21-Inch Adventure Bikes in the Ultimate Offroad Comparison & Test 2024

Our mega offroad comparison not only features more adventure bikes than ever before, but it's also the most diverse offroad test by 1000PS. From A2 adventure bikes to the absolute top tier with over 1200cc and 150 HP, a wide range of bikes are venturing into the wilds, including these five beasts: Ducati DesertX Rally, BMW F 900 GS, Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro, Suzuki V-Strom 1050 DE, and Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin. These adventure bikes fall into the upper mid-range price category, each boasting over 100 HP and equipped with 21-inch front wheels, ready for more ambitious offroad terrains. Our six testers aim to uncover their strengths and weaknesses in a rigorous four-day test.

With our test motorcycles, we visited the largest enduro park in Europe, the Red Stag Terrain in Rohr im Gebirge. This expansive area, located about an hour southwest of Vienna's city limits, provided the perfect testing ground with 15 kilometers of forest roads and 28 different offroad trails. There are plenty of opportunities for every skill level to enjoy a full day of riding. With our big adventure bikes, we mostly stuck to the wider forest tracks. However, we also integrated some green trails (easy difficulty) into the test routine to really put these grand machines through their paces.

In offroad riding, it's more evident than ever that it's not the machine but the rider who sets the limits. While pros and demigods like Pol Tarres routinely challenge the laws of physics even on big bikes, lack of offroad experience can turn even easier terrain into a survival struggle. Adventure bikes have become a massive segment with a diverse and extensive audience. For this reason, in our large offroad comparison, three pros and three amateurs contributed their insights to deliver a wide-ranging and accessible verdict on the motorcycles. This report provides an overview of each bike. For those wanting detailed impressions from each rider on the individual motorcycles, all reports from our 2024 Adventure Bike Offroad Comparison are linked below. Now, let's dive into the impressions of the 21-inch adventure bikes.

The Ducati Desert X Rally stands out as an extremely offroad-capable adventure bike, clearly distinguishing itself from the competition. On paper, it surpasses many of its rivals in price, but it also offers incredibly premium components that excel in offroad conditions. The suspension of the Desert X Rally feels like riding on clouds, instilling the rider with immense confidence even when tackling rough terrain. This machine maneuvers agilely and securely through challenging paths, making it an excellent choice for offroad adventures. The V2 engine of the Desert X offers flexible power delivery: it can be sporty and aggressive when needed, or smooth and gentle for a more relaxed ride. However, in the very low rev range, the V2 doesn't achieve as perfectly smooth an idle as other bikes in this comparison. The Desert X is undoubtedly the most radical and uncompromising machine in the lineup.

There are, however, some drawbacks. The spartan seat, which offers plenty of mobility in ambitious terrain, is quite hard for longer seated stretches. The high price, especially in Austria where it costs around 26,000 Euros, is another factor that might deter potential buyers. It's even more concerning that there isn't any significant toolkit on board the DesertX Rally, which could be problematic on adventurous offroad tours. The bike uses tubes, so having the right tools ready before setting out is essential.

The very high-quality components of the DesertX Rally justify a hefty price, but each rider must decide whether they're willing to shell out that much cash. Those who choose the Ducati can expect an impressive combination of power, luxury, and offroad 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 bike is significantly more offroad-capable and exudes an aggressive, feisty demeanor in offroad use. While the F850GS was often seen as a street enduro that reluctantly ventured into the dirt, the F900GS feels right at home there. It moves easily and controllably, aided by an additional 25 millimeters of front suspension travel compared to the previous model. This improvement is particularly noticeable in challenging terrain, where the bike displays a playful ease in handling.

The suspension of the F900GS is superbly tuned and offers ample reserves even in more aggressive offroad conditions. The bike remains consistently stable, providing the rider with a high degree of control, but this does involve optional suspension components. As is typical with BMW, several options in the configurator need to be checked to unlock the bike's full potential. The most important accessories for good offroad performance on the F900GS are the upgraded suspension, protective parts, and the configurable Enduro Pro mode.

The "Rally Look" of the 900 GS, with its narrower tank and flatter seat, might lead to some comfort sacrifices on long rides, but this is offset by the excellent engine with its serene running quality. The inline twin-cylinder engine, with its offset crankpin, delivers consistent torque across the rev range, linear power delivery, and precise throttle response, delighting both pros and amateurs alike. Overall, the F900GS is a motivated offroader with a much more active, sporty character compared to the previous F850GS.

