Best of the Best

In a similar way to the 4x4 sector of the automobile market, off-road styled motorcycles have become a massively important part of the motorcycle world. Thousands of riders worldwide have appreciated the benefits offered by a large capacity machine, with a commanding and comfy riding position, space for a pillion, good luggage provision and a protective fairing. If that machine also combines long-travel suspension with ample ground clearance and tyres suited to unpaved roads, so much the better. Whether the rider actually embarks on any adventures more arduous than riding across a gravel car park isn’t important – these bikes look as if they could take you to the ends of the earth, and that’s what counts.

Having said that, some adventure sports bikes do offer genuine off-road performance. BMW’s GS range, made famous by the exploits of ‘Star Wars’ star Ewan Macgregor on his round-the-world charity rides, are the Range Rovers of the bike world, offering civilised touring comfort as well as solid capability on the dirt. Similarly, KTM’s Adventure was developed from the Austrian firm’s hugely successful competition off-road range, particularly its Dakar-Rally winning machinery.

Some firms have given up any pretence that their bikes have much off-road ability though. Triumph’s Tiger originally wore dirt-styled tyres and wire-spoked rims when it launched in the early 1990s. But the latest 1050 version has sport-touring road tyres, cast aluminium wheels and sportsbike brakes, and has hardly any offroad ability. But it makes an excellent offroad-styled touring machine, and is ideal for many riders.