Over the past decade, the adventure bike segment has experienced a meteoric rise. With their sophisticated mechanics, aggressive looks, long-travel suspensions… and above all, their ability to go anywhere, they are winning over more and more adventure-seeking motorcyclists.
At La Classique moto event in Lachute, we decided to compare four medium-displacement “Adventure” bikes. All in the same category, we present a summary of our impressions and our ranking. Of course, this was no easy task. To make the comparison as fair as possible, we asked for comparable equipment versions. So, our four competing bikes are : Honda Transalp 750XL, Suzuki V-Strom 800DE Adventure, CFMOTO IBEX 800 Explore and KTM 790 Adventure.
How did we compare them?
We had the difficult task of carrying out an objective analysis, leaving aside our own preferences. To do this, we used an evaluation grid with detailed scoring. We assessed mechanical components, general appearance, ride and handling, and so on. Together, we rode each bike on a typical adventure tour. Here’s our scoring grid for each criterion:
- Bodywork, finish and equipment – 15 points
This includes overall finish, assembly quality, lighting, luggage rack, storage space, original tires and mechanical protection.
- Ergonomics – 15 points
This includes riding position, saddle, operation of controls, vibration control, noise and instrumentation.
- Off-road handling – 10 points
This includes steering precision, cornering stability, low-speed stability, ground feel, balance, electronic aids and feel.
- On-road handling – 10 points
This includes driving precision, cornering stability, cruising stability, ground feel, dynamics, electronic aids and feel.
- Engine and transmission – 10 points
This includes low-speed acceleration, high-speed acceleration (pick-up), engine torque, gearbox, engine braking, overall efficiency and fuel consumption.
- Braking – 10 points
This includes braking distance, stability, controllability and ABS effectiveness/sensations.
- Suspension – 10 points
This includes on-road damping, off-road damping, available adjustments and rebound control.
- Budget and serviceability – 20 points
This includes price, manufacturer’s warranty and ease of maintenance.
Grand total of 100 points
An important parenthesis must be made
Of course, not all models were equipped with panniers, for example. On the other hand, a motorcycle less equipped in this respect will necessarily have a more aggressive retail price. In the end, the balance will be back in favor of a grand total that is both representative and objective.
So, without further ado, here are the results of our comparative match of mid-size adventure bikes… Keeping things concise, we’ll highlight a model’s main strengths and, conversely, what could have been improved.
First place goes to… Drum rolls!
First place in our ranking goes to the KTM 790 Adventure 2024, with 86 points. With a very “Ready to Race” orientation, like the company’s slogan, its overall performance won us over. Its innovative design, with a fuel tank on each side of the engine, contributes to its excellent balance. A very important aspect for an adventure bike.
Its powerful engine and efficient WP suspension are also strong points. The KTM 790 Adventure performs equally well on asphalt and gravel trails. Its aggressive tires make it the competitor that shines brightest in the off-road sections. A neat and efficient presentation of the bike’s various electronic configurations gives it a head start. It’s easy to choose how much the rear wheel can slip, or the level of ABS control, for example.
Areas for improvement on the KTM 790 Adventure
On the flip side, here’s what made the KTM 790 Adventure lose points:
- Its very compact riding position quickly becomes uncomfortable for tall people.
- A slightly noisy engine at low revs, with lots of vibrations.
- A certain lack of standard fairing protection. On the other hand, its low, wide fuel tank design acts like the cylinders of a boxer engine. As a result, the engine cowling serves largely as side protection. Crash-bars can be fitted for complete protection.
- Luggage is not included… Side cases should be added to the bill as soon as possible. In the end, this can also be an advantage for those who prefer to choose every detail and accessory.
In second place
In second place is the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE Adventure. Distinctive styling, a torquey engine and a dynamic ride. That’s the first thing to emerge from our test drive. The quality of the finish is excellent, and its simple digital dial lets you configure the electronic driving aids.
The wide, soft seat is very comfortable for long distances. On- and off-road handling is precise and stable. It comes very close to the KTM with its 82 points.
Important note: It should be pointed out that the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE Adventure comes originally with side cases, and this aspect has been considered even if they are not visible in the photos.
