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Do this same video but for 2nd bikes. I started on a 700cc 4 cylinder. I now have a bmw f700gs. I think the bmw is the bees knees but I haven’t ridden a Honda or yamaha and would like your opinion.
I wish you would’ve put the DR350S on the list. I understand it’s old and probably shouldn’t get a mention but you talked about it with the DR200 and I just kind of want to know where you think it stacks up next to the DR200, DRZ400 and DR650.
I completely agree with this video, just because I have a 300 l rally doesn't mean I'm biased but wow, what a fun bike with cool features. Love the dash, the ability to add an accessory charger for USB right to the factory harness. The thing had a nice growl in around 5200 rpm. Not obnoxiously loud. Loud enough for me and I've gotten compliments from my neighbors and local cops. Here in the town I live in Ontario Canada, the local police are thinking about buying a few after we talked. Perfect for patrol and fleet because of the long service intervals. There is a reason why I had to wait a year to get and the dealer is 2 hours away! I get why people like KTMs and all that but they're just not good for me as I can't service them, there is no dealer near me to buy parts. It'd be like me buying a BMW or Mercedes-Benz. Stupid expensive for the parts and they are "hangar queens". I buy stuff to use every day, that's why this thing sits in my garage. PS>>if you want one, get your order in now, the dealership I dealt with was only alotted 3 for 2023 and they are a big dealer for London, Ontario. Other regions might have a little bit more but I doubt it.
Another vote for the TW200. Bikes over 450 lbs are not beginners bikes. The old saying “It’s more fun driving a small/slow bike fast, than it is to drive a fast/heavy bike slow!” Absolutely true.
+1 for TW200. You will want to keep it forever, even after you’ve outgrown it and have moved on to something more advanced. It’s still one of my favorite bikes to putt around on
Absolutely true. I came from 120+hp sport bikes bought a Tdub,,love it and although I probably will buy something slightly bigger eventually with fuel injection and liquid cooling. I’ll keep the TW. Like my old CBR I’ll most likely keep forever.
With 18 years experience I've forgotten what new riders need. Great listen every point you made made sense from my experience, you've gain a subscriber!
Australian / my perspective. I'm an older ex road rider and picked up a KLX230R in 2019 to start my off road journey. I did a high country ride on that bike and road all the same trails as WR250's, WR450, KTM690, T700, DRZ400 etc. It did surprise a number of people to see I was still there at the end of 2 days riding. This year I moved to the KLX300R, we don't get the dual sport model of the KLX300 in Aus - we only have the KLX250's here. (I'm guessing we are the dumping ground until Japan runs out of them...) I'm glad I started out on the 230 as it is lighter, slimmer and a little simpler than the 300 and really helped build my confidence. Yet another great video, well done.
My wife wanted a dual sport after learning to ride last year. We looked at the S-tier bikes but ended up getting a XT250. I feel like calling it an A-tier is pretty accurate. Great bike for her and also fun for me to play around on. Edit: forgot to clarify, the S-tier bikes were a bit too tall for her liking and the XT250 is one of the shorter bikes out there.
Excellent pick for a wife bike. I've rode the XT before, loved it. I'm only 5'7, so I love the smaller, shorter bikes. Hope you guys have a ton of fun riding together.
The XT225 is a number one seller in Japan. =Fun to ride, cheap, very reliable, uses little fuel. If they had the old 2 valve Honda XL200 I would pick that. XR250L with carb mods.
XT250 might be a S tier wife bike if she's a newer rider. Low seat, easy to ride, not intimidating. Not TOO heavy to pick up, but almost. Inexpensive and reliable. KLX230S is also a good choice.
Peeks in garage... KTM 500 EXCF and 690 Enduro R. Was all prepared to give my keyboard a workout HOWEVER you are correct, they are not great *beginner* dual sports.
I want a 500-EXC(W) after getting bit by the KTM bug, and my bike isn't on the list either, but I will make an argument for the 300-XCW as a beginner dual sport rider. I did own a few dirt bikes when I was a kid and I'm returning many years later, but I'm definitely still a beginner... The 300 is the best dirt bike I've ever ridden, so if you know how to ride at all and are more interested in dirt, the 300 is also super easy to ride. I had a DRZ-400 for a couple months and it was definitely much harder to ride off road, and down right heavy by comparison. That's my crazy argument for the bike I settled on. Oh and mine (2018) came back as "Motorcycle" at registration just like any other street legal bike, so it actually is a dual sport, technically 😅
Honestly even a built 350 or 400 can be dangerous with a lightweight rider. I had a drz434 and let one of my less skilled friends ride and looped it with the throttle in first gear
@@codybertram6122 True, I'm probably coming from a different head space tho- I probably wouldn't recommend any of these bikes to a true beginner, or younger rider with less self control (definitely not any of the heavier bikes). Most of them will loop in first anyway, with enough disregard for the throttle. I'm thinking more about someone that's older, understands power sports, has played around with fast toys, is coming from street bikes/ ATVs, etc. (knows how to ride and wants to transition to different terrain). Beginner dual sport, not beginner/ first bike. I definitely still recommend a 300xcw as something that's light and easy to ride stock (can really lug 1st & 2nd) but has plenty of power to grow into (changing the P.V. spring/ preload is quick & easy) I haven't ridden a 500 but I have a feeling it would be pretty close, but better on-road and a little harder on tighter trails?
@@Wooskii1 I definitely think that weight plays more of a factor in this than horsepower (if they have been trained to know the power and when to use it) lightweight bikes are just easier to take off on in any terrain. Many beginners have a hard time taking off on a thumper. They either lug it to death or whiskey throttle lol. Then they get scared of the power. Which is a good thing. I didn’t respect power for many years and have dug gravel out of my back because of this. But any lightweight bike is so much easier to corner and maneuver and most don’t even need the horsepower they just want to hop the power band wagon and say they have a 400 or bigger because people talk down on 250-350s. Many motocross riders have said they wish there was a 350 class because 450s are just down right dangerous and if you try to ride them hard you actually go slower than riding them casual. I would say get a 250 and really learn the bike before you go up.
@@codybertram6122 Yeah, I totally agree with you, and I definitely think a heavy bike is scarier than a powerful bike off road (to an extent). I'm guessing you mean a 250 4 stroke? I would like to be able to recommend a 250 2 stroke, but they're drastically different between years, make/ model, and mods- from tall geared, fire breathing MX bikes to more easily managed enduros. The KDX 200 is supposedly "the best ever", but I've never ridden one, so I can only recommend the 300 enduros- Feels like a big mountain bike and (the KTM at least) has power delivery that's much more predictable/ manageable than almost every 250 I've ridden, and that's with the intermediate PV spring (older RMX 250 might be close?). You can toss the tame spring in to get more linear power. Other than being expensive and having a tall seat height, I don't know if you can do much better. Beta X-trainer maybe?
I mostly agree with the rankings. I started my dual sport journey on a KLX230. Had a blast, great bang for the buck and i developed my skills. I learned some bike maintenance, saved some money, and bought a new ktm 500 exc-f. It’s been amazing and basically everything i could dream of. Perfect bike for where I live in the mountains of western NC. I highly recommend the Honda CRF300L series to any friends or the klx300, honestly that’s probably enough for 95% of riders
2 things I'll add to the DR650's virtue list. 1. full frame. The lowest, most forward part of the bike is steel, not your crank case, not your exhaust, not your oil filter. The bike was made to bounce over crap. 2. Factory suspension has a lowering option. You have to pull a your suspension apart (intimidating), but you can drop the seat by a little over an inch, warranty approved.
So happy i did my research before I bought a motorcycle. Proud owner of a KLX 300, and throughout the learning process, dropped it about 4 times, nothing hurt, not really any scratches either, Im now comfortable and licensed, and I can say that once you get used to the height, it will serve you well
@justme2296 well what do you need to know? I bought the tusk rack to put on the back and the aluminum boxes that go with it, got a T Rex racing windshield that I sort of dislike (just for the fact you have to take everything off just to adjust your headlight hight), and I got tusk handlebar guards for wind and a protaper handlebar, I also got an LED headlight off of Amazon that let's me see way farther down the road, I've put about 4k miles on it so far, it's preforming nice although around 1.7k miles I had to adjust the clutch lever since the clutch had finally broken in. Haven't dropped it, it's gas efficient and good for commuting to work, I can't think of anything else to list unless you have something specific
@@collectiveleak dude thank you so much for the reply!!! I'm between the KLX300 and the honda CRF300L, both seem really good, but some people talk about that CRF's suspension is kinda bad, but the honda is cheaper, like, I can get a klx300 for 10k here but a crf300l for 6k
@justme2296 @justme2296 couldn't find the watts, but its plug and play. Its the auxito H4 9003. Working good since the day I got it. The suspension on the klx is pretty good, I don't do crazy shit on it so I can't really attest to how it handles on gnarly terrain, but it is pretty comfortable. I'd figure out what you are planning on using the bike for, then go from there. Aftermarket support is good to look into and see which one is supported better. I use my KLX exclusively for commuting to work or doing trips to town to pick stuff up that I don't need my girlfriend or a truck for, and for that, it does just fine, however I'm wanting something with more range and speed, so I plan on upgrading to the KLR650. KLX is fine for small commutes, but if you need on the highway, it's gonna be screaming. It's doable, but it sure doesn't sound like it likes that. It's most comfortable at 65 and under.
