Head to Head: FOUR ‘basic’ adventure motorcycles

If money was no object, most of us would always choose a motorcycle with the coolest accessories, most advanced electronics and highest quality components over a basic version of the same bike.

But in the real world, money matters. And the financial difference between buying the cheapest or the dearest version of the same bike can be the equivalent of a week’s motorcycle tour with all expenses in, or a second (used) bike. So, does it make more sense to have all the bells and whistles on the bike or the money to do something else?

To help us decide, we spent a few days in the Cotswolds riding some standard adventure bike bikes to find out if we would miss anything enough to justify the extra spend for fully-loaded bikes.

We had four bikes (a Suzuki V-Strom 1050, a Kawasaki Versys 1000, a Honda Africa Twin and a Triumph Tiger 900 Rally), three days, two possible outcomes for the test and one good road trip. This is how it all panned out…

For the full review and write up, pick up the February 2021 issue of Motorcycle Sport and Leisure – and for more information on the Keis kit featured, visit: www.keisapparel.com