Light Weight ADV Bikes 2023
Looking to buck the bigger is better trend?
A growing segment of adventure riders are saying no to quarter ton adventure motorcycles in favor of smaller, lighter, less expensive adv bikes.
Light weight adventure motorcycles typically tip the scales at under 400 lbs and as a result are often easier to deal often even more fun. If you are considering putting your money down on a new light weight ADV bike, hear is your light ADV round up for 2023.
Honda CRF 300L Rally (ABS)
Affordable, versatile, and remarkably competent as an adventure motorcycle. This bike is a great option for less aggressive and/or more budget minded ADV riders heading out for an adventure. Wind protection, plenty of fuel, and tons of accessories to make it your own. This bike a dedicated following of ADV riders throughout North America and around the world who love to share their passion for this bike. For more aggressive riders this bike will need stiffer suspension and some power parts to give it a little more grunt. Outside of that it might be one of the higher fun per dollar ADV bikes on this list.
Curb Weight 331 pounds (335 lbs ABS)
Fuel Capacity 3.4 gallons, including 0.6-gallon reserve
Transmission Six Speed
Front Suspension 43mm inverted fork 10.2 inches of travel
Rear Suspension Pro-Link® single shock with adjustable preload 10.2 inches of travel
Suggest List Price: $6,149 ($6,449 ABS)
Engine Type 286cc Fuel Injected DOHC liquid-cooled single-cylinder 4 valves per cylinder
Horsepower 24 hp
Power to weight 0.072 hp/lb (0.071 ABS)
Wheelbase 57.2 inches
Seat Height 35.2 inches
Ground Clearance 10.9 inches
Honda CRF 300L (ABS) and new for 2023 CRF 300LS
Just as affordable, versatile, and remarkably competent as the 300 Rally, with less fuel and a little less weight. A more dirt focused adventure motorcycle than the 300 Rally. This bike is a great option for ADV riders who can do without the fuel range between gas stops or who plan to spend more time off road. A dirt focused light adventure bike at a great price.
Curb Weight 306 pounds (311 lbs ABS)
Fuel Capacity 2.1 gallons, including 0.5-gallon reserve
Transmission 6 Speed
Front Suspension 43mm inverted fork; 10.2 inches of travel (300LS 9.3 inches)
Rear Suspension Pro-Link® single shock with spring; 10.2 inches of travel (300LS 9.0 inches)
Suggest List Price: $5,399 ($5,699 ABS)
Engine Type 286cc Fuel Injected liquid-cooled single-cylinder
Horsepower 24 hp
Power to weight 0.078 hp/lb (0.077 ABS)
Wheelbase 57.2 inches (300LS 56.7 inches)
Seat Height 34.7 inches (300LS 32.7 inches)
Ground Clearance 11.2 inches (300LS 9.6 inches)
KTM 390 Adventure
Short in stature but tall on fun. This KTM is affordable and easy to live with, delivering a surprising power to weight ratio that delights ADV riders the world over. Much stronger on road than the KLX and CRF’s, and better off road than the 310GS, this is a strong choice for more road focused ADV riders. The list of mods and upgrades is growing, as die hard fans continue to find ways to extract even more excitement from this surprisingly competent light weight adventure bike.
Dry Weight 355 pounds 379 lbs wet
Fuel Capacity 3.83 gallons
Transmission Six Speed
Front / Rear Brake Disc Diameter 320mm / 230mm
Front Suspension 43mm WP Apex 6.69 inches of travel
Rear Suspension 6.97 inches of travel
Suggest List Price: $7,399
Engine Type 373cc Fuel Injected liquid-cooled single-cylinder
Horsepower 44 hp
Torque 26 ft/lb
Power to weight 0.116 hp/lb
Wheelbase 56.3 inches
Seat Height 32.7 / 33.7 inches
Ground Clearance 7.87 inches
BMW G310GS
From the folks who basically invented adventure bikes, the 310 posts some respectable power and weight numbers. Boasting great on road manners with an agreeable seat height under 33 inches. Bullet proof reliability and BMW’s unique easy pay financing option. Many BMW riders discover membership options in some of the biggest owners networks of any brand. A great option for sharing some memorable rides with like minded ADV riders throughout the riding season, across the country and beyond.
