Dirty cash | Top 10 CHEAPEST Adventure Motorcycles of 2023

Adventure bikes remain one of the most popular motorcycle classes of all and it is easy to see why.

They do it all: If you want a machine that can tour, take a pillion, has a classy, high spec, enough performance to satisfy most and even go off-road, no machine does it better. No wonder they’re often referred to as ‘two-wheeled Range Rovers’…

But there’s a down-side to all that, too. A Range Rover, after all, is anything but cheap and the same is true of its two-wheeled counterpart. The top-selling BMW R1250GSA starts at almost 15 grand and, when you start ticking BMW’s famous options list, that can quickly rise to over 18. Triumph’s Tiger 1200 often costs over £15K, too, while, if you go for Ducati’s top-of-the-range Multistrada, the 1260 S Grand Tour, you won’t get much change from £19,000. 

Granted, these are pinnacle machines showcasing the latest in tech but if your budget doesn’t stretch so far it doesn’t mean you won’t be getting a quality motorcycle that will tick most - if not all - of your own boxes.

There’s now so many adventure machines available there’s now more and more budget-orientated, usually lower capacity, options available, as well – some from as little as just over £4K. So what’s out there and which are the best? Here’s our current pick of the budget adventures bikes on the UK market, in price ascending order…

Sinnis Terrain T380

Sinnis has been steadily gaining traction in the UK as one of the many British conceived, Chinese built value-for-money options available at the cheaper end of the market, with this, the Sinnis Terrain T380, standing out by being one of the few capable of crossing the muddy plains

Breaking the mould when it had the audacity to come up with its first ‘Terrain’ model in 125 guise, Sinnis followed it up with a more capable, more powerful 380cc version. 

Powered by an eight valve, liquid-cooled, SOHC, parallel twin, the new Terrain 380 produces a respectable 36.5bhp at the crank, which is well within the A2 licence categorisation yet also has modern looks, LED lights that remind of the R1250GS, crash protection, full-size proportions, a slick LCD dash and yet costs just under £4,500. 

Between this and the Royal Enfield, is there a whole new line of proper budget ADVs just waiting in the wings from some of the more established manufacturers

Visordown Review | Sinnis Terrain T380 [2021]

Zontes ZT350-T

One of the longer serving Chinese manufacturers to have set up shop in the UK, Zontes is also now one of the biggest with a broad range of low-to-mid capacity offerings across the segments.

When it comes to ADV choices, we have a mouthful of the Zontes ZT350-T, a fairly no-nonsense all-terrain motorcycle that does precisely what it says on the well-priced tin.

While the styling is a touch 'cut-copy' from various other Chinese-built offerings, prick your attention up at the £4,799 price tag, which gets you 19" wheels, TFT dashboard, LED headlights, keyless ignition and even a modicum of off-roading ability.

Under the skin is a 348cc engine pumping out a modest 29bhp, which huffs and puffs pulling along the almost two tonne ZT350-T... what you see is what you get, but that's not necessarily a bad thing in this price bracket.

Royal Enfield Himalayan

India-based Royal Enfield have attracted their fair share of ridicule over the years for their antiquated, 1950s-style designs and basic build – which actually has huge appeal if you’re after a ‘brand new classic’. However, more recent models like its all-new, twin cylinder 650 Interceptor and Continental GT, have rightly been huge hits due to their combination of improved performance, classic style and brilliant value. 

The Royal Enfield Himalayan, introduced in 2018, falls between those two stools yet still offers a tempting taste of the adventure experience while also being available at a bargain price. Its 410cc air-cooled single is an enlarged version of the old design and offers just 24bhp, which is barely enough for fast roads.

 The brakes and soft suspension struggle, too, while its spec is basic to say the least. But, being so simple, light and reasonably rugged means you can take it off-road; it potters along happily with luggage for miles on end and it has a classic, utilitarian charm few can match. 

It's showing its age now, but the Himalayan has a charm that we find irresistible.

Visordown Review | Royal Enfield Himalayan [2018]

Voge 500 DSX

When it comes to getting more motorcycle for your money, there are few models on the market right now with a more impressive dimension-to-price ratio than the Voge 500 DSX.

Targeted at the Honda CB500X - and borrowing a few design traits along the way... - the 500 DSX swoops in at £1,200 less than its esteemed Japanese rival.

Despite its value-for-money brief, the 500 DSX does a good job of hiding its bargain price tag. It won't stir your soul but if you're on a budget and you need to get those boots muddy once in a while, then it might just do the trick.

BMW G 310 GS

​In a bid to attract newcomers into the BMW fold, the German marque began introducing its new, Indian-built (via a tie-up with giant TVS, who now also own Norton) G310, small capacity, A2-compliant, single cylinder family in 2016. 

