Summary of "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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

Unique Points Explicitly Mentioned (Consolidated)

Head-to-head test context; differences are large in real world despite similar specs.
Test tied to Conti TKC 80 Generation 2 with 50/50 road/off-road focus.
All bikes used identical tires to aim for fairness (not a tire test).
Touring test lacked luggage (backpacks only), which may change behavior with real panniers.
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.
KTM off-road preference from Bernt (setup/comfort; top choice).
Low center of gravity repeatedly praised (especially KTM and also BMW).
Africa Twin described as more comfortable; strong choice for long distances and passenger travel.
Triumph engine described as relaxed/smooth; “wonderful” if not constantly flat-out.
Triumph downside: less flywheel mass → slower technical riding may require more careful clutch/throttle.
Africa Twin engine advantage: lots of torque; can chug at idle; may be less tiring after long riding.
DCT vs non-DCT learning curve: give at least half a day to adapt; DCT control/wheelies observed.
Comfort was deprioritized for the day’s test, but becomes important for longer trips (1–3 weeks referenced).
KTM suspension: stiffer = feedback and faster/dynamic riding, but less comfortable/choppy.
BMW suspension criticism: stock setup felt too soft for Bernt’s fast style; adjustability exists.
Triumph usability limitation: cannot change riding modes everywhere on the move (must stop; Enduro Pro mentioned).
BMW touring range issue: small tank (14.5 L) felt during the day.
Africa Twin tank/range implied better than BMW for long stretches (Wolf suggests Honda or Triumph for range).
Electronics usability - BMW: logical and adjustable while riding - Africa Twin: confusing touch interface + many buttons - Triumph: usability criticized plus mode-change restrictions
“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.

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

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.

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).