bikes for more off-road focused machines as we’ll be doing more off-roading. 

Waterproof throwovers: We use a cheap pair of waterproof throwovers . We prefer a separate jacket and trousers as it’s less faff getting into, you can wear the jacket when off the bike and they’re usually lighter. If your jacket comes with a hood because you bought it from a sports shop like we did, then either use a rubber band to tighten it up or cut it off as it’ll give you a sore neck on motorways.

Gloves: We carry two pairs of gloves each, one thick and waterproof pair for cold days and one lightweight breathable pair for warm days.

If you’re interested in what else we take on our adventures and what to pack for yours, check out our packing list guides:

• The Complete Motorcycle Trip Packing List
• The Complete Camping Gear Checklist
• Our RTW Packing list
• How to Pack for a Motorcycle Adventure

We may receive a commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase a product using the affiliate links on this page. We’re not sponsored, are completely impartial and don’t run ads. So this helps us keep the site running. Thank you for your support.

Read more on motorcycle clothing, gear and kit

Thanks for checking out our How to Choose Your Adventure Motorcycle Riding Gear Guide. We hope you enjoyed it! Here’s a few more articles on adventure bike kit that we recommend you read next. 

• Riding Gear Guides
• Luggage Guides
• Packing Guides
• Gear Reviews

Liked that? Try these next…

The Motorcycle Luggage Guide

The 10 BEST Motorcycle Camping Tents

The Ultimate Motorcycle Trip Packing List

6 Best Soft Panniers for Adventure Bikes

How to Choose an Adventure Motorcycle for Travelling

The Ultimate Adventure Bike Tool Kit

We hope you found this adventure bike riding gear guide helpful. If you have any questions, tips or suggestions let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you!

11 thoughts on “How to Choose Your Adventure Bike Riding Gear”

I’m really enjoying your site. Thanks for all the advice.

Silly question: if you’re heading off now with your heated jackets, do you also take your down jackets or are they now redundant?

Cheers Jason

Hey Jason! Thank you so much! Really appreciate that 🙂 Not a silly question at all! So, we didn’t feel it necessary to carry heated jackets and down jackets at the same time. The heated jackets were used alongside thick thermals in temperatures down to -15C. Once the weather got better, we sent our heated jackets home and replaced them with down jackets. The down jackets are excellent in low temperatures as well, but eventually let the cold in if you’re sitting on the bike for hour-after-hour, so electrically heated was the way to go for riding day-after-day in cold temps. But once the weather got better, then the down jackets were more important because they could also double up as going-out jackets (which heated gear couldn’t because it’s too thin). And we started camping more, which made the down jackets even more important.

So, in short, + if it’s cold enough to wear heated gear, then we don’t really need down jackets as well because it’s unlikely that we’ll be wondering around places for hours on foot and camping.

+ If it’s not cold enough to wear heated gear, but still cold, then down jackets are super important and functional. A good down jacket is 10 times better than a woolly jumper, packs up smaller in your bag and fits under your riding jacket better.

+ If you have the space and are travelling through cold weather (we didn’t because at that time in our trip we were on one bike and had to make hard choices about luggage) then we’d take both – especially if you use a very lightweight, packable down.

Hope this helps!

Hi. I’m thinking about buying a new jacket with a goretex waterproof layer. It can be taken out. I’m interested in what you’re saying about leaving those layers behind at home. Wouldn’t a goretex layer be better than a cheap waterproof throwover? thanks

Hi Daniel, good question. Yes, a Gore-Tex membrane is more likely far more waterproof than a cheap waterproof throw-over. However, what we’re saying is that it’s too much of a faff to be worth the extra quality. If you’re in Southeast Asia and it’s boiling hot you’re not going to have a sticky waterproof liner zipped inside. A tropical rain storm kicks in, you’re not going to want to pull over on the side of the road and take your trousers and jacket off and zip that liner inside them! Plus, even if you did, the suit will take the rain and become sodden and heavy and take time to dry. It’s far easier to just pull over and chuck a throw-over on. Plus, you can use that throw-over when off the bike if hiking for example while you can’t with a removable inner. Hope that makes sense. Good luck with choosing your jacket! Cheers, Andy

Thank you that is very helpful. I think you are right and will choose a throwover. That means I can choose a cheaper adventure jacket too as i dont need a goretex layer. Do you recommend any jackets? thanks

No problem Daniel. Yeah, you can save a load if you don’t opt for Gore-Tex. Sure, this article should help The Best Adventure Motorcycle Jackets . Shout anytime if you have any more questions, Cheers,

An excellent resource. Thank you

Do boots that are both riding and trekking ( ok, to a certain extent ) exist ?

Hi Rob, thanks for your message! Yes, we use Altberg boots. You can check out our Altberg Warrior Military Boots Review here . The ones we use are the Altberg Warriors – these are military boots. But Altberg do the same boot with added protection for motorcyclists called the Hogg. Hope this helps, cheers 🙂

You give good advice, but you skipped right over riding pants. Which is exactly what i am looking for advice on as prepare for my next big trip.

Hi Rubble, Thanks for your comment. All the information in this guide on jackets and suits is the same advise as for trousers. I didn’t specifically write a trouser section as it would just be a repeat of the jackets bit. However, you’re right, that’s not super clear so I will take a look at rewording and reorganising this guide to include that properly.

So, if you were planning on buying a Rev’it Sand 4 jacket for example, our advice is to remove the thermal and waterproof lining for big trips or RTW travels. And the trousers would simply just be the matching pair with the same liners removed also. Or another brand/pair of trousers with those liners removed.

If you’re heading to colder climates and you know the majority of the time you will be in wet/cold conditions then you may want to consider a pair of pro-laminate trousers where water would just run off them (but these seriously lack vents and breathability) or waterproof lined trouser and simply keep the liner in (but these can get hot and sweaty too and the outer trouser will get sodden if riding in multiple rainy days). If you’re riding in wet weather one day, hot the next and cold the day after, then the throwover option is best.

Hope this helps, please feel free to throw any questions our way anytime! Cheers, Andy

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Klx ® 140r.

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Featuring confident handling, KLX ® 140R motorcycles are the ideal entry into off-road riding. The easy-to-ride KLX140R lineup offers a 144cc engine, plush suspension and push button electric start, making for great trailblazers. 

• Push button electric start
• High-revving 144 cc air-cooled, SOHC, four-stroke engine
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• Front and rear disc brakes

KLX®140R L Shown.

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ADDITIONAL VEHICLE FEATURES:

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• 7.1 inches of front and rear suspension travel

KLX ® 140R L

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KLX ® 140R F

MSRP $4,299

• Full-size wheels (21F, 18R) and 12.4-inch ground clearance
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CONFIDENT HANDLING

Lightweight rigid frame.

A lightweight box-section perimeter frame made from high-tensile steel provides exceptional rigidity and strength. The narrow profile contributes to an easier rider grip and smoother movement on the bike. Working together, the highly capable suspension and lightweight chassis deliver handling that exudes confidence.

