Adventure motorcycles have gone from niche curiosity to the dominant force in the motorcycling world. Walk into almost any dealership today and you will see rows of tall, long-travel machines promising the ability to cross continents, explore gravel tracks, and commute through city traffic in equal measure.

But as with any category of motorcycle, only a small number will eventually become classics.

Some will fade quietly into the used market. Others, however, will age into machines that riders talk about with nostalgia. They will be the bikes people regret selling, the model’s enthusiasts start restoring, and the ones that begin appearing in collectors’ garages.

Looking specifically at the UK market – I’ve picked out a handful of adventure models that stand out as particularly interesting candidates to become future adventure bike classics.

Yamaha Ténéré 700 – The Bike That Already Feels Like a Classic in the Making

If there is one modern adventure bike that feels almost certain to become a future classic, it is the Ténéré 700. I say that somewhat reluctantly, and through slightly gritted teeth, because Andy – one of my regular riding mates – owns one. As is customary among motorcyclists, we give each other plenty of stick about our choice of machines. Naturally he insists the Ténéré is the best bike in our group, and despite my best efforts to argue otherwise, he has yet to be convinced and ranks his Yamaha way above every other bike – but is Andy, right?

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There was a significant initial delay in the launch of the Yamaha Ténéré 700. While the T7 concept was first revealed at the 2016 EICMA show with an anticipated production launch in 2018, the actual production model did not reach European customers until July 2019. However, I think it arrived at exactly the right moment. For years the adventure category had been moving towards bigger engines, heavier bikes, and increasingly complicated electronics and prices climbed accordingly.

What makes it especially interesting from a future-classic perspective is how it behaves in the used market. Recent UK dealer listings show nearly new examples still selling between roughly £8,700 and £9,900 depending on mileage and specification. That is remarkably close to the cost of a new machine, which suggests demand remains very strong. Motorcycles that resist depreciation can sometimes become the ones riders remember fondly decades later.

They say history repeats itself, so if we look back further down the lineage of the Ténéré at the old XT600 models from the late 1980s and early 1990s, these are now in high demand. Clean examples are now commanding surprisingly strong prices. So will the modern version have the same demand in another 30 years.

Note: If that 600cc Ténéré XT600 model isn’t on your radar yet, it’s worth watching the YouTube channel Itchy Boots – she is currently riding one all the way from Europe to Japan, which gives a good sense of just how capable these older 80’s and 90’s bikes still are.

Coming back up to date it’s good to look at what the current model is being used for and anyone were ever unsure about the capabilities of the latest Ténéré then may I point you towards a certain Spansih rider, Mr Pol Tarrés,

Tarrés has become one of the most recognised figures in relation to Yamahas 700 adventure bike – he is renowned for pushing the Yamaha Ténéré 700 well beyond what most riders could only imagine possible. As a former junior trials world champion who transitioned into extreme enduro and rally‑raid competition, Tarrés has used the Ténéré 700 not just for adventure riding but to achieve extraordinary feats that highlight both his skill and the bike’s capability.

In 2020, Tarrés set a Guinness World Record for the highest altitude reached on a twin-cylinder motorcycle, riding a Yamaha Ténéré 700 to 6,157.5 metres on Cerro Mercedario in the Andes. He later returned to the region and pushed the limits even further on Ojos del Salado – the highest active volcano on Earth – reaching around 6,677 metres on a modified Ténéré 700 World Raid.

More recently, Tarrés has demonstrated the bike’s rally credentials, including a dominant overall win at the 2024 Morocco Desert Challenge against much lighter single‑cylinder competition, and strong performances in events such as the Red Bull Romaniacs. Through his films and competition results, Tarrés not only showcases his own exceptional talent but also redefines what a mid‑weight adventure bike like the Ténéré 700 can handle, cementing its reputation as a machine with real off‑road ability, inspirational character and maybe, just maybe a real shot at becoming a future classic.

Whilst Mr Tarrés will no doubt think its going to be a nailed on future classic, we will have to wait a few more years to see if the current crop of Ténéré 700’s will become future classics.

