A Round-Up of Dual Sport Bikes
One of the biggest and most perplexing questions any dual sport rider faces is the ever-popular "which bike will be best suited for me?" Let's face it, these bikes are not cheap. So most people spend countless hours looking for information about potential bikes before dropping that coin. Listed below is some basic (and sometimes biased) info about many of the DS bikes out there. But keep in mind -- the "perfect" bike doesn't really exist. Some will come closer to fitting you and your specific riding intent, but don't lose a month's worth of sleep worrying about what bike to buy. Part of the fun is trying one... modifying the hell out of it and then moving on to the next one.
KTM BMW Kawasaki Suzuki Honda Husqvarna Others
| KTM 640 Adventure | |
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For the past 10
years, the 640 Adventure has been one of the most capable dual sport
bikes out there. This is one pretty complete package... huge fuel
tank for long-range capability, mini-fairing, off-road capable
suspension, vast luggage options and a great track record. This is the
bike that many riders choose to take on extended trips that include
rough off-road sections. Just be ready for some noticeable vibes
while on the highway.
The problem is, KTM has stopped making this bike. The 640 line has been replaced by the new 690 series. But as of now, the 690 only comes in off-road enduro form (i.e., small tank, no fairing, etc.). But you can still finds some great deals on slightly used 640 Adventures. Pros:
High quality components, great suspension, complete overall package |
| KTM 950 / 990 Adventure | |
|
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Take all the great things
you just read about the KTM 640 Adventure, double the horsepower,
greatly reduce the vibrations and
you've got the 950/990 Adventure. While this big twin has a
dry-weight of 436 pounds, you'd never guess it by riding the bike. And
with 98 hp at your disposal, this thing absolutely rips. The 950
is KTM's answer to those who want a long-distance tourer that can handle it
when the going gets rough. Is the 950 as comfortable on long trips
as the BMW GS? No, but when the trail becomes less and less
maintained, you'll definitely be glad you're on the big KTM. Pros:
Outstanding power, great for distance touring |
| KTM 950 Super Enduro | |
|
What do you get
when you take a 950 Adventure, beef up the suspension, drop nearly 40
pounds by putting it in enduro form and maintain the engine's 98
horsepower? A bike that is so much fun to ride, it's like liquid
crack. This thing is just balls-out fun.
Sure, there are some trade-offs. A smaller tank limits the amount of miles you can tackle in one stretch, there's no wind protection and the seat sucks. But these can all be remedied with aftermarket products. This is the bike for the inner hooligan in all of us. Pros:
Raw power, so much fun it should be illegal |
| KTM 690 Enduro | |
|
|
The 690 Enduro is KTM's
answer to those wanting a powerful and capable single-cylinder dual
sport. The engine in this bike is the same one used to race the
Dakar Rally and the Baja 1000. So while this is a new bike, the
engine/chassis has been thoroughly tested in some of the biggest
off-road races in the world.
Because this is an enduro, it doesn't have the long range capability of bikes like the 640 Adventure. But with eight more hp and a dry weight that's 40 lbs. lighter, this bike will rip compared to the 640. Pros:
Great power for a single, very capable off-road |
| KTM 530 EXC | |
|
A light trail bike with
enough power to remove arm hair -- that pretty much sums up the 525. And
starting in 2007, KTM made it available street-legal from the factory
(all previous years require a conversion kit of some sort). This
is one bike that will keep you grinning from ear to ear the entire time
you're in the saddle. Of course, it's not up to long stretches
of highway, but it will cover some pavement to get you to the trails.
Pros: High
quality components, outstanding power-to-weight ratio, 3rd & 4th gear
wheelies |
| BMW R1200GS and GS Adventure | |
|
If any bike conjures up
images of blasting through the open landscapes of Africa, it's the BMW GS series.
However, these are not light bikes. Couple that with street-biased
suspension, and this is one bike that you don't want to spend a lot of
time with in the rough stuff.
