The 10 Best Dual Sport Motorcycles of 2022

A dual sport motorcycle is convenient since it is suitable for both on and off-road use. Realizing how handy it is, you probably want to own one. However, you may be wondering which one to choose. To help you decide, you must consider your needs. For instance, do you want a motorcycle for long distances on the pavement? If yes, get one that is large and heavyweight. On the other hand, light motorcycles are better off-roaders than heavy ones. After identifying your needs, we can now identify some of the best dual sport motorcycles you can get in 2022. Without further ado, here are the top ten best dual sport motorcycles.

10. Kawasaki KLX250

Getting a motorcycle that you can ride on the street and dirt side is difficult. Fortunately, this motorcycle is the best of both worlds. However, you will have a pleasant experience riding it on the street due to its superior handling. To enjoy great handling on the street, you can consider getting the KLX250SF version. This version comes with street tires, which make the motorcycle perfect for cruising around town. On the other hand, if you want to explore the dirt side, you can tear into mud, sand, and dirt.

Sometimes you may accidentally drop your motorcycle and worry about it getting damaged. Thankfully, this motorcycle is indestructible since it has aluminum engine guards. No matter how hard you drop it, the guards will not have dents. Since the guards do not dent, the crankcase remains secure from external damage. The other benefit of aluminum is that it is lightweight, so this motorcycle will not feel too heavy. According to Azom, the metal has a weight of 2.7 g/cm3 which is a third that of steel. This motorcycle uses a 249cc 4-Stroke, liquid-cooled motor. From this engine, you will enjoy a top speed of 85 mph, which is considerably high.

9. Honda CRF250 Rally

If you get the 2017-2020 models, you will enjoy its anti-lock braking system (ABS). ABS prevents a motorcycle’s wheel or wheels from locking during braking, thereby increasing stability. Since the motorcycle is an off-road leaning one, you can turn off ABS at the rear wheel. By doing that, you will be able to slide down when necessary. This feature may irritate some riders since it requires some effort to turn it off. You must be at a stop and hold the ABS rear button for three seconds. However, that is a small price to pay for safety. One thing to admire about this model is its overall comfort. It has a low seat height, which means you can easily hop on and off your seat. Plus, it lowers the chance of being thrown off your seat in case you hit something. Next, its clutch is light and easy to operate. That means you will not need to grab it all day. Lastly, it has plenty of suspension travel due to its balance of both asphalt and sand.

8. KTM 500 EXC-F

For the best forks, you may want to try the 2020 version. Previous versions used forks that felt soft at the front. The other problem with the forks was how unstable they became after pushing too hard. The forks in this version are better since they have a mid-valve piston. Thanks to the piston, it keeps the front-end sitting higher in the stroke to maintain the front-rear balance. When you brake, the brake does not dive as much. As a result, you can effortlessly negotiate corners.

Another reason to like this motorbike is its short wheelbase of 58.3 inches. There are certain benefits that come with a short wheelbase. A short wheelbase means a small motorbike, so you can park it between spaces left by cars. Plus, it means when you park it, there is space for other vehicles to park. Additionally, its short wheelbase makes it agile, so you can swiftly switch between lanes. For people who love traveling long distances, this is the motorcycle for you. This motorcycle contains a 10-liter fuel tank. Its tank is sufficient for 80-plus-mile trail rides. If you feel this tank is too small, you can opt for even bigger ones.

7. Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro

This vehicle’s engine delivers 160bhp. Some people may find this power a bit much for them. If you happen to be one of those people, you can lower it to 100bhp by switching to Enduro mode. The beauty of this model is that you do not have to rev it. That is because of its flat torque curve. Also, you will never be in the wrong gear, so you will enjoy relaxed rides. For people who love the sound of a motorbike’s engine, you will appreciate this model’s sound. It barks and growls when you accelerate, and its grunt is fiery.

This model offers a lot in terms of accessories. Its standard features include vehicle hold, cruise control, keyless ignition, cornering lights, and so on. With the availability of several standard accessories, you do not need to spend more money installing them. Here is another dual sport motorcycle for riders who like traveling far distances. This motorcycle has a 30-liter fuel tank, which means you can traverse several countries. People hardly go this far, but you are welcome to challenge yourself.

6. Yamaha WR250R

Earlier, we talked about the merits of a short seat height. Unlike the Yamaha we referenced, this one has tall seating at 36.6 inches. There are some advantages of this motorbike’s high seat. First, it gives you a bird’s eye view of your surroundings. This view enables you to spot all the vehicles around you since there are no blind spots. Another advantage of its high seat is it gives you a point of control. From your seating position, you can use it to aid cornering and apply weight to the rear suspension.

If you are ever caught up in traffic, you will discover how convenient this model is. The motorcycle is narrow and weighs under 300 pounds. That means you can squeeze in-between cars easily. Furthermore, the tires are narrow, which provide agility on the pavement. This vehicle uses a fuel-injected, liquid-cooled DOHC motor that delivers 27 horsepower. The power may be low for some people, but you will appreciate its remarkable fuel economy. Also, the power amount is suitable for riders who like to cruise.