Honda Africa Twin – A Legendary Name That Still Carries Weight

Few names in adventure motorcycling carry the same heritage as the Africa Twin.

Originally the Africa Twin models were a Dakar-inspired bikes from the late twentieth century, those early models already enjoys a devoted following among collectors. So when Honda revived the name with the modern CRF1000L and later the CRF1100L, expectations were understandably high. The question now is whether this latest incarnations of the Africa Twin will earn their place as future classics.

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Let’s start with another trip down memory lane – The original Africa Twin was the XRV750, a machine that has steadily built a loyal and enthusiastic following over the years. Introduced in the early 1990s and as mentioned above, heavily inspired by Honda’s Dakar Rally success. It quickly earned a reputation for toughness, reliability and genuine long-distance capability. At the time it represented the spirit of adventure motorcycling perfectly – a bike that looked ready to cross deserts and, more importantly, actually could.

Part of what keeps the XRV750 relevant today is the number of riders who continue to use them exactly as intended. One of the most prominent examples is filmmaker and adventure rider Adam Riemann. His well-known Africa Twins nicknamed “Iron Horse” and “War Horse”, have covered enormous distances across continents and through some seriously challenging terrain. Rather than being carefully preserved garage pieces, these bikes are still out there doing the job they were built for.

If you have not come across Adam Riemann’s work before, it is well worth seeking out his Motology Films series. His films provide a perfect demonstration of how these older Africa Twins continue to earn their reputation as true adventure machines. For many riders, seeing bikes of that age still tackling serious global travel only strengthens the XRV750 as a genuine classic.

While this represents a noticeable drop from the original retail price – making them worth considering from an investment perspective – the real question is about their emotional appeal. Do these later CRF1000L or CRF1100L models have the potential to generate the same level of interest and impact that the older 750cc Africa Twins have achieved in recent years – only time will tell.

KTM 890 Adventure R – The Cult Favourite

Again, I need to tread carefully here as another good friend, Gaz – has the KTM 890 Adventure R, but could this be the one that become a future adventure classic?

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As before, we must take yet another history lesson as KTM has long been synonymous with off-road prowess, and their adventure motorcycles have always reflected that heritage. The early KTM adventure bikes, such as the 950 Adventure from the early 2000s, were ground-breaking, rally-inspired engineering packaged for long-distance travel. These machines paired powerful V-twin engines with high ground clearance, long-travel suspension, and rugged chassis geometry, giving riders the ability to tackle tough terrain without losing confidence on the road.

Their successors – the 990 Adventure and later the 1050 and 1190 models – gradually added modern electronics, improved comfort, and advanced rider aids, yet retained the core KTM DNA: uncompromising off-road capability combined with long-distance versatility.

Before the 950, KTM had already built a strong foundation with the KTM 660 Adventure, a single-cylinder, lightweight bike that showed what a capable mid-weight ADV could do. Though less powerful than the V-twin machines that followed, the 660 was praised for its agility, simplicity, and durability. It was particularly well-suited to tight trails and technical terrain, earning a loyal following among riders who valued function over size. While it never had the headline-grabbing power of the 950 or 990, the 660 laid the groundwork for what KTM would later adopt in its larger machines.

For me the KTM 890 Adventure R builds directly on this lineage, blending lessons from both the 660 and the larger V-twins into a modern, mid-weight package. Its parallel-twin engine is compact yet powerful, delivering strong performance without the weight penalty of larger ADVs. Paired with a lightweight frame, high-spec suspension, and chassis geometry designed for technical terrain, the 890 Adventure R offers agility and composure that few bikes in its class can match. In many ways, it is a bridge between the nimble, adventurous spirit of the 660 and the rally-bred toughness of the 950 and 990.

When viewed in the context of KTM’s adventure history, the 890 Adventure R represents both continuity and evolution. It carries forward the rugged, go-anywhere ethos of the 950 and 990, while incorporating the lightweight agility and technical precision first seen in the 660. That combination of heritage, capability, and personality positions the 890 Adventure R as a strong contender for future classic status, likely to be remembered as a defining machine of its era.

