21-inch Adventure Bikes in the Big Offroad Comparison & Test 2024

Our mega off-road comparison not only includes more adventure bikes than ever before, but it is also the most diverse off-road test by 1000PS. From A2 adventure bikes to the absolute top class with over 1200cc and 150 hp, a wide portfolio heads into the rough, including the following five machines: Ducati DesertX Rally, BMW F 900 GS, Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro, Suzuki V-Strom 1050 DE, and Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin. In terms of price, these adventure bikes can be considered upper middle class, all offering more than 100 hp and all equipped with 21-inch front wheels, making them suitable for more ambitious terrain. Our six testers aim to reveal their strengths and weaknesses in the tough four-day test in the field.

With the test motorcycles, we were guests at the largest enduro park in Europe, the Red Stag Gelände in Rohr im Gebirge. The expansive area, about an hour southwest of the Vienna city limits, offered a perfect testing environment with 15 kilometers of forest roads and 28 different off-road trails. There are ample opportunities for every riding level to have a full day of fun. With our large adventure bikes, we were mostly on the wider forest paths. However, we also integrated some green trails (easy difficulty level) into the test procedure to really put the big and noble bikes through their paces.

Off-road, more than ever, it's not the machine but the person at the controls that sets the limit. While professionals and demigods like Pol Tarres regularly challenge the laws of physics even with large machines, even lighter terrain can become a survival battle with little off-road experience. Now, adventure bikes have become a gigantic segment with a huge and diverse target audience. Therefore, in our big off-road comparison, three professionals and three amateurs contributed their impressions to deliver a broad and as comprehensible as possible test verdict on the bikes. This report provides an overview of each bike. For those who want to know exactly which impressions come from whom, all reports from our Adventure Bike Off-road Comparison 2024 are linked below. Now, here are the impressions of the 21-inch adventure bikes.

The Ducati Desert X Rally positions itself as an extremely off-road capable adventure bike and stands out significantly from the competition. On paper, it surpasses many of its competitors in terms of list price, but it also offers extremely high-quality components that can shine in off-road use. The suspension of the Desert X Rally feels like riding on cotton candy, which gives the rider enormous confidence, even when traversing rough terrain. This machine maneuvers agilely and securely through difficult paths, making it an excellent choice for off-road adventures. The V2 engine of the Desert X offers flexible power delivery: it can be sporty-aggressive when needed, or smooth and gentle when a calmer ride is desired. Only in the really low RPM ranges does the V2 not achieve as perfectly smooth an engine run as the other bikes in this comparison. The Desert X is certainly the most radical, uncompromising machine in the comparison.

There are also some criticisms. The spartan seat, which offers a lot of freedom of movement in ambitious off-road terrain, is quite hard for longer seated stages. The high price, especially in Austria, where it costs around 26,000 euros, is another aspect that could deter potential buyers. It's even worse that no significant tools can be found on board the DesertX Rally, which can lead to problems on adventurous off-road tours. The motorcycle uses tubes, so the right tools should be ready before the adventure.

The very high-quality components of the DesertX Rally justify a high price, but everyone must decide for themselves whether they are willing to put so much money on the table. Those who choose the Ducati can look forward to an impressive combination of performance, luxury, and off-road capability, making it one of the best options in its class when it comes to pure performance.

The BMW F900GS represents a remarkable evolution compared to its predecessor, the F850GS. The machine is significantly more off-road capable and conveys an aggressive, venomous impression in off-road use. While the F850GS was often perceived as a road-oriented adventure bike that reluctantly ventured off-road, the F900GS feels right at home there. It is easy and controlled to maneuver, supported by the additional 25 millimeters of front suspension travel compared to the previous model. This improvement is particularly noticeable in challenging off-road sections, where the bike exhibits a playful ease in handling.

The chassis of the F900GS is superbly tuned and offers ample reserves even during more aggressive off-road riding. The bike remains stable at all times, providing the rider with a high level of control, but these are the optional suspension components. As is customary with BMW, a few boxes need to be ticked in the configurator to unlock the motorcycle's full potential. The most important accessories for good off-road performance of the F900GS are the better suspension, protective parts, and the configurable Enduro Pro riding mode.

The "Rally Look" of the 900 GS with a narrower tank and flat seat might lead to some comfort compromises on long rides, but this is compensated by the excellent engine with its smooth running characteristics. With beautifully consistent torque distributed across the rev range, linear power delivery, and precise throttle response, the inline twin-cylinder engine with crankshaft offset impresses both professionals and amateurs alike. Overall, the F900GS is a motivated off-road vehicle with a significantly more active, sporty character than the previous F850GS.

