The eligibility rules for the Adventure bike class in the 2024 Suzuki International Series have been announced.
1. All motorcycle brands are eligible
2. Bikes must have a 21” front wheel as factory standard and must be raced with a 21” front wheel
3. Can be Registered for the Road
4. Capacity: 450cc and over
5. Must comply with MNZ Rulebook Chapter 10
6. Riding Gear and Helmet must comply with MNZ Rulebook Chapter 8
7. No competition bikes allowed
8. No tyre brand restrictions
9. Must remove all stands/mirrors (Blinkers/rear carriers may stay on)
10. Exhaust/mufflers may be changed
11. Must have Bike No. on front
The 21″ front wheel rules is interesting as that rules out a lot of the big ADV bikes, The V-STROM 1050RJ pictured is eligible as is the new V-STROM 800DE, Honda’s 1000 & 1100 Africa Twin and the reasonably new Transalp 750.
I think the 1190R is the only Big KTM model with a 21″ front wheel though of course the 790/890 adventure twin cylinder models and the 690 Enduro single cylinders are eligible, Yamaha has it’s popular Yamaha T7. Suzuki’s DR650 is eligible but even I have to admit wouldn’t be competitive, and the KLR650 even less so.
The new Honda Transalp 750 has a 21″ front wheel as does the new CF Moto 450 MT. Triumphs 900 Rally Pro might their only model that’s eligible.
Will we see proper adventure bikes battling it out or will the field be full of bikes whose design brief is closer to a trail bike? I hope we see a proper representation of the segment rather than the field being full of KTM 500 exc, Yamaha WR450’s, and Honda’s CRF450RL, otherwise it’s just going to be the Super Moto class with bigger front wheels.