completely agree, I'm looking forward to upgrade to a klx 300 from my suzuki dr200... gotta say though, I'm not super stoked just because I'm really light, so I'd always rather teh lightest bike avaliable with the most power, at 20hp and only 122 kg wet, the dr is just unbeatable on it's category, I'm more enduro oriented, and while the suspension doesn't have too much travel, the fact that its soooo nimble and low seat (at least for me since I'm 183cm) just makes it sooo much fun and easy to ride, I'm always ahead of my peers the minute we touch dirt, off course Im talking I roll with friends wit BMW800, 300, DR650, Yamaha Xts and so on... so, while I'm lacking power on the road to keep up with them at highway speeds, once I'm in my element, even if they're more experienced riders and have way much more torque, they're just no match (okay, except for the dr650 XD).... also, I commute a lot on my 200and I've learn to enjoy really reving it out and truly maxing it's capacity on road, anyways, lastly in the city it handles like a bike, you can just throw it around so easily.... so, it's one of those things that make me feel like I want to keep it forever, it's beared all of the abuse I've put her through after years and years of all riding styles -including technical terrain-, and other than new seals, I haven't got any major issues after riding it for so long. It's just a rock solid platform, and it's never left me stranding.... hopefully one day I'll be able to get my klx WO getting rid of my bby....I'djust love to hold on to it and find out how long will it last, cause from where I'm standing it just feels like it's gonna last forever after 30k kms of pure daily use and abuse
Considering that I recently bought a 2024 Klx 300, I agree! And I can’t wait to finally get my frickin endorsement next Monday! Just in time for the likelihood of wetness in the ol’ Portland winter!
I'd love to see a similar video from you explaining where you'd rank these same bikes for an INTERMEDIATE rider. I know since you have become more advanced in your own riding, you've sought out more powerful and more advanced bikes like the CRF450L. Would you place that same bike that you ranked as F tier in this comp into the S tier for an Intermediate or advanced rider? Or would you have another bike to recommend instead? I think you've got a lot of great insight into the bikes from many manufactures and would love to hear your perspective. Cheers!
Saw you outside of Giant Loop HQ in Bend a few days ago but didn’t want to be a weirdo so I didn’t introduce myself. Thanks for making great content. Your CRF250L video from a few years ago pushed me to get one and get into the world of dual sporting and I can’t thank you enough! Keep up the good work!
Well done and fair. 32,000 miles on my DR650 in the last 8 months and it has been offroad, freeway, and the Dempster Highway taking all with ease. Windshield, seat, and bigger tank make it a versitile go anywhere and it's great for those vertically challenged like me.
Once again a very common sense video. Very good points. I just bought a used DR 650 to go along with my Africa Twin. I think a good selling point for it is it was desigend for two ride heights. The rear can be lowered by moving a bolt on rear shock linkage. The front can be lowered by moving an internal spacer inside the fork tubes. This was all designed by Suzuki . The one I bought was already lowered and I kind of like it. Didnt really need it but I might leave it like it is.
I have a CRF300l and absolutely love it. One great thing about it is that it is a great platform to upgrade. I have spent half the cost again upgrading it and I would not change it for anything on the market. Bike is far more capable than me as a middle age trail rider.
Man in theory I would LOVE everything about the bike, but I just can't get over how much I hate the shape of the headlights, it ruins the whole look of the bike FOR ME
Very good summary, I ride a CRF 300 Rally and as an experienced/expert/ form magazine bike tester in Australia I have to say that these bike are very capable right throughout the skill scale, I can keep up and exceed most guys on much bigger more powerful bikes over all types of riding conditions
For those that are arguing about the quality of the bikes in this list, remember that this is specifically meant for beginners. Objectively, sure, the 500EXC-F is probably the best dual sport on this list. But not for a beginner. Things beginners need are: - Light weight - Manageable power and throttle response - Low maintenance - Manageable seat height - Cheap - Reliable Things like the quality of the suspension are a non issue for someone learning to ride.
I have the 2021 KLX 300 and I have absolutely LOVE this bike. I ride all over the Klamath Basin in Oregon. I have taken this bike on trails, mountains, deserts, and on highway trips. It I s a daily commuter for work in the warmer months. If I had one complaint, it’s that there isn’t a fuel gauge. I have to reset my trip meter after every fill up in order to have an idea of where my fuel level is. It does have a dummy light that comes on when there’s half a gallon left. Other than that, it’s a terrific bike and very dependable
I changed my TW200 rear sprocket to a 45 tooth and my XT250 front sprocket to a 16 tooth. That alone was all I needed to cruise 65mph all day and still hit single track trails fully “ADV” loaded. I agree with your assessment and WHY you chose what you did. If the TW200 had a 21” front tire I wouldn’t have bought an XT250.
I want to add that the Lifan KPX 250 is the ideal bike to learn on. It's less than half the price of these other bikes and it's a do it all type of bike with enough horsepower to have fun and get around.
You were one of the few that sold me on the KLX 230 S and after a half a year and 3 thousand miles I'm looking at sinking a lot into mods and Winter gear lol. I can get OEM parts for this thing very easily and maintenance is a dream in comparison to God awful cars(screaming sound effect). I started out in the freezing cold practicing in cold 40-degree weather going 50mph and I'll be doing it all winter. Cars are just overpriced and my commute in the countryside is literally nothing more than 20 miles at the most to a place and back. I'm already looking at scooters(CT 125 and Zuma 125) and maybe even a second bike like a Honda Navi. This bike already saved me from a horrendous accident so I'm never getting rid of it. I would've been injured if I were in a car. I love this bike. Thank you.
Power is a downside for sure. I have some super steep mountainous hills and six gear leaves a lot to be desired when trying to go 50 up hill. The 300 would probably handle it like a champ though.
I am planning on getting the honda CRF 300 Rally, and this video makes me even more sure about it. I have been dirt biking from 8 years old until 20. I am 29 now and have rode scarcely since 20. But have ridden bicycles frequently. I started with a crappy 80cc and then moved to a Honda 100 4 stroke. Thanks for your videos. They are helpful and enjoyable!
I think you did a pretty good job, I would change a few rankings. The 650-700 bikes should be avoided by new riders based on weight alone. The WR250R should be higher, most riders don't realize they have built in rear suspension lowering capability. The rear shock has a threaded clevis that can get you about 1.5 inches lower and the forks can be dropped about an inch too. Makes it much better for us short legged riders. I also went down 1 tooth on the front sprocket and it pulls like a tractor now. I lost some top speed but I didn't buy it to be a road racer anyway.
I just recently bought a new dr650 and I love it. It's my first dual sport (first bike was a z650rs) and it will 100% replace my street bike because it allows me to do all the things I need and want to do all off one cheap, reliable, steed. I will admit, if I had started on this as my very first bike, I would probably be intimidated by the height (being 5'9), but even with only a year+ of riding under the belt, the height is no concern at all.
I think you list is pretty accurate for new/inexoerienced riders. I see of riders get in over their head because they try to start off with an over powered bike that they can’t touch the ground on. It only scares them away from the sport.
As someone who started riding just last summer and was lucky enough to land a CRF300L Rally, I couldn’t agree more with everything you said about it. It’s an incredibly versatile and fun bike that takes me wherever I want to go.
Love the list. I rode for 20 years before getting my dual sport. It’s odd being a veteran street rider but a newbie off-roader. I got a dr650 and absolutely love it. Dropped it, easy to pick up. Modded it, super easy to work on. It simple, light, and I’m happy this is my first off-road bike. I dropped a few grand on mods but it’s for sure my absolute favorite bike right now.
First time dual sport owner here. I’ve had my 2023 Honda rally for just over a month now. I put about 900 miles on it. I would agree that it’s a great bike to learn on. It has enough power to where I’m not bored, but not so much that I’m intimidated. I genuinely love this bike I don’t think I’ll ever get rid of it.
Very happy to see the DR650 on there. I am a returning rider who hasn't ridden dirt since in high school, in the late 1980's. At that point I had a Yamaha IT490 which was WAY too much for me. I was worried about having to get something small in order to build the off road skills but would need to ride it to the ORV areas so need the highway capability, and was worried about having to go through several purchases to get where I want to be. Ultimately I want to do BDR/TAT style riding but day to day I'm street almost exclusively due to living in the city where the closest off road opportunities are over an hour away. Looks like it would work for me as something I can get next year and not have to make another purchase the following year!
Great list. Only 2 arguments i have: I would recommend the WR250 for beginners, although it is a tougher bike to tame I’ve had 2 friends that had these as their first bikes and it forced them to learn very quickly. I also don’t really count the KLR as a dual sport anymore - it weighs just as much as a T7 and should be treated as an adventure bike. Outside of that, this is a great list. I started on my DR650 and don’t plan on selling it anytime soon, although hindsight I may have bought a DRZ400 instead. Both great bikes though.
Great video. I have a 2023 KLX300 and a 2024 TW200. The KLX300 is faster, bigger, with better suspension and it takes off without being warmed up. It’s an overall much more capable bike then the TW200 in just about every way. But for some reason, the TW200 is just as fun to ride. I would never sell the TW200 unless I was broke and even then I would probably sell the KLX300 first because when I start turning into an old man, I’ll need a bike with a lower seat height.
You just know I was sitting here watching with my fingers hovering above the keyboard getting ready to respectfully object but.... I agree with everything point you made!