The KLX®140R L trail bike features larger wheels (19F, 16R), taller seat height (31.5-inch) and higher 10-inch ground clearance, while the KLX®140R F trail bike features full-size wheels (21F, 18R) and 12.4-inch ground clearance.

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Top 10 Best Dirt Bikes of 2023: The Ultimate Guide

Are you ready to dive into the exhilarating world of dirt biking but unsure which bike is perfect for you? Fear not, we’ve got you covered! This comprehensive guide explores the top 10 best dirt bikes of 2023, tailored to suit various riders and needs. From beginners to tall riders, kids to trail enthusiasts, and even eco-conscious electric bike fans – we’ve got something for everyone. So, buckle up and let’s explore the exciting realm of dirt biking together!

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Discover the top 10 best dirt bikes of 2023, from beginner-friendly models to powerful motocross and enduro machines.
• Find out which are the ideal options for kids, trail riding, tall riders and electric performance.
• Get detailed information on each bike’s features such as power output, suspension system and ergonomics.

How We Test These Bikes

At Motocross Advice, we take the process of evaluating dirt bikes for the Best Dirt Bikes of 2023 guide seriously. Our extensive testing regimen spans two diverse locations: Estonia and Spain. In Spain, testing is conducted between January and May, as well as from October to December, allowing us to assess the bikes under a range of weather conditions. The tracks in Spain are characterized by hard-packed terrain with pronounced ruts, providing a unique challenge for each bike.

On the other hand, in Estonia, our tests are conducted during the warm summer months. Here, we encounter predominantly sandy and rugged tracks, offering a distinct contrast to the conditions in Spain. Moreover, in Estonia, we take the bikes into trails and forests, subjecting them to even more varied and demanding environments to ensure a comprehensive evaluation. This rigorous testing process enables us to provide you with accurate and reliable insights into the performance of these dirt bikes.

Motocross Advice Lead Tester

All testings are done by our lead tester Martin Varrand – Founder and Author of Motocross Advice.

1. Best Dirt Bikes for Beginners

Embarking on the adventure of dirt biking can be both thrilling and daunting, especially when it comes to choosing the right bike. The best dirt bikes for beginners strike a balance between power, control, and ease of use. Two outstanding options that meet these criteria are the Honda CRF250F and Yamaha TTR230. Both bikes hail from reputable dirt bike brands, offering reliability and manageable power delivery, making it easier for you to build confidence and hone your skills on the trails.

Now, we will examine the distinguishing features of these two bikes available.

Honda CRF250F

The Honda CRF250F is a beginner-friendly dirt bike that offers:

• Smooth power delivery
• Comfortable ergonomics
• Reliable performance
• Electric starter
• Counterbalanced engine
• Fuel injection system

The KTM 450 SX is a great alternative to the KTM 450 SX F for those just starting their dirt biking journey.

The CRF250F’s trail-ready design accommodates a wide range of rider sizes, ensuring that everyone can enjoy its rideability. With a price tag of $4,999, the CRF250F offers an excellent entry point into the dirt biking world without breaking the bank.

Yamaha TTR230

Another excellent choice for new riders is the Yamaha TTR230. Known for its user-friendly design, electric start, and versatile engine suitable for various terrains, the TTR230 is a top contender for those looking to take their first steps into the world of dirt biking.

Its $4,449 to $4,499 price range makes it an affordable option from one of the top dirt bike brands, allowing beginners to focus on honing their skills without worrying about an excessive initial investment.

Top Dirt Bikes for Kids

Introducing your kids to the thrilling world of dirt biking requires finding the perfect bike that combines safety, manageability, and fun. The KTM 50 SX Mini and Kawasaki KLX110 are both excellent choices for young riders, showcasing the quality and attention to detail expected from their respective dirt bike makers.

Now, we will examine why these two bikes are the preferred choices for young dirt bike enthusiasts.

KTM 50 SX Mini

The KTM 50 SX Mini is a high-quality, performance-oriented dirt bike designed specifically for young riders. Its compact design and adjustable power output make it an ideal choice for kids who are just starting their dirt biking journey.

The 49cc two-stroke engine and high-performance cylinder showcase the reliability of this high quality dirt bike brand, while the adjustable centrifugal multi-disc automatic clutch allows riders to detune and adjust the power output to their preference and track conditions.

With the KTM 50 SX Mini, your little rider is sure to have a blast while learning the ropes of dirt biking.

Kawasaki KLX110

The Kawasaki KLX110 is a reliable and easy-to-ride dirt bike for kids, featuring a low seat height, low center of gravity, and child-friendly features like neutral-only starting to prevent the bike from being started in gear.

Additionally, the KLX110 has the following features that make it one of the best dirt bike brands for kids:

• Adjustable throttle that allows adults to regulate the speed for added safety
• Reliable and durable construction
• Easy to handle and maneuver
• Suitable for beginners
• Provides a smooth and comfortable ride

With the Kawasaki KLX110, your child can safely and confidently explore the world of dirt biking.

Best Trail Riding Dirt Bikes

For those seeking adventure on the trails, the best dirt bikes for trail riding need to offer a balance of power, handling, and suspension that can tackle diverse terrains. The KTM 350 EXC-F and Yamaha WR250R stand out as top choices for trail riding enthusiasts, providing the perfect blend of performance and control to conquer the most challenging off-road conditions.

Now, we will discuss the features that make these bikes perfect for trail riding adventures.

KTM 350 EXC-F

The KTM 350 EXC-F is a versatile and powerful trail bike that boasts a lightweight design, advanced suspension, and excellent handling capabilities. Its 349.7 cc four-stroke, single-cylinder engine delivers a power output of 37 kW, ensuring you have the power to tackle any terrain.

The superior WP suspension system, utilizing the PDS philosophy for link-less rear suspension and the Xplor suspension for the front, provides exceptional performance and can be easily adjusted to accommodate different riding conditions.

The KTM 350 EXC-F’s plush suspension offers a comfortable ride over rough terrain, and its impressive range of over 75 miles from the stock fuel tank makes it suitable for extended trail rides.

Yamaha WR250R

The Yamaha WR250R is a reliable and agile trail bike that offers a smooth power delivery, comfortable ergonomics, and durable construction, making it an excellent choice for tackling various terrains. Its 250cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke DOHC engine provides ample power for both on-road and off-road riding, while its advanced suspension ensures a smooth and comfortable ride.

Whether you’re navigating tight single-track trails or venturing out on open roads, the Yamaha WR250R is a versatile companion for any off-road adventure.

Top Motocross Bikes of 2023

For those looking to conquer the motocross track, the top motocross bikes of 2023 need to deliver high-performance engines, advanced suspension, and lightweight designs that provide a competitive edge. The Husqvarna FC450 and Honda CRF450 are the standout choices in this category, offering the power, handling, and agility required for riders to excel on the track.

Now, we will examine the features that make these mx bikes top-tier motocross machines.

