Filtered by Dual-Sport
News
Spy photos show an early BMW adventure prototype with a parallel twin and a 21-inch front wheel, aimed between the F 450 GS and F 900 GS. Outlets are calling it the F 600 GS or F 650 GS, but BMW hasn't confirmed a name, specs or date, and the reports point to 2028.
Trail AccessPolicy
A new Forest Service order keeps Banshee Hill and the southwestern edge of the Umpqua Dunes closed to all motorized vehicles through Jan. 15, 2027, and the 10:30 p.m. curfew stays too. Here's what's closed, why, and what to check before you ride Umpqua 2 or 3.
News
Alpinestars' new top Tech 7 is on sale in the US at $599.95, $70 more than the Drystar version. The extra money buys a Gore-Tex membrane and Gore's dry guarantee, not a different sole. Here's who should pay it.
News
Kawasaki adds a fourth KLR650 for 2027. The DF ABS gets big crash bars and frame sliders for $7,699, slotting between the base bike and the Adventure, and every version reaches dealers in early December.
News
Kawasaki's KLX300 range grows to four bikes for 2027, with front ABS, a new dash and two new models. The XPL takes on Honda's CRF300L Rally at the same price, while the base bike gets $350 dearer.
News
Beta's RR X-Pro-based RS range returns for 2027 with a wider-spar frame, Trail Tech Voyager GPS and four engine sizes. Here's who each one suits, what they cost and how they stack up against KTM's EXC-F.
How-To & TechHow-To
Winter storage done right comes down to fuel, oil, battery, coolant and a stand. Here's how it differs for 2-strokes, carbureted 4-strokes, EFI bikes and dual sports, based on owner's manual and maker guidance, plus a spring recommission checklist.
GearGear Release
Cardo and Leatt have built Cardo's mesh intercom and JBL speakers into the Leatt MOTO 8.5. The Venture is ECE 22.06 and DOT certified and costs $799, but battery life is still unpublished.
News
A revised California Air Resources Board Executive Order certifies a 2027 DesertX Rally with an 890 cc engine, the size of Ducati's V2 twin. Ducati has not announced the bike, and CARB does not publish suspension, weight, price or timing.
GearRoundup
Before you park the bike for winter, check what battery it runs. Here's which chargers handle lithium (LiFePO4), which are lead-acid only, and how to hook one up so the bike fires in spring.
News
Honda opened bookings in India today for the made-there XR300L and XR300 Rally at Rs 183,000 and Rs 208,000 Bangalore ex-showroom. Same 293.5cc air- and oil-cooled CB300F-related single, 21/18 spokes, switchable ABS and HSTC. North America still has the liquid-cooled CRF300L pair. India is the market Honda has confirmed.
NewsFirst Look
Electric Motion's road-legal Escape R adds a 3,800 Wh pack and an in-house 18 kW motor for 2027, revealed at the Trial des Nations in Arteixo. Claimed riding time rises to four hours; wet weight climbs to 87 kg. Europe and Australia have numbers. The U.S. page still shows 2026.
NewsFirst Look
BMW Motorrad USA has published 2027 F 450 GS sticker prices: Cosmic Black base at $6,995, Sport at $7,795, and GS Trophy at $8,195, all plus destination. The mid-size adventure twin is aimed at a Q1 2027 U.S. arrival.
Trail AccessPolicy
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Order 06-17-07-2026-40 closes NFS lands, roads, and trails across Wenatchee River / Entiat / Chelan districts for the Little Giant Fire from Sept. 3 through Oct. 31, 2026 unless rescinded. Dual-sport and ORV impact includes Lower Chiwawa ORV 1548, Minnow Ridge ORV 1524, and Alder Ridge 1523.
NewsRecall
NHTSA campaign 26V575000 covers about 14,014 Can-Am machines whose touchscreen instrument cluster may reset, freeze, or go blank. Origin and Pulse dual-sports sit in scope with Canyon and Spyder models; free OTA or dealer software update; owner notification letters expected mailed October 12, 2026.
GearRoundup
A buyer's guide to dual-sport and trail gloves - knuckle protection vs bar feel, venting vs weather, cuff length under or over the jersey, touchscreen tips, and palm durability. It covers real, commonly shopped models, not a multi-week crash ranking.
NewsFirst Look
Honda Montesa confirmed the 2027 4Ride carries over unchanged - 258.9cc, 4.3-liter tank, 82 kg, TECH 39 mm / Pro-Link travel - with UK pricing at £7,099 while Cota siblings get fresh graphics.
NewsFirst Look
Rieju’s sharper Aventura Rally 307R stacks Michelin Tracker tires, an ACD aluminum skid plate, and Racing Red graphics on the 293cc trail platform - claimed 138 kg dry, 21-liter tank, 890 mm seat - with U.S. price still unconfirmed.
