2019 DUAL-SPORT SHOOTOUT
COMPARISON
P74
But the bikes in this comparison aren't exactly
like those bikes. These are bikes built on a differ-
ent level. These are bikes with little attention paid to
overall comfort. These are bikes intended to per-
form. Period.
Before you read further, and if you're seriously
considering the purchase of a dual-sport bike, it's
important to first look in the mirror and honestly ask
yourself how you're really going to use the bike and
where you're really going to ride it. If you're consid-
ering a motorcycle to shuttle you around town or
go riding on logging roads while chasing your kids,
you should know that going in. There are a lot of
less-expensive models on the dealership floor than
these four prize ponies. There are plenty of bikes to
scratch the dual-sport itch without dropping ten-
grand-plus.
But, if you want to ride more aggressively off-
road, stand up through technical trails, are okay with
breaking turn signals off and scraping mirrors, fully
expect to pick your bike up off the ground on occa-
sion, feel like entering an off-road race or two every
year and enjoy wheel-lofting through sand whoops
once in a while, then you're in the right spot here.
T H E E Q U I P M E N T
2019 HONDA CRF450L
The newest bike to this fleet of rides is Honda's high-
ly anticipated CRF450L. It comes years after people
started screaming for street-legal CRF450Xs.
In a sense, the Honda CRF450L represents the
future of dual-sport development. It's the only bike
in the test that incorporates a catalytic converter into
The (L-R)
Husqvarna,
KTM, Honda
and Beta all in
their element—
far away from
civilization.
