2025 Yezdi Adventure First Ride: Hitting the Sweet Spot on Dirt and Tarmac
Hey folks, if you’re itching for an adventure bike that doesn’t demand a second mortgage, the 2025 Yezdi Adventure just raised the bar in the under-2-lakh club. I finally got my hands on one for a quick spin around Pune’s mix of potholed backroads and twisty ghats, and let me tell you, this update feels like Yezdi listened to every gripe from the last couple years. Launched back in May after a bit of a delay, it’s now slinging for Rs 1.98 lakh ex-showroom—down Rs 17k from before, thanks to that GST shuffle—making it a steal against the Hero Xpulse or even the KTM 250 Adventure.
Right off the bat, the redesign grabs you. That offset twin-headlight setup up front gives it a meaner, more purposeful stare, ditching the old single beam for something that screams “ready for chaos.” The tank’s beefier with jerry can mounts that double as crash protection, and the whole subframe’s wrapped in a lighter cage for better balance. I went with the Forest Green dual-tone—looks killer under mud splatter. It’s tall at 815mm seat height with 220mm ground clearance, so shorter riders might need a bench hop, but once you’re on, the upright ergos feel natural, like it’s built for hours in the saddle without cramping your style.
Fire it up, and the 334cc liquid-cooled Alpha2 single is a revelation—smoother than the old mill, with vibes dialed back to just a low hum at idle. It dishes out 29.6PS and 29.8Nm, peaking early for that punchy low-end pull that’s gold off-road. I flicked into Rain mode on a slick trail (one of two new electronic aids, plus Road), and the traction control kept things planted without feeling nannied. No fancy IMU here, but dual-channel ABS and that switchable rear bite just right. The 6-speed gearbox slots clean now, no more clunky shifts, and highway cruising at 100kmph is effortless, sipping around 35kmpl if you’re easy on the throttle.
Suspension’s the star: 41mm upside-down forks up front and a linked monoshock soak up ruts like a champ, though it’s firm enough to keep you glued in corners. I bashed through some gravel sections, and it held steady—no wallowing, just that confident nudge forward. Brakes? Strong progressive stops from the 320mm front disc, and the 240mm rear doesn’t lock up easy. The 21/17-inch spoked wheels with knobby MRFs grip loose stuff well, but swap ’em for dual-purpose if you’re serious about tarmac tours.
It’s not flawless—the 185kg wet weight makes low-speed maneuvers a workout, and that fully digital dash’s Bluetooth app is a pain if your number’s not pre-registered. Service network’s improving, but it’s no Hero sprawl yet. Still, for what it asks, this Yezdi’s a do-it-all machine: comfy for 300km days, tough for dirt detours, and fun enough to make you forget the RE Himalayan’s waitlists. If you’re dipping into ADVs without breaking the bank, book a test ride. It’s the sweet spot we’ve been waiting for. What’s your go-to trail bike? Spill below.