It’s not just motorcycles that make us dream of the sandy African horizons, on the contrary: they may inspire even more because they are closer – some more, some less – to the motorcycles that race and win the most prestigious and iconic Rally-Raids, like the Dakar and the Africa Eco Race. We are talking about those Maxienduro and Adventure motorcycles that have in their DNA the temperament of rallies, but that continue to be (except for rare exceptions with a clearly competitive nature that see their use exclusively in rallies) excellent road motorcycles that can be used on a daily basis, both in the city and off-road or on long trips.
And perhaps that is precisely what is determining their success: excellent for use on the road, with performance within reach of almost everyone, they are suitable for off-road use and, if you really want to try your luck in races, you can take them with just a few modifications to a closed track. Of course, the Dakar and the Africa Eco Race are different competitions, with very different regulations, and the motorcycles that can be used in one cannot have a place in the other, but, in any case, all classifications lose their meaning when one of the motorcycles in this analysis – which does not pretend to be exhaustive and is inspired by the entry lists of the Dakar and the AER – is in our garage, ready to make us dream or ready to participate in the next rally.
Aprilia Tuareg 660
To briefly talk to you about it, the 2021 Tuareg 660 is “a reference in terms of driving and overall efficiency in the panorama of two cylinders”. This is enough to understand that the manufacturer from Noale hit the target right away with its Adventure, excellent on the road and excellent off-road. Its twin-cylinder engine produces 80 hp of power and the motorcycle weighs 204 kg in running order (187 kg dry) and the seat is 860 mm from the ground.
Fantic Motor XEF 450 Rally
A purely competition destination for the motorcycle that Fantic presented in 2022 after taking it to the Dakar with Franco Picco: the XEF Rally 450 (and its ultra-specialist sister produced in a limited series, the Factory) is equipped with the 450cc engine already used in the XEF Enduro, with a five-speed gearbox, while the frame is based on a double-beam aluminum alloy structure. The seat is at a ground clearance of 955 mm and the weight in running order, but with the fuel tank empty, is less than 140 kg. It is worth noting that the autonomy is of a true rally model, thanks to the 30 liters of fuel distributed between the central and front-side tanks.
Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250
What is a Harley-Davidson doing in this analysis, some of you may ask? Well, we wanted to celebrate in our own way the courageous debut of the American Adventure in the Africa Eco Race, led by Juan Pedrero. The Pan America 1250 is the first maxi enduro built by Harley-Davidson and is the result of a completely new design. Available in two versions, standard and Special (among the first motorcycles with variable seat height), it is equipped with the refined 1,252cc Revolution Max V2 liquid-cooled engine, with a power of 150 hp at 9,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 126.5 Nm.
Honda CRF 450 RX Rally 2024
Let’s make it clear right away that here too we come across a competition motorcycle that is also built by RS Moto from Bergamo and designed by Rodolfo Frascoli, but based on the redesigned Honda CRF 450 RX in the suspension configuration, final transmission ratio (longer to exceed 160 km/h), and the Arrow exhaust that passes in a low position to make room for the tank that contributes to a total capacity of 29 liters, while the engine is the single-cam Unicam with maps and traction control, with delivery handled by RS Moto, as well as the lubrication that now houses an additional 50% of oil thanks to the additional tank and dedicated radiator, for a price of €25,990.
KTM 450 Rally
Simply the bike that can really take you to the front of the Dakar: not a model taken from a road version, but a true race bike specifically designed and built by KTM’s R&D department, the KTM 450 Rally Replica is equipped with WP XACT PRO COMPONENTS suspension, while the engine is a 450 cc single-cylinder unit with Keihin fuel system and 6-speed Pankl transmission. The frame is made of chrome-molybdenum steel. Price – unofficial for the 2024 version – over 30,000 euros and a limited series of 80 units for the bike that has practically won the Dakar 20 times in the last 22 years. In fact, in the GASGAS price list you will find its counterpart (as you know, GASGAS, KTM, and Husqvarna are part of the same Group) with the Spanish brand. If, on the other hand, you want something more for the road, but still very… Competition-ready, there is the KTM 890 Adventure R Rally: with only 700 units, but homologated and very refined in its equipment.
KOVE 450 Rally
It has a catalog price that starts at €8,990 but competes with motorcycles that cost more than three times as much: the Kove 450 Rally is a homologated motorcycle, but capable of providing great off-road satisfaction. The engine is a Zonsen derived from the same unit that powers the Fantic Caballero 500: thanks to the new dual camshaft distribution, it reaches 51 hp at 9,000 rpm in the Euro 5 version. It weighs 145 kg dry, has fully adjustable suspensions with over 300 mm of travel, and the seat is 960 mm off the ground (but a Low version is available with a seat at 91 cm and reduced suspension travel to 250 mm).
Yamaha Ténéré 700
One of the most popular adventures among off-road enthusiasts, which has recently been enriched with the Extreme version, equipped with a fork and shock absorber with more travel, a dedicated seat, a high fender, and other modifications that make it one of the most off-road versions, a configuration that accompanies the Ténéré 700 World Rally and the new Explore, whose specifications speak of greater accessibility and suitability for trips. Or, the Yamaha Ténéré 700 GYTR, which, thanks to accessories such as the Akrapovič titanium exhaust, the GYTR air filter kit and airbox, the specific ECU, the specific seat and footrests, as well as the wheels and ad hoc suspension, allows you to have a true competition motorcycle to join Botturi and Tarrés in the Africa Eco Race. Regardless of the chosen version, the substance remains the well-founded CP2 twin-cylinder that characterizes all Ténéré versions and delivers 68 Nm at 6,500 rpm and 73.4 hp at 9,000 rpm.
