Imagine if all the latest adventure and touring bikes you’ve been dreaming of riding could be brought together in one magnificent location. Now, imagine you could test ride all of those machines, one after the other. Sound good?
Well, that is exactly what you can do at the Adventure Bike Rider Festival 2020 (10-12 July, Ragley Hall Estate, Warwickshire), which is sponsored by Bridgestone. Here we’ve highlighted the bikes confirmed for the festival so far, although keep your eyes peeled for more announcements in the coming months.
Away from the test rides, there’ll be a wide selection of activities and entertainment going on. You can ride the AX41 Adventure Trail, join road ride outs, hear from TomTom Rider Guest Speakers from the world of adventure biking, explore the Festival Village, benefit from world-class off-road riding tuition, listen to live music in the REV’IT! marquee, relax in the Bridgestone Bar, ride green lanes and much more, all in the spectacular grounds of Ragley Hall. Buy your tickets here.
BMW
BMW R 1250 GS & BMW R 1250 GS Adventure
It’s one of the industry’s best-selling adventure bikes for a reason. Whether you’re in the city, on the motorway, or exploring remote mountain roads and trails, the R 1250 GS performs to a high standard, with latest version of the Boxer engine bringing more performance than ever.
F 850 GS
As ABR founder Alun Davies put it: “It has all the makings of a fantastic RTW companion.” The F 850 GS may not be as iconic as as the larger 1250, but it is an extremely accomplished machine that is perfect for weekend rides, long-distance touring and RTW adventures.
KTM
KTM 790 Adventure R
Developed from KTM’s peerless off-road race DNA, the 790 Adventure R is a serious off-road motorcycle designed, in KTM’s words, to be ‘the most travel capable off-road bike’ around. ABR bike tester Julian described it as being ‘on another level.’ Give it a ride around the grounds of Ragley Hall and you may well agree.
KTM 390 Adventure
KTM’s latest offering sees the Austrian outfit venturing into the lightweight adventure bike market. While we haven’t had a chance to test ride it ourselves yet, if it’s anywhere near as capable on and off-road as its older sibling, the 790 Adventure, it may well prove a winner.
Kawasaki
Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX
The new Ninja 1000SX, with its seductive styling, includes the latest electronic rider aids, plus practical touring features. This sport touring machine will cover long distances with ease and could be the perfect ride if you have no inclination to leave the blacktop.
Kawasaki Versys 1000 and Versys 1000 SE
Housing an in-line four-cylinder engine, plus a nimble chassis and upright riding position, the new Versys 1000 is a recipe for riding fun. The SE takes the range to the next level with a TFT dash, LED cornering lights, electronic suspension and Kawasaki quick shifter.
Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX/SE/SE+
The Ninja H2/SX/SE+ boast advanced electronic suspension and a host of high-level equipment, making it Kawasaki’s most advanced sport tourer yet. With bags of power on offer, this is one test ride you won’t be forgetting in a hurry.
Kawasaki Versys 650
Lining up alongside plenty of competition in the mid-capacity market is the Versys 650. Coming with long-travel suspension and sporty 17” wheels, plus a slim, upright riding position, the Versys 650 is a city friend and mountain road conqueror in one.
Honda
Honda Africa Twin
The more off-road focussed variant of the AT models, the Honda Africa Twin comes with a new-for-2020 larger 1,084cc engine. It’s also been made slimmer and lighter, with a stubby screen designed to give you a better view of the trails ahead. Ride it alongside the Adventure Sports for a true comparison.
Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports
The Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports is the bike designed to make long-distance riding a pleasure. Featuring a host of electronics, a lower seat height and revised engine, it’s a joy to ride, and you’re likely to see ABR Staff Writer Ollie riding his long-term loan model around the festival. Look out for more Honda test ride bikes being announced soon.
Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield Himalayan 410
Royal Enfield’s adventure bike, the Himalayan, has been named after the environment it’s been built to excel in. Ready for adventures on and off road, discover why plenty of travellers are choosing this bike for their global adventures.
Royal Enfield Interceptor INT 650
The Interceptor exudes a versatile, laid-back attitude. Its a bike to be seen on and enjoy cruising along sun-dappled country lanes.
Royal Enfield Continental GT 650
Drawing inspiration from the café racer culture of the 1950s and 1960s, the new Continental GT 650 Twin recaptures the spirit of the ‘ton-up boys’. It certainly looks the part, the perfect blend of tradition and modernity, with its sculpted tank, eager attitude and a tucked-in riding position.
Royal Enfield Bullet Trials 500
The Royal Enfield Bullet Trials 500 harks back to 1948 when the original 350cc Trials Bullet hit the road. Don’t let the retro styling fool you though. Featuring a larger engine, enhanced comfort and control and dual-channel ABS, this is a capable modern motorcycle.