In the hands of a skilled rider, this bike can reach places you wouldn't expect - which is testimony to the enhancements made over the years. But you really have to get time in the saddle before tackling anything rougher than a fire road. No matter where or how you ride, you'll be looking good on this beast. The Adventure model includes beefier suspension, a gi-normous fuel tank, knobby tires and a few other add-ons to make it more capable off the highway. Pros: Excellent power, outstanding highway cruiser, Quality
fit and finish |
| BMW F800GS | |
|
For many dual
sport enthusiasts, this is the bike they've been waiting for (quite
literally). Take all the long-distance touring capability of the
1200GS, shed 50 lbs., throw on some off-road ready suspension
components, and you've got one kick-ass dual sport motorcycle. The 800GS is brand new from the ground up, and is destined to become one of the most popular bikes out there. Power isn't quite as strong as KTM's 990, but with 85 horses on tap, it will get going in a hurry. Pros: Outstanding mix of on-road and
off-road capability |
| BMW F650 X-Challenge | |
|
The X-challenge
was BMW's answer to bikes like the Honda XR650. A very off-road
capable single that is right at home on single track But with the
X-challenge, you can also do long stretches of highway to boot.
The power-to-weight ratio is a bit lower than the KTM 690, but the X-challenge is a slightly better suited for the pavement. Overall, this is a great package for someone looking for a dirt-capable single. Pros: Very off-road capable, amazing gas
mileage |
| Kawasaki KLR650 | |
|
The venerable KLR650 is one of the most
popular dual sport bikes out there. It's relatively inexpensive, reliable and well
equipped. While not as nimble off-road as some of the other dual sports (the stock
suspension is quite soft), the KLR's mini-fairing, wide seat and low vibrations make this
bike a very good choice for long rides both on and off pavement. Because this bike
has such a following, there are a ton of available aftermarket accessories. Pros:
Mini-fairing, large fuel tank, reliability, available accessories |
| Suzuki DR650SE | |
|
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The DR650 is a great bike for those new
to dual sport riding. With a fairly low seat height, this bike looks and feels
smaller and lighter than the KLR. The end result is a bike that is more manageable
on tight trails, while still being capable on the highway. Like the Kawasaki, the
DR650 has very little noticeable vibrations. And Suzuki even gives you two colors
from which to choose. On the downside, the stock seat on the DR becomes very
uncomfortable very quickly -- making long stretches of pavement undesirable.
Additionally, the stock suspension is much too soft for aggressive off-road riding.
But with the right modifications and a little investment, this can be a great dual sport
machine. Pros:
Good mix of dirt/street performance, reliability |
| Suzuki DR400Z | |
|
|
The DR400Z (aka DRZ) can be described
as more of an off-road dual sport bike. Having only been on the market for a few
years, the DRZ is extremely popular by riders who want a bike that's dirt oriented, but
still street legal. Because it's considerably lighter than the big 650s, the DRZ
handles very well on more technical trails. And like the DR650, the DRZ is available
in a choice of colors. However, a small gas tank, lack of wind protection, off-road style
seat and smaller engine add up to a bike that's not intended for long stretches of highway
miles. But for many dual sport riders, this package is just what they're looking
for. Pros: Very capable
off-road, light weight |
| Suzuki DL1000 and DL650 V-Strom | |
|
|
At first
glance, the V-Strom (and Wee-Strom, as the 650 in known as) doesn't
really look like a dual sport bike. But don't let the cast rims, short
suspension and "street bike" look fool you. There are a lot of
guys out there who are taking their 'Stroms out in the rough stuff.
It's certainly more work off-road than most of the bikes listed here,
but it's outstanding on the street. And at a price under $9k, this
thing is a relative steal. Pros: Great on-road performance |
| Honda XR650R | |
|
|
The XR650R was developed by Honda to be a
serious contender in the Baja 500 and Baja 1000 races. From
its introduction in 2000 to it's final production year in 2005, it dominated those events. This is a
serious desert machine that reach triple digits in the dirt and tackle
some serious off-road challenges. The XR650R wasn't intended to be
a dual sport bike, so it takes some work to get it to a point where you
can legally ride on public roads. But a lot of riders have done this
with great results.
Pros:
Light, fast, powerful, the former "king of Baja" |
| Honda XR650L | |
|
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The XR650L has built a reputation for being a
great dual sport bike for off-road use. This bike was made for tight, rough
trails. Conversely, the XR is not designed for long range cruising on
pavement. Unlike the other bikes listed here, the XR is air-cooled only. If you
truly plan on spending most of your time off-road, many riders prefer to take the
liquid-cooled XR650R and throw on an aftermarket dual-sport kit to make it street legal.
Either way, you'll be having tons of fun in the dirt. Pros: Very capable off road, reliable |
| Husqvarna TE610 | |
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The . Pros: Very capable off road |
| Aprilia RXV 550 | |
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The . Pros: Very capable off road |
| Buell Uly XB12X | |
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The . Pros: It's different. In many ways. |
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