Best Dual Sports Under $10,000

May 19, 2023

Here are the best and most affordable dual sport motorcycles that can be had for under $10,000 in 2023

In the world of motorcycles today, there seem to be a lot of classifications as riders seek new experiences under ever-evolving disciplines. There are speed freaks who love performance-oriented sport bikes, lowriders who just want to have fun riding their cruisers, voyagers who want to constantly find themselves on the road in their big touring bikes, and a lot of other breeds who want to carve their own tales of adventure on anything two-wheeled.

Of these various biking disciplines and styles, one of the most underrated is dual sport riding. With a capable machine under them, individuals who look to enjoy riding bikes both on-road and off-road need look no further than some of the finest dual sports available in the market. Today, we take a look at the best dual sport motorcycles that retail for less than $10,000.

Related: 10 Great Dual Sport Motorcycles For Experienced Riders

The Honda CRF450RL, known as the CRF450L up till 2020, could be described as one of the best dual-sport bikes available as of now. Based on the lauded Yamaha CRF450X enduro model, the CRF450RL is equipped with a 450cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder UNICAM engine that produces 41.7 horsepower and 23.6 pound-feet of torque, helping propel the bike to top speed of up to 95mph easily. The solid engine is backed by a capable suspension that provides a smooth ride thanks to its twin-spar aluminum frame that houses a decent vibration-damping swingarm.

Retailing at a base price of $9,999, the 2023 Honda CRF450RL stands as a tired-and-tested warrior in Yamaha's excellent range of dual sports bikes. Available in only red, it makes a good choice for riders who are looking for a capable, street-legal off-roader that performs just as adequately on asphalt roads too.

From a practical, reliable dual sport riding point of view, most enthusiasts will agree that the Kawasaki KLR650 has been one of the best dual sport bikes money can buy for multiple decades in the past. Having been in production for more than 35 years now, this old-schooler is a rugged, affordable, and dependable bike that can be had for as low as $6,699 for the base model.

Powered by a 652cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine, the 2023 model produces 40 horses and 39.1 pound-feet of torque. On the road, the relatively heavy Kawasaki KLR650 carries itself quite well thanks to a combination of good performance and ergonomics. The suspension is suited to tackle any off-road situations well while being equally suited for the pavement too. There's nothing much to mention in the way of rider amenities, but the KLR650 performs the basics so well that you’ll hardly miss any superfluous frills.

Related: Kawasaki KLR650 Is All The Old-School Adventure Bike You'll Ever need

Quite like the aforementioned Kawasaki bike, the Suzuki DR-Z400S is also a name that has been around for as long as anyone can remember. A perfect representation of the versatility one comes to expect of dual sport bikes, this fully road-legal Suzuki offers a fun ride with reliable performance and crisp handling on varied kind of surfaces. Power is provided by a 398cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder DOHC engine that produces a claimed 39 horsepower and 29 pound-feet of torque.

The 2023 model of the DR-Z400S retails at a starting price of $7,099. For the price, you get an adjustable suspension and aluminum EXCEL rims with high-quality 'DualSport' rubber tires. The base model of the Suzuki DR-SZ400S is available in a basic black and ‘Champion’ yellow variants.

If a bike's overall affordability is to be considered (when is it not?), the Yamaha XT250 stands out as a clear front-runner in its class. Priced at only $5,299 for the base model, the XT250 is the cheapest bike on this list yet one of the best for its bang-for-buck. It is also one of the most low-slung dual sport bikes out there with an astonishingly low seat height of only about 32 inches. However, the XT250 still offers a good 11.2 inches of ground clearance – highly impressive for a bike of its size and build.

The 249cc air-cooled SOHC single cylinder 4-stroke engine on the Yamaha XT250 produces a claimed 22 horsepower at 8000 rpm and 14.4 pound-feet of torque at 6500 rpm. The bike's tuning and power delivery makes it immensely maneuverable and manageable for most riders, thus rendering it as a good choice for beginners too.

Related: 2023 Yamaha Super Ténéré: Performance, Price, And Photos

Similar to other bikes in Honda's CRF lineup, the CRF300L is a decent dual sport bike that is especially suited for novice riders. With a gentle and highly manageable power curve that is tuned towards the low-end more, the CRF300L serves as a solid follow-up to the already well-liked CRF250L. On the performance side, the bike features a 286cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, 4-stroke engine that can produce 27 horsepower and 19.6 pound-feet of torque.

Featuring an upright riding position, the bike's suspension performs adequately when put to the test, and the slim seat is efficient and comfortable. A 21-inch front wheel and 18-inch rear wheel work in tandem to enable the CRF300L to handle well on varied kind of road surfaces. Ultimately, the 2023 Honda CRF300L, which retails for a base price of $5,399, is a great bike for beginner and expert riders alike.

