For all their strengths and popularity, many dirt bikes have the same problem: they are not street legal. Note, however, that I said “many”, not “all”. That’s because some of them are off-road motorcycles can be legally registered for road traffic. However, if you search through many manufacturers’ catalogs, you will likely not find the term “street legal dirt bike”. Instead, you will likely see references to dual sport motorcycles. But are they actually the same?
Dual sport motorcycles may be street legal, but are they dirt bikes?
To address this dual sport motorcycle question, you must first understand what a dirt bike is. Or rather, what distinguishes a dirt bike from other types of motorcycles. And that gets complicated because the term “dirt bike” doesn’t just refer to one type of bike.
If you asked the average person to imagine a dirt bike, they would likely imagine something like this the Honda CRF250R James Bond drove. But while part of the dirt bike family, it’s not a trail bike like the CRF250F. It’s technically a motocross bike, Dirt rider explained. Although it can move off-road, it is designed to race on special outdoor courses with natural terrain and man-made obstacles. Supercross bikes look similar,, and often face similar challenges, but they run short distances in arenas. And none of these dirt bikes are street legal.
But then dirt bikes should by definition not be street legal. “By their nature” Bike world explains: “Dirt bikes are sold as OHV or off-highway vehicles.” Dirt rider says something similar: “Off-road motorcycles or dirt bikes are any motorized two-wheeled machine designed to be ridden … essentially anywhere except on the road.” In that regard, “street-legal dirt bike” is arguably an oxymoron.
So that sounds like dual sport motorcycles aren’t dirt bikes? Well no Dual sports “are in the same bloodline” as enduro bikes, RideApart explained. Enduros are another member of the dirt bike family. But they are stronger, more powerful, can carry more fuel and offer more protection than simple trail bikes. That’s because they’re designed to explore the terrain, not just race through it, Dirt rider says.
And the same things that make a dirt bike better over longer distances make it more usable on the road. It’s just that enduros aren’t necessarily street legal, Dual sport bikes are. A dual sport motorcycle is not a trail bike, but it is a dirt bike that is street legal.
Is a dual sport motorcycle the same as an adventure bike?
TIED TOGETHER: Forget the Harley-Davidson Pan America 2021; This obscure Harley-Davidson is the coolest adventure bike?
This ability to move freely between the sidewalk and dirt is a big reason why dual-sport motorcycles have become extremely popular. Riders Share CEO Guillermo Cornejo says it is “one of the fastest growing segments in all of motorcycle racing”. And as already mentioned, their off-road properties such as long suspension travel and economical, relatively simple engines make excellent commuters in the city. In addition, unlike a trail bike, you can take luggage with you on a dual sport.
However, there is another type of motorcycle that also fits this description: an adventure bike. Like dual sport adventure bikes have long-stroke suspension, off-road tires and many are equipped with additional protection such as underrun protection. And some models blur the lines between the two segments.
For example, most dual sport motorcycles have single cylinder engines. However, the Royal Enfield HimalayanAlthough classified as an adventure bike, it has a single cylinder engine. In contrast, the KTM 690 Enduro R has a single-cylinder engine, but electronics similar to adventure bikes. Plus, KTM lists it in the same category as the 790 adventure, this is an ADV. And during the Kawasaki KLR650 may be the definitive dual sport motorcycle, it now offers adventure equipment.
So what is the difference between a dual sport and an ADV? Mostly on purpose. Dual sport motorcycles are derived from their off-road brethren. They are real dirt bikes that have enough equipment to be street legal and cover longer distances without too much inconvenience. In contrast, adventure bikes are basically touring bikes with additional off-road capabilities. Case in point, the very first ADV, the BMW R80 G / SIt was based on a road bike, not an off-road bike.
Dual sport and adventure motorcycles may be similar in some ways, but they are not the same types of motorcycles.
Which manufacturers offer dual sport bikes in the USA?
TIED TOGETHER: The 2021 Honda Trail 125 is an off-road retreat in simplicity
With the increasing popularity of dual sport motorcycles, more and more manufacturers are starting to throw their helmets into the fray. As of this writing, these companies can sell you one of these street legal dirt bikes:
- beta
- Honda
- Husqvarna
- Kawasaki
- KTM
- SSR
- Suzuki
- SWM
- Yamaha
- zero
In short, if you are looking to buy a street legal dirt bike, there are many dual sport motorcycles to choose from.
Follow other updates from MotorBiscuit on our Facebook site.
TIED TOGETHER: The Nexx XG200 is one of the coolest dual sport motorcycle helmets out there
Comments are closed.