Off-road bikes - there are no impassable paths for the "enduro"

A motorcycle is a transport of daredevils and romantics. Bikers are considered more outrageous, adrenaline junkies, free than motorists - stable, hidden in the cabin from the fresh wind. Even if a two-wheeled car really resembles a bulky car, rolls no more than 60 km / h, it causes more admiration than the coolest car. We will talk about the best enduro motorcycles below.

Motorcycle is better!

A car, of course, is a comfortable form of transportation, has a lot of advantages, but it will never replace a motorcycle. "What's better?" - an eternal argument, like a skier with a snowboarder in the movie "Yolki". But any car in this dispute will get stuck on the first bump. There are, of course, questions about the bike in terms of winter skiing, but there are also undeniable advantages:

• high speed and maneuverability - whatever one may say, but in traffic jams and off-road, the bike looks like a more useful vehicle;
• garage for a motorcycle - how much less space is required for a motorcycle, visible to the naked eye;
• price - if you do not take fancy models, motorcycles are much cheaper than a car;
• gasoline - it will take much less to cover the same distance by car;
• maintenance - less whimsical in terms of repair, maintenance, spare parts also cost less than automobile ones;
• style and beauty - a motorcycle loves desperate, strong, young in spirit, which is why girls like bikers.

What is an SUV made of?

If you touch on history, then a two-wheeled gasoline car appeared in Germany a year before the car. The wooden invention "for riding" developed a frantic agility - 12 km / h. The heyday of the motorcycle movement began in the twentieth century and turned into a subculture. Today, there are many types and types of this equipment, differing in various parameters, ranging from the number of wheels, design, ending with engine size and purpose.

We will talk about off-road equipment, the most sought-after motorcycle type, which has several varieties. We will not consider purely sports models, only bikes as a means of off-road transportation.

It is not necessary to delve into the details of the design and devices, but you need to understand something in the device. The main units and schemes on all motorcycles are the same.

1 - fork front shock absorbers, the springs are hidden under the "pants";

3 - speedometer;

4 - front brake;

5 - gas handle;

6 - clutch lever;

7 - gas tank;

8 - air cleaner;

9 - rear shock absorber;

10 - exhaust pipe ("Glushak");

11 - rear fork (pendulum);

12 - chain drive;

13-18 - parts of the engine;

19 - brake pads.

The power unit of an all-terrain bike differs from a car in its compactness and weight. The engine is arranged in a crankcase with a gearbox and clutch, a single lubrication system. Enduriks are distinguished from other motor vehicles by:

• wheels (18 and 20 inches);
• inverted telescopic fork;
• disc brakes.

Dual Purpose Bikes

Motorcycles designed for normal and overcoming bad roads, riding in their complete absence, belong to the class "enduro" (endurance English - endurance). Enduro is one of the first off-road motorcycles. The entire motorcycle industry began with him. Asphalt was a rarity at the beginning of the 20th century, so a transport was needed that could drive over stones, mud, virgin lands, and forests. At the same time, it is important that the equipment does not fall apart on the next bump and does not get the driver shaking. This is how the enduro bike was born.

Now these bikes are divided into tourist and racing. Tourists do not ride very fast for long distances on a primer and light off-road. Racers manage to rush along vertical rocks, conquer a swamp, not get stuck in the sand, but on the pavement - this is an elephant in a china shop.

Enduro features are as follows:

1. Design:

• for driving over bumps and bumps, the suspensions are made long-stroke;
• steering wheel - high with a jumper, hand protection is present;
• semi-duplex frame (strength rings combined);
• the front wing is enlarged.

2. Wheels: the tread has a pattern that helps to ride both on asphalt and on a primer. Casting is not welcome - knitting needles are better.
3. Engine: the bulk runs on one cylinder, tourist (from 650 cm³) - two-cylinder V-shaped. The exception is Yamaha and BMW bikes.

A few important differences between a sports bike and a pleasure bike:

• the "sportac" does not have a headlight;
• starts with a kickstarter;
• not allowed to ride on the road.

Varieties of "household" enduro

The design is based on a powerful engine, light frame, progressive suspension, and a comfortable pilot's seat. Non-sporting types of these motorcycles are registered as vehicles and can safely ride along the streets and autobahns, there is a frame for hanging a license plate.

