8 Best Dual Sport Motorcycles for Beginners

A dual sport motorcycle is different from a street bike as it is built to travel on both street and unpaved terrain. Dual sport motorcycles are lightweight, easy to handle, and street legal.

Both adventure and dual sport motorcycles can travel in urban and natural regions. The only key difference is that dual sport motorcycles bear more of a resemblance to dirt bikes. Whereas, adventure motorcycles perform better on the roads and bear more of a resemblance to street bikes.

Dual sport motorcycles are lightweight, easy to handle, and comfortable because they are built with an upright riding position. These characteristics make dual sport motorcycles a perfect choice for beginners.

Dual sport motorcycles are mostly equipped with mid-range powered engines, their power output being low enough for entry-level motorcycles. This gives beginners the opportunity to learn how to steer, shift gears, and balance torque and speed.

The Suzuki DR200SE is a dual sport motorbike equipped with a smaller low-powered engine. This allows this bike to perform well on the streets and produce ample torque when off-roading. The Suzuki DR200SE has a comfortable seat height of 31.9 inches, a fuel capacity of 3.4 gals, and only weighs 112.94 kg.

The Suzuki DR200SE is equipped with a 199 cc four-stroke engine and a five-speed gearbox. A beginner will have to learn how to shift between gears by judging the sound of the engine as the Suzuki DR200SE is not equipped with a tachometer.

A beginner can comfortably ride this motorbike between speeds of 60-65 mph, but if you go above this limit, the Suzuki DR200SE will not perform as well or be as comfortable.

Being a dual sport motorcycle, the Suzuki DR200SE is suited for both on- and off-road rides. However, it performs better on streets than on dirt due to the tires not offering much traction on sand and mud.

The Yamaha TW200 is a stylish dual sport motorcycle with fat tires. This dual sport motorcycle is easy to use and comes with an electric starter. The Yamaha TW200 can attain a top speed of 70 mph and will allow beginner to learn how to become accustomed to riding without much instruction.

The Yamaha TW200 is powered by a 196 cc single-cylinder engine, a five-speed gearbox, and weight 126.1 kg. Though the Yamaha TW200 is not a fast bike, it is easy for beginners to handle.

The Yamaha TW200’s tires are much fatter than the ones fitted on normal dual-sport bikes. The added weight of the Yamaha TW200’s tires do slow the vehicle down on paved streets. However, when riding the Yamaha TW200 on unpaved terrain, the tires offer extra stability when turning corners.

The Honda CRF300L is one of the most popular Honda dual sport motorcycles as it has all the characteristics that make it ideal for beginners. The Honda CRF300L is good for both on- and off-road adventures. A beginner can comfortably ride this motorbike at speeds of 70 mph and above. The 2022 Honda CRF300L series has both an ABS and non-ABS variant.

The 2022 Honda CRF300L is equipped with a powerful 286 cc four-stroke engine, able to produce more torque and horsepower than the Honda CRF250L. The Honda CRF300L’s six-speed transmission, smaller gearbox ratios, and slipper/assist clutch ensure good control and handling. The 2022 Honda CRF300L offers better handling on unpaved terrains because of the improved swingarm, comfortable riding position, longer travel suspensions, and flexible frame.

The Honda CRF300L has a curb weight of 138.8 kg, a 34.7-inch seat height that makes it more suitable for taller riders.

The Suzuki DRZ400S was launched in 2000. Despite being an old motorcycle, the Suzuki DRZ400S’s design has not changed much and is still in production. The Suzuki DRZ400S is a popular choice for riders that love trail motorcycle riding. This motorbike is reliable and lightweight which makes it easy to handle. The only few changes include the fuel injection system, ensuring it has a good fuel economy. The Suzuki DRZ400S has a fuel mileage of 55 mpg and a curb weight of 144 kg. Also, the Suzuki DRZ400S is easy to maintain and aftermarket parts are easily available on the market.