I sort of agree. I bought CRF300L for an upcoming 20,000k trip, but I would say I'm a solid, maybe advanced, definitely experienced trail rider. So it's not just for beginners. For where I'm going, there may be better bikes, but I don't think there are better choices. I like your videos Ben.
DR650, the beginner bike that you'll want to keep. I started on a DRZ S, but it didn't cut it on the open roads. Too buzzy above 55 and got blown around too much. I sold it and found a mint DR650 and a low hour DRZ400E for dirt within months of each other. Pre-covid, everything was cheaper. I modded the heck out of the DR650 including an 18" rear wheel and pumper carb. Definitely needed suspension work. Got a KTM XCF-W 500 this year. If I was forced to only have 1, it would be the DR650.
For beginners the XR150L should be mentioned. Ultra low specs sure but at 3k brand new, never dropped, not someone elses used mechanic project, it's worth it. Some of us don't have 6 to 7 grand to drop on a bike. Especially if as a beginner you're not sure about riding as a hobby or as a form of transportation.
Excellent list Ben, I think you nailed it. Seat height is a big factor for me. It's nice to see someone recognize that category. That can be huge for new riders.
My first dual sport was the CRF450RL. Definitely not a beginner bike and I was going for the 300L but could not find one for months and a guy backed out of buying the 450RL that I ended up getting. Thankfully I’ve gotten pretty comfortable riding it. It’s been an amazing bike for me
I have one too. Like my 7th bike but it’s not as bad as people say. I haven’t had 1 single “flame out” like all these people stalling the bike claim. That being said…. Throttle is extremely twitchy.
I’m no expert, but I’ve had dual sports in the past, looking at getting into it again and doing a lot of research, and I don’t think I could argue with 1 bike, or recommendation in this video. Great information. Thank you
Love the content. I'm not even interested in a dual sport or anything more than rough dirt roads that all the gatekeepers would say don't even qualify as off road, but I watched this just to get the down to earth info on this class of bike. With all the reviews on these that I've seen, I don't think you'll get a lot of opposition to the rankings outside of brand preference or differing definitions of "beginner" riders. I am a beginner, and I appreciate the time you put into providing solid info along with all the pure entertainment on your channel.
Personally, i think you nailed it. I rode the 2023 klx300 during the "Let the good times roll" kawi test rides. Will get you there, very linear power...week, but great for a new rider.
I think you've done a great job of evaluation in this category. As an old( maybe very old) rider and mechanic I personally prefer the carburetor. Fuel injection is easy to repair by just buying the parts that have failed but a carburetor can be easily modified to give increased performance for very little cost and no expensive programming to buy and learn. Just my thoughts and not everyone will have the time nor will they acquire the skills to modify the Carburetor. My DR 650 now does nearly 100MPH (155 KMH on a metric speedo). Enjoy your videos.
I just bought my first dual sport a brand new 2023 Honda CRF300l and I absolutely love it did my first trail ride out in the desert the suspension was a lil soft but manageable overall I’m happy with it and would highly recommend it.
@@Anthony-nv7gdthere are a ton of variables in yours and my opinions. The 650 is great on the trails I ride, but probably not on other trails. The other main variable is the rider.
Im a beginner ADV rider - first bike is a Vstrom 650, and I quickly realized when I ventured offroad that I need something smaller to learn on. I'm a bigger rider and wanted the work-horse aspect of the Vstrom. I'm thinking about hunting down a drz or crf300 after watching some of these vids!
List is spot on! I am currently doing all my offroad hooning on a DRZ400 (fun fact, its the bike McLovin dropped in the mud hole in this vid) and I 100% agree where it is in the list. I do want to check out a CRF300L sometime. I have that issue with being a bit on the shorter side so a lot of the KTM's and Husky's are just not in the cards for me. That and I have a hard time dropping 12K+ on something I know I am going to bang up and drop. Great vid!
I like the list and approve that you remembered the old DR200. It might be a forever bike for me. It costs nothing as long as i keep the battery happy.
6th gear, fuel injection That being said, I will probably rebuild mine a few times before I replace it. At 6 foot 2 and averaging about 110kg I haven't found anything that suits me better
I've been looking at either the crf300l or the klx300 and I'm happy that the bikes I've chosen to look at are both S-tier gives me confidence about it.
DRZ s Tier, its the bike I should have started on. XR650L is solid B tier, the only downside is the seat height. 701/690 should be in D or F for beginners.. they are rocketships on and offroad.
You’re spot on brother! I absolutely LOVE and still own a few old XR’s, but they are super tall and intimidating to a new rider. Never thought I’d be willing to part with them until I got my brand spanking new 23 300 rally back in July. Absolutely hands down the most fun and easiest bike to ride I’ve ever owned. Never rode the 250 version, but they are always for sale with low miles in the 4K range, and would have to be a great starter bike. Always enjoy your work, keep it up and be safe!
Yeah, I would agree … I learned on to ride on a XR650L, so it is doable. However, I am 6’1” with an inseam of 34”, so it just felt comfortable versus a shorter bike. Also, I think the thing going for it is maintenance, but I understand why he took it out of the judging criteria. The one bike that I didn’t agree on was the KLR650 … I got to finally try lifting a KLR650 Adventure and I think it gave me a hernia. The bike that I agree on is the DR650 … there is a part of me that would take it over a XR650L due to the oil cooling radiator and I believe it has a Kush drive. However, these are nitpicks … I would definitely send a new rider to this video.
I agree with your choices. I'm a returning rider starting on Suzuki TS250. 40 years later at 65 bought used 1100 mile DR650. At 366lbs make it a good all around bike for beginners and older riders. Now at 67 I still love it. At 5'8" height really is the first thing to go by IMO. If you're not comfortable you're not going to ride as much and may just give up.
I think you did an excellent job here. There might be a few bikes you could move around depending on the person. If a person is tall a few bikes could be moved up and vice versa. Also if the most off road you see is a dirt road you might be able to move some bikes around on this list. I used to have a 2019 KLX250 and it really surprised me how well it went off road. Overall I think you did a great job explaining why you put the bikes where you put them.
I am an aging experienced road rider wanting a dual sport for touring & a little off road riding. Ive gone from a Harley to a BMW K bike, to Suzuki Savage 650. I did a 3000 mile trip on the 650 this summer without issue. I love that little bike. Ive had two. Ive been looking for awhile now & i seem to keep zeroing in on the DR650. However, i dont see a lot of info out there on it in the dual sport world. Glad to see it so high on the list touve created here. Thanks for the work you do here~
I agree with the rankings. However, my concern with the 300L/KLX is electrical issues. What if the ECU/sensors get a bit wacky, and no Honda dealer is around? This is where bikes like the dirt-simple DR650 shine. Yes, the old bikes lack ABS/FI, etc. Anyway, reading between the lines of the video, it looks like the benefits of 300L outweigh the simplicity of the older bikes, and the 300L seems reliable enough with the added complexity. I'll personally get a DR650 as my only bike to last me past the next apocalypse.
Fantastic compilation, straight to the point, with super practical and usefull perspectives without all the bla bla. Way to go, keep up the good work! 👍
Great great video. I have a DRZ400. First dual sport and first bike in 35 years. Forgiving enough to allow me to get through Section 3 of the Oregon BDR (with just 3 months of riding experience) with no problems. But also leaves me feeling I have a loooong way to go before I find its limits. I am 6 feet tall though and would not want to ride this bike if I was any shorter than that. It is tall.
5'7 24 years old I've dreamed of this bike since high school. I'll never back down from a tall production style bike (cboys just made a 6ft tall dirt bike that I'll pass on lol) but I love the bike and I've never fallen from being too short as I can tip toe both feet or flat foot a single foot. But I will praise this bike until the day I die! haha
Here in Europe the CRF 300l has a very strong competition from the Chinese Voge 300 Rally. I own a 300L and from what' I've seen the Chinese bike offers everything that the CRF does, with a much better stock rear shock, and with 2k euros less (4k for the CRF Rally version). It will all come down to long term reliability of the Chinese brand.
I just picked up a very good condition 1999 DR650 and in my opinion it is the GOAT. Ive owned over a dozen bikes since 1980 from a Kawasaki KE100 to a Harley Softail Deluxe and Buells and 2002 XR650L. To me nothing feels quite like the DR, it is just an overall awesome machine.
I have friends who ride dual sports and dirt bikes, moving to smaller CC bikes. They're not beginners like me but pretty seasoned. We're all 40+ now as well lol. The dual sport riders are moving from 650s to 450s and dirt bike riders 450s to 250s. My KPX 250 is all I'll ever need. I've never wrecked a bike (20 years) until I went off road 😅. 3 times in less than a year. It comes with the territory. You don't want a lot of speed and torque, when starting out. Even after I get settled in and a bit more seat time, I'm not a thrill seeker, so I just want to ride the easy trails and commute to work. Happy as a pig in mud!
I’ve had a 250l and 250l rally they were both amazing and vital for me to learn on. I put well over 2k miles on them in about a year. I now have a 450rl, I actually love the bike. However, coming from a beginners perspective I see the ranking, but as someone with more experience it is really awesome. Good ranking!
I bought the crf300L this summer and have been loving it. I have been getting about 70mpg. I wish the gas tank was a bit bigger but there are mods for that. I agree with your ranking here!
