The toughest dual-sport bike you can ride every day

As the adventure bike market continues to boom, more and more riders are becoming frustrated with the steep learning curve that comes with riding a big, heavy off-road bike. The simple and affordable solution is to start with a lighter, more off-road capable dual-sport. Although they are quite obviously limited in terms of touring comfort, dual-sports offer riders a way to hone important off-road riding skills without stressing about breaking expensive parts, or trying to pick up a heavy bike at an awkward angle.

There are several great entry-level options available to us right now. KTM and Beta have recently launched a number of dual-sports that will appeal to those looking for something different, but it’s the older Japanese bikes that have proven exceptionally strong over the years. But we believe this Kawasaki is just that much stronger than the rest.

The Kawasaki KLX300 is the toughest dual-sport you can ride every day

MSRP: $5,449

What you get with the KLX300 is a commuter-friendly bike that’s also very capable off-road. The seat height is slightly on the high side, but this means there is almost 11 centimeters of ground clearance. However, it is not alone in this space. There are actually some really impressive alternatives in this area, which has been revived in the last two years with the introduction of new and updated models.

Honda

The Honda CRF300L has become the standard option in this highly competitive market. While that bike will do a little better as a commuter, it’s not as off-road capable out of the box. There is an extensive aftermarket for it, so it’s definitely worth considering if you plan on keeping the bike long-term. Yamaha used to offer the XT250, but it has officially been discontinued, leaving us with the archaic but likeable TW200. However, it competes with the KLX230 and isn’t something we would necessarily recommend traveling with unless your commute involves driving through a swamp. Suzuki also affectively bowed out of this space with the latest DR-Z4 that offered more features for more money.

KTM via Rudi Schedl

KTM came out swinging this year with several 390-based options, including the Enduro R dual-sport. It offers a pretty impressive list of features, including the best suspension in its class. But since it’s based on a street bike platform, it’s a bit on the heavy side. Beta has also just launched the all-new Alp 4.0, but as with any all-new bike in its first year of production, there will most likely be a few kinks still to be worked out. The price is also a bit on the high side compared to the KLX, and will compete more directly with the Honda CRF300L Rally.

Rivals

• Honda CRF300L

• KTM 390 Enduro R

• Beta Alp 4.0

The KLX300 has a proven single

Power: 26 hp

Kawasaki

When the KLX250R first hit the market in the early 1990s, it was advertised as a dirt bike with lights. He could keep up with today’s dirt bikes on the track, then happily ride home and enjoy the street bike maintenance intervals. Over the years it gained fuel injection and increased engine displacement, but other than that it’s still very much the same liquid-cooled single that came out some thirty years ago.

It was quite advanced for its time, and while its power is mediocre by modern standards, it is more than adequate off-road. An experienced rider will be able to keep up with more powerful bikes on the trail without too much effort, but the lack of power will definitely be felt on the highway. Without some wind protection, a small tank and a dirt bike saddle, highway riding isn’t really part of the repertoire. If you’re only going to use it for commuting during the week, it’ll do just fine as it’s economical and reliable.

Engine specifications

The KLX300 is a trail-ready dual-sport

Simple fun

Kawasaki

If you are new to riding and want to get a beginner-friendly bike, this is actually not the best choice. The KLX230 S is a much better option, especially the ABS version. The KLX300, on the other hand, is ideal for those looking for a fun trail bike that can double as a commuter, or for someone looking to hone their off-road riding skills before upgrading to a big ADV.

You don’t get much in the way of modern features here, so for those who want phone pairing or riding modes, this isn’t the right bike. Kawasaki keeps it very simple here for a reason, and that is for the sake of durability. Adding more increases costs and creates potential points of failure. What you do get is a pretty impressive suspension setup. The forks offer adjustable compression damping and the rear suspension is also fully adjustable. It won’t be difficult to tailor this bike to your weight and height, and the fact that the bike itself is quite light means it’s simply a great little bike to ride off-road.

It’s certainly not for everyone and with a seat height of 35 inches it’s still a tall bike, which can be quite intimidating for smaller people who are new to off-road riding. There are other bikes with a lower seat height that are a better option. Technology has become such a big selling point for manufacturers these days, and for those looking for modern technology, this won’t be very attractive either. Besides, if you’re looking for a tough little dual-sport that you can still drive to work every day, the KLX300 is a fantastic option.

Chassis and suspension specifications