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3 Best Honda Dual Sport Motorcycles (Guide)

Honda is arguably one of the biggest motorcycle brands not only in Japan but also globally. 

The company has a rich history and undisputed reputation for manufacturing high-quality, reliable, and durable motorcycles.

With the craze for dual sport motorcycles gaining traction, Honda has not been left behind in the race. The company has established itself as the go-to option as far as this front is concerned.

Dual sport motorcycles are cool bikes that you can ride on and off-road for leisure or competitive motocross races.

This post highlights the top three best Honda dual sport motorcycles available in the market today.

What To Look For When Buying A Dual Sport Motorcycle?

Honda has a wide selection of dual sport motorcycles, so choosing the ideal bike can be a massive challenge.

Here are SEVEN vital considerations to make when buying a Honda dual sport motorcycle:  

Engine Capacity

The ideal dual sport motorcycle should have an engine capacity of not less than 650cc to navigate on and off-road terrains effortlessly.

A low to mid-range torque engine is another must-have feature for a responsive ride when riding on uneven trails and road surfaces. 

Crash Protectors

If you didn’t know, dual sport motorcycles are lightweight bikes, making them prone to damage in case of a crash. 

Buying a dual sport motorcycle that has crash protectors like skidplates can help minimize the damage in case of a crash.

Suspensions

Whether you’ll be riding your Honda motorbike on pavement or rough terrain, ensure the suspensions are between six and twelve inches to support your travel needs.

Also, ensure the ground clearance is high enough to traverse different pathways and tackle all terrains without much trouble.

Gearing

Dual-sport motorcycles are versatile bikes that can traverse various terrains. 

With this in mind, select a motorcycle with the appropriate gearing to maneuver these surfaces. 

Ideally, the motorcycle should have a low first gear for rock crawling and a high top gear for highway rides.

Also read: Is Honda J Series Interference Engine

Tires

For your own safety, consider acquiring a dual sport motorcycle with good on and off-road tires. 

These tires will come in handy when braking on dirt or pavement, ensuring you halt the bike whenever you need to without taking chances.

Wire-Spoke Wheels

Good on and off-road tires are not the only factor to consider when shopping for a dual sport motorcycle.

The ideal dual sport motorbike must have wire-spoke wheels with steel rims to help soak up bumps and uneven surfaces without causing damage. 

Street-Legal Features

To register your motorcycle and obtain a license plate, your bike must have street-legal equipment such as a headlight, turn signals, speedometer, horn, mirrors, muffler, and taillight.

You can customize your dual sport bike to meet your travel needs by adding racks, a windscreen, footpegs, and handlebars, but ensure you don’t compromise the necessary street-legal features.

Also read: 4 Best Honda Quad For Trail Riding

Is Honda CRF A Dual Sport Motorcycle?

Yes. Most Honda motorbikes from the CRF series are dual sport motorcycles.

The top CRF dual sport motorcycles include:

  • Honda CRF 250L
  • Honda CRF 300L Rally
  • Honda CRF 300L
  • Honda CRF 450RL

3 Best Honda Dual Sport Motorcycles

2022 Honda CRF 450RL

The 2022 Honda CRF 450RL is one of the best and most versatile dual sport motorcycles in the market today.

This motorbike has a 449cc unicam engine for a dominant performance and it comes equipped with a catalytic converter for on and off-road capabilities.

Features

  • 449cc Unican® Engine
  • 2-gallon fuel capacity
  • Wide-ratio 6-speed transmission
  • Dual radiators and coolant recovery tank
  • Factory handguards
  • Curb weight 291lbs

Pros

  • Powerful engine performance
  • Can traverse all terrains easily
  • Large fuel tank capacity for long travels
  • Fully street-legal in all states

Cons 

  • Relatively expensive

2022 Honda XR 650L

Thanks to its dominant 644cc air-cooled four-stroke single-cylinder engine, the 2022 Honda XR 650L is the ultimate bike for on and off-road rides.

This state-of-the-art motorcycle is full street-legal and is adequately large to carry a passenger on your travels.

Features

  • 644cc engine capacity
  • Five-speed transmission
  • 21-inch front wheel
  • 2.8-gallon fuel capacity
  • Curb weight 346lbs

Pros

  • Adequate room to carry passengers
  • Powerful engine for enhanced on and off-road performances
  • Air-cooled engine prevents overheating
  • Electric starter for quick starts

Cons

  • Quite expensive

2022 Honda Trail 125

Anyone shopping for a budget-friendly dual sport motorcycle should consider the 2022 Honda Trail 125.

This motorbike costs nearly half the price of other dual sport motocycles from Honda. 

The motorcycle has a timeless design and it features a reasonable 125cc engine, for a flawless on and off-road ride.

Features

  • 125cc fuel-injected engine
  • Four-speed semi-automatic transmission
  • Automatic centrifugal clutch
  • Curb weight 290lbs

Pros

  • Classic design
  • Rugged steel design for enhanced durability
  • Has wire-spoke wheels to soak up bumps
  • Easy to park

Cons

  • The engine is not as powerful compared to other motorbikes

Which Dual Sport Motorcycle Is the Best?

The best dual sport motorcycle is the 2022 Honda XR 650L, thanks to its dominant performance, versatility, reliability, and overall design.

This dual sport bike comes with all the features you require to transverse any terrain without any problems.

Even though the bike is somewhat expensive, it offers good value for money via its numerous incomparable features.

Another Honda dual sport motorcycle worth checking out is the 2022 Honda CRF 450RL bike.

Outside the Honda brand, consider the Kawasaki KLR650 dual sport motorcycle.

What Is The Fastest Dual Sport Motorcycle?

The fastest dual sport motorcycle is arguably the 701 Enduro, manufactured by the Swedish company Husqvarna.

This dual sport motorbike can reach a speed of 60 mph in only 3.8 seconds.

The fastest dual sport motorbike from Honda is the 2021 Honda CRF 450RX, which can reach a speed of 60 mph in just 4 seconds

What Is The Difference Between A Dual Sport And An Enduro?

A dual sport motorcycle and an Enduro are strikingly similar since they have excellent on and off-road capabilities.

The only difference is that dual sport bikes cannot cover as much distance as Enduro motorcycles.

Enduro bikes are tailored for long-distance races and travels.

Final Thoughts

If you are searching for the best dual sport motorcycles in the world, you’ll never go wrong with a Honda.

The company has been in business for decades, manufacturing one of the most reliable motorcycles globally.

Try any of our recommendations and experience a different kind of ride.