Dual sports motorcycles were first introduced in 1968 by Yamaha, which was a huge success. Consequently, other manufacturers began producing similar models, which led to the development of these bikes. These motorcycles are similar to adventure bikes. In comparison, Dual Sport motorcycles are smaller, more accessible, crucially cheaper, and lighter, yet still as practical as adventure bikes.
Check out the full article to learn about dual sport bikes and which one to consider.
What Are Dual Sport Motorcycles?
Dual-sport bikes are street-legal motorcycles that can be used both on and off-road. In general, the most commonly used names for these bikes are all-road and dual-purpose.
With a dual-sport bike, your adventure doesn’t end when the road ends because you can also ride off-road. Due to the fact that it is made for off-roading, the bike is slightly higher than your average street bike. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, a dual sport bike is perfect for you. It teaches new skills for street riding and off-road riding.
Top 7 Dual Sport Motorcycles
Here is the list of the top 7 dual sport motorcycles to consider in 2023.
- Yamaha WR 250R
- Honda CRF 300L
- Suzuki DR650
- Yamaha TTR 230
- KTM 500 EXC-F
- Beta 500 RR-S
- Honda CRF450X
Yamaha WR 250R
Yamaha WR 250R is a dual sport motorcycle with DOHC 250 cc four-stroke engine with a single-cylinder. It has a liquid cooling system to prevent engine overheating and a fuel injection system so the engine will get the perfect amount of air and fuel mixture. You will also get Constant-mesh 6-speed transmission in it.
| Engine size – Displacement – Engine capacity | 250 cc (15.26 cubic inches) |
| Fuel system | Injection |
| Ignition Type | TCI with direct ignition coil |
| Front Suspension Travel | 46 mm inverted fully adjustable front fork with 10.6 inches travel |
| Rear Suspension Travel | Linkage-assisted fully adjustable rear shock with 10.6 inches travel |
| Front Tires – Rims dimensions | 80/100-21 |
| Rear Tires – Rims dimensions | 120/80-18 |
| Front brakes | 250 mm Single disc. Hydraulic. |
| Rear brakes | 230 mm Single disc. Hydraulic. |
| Wheelbase | 1,420 mm (55.9 inches) |
| Seat Height | 930 mm (36.6 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting. |
It has a front tire size of 80/100-21 and a rear tire size of 120/80-18, along with a 250 mm single hydraulic disc for the front wheel and a 230 mm single hydraulic disc. It has a 46 mm inverted fully adjustable front fork with 10.6 inches travel and Linkage-assisted fully adjustable rear shock with 10.6 inches travel.
Yamaha WR 250R’s seat height is 930 mm (36.6 inches), and its wheelbase of 1,420 mm (55.9 inches). Due to its top speed of 87 mph, perfect center of gravity, lightweight, and electric start option, you can consider this bike.
Honda CRF 300L
Honda CRF 300L is a dual sport motorcycle by Honda. It has a DOHC 286 CC four-stroke engine with a single cylinder. It also has a liquid cooling system to prevent the engine from overheating. It has Computer-controlled and digitally transistorized ignition and six-speed transmission.
| Engine Type | 286cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke |
| Induction | PGM-FI, 38mm throttle body |
| Ignition | Computer-controlled digital transistorized with electronic advance |
| Transmission | Six-speed |
| Front Suspension | 43mm inverted fork; 10.2 inches of travel |
| Rear Suspension | Pro-Link® single shock with spring; 10.2 inches of travel |
| Front Brake | Single 256mm disc with twin-piston caliper |
| Rear Brake | Single 220mm disc |
| Front Tire | 80/100-21 |
| Rear Tire | 120/80-18 |
| Wheelbase | 57.2 inches |
| Seat Height | 34.7 inches |
| Ground Clearance | 11.2 inches |
Honda CRF 300L has a 43 mm inverted front fork with 10.2 inches of travel and Pro-Link® single shock with spring and 10.2 inches of travel. Its front tire size is 80/100-21, and the rear tire size is 120/80-18, along with a single 256 mm disc with a twin-piston caliper for the front wheel and a single 220 mm disc brake for the rear wheel.
It has 57.2 inches wheelbase, 34.7 inches of seat height, and 11.2 inches of ground clearance. You can consider this bike due to its great power, adequate suspension, sufficient ground clearance, smooth gear change, and reliable brakes.