NewsFirst Look
At CIMAMotor 2026 in China, Kove showed a 349.9cc rally-inspired adventure bike aimed below the 450 Rally - claimed ~342 lb ready-to-ride, 21-liter tank, 35-inch seat - with production planned for 2027 and North America still unconfirmed.
How-To & TechHow-To
A dual-sport chain fails quietly until it doesn't. Measure free play at the tightest point against your OEM range, align both adjusters, torque the axle, then clean and lube an O-ring chain from the inside of the lower run.
How-To & TechHow-To
Fifty-fifty dual-sport days live between road and dirt pressure. Start from cold OEM road and off-road numbers, then bias inside that window for pavement, loose soil, and load - without treating the tire sidewall maximum as a target.
How-To & TechHow-To
A dual-sport day ride rewards soft bags that stay narrow, low, and quiet. Pack tools and water where mass helps traction, keep sharp edges off the plastic, and leave the adventure-touring pile at home.
How-To & TechHow-To
Cable clutches on dual-sports need a measured gap at the lever before the plates start to lift. Too little free play cooks the clutch; too much leaves you with a grabby engagement at the wrong time. Set it cold to the owner's manual.
How-To & TechHow-To
Spongy brakes on a street-legal dual-sport are a pavement problem with dirt consequences. Bleed with the correct fluid grade, a clean reservoir, and the OEM sequence - and know when a dealer bench bleed is the smarter call.
How-To & TechHow-To
An overnight dual-sport loop needs sleep gear, a real repair kit, and water discipline - not a full BDR expedition pile. Pack for one night out and a ride home on a tired bike.
How-To & TechHow-To
Desert heat and mountain storms punish dual-sport plans that only check a phone icon at breakfast. Read timing, elevation, and flood risk from primary forecasts - then build turnaround times into the day.
How-To & TechHow-To
Dual-sport and enduro wheel setups trade weight, cost, and trailside repair skill. Tubes remain common; tubeless with security bolts or true beadlocks change how you run pressure and fix flats. Choose the stack you can service away from the truck.
Trails & DestinationsDestination
The Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route is a high-elevation dual-sport and adventure route from Four Corners toward Wyoming. Plan season, fuel range and morning passes from RideBDR's own route guide - then verify MVUMs and Route Updates the week you leave.
Trails & DestinationsDestination
The Utah Backcountry Discovery Route strings iconic southern desert and mountain dirt into a long dual-sport / adventure crossing. RideBDR rates it among the harder BDRs - plan tires, weather patience, and Route Updates before you chase Moab-adjacent glory.
Trails & DestinationsDestination
Idaho's Backcountry Discovery Route is often listed among RideBDR's more moderate full-length routes - which still means remote dirt, real logistics, and Motor Vehicle Use Map homework across multiple forests.
Trails & DestinationsDestination
Arizona's Backcountry Discovery Route runs roughly 750 miles of mostly remote dirt from the Mexico border country toward Utah, mixing high desert, canyons, and unexpected green mountains. RideBDR rates it Difficult - and as of recent Route Updates, riders should budget time for multiple permits before the kickstand goes up.
Trails & DestinationsDestination
The Southern California Backcountry Discovery Route was built as a winter-leaning dual-sport / adventure line through southeastern California desert and preserve country - including Mojave vibes and Death Valley-adjacent logistics. RideBDR rates it Difficult; heat, sand, and flash floods still edit the calendar.
Trails & DestinationsDestination
The Mid-Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route threads about 1,100 miles of dirt, gravel, and pavement through Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. RideBDR groups it as Moderate among BDRs - Appalachian forests, farm country, and history without Western desert sand.
FeaturesFeature
Hard enduro is the branch of off-road motorcycle racing that turns vertical, technical terrain into the whole point - closer to trials than to a wide-open desert dash. Even if you never enter a Soft Enduro or extreme round, the skill language is rewriting how dirt bikes are built and how trail riders practice.
FeaturesFeature
Dual-sport, adventure, and enduro get used like synonyms until you share a trailhead. This feature maps how riders and OEMs actually use the words - use-case first - without reprinting our street-legal glossary.
FeaturesFeature
Dual-sport charity culture is bigger than any single invitational. From local club fundraisers to storied multi-day rides, the through-line is simple: turn dirt miles into dollars and stewardship - without pretending every event is open enrollment.
FeaturesFeature
Recalls are maintenance with a federal paper trail, not a verdict on your OEM. Learn to check a VIN, read the remedy, and book the dealer visit.
