Top 7 Dual Sport Motorcycles To Buy In 2023

Dual Sport Motorcycle

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 Motorcycle

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

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 capacity250 cc (15.26 cubic inches) 
Fuel systemInjection 
Ignition TypeTCI with direct ignition coil 
Front Suspension Travel46 mm inverted fully adjustable front fork with 10.6 inches travel
Rear Suspension TravelLinkage-assisted fully adjustable rear shock with 10.6 inches travel
Front Tires – Rims dimensions80/100-21 
Rear Tires – Rims dimensions120/80-18 
Front brakes250 mm Single disc. Hydraulic. 
Rear brakes230 mm Single disc. Hydraulic.
Wheelbase1,420 mm (55.9 inches) 
Seat Height930 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

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 Type286cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke
InductionPGM-FI, 38mm throttle body
IgnitionComputer-controlled digital transistorized with electronic advance
TransmissionSix-speed
Front Suspension43mm inverted fork; 10.2 inches of travel
Rear SuspensionPro-Link® single shock with spring; 10.2 inches of travel
Front BrakeSingle 256mm disc with twin-piston caliper
Rear BrakeSingle 220mm disc
Front Tire80/100-21
Rear Tire120/80-18
Wheelbase57.2 inches
Seat Height34.7 inches
Ground Clearance11.2 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 DR 650

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.

Engine644cc, 4-stroke, air-cooled, single cylinder, SOHC
Fuel SystemMikuni BST40, single carburetor
IgnitionElectronic ignition (CDI)
Transmission5-speed constant mesh
Suspension FrontTelescopic, coil spring, oil damped
Suspension RearLink type, coil spring, oil damped
Brakes FrontDisc brake, single floating rotor
Brakes RearDisc brake, single rotor
Tires Front90/90-21 M/C 54S, tube type
Tires Rear120/90-17 M/C 64S, tube type
Wheelbase1490 mm (58.7 in.)
Ground Clearance265 mm (10.4 in.)
Seat Height885 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 TT-R230

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 Type223cc air-cooled SOHC 4-stroke; 2 valves
Fuel DeliveryCarburetor
IgnitionCDI
TransmissionConstant-mesh 6-speed; multiplate wet clutch
Suspension / FrontTelescopic fork; 9.4-in travel
Suspension / RearSingle shock; 8.7-in travel
Brakes / FrontHydraulic single disc, 220mm
Brakes / RearDrum, 130mm
Tires / Front80/100-21
Tires / Rear100/100-18
Seat Height34.3 in
Wheelbase54.5 in
Ground Clearance11.6 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

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.

Engine510.9 cc Single-cylinder, four-stroke, SOHC, fuel-injected
Transmission6-Speed
IgnitionDigital
Fuel SupplyFuel injection
Cooling SystemLiquid cooling with CFD technology
Front Suspension48 mm WP XPLOR USD forks, 11.8 inch
Rear SuspensionWP XPLOR PDS shock absorber, 12.2 inch
Front Brake260 mm single wave-type disc with Brembo calipers
Rear Brake220 mm Single wave-type disc with Brembo calipers
Front Tire Size90/90 x 21
Rear Tire Size120/90 x 18
Wheelbase58.3 inches
Seat Height37.8 inches
Ground Clearance14 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

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
Wheelbase58.7 inches
Seat Height37 inches
Ground Clearance12.6 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

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 Type449 cc SOHC liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke
InductionProgrammed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI), 46 mm downdraft throttle body
TransmissionWide-ratio six-speed
Front Suspension49mm leading-axle inverted telescopic Showa coil-spring fork with rebound- and compression-damping adjustability; 12.0-inch travel
Rear SuspensionPro-Link® Showa single shock with spring-preload, rebound- and compression-damping adjustability; 11.8 inch travel
Front BrakeSingle 260 mm disc with twin-piston caliper
Rear BrakeSingle 240 mm disc
Front TireDunlop MX52 80/100-21
Rear TireDunlop MX52 110/100-18
Wheelbase58.7 inches
Seat Height37.9 inches
Ground Clearance13.1 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.

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