Dual-Sport Bikes With Low Seat Heights
Dual-sport motorcycles are tall for a good reason. Long suspension travel, ground clearance, and large-diameter wheels all need space, which is why serious trail bikes have to loft their saddles above 35 inches. That does bring its own set of issues and makes the bike less appealing to the more vertically challenged, especially when a rocky camber, rut, or awkward off-road U-turn suddenly makes getting a foot down inevitable. These 10 current U.S.-market dual-sports lower that barrier without losing their identities of abilities. The first six stay below 33 inches, while the taller four justify their place with full-size off-road wheels, substantial suspension travel, or factory-supported lowering.
Yamaha TW200
Seat Height: 31.1 Inches
The TW200 sits lower than plenty of street motorcycles, yet still manages 10.4 inches of ground clearance. Its unusual wheel package helps with this, with a 14-inch rear wheel and huge 180-section tire replacing the conventional 18-inch dual-sport setup. At 278 pounds wet and just 52.2 inches between the axles, the Yamaha is easy to manage when the pace drops to a crawl. Its $4,999 price, bulletproof 196cc air-cooled single, and five-speed gearbox reinforce that friendly character. Only 6.3 inches of fork travel limits how aggressively it wants to attack rough ground, but no other bike here makes reaching terra firma this easy.
Kawasaki KLR650 S
Seat Height: 32.1 Inches
We know this is more of an ADV, but it’s worth including for its saddle height. Kawasaki drops the KLR650 S to 2.2 inches below the standard KLR650 through reduced suspension travel and a thinner seat. Crucially, the 652cc single, 6.1-gallon tank, 21-inch front wheel, wind protection, and luggage-friendly layout remain. That makes the S the low-seat choice for riders whose dual-sport miles include plenty of highways. The $6,999 non-ABS model still weighs 456.2 pounds ready to ride, so an easier reach helps there. Ground clearance falls to 7.3 inches, but the S is solving access to a big travel-oriented dual-sport and not its hardcore capabilities, which remain mostly unaffected.
Kawasaki KLX230 Sherpa S ABS
Seat Height: 32.5 Inches
The KLX230 Sherpa S, with its 32.5-inch seat, fits proper 21-inch and 18-inch wheels, while its curb weight stays just under 300 pounds. It therefore feels much closer to a traditional trail bike than the KLR650 S does. Kawasaki also equips the $5,899 Sherpa for proper dirt use with an aluminum skid plate, metal-reinforced hand guards, selectable ABS, and a tubeless rear tire. Suspension travel is a moderate 6.2 inches front and 6.6 inches rear, so it’s no disguised enduro, but the riders get a low seat option without sacrificing full-size wheels.
Yamaha XT250
Seat Height: 32.7 Inches
The beginner-friendly XT250 is a reminder that seat height alone does not define off-road clearance. Its 32.7-inch seat is barely higher than the Sherpa’s, yet this Yamaha still offers 8.9 inches of fork travel, 11.2 inches of ground clearance, and a 21-inch and 18-inch wheel combo. It weighs 291 pounds wet, uses a fuel-injected 249cc air-cooled single, and has disc brakes at both ends. At $5,499, the XT is old-school in several respects, but packaging this much clearance beneath such an approachable seat remains one of its strongest tricks.
Honda CRF300LS
Seat Height: 32.7 Inches
Honda’s CRF300LS is the more serious trail option at the same 32.7-inch seat height as the XT250. It sits two inches lower than the regular CRF300L while retaining the 286cc liquid-cooled single, six-speed transmission, and 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels. The more impressive numbers, however, are the preserved 9.3 inches of fork travel, 9.0 inches at the rear, as well as the 9.6 inches of ground clearance from the 300L. At 311 pounds and $5,749, the LS is arguably the sweet spot here for shorter riders who want substantial suspension performance without climbing onto a near-35-inch seat.
Honda XR150L
Seat Height: 32.8 Inches
Only one tenth of an inch separates the XR150L from the CRF300LS, but $2,350 separates their MSRPs. At $3,399, the XR keeps things simple with a carbureted 149cc air-cooled single, five-speed gearbox, rear drum brake, and 19-inch front wheel. Its 282-pound curb weight is just as approachable as its seat height for a newer rider. The XR also brings 7.1 inches of fork travel, 5.9 inches at the rear, and a standard cargo rack. It is better suited to commuting, milder dirt tracks, and gentler trails than hard off-road riding, but that narrower focus is precisely what makes it versatile.
Yamaha WR125R
Seat Height: 34.4 Inches
At 34.4 inches, the 2027 WR125R marks the point where “low” becomes relative to full-size dual-sports. The extra height buys conventional 21-inch and 18-inch wheels, 8.5 inches of fork travel, and 9.4 inches of ground clearance. Its liquid-cooled 125cc single works through a six-speed gearbox; its wet weight is 304 pounds, and Yamaha estimates a whopping 105 mpg. Riders who can handle the additional reach get a more conventional off-road chassis for $3,999, without taking on a large engine or an intimidating motorcycle.
Suzuki DR650S
Seat Height: 34.8 Inches
Suzuki gives shorter riders an option built into the DR650S itself. The standard seat is 34.8 inches, but a factory-supported chassis adjustment can lower it to 33.2 inches when paired with Suzuki’s shorter accessory side stand. For its purpose, it is a useful addition from the factory for a 644cc dual-sport weighing 366 pounds. The $7,299 DR also carries 3.4 gallons of fuel and offers 10.4 inches of ground clearance in standard form. Few big-bore dual-sports accommodate different inseams without relying on aftermarket suspension links, so the DR650S is a great choice for riding partners sharing bikes.
KTM 390 Enduro R
Seat Height: 35.0 Inches
A 35-inch seat is not low in ordinary motorcycle terms, but the KTM 390 Enduro R does need some context. It provides 9.06 inches of suspension travel at both ends, 10.7 inches of ground clearance, and full-size 21-inch and 18-inch wheels. Such off-road geometry found in the competition often places the riders much higher. The $6,049 KTM also brings adjustable WP suspension, a 398.7cc liquid-cooled single, ride-by-wire throttle, and roughly 364 pounds of fully fueled weight. It will not suit someone who needs both feet flat at every stop, but it offers serious suspension performance without crossing beyond the 35-inch mark.
2027 Kawasaki KLX300 XPL ABS
Seat Height: 35.2 Inches
The new KLX300 XPL ABS breaches this list’s upper boundary by a smidge, and its 35.2-inch seat needs a little justification. Kawasaki gives it 10.0 inches of fork travel, 9.1 inches at the rear, 11.0 inches of ground clearance, and 21-inch and 18-inch wheels while holding curb weight to 313.1 pounds. For $6,499, the XPL also adds a windscreen, hand guards, rear carrier, smartphone-connected instrumentation, and selectable front-wheel ABS. It remains a bike that shorter riders should physically try before buying, but among full-size dual-sports with this much suspension travel and clearance, the seat height is relatively restrained.
Source: Various Manufacturers
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