Husqvarna FC450

The Husqvarna FC450 features:

• 53.7 horsepower and 33.2-pound torque output
• WP 48 mm upside-down forks
• High-quality spoke wheels
• Various electronic components

These features showcase its top-of-the-line performance on the track.

Whether you’re a seasoned motocross rider or looking to make your mark on the track, the Husqvarna FC450 delivers the power, handling, and technology to help you dominate the competition.

Honda CRF450

The Honda CRF450 is a top-performing motocross bike that is renowned for its power, handling, and rider-centric features. Its 449cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine, and 5-speed transmission provide the power and responsiveness needed to tackle even the toughest motocross courses.

The CRF450 is a reliable option, provided it is properly maintained. With the Honda CRF450, you’ll be ready to take on the competition and make your mark in the motocross world.

Best Enduro Dirt Bikes

When it comes to enduro riding, the best dirt bikes, also known as enduro bikes, need to offer a balance of power, handling, and durability for challenging off-road conditions. The Beta 300 RR and GasGas EC300 stand out as top choices in this category, providing the perfect blend of performance and ruggedness to tackle the most demanding enduro courses.

Now, we will discuss the features that distinguish these bikes as top-notch enduro machines.

Beta 300 RR

The Beta 300 RR is a high-performance enduro bike that offers:

• A Beta-built single-cylinder, 2-stroke engine with BPV power valve system and counter balancer for smooth and consistent power delivery
• Advanced suspension for tackling tough terrain
• A durable design for long-lasting performance
• Adjustable power modes for fine-tuning performance according to preferences and track conditions

With the Beta 300 RR, you’ll be ready to conquer even the most challenging enduro courses with confidence.

GasGas EC300

The GasGas EC300 is a versatile and agile enduro bike that offers a smooth power delivery, advanced suspension, and a lightweight design for tackling various terrains. Its liquid-cooled, power-valve two-stroke engine delivers impressive power while maintaining a manageable throttle response, making it suitable for riders of varying skill levels.

Whether you’re tackling technical single-track trails or open desert terrain, the GasGas EC300 provides a reliable and enjoyable riding experience for enduro enthusiasts.

Best Dual Sport Dirt Bikes

For riders seeking the perfect balance between on-road and off-road capabilities, the best dual sport dirt bikes need to offer versatile performance and a comfortable ride. The Honda CRF450L and KTM 690 Enduro R are top choices in this category, providing the ideal blend of power, handling, and comfort for both street and dirt riding.

Now, we will examine the features and benefits that make these dirt bikes exceptional in the dual sport category.

Honda CRF450L

The Honda CRF450L is a versatile dual sport bike that offers a powerful engine, comfortable ergonomics, and reliable performance for both on-road and off-road riding. Its street-legal design and 449cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine provide the power and handling needed to tackle any terrain, while its quiet muffler, vibration-damping features, and LED lighting and mirrors ensure it’s ready for street use.

With the Honda CRF450L, you can enjoy the best of both worlds and explore a wide range of riding environments with ease, just like with its sibling, the Honda CRF450R.

KTM 690 Enduro R

The KTM 690 Enduro R features:

• A high-performance dual sport bike
• Powerful 693cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine
• 63 horsepower and 65 Nm of torque
• Advanced suspension
• Lightweight design

These features allow the bike to tackle various terrains with ease, making it suitable for both on-road and off-road riding.

The advanced suspension ensures a smooth and comfortable ride, while the lightweight design allows for agile handling and maneuverability. With the KTM 690 Enduro R, you can conquer any terrain with confidence and style.

Top Electric Dirt Bikes

As the world becomes more eco-conscious, electric dirt bikes offer a greener alternative to traditional gas-powered motorcycles without sacrificing performance or excitement. In the dirt bike world, the KTM Freeride E-XC and Stark Varg stand out as top choices in the electric dirt bike market, combining advanced technology, eco-friendly performance, and thrilling off-road capabilities.

Now, we will discuss how these electric dirt bikes differentiate themselves from their gas-powered counterparts.

KTM Freeride E-XC

The KTM Freeride E-XC is a standout electric dirt bike that offers:

• Innovative electric motor design
• Excellent off-road performance
• 18 kW power output
• High-tech WP suspension system

These features make it a formidable contender in the electric dirt bike category.

With its eco-conscious design and minimal maintenance requirements, the Freeride EX-C provides a thrilling and guilt-free riding experience for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint while still enjoying the adrenaline rush of dirt biking. Its lightweight frame and agile handling make it a joy to ride on the trails, and the torquey electric motor delivers instant power for climbing steep inclines or powering through tough terrain. Truly, the KTM Freeride EX-C is a game-changer in the world of electric dirt bikes .

The Stark Varg is a game-changing electric dirt bike that is set to revolutionize the world of off-road biking. This electric powerhouse offers a staggering 80 horsepower and a monstrous torque of 280 Nm, promising an adrenaline-filled riding experience that rivals even the most powerful gas-powered bikes.

The Varg’s innovative design includes a lightweight carbon fiber frame and a unique single-pivot direct drive to reduce moving parts and increase the bike’s lifespan. The bike’s advanced battery technology offers a range of up to 3 hours, ensuring your off-road adventures aren’t cut short.

Its state-of-the-art software allows for complete customization of motor characteristics, enabling riders to fine-tune their riding experience to their personal preference and riding conditions.

With its ground-breaking technology and performance capabilities, the Stark Varg is not just an electric dirt bike – it’s the future of dirt biking.rque-filled riding experience, while its lightweight and modern design ensure a zippy and nimble ride.

With a Lithium-ion battery providing an impressive range and minimal maintenance requirements, the Zero FX is an ideal choice for eco-conscious riders looking to explore both on and off-road terrains.

Best Dirt Bikes for Tall Riders

Finding the perfect dirt bike for tall riders can be a challenge, as many bikes may feel cramped or uncomfortable. The best dirt bikes for tall riders need to offer a balance of power, comfort, and handling to ensure an enjoyable riding experience.

The KTM 500 EXC-F and Yamaha YZ450FX are top choices in this category, providing spacious ergonomics, powerful engines, and advanced suspension systems to accommodate taller riders. Now, we will discuss why these bikes are ideal for riders with longer limbs.

KTM 500 EXC-F

The KTM 500 EXC-F is a versatile and powerful dirt bike that offers a comfortable riding position, advanced suspension, and excellent handling capabilities for taller riders. Its seat height of 960 mm (37.8 inches) and light weight of 106 kg (233 lbs) ensure a comfortable fit for taller riders, while its high-tech Chromoly steel frame provides optimal stiffness and feedback.

Whether you’re navigating tight single-track trails or open desert terrain, the KTM 500 EXC-F has the power and control to make every ride enjoyable for tall riders.

Yamaha YZ450FX

The Yamaha YZ450FX is a high-performance dirt bike that offers spacious ergonomics, a powerful engine, and advanced suspension to cater to tall riders. Its slimmer and more compact body allows for improved rider movement and control, while its seamless and rounded seat edges and side features enhance comfort for taller riders.

