Not a Dual Sport, but an Adventure bike

[CoastalDefender]

I was reading through some moto stuff regarding "what is" and "what isn't" a dual sport. Like many internet based discussions, I had to pick through the nonsense and discover that worth reading.

At any rate, I found this statement and it was written so well and purposefully, I felt compelled to share it.

Heregoes-

Not a Dual Sport, but an Adventure Bike
I believe that the term "dual sport" is too broad of a term to accurately describe the various bikes that have been lumped into this category. So, I suggest 2 categories - dual sport bike and adventure bike - is a better way of classifying these types of bikes.

A dual sport bike is a street legal bike that can easily be ridden "off-road". Off-road meaning just what the name says - not a road. This means trails, paths, single track, etc.

An adventure bike is a street legal bike that can easily be ridden on any road - paved, unpaved, dirt, gravel, etc. - but is not designed for or really suitable for "off-road" terrain.

Any bike can be ridden off-road, but the question is not if it can be done but if the bike is designed for that type of riding.

With the distinction made between "roads of all types" and "off-road" and between "dual sport bikes" and "adventure bikes", then it becomes much easier to classify the various bikes that have previously been lumped into 1 category.

With the above definitions, the Stroms are adventure bikes, as are the Ulysses, 1100GS, 1150GS, & 1200GS. All of these bikes are adventure bikes, not dual sport bikes.

Bikes such as the KLR, DR, and KTM are dual sport bikes.

:bike_rider:

 

[goodtimes]

IMO, an 'adventure bike' is simply a bike that happened to be between your butt and the ground when you were on an adventure.

'Dual Sport' is a term used by manufacturers to try to describe a bike that has a little bit of suspension travel, an upright seating position, and meets DOT standards for use on the road. The term is so encompassing that it is almost useless now. It's kind of like the term 'SUV'. Both a jeep wrangler and a ford excursion fall under the SUV umbrella -- but they are hardly comparable vehicles.

Personally, when we set up 'adventure' rides, we typically classify them as street, big bike friendly, or 'not' big bike friendly.

 

[Code Monkey]

Don't forget the 'blue KTM' - the 'premium premium KTM' - the Husaberg:

And yes, I agree with the classifications. Off-road (not just off-pavement, but on trails), weight is the enemy. The more weight the hard it is to climb the bike up a steep loose slope or over a fallen tree.

There are a number of 'dual sport' off-road but street legal dirt bikes that are barely street legal versions of a dedicated 'enduro' bike. The KTM 450/530, the Husaberg 570, Husky 450/510, Beta, maybe even a Gas Gas or two.

Unfortunately, many of the Japanese 'dual sports' are not street legal versions of their dirt bikes. Yamaha has a few. Suzuki - no, the DRs are okay, but not as good as their 'real' dirt bikes. The Honda XRLs are quite different from the XRR models (the latter are the dirt bikes) - somewhat capable, but heavy and underpowered. The Honda CRF 230 more or less like the XRLs in that sense.

Want the ultimate? Get a Christini kit (2WD) on a KTM 530. If you don't care about it being street legal, then maybe a Christini/KTM 300XCW.

 

[Lynn]

IMO, an 'adventure bike' is simply a bike that happened to be between your butt and the ground when you were on an adventure.

Anytime I get on a bike, it's an adventure!

 

[goodtimes]

Anytime I get on a bike, it's an adventure!

:victory:

Don't forget the 'blue KTM' - the 'premium premium KTM' - the Husaberg:

:bike_rider: