For a longer period of time, it seemed as if the dual sport was all but extinct, with only a few very obsolete types still in production. Although a lot has changed recently, there are still a few vintage bikes in circulation that are still popular among riders. Additionally, there are several modern bikes currently available.
Most of us enjoy getting out and riding the trails. Owning a dirt bike can be expensive and usually requires a pickup to get the bike to the trail. Buying a dual-sport, a street-legal dirt bike you can ride on the tracks instead of taking it out there is a cheaper solution.
Although the term “dual sport” is vague, it’s a street-legal dirt bike. Now that more and more people realize the benefits of these street-legal dirt bikes, it makes more sense for those who aren’t interested in motocross to take to a trail or fire road. There’s a model for almost any budget that complies with current emissions and noise regulations for dual sport bikes.
Top Ten Best Dual Sports Bikes to Buy – Top Rated
Kawasaki KLR650
The Kawasaki KLR650 was recently given a second chance as a low-cost adventure bike, although in its basic guise, it is still essentially a dual sport. It’s a short motorcycle that’s easy to like. The venerable machine’s size and weight are its major drawbacks, which are significant off-road obstacles and aren’t precisely user-friendly for novice riders.
Honda CRF300L
If you’re a novice rider looking for something a little more beginner-friendly and charming, look no further than the Honda CRF line. In any case, it’s accessible and has a modern fuel-injected engine. Although the seat height appears high on the spec sheet, it compresses very little when you sit down and is low enough for most people with flat feet. However, its major drawback is that the rear shock is soft, as a big, heavy rider almost always bottoms out.
Suzuki DR-Z400S
One of the last vehicles of any kind that you can still buy with a carburetor is the DR-Z, which has been around in that form for over 20 years. Suzuki fans have been begging the company to update this machine, and when they can, the cost will inevitably go up. So far, it’s one of the best options for the money as it has much better suspension than a comparably priced motorcycle and almost as much power as some of the costly modern bikes. It currently holds a unique position in the dual sports market.
KTM 450 EXC-F Six Days
The Six Days is a unique vehicle that delivers the best high-performance competition bikes on the road. Of course, such performance comes at a price, but if you plan on taking part in proper off-roading or enduro events, this is one of the best vehicles money can buy.
Kawasaki KLX230
In short, the KLX strikes the ideal combination between affordability and off-road capability. Its suspension is better than the CRF, and its seat height is lower than that of the DR-Z. The little KLX certainly isn’t an enduro championship-winning bike, but not everyone needs one. The level of capability you get is ideal for a mountain bike. It would make a great first bike and is possibly the most excellent entry-level dirt bike ever.
Beta 390 RR-S
Small Italian manufacturer Beta offers another “dirt bike with lights” alternative, one of those gadgets that perform better than you’d expect. It’s strong and agile and will undoubtedly keep all those expensive Huskies and KTMs under control. With brief service intervals, this will undoubtedly be one of the highest maintenance dual sport bikes you can buy.
Honda CRF450L
So the big boy Honda isn’t cheap, but it offers terrific value. Although it will not perform as well as the European bikes, it will undoubtedly be less expensive. It’s one of the middle-of-the-road choices because it has excellent gearing, plenty of power, and is fantastic on the road for what’s essentially a dirt bike. Off-road, a skilled rider can keep up with more expensive enduros, and even a casual trail runner will benefit from the extra power.
Husqvarna FE 350s
Possibly the best and most elegant dual-sport with an off-road focus. It produces good power and requires less maintenance than other high-performance options. Interestingly, even though it’s comparable to the KTM, it has a superior suspension, so the extra money you have to invest is well worth it.
Yamaha XT250
It’s an incredible feat for Yamaha to pack 11 inches of suspension travel into a bike with a 32-inch seat height considering the rest of their bargain basement lineup. It’s the best learner bike available, and the 20-horsepower air-cooled XT is both accessible and low-maintenance. Riding a dirt bike or dual sport is a great way to learn.
Beta 500 RR-S
With a capacity of 47 wheel horsepower, it is one of the fastest dual sport bikes money can buy. It’s hard to compare this bike to any other because Beta said, “Feel it,” and gave us a competition-spec motorcycle with lights and a number plate holder. All other bikes are tuned to some extent for road use.
Top Ten Best Dual Sports Bikes to Buy – Top List
Sr. # | Top Ten Best Dual Sports Bikes to Buy |
---|---|
1 | Kawasaki KLR650 |
2 | Honda CRF300L |
3 | Suzuki DR-Z400S |
4 | KTM 450 EXC-F Six Days |
5 | Kawasaki KLX230 |
6 | Beta 390 RR-S |
7 | Honda CRF450L |
8 | Husqvarna FE 350s |
9 | Yamaha XT250 |
19 | Beta 500 RR-S |