Adventure bike buyer's guide, below 400cc

As a quick glance at our LAMS-focused 'Adventure bike buyer's guide, below 400cc' shows, the number of small-capacity adventure bikes is well and truly overshadowed by the number of bigger offerings in the hugely popular adventure-bike segment.

That doesn't necessarily mean, however, that novice riders with a yearning for the road less travelled – or anyone who just prefers exploring on a smaller, lighter machine – can't get out in the countryside on an appropriate bike and scratch that travel itch.

Adventure bikes by nature should offer at least a little off-road ability, even if that means dirt roads rather than rugged single-track, preferably along with a little extra comfort over a pure dirt bike.

At this end of the scale, fuel tank capacities and therefore range are going to be reduced compared to most bigger adventure bikes, but then a small-capacity adventure bike will generally be significantly lighter and easier to manage.

Performance is naturally more modest among these models but the segment offers quite a broad spread of ability. While some of the models listed here offer a more road-biased experience, the looming (due in the second quarter of 2021) Honda CRF300 Rally and the Suzuki DR-Z400E Cape York Edition are true dirt bikes, with rugged off-road prowess, fitted with a few extra features.

And if you are still on a restricted licence, don't forget that you can still legally ride some of the middleweight adventure bike models that comply with the LAMS engine capacity and power-to-weight limits – bikes like the Benelli TRK 502 and TRK 502X, CFMoto 650MT, Honda CB500X, Kawasaki KLR650, Royal Enfield Himalayan, Suzuki DR650SE, and Suzuki V-Strom 650XT (LAMS).

Related reading:
Adventure bike buyer's guide, over 900cc
Adventure bike buyer's guide, 400cc to 900cc
Advice: Adventure bike ride essentials

BMW

Lobbing Down Under in 2017, the G 310 GS is based on BMW's first learner model, the G 310 R, which preceded the dual-purpose model by a few months. The baby of the German brand's iconic and diverse GS range of adventure bikes, the G 310 GS scores a 19-inch front wheel, 180mm of suspension travel front and rear, and two-channel ABS that can be deactivated if desired. A Luggage pack and Protection pack are also available, while the BMW G 310 GS is covered by a three-year, unlimited-kilometre factory warranty (most manufacturers only offer two years). The BMW G 310 GS is also available in a limited-run 'Edition 40 Years GS' variant, with heritage 'bumblebee' paint scheme.
Engine: Liquid-cooled, 313cc, four-valve, DOHC, four-stroke single-cylinder
Transmission: 6-speed
Output: 34hp/28Nm
Weight: 175kg (wet)
Susp. travel front/rear: 180mm/180mm
Seat height: 835mm (820mm/850mm options available)
Wheels: Cast aluminium, 19in front/17in rear
Fuel tank: 11.5lt
LAMS: Yes
Warranty: 3 years/unlimited kilometres
Price: From $8640 ride away
Related reading: LAMS feast: KTM RC 390 v BMW G 310 GS
BMW G 310 GS in New Bike Showroom

Honda

Following in the wheel tracks of the outgoing Honda CRF250 Rally, the imminent (due in Australian showrooms in the second quarter of 2021) Honda CRF300 Rally represents a fair update thanks to a new engine and frame, less weight, and an injection of fresh technology. Honda says power and torque are up by 10 per cent and 18 per cent respectively, while a new aluminium swingarm and bottom yoke contribute to a 4kg weight saving. Light, nimble and agile, the CRF300 Rally is essentially a CRF300L trail bike with a tall screen, LED headlights, some additional bodywork, and a 5lt-larger fuel tank, making it a better proposition for extended off-road adventuring. It has a heap of suspension travel to soak up big hits too, with a correspondingly tall seat height.
Engine: Liquid-cooled, 286cc, four-valve, DOHC, four-stroke single-cylinder
Transmission: 6-speed
Output: 27hp/27Nm
Weight: 153kg (wet)
Susp. travel front/rear: 234mm/260mm
Seat height: 885mm
Wheels: Spoked aluminium, 21in front/18in rear
Fuel tank: 12.8lt
LAMS: Yes
Warranty: 2 years/unlimited kilometres
Price: TBA
Related reading: 2021 Honda CRF300L and CRF300 Rally unveiled
Honda CRF300 Rally coming soon to New Bike Showroom

