10 Dual-Sports That Can Handle Trails And Tarmac Equally Well

Dual-sport motorcycles are known for their natural affinity to excel off the road, as most are technically hardcore off-roaders with road-legal parts. However, there are several dual-sport bikes that, apart from excelling on trails, also offer a composed and rideable side for tarmac. Some high-performance offerings also have enough brawn to stretch the muscles on the freeway. In fact, the most powerful dual-sport model here packs over 70 horsepower. Without further ado, here are ten versatile dual-sports that can be ridden everywhere.

Can-Am Origin

Price: $14,499

Can-Am

Despite being a first-generation production, the Can-Am Origin manages to tick almost all the boxes of a versatile dual-sport by being a slick urban runabout, a sturdy off-roader, and even a sprinty highway runner. Topspeed’s Jared Solomon sure has his own reservations about this electric dual-sport, but he did mention that it is a well-rounded and versatile machine. Powering the Origin is a ground-up Rotax electric motor capable of producing 47 horsepower and 53 pound-feet of torque. Clever aspects of this dual-sport include its powertrain layout and a sealed final chain drive that helps eliminate a major problem that many traditional dual-sports suffer from—creating slack in the chain due to the constantly changing geometry at the rear.

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KTM 690 Enduro R

Price: $13,399

KTM Via Dobler T

KTM shakes up the premium dual-sport segment with the all-new 690 Enduro R. It is the most powerful dual-sport today, powered by a feisty 693 cc single cylinder engine producing 74 horsepower and 54 pound-feet of torque. It boasts an impressive power-to-weight ratio, thanks to its low curb weight of under 350 pounds.

This aids in its nimble riding appeal, both on the tarmac and on the trail. This KTM is also equipped with a range of cool technology features, including a sleek 4.2-inch TFT display, cornering ABS, and traction control, among others. Off-roading duties are supercharged with a sturdy trellis frame suspended on WP Xplor inverted forks upfront and a monoshock at the rear.

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Honda CRF450RL

Price: $10,099

Honda

The CRF450RL is technically a hardcore off-roader with street-legal parts. Handling trails is a breeze for this Honda, thanks to its low curb weight of under 300 pounds, rugged underpinnings, and long-travel suspension, which contribute to its impressive 12.6-inch ground clearance. Helping this Honda not lose its steam on the tarmac is a tractable 450 cc single-cylinder engine producing nearly 38 horsepower and 28 pound-feet of torque at the wheel.

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Suzuki DR-Z4S

Price: $8,999

Suzuki

This is a very popular dual-sport from Suzuki. However, the 2025 MY is extra-special because Suzuki has bestowed its popular DR-Z4S with its first major overhaul in 23 years. Notable updates include an all-new 398 cc single-cylinder engine that comes standard with ride-by-wire and electronic fuel injection. Hence, despite its modest performance numbers of 38 horsepower and 28 pound-feet of torque, the engine is refined and sturdy enough for extended periods on the tarmac. Complementing its nimble handling setup is a low curb weight of just 333 pounds, translating to a commendable power-to-weight ratio.

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Suzuki DR650S

Price: $7,199

Suzuki

There is no sugarcoating the fact that the Suzuki DR650S is a relic today. However, this also has its benefits, as the reliability and ruggedness are exceptional here. The chassis and engine combo is over 30 years old. But with commendable figures of 34 horsepower and 33 pound-feet of torque, this Suzuki still holds on with newbies, and the engine packs enough steam to tread on tarmac with ease. Off-roading capabilities are complemented with a high ground clearance of 10.4 inches, long suspension travel, and knobby dual-purpose tires.

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Honda XR650L

Price: $6,999

Honda

Just like the Suzuki DR650S above, the Honda XR650L is also a relic that has virtually remained unchanged since the 1990s. With a 644 cc seasoned single-cylinder engine, this is one of three Japanese dual-sports that have stood the test of time. The chassis is rugged, designed to withstand considerable abuse, and is suspended on long-travel suspension at both ends.

It produces nearly 44 horsepower and 38 pound-feet of torque. Humble figures, yes. But when coupled to its impressively low curb weight of under 350 pounds, the commendable power-to-weight ratio gives this Honda enough brawn to be a peppy urban and even highway runabout, and a capable trail runner.

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Kawasaki KLR650 S

Price: $6,899

Kawasaki

The Kawasaki KLR 650 S is a dual-sport that has a much tamer and more comfortable tarmac side, with a low seat height of 32.1 inches, a comfortable saddle (for two), and even a slew of touring-focused accessories to spruce things up. It is powered by a 652 cc single-cylinder engine that has earned a reputation for being nearly indestructible. It produces 40 horsepower and 39 pound-feet of torque. With long travel suspension and ground clearance of 7.3 inches, this Kawasaki owns the trails and tarmac equally.

Specs

Kawasaki KLX230 Sherpa S

Price: $5,699

Kawasaki

This is an all-new variant of the popular Kawasaki KLX230 series, and it is a special and versatile one. The Sherpa S reincarnates a 16-year-old nameplate while also enhancing the comfort and accessibility levels of the KLX, without compromising on its off-roading finesse. This gives it a do-it-all character that excels at being a capable off-roader and a comfortable tarmac runabout.

Off-roading duties are well catered to with features like a sturdy box-section perimeter frame, rugged long-travel suspension, and dual-purpose tires. Powering this Kawa is a humble 233 cc single-cylinder engine producing 17 horsepower and 13.3 pound-feet of torque. While the numbers are humble, a clever combination of an early torque curve and a low curb weight of under 300 pounds helps make this KLX a peppy runabout that exudes fun.

Specs

KTM 390 Enduro R

Price: $5,499

KTM via Rudi Schedl

The KTM 390 Enduro R transcends the norm of what defines a dual-sport bike with its impressive combination of on-road and off-road capabilities. Powering the Enduro R is the same 399 cc single-cylinder engine as on the new 390 Duke. It produces 44 horsepower and nearly 29 pound-feet of torque, and has a very eager performance curve.

This gives it the muscle to scale mountains and do triple-digit speeds on tarmac with equal finesse. Its off-roading capabilities are courtesy of a slim form factor, a ground clearance of 10.7 inches, knobby dual-purpose tires, and top-spec adjustable suspension from WP. Cool technology features include a six-axis IMU, a sleek TFT display, and adjustable traction control, among others.

Specs

Kawasaki KLX300

Price: $5,449

Kawasaki

This is the most affordable dual-sport on this list. The KLX300 is famed for perfectly blending on-road and off-road finesse. It is powered by a 292 cc single-cylinder engine that produces 18 pound-feet of torque. The performance is humble, but Kawasaki has cleverly tuned the KLX300 to be peppy in the lower revs. Couple that with its low curb weight of just a hair over 300 pounds, and this Kawa has a power-to-weight ratio that translates to eager acceleration both on tarmac and on trails. Off-roading duties are enhanced with features such as long-travel suspension, a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel combination, and nearly 11 inches of ground clearance.

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