Honda Dual Sport and Enduro Motorcycles – 2023 Reviews

Here’s a look at the best Honda dual sport motorcycles and enduro bikes, along with the main pros and cons for each.

But before we go any further (and before I get hung out to dry on some dirt bike forum), there IS a difference between dual sports and enduros. I realize that I use the term interchangeably at time… feel free to ignore me if it bugs you.

A dual sport is basically an offshoot of an enduro, and an enduro is an offshoot of a dirt bike. It goes like this…

Honda starts with their MX dirt bike (CRF450R) and then modifies it for trail riding and longer outings (CRF450RX). From there, Honda takes the proven and popular enduro bike and makes it a dual sport (CRF450RL) by modifying it to perform well on pavement as well as dirt.

Now, I realize these aren’t exactly the same bikes and a bit more than just “modifying” goes into it. Just using this as a pretty-close example to help you wrap your brain around the differences.

Another way to look at it is this: Dual sport motorcycles are street legal, where Enduro dirt bikes are usually not.

Make sense? Hopefully.

Either way, if you’re looking for more info or even in-depth Honda dual sport reviews, here’s a look at the full line up of the Honda enduro dirt bikes and the dual sport bikes on the market.

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Honda XR650L Dual Sport

The Honda XR650L is the one of the best dual sport motorcycles on the planet when it comes to dependability. Honda dual sports have a reputation for being reliable and the company knows how to keep that streak going. The solution? Don’t “fix” what isn’t broken.

Honda’s lack of innovation within the XR models isn’t necessarily a poor decision for their street legal dirt bike. In reality, Honda has been able to produce and test out new models (like the CRF) while the XR lineup holds its position as one of the top dual sport bikes in the world.

But how can this dual sport motorcycle be one of the “best” without much innovation or changes over the years? They are dependable.

A Honda 650 dual sport isn’t the lightest, fastest, nor most nimble dirt bike you’ll ever ride… but it can still make an argument for the best dual sport of all time. Is it? Maybe, maybe not. Bottom line – it’s good.

Highlights & Specs

Manufacturer: Honda
Model Name: XR650L, XR 650 L, XR 650
Type: Dual Sport Motorcycle
Years Made: 1993-2014, 2016-2023 (present)

Seat Height: 37” (94cm)
Wet Weight: 346 lbs. (full tank of fuel, ready to ride)
Oil Capacity: 2.06 quarts with oil filter change (2 quarts without filter change)
Top Speed: ~100 mph

Positive Reviews

• Honda reliability
• Large gas tank (with reserve)
• Street-legal dual sport Honda
• Beginner-friendly
• Plenty of power and torque for intermediate to advanced riders
• Simple to work on and maintain
• Smooth, roll-on power
• Electric start
• All the low end torque you could ask for from the 650cc

Negative Reviews

• No back up kick start
• It’s kind of a tank (heavy)
• Not the easiest to find used and in good shape

Looking for more info? Read this detailed review of the Honda XR650L for the history, full specs, handling details, and more.

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Honda CRF450RL Dual Sport

While we just pointed out that the XR650L not changing over the years has been a good thing, we’re now on the opposing side of the argument for the Honda CRF450RL. There is no lack of innovation here.

This Honda 450 dual sport is in a class of its own (almost) when it comes to capability. They are light weight, high performance street legal enduro bikes (yes, it is technically a “dual sport” and you can skip the truck hauling and pain-in-the-butt process of securely tying it down). If you’re thinking these are just motocross bikes you can ride on the road, they’re aren’t… they’re better than that.

With six-speeds, and almost 40 horsepower, this dual sport dirt bike is an excellent choice for those looking for performance out of their bike. Yes, Honda has made this a reliable and comfortable enduro-based dual sport, but its still a dirt bike at heart. To be 100%… this is my next dream bike.

Highlights & Specs

Manufacturer: Honda
Model Name: CRF450RL, CRF 450 RL, CRF 450RL
Type: Dual Sport Motorcycle
Years Made: 2018-2023 (present)

Seat Height: 37.2” (94cm)
Weight: 291 lbs (full tank of fuel, ready to ride)

Engine size: 449cc (considered 450cc)
Oil Capacity: 1.8L (1.9 quarts)
Top Speed: ~90 mph

Positive Reviews

• Honda dependability
• Fun to ride (snappy, crisp, capable)
• Comes alive on enduro and off road trails
• Street-legal dirt bike
• Light & nimble handling
• Exciting 450cc engine output
• Ride to/from the trail
• Electric start

Negative Reviews

• More maintenance than other street legal motorcycles
• Not the best for long rides on the HWY
• Stock tires aren’t aggressive enough for “aggressive” trail riding

Looking for more info? Read this detailed review of the Honda CRF450RL for the history, full specs, handling details, and more.

