The Most Reliable Motorcycles Ever Made – A Rider’s Guide to Longevity

Published on: July 24, 2025
By: The Daily Rider

Whether you’re planning a round-the-world journey or just want a bike that’ll go the distance without draining your wallet, reliability should be at the top of your checklist. A reliable motorcycle isn’t just about fewer breakdowns — it’s about peace of mind, low running costs, and the freedom to ride without fear.

Today, we dive into the motorcycles that have earned legendary status for bulletproof engineering and high-mileage performance — the ones that keep going long after others have retired.

Top 3 Most Reliable Adventure Bikes of All Time

1. Kawasaki KLR650

Category: Dual-Sport / Adventure
Known for: Indestructibility, simplicity, global serviceability

The KLR650 is a cult classic. With its no-frills, air-cooled single-cylinder engine and nearly tractor-like durability, it has become the ultimate “fix-it-with-a-hammer” motorcycle. Overlanding legends have ridden these bikes into the ground — and then rebuilt them on the side of the road.

High-mileage record: 300,000+ km
Common issues: The infamous “doohickey” (balancer chain adjuster), minor oil consumption
Best years: 1987–2018 (Gen 1 & 2), Gen 3 launched in 2022

2. Honda Africa Twin (CRF1000L & CRF1100L)

Category: Midweight Adventure
Known for: Balanced reliability + off-road ability

The Africa Twin lives up to its name — born from Paris-Dakar DNA and built to last. Whether you’re riding the manual gearbox or the DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission), the Africa Twin has been tested in every harsh condition imaginable.

High-mileage record: 400,000+ km
Common issues: Minor electrical gremlins on early models, valve checks every 24,000 km
Best years: 2016–2023 (CRF1000L and CRF1100L)

3. BMW R1200GS (Air-cooled & Liquid-cooled)

Category: Heavyweight Adventure Touring
Known for: Long-distance comfort, boxer engine durability

Love them or hate them, BMW’s GS series has stood the test of time. The air/oil-cooled boxer twins of the early 2000s are especially legendary. Many owners see 300,000–500,000 km with only basic service.

High-mileage record: 500,000+ km
Common issues: Shaft drive failures (at high mileage), ABS module issues, CAN bus complexity
Best years: 2004–2012 (Air-cooled), 2013–2018 (Liquid-cooled)

Other Contenders for the Most Reliable Motorcycles

Yamaha Ténéré 700 – Built on the CP2 engine (shared with the MT-07), this lightweight ADV bike is quickly earning a reputation for lasting well over 100,000 km. No ride modes, no complicated electronics — just pure analog performance.
Honda CB500X – Smooth, reliable, fuel-sipping commuter/tourer with nearly zero failure points. Great choice for new riders or budget-conscious adventurers.
Suzuki DR650 – Think of it as the KLR’s minimalist cousin. Stone-age design, stone-age reliability.
Honda ST1300 / Pan European – Long-distance sport tourer with a rock-solid V4 engine and shaft drive. Still a favorite among Iron Butt riders.
Yamaha FJR1300 – Shaft-drive sport-tourer with bulletproof inline-4 reliability. There are FJRs out there with 400,000+ km still going strong.

What Makes a Motorcycle Truly Reliable?

It’s not just luck. The bikes above share common design traits:

Trait	Why it Matters
Understressed engines	Lower RPM and heat = longer life
Mechanical simplicity	Fewer electronic failures
Long production runs	Bugs ironed out over time
Global support	Easier to find parts on the road
Shaft drive (some models)	Less maintenance, no chain fuss

Quick Comparison Chart

Model	Max Proven Mileage	Service Cost	DIY Friendly	Complexity	Reliability Score
KLR650	300,000+ km	Low	Very High	Low	5/5
Africa Twin	400,000+ km	Medium	High	Medium	4.5/5
BMW R1200GS	500,000+ km	High	Moderate	High	4/5
Ténéré 700	150,000+ km	Medium	High	Low	4.5/5
ST1300 / FJR1300	400,000+ km	Medium	Moderate	Medium	4/5