Motorcyclists who prefer riding on highways, city streets, or tracks might not have a clear idea of what a dual-sport motorcycle stands for. To explain simply, you cannot do off-roading with a sports bike, you need a dirt bike for that. And, dirt bikes, although the king of forest trails and mountain passes, cannot get on the streets because they don't have some components to be street-legal. Thus, dual sports motorcycles offer the best of both worlds.

On one hand, they have a lightweight construction with high ground clearance, along with heavy-duty suspension and knobby tires perfectly configured to get off the road. On the other hand, they are equipped with headlights, taillights, turn indicators, mirrors, horns, and number plates which make them street-legal. So, make your wish, a race on a forest trail? Or a highway cruising adventure connecting all 50 states? One dual-sport will do it all. Although not meant for speed, some dual-sport offerings can also quench your thirst for top speeds. This article is about 10 such bikes.

Looking at the data from OEM websites, and authoritative websites like cycleworld.com and motorcycle.com, we have created this list with the most authentic information. Motorcycles on this list are arranged in ascending order of top speed.

10 Kawasaki KLX300

Top Speed: 75 MPH

The Kawasaki KLX300 is a versatile dual-sport motorcycle that excels on both paved surfaces and challenging off-road trails. Its slim and lightweight design offers excellent maneuverability, while forks and shocks offer compression and rebound adjustability (respectively) for superb handling. Stopping power is provided by petal-type discs on both wheels, ensuring agility and control in any riding condition. The 292cc engine delivers exhilarating performance with a strong low-to-mid range and top-end pulling power. Power delivery is smooth throughout the RPM range, making it ideal for a variety of skill levels. Additional features like an electric starter, all-digital instrumentation, and comfortable ergonomics enhance the overall riding experience.

Engine Specification

(Sourced from Kawasaki)

9 Kawasaki KLR650

Top Speed: 90 MPH

The KLR650 is a middleweight dual-sport machine in Kawasaki's lineup. But just add two side panniers and this bike is ready to perform as an adventure touring machine. Point to be noted, a carrier for top case/luggage comes standard with this motorcycle. A 6.1-gallon fuel tank ensures its long hauling capability with minimum fueling stops while a fuel-efficient single-cylinder engine with a flat power curve and strong mid-range torque enables you to hit the highway or trails without worrying much. Offering class-leading comfort in dual-sport riding conditions, its seat, handlebars, and footpegs are mounted on rubber dampers to keep vibrations out of your way. A tall two-position adjustable windshield is also there to make your ride more comfortable when you're cruising at 90 MPH.

Engine Specification

(Sourced from Kawasaki)

8 Honda CRF450 RL

Top Speed: 90 MPH

The CRF450L is based on Honda's pure off-roading machine CRF450X/RX but with a catalytic converter and number plate to be fully street-legal in all 50 states. Its lightweight twin-spar frame offers nimble handling maneuverability on tight trails, while the premium Showa suspension system provides a plush ride over rough terrain. Factory-installed handguards and gear-driven counterbalancers further enhance the comfort level. Power comes from a 450cc single-cylinder engine based on the CRF450X/RX, but unlike the RX, it has a 12.1:1 compression ratio and a wide ratio six-speed transmission. An electronic starter ensures a hassle-free cold start and electronic fuel injection provides strong torque in a low RPM range while automatically compensating for elevation and weather changes.

Engine Specification

(Sourced from Honda)

7 Suzuki DR-Z400S

Top Speed: 94 MPH

The DR-Z400S is an example of the durability and reliability standards Suzuki maintains for its products. This bike has been on the market for two decades without any major changes. Still, it has an enviable fan following because of its proven recipe; it's simple, easy to ride, and has a high performance but an easy-to-maintain engine. The single-cylinder engine produces 39 horsepower and is fed by a Mikuni carburetor. You may think it is old school, but this carburetor features a deceleration enricher circuit to provide smooth throttle response. On the handling side, the DR-Z400S is built around a lightweight chromoly frame with exceptional torsional rigidity. This frame is accompanied by a suspension setup that offers compression, damping, and preload adjustment on both ends.

