Best Dual Sport Bikes, New and Used…
Dual-sport motorcycles are some of the most versatile machines on the road. They can commute, explore dirt roads, tackle forest trails, and still cruise comfortably at everyday speeds. In 2025, the dual-sport segment is stronger than ever, with lightweight, approachable options alongside hard-enduro-inspired high-performance models.
Whether you’re stepping into the world of off-road riding or looking for a go-anywhere machine that can handle asphalt and dirt with equal confidence, these are some of the best dual-sport motorcycles available today.
What Is a Dual-Sport Motorcycle?
A dual-sport motorcycle is a street-legal dirt bike — a machine designed to handle both pavement and off-road terrain. While adventure bikes focus on long-distance touring, dual-sports are lighter, simpler, and better suited for technical riding.
A proper dual-sport must be:
- Factory street-legal, with DOT lighting, mirrors, emissions equipment, and a road-legal VIN
- Lightweight and durable, with off-road suspension and tires
- Capable in dirt but comfortable enough for pavement
- Versatile, able to commute during the week and explore trails on the weekend
In short: A dual-sport gives you one bike that does almost everything — dirt, street, commuting, exploring, and adventuring.
The Best New Dual-Sport Motorcycles
These bikes are currently available from a dealer near you.
Yamaha XT250
The XT250 is Yamaha’s current fully street-legal dual-sport, offering unmatched accessibility thanks to its low seat height, lightweight chassis, and extremely simple operation. It’s perfect for beginners, shorter riders, and city commuters who want a capable dirt-road explorer without the height or complexity of more hardcore dual-sports.
Why it stands out: Easy to ride, easy to maintain, fuel-efficient, and a dependable entry point into dual-sport riding.
XT250 Price: $5,399 (approx.)
Basic Specs:
- Engine: 249cc air-cooled single-cylinder
- Power: ~20 hp
- Transmission: 5-speed
- Seat Height: ~31.9 in
- Weight: ~291 lbs (wet)
- Fuel Capacity: 2.6 gallons
- Wheels: 21″ front / 18″ rear
- Suspension: Simple, durable dual-sport suspension
Honda CRF300L / CRF300L Rally
The CRF300L remains one of the most popular dual-sports in the world. Light, approachable, and extremely fuel-efficient, the 300L is ideal for new riders and anyone who wants a dependable motorcycle for mixed use. The Rally model adds a larger tank, wind protection, and longer-distance comfort — perfect for travel and fire-road adventuring.
Why it stands out: A friendly learning platform with excellent reliability, reasonable seat height, and great real-world fuel economy.
Price:
- CRF300L: $5,749
- CRF300L Rally: typically around $6,599–$6,799
Basic Specs:
- Engine: 286cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder
- Power: ~27 hp
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Seat Height: ~34.7 in (standard)
- Weight: ~309–333 lbs (depending on trim)
- Fuel Capacity: 2.1–3.4 gallons (Rally has the larger tank)
- Wheels: 21″ front / 18″ rear
- Suspension: Long-travel dual-sport suspension front and rear
Kawasaki KLX300
The KLX300 hits a sweet spot between beginner bikes and more aggressive trail machines. It offers more power and suspension capability than the smallest dual-sports while staying approachable and affordable. It’s an excellent choice for riders who want a truly balanced bike for both pavement and dirt.
Why it stands out:
Well-rounded performance, modern suspension components, and a great mix of on- and off-road ability.
KLX300 Price: $5,699 (approx.)
Basic Specs:
- Engine: 292cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder
- Power: ~27 hp
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Seat Height: ~35.2 in
- Weight: ~302 lbs (wet)
- Fuel Capacity: 2.0 gallons
- Wheels: 21″ front / 18″ rear
- Suspension: Long-travel, off-road-capable components
Suzuki DR-Z4S
The DR-Z4S represents Suzuki’s modern evolution of the legendary DR-Z line — bringing updated components, fuel injection, and a stronger chassis while preserving the torquey, reliable character that made the original DR-Z400S famous. It continues Suzuki’s reputation for durable, go-anywhere dual-sports with more refinement for 2025 riders.
Why it stands out:
A modernized take on a proven platform — strong low-end torque, improved chassis dynamics, and classic DR-Z versatility with updated reliability.
DR-Z4S Price: typically mid-to-upper $7,000 range (approx. $7,499–$7,899)
Basic Specs:
- Engine: ~398cc fuel-injected single-cylinder
- Power: ~39 hp
- Transmission: 5-speed
- Seat Height: ~36.8 in
- Weight: low-to-mid 300s (wet)
- Fuel Capacity: roughly mid-2-gallon range
- Wheels: 21″ front / 18″ rear
Honda CRF450RL
The CRF450RL brings high-performance dirt-bike DNA into a street-legal dual-sport package — offering more power, stronger suspension, and serious off-road capability, while retaining full road legality. For riders who want a machine capable of technical trails, gravel, forest roads, and occasional highway bursts, the 450RL bridges the gap between pure dirt bikes and commuter dual-sports.
Why it stands out:
A potent combination of strong engine output, dirt-bike agility, and full registration compliance — ideal for experienced riders seeking serious off-road versatility without forgoing the ability to ride legally on public roads.