The Suzuki DRZ400S is powered by a 398 cc four-stroke engine and a 36.8-inch seat height that makes it suitable for taller riders.

The Yamaha WR250R is a modern dual sport motorcycle with a design that bears more of a resemblance to dirt bikes. Introduced in 2012, the Yamaha WR250R is fitted with a powerful fuel-injected 249 cc four-stroke engine. The Yamaha WR250R is equipped with fully adjustable, high-performance suspensions and inverted front forks. This motorbike has more power and torque compared to the Yamaha TW200 and Honda CRF250.

The suspensions installed in the Yamaha WR250R allow 10 inches of wheel travel, which is good for both on- and off-road rides. Although the Yamaha WR250R cannot compete with the off-road performance of a dirt bike, it is still better than its closest competitors in the dual sports category.

The Yamaha WR250R’s few drawbacks include a taller seat height and higher price. This motorbike has a seat height of 36.6 inches and has a base price of $6,699.

The Kawasaki KLX250S has almost the same power output as the Yamaha WR250R and Honda CRF230L. However, the Kawasaki KLX250S has better suspensions compared to its competitors. This motorbike can be modified with different aftermarket parts to improve its performance.

The Kawasaki KLX250S is powered by a 249 cc fuel-injected four-stroke engine, delivering constant power to ensure a smooth riding experience on both trails and streets. The 2022 Kawasaki KLX250S comes with an electric starter, a dry weight of 118.84 kg, a ground clearance of 11.6 inches, and a seat height of 34.8 inches.

Despite being lightweight, the Kawasaki KLX250S can accommodate all kinds of riders because of the Uni-Trak rear suspension. The adjustable telescopic USD front fork with longer wheel travel ensures a comfortable ride even on unpaved terrain.

The Yamaha XT250 is a modern dual sport motorcycle with an old-school look. The Yamaha XT250 has a low seat height of 31.9 inches and a ground clearance of 11.2 inches, making this a better option for motorcycle trail riding.

The Yamaha XT250 is equipped with soft suspensions that provide 8.9 inches of front wheel travel and 7.1 inches of rear wheel travel.

The Yamaha XT250’s 249 cc four-stroke engine gives it a stable power output both on the streets and when off-roading. The Yamaha XT250 also has a wet weight of 131.995 kg and a fuel economy of 76 mpg.

The Honda XR650L is a high-displacement dual sport motorbike for beginners. This motorcycle has a stable power output with its 644 cc engine. The Showa shock and forks come with full compression adjustability. The front suspension has a wheel travel of 11.6 inches and the rear suspension has wheel travel of 11 inches. The Honda XR650L has a satisfying fuel economy of 52 mpg. With a fuel tank capacity of 2.8 gals, the Honda XR650L can cover a distance of 145 miles. The Honda XR650L has a curb weight of 156.94 kg, a ground clearance of 13 inches, and a 37-inch seat height that makes it ideal for taller riders. The base price of the 2022 Honda XR650L is $6.999.

If a beginner has basic knowledge of how to ride a motorcycle and knows how to shift gears, then a 650 cc dual sport motorcycle should be fine. It depends on whether the 650 cc dual sport motorcycle’s handling, power output, seat height, and weight are compatible with the beginner.

A dual sport motorcycle with a low-powered engine, affordable price, low weight, easy to handle, and high-performing suspensions is best suited for beginners.

Because dual sport motorcycles are not equipped with large displacement engines, they can handle both on- and off-road travel. To better ensure safety, beginners should start with riding a small-displacement dual-sport motorcycle.

Dual sport bikes can be used for long trips and trail riding. With the aftermarket parts available at Viking Bags, you can carry LUGGAGE on your dual sport bike. The luggage options include the SADDLEBAGS and LUGGAGE BAGS. You can also find the LUGGAGE ACCESSORIES and MOTORCYCLE PARTS at the Viking Bags.