Kawasaki

The Kawasaki Versys-X 300 appeared in 2017 and is a smaller, lighter and lower parallel-twin-powered alternative to Team Green's favourite adventure thumper, the KLR650. With a lower 815mm seat height but a handy 17lt tank capacity, the Versys-X doesn't offer a heap of suspension travel but it does have wire-spoked rims, a 19in/17in wheelset, ABS brakes and a slipper clutch. The engine at the heart of this model has been around for donks in one form or another so it should be a robust powerplant that will stand the test of time, while it's the only twin among this otherwise single-cylinder company.
Engine: Liquid-cooled, 296cc, eight-valve, DOHC, four-stroke parallel-twin
Transmission: 6-speed
Output: 39.8hp/25.7Nm
Weight: 175kg (wet)
Susp. travel front/rear: 130mm/148mm
Seat height: 815mm
Wheels: Spoked aluminium, 19in front/17in rear
Fuel tank: 17lt
LAMS: Yes
Warranty: 2 years/unlimited kilometres
Price: From $8123 ride away
Related reading: Kawasaki Versys-X 300 on sale
Kawasaki Versys-X 300 in New Bike Showroom

At the newer (and dearer) end of the scale lies the KTM 390 Adventure. Introduced in 2019, this is the entry point to KTM's extensive and highly effective 'Travel' family of adventure bikes, and it's loosely based on the hugely popular KTM 390 Duke road bike. Made in India through KTM's joint venture with Bajaj Auto, the KTM 390 Adventure might have 17in, cast-alloy rims, but its suspension travel is healthy, it comes shod with Continental TKC 70 rubber, and its single-cylinder engine packs a fair punch. There's also no shortage of tech, the bike having a TFT dash with Bluetooth connectivity, a ride-by-wire throttle, lean-angle-sensitive traction control and off-road ABS. If the tallish 855mm seat height doesn't put you off, this all adds up to one potent little package from a company that prides itself on its off-road prowess.
Engine: Liquid-cooled, 373cc, four-valve, DOHC, four-stroke single-cylinder
Transmission: 6-speed
Output: 44hp/37Nm
Weight: 158kg (dry)
Susp. travel front/rear: 170mm/177mm
Seat height: 855mm
Wheels: Cast aluminium, 17in front/17in rear
Fuel tank: 14.5lt
LAMS: Yes
Warranty: 2 years/unlimited kilometres
Price: From $8995 plus ORC
Related reading: 2020 KTM 390 Adventure Review
KTM 390 Adventure in New Bike Showroom

Okay, so we're pushing the definition of an adventure bike here – but the Suzuki DR-Z400E Cape York Edition is a bulletproof old workhorse that, with a larger aftermarket tank, could well serve as a very capable off-road explorer that's lighter and more manageable than the brand's other off-road-oriented adventure champion, the Suzuki DR650SE. Yes, this is essentially a trail bike, but it's road registrable, has electric start, is super light (by adventure bike standards, at least), and is rugged and robust. It's also got masses of suspension travel, a towering dirt bike seat height, and a small fuel tank – but in this 'Cape York Edition' comes with $700-worth of extras, including Pro Taper handlebars and grips, handguards, radiator guards, and an alloy bash plate, among others. If you really want to get amongst it – think creek crossings, single track and technical terrain – it's not fancy, but it's effective.
Engine: Liquid-cooled, 398cc, four-valve, DOHC, four-stroke single-cylinder
Transmission: 5-speed
Output: 39.7hp/39Nm
Weight: 138kg (wet)
Susp. travel front/rear: 290mm/295mm
Seat height: 935mm
Wheels: Spoked aluminium, 21in front/18in rear
Fuel tank: 10lt
LAMS: Yes
Warranty: 2 years/unlimited kilometres
Price: From $9490 ride away
Related reading: 2019 Suzuki DR-Z400E Review
Suzuki DR-Z400E in New Bike Showroom