Suzuki DR650
Suzuki DR650 is a dual sport motorcycle by Suzuki. It has SOHC 644 cc single-cylinder engine. It has Electronic ignition (CDI) and a Mikuni BST40 fuel system with a single carburetor. It is also equipped with a 5-speed constant mesh transmission with a wet multi-plate clutch.
| Engine | 644cc, 4-stroke, air-cooled, single cylinder, SOHC |
| Fuel System | Mikuni BST40, single carburetor |
| Ignition | Electronic ignition (CDI) |
| Transmission | 5-speed constant mesh |
| Suspension Front | Telescopic, coil spring, oil damped |
| Suspension Rear | Link type, coil spring, oil damped |
| Brakes Front | Disc brake, single floating rotor |
| Brakes Rear | Disc brake, single rotor |
| Tires Front | 90/90-21 M/C 54S, tube type |
| Tires Rear | 120/90-17 M/C 64S, tube type |
| Wheelbase | 1490 mm (58.7 in.) |
| Ground Clearance | 265 mm (10.4 in.) |
| Seat Height | 885 mm (34.8 in), With optional lowering kit: 845 mm (33.2 in.) |
It has Telescopic front suspensions with coil springs and link-type rear suspension with coil springs. Its front tire size is 90/90-21 M/C 54S, and its rear tire size is 120/90-17 M/C 64S. DR650 has a single-disc brake with a floating rotor for the front wheel and a single-disc brake with a rotor for the rear wheel.
Suzuki DR 650 has an 885 mm (34.8 in) seat height, 265 mm (10.4 in.) ground clearance, and 1490 mm (58.7 in.) wheelbase. Due to its reliability, less maintenance, excellent fuel economy, economical price, and comfortable seat and handling, you can consider this bike.
Yamaha TTR 230
Yamaha TTR 230 is another dual sport bike from Yamaha. It has SOHC 223 cc four-stroke engine with an air cooling system that keeps the engine temperature low. It has Constant-mesh 6-speed transmission with a multi-plate wet clutch and carburetor fuel delivery.
| Engine Type | 223cc air-cooled SOHC 4-stroke; 2 valves |
| Fuel Delivery | Carburetor |
| Ignition | CDI |
| Transmission | Constant-mesh 6-speed; multiplate wet clutch |
| Suspension / Front | Telescopic fork; 9.4-in travel |
| Suspension / Rear | Single shock; 8.7-in travel |
| Brakes / Front | Hydraulic single disc, 220mm |
| Brakes / Rear | Drum, 130mm |
| Tires / Front | 80/100-21 |
| Tires / Rear | 100/100-18 |
| Seat Height | 34.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 54.5 in |
| Ground Clearance | 11.6 in |
TTR 230 is equipped with a telescopic front fork with 9.4 inches travel and a single rear shock with 8.7 inches travel. Its front tire size is 80/100-21, and rear tire size is 100/100-18, along with the 220 mm Hydraulic single disc for the front wheel and 130 mm drum brake for the rear wheel.
You will get 34.3 inches of seat height, 54.5 inches of wheelbase, and 11.6 inches of ground clearance in it. This bike has low engine power with normal suspensions and brakes, so if you want a dual sport bike to start your off-road or riding journey, this is for you.
KTM 500 EXC-F
KTM 500 EXC-F is a dual sport bike by the KTM Company. It has a SOHC 510.9 cc four-stroke engine with a single cylinder. This bike has a six-speed transmission and a fuel injection system for fuel delivery. It also has Electronic ignition (CDI) and electric start for the rider’s convenience.
| Engine | 510.9 cc Single-cylinder, four-stroke, SOHC, fuel-injected |
| Transmission | 6-Speed |
| Ignition | Digital |
| Fuel Supply | Fuel injection |
| Cooling System | Liquid cooling with CFD technology |
| Front Suspension | 48 mm WP XPLOR USD forks, 11.8 inch |
| Rear Suspension | WP XPLOR PDS shock absorber, 12.2 inch |
| Front Brake | 260 mm single wave-type disc with Brembo calipers |
| Rear Brake | 220 mm Single wave-type disc with Brembo calipers |
| Front Tire Size | 90/90 x 21 |
| Rear Tire Size | 120/90 x 18 |
| Wheelbase | 58.3 inches |
| Seat Height | 37.8 inches |
| Ground Clearance | 14 inches |
500 EXC-F is equipped with the 48 mm WP XPLOR USD front forks with 11.8-inch travel and WP XPLOR PDS shock absorber for the rear side with 12.2-inch travel. Its front tire size is 90/90 x 21, and its rear tire size is 120/90 x 18, along with a 260 mm single wave-type disc with Brembo calipers for the front wheel and 220 mm Single wave-type disc with Brembo calipers for the rear wheel.
Its wheelbase size is 58.3 inches, seat height size is 37.8 inches with14 inches of ground clearance. Due to its high engine power, readily available spare parts, lightweight, good suspensions, and nimble nature, you can consider this bike.
