#adventure-touring

When these gentlemen set out on their adventure-tourers, we’re pretty sure this wasn’t quite the kind of adventure they had in mind. In this edition of the Weekend Awesome, we watch a rider go up close and personal with a giraffe. Or rather, the giraffe goes up and personal with his BMW 1150 GS.

BMW’s new entry into the sport-adventure-touring sub-class has been caught while undergoing final testing in Europe. The S1000XR is loosely based on the thrilling and versatile S1000R, one of our favorite motorcycles of 2014, but with many changes to compete with sporty ADVs like Ducati’s Multistrada and Aprilia’s Caponord.

Yeah, we know, calling a tie seems a cop out and a way to avoid pissing off one of these two manufacturers. The truth is, we haven’t yet been able to compare these adventure models directly. But one thing is clear: There are no better bikes for exploring far-flung roads regardless of their surfaces, paved or not.

Into the river, through the woods, over the mountains, across the desert, down the rabbit hole. When either daydreaming about or participating in two-wheel world travel, BMW’s R1200GS always seems to be at the top of the list. No other motorcycle captures the imagination then lives up to the hype of an exotic, foreign escapade as does BMW’s blue-chip Adventure-Tourer.

In January, Yamaha Canada revealed an updated Super Tenere would be coming to its shores, now equipped with optional electronic suspension like its FJR1300 ES stablemate. At the time, Yamaha’s U.S. arm was tight lipped about whether the Tenere ES would appear stateside, but we can now confirm what many have strongly suspected: Yes, the Super Tenere ES  will indeed be coming here, along with an updated Super Tenere without the ES feature. Pricing for the standard Tenere is set at $15,090. The ES option adds another $1100.

The CB500X postures to be the Adventure-Touring model in Honda’s 500cc parallel-Twin triumvirate. Sharing the majority of components with its CBR500R and CB500F siblings, the X’s distinctions are the styling of its stealthy, matte black bodywork and a one-inch increase in fork travel and seat height.

When it came to big-bore Adventure-Touring shootouts, the KTM 990 Adventure was predisposed to win the off-road segment of the test. That motorcycle, with 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, 8.25 inches of suspension travel (front and rear), and a lesser wet weight than its peers was simply better suited to the task.