With many years of overlanding experience, I’m here to help you choose the right motorcycle for your overland adventure.
What is the best overlanding motorcycle? The best overlanding motorcycle is between 400 and 650cc and weights less than 200kg / 440lbs. Another important factor is the reliability and maintenance interval when choosing a bike. A good option is the Yamaha T7, Suzuki DR650 or the Honda CRF250L Rally.
Why would I recommend these motorcycles, what are they good at and what other things do you consider when buying a motorcycle for overlanding. We’ll discuss these topics in the rest of the article.
The Suzuki DR650s
Important factors to consider before buying a motorcycle for overlanding
Before you run to the dealer to get yourself a brand new BMW here are some factors to think about that will influence the decision of which bike to get
- What is your budget? Small? Choose a smaller bike!
- How much time do you have for your trip? Little time? Choose a bigger engine bike!
- How remote will you really go? Remote? Choose a light bike!
- Will you travel solo or with someone else? Solo? Choose a light bike!
- How good are you with mechanics? Horrible? No need to choose the DR650 then!
Should you buy a new motorcycle for your trip at all?
Let’s be real here.. No, you don’t need to buy a new motorcycle if you already have one that you love to ride. Any bike will make it to the other side of the world. I know a girl who did it on a Vespa and some blokes from Australia did it on a postie bike. The point has been long proven that a big shiny BMW1200GS is not necessary.
If you are dying to get out there, then keep all of that cash you would spend on a new bike and keep it for traveling. Most of us spend between €50 and €80 per person per day on a big trip, so keeping the €5000 for a new motorcycle in your pocket means another 3 months of traveling!
The three bikes best suitable for a long overlanding adventure
It is not a coincidence that I recommend only Japanese branded motorcycles for overlanding. These are know for producing reliable bikes that will not let you down when you need them. Let’s start by comparing the specifications that are important for choosing an overlanding motorcycle. Weight, tank range, seat height, the length of the service interval and the MRSP.
Yamaha Tenere 700
Suzuki DR650s
Honda CRF250L Rally
The lightest bike is the Honda CRF250L Rally which also has the biggest tank range together with the Yamaha Ténéré. The Ténéré is also the bike with the lowest seat height for those who are vertically challenged. Although this can usually be adjusted a little on each model. The Honda CRF250L Rally also has the longest service interval which is great for long distance trips. Of these bikes the Honda is cheapest new, although the DR will be widely available second hand (in the US and Australia) for a really good deal.
All in one - Yamaha Ténéré 700
When the Yamaha Ténéré 700 was first announced, the community went wild about the possibilities. Tension rose as the years passed by and the bike was still not for sale. When it finally hit the market, it was an immediate hit. The rally looks combined with the affordable price made it popular with riders around the world. It even outperformed the sales of the BMW GS.
And that is not for nothing. The stock bike comes with great features right out of the factory that make it great for adventure touring but also for overlanding. I know multiple seasoned overlanders who traded in their old motorcycle for the T7.
She’s got the looks
What attracts me most about the Yamaha at first are its looks, I’m not gonna lie. It is just a really cool looking motorcycle, one you could ride the Dakar rally with. With the slim rally tower, high ground clearance, 21inch front wheel with spoked rims and 80/20 offroad tires.
Electronics and ABS
It is not as fancy as the new KTMs and BMWs that roll out of the factory these days, the display is simplistic to say the least, but I would consider that a huge plus when riding around the world. Nothing beats a bike that starts every time you push the starter button. Reliability is what you get from the Japanese so that is what you can expect.
There is a possibility to turn off the ABS with the flick of a switch when you ride from the road into the dirt. This was something I dearly missed on my VStrom and a feature I would consider a must on a modern bike these days. Riding with ABS on the road is just so much safer, but a real nuisance offroad. Being able to turn it on and off it a huge plus. I actually completed the trip with ABS turned off, it was just too much hassle.
Stock tires
The bike comes with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres, which we put on our VStroms for the European section of our trip and they performed fantastic on and offroad. The gravel trails in Finland were a blast on these tires and really grippy due to the compound. The only downside is their performance in mud, so if you plan to head to West Africa during the rainy season you might want to consider a knobbier tyre.
Highway performance
With 6 gears the bike performs excellent on the highways too, although I would argue that you don’t buy this bike to ride around Europe’s toll roads for fun. At highway speeds the bike runs in pretty high RPMs but doesn’t feel buzzy. You could swap gears if you take the highway often but I would not recommend this when overlanding is your goal. The windscreen helps tremendously with keeping you comfortable although it doesn’t completely shield you from the elements. The seat is quite narrow which makes it relatively uncomfortable on long stretches sitting down, so by the time the tank is empty you will be quite happy to get in some stretching. With the stock tank you will get about 320km or 200 miles out of the bike so you can stay on a regular stretching routine, which means that the fuel economy is not great but not horrible either.
Offroad performance
This is the part where are the reviewers of this bike are raving about, it is fantastic! For any rider, this bike will give you the confidence to take it anywhere. It handles any style of offroad like double or single track very well. Are you surprised? You are not the only one, despite the weight this bike feels like it is meant to hit the trails. This bike is meant to be taken on a big overland trip and heading into the Bolivian highlands.
It is heavy, with 205 kg wet weight and that is without the added upgrades and luggages. Despite it being lighter that any other motorcycle in its class when you need to pick it up multiple times a day in deep sand far away from civilisation you’d better have a friend with you to help you out or be a professional weight lifter.