Beta 500 RR-S
Beta 500 RR-S is a dual sport bike by Beta Company. It has a 477.5 cc four-stroke engine with a single cylinder. It also has a liquid cooling system and a cooling fan to keep the engine temperature normal. This bike has Dual-Map Kokusan 200w output ignition and 42 mm throttle Body w/Dual Injectors fuel system. It also has a six-speed transmission in a wet diaphragm style.
| Engine Type | 48 mm Sachs Open Cartridge with compression, rebound & spring preload adjustment, 11.6 travel |
| Ignition: | Dual-Map Kokusan 200w output On-Demand Traction Control |
| Fuel System: | 42mm Throttle Body w/Dual Injectors |
| Transmission: | 6 Speed |
| Clutch: | Wet Diaphragm-style |
| Front Suspension: | Aluminum Body Sachs shock w/adjustable rebound and hi/low-speed compression, 11.4 travel |
| Rear Suspension: | Aluminum Body Sachs shock w/adjustable rebound and hi/low speed compression, 11.4 travel |
| Front Tire (Full Spec) | Michelin® Enduro 90/90 – R21 |
| Rear Tire (Full Spec) | Michelin® Enduro 140/80 – R18 |
| Front Brake: | 260 mm floating rotor |
| Rear Brake: | 240 mm rotor |
| Wheelbase | 58.7 inches |
| Seat Height | 37 inches |
| Ground Clearance | 12.6 inches |
Beta 500 RR-S has a 48 mm Sachs Open Cartridge with compression, rebound & spring preload adjustable front forks with 11.6 inches travel, and Aluminum Body Sachs rear shock with w/adjustable rebound and hi/low-speed compression with 11.4 inches travel. It has Michelin® Enduro 90/90 – R21 front tire and Michelin® Enduro 140/80 – R18 rear tire, along with a 260 mm floating rotor front brake and a 240 mm rotor rear brake.
It has 58.7 inches long wheelbase, 37 inches of seat height, and 12.6 inches of ground clearance. If you are a mid-level rider, then it is best for you.
Honda CRF 450X
Honda CRF 450X is another dual sports bike in our list by Honda Company. It has a SOHC 449 cc four-stroke engine with a single cylinder. It has a Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) 46 mm downdraft throttle body and Wide-ratio six-speed transmission.
| Engine Type | 449 cc SOHC liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke |
| Induction | Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI), 46 mm downdraft throttle body |
| Transmission | Wide-ratio six-speed |
| Front Suspension | 49mm leading-axle inverted telescopic Showa coil-spring fork with rebound- and compression-damping adjustability; 12.0-inch travel |
| Rear Suspension | Pro-Link® Showa single shock with spring-preload, rebound- and compression-damping adjustability; 11.8 inch travel |
| Front Brake | Single 260 mm disc with twin-piston caliper |
| Rear Brake | Single 240 mm disc |
| Front Tire | Dunlop MX52 80/100-21 |
| Rear Tire | Dunlop MX52 110/100-18 |
| Wheelbase | 58.7 inches |
| Seat Height | 37.9 inches |
| Ground Clearance | 13.1 inches |
CRF 450X has a 49 mm leading-axle inverted telescopic Showa coil-spring front fork with a rebound, compression-damping adjustability, with 12-inch travel. On the other hand, it has Pro-Link® Showa single rear shock with spring-preload, rebound, and compression-damping adjustability with 11.8-inch travel. It has a Dunlop MX52 80/100-21 front tire and Dunlop MX52 110/100-18 rear tire along with a 260 mm single disc with twin-piston caliper brake for the front and 240 mm single disc brake for the rear wheel.
Honda CRF 450X has 58.7 inches wheelbase, 37.9 inches of seat height, and 13.1 inches of ground clearance. Due to its great power, handling, lightweight, Premium Suspensions, and Low Centre of Gravity, you can consider this bike.
Conclusion
All of these dual sport motorcycles are top-of-the-class and have the ability to go anywhere. I have described all of the main features of these top seven dual sports motorcycles; now it’s up to you to choose the best suitable bike for yourself according to your need and use purpose.
But if you want my opinion on that, if you are a beginner, Yamaha TTR 230, Yamaha WR 250R, or Honda CRF 300L are good options. But if you want a bike for heavy-duty off-road and street rides, you can go with the Suzuki DR650 or KTM 500 EXC-F. If you are a mid-level rider, you can go with the Beta 500 RR-S or Honda CRF 450X.
Rand Frankey is OffRoadsCare freelance Content Editor. He loves offroad Travelling and bikes, jeeps, and dirk bikes. He will explain all his experience with dirt bikes and offroad vehicles which helps you to make a decision like which vehicle is right for you.
