Over the past few years, the travel segment of the motorcycling world has seen explosive growth. Between the pandemic and a general desire to go exploring, getting on a bike just makes sense.
Most people default towards the versatility of an Adventure bike. It has an appeal much like that of an SUV from the car world. It might not regularly go out on the trail, but it has the ability to do so, and for the rest of the time it can comfortably handle other tasks. As an added bonus most Adventure bikes are comfortable and pretty easy to use as a commuter.
As good as they are, there is another type of bike just as good at eating up the miles, and arguably more fun to ride. Spoiler alert, it isn’t a Harley.
10/10 Adventure Bike: Off-Road Capable
Obviously, the single biggest draw card to Adventure bikes is their off-road ability. Depending on the bike, it can range from anywhere between an 80/20 split to a full on 50/50 motorcycle.
The one thing they can never be is more off-road capable, something that will push them into the territory of dual-sport bikes. You could easily argue that the Tenere 700 or the rather expensive Ducati DesertX get close, but even they are somewhat compromised in the dirt, so they can handle extended highway runs.
9/10 Sport Tourer: Back Road Fun
Sport tourers on the other hand are usually designed specifically for their purpose and have no real compromises.
Sportbike performance with luggage attachments means you will start actively searching out all the back roads on your next journey. With planted chassis designed to be pushed in the corners, nothing is quite as fun to ride on a long journey.
8/10 Adventure Bike: Genuine Swiss Army Knife
The absolute best part of going for a ride on an Adventure bike, is seeing a dirt road somewhere and just going for it.
It is a liberating experience that can involve some level of trepidation if you wander onto private property accidentally, but it is undeniably fun.
7/10 Sport Tourer: Designed For Touring
Although touring is possible on quite literally any motorcycle, it isn’t always the most comfortable of endeavors. Just because you can go touring on an Iron 883 doesn’t mean you should.
Any bike is compromised in some area, none more so than Adventure bikes on road. Touring bikes on the other hand are designed for the job and are naturally more comfortable, more fun and more efficient.
6/10 Adventure Bike: Rugged
Although there aren’t too many Adventure bikes that will stir the soul with their design, there is an undeniable rugged appeal to them.
Most of them look ready for action and as much as dirt oriented tires are only barely functional on the highway, they look incredibly cool.
5/10 Sport Tourer: Stylish
In the past sport tourers had a tendency to look a little stodgy, with manufacturers a little too keen on integrating luggage options.
It couldn’t be more different today, with bikes like the MV Agusta Turismo Veloce that looks great both with and without luggage attached.
4/10 Adventure Bike: Beginner-Friendly
You can choose a big bore Adventure bike if you have the experience, but with market demand so high, manufacturers have answered the call and all make at least one entry level bike.
There is a growing list of affordable, accessible Adventure bikes that are all still very capable. From the bargain-basement Royal Enfield Himalayan to the fully equipped Suzuki V-Strom 650XT there is something out there for every budget. The best part is that most of these bikes come with some level of crash protection and can handle a tip over or two.
3/10 Sport Tourer: Experience Required
So, the one exception might be the Tracer 7. Even that is a stretch for most first time riders, especially when it gets kitted out with luggage. The fear of a tip over might cause some level of anxiety.
Most sport tourers are basically sportbikes with luggage attached. The Aprilia Tuono V4 is likely the most extreme example of this but even the BMW S 1000 XR will be downright terrifying in the wrong hands. Or, another level of awesome in the right hands.
Arguably the biggest draw card is the sense of community. For the most part, the growing Adventure bike community is a warm and welcoming one, too.
Everyone is more or less on the same page as they all have more or less the same ambition, that is, to just get out and ride. Mixed terrain riding is great fun and will certainly help build experience.
1/10 Sport Tourer: Better Value
If you are not so interested in the community aspect, and have no real desire to go off-roading on a big, cumbersome motorcycle, sport tourers are most certainly the better option.
They offer more bang for buck. New bikes are pretty affordable but if you look at the used market, sport tourers offer even more value for money, with prices significantly lower than their off-road oriented equivalent.
Sources: Suzuki, Ducati
