2023 Best Big-Bore Adventure Bike Comparison | KTM vs Triumph vs Ducati vs Harley-Davidson vs BMW

Big-bore adventure bikes are like the SUVs of the motorcycle world - they’re big, they’re flashy, they’re high tech, and they’re versatile. But which one is best for you?
Read more: www.bikesales.com.au/editoria...
In our comprehensive big-bore adventure shootout, we put five of the best head-to-head - including the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R, the Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer, the Ducati Multistrada V4 S, the Harley-Davidson Pan America, and the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure - to find each one's strengths and weaknesses and find an ultimate winner. Which bike comes out on top?
Fast Forward:
00:00 Intro
00:53 Contenders & pricing
02:42 Equipment and specs
09:20 KTM Road Test
10:03 Triumph Road Test
10:42 Ducati Road Test
11:27 Harley Davidson Road Test
12:06 BMW Road Test
12:52 Verdict
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[@scottakins-sellar5448]

With the popularity of mid capacity adventure bikes, wouldn't it be awesome if BMW produced a new boxer R800GS? Especially with the big girl getting even bigger next year!

[@Multistriding]

Not sure why you would use a V4S instead of a V4 Rally for this comparison? V4S belongs with GS, SAS and GT. Multistrada V4 Rally belongs in the GSA, SAR andTiger Explorer comparison.

[@Helmigurt]

They literally told you 2 minutes into the video that no other model was available. Also the V4S is already the most expensive so if you cross shop based on a specific budget the comparison fits.

[@Multistriding]

I respectfully disagree. The price range of these bikes is too broad for a potential buyers budget to be a factor in the comparison and, if a manufacturer has a model specifically engineered (and available for the buyer to purchase) for the category you’re comparing; you should use that model or not include that manufacturer in the comparison. Just my opinion, or maybe not…..

[@Helmigurt]

@@Multistriding Thinking about it you may be correct!

[@philwoods2534]

I tested four of the five bikes there to replace the 5th, the H-D which sadly spent more time in the garage than being ridden yet very capable when working correctly and ultimately got rejected. The BMW is a behemoth, Yes very comfortable, but too heavy, unwieldy and hopefully radically updated with the new model. The Ducati is a fine bike, power. tech, etc...but 34mpg?....I was stopping after 100 miles and that didn't bode well for touring. The triumph was a capable machine, but a distinct lack of dealers that were owner recommended within a decent radius of where I live put paid to owning one of them. Ultimately I bought the road version of your winner, Radar cruise, electronically controlled suspension, heated seats and grips and a host of tech with immense power. I didn't go for the full pack options, choosing carefully for my needs and it hasn't left me wanting, offering a huge smile every time I ride.

[@Radio_180]

Honda Africa Twin: Am I a joke to you?

[@gsrossco]

No Africa Twin?

[@TheChindoboi]

Would be great to see a mid capacity adventure bike comparison as well!

[@c.church5661]

Yayyy KTM. Definitely picking up the Super Adventure S for my next bike. Was tempted on getting the Triumph Tiger 1200, but after riding one, the vibrations were a dealbreaker for me. Felt like no matter what gear and rev range I was at, that triple just destroyed my hands and I ride a V-Twin now. Another thing that made me say no was the price of insurance. I get away with maybe $850 a year on a brand new SAS, but the tiger was about $1600 a year for some odd reason. Aside from that, BMW is to big and slow, Ducati’s too expensive and I’m biased against Harley’s. (Granted I would pick the Pan Am if I had to choose a Harley. Overall gold star to the KTM 😎

[@kugangles9860]

If you're gonna do real off road work the KTM wins hands down.

[@PaulWilliamsBigDaddy]

Should have put the Afica Twin in there...

[@christopher54179]

Great comparison with some top bikes. I agree KTM is awesome. I have one. Have had the 1250 and prefer KTM off road. Is still very comfortable on road touring. Can easily do long day in the saddle. KTM doesn’t have the build quality in some areas compared to BMW but not a deal breaker.

[@bikesaleschannel]

Hey Christopher, very good point - the BMW does have great build quality. Perhaps the only thing that let the Beemer down for us was that it is getting a bit long in the tooth. The new R 1300 GS is coming very soon, so it will be interesting to see what BMW does with that!

[@adamfriedrich1464]

Not if You are 6'7 tall. New 1290 SAR is too cramped for a tall person, and compared with last version - it doesnt allow you to travel 1k km in one day.

[@bikesaleschannel]

@@adamfriedrich1464 Good point Adam - what bike would you choose as a taller rider?

[@christianmouraux7269]

The suspension of the KTM is outstanding.

[@tbthedozer]

I heard a lot of talk about traveling the world on these SUV world travelers but no mention of the quality of their windscreens on the highway… to me that’s an important decision factor in spending hours in the saddle. I am really curious how those stacked up. 4 hours of helmet buffeting can sap some energy from your physical endurance tank. Also how far will they go on a fill? 😬😁 thanks 😅

[@jasgsxr2726]

And the winner is Tenere 1200 at $26000 !

[@LooxJJ]

Super Tenere is the winner on this. :D

[@inctomi1]

I like KTM is called “Kay Dee eM”

[@coolierewind]

Australian prices are crazy.

[@huites99]

I am 6’5” and looking too purchase a bike, any suggestions considering my height ?

[@EckRD]

Triumph tiger rally( 900 or 1200), Yamaha super tenere, Africa twin or Ducati multistrada( if you can afford to service it etc). I'm assuming you are into ADV bikes.