Curb Weight 386 pounds fueled
Fuel Capacity 3.0 gallons, with 0.25 gal reserve
Transmission 6 Speed with anti-hopping clutch
Front Suspension 41mm inverted fork 7.1 inches of travel
Rear Suspension single shock with 7.1 inches of travel
Front Wheel 110/80 R 19
Rear Wheel 150/70 R 17
Front Brake 11.8 inches 4 piston caliper
Rear Brake 9.5 inches single piston caliper
Suggest List Price:
Engine Type 313cc Fuel Injected liquid-cooled single-cylinder
Horsepower 34 hp
Torque 20 ft-lbs
Power to weight 0.088 hp/lb
Wheelbase 55.9 inches
Seat Height 32.8 inches
Ground Clearance 11.2 inches
Suzuki DRZ 400S
The 2023 DR-Z400S is the latest version of the motorcycle that is the foundation of the modern DualSport movement. Starting with the DR350S and then again with the DR-Z400S, Suzuki makes fun, dependable, and capable motorcycles available to anyone who is ready to take a ride down their favorite off-road trail or ribbon of asphalt.
Riders will be impressed with the amount of torque coming from the 398cc, liquid-cooled powerplant, as well as the crisp handling from the adjustable suspension. This ultra-reliable bike is completely street legal, with an electric start and easy-to-read instrument cluster. Fully black, aluminum EXCEL rims laced with bright stainless-steel spokes are setup to accept rim locks if you want to move to serious DualSport rubber.
True to its Suzuki off-road heritage, the 2023 DR-Z400S is available with Champion Yellow body work that is augmented with blue and black graphics. Also new is Solid Black bodywork with contrasting black, silver, and yellow graphics
Front Suspension 49mm cartridge-style fork; 11.3 inches of travel
Rear Suspension single shock: 11.6 inches of travel, adjustable compression damping/preload
Front Brakes 250mm front disc with a dual-piston caliper and a
Rear Brakes 220mm rear disc brake with a single-piston caliper
Front Tire 80/100-21
Rear Tire 120/90-18
Suggest List Price: $7,099
Engine Type 398cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, single cylinder, DOHC
Transmission 5 Speed
Wheelbase 58.5 inches
Seat Height 36.8 inches
Ground Clearance 11.8 inches
Curb Weight 317 pounds
Fuel Capacity 10.0 L (2.6 US gal.)
Suzuki DR650S
The 2023 DR650S is largely unchanged for the last 25 year. An inexpensive dual sport motorcycle, uncomplicated by today’s technology. Simple, fun, and dependable, This DR is equally happy on a jeep trail or the highway.
Suzuki is offering the big DR in two colors for 2023; Black & Grey or Solid White
Transmission 5 Speed
Front Suspension 10.2 inches of travel
Rear Suspension 10.2 inches of travel
Front Brakes 290mm front disc with a dual-piston caliper
Rear Brakes 240mm rear disc brake with a single-piston caliper
Front Tire 90/90-21
Rear Tire 120/90-17
Fuel Capacity 13.0 L (3.4 US gal.)
Suggest List Price: $6,999
Engine Type 644cc, 4-stroke, air-cooled, single cylinder, DOHC
Horsepower 43hp
Torque 39 ft-lbs
Wheelbase 58.7 inches
Seat Height 34.8 inches
Ground Clearance 10.4 inches
Curb Weight 366 pounds
Kawasaki KLX300
Just as affordable, versatile, and remarkably competent as the Honda CRF300L, with slightly more power and slightly less soft suspension. A dirt focused light weight adventure motorcycle. This bike is a great option for ADV riders who plan to spend significant part of their riding time chasing down their adventures off the beaten path.
Transmission 6 Speed
Front Suspension 43mm inverted fork; 10.0 inches of travel
Rear Suspension Uni-Trak® gas charged shock with piggyback reservoir with adjustable rebound damping and spring preload/9.1 in
Front Brakes Single 250mm petal disc with a dual-piston caliper
Rear Brakes Single 240mm petal disc with single-piston caliper
Front Tire 21 x 3.00
Rear Tire 18 x 4.60
Suggest List Price: $5,899 ($6,099 Grey Camo)
Engine Type 292cc Fuel Injected liquid-cooled single-cylinder DOHC
Wheelbase 56.7 inches
Seat Height 35.2 inches
Ground Clearance 10.8 inches
Curb Weight 302.1 pounds
Fuel Capacity 2.0 gallons, including 0.5-gallon reserve
KTM 690 Enduro R
The power to weight king in the light ADV segment. Most ADV riders agree this bike is as close to a do everything Adventure bike as you can hope to get.
Fuel Capacity 3.6 gallons
Transmission Six Speed
Front Suspension 48mm inverted fork with 9.84 inches of travel
Rear Suspension XPLOR single shock with 9.84 inches of travel
Front brake 300mm
Rear brake 240mm
Suggest List Price: $12,499
Engine Type 692.7cc Fuel Injected liquid-cooled single-cylinder
Wheelbase 57.2 inches
Seat Height 34.7 inches
Ground Clearance 11.2 inches
Curb Weight 311 pounds
Husqvarna 701 Enduro
Husqvarna’s version of KTM 690, the Husky 701 Enduro is incredibly proficient within urban environments and truly excels on its favored off road terrain. State-of-the-art electronics and multiple rider aids, the 701 Enduro delivers unrivaled performance.