Areas for improvement on the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE Adventure
On the other hand, the points we found that could be improved are :
- Very generous dimensions, even too imposing. Its hefty frame loses points in terms of handling and off-road vision. And the seat height makes it less accessible to all.
- An aggressive design that appeals to some… but not to everyone.
- Its windscreen, which isn’t very effective against wind and turbulence when riding on the road.
To complete our top 3
The CFMOTO IBEX 800 Explore takes the last place on the podium with a score of 80. The more than generous standard equipment certainly earns it points. These include an 8” touchscreen with Bluetooth connection, heated grips, heated seat, side panniers and more.
Its powertrain, derived from its Austrian cousin (KTM), gives it great dynamics and performance. A very high riding position and KYB suspension with 8” of long travel provide firm handling.
Precise handling and stability on asphalt give it an edge on the road. It’s not surprising, then, that this bike emerged as the most roadworthy of the comparison. In fact, all the components are geared more in that direction. And that’s why it lost points in the off-road category. In short, an adventurous motorcycle look with a strong road bias.
Improvement points for the CFMOTO IBEX 800 Explore
Points for improvement for the CFMOTO IBEX 800 Explore are :
- Its imposing size is an asset on the road. However, off-road, the 248 kg weight is a serious disadvantage, requiring extra effort on the rider’s part.
- The high, wide seat may intimidate some riders.
- The suspension is too firm for full travel on bumpy sections.
Last but not least!
To conclude our comparison of medium-displacement adventure bikes… the Honda Transalp 750 and its 79 points. Just one point behind its nearest rival!
Far from being the last choice to consider when buying a middleweight adventure bike, the Honda Transalp 750 offers an excellent quality of finish. Its easy-to-approach mechanics give it the flexibility to explore roads and dirt sections alike. All in all, the Transalp does well everywhere without causing a big “wow” compared to its competitors. It handles all the sections we asked it to tackle without exceeding the capabilities of the others. And this difference comes at a price, as the Honda Transalp 750 is the lowest-priced of our test models.
Points of improvement for the Honda Transalp 750
The Transalp’s more civilized side lost it some points, and the notable points of improvement are as follows:
- Soft suspension, which introduces a blur of steering precision and seeks to “bottom out” over big bumps. In normal use, however, the suspension will do a good job. For our comparison, we had to push the envelope.
- There are no original protective elements, which exposes the failure too much to oil and fairings.
- The various dial options are more complex to understand, and deactivating the traction control is very difficult.
Compiled results table
| Criteria | KTM 790 Adventure | Honda Transalp 750 XL | Suzuki V-Strom 800DE Adventure | CFMOTO IBEX 800 Explore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body, finish and equipment (15 pts) | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 |
| Ergonomics(15 pts) | 9 | 13 | 11 | 11 |
| Off-road handling (10 pts) | 9 | 6 | 8 | 6 |
| On road handling (10 pts) | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 |
| Engine and transmission (10 pts) | 10 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
| Braking(10 pts) | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
| Suspensions(10 pts) | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 |
| Budget and ease of maintenance(20 pts) | 20 | 18 | 14 | 16 |
| Scores compilation | 86 | 79 | 82 | 80 |
| Ranking | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Price and warranty | Price : 13,494$ 24-month/40000 km warranty | Price : 12,599$ 12-month/unlimited km warranty | Price : 16,495 $12-month/unlimited km warranty | Price : 16,889$ 12-month/unlimited-km warranty |
A final word
This comparative review was a real pleasure to carry out as a team, and a great opportunity to share our impressions. Although this list gives results with a ranking, we know that the purchase of a motorcycle is above all driven by passion. Emotions and “love at first sight” have an impact on our final decision, and there’s no such thing as a bad choice.
These four adventure bikes are great fun to ride, and will serve you well. Now the ball’s in your court for your next purchase, and have maximum fun on an adventure bike.
The team would like to thank the four manufacturers who contributed their test vehicles to this comparison:
Protective equipment visible in photos :
- Helmet: CKX Atlas
- Coat: Oxford Montreal 4.0
Photo credits: Steve Maillet