The smartly-styled G310R roadster came first with the adventure-styled GS variant the following year – and it does a decent enough job, too. The novel, reverse-cylinder, single produces a reasonable, easy 33.5bhp. It’s light, low and manageable, all good for novices. 

It undoubtedly looks the part, sharing design cues from its R1250GS big brother and, considering the badge, it’s good value, as well. On the slight downside, the ride is a little on the soft side, its spec is a little basic and its build quality isn’t quite as high as the firm’s Berlin built big bikes. 

As an entry into BMW ownership, with all the quality dealer experience and brand kudos that goes with it, you can’t get any better. 

Now in its second generation, the G 310 GS is priced at £5,890, making it a good value entry into BMW ownership, but not the best value for a sub 350cc motorcycle

Benelli TRK 502 X

Another machine created with Chinese cash but remains drenched in Italian heritage, the Benelli TRK 502 offers a full-size adventure riding experience (albeit without the 100bhp+ performance) for commuter bike money. 

Introduced in 2017, the TRK 502 comes in two guises – standard and better-equipped, more off-road orientated ‘X’ trim, with wire wheels, more crash protection etc, for £300 more. But neither is lacking. 

Both are powered by a modern, 47bhp, A2-compliant parallel twin not dissimilar to Honda’s CB500X, if a little harsher in delivery. The chassis is full-sized, the bodywork reminds of Ducati’s Multistrada, the handling and braking are both decent and if the clocks and some detailing are a little basic and crude that’s all forgiven due to its bargain basement price. 

As a decent performing middleweight that does it all we doubt there’s anything that is better value. It’s no coincidence this recently became the best selling motorcycle in Italy...

KTM 390 Adventure

Austrian off-road specialists KTM has built its reputation on world-beating adventure bikes, particularly with larger capacity, genuinely dirt-capable machinery... big or small.

Distilling all of its off-roading know-how into a genuinely very capable and versatile package, the single-cylinder KTM 390 Adventure an acclaimed mud-slinger thanks to its punchy 44bhp and hard-wearing suspension from KTM's suspension partners, WP. 

Though it leans more towards the Touring end of the segment than the larger rough and ready 890 Adventure, it’ll still handle a gentle green lane, has more dynamic road performance and manners than most in this category and plenty of quality touches, too. 

It's a touch more expensive than other models in this engine bracket, but if your weekends are spent getting a little bit filthy, nothing will go as far for less than £6,500.

Visordown Review | KTM 390 Adventure [2021]

Honda CB500X

We’re big fans of Honda’s rather anomalous ‘500’ range of models, of which there are now five following the recent addition of the CL500 scrambler, but for us the best of the quintet is the Honda CB500X soft-roading compact tourer.

Kudos to whoever’s shrewd decision it was to pitch a range of mid-capacity models at the 500 (or rather, the 471cc) end of the scale, which slashes costs and adds a quality option to a subsection of the class somewhat lacking in them.

Priced at £6,699, the Honda CB500X was last updated in 2022 and features Showa forks, full LED lighting, a 19-inch front wheel for light ventures off road and LCD dashboard.

On the road, the 199kg CB500X feels light and nimble, and while its 47bhp is indeed underpowered compared with the Tracer 7 and Tiger Sport 660, it is therefore A2 licence compatible.

As such, the question here is whether you need the extra 200cc offered by its distant-ish Yamaha, Triumph and Kawasaki rivals. If you do, then pick one of the aforementioned three, if not, the CB500X is a fine choice.

Visordown Review | Honda CB500X [2022]

Moto Morini X-Cape 650

Similar to the V-Strom 650 by pitching both to the Sports Tourer and ADV classes, the Moto Morini X-Cape 650 may not present itself as an obvious choice here but with a price tag of just £6,999, it represents an excellent value option.

Under the skin, the X-Cape 650 impresses with the inclusion Marzocchi front forks, Brembo brakes, Bosch ABS and Pirelli tyres, while a 7” TFT dashboard, LED headlights, adjustable windscreen and USB chargers belie that competitive price further.

While Moto Morini might consider the X-Cape 650 to have the Yamaha Tenere 700 in its sights, in reality it is better suited to asphalt, being comfortable and composed for long distance riding, even if the 649cc engine needs to be worked hard to get the most from its 59bhp.

Throw in decent fit and finish and the Moto Morini X-Cape 650 is worth the consideration.

* Prices correct at time of writing [May 2023]

 Top 10 Cheapest Adventure Motorcycles of 2023 | Key Specifications and Technical Details Comparison