[@huites99]

@@EckRD yes kind of zeroing in on the Multistrada rally , took a test ride today

[@margolish8220]

Africa twin and multistrada V4

[@johnm8622]

I'm 6'6" and looking too. KTM has shorter peg to seat distance than some, and no adjustable seat height on the R model. They do offer a bench/rally seat that is slightly taller. The package seems like the most exciting though, and most off-road capable. Just sitting on them, I like the feel of the Tiger 1200 and GSA, but haven't yet test ridden either. They have the height, and adjustable seat. The Multistrata isn't a consideration for me due to lack of dealers, fuel mileage, fuel capacity, and maintenance requirements. I currently ride an older V-Strom 1000.

[@nikkato7096]

I am 6’5 too and own the current KTM 1290 SAR.. perfect! I have the power parts enduro seat that is slightly taller however makes the perfect height..

[@mardelplatalimousines3423]

The Multi the best!

[@MjFuji-fz9qo]

Best big bore euro adventure bikes u mean

[@barossasteve]

Honda?????

[@nukezat]

Missed out on Africa twin and Super Tenere (both 1200cc) because they are not on the same league? Video should be titled Top Dentist ADV's

[@TheFlemmo123]

1100 cc Honda AT, but great bike anyways. 😊

[@bikesaleschannel]

Hey nukezat, we were limited in the amount of bikes we could get at one time, so we decided to keep the field to 1200cc+ (or thereabouts) and as close as possible in price and spec. For that reason, we left out the Africa Twin (1084cc) and the V-Strom 1050DE (1037cc). Both are excellent bikes and great value for money, but we felt they are in a slightly different category. As for the Super Ten, another iconic model, but it more or less hasn't changed in over a decade, so we didn't include it. But you do raise an interesting point - maybe a separate comparison with the Japanese brands is in order?

[@BIGGGESTAL]

The Ducati didn't even have off road tyres😂

[@TallyHoTech]

KTM is a winner for excitement off road but is a rubbish adventure bike otherwise. It handles like a boat on road and is not comfortable.

[@bikesaleschannel]

Hey TallyHoTech, thanks for the comment - we always love to hear what everyone's thoughts are! The consensus amongst our test riders was that the KTM handles exceptionally well off-road and on-road (matched perhaps only by the Ducati on the tarmac). While it is clearly the best off-road bike, we still found it to be excellent on the road too. As for comfort, we all found the ride position comfortable (although it is very tall). The only downside was the lack of a few creature comforts as standard (like heated grips and a tall windshield etc).

[@TallyHoTech]

@@bikesaleschannel "matched perhaps only by the Ducati on the tarmac" I guess if you cant tell the difference between night and day. You need new test riders if they cant tell the difference between a 21" and a 19" on the road. Any decent motorcycle tester or journalist will tell you that.

[@bikesaleschannel]

@@TallyHoTech Absolutely see where you are coming from, but these are adventure bikes, not sportsbikes. As a dual-sport tourer, the KTM handles as well as any of the others on the tarmac. Sure, the Ducati might get you better lap times, but that's not what we are here for. But as we always say, every rider will have their own preferences and opinions, so we're glad your perspective.

[@kugangles9860]

It's the only bike in the line up that's a true off road prepared bike. The rest are big gravel road boats.

[@motocritic]

KTM Super Adventure sucks! In 2021, among many other bikes, I thoroughly tested Ducati Multistrada V4 S and new KTM 1290 Super Adventure S, including taking them both to their top speeds, and a lot of high speed riding. Multistrada V4 is AWESOME: it's fast, very stable and maneuverable at any speeds, with great handling, comfortable, versatile, you name it. 1290 SA S, on the other hand, is completely the opposite. In short, 2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is uncomfortable: bad sitting position with cramped legs, harsh seat, engine vibrations at any rpm, bad screen with poor wind protection and a lot of buffeting. Super Adventure is slow: it's ~20 km/h slower than it's direct competitor Multistrada V4 on the top speed, also KTM really starves on power above 200 km/h. But hands down the worst feature of this bike is how horribly unstable it is above 200 km/h - it's wobbles permanently. And that's in the bone stock form without any boxes - so I'm afraid to even think about how badly KTM will wobble with boxes. Yes, besides everything else, I also covered ~ 72 km in ~ 20 and a half minutes on the 1290 SA S (I'll release the footage later), but that's all thanks to my riding skills and experience. I was permanently struggling with KTM through the entire ride. It's a widow maker bike for sure - on this bike anyone can get killed at any moment because of the quirks of Super Adventure. This bike also has it's strong sides like awesome suspensions, unbelievably smooth and precise gearbox, and good dashboard. But downsides (mentioned above) of this bike outweighs it's upsides by many times. That's why KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is really bad bike overall. It's good for nothing. Unlike the Ducati Multistrada V4 - which is good for almost everything. P.S. Just for clarification: I tested not one but two 2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S. Took the bikes from different dealers at different days. And they both behaved identical. So don't even try saying something inline with: "Hurr-durr, should've fix the bike before testing" - both bikes had no mechanical issues at all, and both was working as intended by manufacturer. All the riding issues mentioned above is caused solely by the design and engineering flaws of the Super Adventure - not something else.

[@cameronrussell9362]

The KTM was redesigned in 2022. nice effort at complaining though.

[@motocritic]

@@cameronrussell9362, as far as I know, 1290 SA S was redesigned last time in the 2021 - and that's exactly the version I tested. It was not redesigned again since.

[@ivanjaksic9574]

bmw over anything any day...

[@platonkouirouklis576]

Why ktm is the best??? I Dont really understand nothing. Lol Lol Looooooool. I think is the worst machine overall

[@kanuklastman3436]

Humans have ripped up and torn apart most of the world already, so let's get on a motorcycle and rip up some more. Make the wildlife flee. Destroy some more habitat. What GREAT FUN!!