10 Affordable Dual-Sport Bikes Perfect For Everyday Riders

Sometimes the biggest, most powerful bike with the most electronics isn’t the answer. The answer could be a simple, easy to manage one. After all, the best motorcycle is the one you’ll ride the most – and you will ride the second kind of motorcycle a lot more than the first.

You therefore need something that will tackle all conditions without batting an eyelid. Sure, they don’t have the smoothness or screaming performance of a multi-cylinder sport bike, or the laid-back large-displacement feeling of effortless torque that cruisers have, but they have your back no matter the road and weather conditions. That is why they are the perfect choice for someone who rides daily. And here are ten affordable dual sport bikes that are perfect for everyday riders.

To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from authoritative sources, such as Kawasaki USA, Suzuki Cycles, and Honda Powersports.

Honda XR150L

Price: $3,299

The XR150L makes for a great first bike, not just a great first dual-sport bike. This is one of those cheap-as-chips models that does exceedingly well in markets in Asia and South America, which should tell you how reliable it will be in the face of abuse. It is a carbureted, air-cooled engine, so it doesn’t have much performance – but putting high miles on it will never be a problem, since you can do all the basic maintenance yourself. The engine is paired with a 5-speed gearbox, and the instrumentation is still all-analog in some markets.

Yamaha TW200

Price: $4,999

The TW200 doesn’t look like a motorcycle that you can take seriously, with its diminutive stature and balloon tires. The Trail Way is anything but a joke, however, being the only motorcycle that has been ridden to the North Pole! It follows a template similar to the XR150L: a simple downtube frame with an air-cooled, carbureted thumper and five-speed gearbox powering it. The instrumentation is all analog and doesn’t even have a fuel gauge, you just need to head to the gas station once the fuel tap has to be switched to reserve. It really doesn’t get any simpler than this.

Kawasaki KLX230

Price: $5,199

The KLX230 is Kawasaki’s most affordable dual sport. However, it has a couple of features that are quite modern: the chassis is a steel perimeter frame with a link-type rear shock. The engine is fuel injected and mated to a six-speed gearbox. And ABS is an optional extra that costs $300 but is well worth it, since it gives you a larger front brake disc, and is switchable. While 17 horsepower might not sound like much, the extra displacement and fuel injection it has over the TW200 and XR150L make it a better choice as a starter dual sport for those who don’t want the hassle of a carburetor.

Yamaha XT250

Price: $5,499

The XT250 is the other dual sport in Yamaha’s lineup, and unlike the TW200, this is a full-size motorcycle. In all other things, it is quite similar to the TW: it has an air-cooled and carbureted engine, a 5-speed gearbox, and the instrumentation is analog. It is also equally reliable, having been around for a long time. The XT250 doesn’t have much power, what with a 19 horsepower output, but you’ll also get up to 76 miles to the gallon from it. You could possibly try to do your weekday AND weekend rides on a single tank of gas!

Kawasaki KLX300

Price: $5,649

The KLX300 is the first of the liquid-cooled dual sport models on this list (and we’ll stick with liquid cooling from here on out) is a curious mix of new and old tech choices. This is a liquid-cooled engine with 4 valves and a six-speed gearbox, so performance is understandably sprightly. The power figure isn’t released by Kawasaki, but the 18 pound-feet is decent for its weight. However, the chassis is a traditional cradle frame, and the brakes don’t have ABS even as an option despite having discs at both ends. Still, this is a great choice if you intend to ride both on and off the road a lot.

Honda CRF300L

Price: $5,749

The CRF300L and CRF300LS are the same dual sport bike, with the latter being the lowered one. The lower seat height gives it wider appeal, but it comes at the cost of suspension travel. Both are equally capable for beginner riders, however – and if you’re an experienced one, you’ll appreciate the simplicity this Honda brings to the table. You get a decent amount of power for short highway runs (27 horsepower), with a six-speed gearbox. Then there is a digital instrument cluster, all-LED lighting, switchable ABS, and a USB-C charging port.

KTM 390 Enduro R

Price: $6,049

The 390 Enduro R got a recent $550 price hike, and it still remains shockingly good value. This is down to it sharing components with the other KTM 390-powered models. It does have its own suspension, wheels, tires, and display – the display, in particular, is a quantum leap forward for dual sport bikes, with its full-color TFT and ability to even display navigation instructions. You also get a six-axis IMU with cornering ABS and traction control, a by-wire throttle with ride modes, and ABS that can be turned off even at the front wheel. A two-way quickshifter is an optional extra.

Beta Alp 4.0

Price: $6,490

The Alp comes from a brand that is well known for off-road racing success, so its ability off tarmac is not in question. On tarmac, Beta has worked hard to make it civilized enough to be a true companion for long-ish highway stints, and it has succeeded to an extent. The new liquid-cooled 348 cc/35 horsepower powerplant plays a big part in making this a fun bike. Two engine maps and switchable ABS are part of the package with the Alp 4.0. The unique looks might not be to everyone’s liking, but it certainly stands out in a crowd.

Suzuki DR-Z4S

Price: $8,999

Suzuki’s most modern dual sport is this, the DR-Z4S. It was released not too long ago, and it commands quite a steep price for the displacement. It isn’t clear why on the surface – there is still a 5-speed gearbox, and it still leans a lot more toward dirt rather than tarmac. The buzzy engine and small tank limit its abilities on the highway. However, under the skin, there has been a whole host of updates. This is a brand-new perimeter frame, the engine’s fuel injection and by-wire throttle with ride modes is new, as is the four-level traction control. The ABS is switchable and can be turned off at the front wheel as well.

Honda CRF450RL

Price: $10,099

The CRF450RL is an odd product – it is a 450 cc dual sport, which is code for ‘stay away unless you’re truly experienced at this sort of thing’. But it doesn’t have the fire-breathing character that dual sport bikes of this displacement usually have. Yes, it makes nearly 53 horsepower, and that is a lot of power for a dual sport. And it is quite light too, using aluminum for its twin spar chassis, titanium for the fuel tank, and Li-ions for its battery tech. Other features include fully adjustable Showa suspension and all-LED lighting.