A mystical combination of dual sport and cruiser, with a bit of bagger sprinkled in for good measure, the adventure bike is the Swiss army’s ultimate knife to motorcycling. In addition to being able to take on long rides comfortably, a good ADV bike has enough dirt road handling to get through gravel roads and fire lanes, without sacrificing style. street for commuting in the average city.
But if you value driving experience, there’s nothing appealing (or appropriate) about a bulky 600-pound machine with a 35-inch seat height. To quote the internet, you’re going to have a bad time. Making adventure bikes more accessible means reducing saddle height, ccs, and some serious weight, and thankfully we’re seeing more and more options in this category more and more . If you are someone who is quite interested in the saddle and is interested in the ADV lifestyle, these 5 bikes from 300 cc to 400 cc are well worth considering.
Royal Enfield Himalayan Air-cooled and affordable, Royal Enfield’s Himalayan goes 100% against conventional ADV wisdom, but hey, that could be a good thing. Claiming its place in the market with mechanical simplicity and a rugged, military-style charm, the Himalayan is one of the most affordable ways to get out of the rut.
Equipped with a large 4-gallon fuel tank, engine skid plates and front and rear racks, the Himalayan is sure to be a part. The tall front windshield is a mix of analog and digital gauges, including Royal’s Tripper navigation system, based on Google Maps. A wide seat can accommodate you and one passenger, and sturdy racks allow you to clip extra fuel tanks, stowage bags, and pretty much anything else you could possibly need.
Being a pretty basic machine in terms of mechanics, the Himalayan is based on the same steel tube chassis and 411 cc engine as the scramble 411. Power output from the fuel-injected, air-cooled single engine is a modest 24 hp through a 5-speed gearbox. The Himalayan also shares most of the suspension with the Scram, albeit with a slight increase in travel at 7.9 inches from the non-adjustable 41mm telescopic fork and preload adjustable monoshock at the rear. 7 inch stroke level.
Low seat height of 31.5 inches and simple, air-cooled mechanics make Royal Enfield Himalayan a fairly accessible machine, and dual-channel ABS allows the user to turn off the rear ABS for fun in the dirt. While the bike is a bit heavier than it should be at 439 pounds, it’s certainly light on the wallet at $5,449. [Royal Enfield]
Honda CRF300L Rally Introduced back in 2020, Honda’s CRF300L builds on all the strengths of the 250L and strives to deliver the power boost we’ve come to expect. While it doesn’t have 27 hp, the base 300L is a great starter machine, as easy to drive and reliable as they appear. Boasting a larger fuel tank, windshield and Dakar-inspired plastic, the CRF300L Rally offers a number of functional improvements for those long days in the saddle.
In essence, the standard 300L is a pretty nice bike, and even more so with the Rally. You can blend in with almost any ADV crowd, and your average passer-by won’t guess that your machine retails for a fraction of the price of others. Beneath its flimsy skin, the Rally is almost entirely based on the mechanics of the regular 300L.
The Rally specs are unchanged for 2023, offering the same steel semi-twin rack chassis, 286 cc single DOHC and 21F/18R wheel combinations. The 300L’s non-adjustable upside-down fork and preload-adjustable Pro-Link rear wheel deliver a surprising 10.2 inches of travel, but are known for being a bit soft. Even so, the 300L Rally is clearly one of the best off-road bikes.
For longer trail days, Honda has increased fuel capacity from 2.1 to 3.4 gallons on the Rally and installed a larger 296 mm front brake disc. A frame-mounted windshield, more enclosed bodywork, and standard handguards provide more protection and enhance the 300L’s ADV reputation.
In the Rally version, the 300L saddle is a bit taller at 35 inches and a bit heavier at 331 pounds, which makes the car a bit tall for shorter riders, but certainly not heavy. For $6,149, Honda CRF300L Rally sells for $750 more than the standard 300L. [Honda]
Kawasaki Versys-X 300 Not out of the micro-adventure segment, Kawasaki’s Versys-X 300 borrows its soul from the successful Ninja 300 sports bike. Sporty and affordable for the segment, the Versys-X 300 entices enthusiasts. racer joins the green team with commendable performance, edgy looks and low, comfortable seats for long-distance rides on the cheap.
