10 Entry-Level Adventure Bikes That Turn Heads In 2025

Adventure bikes might have started out as large continent-crossing machines (and a heartening number of them still are), but they have evolved to be a much larger group now. They range from the aforementioned big travel bikes all the way down to bikes that you’d seriously consider as commuters, they’re so small and light.

These entry-level adventure bikes make for great all-round bikes, because they run quite unstressed, torquey engines which are great to get around in traffic. They also have approachable seat heights, a rider triangle that is comfortable for a long time in the saddle, cushy suspension, and great fuel efficiency. There is a very strong case to be made for them as a great bike for anyone. And here are ten entry-level adventure bikes that turn heads in 2025.

BMW G 310 GS

Price: $5,895

BMW Motorrad

The G 310 GS is on its way out, what with the F 450 GS nearing a launch quite soon. However, it remains a very capable little motorcycle. Since dealers will want to clear stock to make way for the 450 GS, if you exercise your bargaining chops, you might get one for a really good price. What you get for your money is a mature platform, meaning reliability is top-notch. It also handles well and can do a little off-road duty too. You will miss a TFT color screen and all the features it brings, though.

Royal Enfield Himalayan 450

Price: $5,799

Royal Enfield

The Himalayan 450 is a very competent product, and it makes sense for a lot of people that require a small adventure bike. Unlike the old Himalayan 411, it can also do duty really well on the highway with its new liquid-cooled engine. Even the chassis and suspension is all-new for RE; the latter is provided by Showa and is worthy of much praise. It even gets ride modes, switchable ABS, and a 4-inch color TFT display with Bluetooth and navigation. It is now coming under pressure from newer models from the likes of KTM and BMW.

KTM 390 Adventure X

Price: $5,899

KTM

The 390 Adventure is the newest entrant to this highly competitive entry adventure bike segment, and it has leapfrogged its way to the front. The 390 Adventure X variant is the value pick, with an enticing price. You get an LCD instrument cluster, a 19/17-inch set of alloy wheels, and suspension that has slightly less travel than the 390 Adventure R. The only adjustment is rear preload. However, as an adventure tourer on a budget, it makes a very strong case for itself.

Benelli TRK 502

Price: $6,399

Benelli

The TRK 502, like the G 310 GS, is a model that is on its way out. You wouldn’t know that by the way it looks, though: it is sharp and modern from all angles. If you’re a fan of engineering, though, you should get one, because this is the last remaining parallel twin engine with a 360-degree firing order. The model that is replacing it, the TRK 552, has moved to a 270-degree crank. The TRK 502 is quite slow, though, owing to its high 500+ pound curb weight.

Honda CRF300L Rally

Price: $6,499

Honda

If the 390 Adventure is too highway-focused for you, then Honda is happy to sell you the CRF300L Rally, its adventure bike based on the very capable CRF300L. It was recently updated as well, but the updates haven’t quite got it to the level of features as the leaders in the segment. This is a light, no-nonsense beginner bike with good looks and better capability, especially off-road, and it has everything you will need for a good time, including switchable ABS at the rear, and a link-type rear shock.

CFMoto Ibex 450

Price: $6,499

CFMoto

The Ibex 450 is the only small adventure bike with a 270-degree crank at the moment. That sets the table for how the Ibex is: chock full of features that you won’t usually see in other bikes at the price. Other components you won’t see anywhere else in the class are KYB fully adjustable suspension at both ends, an adjustable windscreen, and a curved 5-inch TFT color display. You also get other premium features like Bluetooth connectivity and navigation, radial front brake calipers, and switchable ABS at the rear.

Benelli TRK 502X

Price: $6,799

Benelli

The TRK 502X gets the same engine and chassis as the TRK 502, and the distinctive good looks as well. The ‘X’ signifies that it equipped to deal with off-road situations better. As such, it gets a 19/17-inch spoke rim set with tubeless tires (as opposed to 17-inch alloy rims on the 502). It also gets longer travel suspension, which increases the ground clearance and seat height. A marked difference between the two is the exhaust: while the 502 has an underbelly muffler, the TRK 502X has a traditional upswept end can, like the larger TRK 702X.

KTM 390 Adventure R

Price: $6,999

KTM – photographer: Tschann E.

The 390 Adventure R adds quite a bit of kit over the 390 Adventure X for the extra dough. You get a 21/18 spoke rim wheel combination with tube-type tires for serious off-road capability, and this is paired with fully adjustable long-travel suspension at both ends. Under the skin, you get a six-axis IMU with cornering traction control and ABS, both of which are switchable. You also get a 5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth and navigation capabilities. This is possibly the most feature-rich all-round small adventure bike available today.

Honda NX500

Price: $7,399

Honda

The NX500 is spiritually the opposite of the 390 Adventure R: it isn’t frantic, or designed to go off-road. It can take you surprisingly far on dirt, but that isn’t its primary calling. It is supposed to be a calm, collected adventure tourer and boy does it nail that. It also is enormously frugal, so you’ll always be happy at the gas station. On the features list are a 5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity and navigation, switchable traction control, and ABS that isn’t switchable.

Kawasaki KLR650 Adventure ABS

Price: $8,099

Kawasaki

The KLR650 is a dual sport, yes, but like the CRF300L Rally, Kawasaki has developed a version specifically catering to the adventure bike audience. And like the Honda, it is mechanically identical but has a slightly different feature set to help it become a better long distance tourer. You get hard luggage, frame sliders, a 12V socket, and auxiliary lights. ABS is standard on the KLR650 Adventure – it is an option on the other KLR variants. It retains all the mechanical bits that make it unbreakable, although we’d love for it to have switchable ABS considering how good it is off-road.