#adventure

After releasing the limited edition LXP Orioli at EICMA, MV Agusta officially announced the regular production model today, under the name Enduro Veloce. While we’re always glad to see another adventure bike on the market, we, like many others, weren’t sure we’d ever see the Enduro Veloce actually go into production.

After inhaling what must have been a metric shit ton of dust during the first half of our stifling ride day, all I can do is breathe in the heavy, briny air and relax for a second. Laying in a rattan hammock looking up at the palm trees swaying in the wind after stuffing my face with rice and curry was a welcome moment of relaxation after dealing with the day’s sweltering temps. A moment in time which doesn’t seem to come very often these days. If you get far enough away, jettisoned to the furthest corner of the world, well, maybe that’s what it takes to find a sliver of silence. Of unadulterated enjoyment and reflection. The Ibex 450 carried me here. A worthy travel companion, humble in its specification, but steadfast in its resolution.

I’ve heard plenty about the weekend ADV-immersion trainings that have an incredible way to kickstart the adventure bike journey that so many are seeking. There is absolutely something special about the type of people that give in to that urge to spend the whole day charging up and down the trails on heavy adventure bikes, and something even more particular about the folks that turn around and make it their mission to share that same passion and joy on the trail with others. Austin Moto Adventures is one such place.

Throwing the 390 Adventure into some dirt at the bottom of a hill wasn’t ideal, but as I was nearly at a complete stop, it wasn’t the dramatic dismount I had pictured when worrying about the training I was in the midst of. My friend Hailey was cruising down the trail after me and coasted to a stop as I hit the kill switch and turned to look at the bike, splayed across the silty clay colored dirt like a bright orange toy. Another rider stopped just ahead of us, throwing his kickstand down and yelling ‘I’ll get it” over the sound of other passing bikes. “Don’t help me!” I yelled back. This was the first time the bike had been on its side and I was eager to see how it felt to pick up 387 pounds of small adventure bike. Grasping the handlebar closest to the ground and the grab bar at the back of the seat, I was surprised when the bike lifted clear of the dirt on the first try, and with a pause and some extra effort, it was vertical again a few seconds later. Maybe she’s born with it... maybe it was the adrenaline. I didn’t get a chance to test the theory again during the full day ADV Class I was participating in, though if that was due to skill or caution, we’ll never know.

Triumph announced updates to its Tiger 1200 line, introducing minor updates that further refine the brand’s largest adventure models. The 2024 Tiger 1200 line will again be offered in four variants: the GT Pro, GT Explorer, Rally Pro, and Rally Explorer, with them all getting the same updates in most of the world.

Unfortunately, that’s not true for North America. Bear with me as this may get a bit confusing:

If you’ve had a pulse the last five years or so, you’ve noticed the urge to take two wheels into the dirt has swept through the motorcycle community like a rogue wave. Riders across age ranges, experience levels and even financial demographics have turned to off-road, not instead of, but in addition to any and all riding they were previously doing. So it’s no surprise to see small-sized ADV bikes plodding along behind the surge like the sure-footed mules that they are. Standing out in the crowd is a gem that Yours Truly is about to get to know extremely well.

Since its launch in 2020, Triumph’s Tiger 900 platform has been impossible to keep out of the middleweight ADV conversation. With 45,000 sold to date, Triumph clearly didn’t need to reinvent the wheel with its 2024 models, but there are a few key revisions across both the Tiger 900 GT and Rally Pro models that really make them shine even brighter on and off road. After arriving in Malaga, Spain, Triumph sat us down for a brief presentation to tell us all about the new updates for 2024.

It’s been yet another fantastic year in motorcycling. But, of course, isn’t motorcycling always fantastic? Each year we see varying levels of innovation from BNGs (bold new graphics) to evolutions, and inevitably entirely new machines gracing the motorcycle market. As enthusiasts, we are in a golden era of motorcycling, rife for choices backed with technology that makes it so much easier to own and ride.

The Himalayan continues to trailblaze for Royal Enfield

by Tom Roderick

Smaller, faster, more complex

Honda revamped its 500 series models, including a restyled adventure model with a new retro-inspired name. Along with a CB500 Hornet and a CBR500R comes the new 2024 NX500, which replaces the CB500X.

A Multistrada for the race track

Adventure Sports variant gets more street-focused 19-inch front wheel

BMW has officially announced the R 1300 GS, introducing a new Boxer engine, updated suspension, radar-based safety systems and a 26-pound weight reduction compared to the R 1250 GS. Arriving in U.S. dealerships in early 2024, the BMW R 1300 GS will carry a price tag of $18,895 plus destination fees.