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Honda CRF300L Rally Dual Sport

Are you looking for Honda adventure bike capability, strategically fit into a dual sport with all of a fun dirt bike? Good news… we have a contender in the Honda CRF300L.

The lightweight feel and handling, combined with the reliable 300cc engine’s low-end power, create a fun and easy to ride Honda dual sport bike. Inspired by the Dakar Rally enduro race bikes, these things not only look great pounding the pavement or ripping through trails, but they actually perform great too.

If you’re looking for a light weight Honda dual sport motorcycle that can handle trails, gravel roads, windy pavement, and even boring (yet sometimes mandatory) freeway cruises, this is a solid option.

Highlights & Specs

Manufacturer: Honda
Model Name: CRF300LR, CRF 300 LR, CRF 300LR, CRF300 LR
Type: Dual Sport Motorcycle
Years Made: 2021-2023 (present)

Seat Height: 35.2” (94cm)
Weight: 331 lbs (full tank of fuel, ready to ride)

Engine size: 286cc (considered 300cc)
Oil Capacity: 1.8L (1.9 quarts)
Top Speed: ~80 mph

Positive Reviews

• Good size gas tank (3.4 gallons)
• Smooth ride on the road (even long distances)
• Windshield helps!
• Looks aggressive, and fun (oh, it actually is too)
• Great for beginners (and anyone looking for a smooth, enjoyable ride)
• Fully capable on and off road
• Relatively low maintenance
• Decent 300cc power and delivery
• The styling!

Negative Reviews

• Stock tires leave something to be desired (buy a better knobby tire)
• Too slow for as much fun as it should be (under-powered)
• Taller seat height not as good for shorter riders

Looking for more info? Read this detailed review of the Honda CRF300L Rally for the history, full specs, handling details, and more.

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Honda CRF300L Dual Sport

If you were reading about the Rally model above and realized that it sounded decent, but you’d like more off-road capability from your dual sport dirt bike, this could be the answer.

The CRF300L is probably the absolute best beginner dual sport dirt bike from Honda. Since there isn’t a Honda 250 dual sport out, the 300 cc is the way to go.

It isn’t as big and heavy, or as powerful and snappy, as some of the other options out there. However, that doesn’t mean it’s a “boring” bike to ride and that it wouldn’t be worth owning if you were an intermediate rider.

Instead, the easy-to-ride nature of this 4 stroke, Honda 300 dual sport propels riders to be even better. When you can throw a bike around and control the power enough to make it hook up when you roll the throttle on… you’re going to find that you ride much better.

In the end, a bike like this (if not this exact one) is a great choice and should catapult your riding ability and confidence in no time.

Highlights & Specs

Manufacturer: Honda
Model Name: CRF300L, CRF 300 L, CRF 300L, CRF300 L
Type: Dual Sport Motorcycle
Years Made: 2021-2023 (present)

Seat Height: 34.7” (88cm)
Weight: 306 lbs (full tank of fuel, ready to ride)

Engine size: 286cc (considered 300cc)
Oil Capacity: 1.8L (1.9 quarts)
Top Speed: ~80 mph

Positive Reviews

• Decent sized gas tank (2.1 gallons)
• Good for beginner riders
• Easy and enjoyable ride
• Light and easy to “man-handle” on trails
• Great riding position
• Not as expensive as some of the others

Negative Reviews

• Too slow for as much fun as it should be (under-powered)
• No ABS

Really, there aren’t many reasons not to buy one of these Honda dual sports, other than the power output. They are a VERY good choice for small-midsize riders and those who want an easy-to-ride, dual sport bike for beginners. However, if you are a larger person or are have experience riding dirt bikes, you will probably want a bit more power.

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Honda CRF450RX Enduro

While there are quite a few (or maybe its just me) still lugging their MX bikes through the woods, Honda decided to make something special race-bike-owning trail lovers. How so? Have you ever dreamed of taking a motocross bike and turning it into the ultimate enduro? Well, that’s what Honda did with the CRF450RX.