Conclusion for the Yamaha Ténéré 700
So before you choose this bike, be honest with yourself when thinking about your trip. Who will you be riding with? Solo or with a partner and where will you take this bike? If you are planning on going hardcore remote offroad sections, then you might be better off with a lighter bike. Are you going to stick to more well traveled trails, on or offroad then you will find this bike to be an excellent partner for your adventure.
PROs of the Yamaha Ténéré 700
- Looks
- Great priced bike
- Confidence building motorcycle on and offroad
Reliable
CONs of the Yamaha Ténéré 700
It is heavy
Uncomfortable seat compared to a BMW GS
Upgrades I would recommend for the Yamaha Ténéré 700
Crash bars
- Skidplate
- Heated grips
- Handlebar risers
- Crashproof hand guards
Oldschool cool and reliable - Suzuki DR650s
The Suzuki DR650 has been going strong since the nineties and the design hasn’t changed much either. You’ll not buy this bike for its looks but for the proven design and reliability. It is a simple machine that will take you anywhere you want to go which can be fixed by anyone around the world. It has been and remains a favourite amongst seasoned overlanders.
The bike is not for sale in Europe due to the strict emission regulations here. There are some DR’s available on the second hand market, but very limited.
A bike with a carburettor
The Suzuki DR650s is an old school machine equipped with a carburettor. While my other recommendations are fuel injected machines, this one is not. The advantage of this is that it is easy to maintain, repair and replace in case it breaks which can’t be said about the fuel injection system. But when you start to climb to higher altitudes this bike will struggle more and you might have to adjust the valves a bit to get some more power out of your bike. When you are a-technical, this might be a challenge for you, but learning about the mechanics of your bike is never a bad thing.
Besides the electrical starter, this bike has zero electronics. So if you brake down in the middle of Africa there is a big chance that a local mechanic can help you out getting back on the road. A huge advantage when you are planning a big overland adventure.
On-road performance
Due to the 650cc engine, this bike performs reasonably well on the highways being able to keep up with the other traffic at high speeds. Making covering long distances fast. The lack of a windscreen means that you are catching all of the riding winds making it a trying exercise.
The stock tank is quite small, giving you a range of about 210 km or 130 miles. Especially on the highway, this is not much. For overlanding purposes you might consider swapping out for a long range tank. There are safari tanks available that are huge containing (stock size is 12L) 30L of fuel. This is definitely overkill. Find something in between.
Lastly, the seating sucks for long distance road sections.
Offroad performance
The DR650 is a true offroad capable motorcycle, it is incredibly lightweight for a 650 and will climb any hill climb or single track you throw at it. If you plan on riding some extreme terrain on your overland adventure, then the dr650 is going to be an excellent companion. As far as I read, the stock suspension and tires are pretty crap for offroading so despite this bike being pretty cheap, you will have to reserve some of that cash for a few modifications.
Conclusion for the DR650
It is a great, economy friendly option especially outside of Europe. It is a bike you would pick if you want to do most of the maintenance yourself because it is such a simple and reliable bike. With the 650cc engine this bike performs well on and offroad because it is so lightweight as well. A great pick for an overland adventure.
PRO’s
- Simple bike design
- Easy to maintain yourself
- Easy to repair
- Lightweight for a 650cc
- Great bike for offroading
- Requires upgrades before traveling
CONS’s
- Small stock fuel tank
- Uncomfortable seat
- Shorter service interval
- Not for sale in Europe
Upgrades I would recommend for the Suzuki DR650s
- Crash bars
- Skidplate
- Crashproof handguards
- Heated grips
- Offroad suspension
- Tires
- Bigger tank
Light and nimble - Honda CRF250L Rally
Ready for adventure, should be the tagline for this bike. Honda has created a lightweight bike that is capable of handling big trips. This is due to the bigger tank that has the same range as the Ténéré and the long service interval. With a lighter bike you will have more fun riding around on the offroad sections and weaving in and out of traffic. Most importantly, it is the lightest bike out of the three so anyone can pick it up in any condition allowing you to take this bike into the wild.
On road performance
The bike performs moderate at high speeds and is capable of keeping up at highway speeds, but it isn’t fun. The bike invites you to stay on the backroads and take the scenic route. Not a bad option when the journey is more fulfilling than the destination.
Otherwise, when staying below 100km/h or 60mph the bike does great on the road. Lighter bikes are easier to handle and incredibly fun to ride.
Offroad performance
This is where this bike shines. It is great offroad because it is lightweight and really designed for this stuff. You will have a blast on this bike wether it is groomed gravel roads, deep sand or slippery mud. You will get through. The weight of the bike also allows solo riders to take more risk in remote areas because a fallen over bike is easier to pick up. If this is the style of travel you are dreaming of then the CRF is the bike for you.
Conclusion for the CRF250L Rally
When you want to explore the remotest sections that are still left on this planet the CRF is the companion for you. Reliable, little maintenance and lightweight are the most important factors for an overland motorcycle. If I would ever plan another journey, it would be on the CRF.
PRO’s
- Lightweight
- Long service interval
- Great bike for offroading
- Ready to roll of the shelf
CONs
- Not great at highway speeds
- Tall for vertically challenged people
Upgrades I would recommend for the Honda CRF250L Rally
- Suspension (depending on your weight and your packing weight)
- Crashproof hand guards
- Heated grips
Conclusion
Whichever bike you choose, you will have an amazing time traveling the world by motorcycle because there is no better vehicle suited for exploration. Don’t listen to anyone else’ advice if it goes against your intuition. This is your life, your trip, enjoy it!