The primary difference between a dual sport bike and an adventure bike is that while both are capable of riding on and off-road, a dual sport motorcycle is made to thrive in off-road riding conditions. A dual sport bike doesn’t offer all the accessories that an adventure bike offers either, making it a bit more inconvenient to use on long-distance trips. Dual sport motorcycles also have a more aggressive riding position compared to an adventure bikes more upright seat, making the dual sport ideal for off-road rough terrain.
When it comes to price, Dual sport bikes range anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 for a new bike and even cheaper for a quality pre-owned one. Dual sport bikes have pretty short maintenance windows, similar to other off-road bikes, due to how beat up they can get, so it’s important to keep that in mind when considering this segment.
For short people, finding a dual sport bike that is the right fit can seem a little bit challenging. Most motorcycles that are manufactured are built to accommodate people between 5’7” and 5’11” which is the average height of European men. Don’t be discouraged though, there are plenty of options that have lower seat heights and a shorter seat-to-footpeg ratio, which is what you want to look for if you’re shorter than average.
Some dual sport options for shorter riders include the Suzuki DR-Z400S, the Honda CRF250L, and the Kawasaki KLX250S. All of which have lower seat heights and are relatively lightweight.
Ultimately, the goal is to choose a motorcycle that feels comfortable and manageable for you, so don’t be afraid to go to dealerships and throw your leg over some bikes. With that being said, we realize shopping for a motorcycle is a little bit more difficult so we’ve compiled a list of motorcycles to fit those with a shorter inseam.
