What Is the Best Motorcycle for Both Off-Road and Street Performance?

Nowadays, a motorcycle's versatility is considered the most valued characteristic. The more versatile a motorcycle is, the more fun, adventurous, and desirable it is.

Many riders are shifting towards motorcycles that are great for off-road and street performance. These dual-purpose motorcycles are a great way to explore beautiful sceneries, hidden spots, and unheard destinations.

As of today, there are currently two main types of motorcycles that are built for both on- and off-roading. These include:

• Adventure Bikes

• Dual Sport Bikes

Both these bikes are capable of off-road and street performance. However, they are not the same. There are a few notable differences that make both these types different from each other.

After careful consideration, we have picked the three best motorcycle options for off-road and street performance. Though there are several dual sport and ADV bikes available in the market, we have selected them based on dual sport performance, reliability, and affordability.

The motorcycles we selected have proved to be the best for off-road and street performance over the years. Established motorcycle marques manufacture these bikes. The dual-sport bikes we have selected are among the flagship models in their respective lineups.

Continue reading this article to learn more about these best off-road and street-performance motorcycles. Also, learn what makes them the best dual sport bikes.

Both dual sport and ADV bikes are versatile motorcycles designed for both on- and off-roading. However, there is one key difference that sets them apart.

• Dual Sport Bikes : Dual sport bikes are both on- and off-road capable. Nonetheless, they are geared more towards better off-road performance when compared to ADV bikes.

• Adventure Bikes : ADV bikes are also highly versatile and capable of both on- and off-road performance. However, these bikes are more focused on providing a better street performance than off-roading.

Dual Sport Vs. Adventure Bikes Detailed Comparison
Dual Sport Motorcycles	Vs	Adventure Motorcycles
	Features & Characteristics
Both on- and off-road riding	Maneuvering Capability	Both on- and off-road riding
Better off-road performance	Performance	Better on-road performance
Lightweight	Weight and Size	Heavyweight
Highly beginner friendly	Beginner-Friendly	Only the small-displacement models are beginner-friendly
Highly affordable	Cost & Affordability	Expensive
Low maintenance cost	Maintenance Cost	High maintenance cost
Less comfortable than ADV bikes	Comfort Level	More comfort than dual sport bikes
650 cc or less	Engine Displacement	650 cc or more
Single-Cylinder Engines	Engine Cylinders	Twin-Cylinder Engines
Small fuel tank capacity for short-range	Fuel Tank Capacity	Better fuel tank capacity for long-range
Typically, less than 150 miles	Range	Typically 200+ miles
Small or no windscreen	Windscreen	Large
Higher ground clearance than ADV bikes	Ground Clearance	Lower ground clearance than dual sport bikes
High flat seat, Motocross style	Seat	Comfortable seat
Spoked wheels	Wheels	Spoked wheels
Not usually	Crash and protective guards	Yes, to avoid off-road damage
High-mounted for stand-up riding	Footrests	High-mounted for stand-up riding
Minimal	Bodywork	Greater
Features both ABS and non-ABS	Brakes	Heavy duty for on-road riding, ABS
Lighter Frame	Frame	Stronger Frame
Limited space for luggage	Luggage Option	Enough space for luggage
Easier to work on	Ease of Maintenance	Comparatively difficult to work on
No such features; Very basic	Modern Features & Safety Rider Aids	Well-equipped

Dual sport bikes are a great way to start your off-road riding journey, along with road riding. However, you can’t deny wanting to own an ADV motorcycle. They are very attractive options for both off-road and street performance.

If you are a beginner, you can find small-displacement adventure motorcycles ideal for new riders. If you want to learn in more detail about which is better for you, a dual sport or an ADV bike, read the article below:

The Honda CRF300L is at the top of the list for many reasons. Being manufactured by Honda, it is undoubtedly among the most reliable bikes. Also, being one of the most user-friendly and simple motorcycles, it is easy to work on.

As a rider, you don’t need to be worried about the maintenance or repair cost. It doesn’t require much maintenance.

The Honda CRF300L is not only the best bike for off-road and street performance; there are several other reasons why it is a very handy motorbike.

• Affordable

• Beginner-friendly

• Highly versatile

• Lightweight

• Easy to handle, manage, and maneuver

• Impressive Fuel Economy

• Perfect for city traveling

• Can be ridden on highways

• Perfect for off-roading

Considering it is a dual sport bike, the Honda CRF300L looks good. It is a smart bike with a slim silhouette but a tall motorbike with 34.7 inches of seat height. The Honda red paint job makes it easily identifiable as one of the Honda’s flagship models.

The front end is quite tall. The front fork has a bronze finish with a high-mounted mudguard. The bodywork makes it look like an extreme off-road bike.

