Everything You Need To Know About Off-Road and Adventure Bikes

Let’s say you’ve decided to dip your toe into the dirt world. You’ve seen the videos showing riders exploring far away places, you’ve read the articles describing the freedom of exploring this Earth, and you’ve heard your friends talk about how fun it is. If you’re a certain age, you’ve even heard your elders talk about how their two-wheeled lives started in the dirt, too. But before you start shopping for boots, you need to know the different kinds of off-road bikes because, spoiler alert: it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation.

If you’re new to motorcycling, these are probably the bikes you’re thinking about when someone mentions “dirt bikes.” These are the bikes that go racing. They’re loud, aggressive, and with the right rider on them, they tackle jumps with huge amounts of airtime. These are purebred race machines designed for closed-course tracks filled with jumps, whoops, and berms. These engines are typically single cylinder four-strokes with either 450cc or 250cc, and are tuned for performance. They make lots of power and are not for the faint of heart.

Common features you’ll find on MX bikes include:

• No lights or gauges
• Long-travel suspension
• Powerful single cylinder engines that are tuned for maximum performance
• Tall seat heights, minimal weight

Some examples of motocross bikes include the Yamaha YZ450F and YZ125. These bikes are about as focused as a scalpel. The 450F is Yamaha’s flagship four-stroke MXer and the one it goes racing with elite riders like Eli Tomac on board. Meanwhile the YZ125 is a two-stroke motocross motorcycle with equal amounts of top-shelf components. Two strokes are popular because they’re simple, light, and fun, and the YZ125 has developed a cult following because of it. They also require more frequent maintenance and don’t make as much power as their four-stroke counterparts, relegating them to niche status amongst those who don’t want to forget about the past.

But unless you have regular access to a track, an MX bike is probably overkill for your weekend trail ride. Which brings us to...

Enduro/Cross-Country

If the closed-course racing focus aspect of MX bikes doesn’t appeal to you and you’d rather take longer, more technical rides through trails, then Enduro/Cross-Country bikes are what you’re looking for. They’re still fast, still light, but built for the trails — think tree roots, switchbacks, water crossings, and hours of standing on the pegs. Often, Enduro bikes are derived from motocross bikes, but with some changes to make them better suited for this particular job.

Some differences from MX bikes include:

• Long-travel suspension like an MX bike, but tuned for a more compliant ride
• Wider gear ratios for varied terrain, sometimes also a sixth gear
• Bigger gas tanks and cooling systems
• Sometimes they have lights

This is where things get interesting. Dual-sport bikes are street-legal from the factory, but can have serious dirt DNA. They’re perfect for riders who want to ride to the trailhead instead of loading up a truck – or simply connect trails via roadways. Think mirrors, turn signals, license plates — and some modicum of comfort. Unlike motocross bikes, these generally were never designed for competition, and smaller displacement models are actually designed for quite the opposite – introducing new riders to the dirt, not racing. Engine types and sizes vary, but usually (not always) these are also single cylinder engines, tuned to a lower level than the bikes above.

Compared to pure MX or Enduros, Dual-Sport bikes:

• Are heavier, thanks to emissions equipment and DOT parts
• Feature softer suspension and engines tuned for longevity over outright performance
• Are still highly capable of tackling real trails (as long as they’re equipped with the right accessories and the right rider).

Yamaha’s simple XT250 is the current dual-sport option. It’s basic, air-cooled — but reliable as gravity and a great learner platform. It’s also dirt cheap.

If you’re itching for a more modern or performance-focused dual-sport, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

Trail Bikes

If we’re being honest: we generally refer to this category of off-road bikes as learner bikes. These are small machines with very modest air-cooled engines meant to help kids, teens, and those with absolutely no background in motorcycling learn to ride in the dirt. However, some folks also prefer these small bikes to goof around on trails or follow their kids around the campground.

From the tiny PW50 (training wheels optional!) to the beginner-friendly TT-R230, these bikes are designed for fun, not trophies. They don’t make a ton of power, and that’s the point. These are the “just get out and ride” bikes that every adult who started riding as a kid remembers.

