Affordable Adventure Motorcycles: What R100,000 Gets You in 2025

Have R100,000 and in the Market for an Adventure Bike? What Does That Get You?

Well, as it turns out, there are quite a few options available to you in that bracket.

Let’s begin by categorizing rider types to make this a little more useful and applicable (bear in mind that these categories are intended to apply solely to adventure and would-be adventure riders).

Real Talk

A lot of moto incidents/accidents occur due to lack of experience (poor instincts), ill-suited bikes, or too rapid a progression from small to large bikes – speed, too, obviously.

I’m of the belief that rider experience is best built over time and gradually. Ideally, a rider should start on a small moto at a young age and progress to bigger, faster, more powerful bikes over a few years. The lessons learned through gradual progression build solid instincts and drastically reduce the risk of incidents.

Unfortunately, things don’t always work that way in the real world. Not everyone had the privilege of growing up with bikes, and many only pick it up later in life when time and means allow for it. All I’m saying is: try to resist the urge of going too big too quickly. Start small instead, and enjoy the journey and progression. There are some incredible options available to you.

Bikes by Rider Type

• For the Moto-newbie
• For the On-the-fence Roadie
• For the Seasoned Rider
• For the Hardcore Off-roader

Motorcycles	Approx. Price Range
Honda CRF 250 Rally	R65,000
Honda CRF 300 Rally	R85,000
BMW GS 310	R60,000
KTM 390 Adventure	R70,000
Suzuki DR 250 V-Strom	R55,000
Suzuki DRZ 400	R25,000
Kawasaki Versys 300	R75,000

Motorcycles	Approx. Price Range
Triumph Tiger XCX 800	R60,000 – R90,000
BMW F800GS	R50,000 – R100,000+
BMW 650 GS	R35,000 – R50,000
KTM 790 Adventure S	R100,000+
Kawasaki KLR 650	R30,000 – R50,000
Honda Transalp 650/700	R30,000 – R60,000
Honda XR 650 / 650 L	R45,000 – R70,000
Yamaha XT 660 / 660 Tenere	R35,000 – R75,000

Motorcycles	Approx. Price Range
BMW 1200 GS/GSA air-cooled	R60,000 – R100,000+
BMW 1200 GS liquid-cooled	R100,000 (high mileage)
BMW 1150 GS/GSA	R35,000 – R50,000
Triumph 1200 Explorer	R60,000+
Yamaha Super Tenere XT1200	R45,000 – R85,000
KTM 1050 Adventure S	R85,000

Motorcycles	Approx. Price Range
KTM 500	Up to R100,000 (if lucky)
KTM 690 R / Enduro / Husky 701	R50,000 – R100,000+
KTM 790 Adventure R	R100,000 (high mileage)
KTM 950 / 990 Adventure	R50,000 – R100,000+

Final Thoughts

I’ve no doubt omitted some bikes from the above categories, or you may feel that my price estimates are wildly off. Leave a comment to share your ideas, suggestions, and remarks. Do you agree?

Where to Look

Reputable used moto dealerships, mates with bikes, Facebook Marketplace, Facebook Classifieds Groups, WhatsApp groups, AutoTrader, JunkMail, WeBuyCars, and Gumtree (last resort). I’ve personally found Facebook groups and Marketplace to be the best places to search.