The CRF 300L ain't just a beginner , I have been riding for a few months now and in the trails I can go faster than guys with 10k bikes , just because my suspension is soft I can gun it and it will make the ride smoother making it possible to go faster
I love lists like this, even though I’m not a beginner dual sport rider anymore. I’ve had many of the bikes you listed, and I think you’re spot on for the most part. As another commenter said, the TW200 is an entity unto itself. It was the first bike I bought when getting back into riding after a very long hiatus, and I still have it. I’ll probably never get rid of it. I really love riding that bike. Another bike that I think will make it onto lists like these in the near future is the Honda XR150L. I’ve seen a couple of these bikes in person, and if I had room for it, I’d probably buy one. $3000 is significantly cheaper than what you can get into a new TW or an XT250 for, low seat height, not overwhelmingly powerful, and looks to generally be a fun bike to ride. Anyway, good list Ben.
As a rider with 25 years experience in total and someone who has owned a dr200, klx250, drz400, klr650, and now dr650. All of which made your list, and I’ve also ridden a xt250 and the xr650L along with a hand fully of the beta’s and ktm/husky’s…….I would say you’ve done a great job with this list 👍 any difference in opinion I would have would be so insignificant it’s not worth bringing up lol
My bike never gets on these lists because it is older. I have a 2008 Honda Crf230l and I love it. I am even a bigger guy 6’ 315lbs and does great for me. I just putt around on back roads, gravel roads and dirt roads. Thanks for all the information your videos are great.
I second the 2008 230l. I am a big guy too 6’ 320 and love it. Small enough I can strap to the back of the camper and have a blast on back mountain roads.
I went with a honda xr 150L because im short, i also have a grom so it feels like a perfect beginner bike and ive been very pleased with its capabilities
Same. I got one for the super comfy and low seat. Ive put over 1,000 miles on mine. Mostly off road. It does perfectly fine on the trails. I do wish it could comfortably maintain 60mph though. I also have the Trail 125 and it's a blast to ride.
I started my riding "Career" on a Honda Rebel 250... moved up to a Harley-Davidson Softail.. rode that for several years.. and eventually switched to a 2nd Gen KLR 650. I always wanted to ride an ADV bike.. thought the idea was so sexy.. go anywhere... do anything! I am 5'7'' and the first look scared the crap out of me. THAT IS A TALL BIKE LOL... I took it slow.. and learned how she rode.. LOVE THE BIKE! Its really not so bad! I think most people are overly concerned about the seat height.. You can lower the rear with bog bones, ... but I was advised to NOT lower the bike.. instead, slowly develop your riding skills to match the bike. You would not believe how fast you can "relearn" riding. I am not going to lie! I have dropped that bike about 5 times lol... It happens! But here is the best part... Where dropping my FXSTC was a nightmare and something that would scar me for life, dropping this KLR just makes you laugh... figure out what I did wrong... pick it back up and go! Great list of bikes! Be safe out there!
Awesome for mentioning the DRZ-400s. I've put 50k on two of them and now have a third. Yes, not really a dirt bike and not really a street bike, but all sorts of fun on the back roads and single track stuff and runs forever. The JD jetting and 3x3 airbox mod is mandatory in my opinion. The DRZ comes choked out. The 36 mm CV carb they come with is to meet smog and not original to the bike in the early 2000s. The TW tires it comes with are terrible and downright dangerous in dirt. Toss those and get a set of Kenda K270s for it.
Owner of a Honda CRF250L, I haven’t had an issue cruising at 60 / 65MPH on long stretches, 70+ requires high revs in 5th only to find I slow down back in 6th (I use to pass). Good bike for my rural area, lots of 2 lane windy roads, hills, etc… generally not legal nor safe to ride this bike faster anyway 😊
I started out on a 2006 Yamaha WR450...tough way to learn, but I'm 6'1" and in the neighborhood of 250 pounds (It's a pretty big neighborhood, but you get the point...I'm a big guy). Also, I rode BMX for most of my childhood and I ride on the street. All that considered, I would have been better served to start out on something smaller, but there really isn't anything like big bore 4-stroke grunt to teach a new rider how to get out of trouble...great video, excellent summary; I look forward to more of your content, my friend!
I don't disagree with your list, just one bike you may be missing (my opinion) is the Honda XR150L. It is super easy to ride and cheap. On the cheap part, when you "outgrow" it, you can keep and get another bike, and still use it to play around on. I've more or less gone full circle in a way. I have 7 bikes. I'll explain two of them and why I have a 2024 Honda XR 150L. I have a plated 2004 KTM 450EXC, far from a beginner bike. It also wants to go fast and 8,000 rpm's is its happy place. The other is a 2020 Harley Softail, which I put in very long rides on, sometimes multiple day rides. This is where the XR comes in. Great beginner bike and a great veterans bike. I am retired, but work part time out in the middle of the national Forest. I can enjoy the simplicity of the XR. The power delivery is slow, which means smooth. The brakes compliment the power, no drama. The clutch is perfect for a new rider, actually more difficult for an experienced one. The suspension works, as long as you don't get stupid. Obviously a New rider needs to focus, but the XR, I can enjoy my surroundings. On the KTM, you definitely need to focus a lot more. Panic brake, it will stop on a dime, you may not. Too much throttle, you can loop it. All bikes need to be respected, but the XR will forgive you. The KTM, BETA and Husky's you mentioned, are for experienced riders only, like you mentioned and extremely expensive. Well, if you are 6'6" and 400 pounds, you may be able to deal with them. New riders will want more, but at this price point, for many it is a possibility to upgrade and keep the XR. My motto is the number of bikes you need is one more than you have.
Good list! I think there are only like two bikes I would change: the XR650L and the KLR650. IMO, the taller seat height is less of a downside the the higher weight of the KLR. But I can see your justification for either. For context, I started riding at 34, I'm 6'1" and low-200s weight -- and I started on a DR650 that I absolutely love and think is the perfect bike *for me*. Before that I went and looked at two Gen 2 KLRs, and even had a deal ready to go on one, but it fell through. And after getting a chance to ride some dirt bikes, decided I didn't want the 400lb+ KLR. With the DR I still didn't go super light, but I did save ~75lb and IMO got a better bike for my money. Mine has improved suspension, and in the two years of increasingly difficult riding I've done, I have yet to find the bike's limitations. All of the things people say are "bad" about the DR are exaggerated, IMO. It has more than enough power to get you to faster-than-you-should-be-going on a bumpy trail or road, and with a satisfying pull, too. There are only two times I really feel the weight of the bike: Deep sand, and tight single track. But for the majority of the riding that *I like to do*, it never bothers me and never feels "heavy." All of that to say ... I agree with the A placement for a DR650. It's been a great beginner bike for me, and honestly I doubt I'll ever sell it. I love it that much. It really is a "do everything" bike -- about as "dual sport" as it gets.
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Do this same video but for 2nd bikes. I started on a 700cc 4 cylinder. I now have a bmw f700gs. I think the bmw is the bees knees but I haven’t ridden a Honda or yamaha and would like your opinion.
I wish you would’ve put the DR350S on the list. I understand it’s old and probably shouldn’t get a mention but you talked about it with the DR200 and I just kind of want to know where you think it stacks up next to the DR200, DRZ400 and DR650.
I was kind of thinking 690 would be the perfect motorcycle but that gas tank is so small 😢
I completely agree with this video, just because I have a 300 l rally doesn't mean I'm biased but wow, what a fun bike with cool features. Love the dash, the ability to add an accessory charger for USB right to the factory harness. The thing had a nice growl in around 5200 rpm. Not obnoxiously loud. Loud enough for me and I've gotten compliments from my neighbors and local cops. Here in the town I live in Ontario Canada, the local police are thinking about buying a few after we talked. Perfect for patrol and fleet because of the long service intervals. There is a reason why I had to wait a year to get and the dealer is 2 hours away! I get why people like KTMs and all that but they're just not good for me as I can't service them, there is no dealer near me to buy parts. It'd be like me buying a BMW or Mercedes-Benz. Stupid expensive for the parts and they are "hangar queens". I buy stuff to use every day, that's why this thing sits in my garage.
PS>>if you want one, get your order in now, the dealership I dealt with was only alotted 3 for 2023 and they are a big dealer for London, Ontario. Other regions might have a little bit more but I doubt it.
The best bike is the one that you can afford
Another vote for the TW200. Bikes over 450 lbs are not beginners bikes.
The old saying “It’s more fun driving a small/slow bike fast, than it is to drive a fast/heavy bike slow!” Absolutely true.
Totally agree! No 400 to 700cc bike is a beginner bike.
the concern with the tDub is that it's too short man
I’m over 6 feet tall and I love my tw200. I’ve had five larger dual sports and the little tdub is the most fun.
@@JeffDeibert thanks for sharing that. Now, I can have a peace of mind and buy a tdub without doubting
TW for the win!
More "smiles per gallon" than any other bike mentioned.
+1 for TW200. You will want to keep it forever, even after you’ve outgrown it and have moved on to something more advanced. It’s still one of my favorite bikes to putt around on
Agreed. I sold my tw200 for a steal and want another one. I feel like a tw200 is in its own weird fun category
If your able to keep more than one, the TW is a no brainer.
A used TW200 isn't cheap! Unless its a complete wreck.
The Suzuki DR650 would be my top choice. When will it ever get FI🙏🏻. Thats all it needs...
Absolutely true. I came from 120+hp sport bikes bought a Tdub,,love it and although I probably will buy something slightly bigger eventually with fuel injection and liquid cooling. I’ll keep the TW. Like my old CBR I’ll most likely keep forever.
