Dual Sport Bikes Can Make Good Commuters and Here’s Why

There are a ton of great reasons to commute on a motorcycle, not the least of which is the price of gasoline (or petrol depending where you live).  One GREAT reason to commute on a motorcycle is to start your day with a smile on your face that only the open air and a combustion engine between your legs can bring you.

So maybe you’ve decided you want a motorcycle for commuting but you’re in the market for the right bike.  If you’re considering owning a dual sport or already have one then you’re likely wondering if a dual sport motorcycle is a good commuter.

In general a dual sport motorcycle is good for commuting due to it’s relatively low weight and maneuverability.  Dual sport motorcycles also typically have good fuel efficiency and low maintenance costs.  This style of motorcycle is best suited for non freeway commuting however.  

There are many reasons why a dual sport could be a great choice as a commuter bike for you, and there may also be some reasons why it wouldn’t be a good fit.  Let’s dive in and take a closer look at the specifics.

The Pros and Cons of Commuting on a Dual Sport

I personally love dual sport motorcycles and have zero reservations about commuting on one.  But not everyone is a diehard like me so I put together some pros and cons from a practicality standpoint. 

Pro #1 – Lightweight & Nimble

Most dual sport motorcycles in the 125cc-400cc class come in at or under 300lbs.  Even those hefty pigs like the XR650 aren’t much over 350lbs which isn’t bad for street riding.  Not as nice when you drop it in the mud off road though.

Dual sports are also very nimble bikes, they turn quickly and handle easily and predictably.  This is important for making unscheduled swerves because Karen was too busy checking her makeup and drinking her latte to notice you.  Oh and road obstacles too, like rocks, car parts, cats, or pterodactyls. Hey you never know.

The slim nature of the bike coupled with an upright riding position and clear view also make the dual sport great in traffic.  This is particularly true if lane filtering is legal where you are.

Pro #2 – Fuel Efficiency

Motorcycles in general are more fuel efficient than the 4 wheeled cages known as cars but the range can vary quite a bit between a Vespa and a big Harley Davidson V-twin.

Nearly any dual sport can top 50mpg pretty easily on the road.  The smaller displacement bikes will do even better as will anything with fuel injection.  You can expect to see numbers nearing 65-70 mpg on the street with these bikes when ridden conservatively.

Pro #3 – Affordability

Any motorcycle enthusiast will tell you that motorcycles as a hobby, are most decidedly NOT affordable.  But that’s because we’re usually not happy with just one and we’re always buying upgrades.  But we’re not here to talk about THAT part.  Let’s look at the purchase price of some bikes and see how Dual Sports compare. 

I’m going to reference the MSRP of 2022 models as a general reference to show the difference in cost for various styles of bikes. I tried to pick bikes at the low-mid range for that style.

In addition to a reasonably low cost of entry, dual sport bikes are simple and cheap to maintain.  Most anyone with a few basic tools and the willingness to learn can perform their own maintenance on this type of bike.

Con #1 – Not Great for Freeways

If your commute requires long stretches of high speeds on roads such as freeways and interstate highways you might reconsider making the journey on a dual sport.  Many dual sports, particularly larger displacement ones, are capable of hitting speeds upwards of 80mph (130kph). However they struggle to “cruise” at those speeds and the single cylinder thumper engine will likely be screaming along at many thousands of RPMs.

It’s also worth noting that dual sport motorcycles are not equipped with fairings that would otherwise direct the air around or over the rider.  This means at high speeds you will experience wind buffeting and turbulence.  This is bearable for short distances, but a 30 minute ride on the freeway while hurricane level winds pummel you can be quite exhausting. 

Con #2 – Purpose built, not comfort built

Dual sports are also commonly known as Dual purpose motorcycles.  They serve 2 purposes, off road use, and on road use.  These bikes deliver well on this claim, however in order to meet the off road component they are built more like a dirt bike than a touring bike.  

This means a taller skinnier seat and an upright riding position.  The latter isn’t an issue, but long hauls on the street sitting on a firm narrow seat is likely to cause some unavoidable monkey butt.  For those of us that grew up dirt bike riding, we’re conditioned for it.  But if you’re not used to that, it might make for some uncomfortable commuting that you didn’t bargain for.

This can be mitigated with aftermarket seats or seat covers and some dual sports come with some reasonably comfy butt cushions from the factory.  But it’s something to be aware of.

Can you carry a passenger on a Dual Sport?

Generally speaking most motorcycles sold as dual sports are equipped with passenger pegs and a pillion (passenger) section on the seat.  It is also recommended to adjust the rear spring to accommodate the added weight of a 2nd person.

Just because you CAN, doesn’t mean you SHOULD

2-Up riding on a dual sport is not very practical and usually quite uncomfortable, especially for the passenger.  This is fine in a pinch, or for a short distance such as a couple miles across town or something similar.  But in terms of commuting, I wouldn’t recommend taking on a passenger except in an emergency.  It’s just not much fun.

Tips for Commuting on a Dual Sport Motorcycle

1. Skip the Knobbies and go for a tire with better road manners.  If the dual sport you have or are going to purchase has knobby tires for dirt, consider swapping them out for a tire that’s more street focused.
2. Get yourself some storage.  Tail bags work nicely, aren’t overly bulky and can save you from having to tote around a backpack.  Backpacks are ok, but it doesn’t take long for it to turn your back into a sweaty mess.
3. Invest in a gel seat cover.  If you’re going to be spending much time in the saddle of a dual sport it makes sense to level up your seat.  You can replace the whole thing, add a gel cover, or even just modify the seat with gel inserts.  Your rump will thank you.