The 450cc liquid-cooled DOHC four-stroke engine delivers approximately 53.0 hp at 9,600 rpm, providing ample power for both on-road and off-road riding. With the Yamaha YZ450FX, tall riders can experience the thrill of dirt biking without sacrificing comfort or performance.

In conclusion, the world of dirt biking offers a wide range of options to suit every rider’s needs and preferences. From beginner-friendly bikes like the Honda CRF250F and Yamaha TTR230 to high-performance motocross machines like the Husqvarna FC450 and Honda CRF450, there’s a perfect dirt bike for everyone. Whether you’re a tall rider looking for comfort in the KTM 500 EXC-F and Yamaha YZ450FX, a young enthusiast starting with the KTM 50 SX Mini or Kawasaki KLX110, or an eco-conscious rider exploring electric options like the KTM Freeride E-XC and Stark Varg, the right dirt bike is out there waiting for you. So gear up, hit the trails, and embrace the thrilling world of dirt biking!

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best dirt bike ever.

When it comes to the greatest dirt bikes of all time, several models stand out for their exceptional performance, innovative design, and enduring popularity. The Kawasaki KX450F from 2009 is a notable mention, offering a powerful performance that set new standards in the motocross world. The Honda CRF450R from 2008 also deserves recognition for its advanced features and reliable performance that has made it a favorite among riders.

Moving on to the mid-2010s, the KTM 350SX-F from 2016 stands out for its balance of power, handling, and agility, while the Yamaha YZ250F from 2014 is renowned for its reliability and high-performance capabilities. Not to be left behind, the Honda CRF450R from 2017 showcased significant improvements in power delivery and handling, making it a top choice for motocross enthusiasts.

The Kawasaki KX450 from 2019 also left a significant mark in the dirt biking world with its advanced features and outstanding performance. However, the real game-changers came in 2023, with the Honda CRF450R and Yamaha YZ450F dominating the scene. These models offer exceptional power, advanced technology, and superior handling, making them the top picks in our list of the greatest dirt bikes of all time.

Who makes best dirt bikes?

KTM, Honda, GasGas, Husqvarna, and Yamaha all produce great dirt bikes that money can buy.

How fast is a 450 dirt bike?

A 450cc dirt bike is a great option for recreational and enduro riding, reaching speeds of up to 120mph. The Yamaha YZ450F is one of the fastest dirt bike models , featuring a fuel-injected, 4-stroke engine and 5-speed gearbox.

What’s the most reliable motocross bike?

The Yamaha YZ250F is renowned for its reliable performance and agility, making it the most reliable motocross bike. It has an all aluminum frame, a five-valve DOHC four-stroke engine, and provides riders with an exhilarating experience.

What are the most important factors to consider when choosing a dirt bike for beginners?

When choosing a dirt bike for beginners, it’s important to consider reliable brands such as Honda and Yamaha that provide manageable power delivery and comfortable ergonomics. The CRF250F and TTR230 are popular choices as they offer a balance of power, control, and ease of use.

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7 Best Dirt Bike Trails in Alaska to Ride Anytime (2023)

Alaska is mostly open country and as a result, has some pretty epic places to explore and ride a dirt bike or explore on a dual-sport.

It’s these areas that give it a fantastic reputation as simply heaven for the adventure motorcycle rider. And despite the epic scenery, there are also some MX clubs around the region for those who prefer closed-circuit motocross and enduro racing.

Whether you live in Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks or Badger, there are spots that you’ve gotta explore. In this guide, Frontaer is going to let you in on some of the best-kept secrets. Let’s begin.

Best Alaska Dirt Bike Tracks

Even if the weather is a bit cold outside, you should get out there and see what others are missing! Simply get yourself a good jacket and start exploring the region on 2 wheels.

Better yet – pack a tent and make a weekend adventure with a group of friends. Lacking friends? There is a highly popular group on Facebook for others to find others who share the same passion.

Most dirt bike riders in Alaska ride in these areas:

1. Eureka Trails

With over 150 miles of dirt bike tracks to explore, Eureka Trails is the favorite destination of those in Alaska. Head for Eureka Lodge for the night for showers and hot food, especially as you’ll want to stay at least one night to see everything. The trail is hard packed yet it can get dusty and a little sandy too, depending on the season.

2. Permanente Trail

Take the Chickaloon Trail System where you’ll find the Kings River, Permanente and Young Creek Trails. They are interconnected and you’ll do best to unload your dirt bikes at the Permanente Trailhead just by the Kings River Bridge on Google Maps . Plenty of parking here and the place is open year-round, though you can’t go camping.

3. Red Rock Canyon Trail

Red Rock is great for the adventure rider and you’ll find it traversing the Rainbow Mountain region. It’s characterized by mountain roads and you’ll find the area starting from Richard Highway. Simply be on the look out for mile marker 214 which then takes you to a staging area where you can unload your dirt bike from the trailer.

4. Quartz Creek Trail

Quartz Creek is out in the White Mountains National Recreation Area and you’ll find the trail behind double-track and designed for 4×4’s but dirt bikes can certainly ride it. After all, this is a former mining trail. The area is rugged (as you would expect for the Alaskian wilderness) and you can ride here for free. Camping is provided at Mt. Pindle Campground.

5. Caribou Hills

Alaskan locals call this place ‘The Hills’ (and it has nothing to do with the movie of a similar title ) though the ambience of the area does feel a little off. After all, this place is littered with old mining settlements. The best spot to unload your dirt bike would be the Clam Gulch Staging Area especially as you can pull straight off the highway into here. For overnight stays, head over to the All Seasons Campground which is just a few miles away with more than 50 sites on offer.

6. Knik Glacier Trail

For 22 miles of sand, mudle and some gravel, take yourself along Knik Glacier Trail. This will take you to seeing a large glacier with your dirt bike. Just imagine…very fewer other dirt biker riders can make such a claim! This spot gets crowded during public holidays and weekends, especially if the sun is shining…so be warned! Also avoid this area during the muddy months of Spring.

7. Bald Mountain Trail

Looking for the rough and tough? Then Bald Mountain is where it’s at. This is within the Anchorage Recreation Management Area and the Talkeetna Mountain Range. With 22 miles of rough dirt roads to conquer, you’ll want to see the top end of your gearbox but might be reluctant with those gnarly rocks in your path. In 1956 a B-29 crashed here and so there is a trail named in its honor with a memorial plaque placed by the wreckage.

Getting Started

It’s time to get out there even if the weather is a little on the cold side. Alakas just offers so much for us riders and it’s little wonder why so many snowbirds come from North American to explore this region. Take your pick at the trails and we’ll see you out there!