In its price bracket, the Kawasaki’s 300 primarily competes with the 296 cc single-cylinder and tandem engines giving it a solid edge at 40 hp. Taken from the Ninja 300, it’s no surprise that peak horsepower is achieved north of 11,000 rpm, which leaves the Versys suspenseful in the bends.
For adventure duty, the Versys-X fits a frame-mounted windshield and bibs, a large 4.5-gallon fuel tank, and a rear mount for tethering travel accessories. The seat is wide and comfortable for two, and is only 32.”
Although it excels on the road, the Versys-X leaves a little difficulty to use on the off-road. Its telescopic front fork accommodates 5.1 inches of travel and a preload-adjustable monoshock at the rear delivers 5.8 inches of travel. The original rubber is more suited to runways than gravel, and the 19F/17R wheel combination doesn’t tend to get over larger obstacles.
Offers fun acceleration and is comfortable enough for longer excursions, Kawasaki Versys-X 300 is an enticing purchase for just $5,899 (an extra $200 for ABS). [Kawasaki]
BMW G 310 GS BMW went all out in the 300 cc segment in 2017 with the launch of the G 310 R and G 310 GS models. Designed by BMW and manufactured by TVS in India, both cars are very affordable for the brand, but have completely different characteristics. While the 310 R keeps things tight on the road, the 310 GS relaxes and is ready for impromptu breakouts on any kind of terrain.
The G 310 GS is based on the same steel tubular frame and 34 hp, 313 cc single DOHC as the 310 R, along with a six-speed transmission and anti-slip clutch. Both cars have the same fuel tank, seat and upright sitting position. But from here, the bikes started to diverge.
For starters, the GS gets less aggressive rake for more stability on cruise and also shifts to 19-inch front wheels. BMW also added 1.5 inches of travel to the 41 mm upside-down forks and an additional 2 inches to the rear shock, which can be adjusted for preload. From there, the GS fits into the necessary frame-mounted ADV bodywork, rear luggage rack and another slide. In the full set, the 310 GS weighs 386 pounds at the curb.
Due to its close relationship with the 310 R and the street rubber, the 310 GS shows on the ADV spectrum a bit lighter than some of its competitors. Its character is truly that of an urban commuter and explorer, able to go from city streets to cobbled streets throughout the day. If it’s your jam, you’ll find BMW G 310 GS is an attractive prospect for only $5,890. [BMW Motorrad]
KTM 390 Adventure The orange team is known for its off-road ability, so when KTM announced a light ADV bike based on the 390 Duke, we knew it was sure to shake things up in the 300 cc segment. In true Austrian style, the 390 Adventure boasts segment-leading power, killer looks and (finally) spokes.
The 390 Duke’s deceiving steel trellis frame and 373 cc DOHC single (made by Bajaj Auto in India) are the foundation of the 390 Adventure. Rated at 43 hp, the KTM’s 373 continues to be the dominant force in the 300 cc segment, and a six-speed transmission with a slipper clutch helps you get the most out of that power.
As usual, WP Apex suspension is used front and rear, with a preload and rebound adjustable monoshock at the rear, and a non-adjustable upside-down front fork with a steering angle of 63, 5 degrees more comfortable. Travel is a bit lighter than we expected at 6.7” at the front and 6.9” at the rear, but travel isn’t everything and WP products have proven to be. efficiency.
Prepared for the trails, the 390 Adventure features a minimalist front bumper with LED lights and a windshield, a 3.8-gallon fuel tank, and an engine skid plate. Bosch Cornering ABS is standard equipment and an engaged off-road mode turns off the rear ABS and reduces it at the front. For 2023, the 390 Adventure upgrades to spokes, 19F/17R wheels and Continental TKC 70 tires that provide a great balance between dirt and runway.
More aggressive and more expensive at $7,399, KTM 390 Adventure drive the entry-level ADV market as we expect KTM to do. If you can accept the MSRP, this bike is still super accessible, weighs 371 pounds with a seat height of 33.6 inches and is sure to deliver enjoyable performance for years. [Rudi Schedl & KISKA GmbH, KTM]
