The 10 Best Dual Sport Motorcycles on the Market Today
If you love the idea of riding a motorcycle, you probably also like the thought of finding one that you can use both on the highway and for off-road use. This is more commonly known as a dual sport motorcycle. If you plan on riding a lot, it only makes sense to purchase a bike that can handle more than one thing. Otherwise, you’re stuck with buying a motorcycle you can use on the street and then purchasing yet another bike that can be used for off-road or sport purposes. Even though the dual sport bikes are more expensive in most cases, it still makes more sense to purchase one that costs a little more as opposed to investing in two bikes. If you want to know what the 10 best dual sport bikes are on the market today, keep reading. Keep in mind, some of these bikes can be found a lot easier on the used market instead of buying them when they’re brand new. This can also help you keep your overall costs down.
Suzuki DR350SE
These bikes haven’t been available new for a number of years but you can still find plenty of pre-owned versions. The good news is that even if you find one in mint condition, you can count on getting it for around $2,000. In addition, it has relatively good suspension and more than enough power to get the job done. It’s also air-cooled and features an electric start motor.
Honda XR250L
This is a relatively small bike that handles well. It doesn’t have the most power in the world, but thanks to its light weight, it still does just fine against other bikes with more power. The biggest thing you’ll notice with this one is that there is no electric start. Aside from that fact, this bike is hard to beat.
Husqvarna TE250
These are really good bikes overall. There really isn’t anything about them you’re not likely to be satisfied with. The only thing you have to watch out for is whether you get a carbureted model or a fuel-injected one. If you want more speed, choose the one with the carburetor.
Husqvarna TE510
This is a bigger and badder version of the TE250. It has plenty of speed and it’s extremely lightweight. It also handles fairly well so you should be able to use it however you wish without any problems.
Honda XR
This bike is, at its very core, a dirt bike that’s designed more for professional competition than anything else. It is street-legal in most states but there have been instances where certain states have refused to allow them on their streets. This is a great bike but if you want one, it’s best to check regulations in your state before you spend your money.
Honda XR650L
This is easily one of the most versatile bikes of its type. It has excellent handling and a motor that is air-cooled and virtually indestructible. Furthermore, it’s been in production since the early 1990s, meaning it’s a product that people tend to be very happy with.
Beta RS 450
These bikes are imported so they’re not always easy to find. With that being said, they’re also one of the best dual sport bikes anyone has ever made, so it’s worth putting forth the effort to find one.
Suzuki DRZ400SE
This bike is a little underpowered when compared to many of the others on this list. It’s also slightly heavier. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you should overlook it. It’s one of the sturdier bikes out there and should serve you well without forcing you to empty your wallet in order to get one.
KTM 450
This is a bike that seems to have it all. It’s fast, light and it has more than enough power. If that’s not enough to get your attention, it also has some of the best handling characteristics of any dual sport bike ever made. They’re a little pricey, but they’re also worth the cost.
KTM 530
If you think the 450 is good, this one is even better. It just seems to embody everything it needs to be the complete package. People have a tendency to love these bikes a lot. Even if you find someone that’s willing to sell you their used one, you can still expect to pay about $7,000 for it. Don’t let that scare you, though. It’s worth every penny.
