The adventure motorcycle market is a very cool one, and small adventure motorcycles are becoming a bigger and more important part of the market.
If you want something that’s easy to ride, lightweight, and still on-road and off-road capable, then small adventure motorcycles actually make a lot of sense.
There are far more of these bikes than there used to be, and they’re not just designed for beginner riders. Motorcyclists of all skill levels can find a lot of fun to be had on a small adventure motorcycle. Here are my picks for the best small adventure motorcycles.
1. KTM 390 Adventure
KTM took its 390 Duke and turned it into one of the best legitimate small adventure motorcycles. The reworked and restyled bike is now ready for pretty much any trail out there.
The motorcycle features a 373cc single-cylinder engine that is also found in the 390 Duke. It’s a good engine and has been slightly reworked for the application here in the 390 Adventure. What you get is a premium motorcycle with a small displacement ready to take you anywhere.
- Price: $6,199
- Company Website
- See Similar Models on Cycle Trader
Royal Enfield Himalayan
The Royal Enfield Himalayan is one of my favorite ADV bikes on sale today. It’s not flashy or quick and you’re not going to be doing anything too crazy on it, but you will be able to get where you’re going no matter where in the world your destination is.
The bike features a 411cc single-cylinder engine with fuel injection. It is not a powerhouse, but it can chug along all day at trail speeds and get you moving up to highway speeds easily. This is perhaps the biggest bargain of the adventure motorcycle market.
- Price: $4,749
- Company Website
- See Similar Models on Cycle Trader
BMW G 310 GS
BMW has a fantastic G 310 GS. The little bike is a do-anything, go-anywhere kind of machine. It’s a bike that you will love for years and years to come. BMW updated it for 2021, but earlier versions are honestly just as good.
The motorcycle features a 313cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine. That little thumper can get you up to highway speeds no problem and it’s a good little engine for trail riding or off-roading, too.
- Price: $5,795
- Company Website
- See Similar Models on Cycle Trader
Kawasaki Versys-X 300
Kawasaki’s Versys line of motorcycles is special, and I happen to think the best bike of the bunch is the Versys-X 300. The motorcycle is a very versatile machine, which is probably why it gets to wear the Versys name (Versitle System = Versys).
The motorcycle has a 296cc twin-cylinder engine that’s fuel injected housed in its frame. That little beating heart is more than enough to get you out and about and down some trails. While this bike isn’t a hardcore off-roader, it is a fantastic bike for going on both pavement and dirt.
- Price: $5,899
- Company Website
- See Similar Models on Cycle Trader
Honda Trail125
This is a motorcycle that excites me very much. The Honda Trail125 also known as the Honda CT125 Hunter Cub in certain markets is essentially the Honda Super Cub stripped down for some trail duty.
It’s a tough little runabout with a luggage rack on the back and some minor protection for the engine. It’s ready to take on the street as well as all of the fields and trails you can find. It has Honda’s venerable 125cc engine that’s fuel-injected.
- Price: $3,899
- Company Website
- See Similar Models on Cycle Trader
Other Great Small Adventure Motorcycles
Are there other great adventure bikes? You bet. Pretty much any smaller dual-sport machine can make for a fantastic small adventure bike. Many of them are more geared towards off-roading rather than street riding, but they still do a fantastic job.
Also, there are other companies out there that are either working on or have come out with a small adventure bike. Folks like these bikes because they’re lightweight and easy to handle, and manufacturers are responding to that demand.
Another route to go is to check the various scramblers out there. There are plenty of them, and while not all of them are on the smaller side, having a scrambler could be a good way to get you into the adventure bike game.
