50 to 80 HP and some offroad ability :scooter:

Depends on where to drive
 

What roads, distances.....


I used a 24 hp Royal Enfield Himalaya in Nepal.
It was perfect for that.
The roads and the traffic puts so much limit on the speed that you can travel.
That I never used those hp. But I liked the low end torque.
You do not have to change gear often and rev the engine.

I used a Moto Guzzi with 68 hp.
It was pergect for travelling in Europe with good roads. Two persons including camping equipment. 130 km/h crusing on larger roads.

I look for a 250 with 20 hp (or Himalayan) to drive gravel roads in Europe.
Where weight is more important than HP.

Travellling South America. 10-15 hp would be enough. Getting up those mountains. For example a Honda Cargo with 15 hp. And the luggage rack where the passenger normaly sits. A pizza delevery bike
https://www.honda.com.br/motos/cg-160-cargo
Or an Apache 160 cc with 15 hp
https://www.tvsmotos.com/motos/apache/apache-rtr-160

Simon used a 125 cc version of this with 12 hp around South America.

Ed used his C90 with 6 hp from Malaysia to UK.

I guess that below 3-4 ho it is no longer a bike. But a moped.
So there is mybe the limit.
If there is a limit at all

=
But is also nice to go on a long trip adventure with 150 hp
If you have roads to use that
=

Cape Town to Nairobi on a Vespa PX200EFL, 10" wheels, and 12 HP. Then again on the 9000 km Budapest to Bamako Enduro Rally (also offroad bits like the moroccan deserts, the beaches of Mauritania, pistes under construction, etc).

I've also done a fair bit of travel on a Yamaha 50 CC DTR.

I still don't consider any of those adventure bikes - they are capable, but unsuitable - and they don't fit with the most agreed upon form factor concept (factory ready bikes advertised as adventure bikes). My Yamaha WR250, or the Honda CBR 600 F - same thing. Their intended use is completely different - though no doubt thay adventurously could take me just about anywhere if I was so perversely inclined. My old BMW F600GS Dakar on the other hand, fits well within the most agreed upon concept as of what a factory ready adventure bike is... as would the Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere that I currently have my eyes on.

Although interesting to have a discussion about trying to define the term - I find that when questions such as "what is the best adventure bike", quickly turns into a rethorical debate rather than simply trying to answer the question within the most agreed upon definition of the term - the one the poster probably thinks of (otherwise the poster would most likely have supplied; a broader definition of the term, a different definition alltogether, or ask for the definition to be challenged???

So to answer the question of the poster - as most modern factory ready adventure bikes seem to start at 50 HP (one cylindered thumpers) - with few severe complaints as far as I can see, I would say 50HP for one person is more than enough. And as for those riding two up and hauling a ton of stuff - usually finding a larger bike more accomodating for two up - usually having bike choice reduced to options with more than one cyclinder and more than 70HP. I believe approx 85-110 HP is more common choice than 70, with for instance the F800GS starting at 85 and the R1250GS delivering a whopping 136. I've never heard any complaints of having too much power, and I have not heard any serious complaints of from someone only having 85 HP either. I frequently hear complaints of the bike being too heavy or big.

Now, sinking thousands into kitting for instance a WR250R (30HP) could make a great adventure bike (enough power to get you over tall mountains, ride off road, do ok on the highways - and keeping the weight low). But - it isn't a factory ready adventure bike.

So, 30 HP for one person, and 70 for rider plus pilion - seems more than enough - though most selections would probably start at 50/85 HP for 1 or two people. You could still probably cut that in half and still have enough - but why would you if you didn't make any significant gains in other places? No point in actually trying to find a weak bike?

The 70 vs 85 HP does make a significant difference when riding two up, especially on faster roads where you need to pass other vehicles, etc. But I don't need a bike so powerful that the pilion will fall off if a twist the throttle all the way.

So, for me, the lower limit would be 30 hp for a kitted dual sport (one person), 50 hp for a factory ready adventure bike (one person), and 85 for a factory ready bike for two people (seing few arguments of trying to kit a non factory ready adventure bike for two people).

Speed for travelling
 

To bemore into facts what is realistic.
Rather than possible.


Ted Simon, that knows what he is talking about.
Said that a good speed fro traveling is 50 mph= 80km/h.
Of course if road and other conditions permitts.
It is a compromise between having time to look around.
And to get to knew places within decent time.

So if a bike can cruze without problem at that speed.
Given the load it has to carry.
It has enough power.

Sure, but how many HP is that? High altitude, going up hill, with a pillion and luggage for two?

How much power? I'd say enough power to do 4th gear wheelie fully loaded :thumbup1:

you need the new Ducati ... 170 hp ! when will it stop ! 200:eek3:

Bruce
I have had loads of adventures on all sizes around the world and there was no engine involved at all :innocent:

Last year I did 8,000km in India and Nepal on a Hero Impulse 150, think Honda XR150 built in India with a passenger and our luggage and it did the job even at altitude in Nepal, although 60-70kph was more like it going up hill in the mountains. A great bike and great fun and I think around 15bhp.

but we're talking here about adventure with pants on.

Am thinking adventures without would b far more interesting and less contentious.......but may result in a number of bans among those that post . :ban:

FWIW: We rode around the world, as did many, two up on an R80G/S, with 50 hp. It was fine! The only time I REALLY wanted more was on the Autobahn, where it's top comfortable cruising speed of around 125-130kph was slooow. Everywhere else it had all I needed, sometimes a little patience when I wanted to pass a slower vehicle, but it was okay. Also kept me from getting impatient and pushing the limits...
Would I have been happy with less? Probably not, but I think you just need to adjust your riding and your patience if you have less.

On our return I put a 1000cc top end on it, mostly because I could, and for "at home" highway use. That had 60 hp, but the engine just wasn't as "nice" - more vibes, but more grunt for sure. The limitation then was more the R80G/S gearing and the lower rev limit of the 1000cc top end compared to the R80. But it got there quick! Relatively speaking... :)

Our current travel/touring bike is a 2007 R1200GSA which has exactly double the R80, at 100hp. Is it better? On local highways and to make my right wrist happy, absolutely, but is it NEEDED for travel? No.

Well Grant .
you have hit the nail on the head with your post !
For one person 70 hp is all you need !
K

MORE than enough - we were two up!

Kinda makes u wonder where Ducati is going with the v4 multi.....I'm guessing because they can .