What Is A Dual Sport?

A Dual Sport Motorcycle is basically a street legal dirt bike that can be ridden on the highway and also on trails. Often referred to as enduros or street legal off road bikes, they can be a lot of fun even for the more advanced dirt rider.

The 4 benefits of such a motorcycle are:

1. Not having to transport your motorcycle to an off road trail with a pickup or a trailer.

2. Versatility of highway and off road transportation in one bike.

3. Economic savings for your every day commuting needs(50 -75 mpg).

4. Legal and insurable recreation and transportation combined.

There are 2 ways you can obtain a dual sport bike.

1. Purchase a factory made street legal dirt bike. These are sold as Dual Sport Bikes, in the past they were called Enduros.

You have the advantages of the bike being in compliance with all highway vehicle laws, and a design that gives a little more comfort for the rider.

The disadvantage to this is a tamed down bike that is a bit heavier and sluggish when compared to a factory designed dirt machine.

2. Purchase a dirt bike and make the needed conversions to make it a street legal machine.

The disadvantage to this approach is the effort and money needed to ad a legal lighting system, registration and others accessories required by the department of motor vehicles. There are kits that can be purchased to accomplish this but they are model specific and will not fit all applications.

The advantage to this approach is a customized machine and if you're careful you will maintain most of the bikes power and agility.Which ever path you choose you will not be disappointed. A street legal dirt bike is not only fun but also very useful!

So You Ask "What Dual Sport Motorcycle is Right for Me?"

That is a good question that doesn’t really have a perfect answer.A dual sport bike is actually designed to be able to perform in two different environments and therefore is unable to be perfect for either. The “Best” Dual Sport is really relevant to your needs and varies from person to person.

So You Need to Ask Yourself These 8 Questions:

1. What do I plan to do with my street legal dirt bike?

2. What amount of time am I going to spend riding paved roads and highways verses dirt roads and trails?

3. Will I ride mostly pavement with an occasional dirt ride or will I ride more an even amount of each?

4. How much money do I have to spend?

5. Can I buy a new dual sport or should I buy used?

6. What are my riding skills and physical abilities?

7. Am I an experienced rider or am I just starting out?

8. What are my physical attributes as far as height, weight, strength and stamina?

For a dual sport to best fit your needs you have to answer the above 8 questions the best you can. If you plan to spend most of your ridding time on dirt trails and more difficult terrain you should have a straight dirt bike as a second machine. Also be prepared to be flexible and willing to change bikes as your skills improve or your needs change.