Triumph
Triumph Tiger 900
Looking to continue the proud history of the Triumph line, the 2020 Tiger sees an increase in engine size to 900cc, aggressive, revamped styling and a reduction in weight. Read ABR bike tester Julian’s first thoughts on the bike here, and get yourself along to the festival to put it through its paces yourself.
Triumph Street Scrambler 900
Beautiful looks, contemporary Bonneville character and precise, easy handling. The Street Scrambler’s impressive versatility is enhanced by the fact it’s brilliant fun to ride.
Triumph Scrambler 1200
The Scrambler 1200 XC and XE are incredible fun to ride on and off road. Both models ooze style and charisma, making you feel like a modern-day Steve McQueen as soon as you fire them up.
Benelli
Benelli TRK 502 X
A handsome mid-capacity adventure bike, the TRK 502 X tends to attract a crowd of admirers at most motorcycle shows. With spoked wheels, a centre stand and a few other off-road friendly tweaks, we think it’ll prove popular at this year’s festival.
Yamaha
Yamaha Ténéré 700
Launched at last year’s Adventure Bike Rider Festival, Yamaha’s mid-weight adventure bike was a stand-out success in 2019. Weighing in at 200kg (wet) it is, in the words of ABR bike tester Julian, a ‘truly versatile motorcycle’. Take it for a ride and see if you agree.
Ducati
Ducati Multistrada 1260
‘The manners of a gentleman, and the heart of a cage fighter.’ That’s how ABR Assistant Editor James described the big Italian adventure bike after a year in its saddle. Why? Well, you’ll just have to ride it at the festival to find out.
Ducati Multistrada 950
The new Multistrada 950, with four riding modes, cornering ABS and DTC, combines low weight and a 850mm seat height to ensure agility and ease of riding.
Ducati Scrambler
Scrambler Desert Sled, Scrambler Icon, Scrambler Full Throttle, Scrambler Café Racer, Scrambler Sport Pro 1100, Scrambler Pro1100
Ducati’s Scrambler line up combines stylish good looks with on and off-road performance. Ask Henry Crew, the youngest motorcyclist to circumnavigate the globe, who did so on the Desert Sled model. With a number of variants to ride, you’ll be sure to find one that will have you wanting set off on an adventure too.
Suzuki
V-Strom 1050 and V-Strom 1050XT
Suzuki’s flagship adventure bike has had a facelift for 2020. Combining looks that pay homage to the legendary DR Big and plenty of high-end electronics, the V-Strom just got a bit sexy.
V-Strom 650 and V-Strom 650XT
The V-Strom 650 has a strong and loyal following for a reason. It’s reliable, versatile and a huge amount of fun. Take a ride for yourself.
SV650
Designed to offer fun and performance in equal measure, the SV650 is a worthy companion on weekend blasts.
Katana
The evolution of an icon, the KATANA echoes the design philosophy of the original, but modernises the classic with a suite of electronics, agile chassis and a powerful 150bhp engine.
GSX-S1000 and GSX-S1000F
Street and sport tuned bikes featuring Suzuki’s liquid-cooled, 999cc, inline-four engine that some may remember from the 2005 GSX-R1000.
GSX-S750
A road-going bike for those with no inclination to leave the blacktop, the powerful 749cc engine is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and have you carving through corners at will.
Mash
Mash 400 Scrambler
The A2 compatible 400 Scrambler looks like a fine starting point, or re-introduction, to riding for those looking for a bike that handles well on the tarmac and in the dirt.
Mash TWO FIFTY 250
Another of Mash’s peppy low-capacity bikes, the TWO FIFTY 250 is a stylish and easy to ride smaller bike, ideal for town trips or weekend jaunts.
Indian
Indian FTR1200
Indian say the FTR 1200 was born in the dirt, taking inspiration from the FTR750 flat tracker. Indian isn’t a name you’d associate with adventure bikes, but the FTR could change that.
SWM
SWM SuperDual 600
With off-road ABS, switchable on the rear tyre, and typical adventure bike looks, the A2-restrictable SuperDual 600 is an attractive entry-level adventure bike.
SWM Six Days
With adjustable suspension, a punchy 445cc, single-cylinder engine and classic good looks, the Six Days is a scrambler designed to put a smile on your face and not break the bank.
SWM RS 300 R
The most off-road focussed of SWM’s range, the RS 300 R is ready to offer plenty of performance off-road and a lot of fun on the way to the trails.
AJP
AJP PR7 650 Adventure
In the PR7, AJP have targeted the mid-capacity market with this single-cylinder dual-sport. Built to excel in the rough with a fine off-road heritage behind it, this is one to look out for.
Get your tickets to the Adventure Bike Rider Festival now
The test rides are just one of a wide variety of exciting activities and entertainment taking place at the ABR Festival 2020. You can find out what’s happening and get your tickets here.
What: Adventure Bike Rider Festival 2020
When: Friday 10 to Sunday 12 July 2019