The Honda CRF300L is among those dual sport bikes you can take to most places. Being highly versatile, you can comfortably ride this bike within the city, on highways, climb up hills, and go extreme off-roading.

The clutch pull feels smooth. The engine power and torque delivery feel adequate for most riding situations. This bike doesn’t hesitate or get breathless on highways or riding uphill.

Above all, the handling is great. The Honda CRF300L is quite flickable. It can change direction with little effort, which is advantageous for dirt riding.

The most impressive thing about the CRF300L is that this bike doesn’t provide any vibrations, even at high speeds. The power delivery and the overall build quality are smooth and top-notch.

The suspension on this bike is soft, considering it is a dual sport bike. The CRF300L has 10.2 inches of front and rear wheel travel. The suspension is perfect for off-road riders who want the best dirt riding experience.

However, it is too soft to make road traveling an issue, particularly when it is bumpy. Turning corners can also be an issue as the springs continue to compress and expand even while cornering.

The CRF300L’s seat has enough room for riders to move back and forth for a perfect off-roading. The ergonomics are ideal for this type of motorcycle. It allows riders to ride comfortably while riding on paved roads.

The rider triangle, bench-style seat, and ideal footpeg positioning make dirt riding easy and enjoyable. These features help you overcome most off-road challenges. This bike can help you improve your confidence to become a pro-off-roader

The Yamaha Tenere 700 differs from the other bikes on this list. It is a middleweight adventure bike, but it is different. As you can tell from its seat, it has several dual sport styling elements.

Despite being a middleweight ADV bike, it is geared more towards superior off-roading. It is very basic in terms of modern features and gadgets, with only ABS as a standard feature. Nevertheless, the Tenere 700 is loved for its simplicity and pure performance.

Skilled riders and beginners equally like the Yamaha Tenere 700. It offers superior durability, top-end off-road performance, and a rough look.

• Rough and tough off-roader look.

• Very popular among thrill-seeking riders.

• Offers a good mix of horsepower and torque.

• Highly versatile.

• Well-known and reliable engine technology.

• Smooth and exciting power delivery.

• Remarkable dirt riding performance.

• Requires low maintenance.

• Switchable ABS.

• Good for road traveling.

• Comfortable ergonomics.

• One of the best bikes for both worlds (on- and off-road).

• Great value for the money.

This bike looks great. This bike's rough and tough look urges you to take it for adventures. It is a tall bike with a seat height of 34.4 in. Despite being recently introduced in 2019, it has a separate fan base thanks to its easily identifiable design.

This bike has an overall slim profile with a taller front end. The rear end resembles more from a dual sport bike. The seat is narrow, flat, and extended. The tires are quite knobby and rough for superior off-roading.

The Yamaha Tenere 700 is among the best adventure bikes for off-roading. You may not find a better ADV bike that performs more like a true dirt bike while off-roading.

There are certain limitations regarding road performance due to not being an ADV tourer. However, considering its class, it is a genuine road bike. Highway riding is not an issue, thanks to the superior liner performance.

The 689 cc parallel-twin engine delivers substantial horsepower and torque for easy and smooth riding on both dirt and road. You do not need to hesitate while taking the Yamaha Tenere 700 to highways. You would not want more power or torque from this bike.

The vibrations produced are minimal. It will not make your hands or feet numb or your ride uncomfortable.

Being highly capable, the Tenere 700 is excellent in canyon carving. Though it is taller, it doesn’t make turning corners a difficult job.

Good to see that the Tenere 700’s excellent off-road capability doesn’t take away its road performance. It is a masterpiece by Yamaha, offering the perfect combination of on- and off-road capabilities.

You don’t have to think twice before shifting to off-road terrain while traveling.

Being lighter and slim, riders can comfortably perform off-road feats and overcome dirt track challenges. It is quite a confident-inspiring off-road bike.

The Yamaha Tenere 700 features a fully adjustable front suspension and a preload adjustable rear mono shock. The front and rear wheel travels are higher because it is a middleweight adventure bike. The long-wheel travel suspension ensures superior road comfort and performance on road and dirt.

However, the Tenere 700’s suspension is focused more on outstanding off-road performance. The suspension setting helps improve your confidence as you tackle extreme off-road challenges.

The Yamaha Tenere 700 is as comfortable as a dual-sport bike should be. You must not consider it an adventure bike if you plan to buy it.

The Tenere 700 has a flat bench-style narrow seat, as found on most dual sport bikes. It is long to ensure riders can move back and forth while riding in the dirt.

The ergonomics and room for riders may be good enough for even taller riders. You will not feel restricted while riding the Tenere 700. However, a bike is not very comfortable for road travel. Riders can feel uncomfortable on this bike after riding it for 20 minutes.