Of course, these bikes are equipped with quieter mufflers so as not to rumble in populated areas. They have an inch smaller rear wheel than a motocross one. But there are some technical differences between different "enduriks".

1. Hard Enduro is a cross bike adapted for use in non-competitive life. It has a sports focus, rigid suspensions, but there are headlights, a dashboard, an electric starter, a side stand, a brake light. By cubic capacity are produced from 400 to 650 cm³are air-cooled. On such a motorcycle, you can drive through the forest thicket, mountains, sandy areas, overcome water barriers (swamp, river mouth, puddles). Due to the great similarity with a sports crosser, there may be problems with the traffic police.

2."Soft" (civilian) - differs from cross-country with soft suspensions, the ability to sit together, dual-purpose rubber, the presence of a trunk, a powerful brake, a battery and a modified engine. Engine displacement from 125 to 650 cm3³. Swiftness is not very important here, the emphasis is on safety.

3. "Tourist" - a unit for the Paris-Dakar rally, a long off-road ride. It has a powerful plastic body kit, a windshield, a powerful engine, a large tank, a light that allows you to move in the fog, a comfortable seat, and luggage space. But this trucker has more weight and less cross-country ability. Only an experienced pilot can operate such equipment.

4. "Parquet" (semi-passable) - the ability to drive on good and bad roads equally successfully. This type has an engine from 650 to 1200 cc³ and weight ∓ 200 kg. The suspension is short-stroke, the ground clearance is small, the wheels are with wide-profile rubber and alloy wheels, the brakes are powerful, the windshield is enlarged, the maximum body kit. Double comfortable seat, trunks with wardrobe trunks.

Manufacturers and brands

There are not so many clear leaders in the SUV market; Asians and Europeans are fighting for the palm. The East is still ahead, the list looks like this:

1. Kawasaki is a Japanese concern, the largest manufacturer of motorcycles and equipment;
2. BMW is a German brand where everything is assembled by hand, finished models are checked by computer diagnostics of the main parameters;
3. Suzuki - unique Japanese quality and the highest technical performance;
4. Yamaha - another Japanese corporation engaged in exceptionally light, frisky motorcycles;
5. Honda is a company that produces not very budgetary, but very high-quality units;
6. KTM (Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen Sportmotorcycle AG) is an Austrian brand that produces mainly sports enduro.

TOPs, ratings, polls

Lists of the best models are compiled by different people, sales experts, pilot drivers, buyers. Everyone highlights their own evaluation parameters - quality, price, speed, type, technology.

Three of the TOP 12

The rider ranking lists the top three models in each bike class. Among the SUVs are:

• KTM 690 Enduro R - absolutely all-terrain;
• Lifan LF200 gy-5 - affordable;
• Kayo CRF801-7L Basic 17/14 — flies like a butterfly.

KTM 690 Enduro R

RUB 749,900

This model is called the "universal soldier". The Austrian bike has powerful shock absorbers that allow you to quite comfortably overcome road bumps and cut city traffic. On the road, he has few equals. But he will submit only to an experienced pilot.

The wheels are different - the rear is wider. The tank is 12 liters, the wings are narrowed, the steel space frame - all this made it possible to lighten the structure up to 140 kg. Engine for 690 cubes with a capacity of 67 l / s, although only one cylinder. The maximum speed is 167 km/h. The engine is liquid cooled. Transmission - 6 gears. Seat height - 91 cm, ground clearance - 28 cm, fuel consumption - 4 liters per 100 km.

• powerful, high moment at the motor on bottoms;
• light, docile, good handling;
• high permeability;
• free quick transition to neutral, gears do not fly off;
• the chain does not sag over time, does not stretch.

• the steel frame is not very strong;
• no sharpness when revving;
• Parts are very expensive.

Lifan LF200 gy5

79 900 rub.

The economy class model is in great demand.In cross Lifan there is a basic necessary minimum. The engine is single-cylinder, volume - 197 cm / cu. Maximum power - 16.3 horsepower. Not a beast, of course, but quite smart. Air cooling does not make it possible to load the motor for a long time, it overheats. The tank is designed for 10 liters of gasoline. The weight of the bike is 122 kg, the maximum speed is 100 km/h. Disc brakes. The body is shock-resistant, frost-resistant plastic.

