Moto News Roundup :: Ewan and Charlie at It Again, BMW Scrambler, DR-Z Pricing, More

In our Moto News Roundup for April, your favorite small-screen adventure buddies saddle up vintage bikes for a new journey, BMW debuts new ADV bikes, Suzuki prices out its refreshed DR-Z, Ruroc features new helmets, Backcountry Discovery Routes continues to expand its reach across the motorcycling universe, and KTM keeps churning despite bankruptcy.

Long Way Home: Ewan MacGregor and Charlie Boorman Hit the Road Again

The dynamic UK actor duo first started documenting their globe-trotting moto adventures all the way back in 2004 with their first series, Long Way Round, and in the two decades since, perhaps nobody has done more to raise the profile of long-distance ADV travel than Charlie and Ewan. With Apple acquiring the franchise, they’ve now completed three round-the-world trips (adding Long Way Down and Long Way Up along the way). The newest 10-episode show “rekindles the duo’s famed road-tripping spirit, bringing them a little closer to home this time,” with Ewan and Charlie throwing legs over vintage bikes to explore Europe. Episodes debut May 9, 2025, on Apple TV+.

BMW Retro Scrambler and Concept F450 GS

The first BMW retro-modern scrambler, the R nine T Urban G/S was something of a cosplay-only bike as a repro of the vaunted old-school R80 G/S. Its off-road chops were never very solid, but the Bavarian bike builder has seemed to address that shortcoming with the new version of its retro scrambler: the 2026 R12 G/S. The driveshaft-propelled bike now features a 21-inch front wheel, a 17-inch or optional 18-inch rear wheel, a trail-tuned upside-down fork, bash plate, handguards, off-road tires, and better ground clearance. The air/oil-cooled boxer twin should make 109 horsepower (at 7,000 rpm) and 85 foot-pounds of torque (at 6,500 rpm) through three rider-selectable drive modes.

The R12 G/S won’t be the only addition to BMW’s adventure lineup in the future. The Concept F450 GS will likely replace the slow-selling and just generally slow India-built G310 GS as its entry-level ADV bike. The F450 GS will have more affinity with its bigger brothers, the F900 and F800, than the old G, while keeping the weight down to just 385 pounds. The revised engine is predicted to make about 48 horsepower, and the new profile looks more dual-sport than ADV in execution.

Suzuki Prices the DR-Z

Save for the Yamaha TW200, the Suzuki DR-Z may historically have been the most antidiluvian dual-sport motorcycle on the American market. As our own Arden Kysely reported last year, the long-awaited update to the DR-Z lineup is finally here with some truly revolutionary improvements (in relative terms, at least). Now, Suzuki has announced pricing (pre-tariff, so check with your local dealer). The all-new 2025 DR-Z4S and DR-Z4SM will be offered at an MSRP of $8,999 for both models. Suzuki calls this a “significant value,” given all the new upgrades to the platform. That price point outpaces the CFMoto Ibex 450, Honda CRF 300LS, and the KTM 390 Adventure R by significant margins, but if the new DR-Z is even half as long-lived as the old one, it may be money well spent. Orders are now open, and exclusive test rides are scheduled for select Suzuki dealerships later this month.

Ruroc Taps Your Inner Superhero (or Villain)

I’ll admit that I often feel like I’ve got superpowers when I’m in the groove on my motorcycle—probably a feeling many of us can identify with. If you really want to lean into your inner superhero (or supervillain, for that matter), Ruroc has launched a DC Comics-licensed lineup of graphic design helmets featuring Batman, Harley Quinn, and the Joker. The AT4.0 is the latest evolution of the Atlas helmet range. It’s Ruroc’s most advanced full-face motorcycle helmet and one of the very first helmets on the market to exceed ECE 22.06 safety standards by over 20 percent. The proprietary Shockwave Bluetooth audio communication system seamlessly integrates into the back of the helmet, keeping you connected to your riding partners.

More Backcountry Discovery Routes News

Backcountry Discovery Routes continues to expand its role as a leading organization for the promotion and advancement of adventure motorcycling. BDR has announced a $5,000 matching grant to support the launch of the SheADV Annual Supporter Program, “a new initiative aimed at empowering more women to explore the world of adventure motorcycling.” In addition, every SheADV Supporter contribution will be doubled, helping the organization to continue to grow its reach and programming. Work also continues on the highly anticipated Montana BDR, set to be released in 2026, in partnership with the American Motorcyclist Association, and a Butler Maps pack is now available for the newest BDR that was released this spring, South East.

KTM 390 Adventure Bikes Still on Track

KTM’s financial woes are well-documented, but its new small ADV offerings are still on track for production later this year. The 390 Adventure R and X are nice updates for the Austrian company in its travel lineup, and since the bikes are built in India by Bajaj rather than in Europe, they are still on track to hit showrooms later this year. The off-road focused 390 Adventure R will start at $6,999, and the more sedate and road-oriented Adventure X will have an MSRP of just $5,899, only a smidge more than BMW’s long-in-tooth G310 GS.

Both the X and the R feature a revised version of the LC4c 399cc single-cylinder engine pumping out 44 horsepower and 29 pound-feet of torque, with a PASC slipper clutch, quick shifter, and ride-by-wire throttle controls. The R gets fully adjustable suspension on both ends of the bike and Mitas Enduro Trail E07+ tires, as opposed to the X’s more street-friendly rubber. A 3.69-gallon tank should make for decent range, and cruise control will be optional.

Images: Apple TV+, BMW, Suzuki, Ruroc, Backcountry Discovery Routes

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