You can't keep it forever because the engine needs a rebuild at 30K miles. There are Chinese made lifan engines that outlast the TW200.
With 18 years experience I've forgotten what new riders need. Great listen every point you made made sense from my experience, you've gain a subscriber!
Australian / my perspective. I'm an older ex road rider and picked up a KLX230R in 2019 to start my off road journey. I did a high country ride on that bike and road all the same trails as WR250's, WR450, KTM690, T700, DRZ400 etc. It did surprise a number of people to see I was still there at the end of 2 days riding. This year I moved to the KLX300R, we don't get the dual sport model of the KLX300 in Aus - we only have the KLX250's here. (I'm guessing we are the dumping ground until Japan runs out of them...) I'm glad I started out on the 230 as it is lighter, slimmer and a little simpler than the 300 and really helped build my confidence. Yet another great video, well done.
My wife wanted a dual sport after learning to ride last year. We looked at the S-tier bikes but ended up getting a XT250. I feel like calling it an A-tier is pretty accurate. Great bike for her and also fun for me to play around on. Edit: forgot to clarify, the S-tier bikes were a bit too tall for her liking and the XT250 is one of the shorter bikes out there.
Excellent pick for a wife bike. I've rode the XT before, loved it. I'm only 5'7, so I love the smaller, shorter bikes. Hope you guys have a ton of fun riding together.
I got an xt250 because I couldn’t find a crf250l, and as it turns out the little xt is a great bike for me to learn my off-road skills!!!
I’m 6’4, bought one, love it, first bike, bought it used in a great deal. Enough power, gets me around where I need to go, very good quality
The XT225 is a number one seller in Japan. =Fun to ride, cheap, very reliable, uses little fuel.
If they had the old 2 valve Honda XL200 I would pick that. XR250L with carb mods.
XT250 might be a S tier wife bike if she's a newer rider. Low seat, easy to ride, not intimidating. Not TOO heavy to pick up, but almost. Inexpensive and reliable. KLX230S is also a good choice.
Peeks in garage... KTM 500 EXCF and 690 Enduro R. Was all prepared to give my keyboard a workout HOWEVER you are correct, they are not great *beginner* dual sports.
I want a 500-EXC(W) after getting bit by the KTM bug, and my bike isn't on the list either, but I will make an argument for the 300-XCW as a beginner dual sport rider. I did own a few dirt bikes when I was a kid and I'm returning many years later, but I'm definitely still a beginner...
The 300 is the best dirt bike I've ever ridden, so if you know how to ride at all and are more interested in dirt, the 300 is also super easy to ride. I had a DRZ-400 for a couple months and it was definitely much harder to ride off road, and down right heavy by comparison.
That's my crazy argument for the bike I settled on. Oh and mine (2018) came back as "Motorcycle" at registration just like any other street legal bike, so it actually is a dual sport, technically 😅
Honestly even a built 350 or 400 can be dangerous with a lightweight rider. I had a drz434 and let one of my less skilled friends ride and looped it with the throttle in first gear
@@codybertram6122 True, I'm probably coming from a different head space tho- I probably wouldn't recommend any of these bikes to a true beginner, or younger rider with less self control (definitely not any of the heavier bikes). Most of them will loop in first anyway, with enough disregard for the throttle. I'm thinking more about someone that's older, understands power sports, has played around with fast toys, is coming from street bikes/ ATVs, etc. (knows how to ride and wants to transition to different terrain). Beginner dual sport, not beginner/ first bike.
I definitely still recommend a 300xcw as something that's light and easy to ride stock (can really lug 1st & 2nd) but has plenty of power to grow into (changing the P.V. spring/ preload is quick & easy)
I haven't ridden a 500 but I have a feeling it would be pretty close, but better on-road and a little harder on tighter trails?
@@Wooskii1 I definitely think that weight plays more of a factor in this than horsepower (if they have been trained to know the power and when to use it) lightweight bikes are just easier to take off on in any terrain. Many beginners have a hard time taking off on a thumper. They either lug it to death or whiskey throttle lol. Then they get scared of the power. Which is a good thing. I didn’t respect power for many years and have dug gravel out of my back because of this. But any lightweight bike is so much easier to corner and maneuver and most don’t even need the horsepower they just want to hop the power band wagon and say they have a 400 or bigger because people talk down on 250-350s. Many motocross riders have said they wish there was a 350 class because 450s are just down right dangerous and if you try to ride them hard you actually go slower than riding them casual. I would say get a 250 and really learn the bike before you go up.
@@codybertram6122 Yeah, I totally agree with you, and I definitely think a heavy bike is scarier than a powerful bike off road (to an extent).
I'm guessing you mean a 250 4 stroke?
I would like to be able to recommend a 250 2 stroke, but they're drastically different between years, make/ model, and mods- from tall geared, fire breathing MX bikes to more easily managed enduros. The KDX 200 is supposedly "the best ever", but I've never ridden one, so I can only recommend the 300 enduros- Feels like a big mountain bike and (the KTM at least) has power delivery that's much more predictable/ manageable than almost every 250 I've ridden, and that's with the intermediate PV spring (older RMX 250 might be close?). You can toss the tame spring in to get more linear power. Other than being expensive and having a tall seat height, I don't know if you can do much better. Beta X-trainer maybe?
I mostly agree with the rankings. I started my dual sport journey on a KLX230. Had a blast, great bang for the buck and i developed my skills. I learned some bike maintenance, saved some money, and bought a new ktm 500 exc-f. It’s been amazing and basically everything i could dream of. Perfect bike for where I live in the mountains of western NC. I highly recommend the Honda CRF300L series to any friends or the klx300, honestly that’s probably enough for 95% of riders
2 things I'll add to the DR650's virtue list.
1. full frame. The lowest, most forward part of the bike is steel, not your crank case, not your exhaust, not your oil filter. The bike was made to bounce over crap.
2. Factory suspension has a lowering option. You have to pull a your suspension apart (intimidating), but you can drop the seat by a little over an inch, warranty approved.
So happy i did my research before I bought a motorcycle. Proud owner of a KLX 300, and throughout the learning process, dropped it about 4 times, nothing hurt, not really any scratches either, Im now comfortable and licensed, and I can say that once you get used to the height, it will serve you well
hi, do you mind giving me a small update since you posted this comment 11 months ago, I'm very interested in your opinion :)
@justme2296 well what do you need to know? I bought the tusk rack to put on the back and the aluminum boxes that go with it, got a T Rex racing windshield that I sort of dislike (just for the fact you have to take everything off just to adjust your headlight hight), and I got tusk handlebar guards for wind and a protaper handlebar, I also got an LED headlight off of Amazon that let's me see way farther down the road, I've put about 4k miles on it so far, it's preforming nice although around 1.7k miles I had to adjust the clutch lever since the clutch had finally broken in. Haven't dropped it, it's gas efficient and good for commuting to work, I can't think of anything else to list unless you have something specific
@@collectiveleak dude thank you so much for the reply!!! I'm between the KLX300 and the honda CRF300L, both seem really good, but some people talk about that CRF's suspension is kinda bad, but the honda is cheaper, like, I can get a klx300 for 10k here but a crf300l for 6k
@@collectiveleak also, you mentioned the LED headlight, how much watts is it? anyways thank you so much!!!!
@justme2296 @justme2296 couldn't find the watts, but its plug and play. Its the auxito H4 9003. Working good since the day I got it. The suspension on the klx is pretty good, I don't do crazy shit on it so I can't really attest to how it handles on gnarly terrain, but it is pretty comfortable.
I'd figure out what you are planning on using the bike for, then go from there. Aftermarket support is good to look into and see which one is supported better. I use my KLX exclusively for commuting to work or doing trips to town to pick stuff up that I don't need my girlfriend or a truck for, and for that, it does just fine, however I'm wanting something with more range and speed, so I plan on upgrading to the KLR650. KLX is fine for small commutes, but if you need on the highway, it's gonna be screaming. It's doable, but it sure doesn't sound like it likes that. It's most comfortable at 65 and under.
completely agree, I'm looking forward to upgrade to a klx 300 from my suzuki dr200... gotta say though, I'm not super stoked just because I'm really light, so I'd always rather teh lightest bike avaliable with the most power, at 20hp and only 122 kg wet, the dr is just unbeatable on it's category, I'm more enduro oriented, and while the suspension doesn't have too much travel, the fact that its soooo nimble and low seat (at least for me since I'm 183cm) just makes it sooo much fun and easy to ride, I'm always ahead of my peers the minute we touch dirt, off course Im talking I roll with friends wit BMW800, 300, DR650, Yamaha Xts and so on... so, while I'm lacking power on the road to keep up with them at highway speeds, once I'm in my element, even if they're more experienced riders and have way much more torque, they're just no match (okay, except for the dr650 XD).... also, I commute a lot on my 200and I've learn to enjoy really reving it out and truly maxing it's capacity on road, anyways, lastly in the city it handles like a bike, you can just throw it around so easily.... so, it's one of those things that make me feel like I want to keep it forever, it's beared all of the abuse I've put her through after years and years of all riding styles -including technical terrain-, and other than new seals, I haven't got any major issues after riding it for so long. It's just a rock solid platform, and it's never left me stranding.... hopefully one day I'll be able to get my klx WO getting rid of my bby....I'djust love to hold on to it and find out how long will it last, cause from where I'm standing it just feels like it's gonna last forever after 30k kms of pure daily use and abuse
Considering that I recently bought a 2024 Klx 300, I agree! And I can’t wait to finally get my frickin endorsement next Monday! Just in time for the likelihood of wetness in the ol’ Portland winter!
