The adventure bike market boom shows no signs of slowing. It's long past being a fad, and such is the segment's popularity, the manufacturers need to do all they can to make the most and expand even further.
That means reaching out to a large chunk of the riding population who have previously been denied a spot in the adventure bike crowd by virtue of nothing more than a diminutive inseam. The thing is that the bikes which now fall into the ‘adventure’ class are what we used to refer to as ‘big trailies’ back in the days of the DR800 and XTZ750. They got that name because they’re, well, big. Big and tall. So traditionally, unless you also meet that description, you’re unlikely to feel comfortable manhandling one about.
A DR800's big, garishly-coloured bench towered 876mm off the ground, and its rivals were similarly lofty. Plenty of today’s bikes are equally big – a KTM 1190 Adventure R is a full 890mm tall – but these days there are options with much lower perches, and more are arriving all the time. Here are 10 that might be suited to the shorter of trouser.
In terms of practical advice, as with all bike buying decisions nothing can compare to first-hand experience. Seat height alone is just an indicator as to how easily you’ll touch the ground, as the seat’s shape and width will also have an influence. If you’re short of leg, try as many bikes as you can to see which suits you the best.
10. Honda NX500 – 830mm
Honda’s adventure version of its popular, A2-friendly 500 twin also featured here before, although it’s not as low as it once was. Updated with larger wheels, new dash and more in 2019, the CB500X's seat was now 20mm taller at 830mm, but it’s also slim enough to be not too intimidating for most. The bike now has a new identity, gaining new styling and a name from Honda's past - NX500. It's still ostensibly the same bike, seat height and all, so it's a versatile, well-put-together all-rounder. Interestingly, it’s also still lower than Honda's other 2023 adventure bike newcomer, the XL750 Transalp, whose seat is 850mm tall.
9. Moto Guzzi V85 TT – 830mm
Italian legend Moto Guzzi’s latest adventure bike offering is a slightly oddball mix of adventure and retro but succeeds in being a charming, practical all-rounder and one with a lower seat height than most – just 830mm. The V85 TT - updated for 2024 with a slightly more powerful engine and new frame - also has Guzzi’s traditional, shaft-drive, transverse V-twin motor, plenty of comfort, quality touches and detailing and a distinctive style that stands out from the adventure bike crowd.
8. Ducati Multistrada V2 – 830mm
The Multistrada V2 is Ducati’s ‘entry-level’, more affordable version of its range-topping Multistrada and was originally launched as the Multistrada 950 in 2017 (Ducati renamed it as the V2 in 2022 following the arrival of the all-new V4 Multistrada 1200). As such, it’s also the most novice-friendly of the Multistrada family with the lowest seat height of 830mm, something which can be lowered further to 810mm with the aid of a kit. (The V4, meanwhile, has an adjustable seat height of 840-860mm, lowerable to 810-830mm with an optional kit). Although no true off-roader, the Multistrada V2 is a great, versatile V-twin road bike with bags of Italian character.
7. Suzuki V-Strom 800RE - 825mm
While the V-Strom 800DE doesn't have a hope of even getting on our list, its more road-oriented V-Strom 800RE recently launched by Suzuki is one of the most accessible ADVs out there. It gets a comprehensively tweaked riding position featuring lower bars plus slightly higher and more rear-set footpegs, and yes, an 825mm seat height that's a chunky 30mm lower than the DE. A reduction in suspension travel helps in this regard, and to make the RE even more friendly, it also gets a taller windscreen.
6. Royal Enfield Himalayan – 825mm
The Himalayan has been radically overhauled for 2024, featuring a new 'Sherpa' 452cc single-cylinder - Royal Enfield’s first water-cooled engine - a new TFT dashboard and much more besides. At the same time, its standard seat height has grown, punting the bike well down this list from the outgoing model's second-place position. It's still not exactly lofty, though, with an adjustable seat that lies 825mm off the ground in its lowest setting. An optional seat drops that to 805mm.
5. Triumph Tiger 900 GT – 820mm
What was previously the 'winner' of this list now only has a mid-table finish. The updated, 2024 version of the Tiger 900 GT - for now, at least - does without the 'GT Low' variant, which came with a seat with an adjustable height between 770mm and 790mm. You can get close to the latter figure with the refreshed, three-cylinder ADV, however, by purchasing a 20mm lower accessory seat. The Rally Pro version doesn't even have a hope of getting in our top 10, with longer-travel suspension giving a lowest seat height of 860mm.
4. BMW F800 GS – 815mm
BMW’s GS family remain the definitive adventure bikes and its newbie-friendly F800GS is the one with the lowest seat of all (the flagship R1250GS is 840mm+ and, surprisingly, the A2, novice-targetted G310GS has a seat height of 835mm). Based on the parallel twin F900GS but with a softer tune, more basic spec and lower seat and suspension, the F800GS comes as standard with a seat height of just 815mm which can be lowered to 780mm via a low seat option and all the way down to 760mm with a suspension lowering kit.
3. Benelli TRK 502 – 800mm
Benelli is a historic Italian brand that’s now Chinese owned. Its TRK 502, despite being effectively being a slightly cruder, more budget rival to Honda’s CB500X, is a remarkably competent, middleweight adventure bike that also has an impressively low seat. The base TRK has a saddle height of just 800mm while the upspecced ‘X’ version, with larger wire wheels and more off-road ruggedness, has one of just 815mm. Both are great value, impressively versatile and more than worth a look.
2. Honda NC750X – 800mm
Although updated again in 2021 with refreshed styling (and an even lower seat, down from 830 to 800mm) Honda’s low-revving, commuter-orientated NC750X might spark some discussion – after all, it’s not the sort of thing that you’re about to ride across the Serengeti. But despite sharing most of its underpinnings with the Integra scooter, the ‘X’ model is clearly styled to fit the adventure mould, is immensely practical (there’s even a storage compartment in the dummy tank), comfortable and novice-friendly and even comes with Honda’s very clever, semi-automatic DCT gearbox option. Of course, if you want a ‘pukka’ Honda adventure bikes, there’s always Honda’s 1100cc Africa Twin, but that bike’s seat height is 850mm (although there is an 825mm option).
1. Sinnis 125 Terrain – 800mm
Another adventure bike with an impressively low seat height of just 800mm – although in this case, we may be pushing the ‘adventure’ bit. Chinese brand Sinnis introduced its 125cc, single-cylinder Terrain in 2021 and it remains one of the few A1 class compliant but full-size learner adventure bikes. The low seat height of 800mm comes as a result of that. Unfortunately, too, however, does its fairly measly 13bhp output and limited ability both on and off road, but if you want a full-size, low-seat adventure for under £4k not much comes close.
