10 Honda And Suzuki Dual-Sports That Balance Commuting And Adventure

Dual-sport motorcycles are generally hooliganistic machines that utilize their impressive weight advantage to offer enhanced off-roading performance. It is often denoted that dual sports are technically hardcore off-roaders slapped on with road-legal parts. However, there are a few that have a softer and tamer side, which also offer a relaxed, peppy, and daily rideable experience. And no one does the taming part better than the Japanese motorcycle makers.

Suzuki and Honda offer a vibrant lineup of dual-sport motorcycles that can be ridden all day long, through a city, and then taken for a challenging trail or even an off-roading run on weekends. That’s the level of versatility these machines offer. From brand-new offerings to a bunch of big-displacement bikes that have been in production since the 1990s, this list is an interesting one.

Honda CRF450RL

Price: $10,099

Honda

Kickstarting this list is a red-hot Honda that upholds the “hardcore off-roader with road-legal parts” well. Its adventure side is catered to with an aluminum twin-spar frame, which is derived from Honda’s race-spec off-roading 450s. The suspension setup is its highlight feature, with fully adjustable Showa hardware at both ends, translating to some seriously long travel.

Powering this Honda is a feisty 450 cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine that produces nearly 38 horsepower and 28 pound-feet of torque. However, this engine has a meaty low- and mid-range torque which helps it stay calm on city roads. Couple that with its low curb weight of under 290 pounds, and we have a fatigue-free dual-sport from Honda that excels equally at being composed and hooliganistic.

Specs

Suzuki DR-Z4S+

Price: $9,299

Suzuki

This is a brand-new iteration of the recently updated Suzuki DR-Z4S. The Plus differs from the standard model in that it comes with more standard protective accessories, including an aluminum skid plate, front and rear disc brake covers, and handguards. The agenda here is to provide a more off-road-ready version of the DR-Z4S.

This further enhances Suzuki’s adventure capabilities, which are already well-equipped with features like KYB-tuned long-travel suspension with over 11 inches of travel at both ends. The 398 cc single-cylinder engine is all-new, featuring ride-by-wire and electronic fuel injection. This elevates its refinement levels and helps with commuting all day long without any hiccups. The slim form factor, low curb weight, and relaxed ergonomics make it a solid urban runabout.

Specs

Suzuki DR-Z4S

Price: $8,999

Suzuki

This Suzuki technically has the same overall build as the “Plus” trim. The refreshed 2025 engine upgrades give it a more refined character. The dearth of additional off-road-focused accessories does shave a bit off the curb weight, but we suspect it will bring about any notable difference to the riding dynamics. The robust chassis and long-travel suspension combination give it rugged off-roading appeal. While the seat height is on the higher side at 36.2 inches, its low curb weight of 333 pounds and relaxed riding posture make this new Suzuki dual-sport a worthy all-day urban runabout.

Specs

Suzuki DR650S

Price: $7,199

Suzuki

Despite packing a sizable 644 cc single-cylinder engine, the Suzuki DR650S is not far off in terms of compactness and curb weight figures when compared to the smaller dual-sports on this list. Even more impressive is the fact that, despite being largely unchanged since the 1990s, this old-school dual-sport still holds its own against a slew of modern counterparts. The 30+ year-old chassis is robust and is coupled to long-travel suspension at both ends with 10.2 inches of travel.

Its 21-inch front and 17-inch rear laced wheel and knobby tire combo indicates its off-road readiness. However, this large dual-sport also has a calm, city-friendly side, as its 644 cc engine produces 34.3 horsepower and 33.4 pound-feet of torque in a linear manner. Chunky low-end and mid-range torque, coupled to a curb weight of 366 pounds, further complements its urban nimbleness.

Specs

Suzuki DR-Z400S

Price: $7,199

Suzuki

While not as immortal as the Suzuki DR650S, the DR-Z400S has remained largely unchanged since its introduction in 2000. However, this is a more special one as Suzuki claims it to be the foundation of the modern dual-sport movement. Powering this DR is a very reliable single-cylinder engine that produces 39.7 horsepower and 28.8 pound-feet of torque.

This, along with the low weight, helps the DR-Z400S be nimble and peppy on urban roads and a quick climber on challenging trails and off-road runs. Off-roading duties are further reinforced by its rugged and robust chassis, paired with a long-travel suspension system that offers over 11 inches of travel at both ends.

Specs

Honda XR650L

Price: $6,999

Honda

This is Honda’s timeless weapon of choice in the dual-sport world. The XR650L looks uber-cool thanks to its retro design that, along with its underpinnings and engine, has remained unchanged since the 1990s. The XR650L is old, but it remains a well-rounded dual sport that, despite its age and weight, delivers substantial performance, robust underpinnings, and a suspension setup that offers over 11 inches of travel, allowing it to balance between civilized urban riding and hooliganistic off-roading characteristics with ease.

Specs

Honda CRF300L Rally

Price: $6,499

Honda

This popular Honda CRF has been tastefully updated for 2025. The updates include a more efficient cooling system and suspension tweaks to elevate its off-roading capabilites. However, these tweaks also go the other way, offering more stability and composure on the tarmac.

Powering this unique-looking Honda dual-sport is a 286 cc single-cylinder engine that produces 27 horsepower and 19.6 pound-feet of torque. Its long-travel suspension with 10.2 inches of travel at both ends takes care of the off-roading adventure duties. Despite being a relatively tall motorcycle, its low curb weight of just 335 pounds helps keep this Honda nimble on urban roads.

Specs

Honda CRF300LS

Price: $5,749

Honda

This is a tamer and road-biased version of the hugely popular CRF300 dual-sport (more on that below). It shares the same 286 cc single-cylinder engine that produces 27 horsepower and 19.6 pound-feet of torque. However, it differs in dimensional values, such as wheelbase and seat height, due to a major modification of the suspension setup with re-tuned springs that lower the travel at both ends.

While it doesn’t compromise the CRF300LS’s off-roading capabilities, this modification enhances its road-friendliness with improved stability and dynamic performance, even through corners, thanks to its lower center of gravity. The Honda CRF300L can do both and is more accessible than its fellow 300cc stablemates.

Specs

Honda CRF300L

Price: $5,749

Honda

This is a hugely popular dual-sport that ticks all the boxes of being an all-rounder. It is peppy, courtesy of a 286 cc single-cylinder engine producing 27 horsepower and 19.6 pound-feet of torque. It’s nimble, courtesy of a short wheelbase of 57.2 inches and a low curb weight of 311 pounds. Its off-roading skills are commendable, thanks to long-travel suspension at both ends with 10.2 inches of travel and knobby tires wrapped around durable, laced wheels. This is a solid beginner motorcycle for under $6,000.

Specs

Honda XR150L

Price: $3,299

Honda

The Honda XR150L is proof that exciting do-it-all motorcycles can come in very basic packaging. This is the most affordable full-sized, road-legal motorcycle today. Its performance numbers are passable at best. However, the XR150L, with its lightweight construction resulting in a curb weight of just 282 pounds and robust underpinnings featuring long-travel suspension, compensates for its performance by excelling on both urban streets and dirt trails. Despite having relatively less suspension travel at both ends, the suspension setup is robust enough to take on a few challenging trails on that weekend adventure run.

Specs