Ducati Multistrada
An adventure-touring motorcycle will carry you to the end of the road, even if that road is unpaved. Among the most versatile and dynamic type of 2-wheelers available today, they have the power and fuel range to gobble miles at interstate speeds; upright riding ergonomics that provide all-day comfort; and long-travel suspension, higher clearance and aggressive tires that permit confident travel over dirt, gravel and other "unimproved" road surfaces.
Popular in Europe for a generation, the adventure bike originated with the 1980 introduction of the BMW R 80 G/S, which combined the best attributes of off-road and touring bikes. The G/S was later modified to compete in the grueling Paris-Dakar Rally, and street motorcycles such as the BMW G/S, Honda Transalp and Cagiva Elefant became known in Europe as Dakar bikes.
Until recently, however, they have struggled to gain acceptance in the United States. "For years, they were a hard sell here," says Cycle News editor Paul Carruthers. "But there's a new generation of rider in the United States who is ready to get off a sport bike, but doesn't find a Harley-Davidson cruiser or a big Honda Gold Wing touring rig appealing."
To help you decide which one is right for you, we put together a roundup of the latest offerings in the segment. Any of these great machines will take you as far as you care to ride.
Bing: Honda Gold Wing
Price: $17,250
www.bmw.com
Massive and practically unstoppable in the hands of a skilled rider, the big GS remains the most popular model in this class 30 years after its introduction. In 2010, an upgrade to the horizontal boxer twin-cylinder engine boosted output to 110 horsepower and improved torque across the rpm range. This bike is equally happy cruising at triple-digit speeds or plodding along a muddy two-track in first gear. The premium Adventure package includes a large windshield, hand guards, taller suspension with more than 8 inches of travel front and rear, crash guards and wire wheels with a choice of street or off-road tires. The huge, 8.7-gallon fuel tank gives the GS Adventure a range of 400 miles, though it requires premium fuel, which might hard to find in the boonies. Seat height is adjustable between 35 and 35.8 inches. The steep price tag does not include BMW options such as antilock braking ($1,100), electronic suspension adjustment ($800) and stability control ($400), plus all sorts of lights, cool aluminum side cases and an onboard computer.
Read: Two Wheelers Hit the Turf
Price: $19,995
www.ducatiusa.com
Its price alone makes the Multistrada the least dirt-worthy bike in this group, because nobody wants to drop a $20,000 motorcycle. But the Multistrada will appeal to a rider who appreciates groundbreaking technology and the pavement prowess that is part of the Ducati pedigree. The controls include four riding modes — Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro — each of which determines the bike's personality by electronically altering the level of traction control, the response and power output of the engine, and the suspension settings. Delve deeper into the digital menus to further tailor the bike to suit a riding style, passenger weight or road conditions. For riding on unpaved roads, select Enduro mode and the 1198-cc V-twin engine, derived from a Ducati Superbike model, is electronically detuned from 150 to 100 horsepower, and the traction control is retarded. Sport mode stiffens the suspension and dials up maximum engine power and response, transforming the Multistrada into a high-performance Italian sport bike. The Touring edition includes antilock braking, Ducati Electronic Suspension, heated hand grips, side cases and a center stand. A 48-liter top case and dedicated Garmin GPS are options.
Bing Video: Ducati Race
Price: $6,149
www.kawasaki.com
On the scene for more than 20 years, the KLR has a fanatical following among adventure riders who want an affordable bike skewed to the dirt side of the road-surface equation. Its 651-cc single-cylinder engine has a broad torque band that's perfect for plunking along at low speeds on trails, but it will still cruise at 80 mph on the highway. The 5.8-gallon fuel tank gives the KLR a range of about 250 miles. Aggressive tires, more than 7 inches of suspension travel and 8.3 inches of ground clearance allow the KLR to roll over the worst unpaved roads and even tackle moderate trails. With a dry weight of 386 pounds, the KLR is more than 100 pounds lighter than the BMW R 1200 GS. The seat height is a sky-high 35 inches, however, and may be a challenge for shorter riders. A frame-mounted fairing and midheight windshield offer moderate weather protection. The KLR comes with a large aluminum rear rack that can hold a tail bag. A 36-amp alternator puts out enough juice to power your heated vest, auxiliary lights and navigation electronics.
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