Some folks buy an adventure bike for all-terrain thrills. Others buy them because they make outstanding two-up touring bikes for tall people. Those two things don't have to be mutually exclusive.
Now, I'm not about to suggest that the latest fire-breathing KTM Super Adventure R is a prime candidate. Sure, it's an absolute blast for a solo rider, but the rear seat is terrible (or so we're told) and sits too high for most passengers to enjoy anyway.
If you read that sentence closely, chances are you can already guess what this article is getting at: if you want the best adventure bike for two-up riding, you're going to have to compromise somewhere, but minimizing that tradeoff is what we're after.
Below, we'll touch on our priorities when shopping for a two-up ADV rig, as well as our current favorite picks of the litter. All good adventure bikes for pillion riders are going to be a bit road-biased in nature, but that doesn't mean you're stuck with a sport tourer.
We're gonna go out on a limb here and guess that whoever is riding on the back of your motorcycle isn't interested in tackling gnarly single track or washed-out Jeep trails. Good pavement and the occasional gravel road are where a two-up ADV shines.
Bearing that in mind, here's a short list of what we've found makes the best ADV bike for your pillion. Ignore everything below at your own risk if you want to keep a passenger happy on your next long-haul adventure.
Sounds like an obvious place to start, but it's also the most common complaint you'll hear from an unhappy pillion. Multiple factors need to be considered here, but the best way to judge a seat's quality is to have your passenger sit on it before you buy.
Different passengers like different things in a seat, but in our experience, thick padding, firmer foam, and a sculpted shape that keeps the passenger from sliding forward under braking are all good things. BMW's R1100 GS is a great reference.
Having a passenger physically test out a seat also tells you whether they're comfortable with stepping up and onto the bike, as well as the knee bend they'll be subjected to for hours at a time.
Ergonomics at the rear is just as important as the front.
We've done our fair share of two-up riding on bikes like Kawasaki's KLR650, but the less power a bike makes, the more you'll feel the added weight of a passenger and all their gear. If you don't want to struggle riding uphill, this one's important.
Of course, because two-up riding is rarely a redline event, bikes with big low-end torque are better than those prioritizing big top-end power. That old 1100 GS we mentioned, with its 80 horsepower and 70-ish lb-ft, is proof of concept.
Every passenger wants to sit back, relax, and take in the scenery at some point on a motorcycle tour. That means they need to be able to lean back comfortably and anchor to something other than the rider.
A good top case is indispensable here. Some cases come with passenger backrests already installed, while others require aftermarket intervention. Either way, we recommend looking for an ADV that's compatible with a passenger-friendly top case.
Standalone aftermarket backrests are a viable alternative in a pinch, of course, but if you're planning on touring, we recommend killing two birds with one stone by adding some extra cargo capacity while you're at it.
Adding a passenger means adding weight, and if you want your bike to be comfortable over bumps and composed in the twisties, adjustable suspension is a must.
Flagship ADVs with electronic suspension excel here as the best ADV bikes for two-up riding in the world. Automatic preload adjustments on the fly are a game changer, but at minimum, your rear shock should have some degree of preload adjustment.
Simple enough, right? Here are our favorite ADVs that deliver on all the above better than anything else.
We'll start this off with a choice that should come as no surprise to anyone: BMW's latest R 1300 GS. The GS has always been an absolute pleasure as a two-up adventure touring machine, and the latest iteration is no exception.
The rear seat is still the same uber-comfortable and well-contoured pillion it's always been, and the suspension remains controlled, adjustable, and absolutely dialed. Power has only increased over the years, and weight has dropped significantly.
If you've got the cash, consider shelling out for the Triple Black version. That adds BMW's excellent electronic suspension, as well as a ton of touring comforts like heated seats, a rear luggage rack, and better wind protection.
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While Triumph's Tiger 900 Rally Pro remains one of our favorite solo ADV bikes of all time, passengers complain that there's far too much vibration above 60 mph to really enjoy the ride.
Triumph's Tiger 1200 Rally Pro, however, doesn't have that problem.
We're not 100% sure why. Could be the larger motor or the silky smooth shaft drive, but for whatever reason, the 1200 feels like a magic carpet ride for both rider and pillion. Passengers also love the views (and legroom) from the tall rear seat.
A thrilling three-cylinder engine, electronic suspension, and outstanding all-terrain performance round out a truly premium package in the 1200.
Our only gripe is that the extra weight of a passenger sitting up so high takes some getting used to at a stop.
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It's still pretty mind-blowing to see Ducati's absolutely mental 170-horsepower V4-powered adventure bike is actually more affordable than either the BMW or Triumph above. As if you needed another excuse to buy one...
It's also the only bike on this list that wouldn't feel out of place doing a track day, but the V4 isn't just about performance. In fact, Ducati went to great pains to emphasize how much of the design and engineering of this motorcycle went into two-up comfort.
The seat is comfortable, the legroom is outstanding, and once you throw a Givi top case with a backrest on the rear rack, the only complaint you're likely to hear from a passenger is that you need to slow down.
The fully adjustable suspension on the base model is outstanding in its own right, but for heavy two-up use, the electronic "Skyhook" Marzocchi system pays for itself in both performance and convenience.
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Ask anyone who owns a standard Africa Twin, and they'll tell you: It's a solid touring bike, but it's not the best adventure bike for two-up trips. Most of that is due to the rear seat, which is uncomfortable and sloped forward for that "enduro" look.
The Adventure Sports ES model, however, employs a reshaped seat with higher-density foam, which is specifically designed for long-haul comfort.
It also gets a smaller 19-inch front wheel to complement the pavement-biased reality of two-up touring.
We dig all the Adventure Sports' standard equipment, like cruise control, heated grips, electronic suspension, and Apple CarPlay.
You'll want to upgrade to a taller windshield in our experience, but aside from that, the ES is perfect for two-up touring.
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KTM's 890 Adventure R is the pinnacle of a hard-charging adventure bike, but it leaves a lot to be desired in the comfort department, especially for a passenger. Norden's latest 901 Expedition, however, does literally everything well.
That's because the "Expedition" version piles on the touring comforts (wind protection, heated seats/grips, luggage, etc) while preserving the 890 R's industry-leading WP Xplor suspension.
It also gets a stepped two-piece seat for added passenger comfort.
The Norden makes great torque at lower revs, so highway cruising vibrations are minimal. It's also the only middleweight bike on this list, meaning it's lighter, more athletic, and less expensive than any "full-size" alternative with ample standard features to boot.
We just wrapped a tour of Mongolia aboard both the 901 Expedition and the latest KTM 890 R, and the 901 renders the 890 R obsolete in every discernible way. In other words, you can have it all, from solo off-roading rips to easy-going two-up touring.
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In the end, finding the right two-up ride is a great way to share the joy of motorcycle travel with a partner. If you want to try before you buy we offer plenty of rentals and tours with these bikes so you can check em out for yourself. Just reach out if you have any questions.
Thanks, and we hope you found the right two-up bike and your passenger. Leave us a comment if you think we forgot one.
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