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AROUND THE WORLD 2014 (Part 1): Mieming > Moscow > Almaty

Wednesday, August 6, 2014 | Gerhard Schmittlein | The World Tour | 31 Comments

If you are interested to learn more about this once-in-a-lifetime adventure and the riding segment ongoing from Almaty then have a look at:

AROUND THE WORLD 2014 (Part 2): Almaty > Hami

-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -

Balkhash to Almaty

640 km to go today – a long turn and a good reason to start early in the morning. For some hours we ride along lake Balkash before we head into pure steppe land. Now temperatures increase up to 30 degrees celsius. And even if the road is most of the time straight, it never gets boring – so many things to find along: tires, cars, police, fruits, camels, broken MCs …

Finally - after 2000 km through the Kasakh steppe we end up again in a more green environment being caused by the Tien Shan mountains close to Almaty. The city itself welcomes us with typical kasakh traffic and the friendliness of the locals. Here we will have another rest day that gives us the chance to some motorcycle maintanenance, city sightseeing or just relaxing in the great spa of our hotel.

Leaving Balkhash - the shadows are still long

Only the horizon is finishing lake Balkhash

Kazakh steppe ahead ...

... and behind us!

Death Valley - Racetrack Playa - wandering stones? Come to Kazakhstan - they have wandering tires!!!

Also Camels sometimes don´t like to walk!

Typical things on the roadsides - goats

... repairing Tourguides

Another lunchstop - Claus and some locals checking the Edelweiss-WorldTour-Sticker

Leaving the steppe - far in the back the Tian Shan mountain range

Heiri taking a sunny rest at the gas station

Our world becomes more green again - more close to Tian Shan mountains

Karaganda to Balkhash

After having left Karaganda we very soon turn off the road to visit a mass grave related to the gulags to also commemorate the dead. From there we head south again for our todays destination Balkhash, located at the northern shore of lake Balkhash. This biggest lake in Central Asia with 17.000 sq km and a max depth of just 26m remarkably consits of two different watertypes – fresh water in the western part and saltwater in the eastern one.

The ride to Balkash is still characterized by steppe around us, very often with thym flavoured air to breath.

At the mass grave

The Austrian boys - Alois and Josef. They still did not check the big A ...

Typical roads again!

Looks like a village - A typical cemetry along the roads. To get an idea about the size watch the cow on the left ...

Typicall lunch situations - Claudia and Alexander

Sid enjoying Bortsch in the sun ...

The neighbour at the lunchplace and his vehicle!

Typical roadsie

Kazakhstan - if they don´t have mountains they make them themselves ...

Entering Balkhash

Michael exploring Balkhash roads

For sure we had to check the lake Balkhash from the wet side ...

Astana to Karaganda

Leaving Astana. todays route will lead us to Karaganda. Since the end of the 18th century this city exists primarily from copper and especially coal mining. Karaganda is also known for some Gulags, the labor camps during Stalinism, which where located close by to provide slave workers to the mines, mostly so called political enemies or prisoners of war. The short riding distance of 260 km from Astana to Karaganda gives us the chance to visit a Gulag Museum in Dolinka, a small village outside Karaganda.

The evening shows up with an unforseen surprise – an Kasakh Edelweiss fan shows us the way to a very nice restaurant where we have local food of best quality. By the way, the Kasakhs are very proud of the ingredients quality and the way it is grown and produced. And they are right - no matter if it is meat, vegetables, fruits – as far as we experienced it everything tastes intensive and fresh.

On the way to Karaganda - due to road construction a detour also can go through mud ...

On the way to Dolinka - gas supply pipelines along the road

The Group - In front of the Gulag-Museum

The Motorcycles - In front of the Gulag Museum

Great place - great food - great people!

Our Edelweiss-Friend Meiram together with Wolfgang - they found each other on Karaganda´s roads!

Food examples from the evening ...

Burabay to Astana

Let's go to the capital of Kazakhstan – Astana is waiting! Todays 270km will bring us into a fast growing and shining city. After one hour on a brand new highway we again turn into the country side that surprises us with incredible colours and sceneries. Dusty clouds are with us for around 80km before we take the highway to Astana.  After a sweaty ride everybody is happy to find a cold beer and a hose at the hotel …

Everybody enough fuel in the tank?

The roads seem endless

Village scenes in the Kazakh steppe ...

And great riding again!

With 39 degrees celsius!

Claudia and Claus having fun playing with refreshing water - the bike is secondary ...

And there are always some good statements ...

Jacek and his bike!

As well as the tour guide!

Two typical sights in Astana

Petropavlovsk to Burabay

Wow – the first impressions were wonderful and astonishing. Very friendly and open people welcomed us wherever we came along.

After having been a part of the Sovjet Union, Kazakhstan since 1991 is an independent republic and as an open minded visitor you can feel the pride of the Kazakh people. Lots of oil-, gas- and mineral resources enable the 9th largest country on earth to grow fast.

Today we turn into south and will end up in Burabay. This district in the middle of surrounding flat steppe appears in green steep hills and scattered lakes offering a great evening to our group with swimming and having a lazy night in bars and restaurants. Today first time the group leaves the paved roads to explore some gravel and dust roads the BMWs are perfectly made for …

At first stop - where you take the coffee!

Also at first stop - where it goes out again ...

No words - great riding!

Cross traffic in the nowhere!

Josef: Yes sir - look, we are going to Bangkok with our bikes ...

Sir: What do you think - are they crazy???

Ladies among themselves - no matter what nation - while the men are hunting (shopping) for a picnic.

Christoph preparing an unusual Edelweiss picnic ...

Heiri enjoying an unusual Edelweiss picnic!

... great riding again!

Wolfgang ended up in Burabay ...

Kurgan to Petropavlovsk

Our great time in Russia comes to an end and we look forward to what Kasakhstan is up to offer to us with roads, scenery, people and food. Kurgan was a nice last place to stay and to prepare for the next border crossing. And we are curious to what we will find behind …

Heading south the view becomes more and more wide ...

Before the border ...

... and after!!

Also after the border - what a relaxed welcome to Kazakhstan!

Curve(s) again!!!!!!

Always behind the group - our russian tour guide Alexander and the Edelweiss support van!

Entering the suburbs of Petropavlovsk

Strange - sure we are in Kazakhstan? A toilet button in our hotel ...

May we introduce? - That´s "Fuchsi", Michaels tour mascot! Look at those cool mirror glasses ...

May we introduce (again)? - That´s "Alois", a very cool Austrian ...

One more: That´s Christoph - getting in touch with some local girls in Petropavlovsk. Pretty cool, too!

Yekaterinburg to Kurgan

Another rest day gave us chance to maintenance some bikes and to have some laundry done. Beside this the members had time to explore this very modern oriented city being located around 1.800km east of Moskau. Interestingly until 1991 foreigners were not allowed to visit this city, that was called Swerdlovsk at that time. Several cathedrals as well as the town house and the university are worth to be visited. Names such as Rasputin and Yeltsin are closely linked with Yekaterinburg.

This days route leads us to Kurgan south east of Yekaterinburg. On the way we meet friendly people, nice food and lots of sun …

Leaving Yekaterinburg into a sunny ride

More potholes ahead ...

No one that does not like Heiri - this man rocks the ladies

An everyday sight - always nice to see - houses along our roads

A typical welcome to almost any city in Russia!

Heiri takes loving care of his one and only lady ...

