Which Adventure Bike is Best? BMW, Honda, KTM & Triumph Compared!

Product / Topic

A real-world, same-day comparison of four adventure middleweight bikes (each with a 21-inch front wheel and a bit over 100 hp), specifically:

• BMW F 900 GS
• Honda Africa Twin (with and without DCT)
• KTM 890 Adventure
• Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro

The video is also tied to a Conti TKC 80 Generation 2 tire presentation with a 50/50 road/off-road concept. The bikes ran on the same tires, reducing “tire test” bias.

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Main Features Highlighted (Across Bikes)

All bikes are described as capable “all-round” adventure machines, but each has a different emphasis:

• Off-road agility & low center of gravity (main theme for KTM, also noted for BMW)
• Touring comfort & long-distance usability (main theme for Africa Twin and Triumph Tiger)
• Engine character and power delivery (torque/low-end vs. needing revs)
• Electronics usability
  • BMW praised for logic
  • Africa Twin criticized for complexity
  • Triumph criticized for mode-change limitations
• Suspension feel
  • KTM: stiffer/dynamic but less comfortable
  • GS: adjustability exists, but stock behavior was initially criticized

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Key Opinions by Aspect (Pros / Cons / User Experience)

1) Off-road Performance & Handling

KTM 890 Adventure (top off-road feel)

Pros

• Bernt: Top choice off-road; comfortable setup; “playful” and excellent for pushing off-road sections.
• Wolf/Fiete: Low center of gravity makes it feel lighter and more manageable on rough climbs and technical riding.
• Rally/rough terrain: electronics in rally mode praised for seamless shifting.
• Suspension described as stiffer, giving more feedback for faster riding and drifting.

Cons

• Compromise: less comfortable (choppy feeling), especially compared with more touring-focused bikes.
• Wolf: touring comfort not as good as others; also notes it can feel exposed due to a small/positioned tank.

BMW F 900 GS (very agile; capable off-road)

Pros

• Bernt: strong off-road handling—two favorites were KTM and BMW.
• Wolf/Bernt: agility; “bike-like feeling” and controlled even when tricky.
• Same tires + similar test conditions allow direct comparison; GS still stands out for real-world ease.

Cons

• Bernt: suspension feels a bit too soft/comfortable for fast riding (would prefer stiffer).
• Wolf/Bernt: tank is criticized for touring range—borderline small tank (14.5 L); fuel range becomes an issue.

Honda Africa Twin (great for long trips and two-up; torque-forward off-road)

Pros

• Wolf: comfortable touring, passenger-friendly; still capable off-road.
• Bernt: incredible torque; relaxed “chug along” feel; easier slower/technical control (less flywheel mass issue than Triumph).
• Known for stability/comfort while still leaving tarmac (including once you leave paved roads).

Cons

• Center of gravity: implied to be less comfortable in trickier sections; Bernt/Wolf suggest it feels higher than KTM.
• Standing ergonomics: Bernt says standing up isn’t ideal—more of a seated/touring bike.

Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro (smooth, relaxed power; great sound)

Pros

• Bernt/Wolf: three-cylinder sound is “fantastic/amazing.”
• Engine/power delivery described as more relaxed and smooth off-road travel; good throttle response.
• Off-road travel can be wonderful if not ridden flat out.

Cons

• Bernt: less flywheel mass—in slower technical sections, throttle/clutch control may need more care; can “jump” with clutch/throttle blips.
• Mode limitations: can’t change riding modes everywhere on the move; needs stopping to switch between road vs off-road/Enduro Pro. (Minor but annoying.)
• Wolf/others: usability of the Triumph is less liked than competitors.

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2) Touring Comfort & Long-Distance Usability

Most comfortable / best for longer trips

• Honda Africa Twin and Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro
  • Wolf: Africa Twin + Triumph are best comfort picks, especially with a passenger.
  • Bernt: Africa Twin ergonomics and long-distance comfort rated high (though standing isn’t ideal).