CRF450RL Price: approximately US $10,099 (2025 base MSRP)
Basic Specs:
- Engine: 449cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke
- Power: ~46–48 hp (stock, depending on tuning and region)
- Transmission: 5-speed
- Seat Height: ~37.8 in
- Weight: ~298 lbs (wet, with minimal street gear)
- Fuel Capacity: ~2.0 gallons
- Wheels: 21″ front / 18″ rear
- Suspension: Full long-travel suspension front and rear — optimized for off-road work but road-capable
KTM 500 EXC-F
At the high-performance end of the spectrum, the 500 EXC-F is essentially a street-legal race bike. Lightweight, powerful, and equipped with premium suspension, it’s the go-to machine for riders who want serious off-road capability while still holding a license plate. It’s not the most comfortable on long pavement stretches, but in the dirt, it’s nearly unmatched.
Why it stands out: Elite off-road performance with legal street registration — perfect for single-track, mountains, desert, and rugged terrain.
500 EXC-F Price: $12,000–$12,500 (varies by dealer)
Basic Specs:
- Engine: 510cc high-performance single-cylinder
- Power: ~58 hp
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Seat Height: ~37.8 in
- Weight: ~255 lbs (dry)
- Fuel Capacity: ~2.3 gallons
- Wheels: 21″ front / 18″ rear
- Suspension: Premium long-travel WP components
Used Dual-Sport Considerations
Buying used is an excellent way to get into dual-sport riding, and several discontinued models remain beloved — often outperforming their modern replacements.
Yamaha WR250R
Discontinued after 2020, the WR250R has become a cult favorite thanks to its exceptional reliability, high build quality, and surprisingly capable suspension. Many riders consider it one of the best 250cc dual-sports ever produced. On the used market, the WR250R often holds value extremely well.
Price (Used Market):
- Typically ranges from $4,500–$7,000 depending on mileage and condition
Basic Specs:
- Engine: 250cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder
- Power: ~26 hp
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Seat Height: 36.6 in
- Weight: ~295 lbs (wet)
- Fuel Capacity: 2.0 gallons
- Wheels: 21″ front / 18″ rear
- Suspension: Long-travel dual-sport suspension with excellent adjustability
Suzuki DR350
A legendary older dual-sport that balanced weight, power, and durability with impressive versatility. DR350s are still highly regarded for their simplicity and ruggedness.
Price (Used Market):
- Typically $2,500–$4,500 depending on year and condition
Basic Specs:
- Engine: 349cc air-cooled single-cylinder
- Power: ~33 hp
- Transmission: 5-speed (early) or 6-speed (later models)
- Seat Height: ~36.0 in
- Weight: ~286–291 lbs
- Fuel Capacity: 2.6 gallons
- Wheels: 21″ front / 18″ rear
Suzuki DR-Z400S
A long-running dual-sport icon, the DR-Z400S built its reputation on simplicity, durability, and impressive low-end torque. Its decades-long production run means a massive aftermarket, easy parts availability, and extensive community knowledge. It remains one of the best used dual-sport buys on the market.
Price (Used Market):
- Typically $3,500–$6,000 depending on mileage, condition, and modifications
Basic Specs:
- Engine: 398cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder
- Power: ~39 hp
- Transmission: 5-speed
- Seat Height: 36.8 in
- Weight: ~317 lbs (wet)
- Fuel Capacity: 2.6 gallons
- Wheels: 21″ front / 18″ rear
Honda XR650L
Still in limited production, but functionally a vintage bike, the XR650L has been unchanged for decades. Air-cooled, ultra-durable, and tall, it’s a workhorse for riders who need simplicity and rugged capability.
Price (Used Market):
- Typically $3,500–$6,000 depending on age and mods
Basic Specs:
- Engine: 644cc air-cooled single-cylinder
- Power: ~40 hp
- Transmission: 5-speed
- Seat Height: 37.0 in
- Weight: ~346 lbs (wet)
- Fuel Capacity: 2.8 gallons
- Wheels: 21″ front / 18″ rear
Kawasaki KLR650 (Pre-2022 Models)
Earlier generations remain excellent budget ADV/dual-sport options, known for comfort and massive aftermarket support. While heavier than pure dual-sports, they offer tremendous versatility.
Price (Used Market):
- Typically $2,500–$5,000 depending on model year and mileage
Basic Specs:
- Engine: 651cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder
- Power: ~37 hp
- Transmission: 5-speed
- Seat Height: ~35.0 in
- Weight: ~432–446 lbs (wet)
- Fuel Capacity: 6.1 gallons
- Wheels: 21″ front / 17″ rear
What to Look For When Buying Used
- Maintenance records – many dual-sports live hard off-road lives
- Suspension wear – forks and shocks can get tired on trail-ridden bikes
- Frame integrity – check for cracks, stress marks, or bent subframes
- Electrical condition – wiring problems are common on older or converted bikes
- Aftermarket parts – skid plates, guards, racks, and tires show how the bike was used
Used dual-sports offer great value — and models like the WR250R or DR350 can often outperform some of today’s newer lightweight machines.
Which Dual-Sport Is Best for You?
- Beginner: Honda CRF300L or Yamaha XT250
- Balanced pavement + dirt: Kawasaki KLX300
- Durable, mod-friendly workhorse: Suzuki DR-Z400S
- Maximum off-road performance: KTM 500 EXC-F or Honda CRF450RL
- Used-market performance/value: Yamaha WR250R or Honda XR650L
Dual-sport motorcycles remain one of the best ways to experience motorcycling freedom. Their combination of light weight, real off-road capability, and street legality opens doors that streetbikes and ADV machines simply can’t access. Whether you’re a first-time rider, a commuter looking for something more fun, or an explorer seeking a bike that can take you down the road less traveled, the models above represent the very best dual-sport options available now.
