10 Powerful Dual-Sport Bikes Under $10,000

The dual-sport motorcycle market is as popular as it’s ever been. After all, there’s nothing like the pure pleasure of hopping onto a dirt bike and riding it through trails, mud, gravel, and everything else that the countryside has to offer. These bikes excel at their main purpose–off-roading–and promise to take on all the bashing you throw at them. Early adopters like Yamaha reaped the rewards of their popularity until competitors followed soon after. In today’s age, this niche has no shortage of cut-throat competition, thanks to the entry of companies like KTM, Honda, and Beta alongside some exciting electric manufacturers as well.

Many different types of riders are interested in this segment, and it’s only fair you do your homework, looking into the nuances that dual-sport riding provides. Especially because these bikes are equipped with so much more than simple knobby tires and a slender body. So, with this article, we give you 10 powerful dual-sport dirt bikes that all fall under the $10,000 price bracket.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources. The motorcycles in this list have been arranged from the lowest to the highest price.

10 Sur-Ron Lightbee X 60v

MSRP: $4,400

Starting with an electric motorcycle, the Sur-Ron offers plenty of traction on more difficult terrain, thanks to its narrow 19-inch tires. Its suspension system includes a front fork with 7.8 inches of travel and a rear shock with a maximum travel of 8.2 inches. Three liveries are available to you: black with green, silver with green, or blue with white.

The appropriately called Lightbee has an electric motor that produces 28.7 pound-feet of torque, while weighing just 123 pounds. Its detachable 60V 32Ah battery can be recharged in a mere four hours once you run out of juice. The price tag is the most pleasing news of all, coming at well under $5,000. So if you’re just starting out in this space, consider the Sur-Ron.

Performance Specifications

9 GPX TSE250R

MSRP: $5,699

China might be where the GPX is manufactured, but there is a lot to be impressed about before you devalue anything because of where it came from. The TSE has a 224cc engine with 38 horsepower–one of the best figures in the 250cc two-stroke class.

Your experience is further enhanced by a six-speed gearbox, USD forks, a monoshock, and an electronic starter. The bodywork and airbox have also been updated recently to boost airflow to the engine. A deliciously low price makes it a great choice for beginners.

Performance Specifications

8 Kawasaki KLX 300

MSRP: $6,199

Riders of all skill levels will find the KLX impressive. The KLX 300 is a real enduro bike with an emphasis on the dirt and comes equipped with everything needed to be legal for street usage. And as one might expect from Kawasaki, the design and building standards are excellent.

There is fine-tuned suspension which makes all off-road challenges easy to tackle. The bike can reach a peak speed of 85 MPH, but you really shouldn’t remain there for too long since the engine will be screaming at this point. Nevertheless, the bike has good road manners that make for a decent overall riding experience.

Performance Specifications

7 Kawasaki KLR650

MSRP: $6,899

If reliability and versatility joined hands to create a dual-sport bike of legendary reputation, it would be the Kawasaki KLR650. Although not the most compact in its class, it excels in terms of robustness and ease of use. The KLR650’s timeless appeal stems from its straightforward construction and low maintenance requirements–essential for travelers visiting far-flung locations.

Everything about its rider-friendly design and features (from the suspension to the ergonomics) is designed with adventure in mind. It might not be the fastest on asphalt, but it will get you to your preferred trails in comfort and without the concern of unplanned breakdowns.

Performance Specifications

6 Suzuki DR650S

MSRP: $7,099

Suzuki’s answer to Honda’s XR650L is the DR650S. In fact, these two motorcycles appear almost exactly the same to the untrained eye. First released in 1990, the DR is still useful today because of its performance and agility when riding. Its crown jewel is the reliable 644cc 4-stroke engine that generates 43 horsepower and 47 lb-ft of torque.

The bike has had very few improvements over time, therefore the cost of maintenance will make you grin. For just around $7,000, it’s arguably the most competent dual-sport motorbike available right now. In case you are looking for an all-rounder, the Suzuki just has to be considered.

Performance Specifications

5 Suzuki DR-Z400S

MSRP: $7,199

More than twenty years after its debut, the Suzuki DR-Z400S is still considered one of the most likable dual-sport vehicles available. This is not your typical KTM or Husky dirt bike—it’s not a complicated machine. The bike’s 398cc DOHC layout with liquid cooling produces 39 horsepower and 29 pound-feet of peak torque. These figures should give the Suzuki ample on-road and off-road performance.

Performance Specifications

4 Cake Kalk Ink

MSRP: $7,570

Swedish company Cake’s Kalk Ink is a fancy dirt bike with an electric powerhouse. Its specs equate to a maximum speed of 56 MPH and an amazing power-to-weight ratio, courtesy of the under 170 pounds heft. If you were wondering, it is completely street-legal too!

Using a standard household plug, you can charge it entirely from 0 to 100% in about 3 hours. To make matters sweeter, it has a fully adjustable suspension system with 7.8 inches of travel, designed by Cake in partnership with Öhlins. Lightweight 19″ alloy wheels coated in thin, grippy rubber are also standard. In terms of cost, you will need to spend $7,570 (for the street legal variant) in order to get your hands on this.

Performance Specifications

3 Yamaha WR250F

MSRP: $8,999

We have a couple of Yamahas on this list. The first is the WR250F. The mechanical layout of Yamaha’s 250cc enduro hasn’t changed all that much over the years, and we kind of like it that way. Its fully adjustable suspensions on both the front and back ends provide agile, responsive steering capable of handling any challenging terrain.

In all honesty, the WR250F isn’t the greatest dual-sport on the market, but if you’re a beginner looking for a street-legal motorcycle with an off-road focus, this nimble bike can do a number of tasks well enough to get you started.

Performance Specifications

2 Honda CRF450RL

MSRP: $10,099

Next is the Honda CRF450L, ideal for off-road adventure on your own terms. Because of its track record for durability and dexterity, riders who enjoy the challenge of taking on difficult trails love it. Power and efficiency are expertly balanced on this bike, making for an exciting and responsive ride quality.

Its maneuverability is another strong suit, which makes it easy to navigate through narrow trials. But more than that, what gives it an advantage against larger, heavier rivals is its power-to-weight ratio. The 450 RL weighs only 289 pounds. Safe to say it has all the abilities you need for off-road adventures alongside a competent engine.

Performance Specifications

1 Yamaha WR450F

MSRP: $10,199

The second of the two Yamahas is the adaptable WR450F, which features a liquid-cooled 450cc engine. The bike is an exciting dual-sport to pick because it has no shortage of performance. Aggressive cam profiles, a high-flow air filter, a high-quality exhaust system, and a small, light magnesium valve cover are the hallmarks of the WR450F. Considering there aren’t many road-legal dual-sport choices available from Yamaha, pick the WR450F if you’re a devotee of the Japanese company, and you want a little more power than the 250.

Performance Specifications