The Best Midweight Dual-Sport Bikes For Riders Who Want It All

As it stands, the market is completely flooded with dual-purpose motorcycles. Adventure bikes of all shapes and sizes have been launched over the past few years, but the one thing all these new ADVs are forced to compromise on is off-road ability. If you want something more capable off-road, a reliable dual-sport is going to be a better, albeit less comfortable, option.

Traditionally, the dual-sport market is simply divided in two. At one end of the spectrum, we have approachable entry-level bikes, and at the other we have the street-legal open-class machines which measure their service intervals in hours. Between these two segments, we have several great midweight bikes, all of which make around 40 horsepower. All of which offer reliable single-cylinder engines that have regular street-bike service intervals measured in miles.

KTM 390 Enduro R

MSRP: $5,499*

KTM via Rudi Schedl

While KTM hasn’t technically changed the price, there is now a $550 tax surcharge. So it should be listed as $6,049, but even so, this little bike offers a lot of value. By virtue of the fact that KTM are able to use a street bike platform for this bike, the seat height is marginally lower than some of the older dual-sports on this list, making it a degree more approachable. It also gets a host of modern features like ABS and traction control, but you pay for that in added weight.

Specifications

Beta Alp 4.0

MSRP: $6,790

Beta

Out of all the midweight bikes, this has the least power, but that is offset with a pretty low curb weight of just over 300 pounds. Beta is wading into this part of the market for the first time, having previously offered a less powerful Alp in other markets. This is an all-new bike with a Chinese-made engine, and while that may be a cause for concern for some, it still offers a lot of potential.

Specifications

Kawasaki KLR650 S

MSRP: $6,899

Kawasaki

The S model brings the seat height down to 32 inches. It is very important to note that while this might not have an intimidating seat height, nor much in the way of power, it is still pretty heavy. With a curb weight much closer to that of a midweight ADV than a midweight dual-sport. So it isn’t exactly beginner-friendly, but it is a great option for shorter folks looking for a do-it-all kind of motorcycle.

Specifications

Honda XR650L

MSRP: $6,999

Honda

By all accounts, it looks as though the venerable XR650L is now into its final year. Unlike the aforementioned KLR, this 650 has a very tall seat height, but that is what affords it a whopping 13 inches of ground clearance. Over the years, its carb-fed single has proven to be virtually indestructible, but it will vibrate like a paint-shaker on the highway, or anywhere you need to go over 60 MPH really.

Specifications

2024 Suzuki DR-Z400S

MSRP: $7,199

Suzuki

Just like the old Honda, this is also on the way out, with its replacement already on sale. For now, it remains on the site as a 2024 model, and while it is dated in virtually every department, it is still a top choice. It also has a pretty tall seat height, and might be a bit much for less experienced riders under 6 feet, but for the rest, this remains a fan-favorite for good reason. At one time, this was an open-class bike, and it will come into its own off-road.

Specifications

Suzuki DR650S

MSRP: $7,299

Suzuki

Somehow, the venerable DR650S is going to still be around in 2026. This is great news for those looking for a simple, capable dual-sport that is reliable enough to use for travel. While dated, it offers a powerful old single and a decent suspension that will handle just about anything you throw at it, from the urban jungle to the actual jungle. The power figure listed below is measured at the wheel, so the real figure will be well over 40 horsepower.

Specifications

Suzuki DR-Z4S

MSRP: $8,999

Suzuki

With the old DR-Z400S finally getting put out to pasture, the DR-Z4S has pretty big shoes to fill, and it is fair to say it is off to an inauspicious start. Not because of anything, but the simple fact that it costs $9k, which is more than some adventure bikes. It delivers in terms of overall capability and offers loads of new tech features, but dual-sport buyers are not usually wowed by such things.

Specifications

Honda CRF450L

MSRP: $10,099

Honda

This is technically an open-class enduro, but to make it street legal its power came down a fair bit. Service intervals for this will still be significantly shorter than any of the other bikes on this list, but for some that trade-off will be worth it. With 38 horsepower at the wheel, in this heavily restricted state, it won’t take much to get a lot more out of this motorcycle.

Specifications

Zero FX

MSRP: $12,495

Zero motorcycles

With an impressive 46 horsepower, this electric dual-sport is certainly no shrinking violet. Unfortunately, even though it is also fantastically light for an electric bike, it only offers a disappointing 100 miles of range. If you ride it hard off-road, that figure will edge closer to 50 miles. These are the same issues that plague any electric motorcycle, but if you live right by a trail with strict noise restrictions, this is ideal.

Specifications

Bonus: A Used 650

Price Range: $4,000 – $6,000

Honda

All the old 650s are borderline bombproof, and can take a fair bit of abuse. Getting one that is under a decade old with relatively low mileage is not that much of a challenge, and you will have yourself a bike that is more or less current. The KLR is great for shorter folks, and has a huge following. The Honda is a Honda and the DR650S is incredibly versatile. The only thing you lose is the security of having a warranty.

Specifications