Motorcycles come in different forms — sports, touring, dirt bikes; all these are different types of motorcycles designed to serve different purposes. Some motorcycle forms are dedicated to one goal while others come to serve two or three, and they do it perfectly well. For example, race-dedicated bikes are not allowed on public roads, and there are road-legal racing machines that do pretty well on racetracks and highways.
That being said, there are dirt bikes specifically built for off-road riding, and then there’s the dual-sport. These are uniquely created to serve on the road and off the beaten path. They are the perfect daily commuters and the best motorcycles for off-road adventures. Read on for eight of the best in this category.
8 Kawasaki KLR650R
The Kawasaki KLR650R not only looks like one of the most ideal motorcycles for off-road adventures, but it also ticks all of the dual-sport boxes. The motorcycle is uniquely built to empower riders with a passion for escaping and exploring. It comes with enough muscle to enable the rider to focus on the adventure ahead. Moreover, it is a capable dual-sport bike that allows the journey to continue irrespective of the terrain.
Powering this bike is an updated 652cc, liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine with a new fuel injection system. It also comes with an all-new all-digital multi-function instrumentation, new disk brakes, and optional ABS. The bike was first introduced in 1987 — its latest generation was launched in 2008.
7 Suzuki DR-Z400S
The Suzuki DR-Z400S is a legend in the dual-sport bike space. It has been an industry mainstay for years. The DR-Z400S was among the best Japanese off-road motorcycles when it first appeared in 2000 and continues to stand its ground. For those looking for everyday practicality and a versatile off-road machine in a single unit, the Suzuki DR-Z400S has made a name for itself as one of the best.
The modern Suzuki DR-Z400S comes with a liquid-cooled 398cc single-cylinder engine, one of the few motors that still come with a carb instead of fuel injection. The carburetor allows for silky smooth power delivery, while its five-speed gearbox and excellent suspension make it quite comfortable on all terrains.
6 Honda XR650L
They say that old is gold — and that’s the best way to describe this old but good dual-sport Honda motorcycle. The bike has been updated several times, but not on its classic styling. Powered by a torquey liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine, the XR650L is as basic today as when new. Its engine lacks modern technological upgrades, and that’s a good thing because it means Honda got it right when building the original model.
The first Honda XR650L was introduced in 1993 with a 644cc, four-valve combustion engine that has never been updated. The engine is as reliable as they come, and it pushes out around 40 hp and 47.2 lb-ft of torque. Its five-speed transmission is smooth, and the suspension is remarkable considering that it hasn’t been updated for years.
5 KTM 690 Enduro R
The KTM 690 Enduro R is not the ideal off-road machine of choice for many riders. First off, it is not built like the traditional touring bike, and two, it’s too powerful for inexperienced riders. Although it lies in the same class of 600cc dual-sport motorcycles, it produces a lot of power compared to other bikes in the same category. It is also not very comfortable off-road — but riders have different preferences. To some, as long the performance is excellent, the rest do not really matter.
It is a KTM, and it lives up to the name. It features all the equipment expected from a KTM dual-sport and more. The bike features race-derived off-road chassis and WP Suspension forks and shocks.
4 Yamaha XT250
Yamaha makes excellent dirt and dual-sport bikes in all displacement levels, but the 250cc ones are somewhat the best. The WR250R could make this list, but it focuses more on the dirt trail than the road, explaining why the XT250 is here.
It is a real gem of a dual-sport that serves best on light terrain and easily maneuvers the morning traffic — it is not the best machine for the uncharted interior of extreme off-road sites. At the heart of the XT250 is a 249cc single-cylinder engine with quick throttle response and smooth power delivery.
3 KTM Super Adventure 1290 R
Versatility without compromise — this is the description KTM gives to its massive beast of a dual-sport motorcycle, the Super Adventure 1290 R. With a mighty 1301cc v-twin-engine, the Super Adventure 1290 R lies at the bigger end of dual-sport motorcycles. Since KTM is the sworn master of the dirt trail realm with a few excellent street bikes, bringing them together in one unit wasn’t so much of a task.
The V-twin powering the Super Adventure 1290 R produces an enormous 160 horsepower and 103.2 lb-ft of peak torque. That’s too much power. However, the bike handles pretty well on the road and off the beaten path. It comes with heavy-duty spoked wheels designed to counter the enormous torque output and has a long travel suspension tuned to 8.7 inches, giving the bike a ground clearance of almost 10 inches.
2 Suzuki DR650S
The Suzuki DR650S is easily considered the king of dual-sport motorcycles. It is a mid-size motorcycle that excels on both the highway and the rough terrain. In addition, the DR650S is arguably the only dual-sport bike with no bias at all.
The current-generation DR650S features an old-school styling, making it pretty much like the DR600 of yesteryear. It comes with a SOHC 644cc engine that offers a smooth power delivery and a potent bottom end. The bike provides a thrilling riding experience that is not easily found anywhere else.
1 Husqvarna 701 Enduro
The Husqvarna 701 Enduro is the next big thing in dual-sport riding. The bike comes with all the abilities to conquer urban streets and treacherous dirt trails with equal composure. Husqvarna designed the 701 Enduro with the future in mind — it is built to take versatility to the next level.
Husqvarna used its years of Enduro racing championship experiences and mixed with years of motorcycle building expertise to ensure that the 701 Enduro lives up to its name. The motorcycle seamlessly blends high performance with Swedish functionality to deliver one of the best dual-sport motorcycles of all time.