10 motorcycles for you to commute, tour and explore

Versatile motorcycles seem to be taking over the industry. Rarely does a week seem to go by without a manufacturer announcing, teasing or launching a new motorcycle that can seemingly do it all. While not all of us are necessarily looking for that “unicorn” ADV, a versatile bike makes a lot of sense for those of us who can only afford one motorcycle.

Suffice to say, all of these bikes are compromised in some respects. The more suitable a bike is for off-road use, the less comfortable it will be as a touring bike. So which bike you choose depends on what kind of riding you want to do most of the time. We didn’t consider anything that weighs more than 500 pounds because those bikes can get a little tricky to use as a commuter. Purely for variety, we have also limited it to one bicycle per brand.

To give you the most current and accurate information, the data used to compile this article is from authoritative sources such as Yamaha Motorsports, Kawasaki and Honda. The motorcycles on this list are rated according to MSRP.

Husqvarna 701 Enduro

MSRP: $13,399

Husqvarna has a storied off-road history, but unfortunately the modern company is just a shell of what it once was. Today the 701 Enduro, like the rest of the lineup, is simply a restored KTM 690 Enduro R. It arguably looks better than the KTM, and the latest update to the venerable LC4 engine has made it even more powerful. This is the ultimate do-it-all motorcycle for those who want the most capable off-roader this weekend.

Specifications

Aprilia Tuareg 660

MSRP: $12,499

For those who prefer a little more touring comfort, the Tuareg is the better choice. On paper, this is the lightest ADV on the market today, and it still offers more features than the next lightest adventure bikes it competes with. As with the Husky, you get what you pay for here, but as with any Italian bike you will almost certainly encounter the odd quirk here and there.

Specifications

Suzuki V-Strom 800

MSRP: $10,149

The latest V-Strom has been on the market for a few years now, but it’s fair to say that this wasn’t the kind of success story Suzuki was betting on. The unfortunate reality of joining the ADV party late was that there were already superior bikes on the market, and they didn’t have much to offer to stand out from the herd. The base model is well priced and worth considering for those who want to do more touring.

Specifications

Yamaha Tenere 700

MSRP: $10,999

The Tenere 700 can be credited with really boosting this part of the market, as it forced answers from all the competition as soon as it took off. It’s been updated a few times since it first came out and has gained some weight as a result, but it’s arguably better than ever thanks to an upgraded suspension and more electronics. A large TFT has also been added, which is great if you’re into that sort of thing, but a bit sad if you prefer the old, more simplified approach.

Specifications

Honda Transalp

MSRP: $9,999

The Transalp was initially expected to be a more direct Tenere 700 competitor, but the end product is actually very different. At its core this is a more comfort-oriented adventure tourer, but with a burgeoning aftermarket and a wide choice of in-house accessories sold by Honda, the Transalp can be pretty much anything you want it to be. By keeping the price relatively low, Honda can give us something of a blank canvas.

Specifications

Beta Alp 4.0

MSRP: $6,790

Unfortunately, a $300 price increase is quite substantial at this end of the market. This little dual-sport makes for an interesting travel-oriented alternative to something like the Honda CRF300L Rally. It weighs less and has more power than the Honda, but the Chinese engine remains an unknown quantity.

Specifications

Kawasaki KLE500ABS

MSRP: $6,599

While other manufacturers have been busy launching one ADV after another, Kawasaki isn’t willing to rush anything into production. Nearly a full year after it was first hinted at, the KLE500 is here, and it certainly shows promise. Although the ground clearance does not seem high, no one expected an all-conquering off-road bike, but rather a more modern version of the old Versys-X 300. The only thing that has not yet been released is the weight. We’re not sure why, but that’s a pretty important figure for what a lightweight ADV should be.

Specifications

CFMoto Capricorn 450

MSRP: $6,499

For $100 less than the Kawasaki you can get what CFMoto calls “the unicorn they didn’t see coming.” Of course, that is mainly marketing hype, but there is also a grain of truth in it. This highly capable lightweight ADV has certainly already proven most of its doubters wrong, but it’s still a Chinese product and if you’re worried about that, there are still some great, similarly priced alternatives.

Specifications

KTM 390 Enduro R

MSRP: $6,049

One of the arguably better entry-level options is the 390 Enduro R. KTM runs on the well-known Bajaj-built 390 platform and launched these bikes earlier this year at hugely attractive prices. Unfortunately, this has only led to a softening of the rather severe tariff-related price increases that have come into effect since then. While these bikes all still offer great value for money, it equates to a 10% price increase at this end of the market.

Specifications

Royal Enfield Himalayan 450

MSRP: $5,999

Even though the latest Himalayan is also made in India, the price increase is only $200 and not that dramatic. Compared to the CFMoto, this hasn’t received nearly as much attention. With a heavier chassis, a less powerful engine and a design that doesn’t resonate with enthusiasts as much as the old retro Himalayan, it’s easy to see why. Behind all the specs and the less attractive design lies a very good bike that will perform as well as any direct competitors in the real world.

Specifications