Engine Specification

(Sourced from Suzuki)

6 Husqvarna FE501S

Top Speed: 100 MPH

Husqvarna is a serious contender for Japanese machines in the dual sport category and its FE501S is all charged up with a full load of the latest upgrades. The engine has been repositioned with a two-degree backward tilt to improve the anti-squatting behaviors of the chassis, equipped with a racing-type CP bridged-box cylinder with a 12.75:1 compression ratio. This results in a broad spread of controllable power.

Complementing the engine power is a high tensile chromium molybdenum steel frame and a durable hybrid subframe. This frame configuration offers exceptional structural rigidity in off-roading situations. Like the KTM machines, the suspension duties are shared by an adjustable WP XACT shock, which takes handling and maneuverability to another level. Adding more convenience to handling the bike is featured with hydraulic brakes for efficient stopping power.

Engine Specification

(Sourced from Husqvarna)

5 Suzuki DR650S

Top Speed: 100+ MPH

The Suzuki DR650S is equally legendary as the Honda XR650L (listed below) and has been entertaining the lust of motorcyclists since 1990. Enhancing its dual-sport ability is a precision-wielded semi-double-cradle frame and high-performance suspension setup. This suspension is height adjustable using an available Suzuki accessory kit. Suzuki has added hollow-type wheel axles and an aluminum swing arm to reduce the unsprung weight and improve handling.

However, if you want the weight of a favorite passenger, no worries, dedicated footpegs, and handrails are present as standard inclusions. Powering this beauty is a 644cc single-cylinder engine tuned for impeccable low-to-mid-range performance. A premium quality Mikuni carburetor and digital ignition system offer quick throttle response and efficient combustion to move the speedo needle upward quickly whenever you need it.

Engine Specification

(Sourced from Suzuki)

4 Beta 500 RS

Top Speed: 100+ MPH

Beta has earned its name in the off-roading universe by producing high-performance machines. We have the 500 RS here, which Beta claims has the same competitive DNA from the RR lineup but with added parts to make it road-legal. This motorcycle has 50-state street-legal status and to navigate to those 50 states, Beta is offering a standard GPS navigation system. At its heart, there is a 477.5 cc single-cylinder engine equipped with electronic fuel injection with twin injectors. This means instant response at low-to-mid RPM and high peak power at high RPM is ensured. You will also get two engine power maps for wet and dry riding conditions, selectable via the handlebar-mounted switch.

​​​​​​Engine Specification

(Sourced from Beta)

3 KTM 500 EXC-F

Top Speed: 100+ MPH

KTM has established its expertise in building class-leading dirt machines and the 500 EXC-F is the flagship model in its dual sports inventory. Built around a double-cradle frame with WP XACT suspension, and a 511 cc engine at its heart, this motorcycle promises breathtaking on and off-road performance. KTM has crafted this frame using hydro-forming and specifically designed to act as a shock absorber, aimed at reducing rider fatigue during challenging trail riding situations. The single-cylinder engine is equipped with a Pankl racing system six-speed transmission and produces plenty of bottom-end grunt for cruising and explosive power at high RPM.

Engine Specification

(Sourced from KTM)

2 Honda XR650L

Top Speed: 105 MPH

The first thing you want with a dual-sport motorcycle is reliability. And the Honda XR650L has been living up to that expectation for three decades now. Honda has kept this bike simple over the years, laser-focused on performance only. Off-roading is part of its job, so there is an ultra-tough steel frame with equally potent adjustable front and rear suspension. Turn signals, license plate lights, mirrors, and speedometers make it eligible to move around the city streets.

Its sporty character and reliability are further enhanced by the 644cc single-cylinder engine, which was originally derived from the now-discontinued NX650. This counterbalancer-equipped engine produces plenty of torque to conquer the meanest off-roads while producing enough power to enjoy speedy riding on highway stretches. Adding modern convenience, an electric starter is there to save you from an often bitter kick-starting experience.

Engine Specification

(Sourced from Honda)

1 GasGas ES700

Top Speed: 115 MPH

The GasGas ES700 is not only the most powerful dual sport machine of its class but also loaded with some cutting-edge technology. Starting with the chassis, we have a trellis frame here with high-performance WP XPLOR forks and monoshock together with Brembo brakes. The engine has a big bore and stroke of 105mm and 80mm and is equipped with an electronic starter and a slipper clutch. Besides, the bike has a ride-by-wire throttle which not only ensures accurate power delivery but also gives it an edge over its closest competitors, Honda and Suzuki.

Engine Specification

(Sourced from GasGas)