Combined with the clean and crisp handling and responsiveness from the CRF450R, Honda morphed their race-winning bike into an enduro race bike. This thing is extreme… for better and worse.

Highlights & Specs

Manufacturer: Honda
Model Name: CRF450RX, CRF 450 RX, CRF 450RX, CRF450 RX
Type: Enduro
Years Made: 2017-2023 (present)

Seat Height: 38” (97cm)
Weight: 251 lbs (full tank of fuel, ready to ride)

Engine size: 449cc (considered 450cc)
Oil Capacity: 1L (1.1 quarts)
Top Speed: ~80 mph

Positive Reviews

• Selectable torque control
• Honda’s proven reliability
• Controllable (yet fun!) power output
• Great low-mid torque
• Smooth hydraulic clutch
• Definitely an “R” worthy race bike

Negative Reviews

• The price ($10,000)
• A little too much of a “race” bike for most of us
• Not street legal
• High maintenance intervals compared to less extreme bikes

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Honda CRF450X Enduro

“Oh cool, a CRF450R geared for trails. Cool bike.” – says the guy who doesn’t look close enough. Okay, let’s be honest… we probably all thought that at first when Honda came out with the CRF450X. Maybe you did, maybe you didn’t. I sure did. But let me tell you; I was wrong. This is actually a very different motorcycle than the “R” model.

The “R” is a motocross race bike, while the “X” is a cross-country, competition-ready, off-road enduro bike.

Highlights & Specs

Manufacturer: Honda
Model Name: CRF450X, CRF 450 X, CRF 450X, CRF450 X
Type: Enduro
Years Made: 2005-2023 (present)

Seat Height: 37.9” (97cm)
Weight: 275 lbs (full tank of fuel, ready to ride)

Engine size: 449cc (considered 450cc)
Oil Capacity: 700 ml in the crank case, 670 ml in the transmission
Top Speed: ~90 mph

Positive Reviews

• 2 gallon gas tank
• Stock skid plate
• Honda dependability
• Wide range 6 speed is great for (basically) any setting
• All the 450 cc fun but more controllable than the “R”

Negative Reviews

• Not street legal
• Fairly hard to find used in good condition
• Expensive new (close to $10k)

Looking for more info? Read this detailed review of the Honda CRF450X for the history, full specs, handling details, and more.

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Honda CRF250RX Enduro

Are you looking one of the best enduros for small to midsize riders? “Hi, I’m the Honda CRF250RX enduro, and I’m amazing.” – says the bike of your dreams. Okay, perhaps that’s a little overkill… I admit. However, these bikes are killer.

I consider myself an intermediate rider, and I would LOVE to own one of these. Does that mean that I can hang with the MX racers who race in the “intermediate” class at my local tracks? Not even close. Those guys (maybe you’re one of them) are fast. But anyway, these would be a solid choice for intermediate riders, or guys who want to be able to man-handle their bikes easier than a big 450.

Highlights & Specs

Manufacturer: Honda
Model Name: CRF250RX, CRF 250 RX, CRF 250RX, CRF250 RX
Type: Enduro
Years Made: 2018-2023 (present)

Seat Height: 38” (97cm)
Weight: 238 lbs (full tank of fuel, ready to ride)

Engine size: 249cc (considered 250cc)
Oil Capacity: 1.18 US qt (1.12 l)
Top Speed: ~85 mph

Positive Reviews

• 2.1 gallon gas tank
• Stock skid plate
• Honda dependability
• Good gearing and tuning for trail riding
• Light and nimble
• Great power range

Negative Reviews

• Not street legal
• Fairly hard to find used in good condition
• Expensive new (close to $9k)
• High seat for a 250cc

Looking for more info? Read this detailed review of the Honda CRF250RX for the history, full specs, handling details, and more.

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Okay… Now What?

Well, my goal here is to just list out the choices from Honda with each bike’s strengths and weaknesses. In the end, the best option for YOU may not be the same “best option” for your neighbor… and that’s okay!

I’ll tell you this: after this review I’m ready to bug my buddy to let me ride his CRF450X… I’d like a break from my 450R for a bit. Not that I don’t love it, but I do prefer trail riding to tracks 90% of the time.