The Triumph Tiger 900 impresses with its excellent on-road capabilities, which made a strong impression right from its debut. It also performs solidly in offroad settings but shows weaknesses when pushed in more spirited riding. The rather comfort-oriented suspension negatively impacts feedback in offroad conditions, making the limits more apparent when ridden hard. However, the triple engine performs excellently in the dirt and can be precisely modulated, which is particularly advantageous in tricky situations. Thanks to its torque-rich character aided by the offset crankpin, there is always ample power available in the lower rev range, making it easier to tackle challenging passages.

A minor drawback is the sluggish menu startup, which often only fully loads after the first few meters of riding. This is unfortunate because the menu itself is well-structured and easy to understand, but the slow start is crucial in offroad mode since you need to press two buttons within a tight time window to remain in offroad mode. If the display lags, you might miss this window and have to laboriously navigate through the ride modes again.

Overall, the Tiger 900 is not the best choice for more demanding offroad use, but it is an extremely versatile bike that feels at home both on the road and in light to moderate terrain. It's probably the most versatile motorcycle in the test and a great choice for riders looking for an all-rounder 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 V2 engine is smooth and torque-rich, which is particularly advantageous offroad. Even at low revs, the engine delivers excellent power that is easy to modulate. The Suzuki's straightforward and uncomplicated control layout also contributes to the overall positive experience. Without having to navigate through complex menus, the rider can make key adjustments directly on the display, saving both time and nerves in offroad conditions.

The suspension of the V-Strom 1050 DE strikes a successful balance between stability and comfort. It offers enough reserves for most offroad sections and ensures a secure ride, even though the suspension travel and ground clearance aren't 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 leg barrier around the tank, which stands out compared to other bikes in this class. The somewhat higher weight also becomes noticeable in tough offroad sections, but it doesn't compromise the overall solid performance of the machine.

The Honda Africa Twin is a machine that particularly appeals to beginners and road riders in the offroad segment. It offers a comfortable and stable ride on unpaved roads, supported by a range of assist systems that are conservatively tuned. The bike inspires a lot of confidence with its stability on loose surfaces, and the engine provides ample power even at low revs to tackle more challenging sections. The power delivery of the engine, combined with rather long gearing, suits the Honda's benign character and never overwhelms the rider.

However, the Africa Twin quickly reaches its limits with more spirited riding. The suspension lacks sufficient reserves for really rough terrain, and the ergonomic design is more suited for long seated stretches than aggressive offroad maneuvers while standing. The distance between the handlebars and foot pegs might be too short for sportier riders, which can lead to a tiring 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. While all part of the same segment, they cater to different facets of the versatile adventure bike category. The Ducati DesertX Rally and BMW F900GS are the radical sport enduros in this comparison. They offer stability in truly tough terrain and at breakneck speeds, but they don't provide the same level of comfort and touring capability as the other bikes.

The Honda Africa Twin and Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE are the comfortable cruisers of the group, with the Suzuki particularly impressing all testers with its high stability and competence well beyond its comfort zone. Nevertheless, both Japanese models are more aimed at relaxed tourers, inviting riders to explore unpaved paths but not necessarily encouraging them to tackle hill climbs or heavily washed-out trails.

The Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro manages to position itself squarely in the middle of these two groups. Its extensive features and finely responsive suspension make long and relaxed rides very enjoyable. At the same time, its T-plane triple engine offers enough punch and precision, its suspension provides ample reserves, and its ergonomics offer sufficient freedom of movement, allowing the Tiger 900 Rally Pro to perform very well even in challenging terrain. When things get really tough, it does reach the limits of its versatility, but only extremely skilled riders operate in that range; as an amateur, you'll likely find your limits before the Triumph does.

To make such an extensive and demanding offroad test possible, a fair amount of gear is required. This starts with the Bridgestone AX41 50-50 offroad tires for those motorcycles that only come with street tires from the manufacturer. We also had a Garmin inReach Mini 2 satellite communication device on hand in case of emergencies on remote tracks in the mountains or woods. For protective gear, we relied on the Leatt Flow Tour Suit and the Leatt Multi Tour Suit. Our heads were protected by the new Arai Tour-X5 Adventure Helmet. Finally, some soft luggage solutions from Enduristan ensured that we could carry water, snacks, and equipment into the adventure while keeping weight to a minimum.

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