MCN Test: Finding the best hardcore off-roader

Published: 25 August 2023

The adventure sector is almost buckling under the weight of incredible machinery it offers. There’s so much choice, from entry-level A2 all-rounders to eye-wateringly powerful (and expensive) rangetopping weapons.

Yet, right in the middle ground, there’s a sweet spot: the hardcore, sub-litre off-roader. These bikes are premium, packed with tech and have enough performance to tackle just about anything, but with a touch less bulk and weight than we’re used to from the biggest adventure beasts.

They’re a hoot to ride too, able to do just about everything both on and off-road.

And, just as importantly, they’re reasonably priced. We’re talking about the most hardcore, middleweight adventure machines to grace showrooms today: Ducati’s DesertX, Triumph’s Tiger 900 Rally Pro, KTM’s 890 Adventure R, Husqvarna’s Norden 901 Expedition and Yamaha’s Ténéré 700 World Raid.

From price to power and even engine configurations, these bikes differ dramatically, yet they have one thing in common – they’ve all been built to tackle the very toughest terrains that can be thrown at them. So, that’s exactly
what we’ve done…

By Carl Stevens

Road Tester - Carl has worked within the industry as a motorcycling journalist for several titles since 2015, and has covered a host of new bike launches, events, and interviews since then. Although he may still looks fairly young, he’s been around the block for longer than he’d care to admit. Alongside his journalistic experience, Carl has been racing since 2012, spending many years at both a club and National level. A personal highlight of his came in the form of a British GP2 podium, at his first outing. Although Carl has a keen eye on sportsbikes, nakeds and anything that can be a bit naughty, his love of motorcycling covers everything from off-road and adventure, to cruisers and big customs. If it’s got two wheels and an engine, he’ll have a go.