2 Great Small-Displacement Dual Sports
Honda’s focus on fun and efficient two-wheel models has created a long list of accessible dual sports, including the new-rider-friendly XR150L.
A closing scene from On Any Sunday spoke volumes about the joy of riding. “Probably the most fun in all of motorcycling is to load your bike in a pickup truck and head out into the country,” filmmaker Bruce Brown reflected. “The pressure of racing over, it’s time to relax and have some fun.” He was right: Simply being in motion on lightweight bikes, on road or trail, brings the same rewards found on larger, faster machines—only with less stress and strain.
Call them affordable or lightweight, “learner” or “starter” bikes if you will—all are worthy terms for the 125cc to 233cc dual sports featured below. Carrying MSRPs in the $3,000 to $5,000 range, they are capable on asphalt or dirt, and can shepherd either new riders or experts with unhurried aplomb. Perfect for channeling your own inner On Any Sunday.
1. Honda XR150L
Honda’s ultra-affordable XR150L will work as around-town transportation, a tool for escaping the campground, or short dual sport rides out of town.
Honda’s XR650L is one of the most recognized dual sports in all of motorcycling, but a thumping 644cc single-cylinder engine and 37-inch seat height aren’t for everyone. Enter the XR150L, a bike that’s well suited toward around-town jaunts, scenic back roads, and the occasional single-track ride for new riders.
Powered by a carbureted 149cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine, the XR150L is intended to offer the same reliability and toughness XRs are known for but with excellent fuel efficiency and smooth, predictable performance. Honda claims a tested 346 miles of fuel range from the 2.8-gallon fuel tank. The rest of the running gear includes a steel frame, 31mm conventional fork, and single shock. Suspension travel is 7.1 inches and 5.9 inches front and rear, respectively, while wheels measure 90/90-19 and 110/90-17.
Added practicality comes in the form of an electric starter and rear cargo rack, plus a long line of accessories that includes saddlebags, hand guards, a skid plate, and more. Perhaps the best part about the XR150L though is the price - $2,971.
Reserve your 2023 Honda XR150L now
2. Honda Trail125
The Trail125 is the rugged cousin to Honda’s legendary Super Cub, with just enough off-road chops for urban adventure and casual off-road exploring.
Honda’s Trail125 was already a legend when it was introduced in 2021. That’s because the original Trail 90 debuted in 1964, and in the ensuing six decades, multiple generations have grown up with that versatile little machine in mind. After the second-gen Trail 110 bowed out in 1986, the step-through dual sport went dormant—that is, until the Trail125 arrived.
This modern retro joins the Grom and Monkey with a 125cc four-stroke single, air-cooled with electronic fuel injection. Like the original Trail 90, the fuel tank is under the seat. There’s also a hydraulic front brake and ABS to help the little 80/90-17 tires maintain grip.
Popular features of the Trail125 include a rear rack, and given that a milk crate fits conveniently here, it’s no wonder Trail125s are pressed into duty hauling everything from grocery bags to firewood, schoolbooks to office supplies. “It’s the perfect cross between a scooter and a small dirt bike,” said one owner. Lightweight at 256 pounds wet, the modern incarnation even includes a semi-automatic four-speed gearbox like the original Trail 90. That’s a homegrown home run for $3,999.
Browse our inventory of the Honda Trail 125