If you’re in the market for a new machine, then there’s no better place for you to be than the ABR Festival 2024.
Next year, we’ll have hundreds of adventure, touring, trail, enduro, cruiser, electric, scrambler and naked bikes for you to try, including all the new and improved models.
With the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturers such as BMW, Honda, Ducati, KTM, Triumph, Suzuki, Royal Enfield, Kawasaki, Harley Davidson – and more – all bringing along their test ride fleets, you’ll have the chance to ride and compare all the bikes you’ve had your eye on.
Next year is already shaping up to be a blinder for new bikes, so what better time to round up a selection of the most exciting adventure and touring motorcycles that are coming your way in 2024.
Remember, if your interested in swinging your leg over some new bikes, all test rides are free throughout the weekend for all ticket holders. The ABR Festival 2024 really is the perfect spot, whether you’re looking for your next purchase, or just wanting to try out something new.
10 adventure and touring bikes you’ll be able to ride at ABR Festival 2024
Reviews / Words: James Oxley
1. BMW R 1300 GS
Price: from £15,900
The mighty BMW GS has undergone a complete overhaul for 2024, including a striking new headlight that has caused more controversy than Donald Trump of late. But was it a brave move or folly to make such a big change to the world’s most popular big adventure bike?
The proof would be in the riding, and after testing the new model in Spain, we can confirm we’re huge fans of this brave new GS world. The R 1300 is nothing short of sensational. Lighter, more compact, but every inch a GS, it takes everything we loved about the old 1250 model and took it up a level, as well as packing it with the latest riding technology.
All hail the new king, it’s sensational.
2. Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
Price: TBC
The mountain goat of the adventure biking world is another machine to have undergone a redesign from the ground up for 2024. At its heart is an all-new water-cooled 452cc engine that makes 40bhp, almost double the 24bhp on the old Himalayan.
You’ll also find better quality components throughout including new brakes with switchable ABS, new Showa suspension, and a circular TFT display. But fear not if you were a purist fan of the previous model’s no-nonsense and simple approach to motorcycling.
The new Himalayan’s steel frame is a rugged as they come, and while the bike is heavy at 181kg (dry) and not particularly powerful, it’ll still chug up any mountain road you point it at.
3. Moto Guzzi Stelvio
Price: TBC
Eight years after the previous adventure bike to be named after the iconic Italian mountain pass was discontinued, Moto Guzzi has revived the Stelvio named with this tasty looking machine.
Based heavily on Moto Guzzi’s road touring bike, the V100 Mandello, the new Stelvio is taller with an upright adventure bike stance and longer travel suspension. It’s powered by a liquid-cooled, 1,042cc V-twin engine that makes 113bhp and features a touring friendly 21l fuel tank and a 19” front and 17” rear tubeless spoked tyres.
Technology includes cornering ABS, traction control, and radar assisted cruise control, which is a first for Moto Guzzi. If the bike rides as good as it looks, we’re in for a treat in 2024.
4. Suzuki GSX-S1000 GX
Price: from £14,499
If you’re looking for road touring thrills in 2024, then look no further than Suzuki’s new adventure tourer. While the name does little to evoke the romance of the open road, we reckon blasting up the Furka Pass on the GX will be an unforgettable experience.
Its engine is the same silky smooth 999cc, four-cylinder, 152bhp gem found in the GT version of this bike, a superb sports tourer we love here at ABR. However, the new GX offers a more upright riding position, a wider handlebar, and better weather protection which should make it a more comfortable proposition over long distances.
And the new bike is packed with technology including semi-active suspension, traction control, a quickshifter, and cornering ABS. It looks damn good to our eyes too.
5. Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin & Sports
Price: from £13,199
It’s a case of evolution not revolution for the 2024 Africa Twin and Adventure Sports models, but there are some notable changes. Most welcome is the introduction of tubed tyres on the standard Africa Twin, making punctures much quicker to repair.
There’s also a larger five-way adjustable screen for improved weather protection, and the standard model now has the electronic suspension option available to it (previously, it was only available on the more expensive Adventure Sports).
