Top Five Dual Sport Motorcycles for Beginners (Updated for 2022)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ส.ค. 2021
- Finding the best dual sport motorcycle for beginners can be tough with all the great dual sport bikes out there on the market today. We’ve been very fortunate to have some brand new beginner friendly dual sport models hit the market in the last couple years, so while I stand by the recommendations in my original “Best Dual Sports for New Riders” video, I figure it’s about time for an updated version that reflects the cool new options out there for new off road riders. Here are my top 5 best dual sport motorcycles for brand new riders and/or riders who are new to off road riding.
All of these bikes are unintimidating, easy to handle and learn on, very reliable, super capable, and inexpensive to buy and maintain, making them perfect for a new rider. All of them also have room for a new rider to grow and continue to enjoy as their off road riding skills improve. One of them is sure to be the best beginner dual sport motorcycle for you.
#5 Yamaha TW200
No surprise here. The TW200 is a bike I recommend basically every chance I get. It’s a truly unique -looking bike and is quite possibly the most beginner friendly dual sport bike of all time, thanks to its low seat height, manageable power, and the ample traction provided by its ATV-style tires.
#4 Yamaha XT250
The XT250 is the TW200’s younger brother and is a more traditional-style dual sport bike. As a much newer model, the XT250 has a more modern design with fuel injection and front and rear disk brakes. It’s still one of the least intimidating bikes on the market for new riders, though, thanks to its very low (for a dual sport) 31.9 inch seat height.
#3 Kawasaki KLX230 (Test Ride Video: • MORE Than Just a Begin... )
I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to take the KLX230 on an extended test ride recently, and I have to say I came away a lot more impressed than I was expecting to be. It’s an easy to ride yet super fun and capable small-displacement dual sport that has a lot to offer both new and experienced riders alike.
Another big advantage to the KLX230, at least right now, is that they seem to be readily available at dealerships while the other bikes on this list are a bit harder to get at the moment.
#2 Honda CRF300L
I haven’t yet had the opportunity to test ride a CRF300L, but its predecessor the CRF250L was my first dual sport bike and I put thousands of miles on it, so combined with the overwhelmingly positive reviews and response from the dual sport community, I feel very comfortable recommending it as as a very solid option for a brand new dual sport rider.
#1 (though it’s really pretty much a tie between the CRF300L and this one) is the Kawasaki KLX300. (KLX300 Test Ride Video: • KLX300SM Test Ride and... )
Also brand new for 2021, the KLX300 is also an upgraded version of a beloved previous model (in this case the KLX250). Like the CRF300L, the KLX300 is a fuel-injected, lightweight-ish, very capable dual sport bike. The differences between the two are not huge, but the KLX has a slightly bigger engine and slightly lower weight, while the CRF has longer suspension travel, more ground clearance, and a lower seat height.
If you’re in the market for your first dual sport bike, I’d strongly encourage you to check out and consider all five of these bikes. They’re all going to be awesome for a beginner and have all the capability you’ll want or need whether you’re planning to ride around town, tear up some logging roads, or even hit the trails.
You really can’t go wrong with any of these bikes and the differences between them are really minimal in the grand scheme of things, so my advice is to test ride as many as you can and go with the one that feels right to you. Or, since they are kinda hard to get your hands on right now...just go with the one you can actually find.
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Today is new bike day for me. Put a deposit down on a CRF300 back in March and was just delivered.
Good list! As I am a Honda fanboy, I would have the CRF300L on top, but I haven’t ridden either one, and they seem to be so similar, it could no doubt go either way. I do own both Yamahas on the list. The TW200 is such a unique bike, and I often say that riding it is like riding a 4 wheeler with 2 wheels. The XT 250 feels more like a “real bike” when compared to the TW. And by that, I just mean that it has much more of a traditional motorcycle feel, being that the Tdub is such a different animal. They are both fun to ride and have served to get my sons into riding. I’m really enjoying your content!
Fantastic selection! Quality video. Thank you! 😊
Fully agree with your list!
Great video. It’s been about 35 years since I was on a bike last. Your video will guide me! Thank you! 💖
Good list, good break down. I'd suggest drop the 2 minutes preamble, get into the meat of it quicker and include HP, Torque, RPM band and Top road speeds
I just put a down payment on a klx300 and I stumbled across your channel, just wanna say I love your excitebike intro lmao. One of my favorite games growing up
I've got a little over 100 miles on my 2022 klx 300 grey camo of coarse and I absolutely love it.
Enjoyed that one.
Thanks for another beginner-friendly video. Here in my neck of the woods, “availability” is the whole game. My local Honda dealers are taking payments for CRF300s to be delivered in (wait for it) November. And they’re marking them up $1200 over MSRP with “fees” of all kinds. (I was lucky to find a used 2020 WR250 from a guy who was desperate to sell, at a great price.) Thanks again.
Great job reporting on these bikes.
Nice list, A+
All great choices, agree 100%, great advice.
Very good choices!
Well done 👍 thank you
I know I'm late to the party, but thank you! I'm looking at a 2023 KLX230s, and will be likely picking it up soon. Glad to hear it's bigger sister is good as well
One motorcycle that no one commented on that could be added to the list is the Suzuki Van Van 200. The last model year for it in the USA was 2019. It is similar to the Yamaha TW200. It has similar fat tires. It is slightly more street oriented. It is fuel injected. So no plugged up carburetor jets if you forget to drain the carburetor bowl at the end of riding season.
I bought the KLX300 it’s a friendly bike and has taken me places I never thought I could go.
Great list! I would add a suzuki dr200. It's a great starter bike and for single track would be hard to beat. I've been riding for 30 plus years and keep going back . Cheers!
Nice video I like that rally. I have a harley and a suzuki van van 200.