5 Great Small-Displacement Dual Sports

[Hugh Janus]

Honda’s focus on fun and efficient two-wheel models has created a long list of accessible dual sports, including the new-rider-friendly XR150L. (Honda/)

A closing scene from On Any Sunday spoke volumes about the joy of riding. “Probably the most fun in all of motorcycling is to load your bike in a pickup truck and head out into the country,” filmmaker Bruce Brown reflected. “The pressure of racing over, it’s time to relax and have some fun.” He was right: Simply being in motion on lightweight bikes, on road or trail, brings the same rewards found on larger, faster machines—only with less stress and strain.

Call them affordable or lightweight, “learner” or “starter” bikes if you will—all are worthy terms for the 125cc to 233cc dual sports featured below. Carrying MSRPs in the $3,000 to $5,000 range, they are capable on asphalt or dirt, and can shepherd either new riders or experts with unhurried aplomb. Perfect for channeling your own inner On Any Sunday.

Kawasaki KLX230

The KLX230 is the smallest-displacement model in Kawasaki’s dual sport lineup, which also includes the KLX300. A KLX230 S is available with lower seat height. (Kawasaki/)

Kawasaki’s off-road KLX110R to KLX300R trail-bike lineup has been a favorite of off-road families for years. So pleasant and fun are these little air-cooled singles that it’s no surprise Kawasaki would create street-legal versions to expand the mix. One result is the KLX230 dual sport bike.

Power comes from a proven 233cc two-valve engine with fuel injection, backed by a versatile six-speed gearbox, and the price is kept down to an approachable $4,999 thanks to a conventional fork, disc brakes without ABS, and little other high-end technology, aside from a bright LED headlight. The result is a simple, pleasant, affordable dual sport that takes you at a relaxed or brisk pace with little fuss. Plus, you can follow your nose over a mountainy trail or busy streets—your choice.

Speaking of choices, a KLX230 S with a lower seat (32.7 versus 34.8 inches for the KLX230) is available for the same price; ABS is $300 extra. Both models use 21-inch front, 18-inch rear tires, allowing a wide choice of replacement rubber.

Honda XR150L

Honda’s ultra-affordable XR150L will work as around-town transportation, a tool for escaping the campground, or short dual sport rides out of town. (Honda/)

Honda’s XR650L is one of the most recognized dual sports in all of motorcycling, but a thumping 644cc single-cylinder engine and 37-inch seat height aren’t for everyone. Enter the XR150L, a bike that’s well suited toward around-town jaunts, scenic back roads, and the occasional single-track ride for new riders.

Powered by a carbureted 149cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine, the XR150L is intended to offer the same reliability and toughness XRs are known for but with excellent fuel efficiency and smooth, predictable performance. Honda claims a tested 346 miles of fuel range from the 2.8-gallon fuel tank. The rest of the running gear includes a steel frame, 31mm conventional fork, and single shock. Suspension travel is 7.1 inches and 5.9 inches front and rear, respectively, while wheels measure 90/90-19 and 110/90-17.

Added practicality comes in the form of an electric starter and rear cargo rack, plus a long line of accessories that includes saddlebags, hand guards, a skid plate, and more. Perhaps the best part about the XR150L though is the price; MSRP is just $2,971.

Honda Trail125

The Trail125 is the rugged cousin to Honda’s legendary Super Cub, with just enough off-road chops for urban adventure and casual off-road exploring. (Honda/)

Honda’s Trail125 was already a legend when it was introduced in 2021. That’s because the original Trail 90 debuted in 1964, and in the ensuing six decades, multiple generations have grown up with that versatile little machine in mind. After the second-gen Trail 110 bowed out in 1986, the step-through dual sport went dormant—that is, until the Trail125 arrived.

This modern retro joins the Grom and Monkey with a 125cc four-stroke single, air-cooled with electronic fuel injection. Like the original Trail 90, the fuel tank is under the seat. There’s also a hydraulic front brake and ABS to help the little 80/90-17 tires maintain grip.

Popular features of the Trail125 include a rear rack, and given that a milk crate fits conveniently here, it’s no wonder Trail125s are pressed into duty hauling everything from grocery bags to firewood, schoolbooks to office supplies. “It’s the perfect cross between a scooter and a small dirt bike,” said one owner. Lightweight at 256 pounds wet, the modern incarnation even includes a semi-automatic four-speed gearbox like the original Trail 90. That’s a homegrown home run for $3,999.

Yamaha TW200

Yamaha refers to the TW200 as the do-it-all dual sport. Highlights include a low seat height, relaxed ergonomics, and rugged durability. (Yamaha/)

With its old-school 196cc air-cooled carbureted engine, off-road styling cues, and fat balloon tires, Yamaha’s endearing TW200 looks like the proverbial barrel of laughs. And it is. No freeway flyer, the TW’s bailiwick is lower-speed riding (with some inevitable hijinks), and at this it just flat excels.

The five-speed manual gearbox, lugged universal tires (unusually sized at 130/80-18 front, 180/80-14 rear), and good ergonomics make it suitable for off-road playtime, whether that means beaches or sand washes, dirt trails or steep climbs punctuated by roots and ruts. The TW200 is no featherweight at 278 pounds, but its low 31.1-inch seat height lets riders put both feet on the ground for enhanced balance, while the wide handlebar adds leverage and confidence.

In a day spent flogging the Yamaha, we noted a top speed approaching 75 mph and fuel economy well over 60 mpg. Priced at $4,899, the TW200 is now in its 37th year of production. When a formula lasts that long, you know it’s intrinsically good. And in the TW200, that translates to good fun.

Suzuki VanVan 200

The VanVan 200 didn’t last long in Suzuki’s lineup, but it’s just right for civilized, casual putting around, meaning a lightly used VanVan could be a great addition to your garage. (Suzuki/)

Fat-tire bikes have always been rare in the market, but if this formula looks like fun, consider Suzuki’s recently discontinued VanVan 200. From 2017 through 2019, the unique VanVan distinguished itself with a sophisticated flair courtesy of chrome trim, an amazingly supple (and low, at 30.3 inches) brown saddle, and electronic fuel injection.

Although capable of traveling off-road, the VanVan is realistically geared more for comfort than dirty heroics, so we might actually label the VanVan 200 a “semi dual sport”—super fun on the street and just passable off-road, but also great for exploring the outskirts of a campground.

Carrying an MSRP of $4,649 in its last model year, the 282-pound VanVan gets its motivation from a 199cc four-stroke single driving through a five-speed manual gearbox. Pushed hard, our testing showed that the speedo will surpass 70 mph—but not by much—and that fuel economy can exceed 60 mpg. Translation? Track down a low-mileage VanVan 200 if you’re after friendly rather than fast.

Source

[Buckster]

Gay.