I'd love to see a similar video from you explaining where you'd rank these same bikes for an INTERMEDIATE rider. I know since you have become more advanced in your own riding, you've sought out more powerful and more advanced bikes like the CRF450L. Would you place that same bike that you ranked as F tier in this comp into the S tier for an Intermediate or advanced rider? Or would you have another bike to recommend instead? I think you've got a lot of great insight into the bikes from many manufactures and would love to hear your perspective. Cheers!
I agree 100% bring it !
@dorkintheroad
Yes.
Saw you outside of Giant Loop HQ in Bend a few days ago but didn’t want to be a weirdo so I didn’t introduce myself. Thanks for making great content. Your CRF250L video from a few years ago pushed me to get one and get into the world of dual sporting and I can’t thank you enough! Keep up the good work!
Coming up on a year with my KLX 300 and I still love it! I haven’t found anywhere it can’t take me.
I love my KLX230. It exceeded my expectations, and it will forever be my trail bike.
My neighbor has a KLX300...great bike, he loves it
Well done and fair. 32,000 miles on my DR650 in the last 8 months and it has been offroad, freeway, and the Dempster Highway taking all with ease. Windshield, seat, and bigger tank make it a versitile go anywhere and it's great for those vertically challenged like me.
Once again a very common sense video. Very good points. I just bought a used DR 650 to go along with my Africa Twin. I think a good selling point for it is it was desigend for two ride heights. The rear can be lowered by moving a bolt on rear shock linkage. The front can be lowered by moving an internal spacer inside the fork tubes. This was all designed by Suzuki . The one I bought was already lowered and I kind of like it. Didnt really need it but I might leave it like it is.
I have a CRF300l and absolutely love it. One great thing about it is that it is a great platform to upgrade. I have spent half the cost again upgrading it and I would not change it for anything on the market. Bike is far more capable than me as a middle age trail rider.
Man in theory I would LOVE everything about the bike, but I just can't get over how much I hate the shape of the headlights, it ruins the whole look of the bike FOR ME
Very good summary, I ride a CRF 300 Rally and as an experienced/expert/ form magazine bike tester in Australia I have to say that these bike are very capable right throughout the skill scale, I can keep up and exceed most guys on much bigger more powerful bikes over all types of riding conditions
Total nonsense.
For those that are arguing about the quality of the bikes in this list, remember that this is specifically meant for beginners. Objectively, sure, the 500EXC-F is probably the best dual sport on this list. But not for a beginner. Things beginners need are:
- Light weight
- Manageable power and throttle response
- Low maintenance
- Manageable seat height
- Cheap
- Reliable
Things like the quality of the suspension are a non issue for someone learning to ride.
I have the 2021 KLX 300 and I have absolutely LOVE this bike. I ride all over the Klamath Basin in Oregon. I have taken this bike on trails, mountains, deserts, and on highway trips. It I s a daily commuter for work in the warmer months.
If I had one complaint, it’s that there isn’t a fuel gauge. I have to reset my trip meter after every fill up in order to have an idea of where my fuel level is. It does have a dummy light that comes on when there’s half a gallon left.
Other than that, it’s a terrific bike and very dependable
I changed my TW200 rear sprocket to a 45 tooth and my XT250 front sprocket to a 16 tooth. That alone was all I needed to cruise 65mph all day and still hit single track trails fully “ADV” loaded.
I agree with your assessment and WHY you chose what you did.
If the TW200 had a 21” front tire I wouldn’t have bought an XT250.
My 300L is a Vermont unicorn. Enough power for the street, plenty of off-road accessibility in tight, slow terrain.
I want to add that the Lifan KPX 250 is the ideal bike to learn on. It's less than half the price of these other bikes and it's a do it all type of bike with enough horsepower to have fun and get around.
I have raced mx for 50 years. I just love the XT250! It's so fun to ride, not just for beginners.
You were one of the few that sold me on the KLX 230 S and after a half a year and 3 thousand miles I'm looking at sinking a lot into mods and Winter gear lol. I can get OEM parts for this thing very easily and maintenance is a dream in comparison to God awful cars(screaming sound effect). I started out in the freezing cold practicing in cold 40-degree weather going 50mph and I'll be doing it all winter. Cars are just overpriced and my commute in the countryside is literally nothing more than 20 miles at the most to a place and back. I'm already looking at scooters(CT 125 and Zuma 125) and maybe even a second bike like a Honda Navi. This bike already saved me from a horrendous accident so I'm never getting rid of it. I would've been injured if I were in a car. I love this bike. Thank you.
Power is a downside for sure. I have some super steep mountainous hills and six gear leaves a lot to be desired when trying to go 50 up hill. The 300 would probably handle it like a champ though.
I am planning on getting the honda CRF 300 Rally, and this video makes me even more sure about it. I have been dirt biking from 8 years old until 20. I am 29 now and have rode scarcely since 20. But have ridden bicycles frequently. I started with a crappy 80cc and then moved to a Honda 100 4 stroke. Thanks for your videos. They are helpful and enjoyable!
I think you did a pretty good job, I would change a few rankings. The 650-700 bikes should be avoided by new riders based on weight alone. The WR250R should be higher, most riders don't realize they have built in rear suspension lowering capability. The rear shock has a threaded clevis that can get you about 1.5 inches lower and the forks can be dropped about an inch too. Makes it much better for us short legged riders. I also went down 1 tooth on the front sprocket and it pulls like a tractor now. I lost some top speed but I didn't buy it to be a road racer anyway.
The 690/701 weighs the same as his top choice 300 Rally.
I currently have a 300L Rally and love it. 10 years ago when I had my last dual sport I had a KLX 250 and I loved it as well. Both great bikes.
Just bought my first bike and it's the 300L Rally. I'm absolutely loving it
I just recently bought a new dr650 and I love it. It's my first dual sport (first bike was a z650rs) and it will 100% replace my street bike because it allows me to do all the things I need and want to do all off one cheap, reliable, steed.
I will admit, if I had started on this as my very first bike, I would probably be intimidated by the height (being 5'9), but even with only a year+ of riding under the belt, the height is no concern at all.
I think you list is pretty accurate for new/inexoerienced riders. I see of riders get in over their head because they try to start off with an over powered bike that they can’t touch the ground on. It only scares them away from the sport.
As someone who started riding just last summer and was lucky enough to land a CRF300L Rally, I couldn’t agree more with everything you said about it. It’s an incredibly versatile and fun bike that takes me wherever I want to go.
Love the list. I rode for 20 years before getting my dual sport. It’s odd being a veteran street rider but a newbie off-roader. I got a dr650 and absolutely love it. Dropped it, easy to pick up. Modded it, super easy to work on. It simple, light, and I’m happy this is my first off-road bike. I dropped a few grand on mods but it’s for sure my absolute favorite bike right now.
First time dual sport owner here. I’ve had my 2023 Honda rally for just over a month now. I put about 900 miles on it. I would agree that it’s a great bike to learn on. It has enough power to where I’m not bored, but not so much that I’m intimidated. I genuinely love this bike I don’t think I’ll ever get rid of it.
Very happy to see the DR650 on there. I am a returning rider who hasn't ridden dirt since in high school, in the late 1980's. At that point I had a Yamaha IT490 which was WAY too much for me. I was worried about having to get something small in order to build the off road skills but would need to ride it to the ORV areas so need the highway capability, and was worried about having to go through several purchases to get where I want to be. Ultimately I want to do BDR/TAT style riding but day to day I'm street almost exclusively due to living in the city where the closest off road opportunities are over an hour away. Looks like it would work for me as something I can get next year and not have to make another purchase the following year!
Great list. Only 2 arguments i have: I would recommend the WR250 for beginners, although it is a tougher bike to tame I’ve had 2 friends that had these as their first bikes and it forced them to learn very quickly. I also don’t really count the KLR as a dual sport anymore - it weighs just as much as a T7 and should be treated as an adventure bike. Outside of that, this is a great list. I started on my DR650 and don’t plan on selling it anytime soon, although hindsight I may have bought a DRZ400 instead. Both great bikes though.
Just picked up my new DR650s today! Looking forward to logging some miles on it!
Great video. I have a 2023 KLX300 and a 2024 TW200. The KLX300 is faster, bigger, with better suspension and it takes off without being warmed up. It’s an overall much more capable bike then the TW200 in just about every way. But for some reason, the TW200 is just as fun to ride. I would never sell the TW200 unless I was broke and even then I would probably sell the KLX300 first because when I start turning into an old man, I’ll need a bike with a lower seat height.
I totally agree
Well, I’m biased so the DR650 is the ultimate choice in my opinion!
Good list. I have ridden/owned most of these and agree completely. Currently ride CRF450RL and love it as an experienced rider.
You just know I was sitting here watching with my fingers hovering above the keyboard getting ready to respectfully object but....
I agree with everything point you made!
I sort of agree. I bought CRF300L for an upcoming 20,000k trip, but I would say I'm a solid, maybe advanced, definitely experienced trail rider. So it's not just for beginners. For where I'm going, there may be better bikes, but I don't think there are better choices.
I like your videos Ben.
DR650, the beginner bike that you'll want to keep.
I started on a DRZ S, but it didn't cut it on the open roads. Too buzzy above 55 and got blown around too much.