It is distinguished from sports by the presence of a place for a passenger, a trunk, protection of the steering wheel and hands. Excellent lighting technology.

• light and nimble;
• economical - eats only 2.3 liters per hundred square meters;
• high-quality body assembly;
• cross-country ability is excellent, the track keeps;
• service is convenient, simple, fast.

• the tank is small;
• not the most powerful, but the exhaust is loud;
• the view is not very: neither retro nor stylish;
• won't take two people.

Kayo CRF801-7L Basic 17/14

RUB 60,990

The Chinese pit bike has a single-cylinder four-stroke engine cooled by air and oil lubrication. Four speeds, all forward. Disc brakes, pads on the front and rear wheels. Front wheel - 17 inches, rear - 14. The frame is tubular, lightweight, weight - 71 kg.

The saddle height is 88.5 cm, the ground clearance is 37 cm, which provides good off-road flotation. The steering wheel is straight, the rear dimensions are planted under the seat. Very convenient for tall drivers - the distance between the wheels is 1 m 22.5 cm. Power - 11 l / s.

• the lightest, most maneuverable;
• made simple, easy to repair;
• kick starter, 4 cycles, suspension;
• straight-through muffler.

• the steering wheel is deformed when it falls, the chain quickly stretches;
• the headlight is weak, it is better not to drive at night;
• no electric starter.

The best four SUVs

The list was compiled by experienced travelers, taking into account the functionality, quality and price of bikes. In their opinion, an off-road motorcycle should have good geometric cross-country ability, a balance of mass and power. And the price can be reduced by purchasing models of the early years of production, it is significantly lower with excellent quality goods.

BMW F800GS

RUB 802,000

A German enduro BMW bike is always the right choice. Suspension, always finely tuned, holds the bumps when driving over bumps at 100 km / h. The crankcase is protected by a steel frame, powerful and strong, ready for any load. The two-cylinder engine (in-line), delivering power of 85 l / s, accelerates the bike by more than 200 km / h. The cooling system is liquid. Transmission - 6 gears, height - 85-88 cm, weight - 214 kg. Tank volume - 16 l, consumption (mixed surfaces) - 5.3 l / 100 km.

The manufacturer's concern for the client is visible in the seat, which can be adjusted to height, as well as the footrests and steering wheel. Riders 160-190 cm tall will feel comfortable on the bike. The company guarantees, the consumer confirms that the reliable BMW engine will cover 250 thousand km without major repairs.

Of course, in the event of a breakdown, it will not be possible to repair the engine on your own. This is what caused BMW to take second place in the ranking of corporations. If you operate it with timely technical inspections, there will be no accidents on the road. Know-how and excellent quality cost a lot of money, but if you take the equipment of 2005-2006, it will cost exactly half as much, without losing its main advantages.

• engine with electronic injection;
• reliability and build quality;
• power and agility.

• it will not work to repair the engine on your own - difficult;
• the price of a fresh model is under a million.

KTM 990 Adventure

449,000 - 650,000 rubles.

The Austrians scrupulously thought out the technical aspects of the design of the SUV. Its cross-country ability is comparable to a crosser with a 500 cc engine. This became possible due to the low weight of the wheelbarrow and the increased suspension travel. The engine is powerful - 110 horses, accelerates up to 220 km / h on asphalt, everyone has their own pace off-road, depending on the skill and experience of the pilot, as well as on the condition of the surface. The fork has three levels of adjustment, the rear shock absorbers have 4.

Quietly riding on the bottoms is very economical. In competition, this bike will work wonders. The seat can be adjusted for yourself, the passenger feels comfortable. The new model costs about 800 tr., the early years of production will not empty the wallet very much.

• Landing is direct - you ride proudly over cars;
• tall, heavy, but easy to manage, even for a hundred, especially on the ground;
• tuning a lot of useful;
• reaction to gas is instantaneous.

• in terms of braking, it loses to road bikes if you drive above 150 km / h (narrow front wheel);
• change oil and filters - the floor of the car must be disassembled, also with a candle on the front cylinder.

Yamaha TDM 900

240,000 - 400,000 rubles.

If the driving style is not aggressive, there is no desire to jump on springboards, and off-road beckons, choose the Yamaha enduro. The model is designed for asphalt, the suspensions are set for low travel and stiffness. But on the gravel road and other bumps, it is quite obedient and manageable. Gentle braking in front of large pits — everything will be comfortable.