KTM for touring?

• Yes, but as a compromise
  • Wolf: favored if the trip has a strong off-road focus, accepting reduced comfort to reach the terrain.
  • Comfort described as inferior to Africa Twin/Tiger, attributed to stiffer suspension and overall setup.

BMW for touring

• Capable, but fuel range noted
  • Wolf: BMW still offers enough touring comfort, and agility/center-of-gravity helps.
  • Key downside: small tank (14.5 L) → fuel range not ideal for long-distance touring; better alternatives are Africa Twin or Triumph.

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3) Engine Character (What Riders Liked / Disliked)

• Honda Africa Twin

  • “Torque beast” feeling: ride at idle; relaxed cruising; tends to be less tiring after a full day.

• Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro

  • More relaxed/smooth delivery off-road.
  • Bernt: needs a bit of revs to get going sportily.
  • Sound adds a lot to the fun.

• KTM 890 Adventure

  • Lively motor; good for dynamic riding/drifting.
  • Low-end usability supported by overall handling.

• BMW F 900 GS

  • Not the main “engine highlight” in this transcript—more praised for agility and electronics.

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4) Electronics / Controls / Ride Modes

BMW F 900 GS

Pros

• Praised for usability and electronics.
• Riding modes are logically arranged (e.g., wet road → race mode quickly).
• Adjustments during riding are easy.

Honda Africa Twin (DCT)

DCT as a “special case”

• Requires adaptation time; Bernt says at least half a day for first-timers.
• Wolf/others show DCT can be used for wheelies; a claim about needing a clutch for wheelies is challenged.

Cons (interface complexity)

• Bernt dislikes the Africa Twin electronics concept: touch display + “16 buttons” feels confusing; even with frequent riding he can’t remember all modes.

Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro

Cons

• Riding mode change limitations: must stop to switch from road to off-road/Enduro Pro.
• Even in off-road mode, some features are switched off.
• Usability overall criticized compared with other bikes.

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5) Suspension Feel

• KTM

  • Stiffer for fast riding and feedback; can be choppy → less comfortable.

• BMW (stock)

  • Bernt runs completely stock suspension; believes it’s too comfortable/soft for his fast style.

• Africa Twin / Triumph

  • More comfort-forward; less emphasis on stiffer “feedback” behavior in the discussion.

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Comparisons and “Winner by Use Case”

• Best off-road / rough technical riding: KTM 890 Adventure
• Best touring comfort (especially with passenger): Honda Africa Twin and Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro
• Most agile / controllable feel: BMW F 900 GS (almost “bike-like” agility) while still capable off-road
• Best “relaxed off-road travel + amazing sound”: Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro (with mode limitations and flywheel mass criticisms)

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Unique Points Explicitly Mentioned (Consolidated)

1. Head-to-head test context; differences are large in real world despite similar specs.
2. Test tied to Conti TKC 80 Generation 2 with 50/50 road/off-road focus.
3. All bikes used identical tires to aim for fairness (not a tire test).
4. Touring test lacked luggage (backpacks only), which may change behavior with real panniers.
5. All have 21-inch front wheels; rear wheel sizes differ (18 vs 17), but rear size “isn’t crucial” here due to tire sameness and observed playfulness.
6. KTM off-road preference from Bernt (setup/comfort; top choice).
7. Low center of gravity repeatedly praised (especially KTM and also BMW).
8. Africa Twin described as more comfortable; strong choice for long distances and passenger travel.
9. Triumph engine described as relaxed/smooth; “wonderful” if not constantly flat-out.
10. Triumph downside: less flywheel mass → slower technical riding may require more careful clutch/throttle.
11. Africa Twin engine advantage: lots of torque; can chug at idle; may be less tiring after long riding.
12. DCT vs non-DCT learning curve: give at least half a day to adapt; DCT control/wheelies observed.
13. Comfort was deprioritized for the day’s test, but becomes important for longer trips (1–3 weeks referenced).
14. KTM suspension: stiffer = feedback and faster/dynamic riding, but less comfortable/choppy.
15. BMW suspension criticism: stock setup felt too soft for Bernt’s fast style; adjustability exists.
16. Triumph usability limitation: cannot change riding modes everywhere on the move (must stop; Enduro Pro mentioned).
17. BMW touring range issue: small tank (14.5 L) felt during the day.
18. Africa Twin tank/range implied better than BMW for long stretches (Wolf suggests Honda or Triumph for range).
19. Electronics usability - BMW: logical and adjustable while riding - Africa Twin: confusing touch interface + many buttons - Triumph: usability criticized plus mode-change restrictions
20. “If I had to buy it” conclusions: - Wolf: Africa Twin if he regularly rides with a passenger; Triumph (solo touring) suggested. - Bernt: between KTM and BMW; likely KTM due to safer feeling with low CG but would “sleep on it.” - Others: each bike excels at something specific.

