The Adventure category of motorcycles has its roots in models that allow users to literally explore the world, riding on all kinds of roads, including dirt roads. In reality, however, most users use it only for on-road riding, as a "tourer" with a comfortable riding position and excellent cargo capacity. If that is the case, we dare to list the current adventures that focus on on-road touring!
Upright position for a relaxed ride.
BMW's R80G/S, introduced in 1980, is regarded as the pioneer of this category, and since the beginning of the 2000s, as development competition among rival companies intensified, adventure has become a popular motorcycle category around the world. To begin with, the concept of this category was to have models that allow riders to enjoy adventurous touring while riding on all kinds of roads, including dirt roads. In Japan, an island nation with good road conditions, there are very few opportunities to ride on dirt roads. The majority of adventure riders enjoy riding without getting dirt on their tires.
The adventure category became popular in Europe and Japan in the 2000s when Supersports became very popular and riders began to lean forward. Adventure motorcycles, which are based on an upright riding position, have been loved not only by active adventurers but also by middle-aged and older riders who are suffering from lower back pain due to their bellies.
Some manufacturers don't call on-road systems Adventures.
Currently, there are a variety of motorcycles in the adventure category, but if you don't ride in the dirt, you might be more comfortable and enjoyable if you choose a motorcycle that looks like an adventure but is specialized for on-road riding! So we searched for such a motorcycle. Since it is such a popular category, there are so many current adventurers in the world. It would be a bit too difficult to pick just four of them, so we have focused our search on motorcycles made by Japanese manufacturers with domestic specifications and in the large motorcycle class with displacements of over 400cc.
Incidentally, some manufacturers categorize motorcycles (similar to SUVs in cars) that are better at on-road riding but have similar styling to adventurers separately from adventurers. For example, Honda and Yamaha are categorized as crossovers and sport-touring motorcycles, respectively, and we have included these motorcycles in this comparison.
In addition to that, what we focused on in this article was the front and rear wheel diameters. Currently, almost all motorcycles in the adventure category have either 21-inch, 19-inch, or 17-inch diameter front tires, and either 18-inch or 17-inch diameter rear tires. Of these, we have picked up models with 17-inch diameter front and rear tires. This is the same wheel diameter as that of a typical on-road sports car or sports tourer, so it is easy to imagine that the driving experience is also on-road oriented. Incidentally, most of the adventure models with the theme of excellent off-road drivability have 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels.
① Kawasaki Versys 1000SE
To begin with, the parallel 4-cylinder engine is unique
In general, lightness of bodywork is important for off-road motorcycles. That is why almost all motorcycles for motocross, enduro, and other competitions are still equipped with small, lightweight single-cylinder engines. Kawasaki's Versys 1000SE is equipped with a 1043cc liquid-cooled, parallel four-cylinder engine based on that for the Z1000. This time, there is also the Ducati Multistrada V4 series, but at the time the Versys was created, a four-cylinder in an adventure was quite unusual.
The SE-spec Versys 1000 is equipped with an electronically controlled suspension that uses Showa's Skyhook technology and has the ability to instantly optimize damping according to the road surface and riding conditions, but the tires are 120/70ZR17 at the front and 180/55ZR17 at the rear, making it completely It is an on-road sports motorcycle. Furthermore, the car weighs 257 kg, making it unrealistic to drive it on dirt roads. On the contrary, the aforementioned electronically controlled suspension, excellent load capacity, numerous electronic control systems utilizing the IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), and upright ride position provide generous on-road travel performance.
② Yamaha Tracer 9 GT
Conversion of MT-09 into a sports tourer
The Tracer is an adventure-style tourer version of the MT-09, a sports naked model that also serves as a platform base motorcycle. The current model was introduced in the 2021 model year, following the revamping of the MT-09, at which time the motorcycle's name was changed to Tracer 9. In Japan, only the GT version, an advanced version, is on the lineup.
The Tracer 9 is powered by a torquey liquid-cooled, parallel 3-cylinder 888cc engine mounted on an aluminum frame.
The GT version is equipped with an electronically controlled suspension jointly developed with KYB. The front and rear wheel diameters are 17 inches, and the tire size is the same as that of the MT-09. The motorcycle weighs 220 kg, which is first of all light for this class, but it is designed without considering riding on unpaved roads, except for situations such as short passes over flat dirt roads.
③ Honda VFR800X
Full cowl sports tourer is the development base
Honda's VFR800X is categorized as a crossover, not an adventure. This model has a history of development based on the full-cowl sports model VFR800X, and in addition to the 781cc liquid-cooled V4 engine with a hyper VTEC mechanism that switches between 2 or 4 valves depending on the rpm, even the aluminum frame is based on that for the VFR800F The engine is also based on the VFR800F's aluminum frame.
In addition, the front and rear wheel diameters are 17 inches, and the tire size is the same as the VFR800F. The stroke of the front and rear suspension has been extended, and the handlebars are bar handles instead of separate handles, but it is clear that the ride is more on-road oriented.
④ Honda NC750X/NC750X DCT
No dirt system in riding mode either.
The NC700X, which is the root of the series, was created by sharing much of its engine and bodywork with on-road models and scooter types. Later, it evolved into the 750, which also achieved its own evolution. However, while the 400X, which shares basic parts with the CBR400R and other models, has had its front wheel diameter increased from 17 inches to 19 inches for the 2019 model year, the NC750X continues to wear 17-inch wheels front and rear.
This model is also available in a DCT version that allows starting and stopping and automatic or manual gear shifting without clutch operation. Both the MT and DCT versions offer a choice of riding modes, but only Sport/Standard/Rain/User is available, and there is no off-road mode. The fact that the scooter-style X-ADV with the same engine and DCT specification has a gravel mode indicates that the NC750X is not designed for riding on unpaved roads, but is focused on on-road riding. Incidentally, the NC750X series is equipped with a 23-liter capacity luggage space. It is also excellent for convenience when touring.