The Kawasaki KLR650 is another very sophisticated and exciting motorcycle available in the market. It is more than a dual sport bike as it has the characteristics of both dual sport and ADV bikes thanks to its highly versatile nature.

Above all, the most exciting part of the KLR650 is its affordable price range. The low price tag makes this bike a preferred choice for many riders. Considering its price tag, the KLR 650 competes well with the Tenere 700 and other similar dual-purpose bikes.

It looks quite rugged and tough for off-road use. The KLR650 has stayed the same for several years after its introduction. After a break, it was reintroduced in 2022 with a fuel injection system and other minor upgrade

• Affordable price

• Large fuel tank capacity (6.1 gals)

• Impressive fuel economy

• Known as the best dual sport touring bike

• Good for long-distance touring

• Decent off-road bike

• Extremely durable

• Good value for the money

• Surprisingly comfortable

• Good street performance

This bike has an off-roader look. It has a rough and rugged design but is more of a dual sport bike. However, the front end and the gas tank are slightly wider than dual sport bikes. It is a tall bike with longer front forks, a tall windscreen, a bench-style seat, and a tall windscreen.

From the look of this bike, the KLR650 seems to be a superior off-roader. However, it became a good street performer after testing this bike on open roads and highways. It is a simple and reliable motorbike that can go to places you haven’t visited before.

Being a thumper, you must expect the single-cylinder engine to produce vibrations. However, much of the vibrations are eliminated thanks to the rubber dampers installed at the handlebar, footpegs, and seat base.

The 652 cc single-cylinder engine does a good job at maintaining a speed of around 65-70 mph while cruising on freeways. Nonetheless, it is not a very powerful bike. The bike is missing the top-end torque and power delivery.

The Kawasaki KLR650 prefers straight-road performance. However, you must not hesitate to take the bike for canyon carving. It is happy to take corners without an issue. The updated frame in the 2022 model has made this bike more stable and ensures precise handling.

Considering the taller stature of the bike and long-stroke suspension, it doesn’t like tight corners. It rather prefers long sweeping curves. It is not as flickable as the Honda CRF300L.

The KLR650 is good for long off-road adventures. The single-cylinder engine offers predictable power for off-roading.

However, we noticed a few downsides about the Kawasaki KLR650 while riding on the dirt. These are:

• It doesn’t like to change directions abruptly.

• The footpegs have rubbers, which is not very good for off-roading.

• As you stand up on the pegs while off-roading, your feet may slip from the pegs.

Overall, it is a simple and fun bike for off-roading. However, it is not as good as the Yamaha Tenrere 700 for off-roading. The KLR650 is a superior on-road bike for a long-mile journey.

The suspension installed on this bike is quite soft and has long wheel travel. However, the good thing is that the rear mono-shock has preload adjustability.

The KLR650 offers spacious room for riders to sit and ride this bike. The seat is neither too hard nor too soft. The footpegs are also positioned nicely on this bike for better performance in both worlds.

The bike is super comfortable and widely used for long-distance touring. As most reviewers call it, the Kawasaki KLR650 is a dual-sport touring bike designed for beginners and expert riders.

The windscreen installed on the KLR650 is sufficiently tall for long touring. It has a two-position adjustable windscreen. However, it is not easily adjustable. You will require certain tools to adjust it. By adjusting it a bit, you can make this bike suitable for better on-road performance.

Cruisers and touring bikes are the most comfortable motorcycle types. They are designed for comfortable long-distance rides. Between the two, touring bikes are extremely comfortable, with spacious legroom and ergonomics. They have well-padded wide seats and forward-mounted floorboards.

However, most touring bikes are extremely heavier, which makes them less suitable for beginners. For new riders, it is better to go with cruisers if they are looking for a comfortable bike.

A safer motorcycle is one with a small, low-powered engine. These bikes are easier to ride for beginners. Also, before buying a new motorcycle, ensure it has ABS and other essential safety features.

Finding an all-in-one perfect motorcycle for off-road and city performance is difficult. Many motorcycles are claiming to be the best dual-purpose dual sport bikes. However, only a few are ideally designed to ensure a perfect balance between on- and off-road performance.

Finding such a motorcycle ideal on paved and unpaved terrains may be difficult but not impossible. If you want to buy one, we have provided you with the best three currently produced options.

Dual sport bikes are much better for dual-purpose riding, particularly if you are new to motorcycling. Most ADV bikes are way heavier for most beginners.

On top of their superior, versatile performance, dual sport bikes are affordable. The Honda CRF300L is a pure dual sport bike. The Kawasaki KLR650 is also a dual sport bike. However, it is more geared towards better touring performance.

On the other hand, we have the Yamaha Tenere 700, a dual-sport-style ADV bike capable of off-road adventures.