Adventure Bikes

ADV bikes are basically the SUVs of the motorcycle world. These are designed to do highway and dirt, city streets and remote fire roads — all in one package. That said, not all adventure bikes are created equal. Size matters, and so does weight. Some are more serious about dirt while others veer more towards a street bias. With these, there’s a big difference between can go off-road and wants to go off-road. Stylistically, they look more like a cross between a touring bike and a MXer. You’ll still see longer suspension and larger size wheels, but they clearly don’t look like your typical off-road bike as described above.

Importantly, engine types and sizes range from small to big, and the supporting components and off-road worthiness are there to match. Because of this, we’ll break it down into three rough categories: lightweight, middleweight, and heavyweight.

Lightweight ADV

Lightweight ADV bikes are perfect for riders who prioritize off-road ability but want something more manageable and less intimidating. These bikes typically have smaller engines, smaller statures, and overall weigh less, making them easier to handle off road while still being able to tackle a modest road ride if you wanted. As a side bonus, they’re usually easiest on the wallet, too.

They tend to have:

• Simpler electronics (but some are now bucking that trend…)
• Modest power (~20–45 hp)
• Smaller fuel tanks and lighter frames (but still bigger and heavier than off-road bikes)
• Decent off-road ability

Yamaha doesn’t have a true sub-400cc lightweight ADV in its current lineup. The XT250 comes close if you squint hard and pack light, but it’s really a dual-sport with modest ADV pretensions. If Yamaha ever makes a baby Ténéré, we’re here for it.

Middleweight ADV

This is the Goldilocks zone for many riders — enough power for any kind of road riding, light enough to tackle real off-road trails, and not so expensive that you cry when it tips over in the dirt. For those who realize that size isn’t everything, middleweights are rapidly becoming the default adventure bike for people who actually leave pavement.

Here’s what to expect:

• 60–90 horsepower
• Long-travel suspension and 21-inch front wheels
• Dirt-worthy tires and protection
• Manageable weight (sometimes under 500lbs fueled)

If this sounds like we’re talking about Yamaha’s Tenere 700, it’s because we are. It’s got the heart of the MT-07 (parallel-Twin CP2 engine), wrapped in a legit off-road chassis with a 21/18 wheel setup, long-travel KYB suspension, and just enough tech to get the job done. The Tenere has a rock-solid engine and chassis combo that rewards skilled riders and doesn’t overwhelm new ones.

If you actually want to ride off-road — like real off-road — some choice modifications and the T7 will get it done (just lookup Pol Tarres to see the crazy things he’s doing on one). Sure, it’s a little tall and a bit porky compared to a dirt bike, but the whole point of adventure bikes is to do it all.

Heavyweight ADV

These are the big boys. Think world travel. Think Dakar-inspired styling. Think 500-plus pounds of full-on, go anywhere, do anything adventure. These are some of the most capable — and complicated — bikes in the class. Heavyweight adventure bikes represent the flagship of any manufacturer's ability to produce something that can do it all, and the technology on display represents that. We’re talking big horsepower, premium suspension, top-shelf electronics, and no excuses. However, these aren’t for the weak or timid – with big power comes big risk. Things can go south quickly, and heavyweight adventure bikes are unforgiving. Those ready for it will be rewarded with an epic experience, but the learning curve is steep.

What you get:

• Big horsepower (100+)
• Massive fuel tanks (sometimes 7+ gallons)
• High-end electronics (ride modes, cornering ABS, cruise, etc.)
• Long-distance comfort
• Serious cost (many start north of $20K)

Unfortunately, Yamaha doesn’t currently make a model in this category anymore, but when it did, the Super Ténéré 1200 was it. It’s shaft-driven, 1,200cc parallel-twin powered, and built to eat miles in any weather. It wasn’t really light, nor flashy, nor the highest performing in its class. Which is maybe why it’s not around anymore.

The world is your oyster

And that’s the lowdown on everything off-road and adventure bikes. No matter your flavor there’s something out there for you. The choices are deep and can be a little confusing, so do your homework and ask yourself some honest questions before making your choice. No matter which you choose, the first time you crest a ridge with no pavement in sight, you’ll remember why you did it. Just be warned: once you go ADV, regular street riding might start to feel a little tame.

Keep in mind — you will fall. You will get muddy. You will swear a lot after your first uphill in sand. But wear the right gear and you stand the best chance of getting up, dusting yourself off, and fighting on. Exactly what gear to wear will be the topic of another article.

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