Earlier, we curated a list of ADVs with the lowest seat heights for riders who aren’t confident handling tall motorcycles. This time, we’ve gone in the opposite direction – highlighting motorcycles with the tallest seat heights. These are typically found in off-road and adventure-focused categories, where taller saddles come as a result of their design, offering generous ground clearance, long-travel suspension, and a commanding rider’s perch.
Before we begin, a quick caveat – this list only includes road-legal motorcycles sold in India, so no dirt bikes or competition-only machines.
Here are 10 bikes with the tallest seat heights in India.
10. Suzuki V-Strom 800DE
855mm
Kicking off this list is the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE – the most approachable ADV here, with a seat height of 855mm. That might still sound tall, but in the company of serious off-roaders, it’s actually the lowest on this list. The 800DE was recently updated to comply with the stricter OBD2B norms, and with that update, Suzuki also introduced a new colour scheme – all while retaining the same price of Rs 10.30 lakh (ex-showroom).
9. Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro
860-880mm
The Tiger name is probably one of the most revered and recognised in the adventure bike space worldwide – and for good reason. The Rally Pro is the more off-road-oriented variant in the Tiger 900 line-up, featuring a 21/18-inch (F/R) cross-spoke wheel setup and longer-travel suspension. This results in a seat height of 860mm in the seat’s lowest position, which can be adjusted up to 880mm.
8. BMW R 1300 GSA
870-890 mm
Much like the Tiger moniker, the BMW GSA badge also carries some serious off-road pedigree. The latest in a long line of BMW GS Adventure models is the 1300 GSA with a polarising new design language, marking a significant departure from the previous asymmetrical headlight styling. Along with this update, BMW made the rider’s perch slightly more accessible, reducing the seat height range from the earlier 1250 GSA’s 890-910 mm to 870-890 mm.
7. Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Pro and Explorer
875-895mm
The Tiger 1200 Rally models are the chief rival to the big-bore BMW GSes and Ducati Multistradas of the world. Much like its rivals, the Tiger Explorer models also pack a 30-litre fuel tank but have an even taller seat height.
6. Kawasaki KLX230
880mm
Much like its competitor from KTM – the 390 Enduro R – the Kawasaki KLX230 isn’t just an enduro bike in name; it’s built with that intent. The KLX intimidates with an 880mm seat height, but in our review and our comparison with the KTM 390 Enduro R, we found that the KLX’s soft springs cause it to sag significantly as soon as you swing a leg over, effectively lowering its seat height well below Kawasaki’s claimed 880mm. Tipping the scales at 139kg (kerb), the KLX230 is the lightest bike on this list – by a good margin.
5. Ducati Hypermotard 950 SP
890mm
The Hypermotard is a through-and-through hooligan. And it is one of the most fun-to-ride motorcycles on this list. The SP, with its fancier and taller Ohlins suspension at both ends, offers a higher 890mm seat height, whereas the lower-spec RVE and standard models come with a 870mm seat height.
4. Hero Xpulse 200 4V Pro
891mm
The Xpulse 200 4V Pro is the more off-road-focused version of the Xpulse 200 4V. The Pro model offers longer travel suspension of 250/220 mm (F/R) compared to the standard Xpulse, which gets 190/170 mm (F/R). This results in a much taller rider’s perch of 891mm, making it the fourth-tallest seat height on this list.
3. KTM 390 Enduro R
890mm
Next up is the 390 Enduro R, based on KTM’s proven 390 platform. This motorcycle stands apart from anything the brand has launched in India so far. It’s a trail-happy machine, designed to make off-roading accessible for newer riders without sacrificing everyday practicality too much. Unlike some hardcore off-roaders, the 390 Enduro R will gladly take you to the trailhead — but it truly comes into its own once the tarmac ends. Recently, after facing a lot of negative responses about the reduced suspension travel for India, Bajaj has launched the export-spec KTM 390 Enduro R.The main difference is that the suspension travel is now 230mm at both ends. As a result, seat height goes up by 35mm to 895mm, and ground clearance also increases from 253mm to 277mm.
2. Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono
904mm
The Hypermotard 698 Mono is currently the most powerful single-cylinder motorcycle in production – a title previously held by the KTM 690 SMC-R. Its 659cc single-cylinder engine produces 77.5hp and 63Nm. The 904mm rider’s perch also makes it the second-highest seat height on this list. At the 2025 Autocar Track Day, held at the CoASTT track in Coimbatore, the Mono clocked the second-fastest time – an impressive feat for a bike that isn’t even built as a track weapon.
1. Ducati Desert X Rally
910mm
Concluding this list is an off-road-focused Ducati – the DesertX Rally. It sits at the top of the DesertX line-up, where even the standard model comes with a tall 875mm seat height. The Rally edition, however, takes it further – with a towering 910mm seat height, it’s the tallest road-legal motorcycle you can buy straight from a showroom in India.