FeaturesFeature
Factory hard enduro machines look like trail enduros until you study the details: traction software, gearing, protection, and a willingness to trade highway manners for vertical grip. Here is how the sharp-end bikes differ. We didn't dyno them, so this sticks to the hardware and setup choices.
News
Ducati’s first modern street-legal enduro - Desmo450 EDS (Enduro Street Legal) - lands at select North American dealers from August 2026 for $12,995 MSRP, with a 449.6 cc Desmo single, Showa, and 21/18 Excel wheels.
News
The exhaust specialist’s first hard-parts peg set is one-piece Grade 5 titanium with a wide octagonal platform, tool-free rubber pads, ABE approval, and broad ADV/enduro fitment - ADV Pulse pegs retail around $270 a set.
News
Suzuki answers the biggest knock on its new dual-sport: for 2027 the DR-Z4S and DR-Z4SM both land at $7,999 MSRP - a full $1,000 under last year’s sticker - with the accessory-equipped DR-Z4S+ at $8,299.
NewsFirst Look
Extremely limited competition-spec 450 Rally Replica arrives at authorized dealers this fall - first official U.S. and Canada availability, with US MSRP figures that still disagree by $300.
Trail AccessPolicy
Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests and Idaho Parks and Recreation reopened 5.6 miles of Divide Trail 505 between Trails 504 and 672 on the Red River Ranger District - restoring Magruder Corridor-Boundary National Recreational Trail looping for single-track motorized riders.
NewsFirst Look
KTM’s MY27 Freeride E is factory street-legal in all 50 U.S. states with a swappable 5.5 kWh MX50 pack, 19.2 kW peak, WP XACT/XPLOR suspension, and a U.S. base MSRP of $9,999 plus $690 freight - the quiet dual-sport option that used to stop at the trailhead.
How-To & TechHow-To
A practical dual-sport checklist for Motor Vehicle Use Maps: what the symbols mean, why “usable” dirt isn’t the same as legal, and how to cross-check RideBDR Route Updates plus local ranger notes before you put a knobby down. Not legal advice.
NewsPolicy
On September 9, 2026 the American Motorcyclist Association and Backcountry Discovery Routes signed a memorandum of understanding to coordinate advocacy, route stewardship, rider education, and community work for adventure and dual-sport riders - the people who actually burn forest-service connectors and BDR days.
NewsFirst Look
The historic Spanish name returns on petrol this time: the Rally GT 300 is a Leonart-based 292cc adventure single listed at €3,999, with Spanish deliveries aimed at September 2026 and no U.S. availability announced.
News
Zero Motorcycles says a CCS Level 3 DC fast-charging module will land on new Dual Sport and Street models later in 2027, with a retrofit path for Cypher III Street and Dual Sport bikes from model year 2022 onward - targeting under 30 minutes for 20% to 80% on packs up to 17.3 kWh.
NewsFirst Look
KTM’s top street-legal enduro special returns for MY27 with Portugal-inspired 6Days graphics, race kit hardware, and a published U.S. MSRP of $14,699 plus $690 freight.
NewsFirst Look
CFMoto’s biggest U.S. adventure bike yet - 946cc parallel twin, claimed 112 hp, KYB/Brembo/Pirelli kit, 21/18 wheels - sticks a $12,499 MSRP under the middleweight ADV class.
NewsFirst Look
RevZilla’s September 29 Greece first ride puts a hard U.S. sticker on KTM’s factory rally LC4 - $14,199 MSRP ($14,848 as tested with options) - while dealers take crates from the October window.
GearRoundup
A buyer's guide to dual-sport and enduro handguards - full-wrap aluminum backbones vs open plastic shields, two-point mounts, bar diameter, and lever clearance. It covers real, commonly shopped models, not a multi-week crash ranking.
GearRoundup
Buyer-guide structure for trail and dual-sport goggles in dust: foam seals, venting, roll-off vs tear-off systems, and lens tints. It covers real, commonly shopped models (100 percent Armega and Strata 2, Oakley Airbrake, Scott Prospect), not dust-chamber scores.
How-To & TechHow-To
A beginner-friendly suspension checklist for trail and enduro: rider sag, clicker baselines, spring rate reality, and when stock valves need a shop. Educational only - not a custom race tune for your bike.
GearRoundup
How to mount a phone or GPS on a dual-sport: vibration damping, case ecosystems (Quad Lock, SP Connect), RAM-style balls, waterproofing, and USB power. It's a shopping guide, not a vibration lab test.
BikesHow-To
A practical pre-purchase checklist for used dual-sports: title/VIN, hours vs miles, oil leaks, wheel bearings, valve service history, crash damage, and a sane test ride. It's an inspection guide, not a price guide.