Often overshadowed by its more powerful siblings in the flagship KLX lineup, the Kawasaki KLX300 remains a great dual sport bike that offers a reliable ride. A 292cc liquid-cooled, DOHC single-cylinder engine mated to a 6-speed stellar transmission impart the KLX300 its performance credos, with the engine's tuning being focused on low and mid-range power delivery. The bike's lightweight perimeter offers comfortable ergonomics featuring an upright, relaxed riding position. The famed ‘Uni-Trak’ rear suspension offers enhanced bump absorption and rebound damping adjustability so riders are protected from the shocks experienced when off-roading.

At a base MSRP of $5,899, the aggressively-styled 2023 model of the Kawasaki KLX300 also comes loaded with an all-digital instrumentation panel up front that houses a speedometer, tachometer, odometer, dual trip meters, a clock, and a host of indicator and warning lamps.

Related: The 2023 Kawasaki KLX300 Review: Your License To Explore

The Yamaha TW200 makes this list for being an immensely beginner-friendly bike that is also loads of fun to play around with. Advertised by Yamaha as ‘The Do-It-All Dual Sport’, the TW200 is a relatively small dual sport bike that features a low-slung seat and fat, knobby tires that make it an exceptional handler on all kinds of off-road terrains. In fact, these tires are easily one of the most recognizable aspects about the TW200, and also give the bike a distinct look that makes it stand apart from the various dual sport bikes available in the market.

Underneath, the bike is powered by a 196cc air-cooled SOHC 4-Stroke engine that is capable of producing 16 horsepower and 11 pound-feet of torque, with an estimated top speed of about 73 mph. While 16 horses might not be earth-shattering power, it does have a positive effect on the bike's fuel efficiency, which stands at an impressive 78 miles per gallon.

The Honda XR650L once dominated the dirt bike racing circuit, and while the bike might not enjoy the same sway anymore, it still makes for an awesome go-anywhere bike that can be trusted upon. In fact, the XR650L's fantastic versatility renders it as one of the few current bikes that can handle daily commuting, trail carving, and long-drawn adventure riding with equal finesse.

The 644cc air-cooled, dry-sump, single-cylinder SOHC engine powering the XR650L produces an estimated 40 horsepower and 47 pound-feet of torque. The bike's top speed is estimated at approximately 105 mph, though this number is unconfirmed by the manufacturers. Ultimately, the Honda XR650L has remained largely unchanged since its initial introduction, and the only changes have been limited to minor tweaks. There is a reason for this – this Honda workhorse has just been that solid through all those years.

Related: 2023 Honda CL500 Launched In America, Alongside 2024 Grom And ADV160 Scooter

In many ways, the Suzuki DR650S is like the DR-Z400S, only with everything considerably bigger. It has a bigger engine, bigger wheels, and more importantly, a bigger focus on reliability and versatility. Considered to be a fairly ‘large’ middle-weight dual sport bike, the DR650S is simply considered to be one of the best, most consistent dual-purpose bikes in the current market, alongside the Kawasaki KLR650. And with a base retail price of $6,999, it is one of the more affordable ones too.

Powering the Suzuki DR650S is a 644cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder SOHC engine that is capable of producing 43 horsepower and 47 pound-feet of torque. This torquey engine is coupled with a smooth 5-speed transmission, and a stellar suspension that allows riders to lower the bike's seat height according to their comfort. The overall setup provides a significant 10.2 inches of wheel travel for come confidence-inspiring riding down unbeaten paths.

Rounding off the best dual sport bikes under $10000 is the Honda XR150L, by far the cheapest (and also least powerful) bike on this list. Probably the best dual sport for beginners, the XR150L is a compact machine that is maneuverable enough for all kinds of riders yet rugged enough for all kinds of terrains. Featuring a 149cc air-cooled, single-cylinder four-stroke engine that churns out 12.14 horsepower and just over 9 pound-feet of torque, the XR150L is already a winner in Asian markets and has now seemed to set its eyes towards America and other parts of the world too.

Fully equipped for the roads, the 2023 Honda XR150L retails at an astonishingly affordable base price of just $2,971. For the price, buyers can expect a stable upright with good ergonomics and respectable fuel efficiency. On the design front, owners can boast some funky XR650L inspired graphics and styling too.

Pranav's tryst with bikes began at the age of 18, when he was handed down a Royal Enfield Machismo A350 by his generous father. Almost two decades and various sets of wheels later, he continues to love bikes and cars for what they represent to him – freedom, joy, and unbridled adventure. When not on the road, he concentrates on furthering his career as a freelance content developer. Currently, he also masquerades as an editor for a prominent content-mediation platform, as well as a writer for a renowned travel website. He is a Journalism graduate who enjoys reading, listening to music, and strumming his guitar.