Every KTM rider I know seems to speak about their bikes with unshakeable enthusiasm. There’s a level of passion and loyalty you rarely see with other brands. Given that, it’s entirely possible that the KTM 890 Adventure R could become one of those models that collectors and enthusiasts actively seek out in the years to come.

Ducati DesertX – The Wild Card

The Ducati DesertX arrived on the market with a bold statement – this is an adventure bike that refuses to blend into the background. Its extreme Dakar-inspired styling, aggressive stance, and unique bodywork gave it an instantly recognisable profile, which is often the first ingredient for a future classic. While many modern ADVs can look somewhat generic, the DesertX has character in spades – a bike that catches the eye whether it’s parked up or charging across rough terrain.

But the somewhat expensive DesertX is more than just a showpiece. Beneath its distinctive styling lies a genuinely capable adventure machine.

Charly Sinewan is one of the riders most closely associated with the spirit of long‑distance adventure, and his connection with the Ducati DesertX only reinforces the bike’s emerging reputation. Known for tackling some of the world’s toughest routes – from deserts to mountain passes and remote gravel tracks – Sinewan brings an authentic sense of exploration to everything he rides. The DesertX has featured prominently in his travels thanks to its combination of capability and character. Through his films and social media updates, Sinewan demonstrates not only what the DesertX is capable of in real‑world conditions, but also how well it suits someone who spends his time facing unpredictable terrain. For many riders, seeing a machine perform so consistently under such demanding circumstances adds emotional weight to its story – and that’s exactly the sort of narrative that can help a bike become a future classic.

With Ducati’s higher price point, rarity naturally becomes a factor that could help the DesertX achieve classic status. The company is unlikely to produce it in the same volumes as its Japanese rivals, meaning early or limited-edition models are likely to be especially sought after by enthusiasts. The imminent arrival of the V2 version may further enhance the appeal of the original DesertX, making it even more desirable to collectors. Keep an eye out for any end-of-production special editions or upgrades to the outgoing current model, as these are often the examples that retain value and stand out in the years to come.

Final Thoughts – What Actually Makes an Adventure Bike a Classic?

Predicting future classics is never an exact science, but certain patterns appear again and again.

Heritage Matters – As discussed, models tied to racing history or legendary nameplates often hold lasting emotional significance long after production stops. Events like the Dakar Rally, for instance, have helped define the character of many adventure bikes. Their accomplishments become part of the allure. As riders, we naturally look back on our youth and fondly remember the bikes that marked those moments of our lives.

Personality plays an important role as well. Motorcycles that feel distinctive when they are new are often the ones riders remember years later. There’s an emotional side to ownership, where riders develop a genuine connection with certain bikes, and those experiences become part of the machine’s story. Over time we inevitably look back through slightly rose-tinted glasses, but some motorcycles truly earn that affection. For one reason or another, they capture the spirit of their era, and as the years pass they become bikes that riders continue to admire and talk about long after production has ended.

That said, motorcycle history is full of surprises, and it’s impossible to predict with certainty which machines will ultimately be remembered most fondly. Not every bike mentioned in this article will necessarily become a future classic. However, if past trends are any guide, the motorcycles that combine real capability, a strong identity, and a loyal following are often the ones riders later wish they had held on to.

The Poll – Let Me Know What You Think

You may have noticed that I haven’t included a BMW GS or a Triumph Tiger on this list – and perhaps even the Aprilia Tuareg could have deserved a mention. But should they have been included?

Is there an adventure bike you think is destined to become a future classic? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Finally, please vote in the poll below and tell me which of the bikes I’ve shortlisted you believe has the best chance of becoming a future adventure bike classic.

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Tip:

If you’ve made it this far through the blog and haven’t clicked on any of the links, it’s worth scrolling back and taking a look. There’s some fantastic video and content featuring the riders mentioned throughout the article.