FeaturesTrail Report
How the Colorado 500 grew from a 1970s backcountry ride into the nation’s longest-running motorcycle charity invitational - invitation culture, high-country routes, and trail-preservation giving. Drawn from the event and published coverage, not a first-person ride diary.
FeaturesHow-To
An evergreen glossary for riders sorting dual-sport, street-legal enduro, competition enduro, and adventure bikes - factory road equipment, FMVSS basics, and why U.S. naming differs from Europe. Sourced category education, not a ridden shootout.
How-To & TechHow-To
A practical oil-and-filter service checklist for dirt bikes and dual-sports: warm the engine, drain cleanly, replace the filter, refill to the sight glass or dipstick, and dispose of oil legally. Your owner's manual still has the final word for your bike.
GearRoundup
How to pick 50/50 and near-50/50 dual-sport tires: tread bias, DOT markings, load/speed ratings, and commonly shopped Trailmax, Anakee Wild, Scorpion Rally, and Shinko options. It's a shopping guide, not a wear test.
BikesComparison
A clear category explainer: plated dual-sports vs off-road-only dirt bikes - lighting, mirrors, emissions, weight, tires, and where each tool wins. Public category facts only; not a ridden shootout.
GearRoundup
How to choose soft panniers, dry bags, and rack systems for plated dual-sport and adventure-lite bikes. What to look for, plus commonly shopped Kriega, Giant Loop, Mosko Moto, and Wolfman options. It's a shopping guide, not an expedition test.
GearRoundup
A buyer's guide to roost guards, chest protectors, and upper-body armor for trail, enduro, and dual-sport. It covers real, commonly shopped models from Leatt, Alpinestars, EVS, and Fox, without crash scores.
GearRoundup
A category buyer guide for dual-sport and trail boots - hinged MX lids vs adventure touring boots, buckle security, sole compound, and fit. It covers real, commonly shopped models, not a multi-week trail ranking.
GearRoundup
A buyer's guide to dual-sport and adventure lids built around real, commonly shopped models (Arai XD-5, Shoei Hornet X2, Bell MX-9 Adventure MIPS, Klim Krios Pro). The picks come from category criteria, not a multi-week trail test.
How-To & TechHow-To
A practical foam air-filter service checklist for dual-sport, enduro, and MX bikes: protect the intake, wash, oil evenly, grease the seal, and reinstall without pinching. It's about the process, not which filter brand to buy.
BikesComparison
A street-legal dual-sport shortlist comparison built from publicly known category facts - displacement class, typical use cases, and ownership tradeoffs. We haven't ridden these two back to back for this comparison, and prices change, so check with your dealer before you budget.
NewsRecall
NHTSA campaign 26V443 covers certain 2022-2024 Husqvarna FE 350S/501S and 2024 GasGas ES 350/ES 500 dual-sports. Owner notification letters were mailed August 31, 2026, per NHTSA; free caliper replacement is the remedy.
Trail AccessPolicy
Wyoming Public Media (August 25, 2026) and Missoula Current summarize the Forest Service intent to revise the Travel Management Rule toward greater motorized and e-bike access. Existing designations remain until revised - here is the dual-sport FAQ version of the Federal Register NOI.
Trail AccessPolicy
Federal Register NOI (Aug 24, 2026; 91 FR 54686) starts EIS/rulemaking to revise 36 CFR part 212 toward an open-unless-closed access presumption and annual closure review. Comments due Sept 23, 2026 on Docket FS-2026-0100. Existing MVUMs stay until locally revised - not legal advice.
How-To & TechHow-To
A service utility checklist pointing owners to GasGas and Husqvarna VIN recall-check tools, CPSC stop-ride language for off-road bikes, and NHTSA VIN lookup for street-legal FE/ES units - anchored to the August 19-20, 2026 announcements.
Trail AccessPolicy
USDA and the Forest Service proposed rescinding the national 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, returning inventoried-roadless decisions to local forest planning. Federal Register publication was August 20, 2026; comment deadline cited as September 21, 2026.
NewsRecall
CPSC recall 26-710 covers ~21,040 U.S. 2021-2024 GASGAS and 2022-2024 Husqvarna off-road bikes whose Braktec rear caliper can crack or break, and CPSC says stop riding them. Related NHTSA 26V443 covers ~6,257 plated FE S / ES dual-sports: check your VIN and book the free dealer repair.
GearGear Release
Dunlop announced the Geomax EN92 on August 19-20, 2026 as an FIM- and DOT-approved enduro competition tire replacing the EN91, including a new Soft compound for wet, rocky, and rooted conditions. Specs here are Dunlop's claims, and verified US MSRPs weren't available at publication.
Trails & DestinationsTrail Report
A sample Front Range-to-high-country loop with elevation notes, fuel spacing, and how to verify USFS travel management before you roll.