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Pros / Cons Quick Table (As Stated / Implied)

BMW F 900 GS

• Pros
  • Agility/control
  • Excellent electronics usability
  • Logical riding modes
  • Works well off-road
• Cons
  • Suspension feels too soft/comfortable for fast riding (to Bernt)
  • Small tank / range borderline
  • Touring-range issue criticized

Honda Africa Twin (DCT / non-DCT)

• Pros
  • Top touring comfort
  • Best for two-up
  • Incredible torque
  • Relaxed ride
  • DCT praised for ease in tricky sections (with adaptation time)
• Cons
  • Higher center of gravity feeling in trickier sections
  • Standing ergonomics not ideal
  • Confusing electronics interface

KTM 890 Adventure

• Pros
  • Best off-road feel
  • Low center of gravity
  • Lively engine
  • Stiff suspension for fast riding/drifting
  • Electronics/refined rally-mode shifting
• Cons
  • Less touring comfort (especially with two people)
  • Suspension can be choppy
  • Tank/position may reduce long-range comfort/exposure

Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro

• Pros
  • Great three-cylinder sound
  • Smooth/relaxed power delivery
  • Good off-road travel once on throttle
  • Good touring comfort
• Cons
  • Less flywheel mass → slower technical riding more demanding
  • Mode switching limited while moving
  • Usability criticized

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Verdict / Recommendation (Based on the Video)

• Choose KTM 890 Adventure if your priority is off-road performance and dynamic riding, especially steep/rough sections.
• Choose Honda Africa Twin if you prioritize long-distance comfort and two-up touring, with strong torque and relaxed riding.
• Choose Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro for comfortable touring plus excellent three-cylinder character/sound, accepting some mode-usability and off-road low-speed handling compromises.
• Choose BMW F 900 GS for agility and excellent electronics usability, but consider its touring range (small tank) and the suspension feel if you ride very fast.

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Speakers’ Distinct Perspectives

• Bernt Hiemer (expert / stunt rider / coach)

  • Off-road focus; KTM and BMW favored.
  • Suspension preference (wants stiffer on BMW).
  • Triumph criticized for flywheel mass and mode switching annoyance.
  • Mentions DCT adaptation and supports wheelie observations.

• Wolf (travel / touring expert)

  • Touring comfort and longer-trip suitability.
  • Africa Twin/Triumph comfort winners; KTM for off-road-heavy trips.
  • Notes BMW fuel/tank range issue.
  • Uses low-CG rationale to explain KTM manageability.
  • Critiques Triumph usability and shares buying preferences.

• Fiete (additional rider voice)

  • Personal comfort preference for KTM when riding fast.
  • Confirms the compromise framing between touring and off-road capability.

• Collective Conclusion

  • No single “best” overall—each bike excels in different priorities (off-road speed vs comfort vs usability vs engine character).