Adventure bikes, the off-road influenced, touring all-rounders which are the motorcycling equivalent of four-wheeled SUVs, have long been the UK’s most popular and best-selling big bike category – and with good reason.
With 100bhp-plus engines of varying configurations they offer enough performance to be entertaining and sufficient ‘oomph’ to pull around a rider and passenger and all their luggage.
With rugged, attractive off-road styling yet upright riding positions they offer all the comfort of a touring machine but without dedicated tourers’ usually dowdy image.
And by often coming with the latest in technology, be that radar-controlled cruise control, electronic riding modes, automatic seat height adjustment or cornering ABS and traction control, not to mention, usually, a modicum of off-road ability, adventure bikes really can do it all.
What’s more, for 2025, this most competitive motorcycling category of all has received numerous model updates and introductions.
So, with all that in mind, what’s out there exactly for 2025? Which are the best models and what do you get for you money? To help you decide, here’s our round up of 10 of the best of 2025’s big adventure bikes…
10. BMW R1300GSA | Price: from £18,780
2025 BMW R1300GSA
We’re putting this first, not because it’s necessarily the best (although it may well be) but because it’s probably the most significant new big bore adventure bike of 2025. The all-new successor to BMW’s previous best-selling R1250GSA, like that bike it’s the bigger, 30-litre tanked and more rugged version of BMW’s base GS, in this case the new R1300GS launched last year. The GSA version was unveiled in the summer somewhat controversially due mostly to its boxy styling, shares the new 1300GS’s new, more powerful, 145bhp boxer twin, novel ‘shell’ frame, lighter weight and uprated electronics, including optional automatic ride height lowering.
It then also adds the bigger tank, more protective bodywork, different rear subframe (to aid luggage carrying) and also comes with the option of BMW’s impressive new semi-automatic ‘ASA’ system. The result looks far better in the metal than those early pictures suggested, is more powerful and sophisticated than ever, far more nimble and manageable than the 1250, too, and looks set to continue its best-selling tradition.
9. Ducati Multistrada V4 S | Price: from £21,495
2025 Ducati Multistrada V4 S
When first launched in 2021, Ducati’s all-new, ultra sophisticated V4 version of its Multistrada adventure bike took it to a whole new level of 170bhp superbike performance, sophistication (thanks to radar, modes and more) and versatility (heated seat and grips, adjustable seat and screen etc), even if it now, in semi-active suspended S form, it started at over 20 grand. This updated version for 2025 moves things on again.
The differences aren’t massive – tweaks for Euro5+, electronic and braking refinements, styling and comfort tweaks – but cumulatively they’re worthwhile and, besides, there wasn’t much wrong in the first place. There’s also now a version for most types of rider. The base version starts at £17,695; there’s this more sophisticated S; the more off-road Rally (£24,195) and the bonkers performance version, the £27,795 Pikes Peak. And, if they’re all a bit rich for your wallet, there’s also two new V-twin versions for 2025 starting at an affordable £13,995.
8. KTM 1390 Super Adventure S | Price: £TBA
2025 KTM 1390 Super Adventure S
So new that, as we write, it’s not been officially launched yet, but if the new-for-2025 1390 version of KTM’s already brilliant old 1290 Super Adventure only improves things mildly, it’ll still be awesome. At its heart is the enlarged V-twin motor from 2024’s 1390 Super Duke with 10bhp more. The styling, chassis, and electronics are also updated along with a new, massive 8.8in TFT dash and, as before, it’ll be available in street-orientated ‘S’ and more dirt-friendly ‘R’ trims with, a further ‘Evo’ version also being touted.
On that basis alone – more power, big dash, refreshed looks – the new 1390 should be astounding. On the slight downside, KTMs aren’t always to everyone’s taste, there have been some slight reliability concerns over the years and KTM itself is slightly rocky at the moment, but we’ve little doubt the 1390 (when it arrives) will blow you away.
7. Kawasaki Versys 1100 | Price: From £11,899
2025 Kawasaki Versys 1100
The old, always slightly quirky Versys 1000 (being basically a ‘tall-roader’ version of Kawasaki’s four-cylinder Ninja 1000 sports tourer rather than a pure, off-road capable adventure bike) was always slightly leftfield and this new version for 2025 hasn’t changed that. Very much a road bike only, it’s big and heavy but it’s also smooth, comfortable, well-equipped and a great two-up tourer. Changes for 2025 include a bigger engine (although not by the 100cc the name suggests, in reality just from 1064cc to 1099), a bigger still power hike from 118bhp to 133bhp (plus more torque), added refinement all round, more relaxed gear changes and an improved up and down quickshifter.
Again, that might not mount up to much but it’s welcome and there wasn’t much wrong with the old un’. Best of all, however, with prices of the base version starting at just under £12K (there remain upspecced ‘S’ at £13,649 and ‘SE’, at £15,649, versions as well with all also available in Tourer or Grand Tourer spec) it remains one of the most affordable and effective ‘adventure tourers’ available.
