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Dec 01, 2023

Best Dual Sport Motorcycles For Beginners

With a balance of performance and capability, the dual-sport is new-rider

With a balance of performance and capability, the dual-sport is new-rider friendly

When considering what makes a bike beginner-friendly, it comes down to a handful of metrics. Seat height and weight play a part. The engine should be unassuming and non-threatening. As much as developing your skill set is important, so is keeping the bike dirty-side down is vital. As such, some ride-control electronics and slipper clutches are welcome as well. Last of all is the price. The sticker price should take into account that as a beginner's bike, you might assume it to be a temporary state of affairs, so price is something to keep in mind.

The dual-surface motorcycle sector comes in three major sub-genres, enduro, dual-sport, and adventure Bikes. Basically, the differences come down to a matter of degrees of capability, and what kind of range they operate within. Enduro racers started it all. They were pretty much dirt bikes with street knobbies and street-legal lighting for use on racetracks that were part dirt and part paved. They persist as a major genre and are well-suited for their intended use whether on-track or off.

Dual-sport machines find themselves in the middle, but just barely, as many keep to the dirtbike-esque platform and are generally balanced with more of an off-road orientation. Adventure bikes are at the top of the food chain both in price and capability. They typically fall into a body style all their own and carry the best equipment of the three. For starter bikes, dual-sports have a balance of capability, performance, and price.

Related: 10 Great Dual Sport Motorcycles For Experienced Riders

This go-anywhere Yamaha bike is the epitome of the dual-sport category. Fat, street-knobby tires join wire wheels, a flyscreen, and fork gaiters for a definite off-road connection. Wet weight is beginner-friendly at only 278 pounds, so it should be quite easy to stand up after a drop.

Engine

196 cc

Engine Output

16 HP and 11 LB-FT of torque

Transmission

Five-speed

Fuel Economy

78 MPG

Price

$4,899

The thumper engine on the TW200 produces 16 horsepower and 11 pound-feet of torque, so it ticks the user-friendly box while packing plenty of fun and has good tractable power in the low- to mid-range. A long-stroke suspension system takes the sting out of the worst impacts and makes for a hardy adventurer once off the beaten path. Seat height seals the deal at 31.1 inches off the deck, which should accommodate fairly short riders. Price is reasonable at $4,899.

Suzuki also keeps to the dirtier side with its entry-level dual-sport machine that runs on skinny, dirt-style hoops, with a high-mount mudguard and long-stroke suspension for real work on rough terrain. The knobbies are close to pure dirt items with a distinct lack of street friendliness but should pay off on loose and soft surfaces.

Engine

199 cc Single-Cylinder

Engine Output

20 HP and 13 LB-FT of torque

Transmission

Five-speed

Fuel Economy

75-90 MPG (depending on tires)

Price

$4,649

The seat height on the DR200S is somewhat tall at 33.3 inches high, so it won't be quite as friendly to the shorter inseams but is necessary to accommodate the long-stroke suspension and 10 inches of ground clearance that make it so useful off-road. The engine puts out 20 ponies and 13 pound-feet of grunt, which is controllable and suitable for the beginning rider, even if you might be on your tiptoes. Curb weight is 278 pounds ready to go, but the tall suspension and ground clearance means the center-of-gravity is relatively high as well, which will work against you after a drop. MSRP starts at $4,649.

Kawasaki rolls into MY2023 with its KLX 230 S dual sport fresh off a 2022 update. Built with a preference for off-road work, the mirrors and lighting make it roadworthy even if the knobby tires are less than ideal for use on paved surfaces.

Engine

233 cc Single-Cylinder

Engine Output

19.74 HP and 14.38 LB-FT of torque

Transmission

Six-speed

Fuel Economy

71 MPG

Price

$4,999

The engine produces 19.74 horsepower and 14.38 pound-feet of torque, which is very controllable with decent grunt lower down in the RPM range. Long-stroke suspension components turn in over 6 inches of travel for rough terrain capabilities. Seat height is middling-to-high at 32.7 inches to allow for the 8.3-inch ground clearance and suspension stroke, which may tax the shortest riders a bit, even if it isn't as tall as a full-on MX machine. Curb weight comes in at 295.5 pounds for the non-ABS model. The price is comparable at $4,999 as the starting MSRP.

Related: 2020 - 2021 Kawasaki KLX230

Yamaha's XT250 is the stablemate for the TW200 but modernized with fuel injection and disc brakes to remain competitive within its displacement bracket. Long suspension and wire wheels make for a decent off-road machine, but the street knobbies give it some more on-road utility than some of its competition.

Engine

249 cc Single-Cylinder

Engine Output

19 HP and 14 LB-FT of torque

Transmission

Five-Speed

Fuel Economy

76 MPG

Price

$5,299

The engine turns out 19 horsepower and 14 pound-feet of torque, which is easily managed by the inexperienced rider, with a five-speed transmission and chain-type final drive. Seat height is fairly reasonable at 31.9 inches tall, and surprising given the length of the suspension stroke and generous, 11.2 inches of ground clearance. Wet weight comes in at 291 pounds, which should be manageable and fairly easy to pick up from a drop. The price is accessible at $5,299.

Honda heats up the dual-sport fray with its CRF300L platform. Built like a dirtbike, the CRF300L has a low-profile fuel tank and broad shoulders for a definite non-standard look. The hoops are knobbies over wire wheels, but with street flats for urban use.

