Top 5 Best Cheap Dual Sport Motorcycles 2025

Prices are rising everywhere, though there are still some killer deals to be found, especially if you’re in the market for a new dual sport motorcycle. We’re going to take a look at five options available in 2025, all of them under $6,000 brand new off the showroom floor. These choices were also made from among well-known and generally respected manufacturers. Of course, there are motorcycles out there for substantially less, but why risk it?

As a result of these parameters, a lot of great options are going to be left out. If your budget allows you to consider bikes in the realm of $7,000 to $8,000, a whole different world opens up. We’re talking DR-Zs, KLRs, and XLRs, some of the most loved dual sports in the industry. But one note needs to be made about a particular model, which is the new Suzuki DR-Z4S. This bike promises to be a remarkable dual sport, but as of writing Suzuki has yet to release the MSRP. Plus, if the tag on the outgoing DR-Z400S is any indication ($7,199) we expect the DR-Z4S to be above our article’s price cap anyway.

With that being said, let’s jump in.

Honda’s XR150L is an uncomplicated and totally approachable dual sport that serves as a great learner bike as well as a fun platform to kick around with in the backwoods. The 149cc air-cooled single isn’t going to win any races, but its peppy low-end is perfect for exploring trails. The lightweight machine can be tossed around with ease, and details like clutch pull and response, cockpit comfort, engine reliability, and suspension performance all punch above the weight of a bike at this price. It’s unburdened by any modern electronics systems, so is great for at-home wrenchers learning the ropes too. In terms of road performance, it’s a highway bike but surface streets are no problem, whatsoever. Plus, it comes with a rear carrier as standard equipment. Despite the fact that this model has yet to be “officially” announced as a 2025 model in the US, we’re including it because it’s still new to the market in the States and since its release in 2023 has become a widely popular platform we’re sure to see for years to come.

We’re still waiting for the official price point of the newest edition of the Honda CRF300L, but considering the light-touch updates the model received for 2025 we’re going to roll the dice and predict this model stays below $6,000. Honda revised the damping rates for the suspension front and rear, added a new LED headlight and signal lights, repositioned the radiator fan, and gave the bike some updated graphics. Notable updates, but presumably not major in terms of cost increase. Considering the bike as a whole, it has become a segment leader in the US thanks to its versatile character, approachable design, and remarkable off-road ability. In 2023, for instance, American Honda claimed that the platform outsold every other dual sport across all brands in the States. It also serves as the base platform for Honda’s CRF300L Rally and CRF300LS, which offers a 2-inch-lower seat height than standard. The bottom line is that the CRF300L has earned a place among not only the best affordable dual sports, but among the best dual sports, period.

Kawasaki gives Honda a run for its money with the KLX300, which first joined the family back in 2021. It makes the cut this year for our list thanks to a price reduction offered by Kawasaki, down from $6,199. It features a 292cc liquid-cooled single, adjustable long-travel suspension, and an all-day comfortable cockpit along with design elements aimed to place it right at home with its KX siblings. Kawasaki updated the platform slightly for the 2024 model year, giving the bike a new LED headlight cowl, two-tone seat, updated taillight and fender, along with updated shrouds which slim down the bike’s width by an inch. In use, the KLX300 is a true do-it-all machine, comfortable on asphalt and highly capable in a variety of off-road scenarios.

The Yamaha TW200 offers a different type of value proposition than the other bikes on this list. It’s the laid-back dual sport, perfect for exploring fire roads or campgrounds, but decidedly not ideal for tighter, more technical terrain. It’s been in production for more than 30 years and wears its retro simplicity with honor, with the last major update coming in 2001 when it received an electric start. It’s a five-speed, 196cc single-powered retro machine with wide tires, a wide seat, and simple suspension components. It retains a drum brake at the rear and a disc out front and is more than capable of carrying a passenger in comfort. We sampled a brand-new TW200 back in 2023 and were pleasantly surprised at the available torque, braking capability, and decent bump absorption during rides on the road. If you only plan for light off-road duty and appreciate a mechanically straight-forward machine, the TW200 will be a welcome addition to your garage.

Yamaha offers riders a nimbler dual sport with its XT250, a 249cc air-cooled machine with plenty of ground clearance, fuel injection, a five-speed transmission, and disc brakes front and rear. It strikes a nice balance between the higher-performance options on this list, like the CRF300L and KLX300, and the more beginner-friendly TW200 and XR150L. Components are uncomplicated, such as its suspension kit which includes a 35mm nonadjustable telescopic fork and preload adjustable shock. The mill is approachable, offering mellow delivery that is ideal for newer riders, as is the relatively low 32.7-inch seat height. This is a great machine for riders who want the option to take on some more technical terrain here and there, but who aren’t planning to do so every weekend.