I sold it and found a mint DR650 and a low hour DRZ400E for dirt within months of each other. Pre-covid, everything was cheaper.
I modded the heck out of the DR650 including an 18" rear wheel and pumper carb. Definitely needed suspension work.
Got a KTM XCF-W 500 this year.
If I was forced to only have 1, it would be the DR650.
For beginners the XR150L should be mentioned. Ultra low specs sure but at 3k brand new, never dropped, not someone elses used mechanic project, it's worth it.
Some of us don't have 6 to 7 grand to drop on a bike. Especially if as a beginner you're not sure about riding as a hobby or as a form of transportation.
Yes I agree I forgot to include it
I am glad you included DR650
Excellent list Ben, I think you nailed it. Seat height is a big factor for me. It's nice to see someone recognize that category. That can be huge for new riders.
I'm an old rider and chose the DR650 over the XR650 primarily due to the lower seat height.
As a new rider and someone who's vertically challenged, I agree!
My first dual sport was the CRF450RL. Definitely not a beginner bike and I was going for the 300L but could not find one for months and a guy backed out of buying the 450RL that I ended up getting. Thankfully I’ve gotten pretty comfortable riding it. It’s been an amazing bike for me
My first bike was a 21, 450 RL learning the twitchy throttle was not easy, but I love it not recommended for your first bike
@@kramltoe5665 once I stuck the vortex ecu and yoshimura exhaust on my 22rl, it transformed the bike. Rides a lot nicer now.
I have one too. Like my 7th bike but it’s not as bad as people say. I haven’t had 1 single “flame out” like all these people stalling the bike claim. That being said…. Throttle is extremely twitchy.
I’m no expert, but I’ve had dual sports in the past, looking at getting into it again and doing a lot of research, and I don’t think I could argue with 1 bike, or recommendation in this video.
Great information.
Thank you
Love the content. I'm not even interested in a dual sport or anything more than rough dirt roads that all the gatekeepers would say don't even qualify as off road, but I watched this just to get the down to earth info on this class of bike. With all the reviews on these that I've seen, I don't think you'll get a lot of opposition to the rankings outside of brand preference or differing definitions of "beginner" riders. I am a beginner, and I appreciate the time you put into providing solid info along with all the pure entertainment on your channel.
Personally, i think you nailed it. I rode the 2023 klx300 during the "Let the good times roll" kawi test rides. Will get you there, very linear power...week, but great for a new rider.
I think you've done a great job of evaluation in this category. As an old( maybe very old) rider and mechanic I personally prefer the carburetor. Fuel injection is easy to repair by just buying the parts that have failed but a carburetor can be easily modified to give increased performance for very little cost and no expensive programming to buy and learn. Just my thoughts and not everyone will have the time nor will they acquire the skills to modify the Carburetor. My DR 650 now does nearly 100MPH (155 KMH on a metric speedo). Enjoy your videos.
I just bought my first dual sport a brand new 2023 Honda CRF300l and I absolutely love it did my first trail ride out in the desert the suspension was a lil soft but manageable overall I’m happy with it and would highly recommend it.
I have the 300L as I'm 52 and didn't want to fight the power of the 450L. I love it.
I have quite a few years experience off road and still only being 40 years old, I never want to try to enjoy the 450 off road.
For all of the reasons you listed I'd have the DR650 top of the chart. It does everything and is the "every man's" dual-sport.
Yes a 650 as a first dual sport. Have fun trail riding on it. Anything over a 300 is too much for anyone wanting to do actual off roading.
@@Anthony-nv7gdthere are a ton of variables in yours and my opinions. The 650 is great on the trails I ride, but probably not on other trails. The other main variable is the rider.
Im a beginner ADV rider - first bike is a Vstrom 650, and I quickly realized when I ventured offroad that I need something smaller to learn on. I'm a bigger rider and wanted the work-horse aspect of the Vstrom. I'm thinking about hunting down a drz or crf300 after watching some of these vids!
as a new rider with a 30" inseam, I'm definitely leaning towards the XT250. The fact that they're more widely available on the used market is a bonus.
List is spot on! I am currently doing all my offroad hooning on a DRZ400 (fun fact, its the bike McLovin dropped in the mud hole in this vid) and I 100% agree where it is in the list. I do want to check out a CRF300L sometime. I have that issue with being a bit on the shorter side so a lot of the KTM's and Husky's are just not in the cards for me. That and I have a hard time dropping 12K+ on something I know I am going to bang up and drop. Great vid!
I like the list and approve that you remembered the old DR200. It might be a forever bike for me. It costs nothing as long as i keep the battery happy.
A good analysis!
I missed what kept the DR650 out of the top tier?
6th gear, fuel injection
That being said, I will probably rebuild mine a few times before I replace it.
At 6 foot 2 and averaging about 110kg I haven't found anything that suits me better
I've been looking at either the crf300l or the klx300 and I'm happy that the bikes I've chosen to look at are both S-tier gives me confidence about it.
The intro is always gonna make me smile. I loved that game, can’t remember the name
@@aaronrattley8580 Excite Bike!
DRZ s Tier, its the bike I should have started on. XR650L is solid B tier, the only downside is the seat height. 701/690 should be in D or F for beginners.. they are rocketships on and offroad.
DRZ is a great bike but it's not S tier for beginners or experienced riders compared to everything else that's come out since.
You’re spot on brother! I absolutely LOVE and still own a few old XR’s, but they are super tall and intimidating to a new rider. Never thought I’d be willing to part with them until I got my brand spanking new 23 300 rally back in July. Absolutely hands down the most fun and easiest bike to ride I’ve ever owned. Never rode the 250 version, but they are always for sale with low miles in the 4K range, and would have to be a great starter bike. Always enjoy your work, keep it up and be safe!
Yeah, I would agree … I learned on to ride on a XR650L, so it is doable. However, I am 6’1” with an inseam of 34”, so it just felt comfortable versus a shorter bike. Also, I think the thing going for it is maintenance, but I understand why he took it out of the judging criteria.
The one bike that I didn’t agree on was the KLR650 … I got to finally try lifting a KLR650 Adventure and I think it gave me a hernia. The bike that I agree on is the DR650 … there is a part of me that would take it over a XR650L due to the oil cooling radiator and I believe it has a Kush drive.
However, these are nitpicks … I would definitely send a new rider to this video.
I agree with your choices. I'm a returning rider starting on Suzuki TS250. 40 years later at 65 bought used 1100 mile DR650. At 366lbs make it a good all around bike for beginners and older riders. Now at 67 I still love it. At 5'8" height really is the first thing to go by IMO. If you're not comfortable you're not going to ride as much and may just give up.
I think you did an excellent job here. There might be a few bikes you could move around depending on the person. If a person is tall a few bikes could be moved up and vice versa. Also if the most off road you see is a dirt road you might be able to move some bikes around on this list. I used to have a 2019 KLX250 and it really surprised me how well it went off road. Overall I think you did a great job explaining why you put the bikes where you put them.
I am an aging experienced road rider wanting a dual sport for touring & a little off road riding.
Ive gone from a Harley to a BMW K bike, to Suzuki Savage 650.
I did a 3000 mile trip on the 650 this summer without issue. I love that little bike. Ive had two.
Ive been looking for awhile now & i seem to keep zeroing in on the DR650.
However, i dont see a lot of info out there on it in the dual sport world.
Glad to see it so high on the list touve created here.
Thanks for the work you do here~
I agree with the rankings. However, my concern with the 300L/KLX is electrical issues. What if the ECU/sensors get a bit wacky, and no Honda dealer is around? This is where bikes like the dirt-simple DR650 shine. Yes, the old bikes lack ABS/FI, etc. Anyway, reading between the lines of the video, it looks like the benefits of 300L outweigh the simplicity of the older bikes, and the 300L seems reliable enough with the added complexity. I'll personally get a DR650 as my only bike to last me past the next apocalypse.
DO NOT! Start with a KTM 1190 Adventure Vtwin 155hp 😂
yes my friend told me the same.. so i bought 890r Thank god
DO NOT START with a gsxr 1000, I learned the hard way
@@Shirdog not the best offroad…
Or a gs 1200
@@DarrenMalone253 of course not. Definitely down on power.
Fantastic compilation, straight to the point, with super practical and usefull perspectives without all the bla bla. Way to go, keep up the good work! 👍
Great great video. I have a DRZ400. First dual sport and first bike in 35 years. Forgiving enough to allow me to get through Section 3 of the Oregon BDR (with just 3 months of riding experience) with no problems. But also leaves me feeling I have a loooong way to go before I find its limits. I am 6 feet tall though and would not want to ride this bike if I was any shorter than that. It is tall.
5'7 24 years old I've dreamed of this bike since high school. I'll never back down from a tall production style bike (cboys just made a 6ft tall dirt bike that I'll pass on lol) but I love the bike and I've never fallen from being too short as I can tip toe both feet or flat foot a single foot. But I will praise this bike until the day I die! haha
i just got my hands on a crf250ls 2023 and im loving it, i think the suspension is too soft but for what i am using it is just full of fun
This is my favorite vid of yours in a while simply due to the amount of me in it. Personally I’d push a bunch of these bikes multiple tiers lower.
