Over the course of the last decade or so, the adventure bike trend has really caught fire. The segment has been evolving all the time over this period, and we are now seeing a rather strange occurrence. Riders are now starting to shift back to smaller, lighter motorcycles. As a result, we are seeing manufacturers roll out more accessible ADVs, and the dual-sport segment is also seeing a mini-revival. This is not by accident. Big, adventure-touring bikes have their place in this world, but that place is not on trails. More and more riders wanting to explore further off the beaten path are finding out the hard way that even middleweight ADVs are not necessarily the best tool for this job either.
Old, But Still Gold
Without a shadow of a doubt, the best tool for the job is a rugged dual-sport. Although we have seen a couple of exceptional new dual-sport bikes enter the fray, it was the 650 class that got the whole adventure riding concept going in the first place, and there are still a few of these golden oldies hanging around.
The Kawasaki KLR650 is arguably the least competent of the three 650s still around, but almost certainly the most popular. It is a bike with a huge fanbase, and as a result, it comes with a built-in community that will help you out of a jam if you ever find yourself in one. The Honda XR650L is both lighter and more powerful, but has a very tall seat. With no 2026 model in sight, it seems to be in its final year of production. It is fair to say that nobody ever forgot about either of these bikes, though.
The Honda XR650L Dual-Sport Is Better Than You Probably Remember
You could have 99 problems but we assure you, the XR650L won’t be one.
The Suzuki DR650S Redefined Adventure Riding
MSRP: $7,299
The strange thing about the DR650S is that it never seems to get the same credit the other two bikes get. Even though it has played a big role in defining what adventure riding really is, it has also been consistently overshadowed by those two bikes, other ADVs, and its smaller sibling, the DR-Z400S – which has subsequently been updated. Therein lies the difference. The DR650S has not been updated in 30 years. While it has enjoyed a famously long production run, it is also more or less the same bike that rolled off the production line way back in the 90s, aside from a few minor tweaks and some updated plastics.
The Suzuki Dual-Sport Motorcycle That Can Do It All
The DR-Z4S is capable. Capable of taking you absolutely anywhere – all you need to do it point it in the right direction!
The DR650S Has A Robust Air-Cooled Single
Power: 35 Horsepower (at the wheel)
In the world of off-road riding in faraway places, rugged simplicity is a desirable characteristic. This suits Suzuki right down to the ground because this is a brand with a special kind of affinity for getting as much as possible out of a platform. As such, updates have been kept to a minimum over the course of its long and illustrious production run. Parts are more or less interchangeable with much older models, and as far as engines go, it doesn’t get much simpler than a carb-fed air-cooled single.
For Better Or Worse, It Still Has A Carb
While carbs are still around in other applications, they have been all but eradicated from the motorcycle industry. The DR650S is one of the last motorcycles getting sold with one, and it is a deeply divisive topic. On the one hand, carbs are outdated technology, but as far as carbs go, the Mikuni BST40 is fairly modern and is not greatly affected by elevation changes. With around 35 horsepower at the wheel, it is a powerful thumper that won’t leave you wanting more power out on the trail. Sadly, the highway is a different story.
The Single-Cylinder ADV That Can Do It All
This bike proves that you don’t need a big, expensive adventure bike to get out and explore
The DR650S Is A Rugged, Uncompromising Motorcycle
A big part of modern adventure riding is the travel aspect. This is unquestionably where these big thumpers struggle. Cruising at around 60 to 70 MPH is well within its scope, but anything more than that, and you will be asking too much of the machine. Even at this slower pace, vibrations will be felt quite literally everywhere, from your teeth to your toes. Wind buffeting is another thing, but the seat is surprisingly comfortable, until it suddenly isn’t after around an hour of sustained vibrations that just make everything numb.
This kind of riding experience is not limited to the DR650S, but is just a reality of any big single. Once off-road, all this is quickly forgotten. Its suspension is outdated, but it has more than enough ground clearance and travel for the average weekend warrior. Even though it is a tall bike with a seat height of just under 35 inches, at 366 pounds, it is relatively light compared to any modern ADV, or the KLR650 for that matter. When it comes to dual-sport bikes like this, comfort is most certainly a relative term.
10 Most Practical Dual-Sport Motorcycles You Can Buy
Dual-sport motorcycles offer the best of both worlds, and these are the bikes that strike the perfect balance between capability and cost
Consider Buying Used
Price Range: $1,000 – $3,000
The rugged, simple nature of the DR650S is what makes it so appealing. This kind of rugged simplicity also makes these bikes incredibly durable, and it is well worth considering a used option. The new bike is reasonably priced at just over $7k, but one look at the other options now available to us will tell you that there are other, more modern bikes that offer more for less. A mid-00s bike will only set you back around $2k, which is ridiculously cheap.
While due diligence is required, it was these 90s and early 00s bikes that really redefined adventure riding. With more and more tech getting thrown at modern adventure bikes, an old dual-sport is the answer for those who want to get out into the wilderness specifically to get away from all that tech.