Engine

286 cc Single-Cylinder

Engine Output

27 HP and 19.6 LB-FT of torque

Transmission

Six-Speed

Fuel Economy

68 MPG

Price

$5,399

Suspension travel is in seriously rough territory at 10.2 inches front and rear, as is the 11.2 inches of ground clearance to make this bike truly viable for a bit of adventure. Curb weight is above the lesser machines at 311 pounds, but that low-profile tank moves the center of gravity lower, which is a boon during a pickup. Power is a tad higher than the bottom-tier machines as well with 27 ponies and 19.6 pounds o' grunt on tap. The price reflects this increase in performance with a $5,399 sticker on the stock, base-model unit.

Kawasaki makes a decent little starter dual-sport with its new-in-2021 KLX 300, replacing the popular KLX250. Laced wheels and street-knobby tires give it good manners on any reasonable surface. Suspension travel is also relatively long at 10 inches up front and 9.1 inches around back, so this bike is definitely set up to tackle rough terrain with aplomb.

Engine

292 cc Single-Cylinder

Engine Output

26 HP and 17.7 LB-FT of torque

Transmission

Six-Speed

Fuel Economy

40 MPG

Price

$5,899

Ground clearance is generous at 10.8 inches high, but all of this leaves the seat at a lofty 35.2-inches off the deck which will tax even medium-height riders, so if you're getting this for a young or shorter person, you better try it on for size first. Wet weight is just a couple pounds over the 300-pound mark, and it's tall, so it may also be difficult to stand back up. The 292 cc thumper produces 26 horsepower and 17.7 pound-feet of torque which is controllable with plenty of low-down grunt for technical off-road work. MSRP starts at $5,899 for its base model in 2023.

Related: The 2023 Kawasaki KLX300 Review: Your License To Explore

Suzuki ups the ante with its MY2023 DR-Z400S dual-sport machine. The engine packs a punch with 398 cc tucked away in its single-cylinder layout that generates 33.4 horsepower and 25.6 pound-feet of torque.

Engine

398 cc Single-Cylinder

Engine Output

33.4 HP and 25.6 LB-FT of torque

Transmission

Five-Speed

Fuel Economy

70 MPG

Price

$7,099

Weight is still low at only 317 pounds soaking wet, so with power numbers like that, you can expect a lively ride and spirited hole shots. Long-stroke suspension makes it viable off-road while the street knobbies look very road-friendly. Seat height is in MX country at 36.8 inches high, which will tiptoe in medium-tall riders with the shortest inseams straight out of luck. The price reflects the power with a $7,099 sticker that starts to push the price envelope for a starter bike so look for a used model to stay within budget.

Kawasaki's KLR650 pushes the dual-sport style into the adventure-bike bracket for proper globetrotting. Power comes from a 652 cc thumper with around 40 horsepower and 39.1 pound-feet of torque and plenty of grunt low down in the range for technical work. That kind of power is getting into the numbers that may be a challenge for a skittish new rider, but manageable for the rest.

Engine

652 cc Single-Cylinder

Engine Output

40 HP and 39.1 LB-FT of torque

Transmission

Five-Speed

Fuel Economy

48 MPG

Price

$6,899 (non-ABS), $7,199 (w/ ABS)

It has a 34.3-inch seat height, so this really looks geared for slightly taller riders, possibly even as someone's first upgrade from their starter platform. Stealth knobbies make it road-friendly, but the 8-inch suspension stroke and laced wheels are all about that off-road life. Curb weight is getting substantial at 456.2 pounds soaking wet, which is enough to tax any rider and requires technique to pick it up after a drop. Pricing starts at $6,899 for the non-ABS model, but new riders might go for the ABS model while developing their skillset. It's a little pricey for the starter market, but the used market might keep you within budget.

Suzuki's DR650S sticks to its dual-sport roots with the off-road-tastic DR650S model. A high-mount front mudguard, long-stroke suspension, and spoked wheels all point to solid off-road chops. That 10.4 inches of ground clearance certainly helps with the rough-terrain work too.

Engine

644 cc Single-Cylinder

Engine Output

43 HP and 47 LB-FT of torque

Transmission

Five-Speed

Fuel Economy

45 MPG

Price

$6,999

A 644 cc thumper cranks out 43 horsepower and 47 pound-feet of torque, figures which are in big-boy territory and not so much for a good first bike unless for an adult rider. The curb weight is 366 pounds, which should be fairly manageable and easy to pick up when you drop it, but the seat is pretty tall at 34.8 inches off the deck, which again makes it more appropriate for taller riders. The MY2023 DR650S will set you back $6,999 for the base MSRP but for folks on a budget look for one in the used market.

Honda dabbles in dual-sportiness with its XR650L model. This machine is decidedly skewed toward the off-road work between its knobby hoops, wire wheels, and handguards. The long-stroke, adjustable suspension components boast 11.6 inches ahead of 11 inches even on the front and rear, respectively.

Engine

644 cc Single-Cylinder

Engine Output

40 HP and 47.2 LB-FT of torque

Transmission

Five-Speed

Fuel Economy

46 MPG

Price

$6,999

The seat is way up in the nosebleed section at 37 inches high, so it likely won't be accessible for short riders and will tax even medium-height jockeys. The curb weight is 346 pounds which will be some work to pick up, especially since it's as tall as it is, but it's nothing that good technique can't overcome. Power for the XR650L comes from a 644 cc thumper with 40 horses and 47.2 pounds o' grunt on tap. The price is about right at $6,999, but as with the other 650s on the list, check out the used-bike market to stay within budget.

TJ got an early start from his father and other family members who owned and rode motorcycles, and by helping with various mechanical repairs throughout childhood. That planted a seed that grew into a well-rounded appreciation of all things mechanical, and eventually, into a formal education of same. Though primarily a Harley rider, he has an appreciation for all sorts of bikes and doesn't discriminate against any particular brand or region of origin. He currently holds an Associate's degree in applied mechanical science from his time at the M.M.I.