6. Ducati Desert X Discovery | Price: £17,295
2025 Ducati Desert X Discovery
At just 937cc and with Ducati also offering its 1158cc Multistrada V4, it’s debateable whether the more off-road, retro inspired Desert X, as first introduced in 2022, is a true ‘big adventure’ at all. But with the addition for 2025 of the new Discovery version, with panniers, revised fairing, different livery and more, so joining the base DesertX and more off-road DesertX Rally, it’s certainly ‘rubbing shoulders’ with many of the bikes in this category.
What you get for your £17K+ is a fantastically styled, V-twin, off-road capable adventure bike with hints of the 1980s Cagiva Explorer, a machine that’s also invigorating and capable on road and also a truly versatile and enviable Ducati that doesn’t cost in excess of 20 grand.
5. Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition | Price: £14,599
2025 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition
Another sub-1000cc ‘big adventure bike’, but also one which, like the Ducati Desert X Discovery above is more than worth its place, especially as this new Expedition version also adds longer travel suspension, heated grips and seat, touring screen, stylish single ‘side bag’ and more to boost both the off-road and touring credentials of the stock Norden. That bike, if you remember, was originally launched in 2022 as basically a restyled, more ‘traveller’ version of KTM’s 890 Adventure (Austrian firm KTM now owns the Husqvarna brand).
It’s a good, distinctive bike, too. The 890 Adventure underpinnings are pretty much beyond criticism, especially if you like your adventure bike to be capable off road; in Husqvarna guise it seems to somehow have more stature, comfort and long-distance ability, and these Expedition extras take that aspect of the Norden further still – and all for a pretty good price.
4. Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin | Price: From £13,249
2025 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin
Hard to believe that Honda’s reinvented Africa Twin (it’s named after a classic V-twin adventure that proved a big success between 1988 and 1996) has now been around almost 10 years since its 2016 launch. In truth, of course, it hasn’t – it’s been repeatedly updated, enlarged and improved ever since which is why, today, it remains one of the best off-road capable adventure bikes available.
Initially launched as a 94bhp 1000 with the option of Honda’s clever, semi-automatic ‘DCT’ gearbox, it then spawned a bigger tanked Adventure Sport variant in 2018, with both growing to 1100cc in 2020 before being updated again in 2024. For 2025 it remains in standard or £16,349 Adventure Sport guise, with both now also available with electronic suspension and DCT. They may still lack the power and sophistication of the latest from BMW, KTM and Ducati, but it’s a great, real-world adventure with classy build quality and a more affordable price.
3. Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Pro | Price: From £17,295
2025 Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Pro
British brand Triumph introduced its Tiger 1200 triple back in 2012 and was confident it could beat the then-class-leading BMW R1200GS. In many ways it succeeded. Unfortunately, however, BMW launched an all-new, much improved R1200GS in 2013. It’s fair to say Triumph has been playing ‘catch-up’ ever since and has arguably never quite succeeded but that ignores the fact that the latest version (there have been four generations since) is a superb all-rounder.
Now producing 148bhp, with shaft drive, electronics to match many and coming in four incarnations (road orientated GT Pro, upspecced GT Explorer (£18,695), more off-road Rally Pro (£18,295) and upspecced Rally Explorer (£19,695), the Tiger 1200 pretty much has it all and yet retains an intoxicating three-cylinder character all its own. Yes, it remains slightly heavy and tall, and can be pricey, but it’s a great GS alternative with vibe all its own.
2. Suzuki V-Strom 1050 | Price: From £13,499
2025 Suzuki V-Strom 1050
In a category where it sometimes seems success is measured by simply having more of everything, Suzuki’s enduring V-Strom is a pleasing reminder that simple and straightforward is sometimes just fine. First revived as a 1000 in 2014 (there was a very different V-Strom 1000 in the early Noghties), revised as the 1050 from 2017 then restyled with retro DR Big influences from 2020, the big V-Strom hasn’t the ‘most’ of anything yet still manages to be a charming, effective and affordable litre-class adventure bike with all you actually need.
Power may be moderate, but it’s effective and engaging. There isn’t much by way of electronics and gizmos, but you’re reminded you don’t need many and, if you want more off-road prowess there is also a DE version (at £13,999) with pannier-equipped touring versions of each also available.
1. Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 S | Price: From £15,995
2025 Harley Davidson Pan America 1250 S
Cruiser-specialist Harley’s entry into the adventure bike category with its all-new Pan America in 2021 was only matched for boldness by adventure bike specialists BMW comparable entry into the cruiser market (with its all-new R18) the previous year. In truth, neither have been a success. After all, if you want a US-style cruiser you are probably going to buy a Harley and if you want a proven adventure bike you’re probably going to buy a BMW GS.
But that overlooks the reality that Harley’s adventure (and BMW’s cruiser) are actually good bikes. The Pan Am is built around a stonking all-new, sophisticated V-twin producing a competitive 150bhp. It’s comfortable, handles well, is decently equipped and there is also an ‘S’ version with semi-active suspension. But the main reason I’d buy one is that, because of its disappointing sales, big discounts can also be had. It’s not hard to find discounts of up to £4K taking the base version under £12K or the S for as little as £13,750 and, at that money, it’s a bargain.