... and then rewarded himselves - of course with (an) Edelweiss

One of several nice pics taken on a walk through Kurgan!

"Jailed" in Kurgan!

Ishevsk – Kungur – Yekaterinburg

To shorten 660 km from Izhevsk to Yekaterinburg we did an overnight stay in Kungur. Enjoyable ride, nice coffee stops and a lazy evening in the hotels garden while smoking cigars and having red wine.

Ever heard about the Ural? Its not only a mountain range but also the natural border between Europe and Asia. And today we crossed it – today we entered into Asia! And, as having arrived Yekaterinburg we also have arrived the very most north-eastern point of our tour within Russia. From tomorrow we head more south …

Time to resume where we are: The largest country on earth! Everything here seems endless and sometimes also timeless …         Imagine – since we entered Russia ten days ago we have gone around 2.500km - and there are still about 11.000km to reach its eastern lands end!

By the way - while having a rest day in Ekaterinburg today we started to take some videos of our tour members. Enjoy ...

http://youtu.be/BdGzvl2KTJk

http://youtu.be/KFTSqg2ysL8

http://youtu.be/6H5p6RwON7A

Warm welcome at a kids sport vacation area where we had a coffee stop:

Not every tour member has his own cigar lightener - we envy you, Claus ...

Some impressions from the roads ...

... and what the bikes could look like after - Georg and Jacek with their babies!

At one of numerous obeliscs marking the border from Europe to Asia

Ekaterinburg - modern ...

... and historic in the same time!

From Kazan to Izhevsk

Continuing going East - after having had a beautiful, sunny and relaxing rest day in Kazan today we left Tatarstan again and found our way to Izhevsk. The nature around us is changing now more clearly, the vegetation is dry and more reduced. Izhevsk itself is mostly known for being the city where the Kalaschnikows are being produced. Nevertheless this city also provides beautiful places, buildings and sights that we enjoyed after having arrived.

The more we go east the more nature is changing its look.

"Is she preparing my coffee like I want it?"

Alexander, our russian support guide, recommended to try Chak Chak - a russian sweet pastry specialty. As it looks like swabian Spätzle the others were surprised about its taste ...

May be you have seen a similar pic before - typical trees in Russia.

No chance for the russian ladies at the lunch place - we entered their space behind the bar.

Never too young (or too old) to become an Edelweiss Worldtourer ...

Izhevsk - seen from Hotel

Izhevsk at the lake shore

Nizhny Novgorod to Kazan! Our first rest day and time to visit another Kremlin

We started today along the Volga always heading east in direction Kazan. Today we entered Tatarstan, one of the richest Republics of Russia. You realise your arrival as soon as the roads get better...

First of all we have to welcome our new team Members: 

Great riding along the Volga and Oka river

Josef couldn't wait for the photo stop... it was just too breathtaking to wait for the picture stop

Rainer is looking forward to his traditional Tatarstan horse dish:

From Moscow to Vladimir and to Nizhny Novgorod

Leaving Moscow we start going east again and love to go day bay day closer to Bangkok! Now we are in Nizhny and prepare to go further east. The lanndscape changes. What stays is the the curiousity and friendliness of the russian people whereever we come along with our bikes.

The incredible view from Nizhny's Kremlin to the Volga! Enjoy the rest of the fotos!

Nizhny Novgorods Kremlin wall from inside

Volga: 3.700km and the longest river of Europe! Fantastic feeling to stand there!

newest model of a warning triangle - seen at an accidants place in Nizhny Novgorod

Claudia in an old Soviet Bus at the petrol station though about changing from bike to bus

Prof. Alois referring about the backgrounding Basilica in Vladimir (kidding)

Visiting a monastary east of Aleksandrov

New friends in Vladimir

The rest of the team that joined us in Moscow:

Michael (GER)

Gabi & Rainer

Wolfgang (GER)

Martin (GER)

The Team from Moscow

ARRIVING AT MOSCOW

Moscow - here we are!

Two days to explore this most impressive and astonishing city everyone found his own way to beautiful places, situations and also interesting chats with locals. And in between some of us had to change tires and to maintenance their bikes - what an exceptional experience of an MC-workshop in Moscows underground.

Tomorrow we head for sighting some spots of Moscows Golden Ring with destination Vladimir.

More from there ...

Sid´s having a rest in Moscows center ...

Michael inspecting the mechanic´s work!

Did it already snow???

AROUND THE WORLD IS TAKING OFF AGAIN

The tour is rolling!!!! After two years of preparation a group of 9 started on Sunday morning 9am in Mieming, center of Universe, Austria!

The 9 of us are the transfer group to Moscow, where we meet the rest of the fearless riders that will accompany us on the way to Bangkok.

Our trip started from Mieming to the beautiful town of Gmunden in Austria! Next stops: Brno, Krakow, Bialystok, Vilnius, Rezekne, Veliky Luky and finally Moscow, where we will meet the rest and start with the Moscow-Bangkok leg of the Edelweiss tour around the globe!

Enjoy our small selection of pictures. We hope that we can transfer to you guys at least a little bit of that, what we feel right here, right now on our way to Moscow and finally Bangkok!

The Austrians: Alois & Josef

Chuck (USA)

Claudia & Claus (GER)

The guides: Gerhard & Christoph (GER)

The Garage & Preparation:

The Journey so far:  From Mieming to Bialystok.

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Best Dirt Bikes of 2024 Are the Most Fun You Can Have on Two Wheels

G ood times are guaranteed with any two-wheeled vehicle, be it the best  motorcycles  or UTVs , but no machine is quite as thrilling as the best dirt bikes. You’ll find no posted speed limits or police to enforce them. Wheelies are not only expected but encouraged, and the same rules apply to sliding around corners and turning every random boulder into an impromptu ramp.

Dirt bikes are truly the final frontier of two-wheeled freedom, but getting on the right bike makes all the difference. A newer rider will struggle to enjoy the high-strung engines and sky-high suspension of a dedicated motocross bike, while more experienced race junkies will have little use for recreational two-wheelers.

Below we’ll break down the best dirt bikes of the year in each of the major categories, whether you’re looking for a fire-breathing race bike or an affordable toy to enjoy with family. Our best overall pick is  KTM 300XC-W . It combines a new engine, new chassis, and new parts with better throttle response and suspension compared to last's years ripper.

Related: 2024 Polaris Xpedition UTV Brings Luxury to Off-Roading

Best Overall Dirt Bike: KTM 300XC-W

In the world of serious enduro riding, two-stroke engines remain supreme. If you’ve got any doubt about that, look no further than this year’s FIM Hard Enduro World Championship , which saw two-stroke machinery claim the contest’s top-five finishes. The bike you see here took top honors overall under KTM pro rider Manuel Lettenbichler, making it the clear choice for discerning enduro junkies everywhere.

KTM 300XC-W Dirt Bike  is an entirely new bike for 2024, benefitting from a completely new engine, chassis, and approximately 95 percent new parts overall. The single most significant update is a much crisper throttle response from KTM’s new and improved TBI (throttle body injection) system, which was notably missing from the 2023 models much to the disappointment of KTM’s ravenous fanbase.