The gloriously torquey 1,084cc engine found in both models has been tweaked to provide even more torque, and both bikes have redesigned front fairings to give the Africa Twin a more aggressive look.
Both versions of the Africa Twin also come with the automatic clutch DCT option, which has also been refined for 2024 to provide improved gear selections.
6. MV Agusta LXP Orioli
Price: TBC
MV Agusta reckons its LXP Orioli is the world’s first luxury ‘all terrain motorcycle’ (that’s an adventure bike to you and I) although I’m sure there will be some Multistrada owners who would disagree with that claim.
Named after Italian Dakar racer Edi Orioli, the new bike will be limited to a production run of 500 units. And with rugged goods looks reminiscent of an Africa Twin, it’s likely to become a collector’s item.
The bike is powered by a 931cc triple engine that makes 124bhp and 102Nmn, and comes packed with technology including rider modes, traction control, cornering ABS, and keyless ride. It weighs 224kg dry, features a 20l fuel tank, and is expected to cost around £26,000, although no price has been confirmed as yet.
7. Yamaha Ténéré 700 Extreme & Explore
The Ténéré 700 has been a huge hit for Yamaha since it was launched back in 2019, proving an approachable, affordable, and fun bike to ride on and off road.
But knowing adventure biking means different things to different people, Yamaha now offers six versions of the Ténéré, including two new models, the Extreme and Explore.
The rugged Extreme is made for trails riders with long travel and fully adjustable KYB suspension, high front mudguard, titanium footpegs, flat rally seat, an increased ground clearance.
Whereas, the new Explore model is pitched at riders covering long distances on the tarmac, with its larger touring screen, quickshifter, a lower seat height, racks for hard luggage, and shorter suspension travel, although we guarantee it’s no slouch off road either.
8. Ducati DesertX Rally
Price: £18,995
The motorcycling world collectively swooned when Ducati released the gorgeous DesertX back in 2022. Designed for people who wanted to go further off the beaten track than a Multistrada might take them, it combined style and performance in equal measure.
But despite the fact the standard is DesertX is already handy on the trails, Ducati has released this long-legged Rally version. With an extra 20mm of suspension travel front and rear (250mm), lighter yet tougher spoked wheels, an adjustable Ohlins steering dampener and more, it’s one serious off-roading machine.
So, if you’re looking to take part in your first Rally Raid, or you simply like having a higher spec bike than your mates, the DesertX Rally is one of the most adventure-ready bikes around.
9. Harley-Davidson CVO models
From £38,295
If you like your touring bikes to be characterful, comfortable, and lavished with creature comforts and technology, then start drooling over Harley-Davidson’s new CVO Street Glide and Road Glide models.
CVO stands for Custom Vehicle Operation and they’re the most fully loaded, top of the range Harley’s you can buy. The 2024 models are powered by a huge 1,997cc V-twin that makes 115bhp and a whopping 183Nm of torque, and boy, hooking up one of these bikes on a twisting road is an exhilarating experience.
And being CVO models, the attention to detail, comfort, and overall riding experience Harley bestows upon each bike is unparalleled (hence the high the price tag). The Street Glide and Road Glide are performance baggers designed to cover big distances in style and comfort, and boy, they look good too.
10. KTM 790 Adventure
Price: £9,999
It looks a KTM, feels like a KTM, and sounds like a KTM, but the new 790 Adventure is made in China not Austria and it costs less than £10,000. So, what’s going on?
The manufacturer has created a bargain priced mid-size adventure bike by combining parts from the original 790 Adventure (which was discontinued in 2020) with those from its replacement, the 890 Adventure.
And further cost savings have been made by getting CFMoto to make the bike on a dedicated KTM production line in China. But what’s it like to ride? Trust me when I say, it feels every inch a KTM, and with traction control, cornering ABS, and quality components, it may well be the best value bike money can buy.
All bike test rides are included in the cost of your ABR Festival weekend ticket. Test rides are to be booked directly with the manufacturers on the day, no pre-booking is required.