Engine for two cylinders and 86 l / s, the frame and body components are made of aluminum, which lightened the weight by 29%. Liquid cooling. It can accelerate to 220 km / h, but above two hundred a comfortable ride will end. Acceleration to 100 km occurs in 4 seconds. Instead of a carburetor - an injector, 6 gears, front brakes, weight - 221 kg. Saddle height - 82.5 cm. Gas tank - 20 liters, reserve - 3.5 liters. The average fuel consumption is 5-6 liters per 100 km. Weight -193 kg.

Of course, this motorcycle is not suitable for forests and swamps, but it will ride perfectly on dirt roads, country roads, off-road tracks.

• a great car for balanced drivers and average lousy roads;
• a wide network of salons - spare parts are easy to find and specialists;
• injection injection system.

• it will not work on real off-road.

Honda Transalp 650

255,000 - 310,000 rubles.

Touring motorcycles traditionally have good power and cross-country ability. But these advantages will disappear in the event of a breakdown on the road, if the equipment cannot be repaired on the spot on its own. But this can happen far from asphalt roads. Thinking about such options, you need to choose Transalp 650 - simple and reliable.

This is the best bike adapted to Russian off-road. It is lightweight, has a powerful V-shaped engine. Fuel tank - 19.6 liters, 55 horsepower make it possible to accelerate on asphalt up to 180 km / h, off-road you can drive at 120 km / h. When loading, the speed drops, but it is enough for long-distance movement. Liquid cooling, five-speed gearbox, disc brakes on both wheels. Saddle height - 85 cm, weight - 194 kg. Maximum - 172 km / h, acceleration to hundreds - in 5 seconds. Gasoline consumption - 5.2 liters per 100 km.

The most important advantage of Honda is unpretentiousness. A conventional carburetor engine works in the Sahara, and in snowy Siberia, and in the mountains of the Caucasus. In the event of a breakdown, it is repaired using conventional tools.With proper care and use, the unit will pass 300 thousand km without repair.

• strong, reliable, hardy, ready to travel around the world;
• can be repaired in the field;
• spare parts and service centers are in abundance.

• out of production, but used models can be found.

TOP-5 Premium

For motorcycle adventurers who are ready to purchase a reliable iron horse for off-road freaks, this list has been compiled. Dirt, long roads, wind in the face and record-breaking speed - it's all about these bikes!

Yamaha WR250R

537,750 - 600,000 rubles.

Weighs 134 kg, very durable, nimble, engine for 250 cubes, 30 horses - it will pull out of any mud. Maximum speed - 151 km / h, tank - 7 liters, seat height - 93 cm, six-speed transmission, wheels 21 and 18 inches. Fuel consumption - 4l / 100 km.

• improved traction at low speeds;
• suspension soft, more comfortable;
• exhaust is quiet, environmentally friendly;
• easy to shift and rotate;
• there is a side step and good light.

• vibrates at high speeds, rides badly above a hundred;
• off-road rolls poorly, on asphalt normally;
• a big drawback - very high, the leg does not reach the ground, it is unsafe.

Suzuki V-Strom 650 ABS

RUB 549,990

Reliable horse, will not let you down even in a swamp. The V-shaped engine pulls powerfully at low and medium speeds. The hard worker will cope with a long journey not only on asphalt and gravel roads, he will obey the “off-road”, a very maneuverable enduro. If you didn't calculate your speed going into a turn, this bike will help round out the line.

The frame is aluminum, diagonal. Wheels - 19 and 17 inches, front double disc brake.Adjustable windshield, improved ergonomics, easy to understand instrument panel. Saddle height 83.5 cm, weight 214 kg. Gas tank - 20 liters, maximum - 197 km / h. Fuel consumption - 4 l / 100 km.

• improved dashboard, adjustable glass - everything for a person;
• the seat is adjustable for height;
• nimble at low speeds, stable at high;
• speed bumps slip unnoticed, the suspension clearly works out pits and ditches.

• the price would be lower.

KTM 1190 Adventure

615,000 - 990,000 rubles.

