The Ultimate Guide To Adventure Bikes Under $10,000

Summary

• From nimble 250-500cc bikes to powerful 750cc models, the market for adventure motorcycles under $10,000 is growing rapidly.
• Entry-level offerings like Kawasaki Versys-X 300 and BMW G 310 GS provide affordable options for beginners in the ADV journey.
• Middleweight options like Suzuki V-Strom 800 and Honda XL750 Transalp offer great value for money with powerful engines and capable underpinnings.

Adventure motorcycles dare to take us where most other modes of transportation can only dream of going. That’s half the reason they’re all the hype nowadays, and as a result, they’ve grown rather big in recent years, both in popularity and size. But as much as we love those chunky, premium adventure motorcycles, the market for smaller, more affordable options is growing at an even bigger rate. That is precisely where we draw our focus with this article.

We’ll look at all the adventure bikes priced under the $10,000 mark from small 250-500cc offerings, the rather well-balanced 500-750cc models, and the bigger, more powerful bikes with a displacement of 750cc and above. We have broken down this guide into a similar hierarchy to make it easier for you. With options from Asian brands like Royal Enfield, Kawasaki, and Honda to Western biggies like BMW and KTM, there is an adventure bike for all your preferences.

In order to give you the most up-to-date information possible, the data used to complete this article was sourced directly from the manufacturer’s website alongside authoritative sites. The models are listed in terms of their displacement size, from the least to the highest.

250-500cc Adventure Bike Segment

The 250-500cc ADV class is one of the most cut-throat segments today. Numerous manufacturers offer some of the best value-for-money motorcycles for beginner and entry-level riders. So if you are someone just starting out with their ADV journey, this is where you should begin.

Kawasaki Versys-X 300

The Versys-X300 is the entry-level offering from Kawasaki that offers a 296cc, 4-stroke, 2-cylinder, DOHC, liquid-cooled engine. It generates 39 horsepower and 18.5 pound-feet of torque.

Pros

• Extremely nimble
• That Kawasaki reliability
• Very capable off-road

Cons

• Non-adjustable suspension
• Feels underpowered
• No center stand

BMW G 310 GS

This one is for those who always dreamed of owning a BMW but didn’t ever have the budget for one. The G 310 GS comes with a 313cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, 4-stroke engine that produces 34 horsepower and 20 pound-feet of peak torque.

Pros

• Good road presence for a 310cc bike
• Likable low and mid-range torque
• One of the cheapest BMW bikes

Cons

• Rudimentary instrumentation panel
• Pricey maintenance
• Whole lot of vibrations at higher revs

KTM 390 Adventure

KTM’s entry-level ADV is built around the much-popular 373cc single-cylinder engine. It has enjoyed a fair bit of success in its class, thanks to the performance numbers of 43 horsepower and 27.2 pound-feet of torque. They’re border-line class-leading!

Pros

• Iconic KTM design
• Lightweight
• The 373cc engine performs admirably

Cons

• Relatively more expensive than its direct competitors
• Lack of color options
• The updated model is around the corner

Royal Enfield Himalayan (411)

The Royal Enfield Himalayan is a bike that truly stands for raw, old-school ADV. It has been a roaring success regardless of its measly 24 horsepower and 23 pound-feet of torque. Since the newest 452cc upgraded Himalayan has yet to be officially launched in America, the dated 411cc single-cylinder variant makes its way into this guide.

Pros

• Switchable ABS
• Extremely affordable to own
• Can take a beating

Cons

• Its heft weighs it down
• The overall quality is inconsistent
• The all-new Himalayan is waiting in the wings

CFMoto Ibex 450

The CFMoto Ibex 450 is one of the newest bikes on this list, having only recently been launched in the USA. It comes with a 449cc, twin-cylinder unit that generates 44 horsepower and 32.4 pound-feet of torque.

Pros

• Modern, edgy design
• Powerful performance figures
• Capable underpinnings

Cons

• Yet to prove itself
• Limited service network

Benelli TRK 502 X

The small TRK closes the 250-500cc category, coming with a tractable 500cc two-cylinder motor. It is said to produce 47 horsepower with 34 pound-feet of torque.

Pros

• Excellent road presence
• Great little engine for long-distance touring

Cons

• Heavy
• Takes a while to really get going in its stride
• Shorter riders may feel intimidated

500-750cc Adventure Bike Segment

Up next comes the 500-750cc adventure bike segment, and boy, do we have some dark horses here! While these bikes aren’t exactly “middleweight” per se, they are a good option for those transitioning from smaller bikes to bigger, heavier adventure offerings. If that’s you, read on!

