Modern adventure bikes offer us a pretty incredible way to tour and explore back country routes. Like any bike, they are a compromise, and in an effort to make them more comfortable on the highway, weight is added. Another limiting factor is the seat height, and a bike that is both tall and heavy is far from ideal for new riders.
For all those would-be explorers out there, a lighter, more off-road capable dual-sport is a far better option. While you certainly don’t get much in the way of highway comfort, as a new rider, long highway rides won’t necessarily be on the itinerary anyway. Shorter rides down back roads, and forest trails will be, and for that, the bike in question is ideal.
The Entry-Level Dual-Sport Market Is Alive And Kicking Again
For years, the entry-level dual-sport market was pretty much on life support, almost exclusively made up of aging Japanese machines. Today – largely thanks to the interest in all things adventure related – this end of the market has seen something of a mini-revival. The latest addition to this segment is the Yamaha WR125R. At first glance, it might seem like a lower-tier option, but it is a really advanced little machine that offers a respectable power-to-weight ratio.
The bike that has really captured the imagination is the Honda CRF300L Rally, and while it has been with us for quite some time, it has recently been updated with an improved suspension. This also has an accessible MSRP and a really reliable single-cylinder engine we’ve been adoring for decades. However, our pick for this article comes from Kawasaki.
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The Kawasaki KLX230 Sherpa S Makes Adventure Feel Accessible
Price: $5,899
At this price point, the little KLX230 Sherpa S offers a lot of value. It also offers one of the lowest seat heights in its class, making it a degree more accessible than either of the two bikes mentioned above. While you lose out on the wind protection the Honda offers, you do get several nice-to-have inclusions that set this little bike apart. While it certainly is not the most powerful bike, approachability and reliability are more desirable characteristics for new riders still building confidence.
The KLX230 Sherpa S Has A Simple, Reliable Single
Power: 17 Horsepower
The Sherpa certainly doesn’t have much in the way of power, but with a low compression ratio and long service intervals, this is a great tool for exploration. Over the many years it has been in production, this little single has proven to be perfectly reliable. While the lack of power will most assuredly be felt on the road, it is sufficient for off-road duty, ideal for novice riders learning the ropes.
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Highly Approachable And Genuinely New Rider Friendly
For new riders, a small dual-sport is always going to be ideal, especially if you are not yet sure what kind of riding you want to do. While we all like the idea of more power, that is a recipe for disaster for those just starting out on their motorcycling adventure. All too often, manufacturers will slap a “New Rider Friendly” tag on all sorts of motorcycles that are actually wildly inappropriate for novice riders. For those inclined, an air-cooled single is about as simple as an engine gets, and is a great place to start if you want to learn how to do your own basic maintenance. This little engine makes the bike genuinely “New Rider Friendly.”
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The Sherpa Lives Up To Its Name
The Sherpa is essentially just a trim, but we feel that the name suits this little bike right down to the ground. An actual Sherpa helps ambitious climbers up the Himalayas, and while this won’t be going anywhere near the summit of Everest – or any base camp for that matter – it will help would-be explorers navigate their respective journeys. While this is not a “feature-rich” little bike, it does have switchable ABS and smartphone connectivity. The reason you would choose this over the regular KLX230 would be for the lower seat height, functional hand guards, and an aluminum skid plate. It only costs $400 more than the regular ABS-equipped model, and these inclusions would certainly cost more than that if you were to turn to the aftermarket.
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An Enticing Package For New Riders
For riders in the market for their first motorcycle, there are very few bikes on the market that will do a better job than this little Kawasaki. While you could make an argument for buying a used KLX230, there are those who simply prefer the security of having a warranty, and there is nothing wrong with that. It is as approachable as approachable gets, but unlike some of the competition, you will eventually outgrow it. Several similarly priced alternatives, including some lightweight ADVs, are all motorcycles that you could potentially buy and keep forever. This is not one of them; it really is a beginner bike. Its 32.5-inch seat height is not the lowest in class, but it is very reasonable for a bike with over 8 inches of ground clearance.
For more experienced riders, the KLX300 is the same price and offers a little more power and a significantly better suspension. It has a much taller seat, though. The similarly priced alternatives from other brands tell a similar story, but none of them offer the same “ready to go” package as the Sherpa. Once you have your license, you can just strap a dry bag to it and point it in a direction of your choosing. It really does make that adventure everyone seems to be seeking feel more accessible.
Dimensions And Weight
|
Seat Height |
32.5 inches |
|
Ground Clearance |
8.5 inches |
|
Fuel Capacity |
2 gallons |
|
Weight |
300 lbs |
Source: Kawasaki