For years, I was skeptical. Dual Sport Bikes? I pictured lumbering, ungainly machines, hardly suited for anything beyond a gravel road. Boy, was I wrong. After clocking tens of thousands of miles, a significant portion on the open road, I’ve become a true believer in the remarkable versatility of dual sport bikes. My initial pursuit of sportbikes and supermotos with friends, and even confidently overtaking sportbikes on winding roads, taught me a valuable lesson: dual sports are far more capable than they appear. Motorcycle publications consistently praise their on-road handling, even with knobby tires, highlighting their surprising cornering prowess. I can attest to this firsthand, keeping pace with friends on supermotos like the XR650R and DRz400SM, and even staying close to a skilled rider on an Aprilia, all while riding on dual sport tires.
My own experience, racking up around 27,000 miles on dual sport tires out of 44,000 total, speaks volumes about their performance and durability.
The true brilliance of dual sport bikes shines when you venture beyond the ordinary paved roads. If you live near hills or mountains, where winding, challenging roads are abundant, a dual sport is your ideal companion. These areas often feature rough, unpaved roads that would be off-limits on a typical motorcycle. But on a dual sport or supermoto, these roads become playgrounds, offering exhilarating adventures you’d never experience otherwise.
Dual sport bikes also excel as “urban assault” vehicles. Their maneuverability and upright riding position make navigating city traffic a breeze. However, it’s true that on long, straight, flat roads, the kind you find across vast stretches of the country, even a sportbike can feel a bit monotonous. Yet, the versatility of a dual sport remains invaluable. I kept my KLX precisely because it allowed me to explore diverse terrains whenever the opportunity arose.
One often-overlooked advantage is that dual sport bikes allow for spirited riding with less risk of excessive speeding tickets compared to high-powered supersport machines. Their nimble handling makes them incredibly fun in corners, easily flicking from one turn to the next with sportbike-like agility. In the 250cc class, models from Kawasaki and Yamaha are known for their impressive capabilities, holding their own even when pushed hard. Personally, I consider the DRz400 to be a standout value in the dual sport category. Friends who own them report effortless cruising at highway speeds around 80 mph.
The upright seating position of dual sport bikes is a major plus, offering excellent visibility in traffic and a level of comfort that surpasses sportbikes. Typically weighing under 400 lbs for larger 650cc models and even less for 250cc versions (potentially under 300 lbs), they are lightweight and manageable. The generous legroom is another benefit, making for a more relaxed and enjoyable ride overall.
However, there are downsides. Dual sport bike seats are often criticized for being narrow and firm, which can become uncomfortable on long highway stretches and flat, straight roads. If you opt for aggressive dual sport tires like the ones pictured, be prepared for relatively frequent replacements, potentially around every 4,000 miles. Alternatively, you can fit road-oriented tires, as there are suitable options available for the 21″ front wheels commonly found on dual sports, along with appropriate rear tires.
With over 40 years of riding experience and 22 years in motorcycle sales, having ridden countless bikes, if I had to choose just one, it would undoubtedly be a dual sport bike. They truly can do it all. Imagine trying to tackle a rough trail on a streetbike – it’s simply not feasible. But with a dual sport, I know I can easily attach soft panniers and a tail bag to my 650 and embark on adventures anywhere.
For beginners, is a dual sport bike a wise choice? Absolutely! As a salesman, I would readily recommend a dual sport to a novice rider, primarily because they are so forgiving and easy to handle. Inevitable tip-overs or drops are usually minor, resulting in only scuffed bar ends or turn signals. Try dropping a Ninja and compare the damage! For riders seeking versatility, adventure, and a bike that can handle almost anything you throw at it, the dual sport bike is an exceptional choice.
