What’s the Difference Between Dual Sport and Sport Touring Bikes?

Dual sport and sport touring bikes are similar in that they’re both suitable for on- and off-road riding, but there are a few subtle differences that can affect a rider’s experience. Before settling on one or the other, it’s important to understand how each bike type is suited for different kinds of riding environments. Here are the basics of dual sport and sport touring bikes.

Dual Sport Bikes

Dual sport bikes evolved from Enduro motorcycles, which had headlights, tail lights, and wide-ratio transmissions but were not street legal. In order to make these sporty bikes suitable for on- and off-road riding, lighting upgrades, horns, and rear-view mirrors were added, and the dual sport bike was born. By adding only what was necessary to make strictly off-road Enduro bikes street legal, dual sport bikes have been able to maintain the lightweight, agile qualities of an off-road bike while also being appropriate for use on paved roads.

Sport Touring Bikes

Also known as adventure bikes, sport touring motorcycles are similar to their dual sport counterparts in that they’re suitable for both off- and on-road riding. However, sport touring bikes have a few additional features that make them much more comfortable rides for long-distance, everyday use on the road. By adding features like larger gas tanks, larger displacement engines, luggage racks and other storage options, windscreens, and tires more suited for pavement, sport touring bikes feel more like street bikes than their dual sport cousins—all while retaining the rugged power of strictly off-road models. Sport touring bikes are best for riders who want some of the comforts of an everyday street bike while still being able to hit the trails with confidence.

The team at TC Powersports is proud to offer mid-Michigan riders the largest used bike selection in the state. Visit our showroom today or explore our inventory online of motorcycles and off-road vehicles.