The other major improvement found on the 2024 model is the switch to a closed-cartridge oil-and-spring fork, which KTM says solves the previous model’s inconsistent front-end feel. Out back the shock has been improved as well, but the 300 retains its enduro-focused linkage-free setup for simplicity and maximum ground clearance.

• Engine: 293cc liquid-cooled two-stroke
• Weight: 230 pounds (without fuel)
• Seat Height: 37.9 inches
• Suspension Travel: 11.8 inches

Best Trail Dirt Bike: Yamaha WR250F

Trail bikes can be a tough category to nail down. Some folks want a hardcore closed-course woods racer, while others want a general-use two-wheeler for performance-minded recreation. With that in mind, we’d recommend Yamaha WR250F as the best all-around option, as it wears both hats better than anything without sacrificing all-around capability.

Our favorite part about WR250F is both its engine and chassis are highly adjustable. The motor benefits from two separate fuel maps that can be swapped on the go from the handlebar controls, but owners can also easily custom-tune the output using Yamaha’s wireless Power Tuner app just like its flagship motocrossers. As for the suspension, Yamaha WR250F Dirt Bike comes equipped with high-quality KYB units, front and rear, which can be softened for casual trail use or cranked extra firm for woods racing or even track duty.

We also appreciate that Yamaha is considerably easier to own than your typical high-performance off-road bike, and most of the owners we know happily report going well over 80 hours in between top ends. Considering many manufacturers recommend a piston change as often as every 15 hours, Yamaha WR250F achieves a rare pairing of outstanding performance and above-average affordability.

• Engine: 250cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke
• Weight: 254 pounds (wet)
• Seat Height: 37.6 inches
• Suspension Travel: 12.2 inches

Best Budget Dirt Bike: Honda CRF250F

While high-performance, highly tuned dirt bikes have their place, power always comes at a premium both in terms of monetary cost and added upkeep. If you’re just looking for a traditional dirt bike to enjoy recreationally, Honda CRF250F delivers full-sized fun at half the cost, and also happens to be much more forgiving and user-friendly for your average rider.

Because CRF isn’t beholden to the high standards of competition, Honda is free to design it around the things most riders can actually use and enjoy. The air-cooled engine is a great example, combining low-down torque and bulletproof reliability with the added convenience of fuel injection and an electric starter.

For your money you’re also getting front and rear disk brakes, a proper 18- and 21-inch set of wheels, and well-tuned Showa suspension that’s better suited to recreation than the rock-solid setups found on race bikes. We also appreciate that Honda equips CRF250F with a more approachable 34.8-inch seat height, so while the bike is clearly a full-sized motorcycle for adults, it’s still about 3 inches shorter than your typical sky-high motocrosser.

• Engine: 250cc air-cooled four-stroke
• Weight: 265 pounds (wet)
• Seat Height: 34.8 inches
• Suspension Travel: 8.5 inches
• MSRP: $4,999

Best Dual-Sport Dirt Bike: Suzuki DR650

Reliable, versatile, simple, and capable: These are the hallmarks of a good dual-sport motorcycle, and Suzuki’s DR650  provides them in spades. Yes, there are much lighter, more powerful, and more technologically advanced options out there like Husqvarna 701, KTM 500 EXC-F, and Honda CRF450RL, but they all add unnecessary cost and complexity to a pure form of riding.

DR650 is simply bulletproof, easy to maintain, and endlessly adaptable. It’s got a few shortcomings, most notably its squishy suspension and uncomfortable seat, but with a few inexpensive upgrades from the folks at Procycle , this bike is easily transformed into a turn-key dual sport that’s ready to ride any distance over any terrain. It’s a travel bike, a trail bike, a commuter, and a damn good time on a twisty road—and one that will deliver problem-free service for many years of use and abuse.

• Engine: 644cc air-cooled four-stroke
• Weight: 366 pounds (wet)
• Suspension Travel: 10.2 inches

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Best Lightweight Dual-Sport Dirt Bike: Kawasaki KLX 300

While Suzuki’s big 650 has thoroughly proven its worth over the last three decades, more dirt-focused riders will likely prefer a lighter, more agile machine, especially if they’re interested in the more technical side of dual sport and adventure riding. Kawasaki’s new and improved KLX 300 is our favorite tool for the job because it retains the simplicity and easygoing character we love in a dual sport, but brings 30 years of technological advancements along for the ride as well.

We’ve been riding the KLX for the last few weeks, and overall we’re impressed with it as a versatile all-rounder. Its adjustable suspension works great straight off the showroom floor, and packs enough travel and damping for more aggressive riding and even the odd jump or two. We’re also big fans of its 292cc engine, which delivers solid low-down grunt for technical off-road work while still maintaining some excitement at the top end thanks to the wonders of liquid cooling.

Most importantly, KLX weighs in a full 60 pounds less than the old-school DR, which gives it a more sprightly feel on trails and twisty backroads alike. Despite its modern refinement and improved suspension, Kawasaki still manages to undercut DR by a few hundred dollars on price, leaving you with enough cash left over for mandatory upgrades like aftermarket bars and foot pegs.

• Engine: 292cc liquid-cooled four-stroke
• Weight: 302 pounds
• Seat Height: 35.2 inches
• Suspension Travel: 9.1 inches

Best Play Dirt Bike: Yamaha TW200

Tall, aggressive dirt bikes aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. Sometimes you just want a laid-back machine. Enter  Yamaha’s TW200 . Fat tires, drum brakes, and an engine that feels like it was pulled straight out of your riding mower, TW200 may lack performance on paper, but it more than makes up for it with oodles of charm and a go-anywhere attitude.

It may not get you anywhere fast, but TW’s torquey little motor is all but impossible to stall and its massive balloon tires simply plow over slick mud, steep hills, and deep sand alike. Yamaha has been building this bike essentially unchanged since it was first introduced in the 1980s, and over the decades the little TW has proven to be both as reliable as an anvil and as useful as a good pocket knife.

It also happens to be dirt cheap to buy, easy to maintain, and it’s even street-legal, so you can quite literally ride it anywhere and everywhere your heart desires year-round. Take it moto camping on the weekends. Take it to the gas station for beer runs. Take it to all your buddy's houses and teach them how to ride. The beloved TW200 deserves a space in every garage.

• Engine: 196cc air-cooled four-stroke
• Weight: 278 pounds (wet)
• Seat Height: 31.1 inches
• Suspension Travel: 5.9 inches

More Dirt Bikes We Love

A fuel-injected, 300cc, two-stroke motocrosser. Need we say more? Two strokes may have fallen out of favor in professional motocross racing, but if you aren’t looking to go pro, KTM 300 SX is arguably the most grin-inducing machine you can bring to the track.

On its face, 300 SX is essentially a bored-out 250 SX, which translates to both bigger and smoother power delivery across the rev range. The SX’s premium WP suspension competes with the best in the business and features the same completely tool-free adjustment as its four-stroke stablemates.