I love my DR-650.
great list. Now do the same for beginner ADV bikes!! Patiently waiting for your take on the Himalayan
Here in Europe the CRF 300l has a very strong competition from the Chinese Voge 300 Rally. I own a 300L and from what' I've seen the Chinese bike offers everything that the CRF does, with a much better stock rear shock, and with 2k euros less (4k for the CRF Rally version). It will all come down to long term reliability of the Chinese brand.
My S tier for newbies.
#4 RE Himalayan
#3 TW 200
#2 XT250
#1Honda trail 125
I just picked up a very good condition 1999 DR650 and in my opinion it is the GOAT. Ive owned over a dozen bikes since 1980 from a Kawasaki KE100 to a Harley Softail Deluxe and Buells and 2002 XR650L. To me nothing feels quite like the DR, it is just an overall awesome machine.
I have friends who ride dual sports and dirt bikes, moving to smaller CC bikes. They're not beginners like me but pretty seasoned. We're all 40+ now as well lol. The dual sport riders are moving from 650s to 450s and dirt bike riders 450s to 250s. My KPX 250 is all I'll ever need. I've never wrecked a bike (20 years) until I went off road 😅. 3 times in less than a year. It comes with the territory. You don't want a lot of speed and torque, when starting out. Even after I get settled in and a bit more seat time, I'm not a thrill seeker, so I just want to ride the easy trails and commute to work. Happy as a pig in mud!
I’ve had a 250l and 250l rally they were both amazing and vital for me to learn on. I put well over 2k miles on them in about a year. I now have a 450rl, I actually love the bike. However, coming from a beginners perspective I see the ranking, but as someone with more experience it is really awesome.
Good ranking!
Spot on I love KLX300 ❤
Buying my first bike today, '24 CRF300L abs. I'm pumped. Glad this video backed up my choice
I am a beginner rider at age 50. Bought the CRF 300l. Love it. Excellent bike.
I bought the crf300L this summer and have been loving it. I have been getting about 70mpg. I wish the gas tank was a bit bigger but there are mods for that. I agree with your ranking here!
I wanted to buy the 300l but because i'm 6'4 I felt like I was on a mini bike so i went with the DRZ400S
A good bit more power too, 400s will never let you down too. I wanted a 300l so bad but couldn't find one. Glad I chose the drz
can you make a tier list for beginner dual sports for short people? (likes really short im literally 5'5 3/4)
The CRF 300L ain't just a beginner , I have been riding for a few months now and in the trails I can go faster than guys with 10k bikes , just because my suspension is soft I can gun it and it will make the ride smoother making it possible to go faster
I love lists like this, even though I’m not a beginner dual sport rider anymore. I’ve had many of the bikes you listed, and I think you’re spot on for the most part. As another commenter said, the TW200 is an entity unto itself. It was the first bike I bought when getting back into riding after a very long hiatus, and I still have it. I’ll probably never get rid of it. I really love riding that bike. Another bike that I think will make it onto lists like these in the near future is the Honda XR150L. I’ve seen a couple of these bikes in person, and if I had room for it, I’d probably buy one. $3000 is significantly cheaper than what you can get into a new TW or an XT250 for, low seat height, not overwhelmingly powerful, and looks to generally be a fun bike to ride. Anyway, good list Ben.
As a rider with 25 years experience in total and someone who has owned a dr200, klx250, drz400, klr650, and now dr650. All of which made your list, and I’ve also ridden a xt250 and the xr650L along with a hand fully of the beta’s and ktm/husky’s…….I would say you’ve done a great job with this list 👍 any difference in opinion I would have would be so insignificant it’s not worth bringing up lol
My bike never gets on these lists because it is older. I have a 2008 Honda Crf230l and I love it. I am even a bigger guy 6’ 315lbs and does great for me. I just putt around on back roads, gravel roads and dirt roads. Thanks for all the information your videos are great.
Yeah that and the XT225 are real hidden gems if you can find them. Super light weight and plenty capable.
I second the 2008 230l. I am a big guy too 6’ 320 and love it. Small enough I can strap to the back of the camper and have a blast on back mountain roads.
First bike I got on was an old 95 600r. Loved every moment.
I went with a honda xr 150L because im short, i also have a grom so it feels like a perfect beginner bike and ive been very pleased with its capabilities
Same. I got one for the super comfy and low seat. Ive put over 1,000 miles on mine. Mostly off road. It does perfectly fine on the trails. I do wish it could comfortably maintain 60mph though. I also have the Trail 125 and it's a blast to ride.
I started my riding "Career" on a Honda Rebel 250... moved up to a Harley-Davidson Softail.. rode that for several years.. and eventually switched to a 2nd Gen KLR 650. I always wanted to ride an ADV bike.. thought the idea was so sexy.. go anywhere... do anything! I am 5'7'' and the first look scared the crap out of me. THAT IS A TALL BIKE LOL... I took it slow.. and learned how she rode.. LOVE THE BIKE! Its really not so bad! I think most people are overly concerned about the seat height.. You can lower the rear with bog bones, ... but I was advised to NOT lower the bike.. instead, slowly develop your riding skills to match the bike. You would not believe how fast you can "relearn" riding. I am not going to lie! I have dropped that bike about 5 times lol... It happens! But here is the best part... Where dropping my FXSTC was a nightmare and something that would scar me for life, dropping this KLR just makes you laugh... figure out what I did wrong... pick it back up and go! Great list of bikes! Be safe out there!
Awesome for mentioning the DRZ-400s. I've put 50k on two of them and now have a third. Yes, not really a dirt bike and not really a street bike, but all sorts of fun on the back roads and single track stuff and runs forever. The JD jetting and 3x3 airbox mod is mandatory in my opinion. The DRZ comes choked out. The 36 mm CV carb they come with is to meet smog and not original to the bike in the early 2000s. The TW tires it comes with are terrible and downright dangerous in dirt. Toss those and get a set of Kenda K270s for it.
Owner of a Honda CRF250L, I haven’t had an issue cruising at 60 / 65MPH on long stretches, 70+ requires high revs in 5th only to find I slow down back in 6th (I use to pass). Good bike for my rural area, lots of 2 lane windy roads, hills, etc… generally not legal nor safe to ride this bike faster anyway 😊
I own a 2005 KLX 300 R. It has been the best trail bike I’ve ever owned and it was my first bike I learned on super forgiving an easy to ride.
I started out on a 2006 Yamaha WR450...tough way to learn, but I'm 6'1" and in the neighborhood of 250 pounds (It's a pretty big neighborhood, but you get the point...I'm a big guy). Also, I rode BMX for most of my childhood and I ride on the street. All that considered, I would have been better served to start out on something smaller, but there really isn't anything like big bore 4-stroke grunt to teach a new rider how to get out of trouble...great video, excellent summary; I look forward to more of your content, my friend!
I don't disagree with your list, just one bike you may be missing (my opinion) is the Honda XR150L. It is super easy to ride and cheap. On the cheap part, when you "outgrow" it, you can keep and get another bike, and still use it to play around on. I've more or less gone full circle in a way. I have 7 bikes. I'll explain two of them and why I have a 2024 Honda XR 150L. I have a plated 2004 KTM 450EXC, far from a beginner bike. It also wants to go fast and 8,000 rpm's is its happy place. The other is a 2020 Harley Softail, which I put in very long rides on, sometimes multiple day rides. This is where the XR comes in. Great beginner bike and a great veterans bike. I am retired, but work part time out in the middle of the national Forest. I can enjoy the simplicity of the XR. The power delivery is slow, which means smooth. The brakes compliment the power, no drama. The clutch is perfect for a new rider, actually more difficult for an experienced one. The suspension works, as long as you don't get stupid. Obviously a New rider needs to focus, but the XR, I can enjoy my surroundings. On the KTM, you definitely need to focus a lot more. Panic brake, it will stop on a dime, you may not. Too much throttle, you can loop it. All bikes need to be respected, but the XR will forgive you. The KTM, BETA and Husky's you mentioned, are for experienced riders only, like you mentioned and extremely expensive. Well, if you are 6'6" and 400 pounds, you may be able to deal with them. New riders will want more, but at this price point, for many it is a possibility to upgrade and keep the XR. My motto is the number of bikes you need is one more than you have.
Great review! It's been fun to watch your skills build over the years! Very complete and comprehensive list. Nice work!!
Good list!
I think there are only like two bikes I would change: the XR650L and the KLR650. IMO, the taller seat height is less of a downside the the higher weight of the KLR. But I can see your justification for either.
For context, I started riding at 34, I'm 6'1" and low-200s weight -- and I started on a DR650 that I absolutely love and think is the perfect bike *for me*. Before that I went and looked at two Gen 2 KLRs, and even had a deal ready to go on one, but it fell through. And after getting a chance to ride some dirt bikes, decided I didn't want the 400lb+ KLR.
With the DR I still didn't go super light, but I did save ~75lb and IMO got a better bike for my money. Mine has improved suspension, and in the two years of increasingly difficult riding I've done, I have yet to find the bike's limitations. All of the things people say are "bad" about the DR are exaggerated, IMO. It has more than enough power to get you to faster-than-you-should-be-going on a bumpy trail or road, and with a satisfying pull, too.
There are only two times I really feel the weight of the bike: Deep sand, and tight single track. But for the majority of the riding that *I like to do*, it never bothers me and never feels "heavy."
All of that to say ... I agree with the A placement for a DR650. It's been a great beginner bike for me, and honestly I doubt I'll ever sell it. I love it that much. It really is a "do everything" bike -- about as "dual sport" as it gets.
100% agree, KLR down one, XR up one. :-)