The Triumph Tiger 900 impresses with its excellent on-road capabilities, which were already striking at its premiere. In the off-road sector, the Tiger performs solidly but shows weaknesses when ridden with a sporty ambition. The rather comfortably tuned chassis negatively affects feedback in rough terrain, making the limits more apparent when pushed hard. However, the triple engine works excellently off-road and can be precisely dosed, which is particularly advantageous in tricky situations. In the lower RPM range, the torque-rich character thanks to the crankpin offset always provides sufficient power, making riding in difficult sections easier.

A minor criticism is the sluggish menu startup, which often fully boots up only after the first few meters of riding. This is unfortunate because the menu navigation itself is well-structured and easy to understand, but the jerky start is essential in off-road operation because you have to press two buttons within a tight time frame after starting to stay in off-road riding mode. If the display lags, you sometimes miss this time frame and have to laboriously navigate through the riding modes again.

Overall, the Tiger 900 is not the best choice for more demanding off-road operation, but it is an extremely versatile bike that feels at home both on the road and in light to medium terrain. It is probably the most universal motorcycle in the test and a good choice for riders looking for an all-round bike.

The Suzuki V-Strom 1050 DE impresses with its balance and the confidence it instills in the rider from the very first meters. The V-twin engine is smooth and grunty, which is particularly advantageous off-road. Even at low revs, the engine delivers excellent performance that is easy to modulate. The simple and straightforward operating concept of the Suzuki also contributes to the positive overall experience. Without having to dive into nested menus, the rider can make the most important settings directly on the display, which saves nerves and time in the dirt.

The chassis of the V-Strom 1050 DE strikes a fine balance between stability and comfort. It offers enough reserves for most off-road sections and ensures a safe ride, even though the suspension travel and ground clearance are not outstanding compared to the competition. The large 21-inch front wheel also contributes to stability, and the wide handlebars allow for good control over the bike. A minor drawback might be the slightly larger knee angle around the fuel tank, which stands out compared to other machines in this class. The slightly higher weight is also noticeable in tough off-road sections, but it does not detract from the overall solid performance of the bike.

The Honda Africa Twin is a machine that particularly appeals to beginners and street riders in the off-road sector. It offers a comfortable and stable ride on unpaved roads, supported by a variety of assistance systems that are rather conservatively designed. The machine conveys a lot of confidence through its stability on loose surfaces, and the engine delivers enough power from low revs to master even more demanding sections. The power delivery of the engine, combined with a fairly long gear ratio, matches the forgiving character of the Honda and never overwhelms the rider.

However, the Africa Twin quickly reaches its limits during spirited riding. The suspension offers too little reserve for truly rough terrain, and the ergonomic design is more suited to long distances while seated rather than aggressive off-road maneuvers while standing. Particularly, the distance between the handlebars and the pegs might be too short for sportier riders, leading to an exhausting grip on the handlebars in steep sections. Despite these limitations, the Honda Africa Twin remains a solid choice for travelers who want to tackle light to moderate terrain without sacrificing comfort and easy handling.

Although these five adventure bikes appear quite similar on paper, our six testers were able to identify distinct characters among them. They all belong to the same segment but cater to different aspects of versatile adventure riding. The Ducati DesertX Rally and BMW F900GS are the radical sport enduros in this comparison. They offer stability even in truly rough terrain and at breakneck speeds, but they can't provide the same comfort and touring capability as the other bikes.

The Honda Africa Twin and Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE are the comfortable touring cruisers in the group, with the Suzuki particularly impressing all testers with its high stability and competence far outside its comfort zone. Nevertheless, both Japanese bikes are more geared towards relaxed touring, inviting riders to explore unpaved roads but not necessarily encouraging them to tackle hill climbs or heavily washed-out paths.

The Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro manages to position itself almost exactly in the middle of these two groups. Its lavish features and very responsive suspension make long and relaxed rides very pleasant. At the same time, its T-plane triple engine offers enough punch and precision, its suspension enough reserves, and its ergonomics enough freedom of movement, so that the Tiger 900 Rally Pro still performs very well in ambitious off-road conditions. When things get really tough, the maximum of the balancing act is reached, but only extremely good riders operate in this area; as an amateur, you will reach your limits before the Triumph does.

To make such an extensive and demanding off-road test possible, a lot of equipment is needed. It starts with the Bridgestone AX41 50-50 off-road tires for those bikes that only come with street tires from the manufacturer. We also had a Garmin inReach Mini 2 satellite communication device in case of an emergency on the remote tracks in the mountains or forests. For protective gear, we relied on the Leatt Flow Tour combo and the Leatt Multi Tour combo. Our heads were protected by the new Arai Tour-X5 Adventure helmet. Finally, several soft luggage solutions from Enduristan ensured that we could carry water, snacks, and equipment weight-efficiently into the adventure.

The following individual conclusions refer to the single tests of the compared motorcycles.