5. Suzuki DR-Z400S

One thing to like about this motorcycle is its electric start system. In this system, you only need to power it by pressing a button. No longer do you have to continually press on the ratcheting lever, which uses most of your energy. Furthermore, the kick start system is time-consuming. If you are not strong, it may take you five minutes to start the motorcycle. Since electric start uses less of your energy, you can use this motorcycle on steep paths.

This motorcycle is equipped with a chain drivetrain. One advantage of this drivetrain is its efficient fuel economy. Since the chains are lightweight, you will take less effort to accelerate. Less effort means you use less fuel. The other advantage is that chains absorb shock from sudden accelerations, sudden braking, or road irregularities. The motorcycle’s stock seat is comfortable, like a plank. However, you can further customize its seats. If you want to travel long distances with this motorcycle, consider getting the Seat Concepts seat. The seat is wide, so you will have plenty of seating space.

4. Beta 390 RR-S

The motorcycle contains a Trail Tech Voyager GPS meter system. This system performs a lot of functions, which is what riders will appreciate. It tracks mileage, engine hours, and trip distances. From the data transmitted to you, you will change the way you ride. If you realize you are using much energy to run, you will begin conserving it by not accelerating often. Also, this system tracks your routes which means you can use it as a navigation tool.

This motorcycle has a bizarre low-fuel-warning light system. It warns you that you are running out of fuel, even when you have a third of fuel left. For a person riding this motorcycle for the first time, you may panic. However, you can look at the early warning as a good thing. There is a low probability of you getting surprised about fuel abruptly finishing. This brand focuses a lot on off-road capability, so you may not find it comfortable. Its off-road capability is due to the ZF Sachs suspension, which is usually stiff.

3. Husqvarna 701 Enduro

There are a lot of features that make this model good in handling. It has a lightweight trellis frame made of high-grade chromium-molybdenum steel. The frame transmits feedback to the rider thanks to its torsional rigidity and longitudinal flex. Next, it has WP suspensions at the front and rear. The former has forks with a spring in each circuit that aid in splitting damping functions. As for the one in the rear, it is connected to a linkage system with off-road geometry. As a result, it offers unbeatable all-terrain capability.

Another reason for this motorcycle’s off-road capability is its wheels. It has black DID rims made of high-strength aluminum alloy. These rims are enclosed by the 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel diameters. Besides the wheels making this motorcycle a good off-roader, they make the motorbike aesthetically pleasing. Lastly, its off-road capability is due to its two ride modes, Mode 1 and Mode 2. Mode 1 offers a sporty throttle response and limits wheel sleep. On the other hand, Mode 2 provides a smooth throttle response with off-road traction control. This mode has ABS integrated. ABS only works on the front wheel. If you want to decelerate on loose surfaces, you must lock up the rear wheel so that ABS works.

2. Yamaha XT250

Typically, off-road motorcycles are quite tall, yet this one has a rather low seat. However, it makes up for it with its vast ground clearance of over 11 inches. At low speeds, this motorcycle still handles well. Its handling prowess is due to its short wheelbase and tight turning radius of 51 degrees. Furthermore, the motorbike is 291 pounds, which makes it a lightweight one.

This motorcycle is good if you desire an economical one. Its XT engine can hold 12 liters of fuel and has a rating of 76 mpg. With such a fuel economy, it would be the best to use for your short errands like going grocery shopping. Or, you could use it to offer courier services. The motorcycle’s fuel economy is also because of its fuel injection system. Another thing you will appreciate about it is the power it generates. Its throttle response is crisp, and its warm-up is instantaneous.

1. BMW R 1200 GS

This vehicle has seven modes, which means you have plenty of options to improve your riding experience. The modes allow you to ride on wet, tarmacked, or unpaved gravel roads. They ensure optimum grip and superior handling at all times. To select the modes, you do not need to be in motion. While the motorcycle is stationary, you can pre-select up to four modes. If you need to consume less fuel, switch to ECO mode. For better engine brake control, use the Pro riding modes. The motorcycle has an engine that is fascinating to look at. It uses the R 1250 GS engine, which offers an impressive speed range. Furthermore, you get to enjoy smoothness at low rotational speeds. This motorbike has a powerful torque due to its ShiftCam variable camshaft control feature. Its torque gives you control in any riding situation.

Conclusion

We hope this article helped you identify your favorite dual sport motorcycle. Each of the motorcycles offers off-road capabilities in unique ways. As you choose your preferred motorcycle, ensure it is comfortable for you, particularly the seats. Some people may prefer tall or short ones, but it is for you to decide. Next, consider whether you want one with more or less horsepower. A motorcycle with more horsepower has good acceleration but poor fuel economy.

You can also read:

• The 10 Best Off Road Motorcycles Money Can Buy
• The 20 Best Naked Motorcycles of All-Time
• The 10 Best Lightweight Motorcycles Money Can Buy
• The 10 Best Commuter Motorcycles Money Can Buy
• The 10 Safest Motorcycle Models You Can Buy