V-Strom 650XT

The V-Strom 650 is powered by a proven 645cc V-twin engine known for its smooth, powerful, and efficient performance. It offers 70 horsepower and 46 pound-feet of torque.

Pros

• Versatile tourer for both on and off-road
• Comfortable riding position
• Eye catchy functional design

Cons

• Small windshield
• Basic electronics features compared to others
• Feels dated in its class

Moto Morini X-Cape

The Moto Morini X-Cape has been a rather enticing option for the value it provides for its numbers. You get 59 horsepower and 41.3 pound-feet of torque courtesy of a 649cc parallel-twin motor.

Pros

• Looks stunning
• Extremely affordable
• Offers great handling and ride quality

Cons

• The engine might feel underpowered
• Confusing switchgear configuration
• No quickshifter or cruise control

Kawasaki KLR 650

The KLR is one of the most “un-frilled” bikes you can get your hands on. You get what you pay for, headlined by a 652cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine that produces 40 horsepower and 39 pound-feet of torque.

Pros

• Super-affordable at under $7,000
• Camouflage livery brings life to the KLR
• Saddlebags, fog lamps, and frame sliders are useful accessories

Cons

• Quite low on peak horsepower
• Feels dated among its rivals
• Not everyone appreciates its raw, bare-bones feel

Benelli TRK 702 X

The all-new TRK 702 X has recently entered America, and given what its 698cc, twin-cylinder engine offers, it is a worthy offering. You get 70 horsepower and 51.6 pound-feet via a six-speed transmission–one of the highest under the $10,000 bracket!

Pros

• Looks the part
• Akin to the 502, it is a great option for long-distance touring
• Excellent ergonomics

Cons

• Insufficient wind protection
• The American variant is underpowered compared to the European-spec TRK
• No cruise control

750cc And Above Adventure Bike Segment

Last, but not least, the 750cc and above category offers some serious heavy hitters. These bikes give the more expensive ADVs a run for their money. All the bikes included in this category are middleweight options that you can consider, right from the likes of Suzuki to BMW – all under $10,000.

Suzuki V-Strom 800

The new V-Strom 800 is a sub-$10,000 ADV that features a 776cc parallel-twin engine. This unit delivers 83 horsepower and 57.5 pound-feet of torque, same as the pricier DE variant.

Pros

• Excellent value for the money
• Capable underpinnings
• Suzuki DRZ-inspired design is sleek and likable

Cons

• No crash protection as standard
• Off-road prowess is limited

Honda XL750 Transalp

The new Transalp has finally made its way to America, albeit with some delay, but boy, does it hit the nail on the head right. It comes with a 755cc, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, parallel-twin engine that produces 91 horsepower and 55 pound-feet.

Pros

• Tractable and responsive engine
• Priced very well
• Far more affordable than its closest rival, the Yamaha Tenere 700

Cons

• No cruise control
• Wind protection could be better

Kove 800X

The Chinese Kove 800x comes with a 799cc twin-cylinder engine which puts out 95 horsepower and 59 pound-feet. This, along with its likable package, makes it is a serious middleweight contender.

Pros

• Impressive power output
• Extremely light for its segment
• Affordable

Cons

• Limited after-sales support
• The more capable Rally model is not cheap, and not road-legal (at present)

CFMoto Ibex 800 T

The Ibex 800 T has laid the foundation for the 450, and it’s not tough to see why. You get 94 horsepower and a healthy 56.8 pound-feet of torque from its KTM-derived 799cc twin-cylinder engine, along with likable features and capable mechanicals.

Pros

• Highly affordable middleweight option
• All-round performance
• Feature packed for price point

Cons

• Limited after-sales support
• Fewer aftermarket accessories
• Overshadowed by its KTM counterpart

BMW F 750 GS

Perhaps, one of the more underappreciated offerings on BMW’s books, the F750 GS is an able ADV even today. Its 853cc engine produces 77 horsepower and 61 pound-feet of peak torque, meaning it is well worth your consideration in this category.

Pros

• Robust build quality
• Imposing road presence
• Excellent ride ergonomics

Cons

• Stiff ride quality
• Comparatively expensive
• A little heavy for beginners