Lightest Dual Sport Motorcycle - Our Rating and Opinion

For a long time, it seemed like the dual-sport was almost extinct because only a few very old models were still made.

Even though a lot has changed recently (with all the advancements in science and technology here and there), there are still a few popular older models out there, and there are also a number of new bikes as more and more people realize how valuable these bikes are.

Any racer knows that the less weight a motorcycle has, the easier it is to move it around. Having less weight is always a good thing, in fact.

For many riders, the most important thing about lightweight bikes is how well they perform. For the same amount of power, it also improves handling and maneuverability and speeds up the vehicle by making the power-to-weight ratio higher. Also, it makes the bike's brakes work better because there is less weight for them to stop.

Here is a list of what we think are the lightest wonders that are available.

THE 2021 KTM 350EXC DUAL-SPORT

The KTM 350EXC is a perfect motorcycle and its weight is important. This is one of the lightest dual-sport bikes you can acquire. It weighs 239 pounds without the fuel.

Even though it can be driven on the street, it weighs almost as much as a Japanese 450 motocross bike. The bike weighs around 5 pounds less than the Husqvarna FE350 because it doesn't have a linkage in the back. Instead, it has PDS rear suspension.

The newest Beta 350RR-S hasn't been weighed yet, it should weigh less than 250 pounds. The moment you ride the KTM 350EXC, you will think it was even lighter.

22 HUSQVARNA FE350 ENDURO BIKE

The Husqvarna FE350's DOHC 350cc engine is the most versatile one on the market. Because it shares a lot of parts with the FE 250's engine, the FE 350 has a nice balance of power that can compete with the 450s and light handling that feels like a 250.

The steel frame (made of chromium-molybdenum) is made by professionals using laser-cut, and tubes that are hydro-formed to ensure a high level of precision and quality.

The geometry was carefully designed to use advanced longitudinal and torsional flex properties to give the rider unmatched feedback, great energy absorption, and great straight-line stability.

The head mountings made of aluminum improve comfort and also the handling. The premium grey powder-coated frame comes with frame guards as standard, which makes it last even longer.

The 350 RR-S

This is powered by a 349cc, 4-Stroke, 4-Valve, Liquid-Cooled, Single Cylinder Engine with an Oversquare Motor, which means the cylinder bore (width) is bigger than the cylinder stroke.

So, the engine has more power than the one with the same displacement but a smaller bore. With the help of electronic fuel injection, fuel can be delivered quickly and smoothly to the engine. Electronic ignition keeps the throttle response steady and makes it easy to start your motorcycle.

The MY21 SWM RS 300R

The MY21 SWM RS 300R gives you big thrills without breaking the bank. It has a single 297cc four-stroke engine. It is also the lightest and most versatile mid-size shoe, so you can take on trails, climb steep hills, or run hard on the track.

The model has a Euro 4 engine mapping that makes the ride more comfortable on the trail, a stronger subframe, a new yellow and black color scheme, new plastics for the headlight and turn signals and a redesigned seat that is more comfortable to sit in. The gas tank can hold 7.2 liters of gas.

The SWM RS 300R is made at SWM's factory in Lombardia, Italy, and comes with a six-month warranty on parts and labor.

The SWM RS 300R and RS 500R are the perfect mixes of tradition, quality, and dependability.

BMW G310GS

In the past few years, there has also been a growing trend toward smaller, lighter, and easier-to-control adventure bikes that are less scary for smaller or less-experienced riders. Giant adventure bikes are still around and popular for a good reason, you know what we mean right?...

BMW started the trend when it came out with the first F800GS in 2008. Soon after, Triumph came out with the widely popular Tiger 800, but recently, the trend has gotten even stronger.

In 2019, KTM released the impressive 790 Adventure and Yamaha released the incredibly versatile Ténéré 700. For 2020, KTM has gone even further with the 172 kg 390 Adventure, which is based on the single-cylinder 390 Duke roadster. 

However, the G310GS, which costs about $5K and has 34hp from a 313cc single, all the BMW adventure gear, is the brightest and most credible expedition bike of all of them, excluding the 125cc Sinnis Terrain.

Honda CB125R

The 2019 Honda CB125R is a stylish bike with low weight, good quality, tested performance, and all-around ability that we think is unbeatable.

With a light weight of 126 kg, it is not only lighter than Honda's CB125F, which is arguably more basic, but also much lighter than direct competitors from Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki. So, we think that Honda's sleek CB125R, which came out in 2019, is the best choice if you want a bike that is light, of good quality, has proven performance and can do everything.

The liquid-cooled single is a good size and easy to move around. It doesn't have as much top end as a similar Yamaha, but it is powerful and flexible (exactly what a beginner needs). It also has a great look, a stylish LCD dashboard, LED lights, and great suspension and brakes. (When compared to a Yamaha) So, as you can see, less is more.

Aprilia SX50

Aprilia is the market leader when it comes to bikes from Italy. But, unlike some other companies, they are also a major player in the lightweight field, which includes both scooters and motorcycles. The Noale company made its name in the 1970s and 1980s by making high-performance bikes that were light and easy to ride. In the late 1990s, the company started making bigger bikes.

Even now, they still play a key role, though in a smaller way. The newest supermoto-style SX 50, which was last updated in 2014, is not only the lightest bike in its class at just 99 kg but also one of the best. Aprilia's 125cc RS4 is one of the A1 Sportsters that people want the most. It has a small, liquid-cooled, two-stroke engine with six speeds. In addition to looking like it was made in Italy, the car has a double-spar structure and good brakes and suspension.

Norton Superlight SS

The Superlight SS is a 105hp, 158kg, 650cc parallel twin with a carbon frame and a supercharger. It replaces the Superlight, which has a steel frame and a 650cc, parallel-twin engine. A year ago, Norton first showed off the Superlight.

Norton has changed the standard Superlight's aluminum tube frame to a carbon-fiber chassis to make the supercharged engine lighter. The dry weight of the finished bike is about 153 kg, which is 5 kg less than the stock Superlight.

Norton only plans to make 50 Superlight SS models for now. The company says that it is now making the version that doesn't have a supercharger. It definitely would be a wonderful sight to behold.

Conclusion

Among a group of talented racers, the weight of the bike is often the only thing that sets them apart. Every experienced rider always looks out for the lightest and fastest ride experience.

There are ways to make your bike lighter, but it helps to start with one of the lightest sports bikes right out of the box. Because of this, a lot of motorcyclists who like to go off-road and have adventures live by the phrase "Light is Right".