The Best 5 Small Adventure Motorcycles 2021

Small adventure motorcycles have taken over the adventure riding scene in recent times. This is with good reason, due to their lightweight off road capability, fuel efficiency and low running costs.

Today I’m going to take you through what I think are the top 5 best small adventure motorcycles. We’re going to consider their specs, costs and reliability. The criteria in determining whether the bike fits in this category or not will go by the engine size being less than 500cc and the weight being less than 200kg.

Starting with the least preferred motorcycle, in 5th place, the BMW G310GS.
The 313cc single cylinder engine produces 34hp and 20 lbs-ft of torque, with electronic fuel injection and a maximum speed of 88mph.

A 7.1” inch suspension travel both front and back providing a ground clearance of 8.6 inches. Weighing in at 386lb wet. The bike costs $5800.
The fourth bike, the Royal Enfield Himalayan.

A bike that I’ve had an extensive time riding around the Himalayas on, a truly fun and capable adventure bike. The 411cc single cylinder engine produces only 24.5hp and 23.6 lbs-ft of torque. With electronic fuel injection and a top speed of 87mph.

With 7.8 inches of suspension travel and providing a ground clearance of 8.6 inches. Weighing in at 421 lbs wet. The Himalayan only costs $4700 in the USA.

The third bike, the Kawasaki Versys-X 300. The 296cc twin cylinder engine produces an impressive 40hp and 19.2lb-ft of torque. With electronic fuel injection and a top speed of 100mph.

With 5.8 inches of suspension travel providing a ground clearance of 7.1 inches. Weighing in at 386 lbs wet. The versys costs $5900.

The second bike and now we are getting into some serious hard hitting off roaders.

The KTM 390 Adventure. Powered by the 373cc single cylinder engine that’s also found in the 390 duke, produces an impressive 43.5 hp and 26 lb-ft of torque with electronic fuel injection and a top speed of 93 mph.

With 7 inches of suspension travel, providing a ground clearance of 7.8 inches. Weighing in at 387 pounds wet. The KTM costs $6200 USD.
And finally, my favourite pick, in first place the Honda CRF300L or the CRF300 Rally.

Powered by a 286cc single cylinder engine, producing 27hp and 19.6 lb-ft of torque with electronic fuel injection and a top speed of 82mph.

With 10.2 inches of suspension travel, providing an immense grond clearance of 11.2 inches. And weighing in at only 313 lbs wet. The Hondas cost between $5250 for the CRF300L and $6000 for the Rally.

[Wanderer]

Video Credits -
Fortnine - Kawasaki Versys X 300
Motorcycle Adventure Dirtbike TV - BMW G310GS

[HARE]

It’s definitely the Honda CRF 300L. The weight, horse power, ground clearance, and Honda reliability all add up to the perfect bike for me.
Thanks for the good review of a quality set of bikes.

[NorthwoodsNomad]

The CRF300L / or Rally . Hands down, no contest ... best all around bike that does it all !

[toddinde]

I just bought the Versys 300X. I absolutely love it. I’ve done lots of dirt roads and trails. It’s not a motocross bike, that’s for sure, but that’s not why I bought it. It also really turns some heads, and I get asked about it all the time. Nobody can believe it’s 300cc.

[gcprost]

I bought the Himalayan and I’m very happy. My other top pick was the Honda. I took the Himalayan over the Honda because it had less plastic, lower seat height, lower center of gravity, easier to load, and better seat.

[gpyatt]

I just bought the crf 300 l very happy with it, light sparky and fun .

[christophersykes]

Did my research here in the UK and chose the Kawasaki Versys 300X, it suits my riding style where 85% of my journeys are on tarmac, I smile every time I ride it out of the garage, so far it has been 100% reliable. I bought it from a main dealer with 0 miles on the clock and has now passed its first MOT with no advisories. My luggage is a 34 ltr top box and a 45 ltr dry bag on the pillion. Looking forward to my next trip later this month.

[mullman]

As a LONG time BMW rider (still have a 1967 R60/2 with Steib TR500 sidecar) I wanted the 310GS or KTM 390 but went with the Honda 300L. It’s almost perfect out of the box for what I want now. Honda killed it with this one.

[michaelsupple]

I've ridden the CRF250L several times Owned a Versys X300 and currently own the KTM 390 Adventure. I personally prefer the KTM over the other two. I consider the Honda a dual sport bike, not an adventure bike so there's a little apples and oranges thing going on there. The KTM offers a lot of bang for the buck. Power wise the KTM will run circles around both the other bikes. Having said that I'd love to try out the new Honda crf300l or better yet try out what ever Yamaha is going to come out with after discontinuing the WR.

[glenorr]

I'm 61 and have had 15 bikes. My retirement bikes are a 2018 Triumph 900 Street Cup and a 2019 BMW G310GS . I love, love, love the GS.

[rogue]

I have a 2018 Versys X300, does everything I need, new rear shock( hyperpro) regeared(15x44)it goes everywhere I want. With average 64mpg.

[simonwilson]

Re Himalayan, proven globe buster, low tech easy to fix, very economical, good luggage, good Weather protection, comfort

[Rico-bs]

I'll take one of each! Great riding sequences. Thank you for this. I was considering your 5th and 4th choices but am now reconsidering the others.

[phillangford]

I would largely echo the comment below. I had to recover my Himalayan from Malaga, Spain to England because of a cancelled trip to Morocco. It performed faultlessly and proved to be very comfortable. When I've taken it off-road, I have been amazed at how capable it is so long as you don't rush it. It's the kind of bike that puts a smile on your face because it has shed-loads of character. It REALLY is the motorcycle equivalent of a Land Rover Defender. And fantastic value too.

[petezny]

Good summary but I feel you should have made a co-winner for first place however. KLX300! In most aspects very similar to the Honda but with a fully adjustable suspension. Since we're talking ADV bike here the inability to tune the suspension front and rear for today's mission and load and that is the one major short coming of the CRF300.

[SteveSeadog]

Done a lot of desk research and I've ordered a CRF300L, , so I hope your rankings are good. ;-

[sausagesandwichsa]

I've taken my CRF250 Rally on many adventures and it's awesome....and the 300 sounds even better....that's the one to get👍

[simemo]

Already have the Versys-x 300 since 2018. but for 2021 I would go for the CRF300 Rally👌

[krishnateja]

I own Himalayan and it puts smile on my face every time I take it for a ride. Comfortable riding posture, immaculate handling, and just fun to ride; that’s all! That’s where it starts and ends.

It’s just classic, simple and no Huss no fuss machine which anyone can repair since no high end tech is involved.

If someone is looking at spec sheet, tech, and modern gadgetry just spare the agony and skip Himalayan.

[trekOCLVone]

I bought the Versys 300x and am super happy with it. Aftermarket upgrades galore. The only problem was finding one. Inventory is ZERO. But I found one in a small dealership way out in the sticks. It is a fun bike and I do plan on making it a little more off road as it comes with barely considered dual purpose tires. And for 300 CC bike to do 100 mph is nuts.