Of course it’s the aforementioned fuel injection system that really sets KTM apart from its competition. Gone are the days of tearing down carburetors and fiddling with jetting to find the sweet spot for power delivery. SX’s EFI, combined with an electronically controlled power valve, means 300SX automatically adapts to elevation to get the most out of your pre-mix wherever you choose to burn it.

• Weight: 219 pounds (without fuel)
• Seat Height: 37.7 inches

Yamaha’s flagship motocrosser got a ground-up overhaul in 2023. And while graphics are the only thing that’s changed for 2024 (the Bradshaw-era pink, purple, and white are particularly sweet though), it still manages to edge out its rivals in one of the most competitive segments in the dirt. There may be slightly lighter or slighter more powerful options out there (and we do mean slightly), but as an all-around ready-to-race package, the Yamaha YZ450F  is still the bike to beat.

The 450 stands out for its telepathic throttle response, incredibly plush KYB suspension, razor-sharp cornering, and rock-solid chassis. It also happens to be one of the most affordable options in the segment somehow, out-priced only by Honda’s CRF450R and a full $1,000 cheaper than its European stablemates.

As for the YZ’s tech package, everything is as modern as it gets including adjustable traction control, launch control for nailing that hole shot, and access to Yamaha’s outstanding Power Tuner App, which allows owners to wirelessly tune their engine mapping from their phone. The big 450 isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you’re looking for an absolute weapon to rail around the track, you just can’t go wrong with Yamaha YZ450F.

• Engine: 450cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke
• Weight: 240 pounds (wet)
• Seat Height: 38 inches

While the big 450s may get all the headlines, the arms race in performance between 250cc racers is just as cutthroat as their open-class siblings. This year’s 250 of choice goes to the folks at KTM for their outstanding 250 SX-F , which leads the pack in terms of tech, components, and all-around refinement.

The biggest update to this machine for 2024 is the major refinements to its suspension, as both the 48mm WP Xact air fork and shock have been revised for improved comfort, consistency, and performance. Both units also feature KTM’s outstanding tool-free adjusters, allowing riders to tweak settings on the fly with front and rear hand-operated clickers.

As is often the case with KTM machinery, one of the single greatest advantages of the SX-F is the quality of its componentry. For 2024, that package includes an outstanding Brembo brake package, a Brembo hydraulic clutch, and an electronic quick shifter, as well as a class-leading electronics package that includes traction control, selectable engine mapping, and launch control.

• Engine: 249cc liquid-cooled four-stroke
• Weight: 226 pounds (without fuel)
• Seat Height: 37.8 inches

We got to throw a leg over  Stark Varg at this year’s TKO Hard Enduro race, and to say it’s unlike anything else on the planet would be an understatement. Yes, it’s fully electric, and, yes, the top version makes an absolutely face-melting 80 horsepower, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg.

That’s because, while Varg is currently the fastest dirt bike on the planet, it can also be the most user-friendly thanks to its integrated adjustability. The power output (and how it’s delivered) can be dropped as low as just 10 horsepower using Varg’s full-color touchscreen dash (which is also a removable Android smartphone), as can its selectable traction control settings and regenerative braking. You can even choose between different “flywheel” settings to make Varg emulate the feel of a four- or two-stroke engine: The possibilities are nearly endless.

Another feature we’re extremely impressed by is the personalization offered by Stark on every Varg ordered from the factory. Each bike gets either a 60- or 80-hp motor, delivered with suspension that’s been custom-sprung for the owner’s weight, and buyers also get to choose between an 18- or 19-inch rear wheel, as well as whether they want to have a hand brake or a traditional foot brake like a gas-powered machine. 

• Engine: 360 volt water-cooled carbon-sleeve electric
• Weight: 242 pounds (wet)
• Seat Height: 37.3 inches

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What to Consider Before Buying a Dirt Bike

When picking the right dirt bike for you, consider the following factors:

Intended Use

Determine how you plan to use the dirt bike. Are you primarily interested in motocross racing, trail riding, or a mix of both on- and off-road riding?

Experience Level

Consider your riding experience and skill level. Motocross bikes are more suitable for experienced riders, while trail and dual-sport bikes are suitable for beginners and intermediate riders.

Size and Weight

Ensure the dirt bike's size and weight are suitable for your body type and riding preferences. Motocross bikes tend to be lighter and more compact, while trail and dual sport bikes offer a more relaxed riding position and larger frame.

Maintenance

Consider the maintenance requirements of the dirt bike, including regular servicing, parts availability, and ease of repairs. Dual sport bikes may require less maintenance compared to high-performance motocross bikes.

Set a budget for purchasing the dirt bike, including initial costs, insurance, gear, and maintenance expenses. Compare prices and features to find the best value for your money.

What Type of Dirt Bike Is Best for You?

Off-road motorcycles come in various types, each designed for specific purposes and riding conditions. Here's an overview of the three major styles to inform your decision.

• Designed for racing on closed dirt circuits with big and small jumps, jarring whoops, and tight corners
• Boast lightweight frames, high-performance engines, and beefed-up suspensions for advanced, aggressive riding
• Feature pared-down bodywork, knobby tires, and jacked-up ground clearance to soak up bumps, jumps, and rough terrain
• Prioritize agility, speed, and maneuverability for competitive MX racing 

Enduro/Trail

• Made to ride on a variety of off-road trails, from smooth dirt paths to challenging mountain trails
• Feature a balance between performance and comfort, with more relaxed ergonomics  
• Have softer suspension settings, electric starters, and smoother power delivery for extended rides over varied terrain
• Sometimes come equipped, or can be upgraded, with headlights and taillights to make them adept at night riding or become street legal in some areas
• Designed for both on- and off-road riding
• Street-legal and can handle a wide range of terrain, from paved roads to dirt trails
• Have features from street and dirt bikes, including moderate suspension travel, lighter-weight construction, and a balanced power delivery
• Equipped with essentials for legal road use like headlights, taillights, turn signals, mirrors, and speedometers

The right dirt bike for you depends on your individual preferences, riding style, and intended use. Take the time to research and test ride different models to find the perfect fit for your needs.

Why You Should Trust Me

When I’m not writing about motorcycles, I’m either riding them or wrenching on them, and have been for two decades now. When it comes to dirt bikes, I found my love for riding off-road in the deserts of Southern California, but nowadays I ride enduro and dual-sport bikes back home in the mountains around North Georgia. I’ve gone without a car a few times in my life, but I’ve always had at least one bike in the garage. There aren’t many lifelong addictions I can recommend in good conscience, but life as a two-wheeled speed junkie certainly has its perks. As a wise man once said, being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube.

• 2024 450 mx shootout
• 2024 dirt rider 250f motocross bike comparison test
• buyers guide
• parts and accessories

2024 110cc Dirt Bikes To Buy

Four models, one with a manual clutch and the other three automatic.

2018 Primetime Emmy & James Beard Award Winner

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