10 Perfect Dual-Purpose Bikes For Commuting And Touring

Dual-sport bikes are generally off-road motorcycles with street-legal parts. These are aggressive, with lightweight and slim packaging that prioritizes off-road performance, while on-road duties receive secondary importance. However, we have curated a list of dual-sports that excel at off-roading, but also go beyond being a breezy urban commute and a relatively capable touring motorcycle.

With a combination of a highway-worthy engine, relaxed ergonomics, lighter curb weight, and a slew of practicality-enhancing accessories, these dual-sports can push the envelope to be do-it-all motorcycles. It is worth noting that most dual-sport motorcycles are not designed for touring. However, the ones mentioned here have a template that can be modified for the same purpose.

KTM 690 Enduro R

Price: $12,999*

The KTM 690 Enduro R strikes the perfect balance of performance and versatility, which enables it to excel in both urban and freeway environments. It is one of the most powerful single-cylinder motorcycles available today, featuring a 693 cc mill that produces 75 horsepower and 54 pound-feet of torque. This is, in fact, the most powerful dual-sport motorcycle in this lot. The mill has enough heat to make this KTM highway worthy.

Despite its huge engine, the weight is conserved at under 350 pounds, resulting in an impressive power-to-weight ratio. With a wheelbase of under 60 inches, it also poses as a nimble, urban-ready machine. Unique features include a sub-frame that doubles up as a fuel tank, which saves weight and also helps lower the center of gravity.

Specs*

*2024 Data Mentioned Here

GasGas ES 700

Price: $12,699

This is the corporate cousin to the aforementioned KTM 690 Enduro and also the Husqvarna 701 Enduro. The performance profile is similar, with enough power to excel on the highways without straining. Despite sharing components, GasGas has managed to make the ES 700 lighter and also cheaper than the KTM 690 Enduro. This instantly dials up its desirability. Cool features include top-spec hardware, such as WP XPLOR suspension, lightweight laced wheels, a ride-by-wire system, and a slew of electronic assist features to make riding this beastly dual-sport around easier.

Specs

Honda CRF450RL

Price: $10,099

This Honda is very popular among seasoned off-roaders due to its explosive package. The CRF450RL is technically a hardcore off-roader disguised as a road-legal dual-sport. There is no dearth of performance, courtesy of a 450 cc single producing 38 horsepower and 28 pound-feet of torque at the wheel. Hence, highway duties are sorted. Honda impresses by keeping this CRF’s curb weight at under 300 pounds. The dimensions are compact, which further helps with this Honda’s urban rideability. The one caveat here is its higher ground clearance, which raises the seat height to 37.2 inches, making it less welcoming for short riders.

Specs

Kove 450 Rally

Price: $9,299*

While still a relatively unknown brand and motorcycle, Kove has been cooking up some very capable ADVs and enduro motorcycles. The 450 Rally is technically listed as a “lightweight ADV.” Still, its chassis construction, engine specs, aggressive weight savings, and slim dimensions effectively portray this Chinese motorcycle as a hardcore off-roader.

However, it has a calmer side, featuring a peppy 449 cc single-cylinder engine that produces 51 horsepower and 30 pound-feet of torque. A 6-speed transmission expands its use case to highways. Additionally, despite being a tall riding motorcycle with a ground clearance of 12.2 inches, it features a relatively low seat height of 36.0 inches.

Specs*

*2024 Data Mentioned Here

Suzuki DR-Z4S

Price: $8,999

Suzuki gave its seasoned DR-Z4S dual-sport the most extensive upgrade in 23 years in 2025. It features a new and more tractable 398 cc single-cylinder engine, paired with standard ride-by-wire and electronic fuel injection. Producing 38 horsepower and 28 pound-feet of torque, this Suzuki has the brawn to tackle highways.

We, however, do wish Suzuki had added another gear to help this DR make the most on the freeways. While it may not be as exhilarating as the more powerful 70+ horsepower dual-sports on this list, clever weight savings should help maintain the peppiness with a solid power-to-weight ratio. A compact form factor should also help its case as an urban runabout.

Specs

Kawasaki KLR650

Price: $6,899 (Non-ABS) / $7,199 (ABS)

The Kawasaki KLR650 is a legend. It might be outdated with the current-gen model breaking cover in 2022, but it still crushes. It wasn’t until this generation also that the KLR650 got a fuel injection system. But Kawasaki has honed its touring-worthy dual-sport to be a highly refined and durable motorcycle. It is powered by a 652 cc workhorse-grade single-cylinder engine that produces 40 horsepower and 39.1 pound-feet of torque.

Not very exciting figures, but enough to help this Kawa glide along the highway. The KLR650 is available in three trim levels. The base doesn’t offer anything special, but the 650S lowers the seat height to 32.1 inches, which aids in comfortable urban rides. There’s an Adventure version that ups the practicality and touring capabilities with luggage solutions, auxiliary lights, and more.

Specs

Honda XR650L

Price: $6,999

This Honda is pretty old and has been virtually unchanged since the 1990s. It is one of three 650cc Japanese dual-sports that have valiantly stood the test of time. Everything is basic and barebones here, with the XR650L’s 644cc single-cylinder engine featuring air cooling, carburetion, and an SOHC valvetrain. It produces 44 horsepower and 38 pound-feet of torque, which is still commendable for a dual-sport, and offers enough muscle to tackle highways with ease. There are no modern features here that help increase its reliability and ease of repairability. A notable feature here is that the steel frame’s backbone also supports the engine oil tank, thereby saving weight and space.

Specs

Honda CRF300L Rally

Price: $6,499

This is the more hardcore version of the CRF300L, and has been tastefully updated for 2025. Most of the updates, which include a more efficient cooling system and suspension tweaks, focus on enhancing its off-roading capabilities. But these also help elevate its touring capabilities.

The seat height is also relatively low, which makes this Honda more accessible and offers comfortable riding dynamics. It is powered by a humble 286 cc single-cylinder engine producing 27 horsepower and 19.6 pound-feet of torque. It might struggle with highway duties, but will mostly be able to keep up. But the performance is ample to make it a peppy urban runabout.

Specs

Beta Alp 4.0

Price: $6,490

The Beta Alp is a gravely underrated dual-sport that many are unaware of. The Alp 4.0 is powered by a 348 cc single-cylinder engine, producing 35 horsepower. Power is sent to the rear wheel via a 6-speed gearbox, which helps it not lose heat on the highway. It has an impressively slim form factor, which should help it slice through even the tightest urban traffic conditions. The ground clearance is also relatively low at 10.6 inches, making the Alp 4.0 accessible to shorter riders. At 326 pounds, the weight is kept in check, too. Electronics, such as switchable ABS and ride modes, help fine-tune this dual-sport for various terrains.

Specs

KTM 390 Enduro R

Price: $5,499

The KTM 390 Enduro R is not a traditional dual-sport like the others. But the combination of a peppy 399cc single-cylinder engine, a slim form factor, and robust underpinnings ready for rock climbing gives it the spirit of one. The Enduro R is based on the KTM 390 Adventure, which lends this bike an underlying touring potential. The engine has enough muscle to glide over highways in a relaxed manner. On the other hand, its compact form factor and electronic suite lend it an easy-going and nimble character, making it worthy of being a breezy urban runabout.

Specs