The descendant of the sportbike is explosive and sharp. Streamlined shapes, pronounced gas tank, spectacular optics with LEDs, electronics. Motor - 148 l / s, power accessories, reinforced chassis, 6-speed gearbox, ABS system. Wheels - 19 and 17 inches, high windshield. The saddle height is 87.5 cm, it is double, separate and adjustable in height. Gas tank - 23 liters, weight - 230 kg. Fuel consumption - 6 liters per 100 km.

Any rider can control this bike, the engine has different modes of operation - sport, rain, city, off-road. The brake and gas work differently in each. In the city, the car controls acceleration, in sport mode it instantly responds to the movements of the throttle stick. "Rain" cancels the wheel slip.

• control levers are soft, easy to operate;
• traction control is great safety;
• the clutch is squeezed out with one finger (hydraulics);
• the throttle is electronic, without any cables, the response is instant, the thrust is even.

• in addition to plastic overlays, there is no protection in case of falls;
• soft box interferes with catching neutral in shoes;
• after 245 km / h, vibration begins, the steering wheel shakes;
• more suitable for asphalt tourism.

Ducati Multistrada 1200S

1,540,000 - 1,749,000 rubles.

Expensive Italian enduro 160 horses. Not every car has such power. Electronic control system, three suspension modes that adapt to specific road conditions, four speeds, exclusive tires - this is a stylish, powerful machine. Ergonomics at the level: wide handlebars, direct landing, comfortable large seat.

Saddle height - 82.5 cm, liquid cooling, injector, 6 gears, adjustable shock absorber. ABC, disc brakes, both wheels 17 inches. Tank for 20 liters, weight - 209 kg, maximum speed - 279 km / h, fuel consumption - 6 l / 100 km.

• many electronic assistants make life easier on the road;
• cool wind protection and all ergonomics;
• engine and suspension adjustments are a great addition;
• You can travel long distances and not get tired.

• regular tires are not good;
• price.

BMW S1000XR

RUB 1,187,000

Comfortable crossover motorcycle, strong, 160 hp, four-cylinder engine. Aluminum frame, hydraulic disc brakes. Weight - 228 kg.

Any track - dirty, mountainous, wet, desert - this enduro is not afraid. The maximum speed is more than 200 km / h, the tank is 20 liters, the consumption is 5.4 liters. It combines sporty dynamics and maximum ergonomics. It is possible to fix wardrobe trunks with luggage for a long journey. There are heated grips on the steering wheel, a stability system on the course, a quickshifter, traction and cruise control.

• from a place it is easily undermined immediately up to 140 km / h;
• the saddle is concave, comfortable, you feel safe;
• electronics - to the eyeballs: correct, help, correct errors;
• the ABC system, which cancels the wheel lock when cornering, is a thing;
• very beautiful bike;
• equally confidently goes fast and slowly.

• unaffordable price.

Russian version

Talking about foreign motorcycle SUVs, I would like to note that the Russian motorcycle industry has something in this segment. Here is the TOP of Russian companies producing quite decent off-road equipment.

Stels (Lyubertsy) - the Velomotors company is known for its ATVs, snowmobiles. Now it produces 15 types of motorcycles of different classes.

ZiD (Kovrov) - produces a cool and very passable tricycle "ZiD Barkhan".

Baltmotors (Kaliningrad) — ATVs, 10 bike models.

"Tarus" (Kaluga) is a well-known all-terrain vehicle, weighing only 82 kg, but for it any off-road is easy! Take a closer look - "Tarus 2 x 2".

Lebedev Motors (St. Petersburg) - two-wheeled all-terrain vehicles of the Ataman moto line. Drive on asphalt and off-road.

"Vasyugan" (Novosibirsk) - this company has only one model of an all-terrain vehicle, but very powerful and all-terrain, with the impudent name "Vasyugan". Owners of this technique say: beast-machine.

Some of these brands combine the production of domestic equipment with the assembly of imported ones, everyone is studying the market, new technologies. Perhaps soon these brands will seriously compete with foreign SUVs. By the way, the prices of Russian products are much nicer.

When they say that one of the troubles in Russia is roads, riders and bikers roll out their iron horses of the enduro class: for them, off-road is a way to prove themselves and show the capabilities of their car.

Powerful all-terrain enduros are waiting for their pilots - strong, risky, as reliable on the way as the "iron horses" themselves.