These aren’t just bikes that make us dream of the sandy African horizons, on the contrary: perhaps they inspire us even more because they are close – some more, some less – to the bikes that race and win the most prestigious and iconic Rally-Raids, such as the Dakar and the Africa Eco Race. We’re talking about those Maxienduro and Adventure bikes that have rally temperament in their DNA, but which remain (with a few exceptions with a distinctly racing character that see their scope exclusively in rally use) excellent road bikes that can be used in everyday life, both in town and off-road or on long journeys.
And perhaps that’s precisely what is determining their success: excellent for use on the road, with performance within almost everyone’s reach, they are suitable for off-road use and, if you really want to try your hand at racing, 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 bikes that can be used in one can have no place in the other, but in any case, all classifications lose their meaning when one of the bikes in this review – which does not claim to be exhaustive and is inspired by the Dakar and AER entry lists – is in our garage, ready to make us dream or ready to take part in the next rally.
Aprilia Tuareg 660
To tell you briefly about it, the 2021 Tuareg 660 is “a benchmark in terms of handling and overall efficiency in the two-cylinder panorama”. That’s enough to realize that the Noale manufacturer has hit the nail on the head with its Adventure, which is excellent on and off the road. Its twin-cylinder produces 80 hp of power and the bike 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 racing destination for the bike 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 450 cc engine already used in the XEF Enduro, with a five-speed gearbox, while the frame is based on a double-braced aluminum alloy structure. The seat has a ground clearance of 955 mm and the weight in running order, but with an empty gas tank, is less than 140 kg. It should be noted that the range is that 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’s a Harley-Davidson doing in this review, some of you might 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 bikes with variable seat height), it is equipped with the refined 1,252 cc liquid-cooled Revolution Max V2, with a power output 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’re dealing with a competition bike that’s also built by RS Moto in Bergamo and designed by Rodolfo Frascoli, but based on the Honda CRF 450 RX redesigned in terms of suspension configuration, the final drive ratio (longer to exceed 160 km / h) and the Arrow exhaust that runs in a low position to leave room for the tank that contributes to a total capacity of 29 liters, while the engine is the single-shaft Unicam with maps and traction control, with delivery by RS Moto, as well as lubrication that now holds 50% more 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 real racing 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-shaft 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. Incidentally, in the GASGAS price list you’ll 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 road-going, but still very … Ready for competition, there’s the KTM 890 Adventure R Rally: only 700 units, but homologated and very refined in its equipment.
KOVE 450 Rally
It has a list price starting at €8,990, but it competes with bikes that cost more than three times as much: the Kove 450 Rally is a homologated bike, but one capable of giving great satisfaction off-road. The engine is a Zonsen derived from the same unit that powers the Fantic Caballero 500: thanks to the new double-shaft distribution, it reaches 51 hp at 9,000 rpm in the Euro 5 version. It weighs 145 kg dry, has fully adjustable suspension with over 300 mm of travel and a seat 960 mm from the ground (but a Low version is available with a 91 cm seat and suspension travel reduced to 250 mm).
Yamaha Ténéré 700
One of the most popular adventures among off-road enthusiasts, which has recently seen its family enriched with the Extreme version, equipped with a fork and shock absorber with more travel, a dedicated seat, a high mudguard 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 travel. 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 footpegs, as well as the ad hoc wheels and suspension, gives you a real competition bike to join Botturi and Tarrés in the Africa Eco Race. Whichever version you choose, the substance remains the well-founded CP2 twin-cylinder that characterizes all versions of the Ténéré and delivers 68 Nm at 6,500 rpm and 73.4 hp at 9,000 rpm.