Fuel Capacity 2.1 gallons, including 0.5-gallon reserve
Transmission Six Speed
Front Suspension 43mm inverted fork; 10.2 inches of travel
Rear Suspension Pro-Link® single shock with spring; 10.2 inches of travel
Suggest List Price:
Engine Type 286cc Fuel Injected liquid-cooled single-cylinder
Wheelbase 57.2 inches
Seat Height 34.7 inches
Ground Clearance 11.2 inches
Curb Weight 311 pounds
Kawasaki Versys X 300
The smallest Versys offers up full sized adventure bike styling, the Ninja 300’s peppy little motor with 40 hp, 19 ft/lb of torque, 6 speeds, 3.7 gallons of fuel, 416 lbs wet weight, a comfortable upright seating position, modest weight, reasonable seat height, and a set of spoked wheels, that let you know of it’s off road intentions and has a non-adjustable windscreen to boot. For 2023 Olive Green replaces the two color choices from 2022 metallic blue and white.
Seat Height 32.1 in
Curb Weight 381.5 lb ( ABS 385.9 lb)
Fuel Capacity 4.5 gal
Wheelbase 57.1 in
Front Suspension Telescopic fork/5.1 in
Rear Suspension Uni-Trak® swingarm with 5-way spring preload adjustment/5.8 in
Front Tire 100/90-19
Rear Tire 130/80-17
Front Brakes Single 290mm disc (and ABS)
Rear Brakes Single 220mm disc (and ABS)
Price $5,899 ($6,199 ABS)
Engine 296cc 4-stroke, 2-cylinder, DOHC, liquid-cooled, with slipper clutch
Horsepower 40 bhp @ 11,500 rpm
Max Torque 19.2 lb ft @ 10,000 rpm
Power to Weight Ratio 0.1049
Gearbox 6-speed
Fuel capacity 17 L / 3.7 US Gal
Seat height 815 mm / 32.1 inches
Wet weight 189 kg / 416.7 lb
Ground Clearance 7.1 in
Husqvarna Svartpilen 401
Technically not an ADV bike. More accurately this is a scrambler. But for many of you looking for more of a commuter that can handle a little dirt…this might just be the ticket under 400 lbs.
Easy on the budget, light weight, great power and fuel economy, oh and of course as cool as you’d ever want to be. Better break out the black leather jacket for this one.
Fuel Capacity 2.5 gallons
Transmission 6 Speed
Front Brake 320mm Disk, 4 Piston Floating Caliper w/ABS
Rear Brake 240mm Disk, Single Piston Floating Caliper w/ABS
Front Suspension 43mm fork; 142mm / 5.6 inches of travel
Rear Suspension monoshock; 142mm / 5.6 inches of travel
Front Tire 17 inch
Rear Tire 17 inch
Suggest List Price: $5,649
Engine Type 373cc Fuel Injected liquid-cooled single-cylinder
Horse Power 43.5 hp
Torque 27.3 ft/lbs
Wheelbase 57.2 inches
Seat Height 34.7 inches
Ground Clearance 5.63 inches
Curb Weight 335 pounds
Royal Enfield Himalayan
The heaviest of this list of light weight adventure bikes, the Himalayan is beginner friendly and easy to live with. Low power, modest price and a very low confidence inspiring seat height, it is a bike that should be considered by many ADV riders looking for a light weight adventure bike.
Royal Enfield Himalayan
Reliable, predictable and easy to live with, especially if you an ADV rider of modest physical stature. Made famous by “Itchy Boots”, the Himalayan is a bike that is worth considering for riders less concerned with performance and more interested in just enjoying the journey along the way.
Fuel Capacity 4.0 gallons
Transmission 5 Speed
Front Brake 300mm Disk, 2 Piston Floating Caliper w/ABS
Rear Brake 240mm Disk, Single Piston Floating Caliper w/ABS
Front Suspension 41mm fork; 200mm / 7.87 inches of travel
Rear Suspension monoshock; 180mm / 7.08 inches of travel
Front Tire 90/90 - 21
Rear Tire 120/90 - 17
Suggest List Price: $5,449
Engine Type 411cc Single Cylinder, Fuel Injected 4 Stroke, SOHC, Air Cooled
Horse Power 24.3 bhp
Torque 23.6 ft/lbs
Wheelbase 58.0 inches
Seat Height 31.5 inches
Ground Clearance 8.6 inches
Curb Weight 439 pounds
