In recent times, we have seen a range of dual-sport motorcycles enter the Indian market. These include affordable options such as the Hero Xpulse 200 4V and go up to the BMW R1200 GS and beyond, costing
over the Rs 20 lakh mark. However, what are Dual-Sport bikes and why are they gaining popularity? Here is a quick explanation of this upcoming segment in India.
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In a nutshell, Dual-Sport motorcycles are designed to fulfill two different purposes, mainly on-road and off-road use. Unlike commuter motorcycles designed for economy, or street motorcycles designed for agility, a dual-sport motorcycle can be used both as an everyday ride and an occasional weekend tourer. Within this category, there are sub-segments such as those that are more off-road biased or road biased. Other attractive characteristics of a dual-sport include being lightweight, having long suspension travel, high ground clearance and peppy performance.
Is It A Suitable Choice For India?
While Dual-Sport motorcycles are designed as a lifestyle choice, they have a more practical use case in the Indian scenario. Here are five reasons why a dual-sport makes for a more practical choice in our country.
1. Minimal Design and Lightweight Format:
Dual-Sport bikes such as the Hero Xpulse 2004V, Kawasaki KLX 230 and even the Suzuki V-Strom X offer a narrow body shape that makes them ideal for urban cities of India where traffic density is high. These bikes do not take up much space and are lightweight, which improves maneuverability. Maintenance is also easier due to their rugged nature.2. Long Travel Suspension:
With an average suspension travel of 200mm across the segment, dual-sport motorcycles such as the KTM Adventure 250/390 or the Yezdi Adventure offer better comfort and peace of mind on Indian roads that often have bad patches and potholes. The longer suspension travel increases rider safety and reduces the risk of injury.3. High Ground-Clearance:
Another key characteristic of dual-sport motorcycles is the high ground clearance, which is designed for off-roading purposes. However, this characteristic also comes in handy to riders in everyday road situations around Indian roads. Models such as the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 offer great ground clearance of up to 230mm, which is more than a Thar Roxx for perspective.4. Peppy Performance:
Being a lifestyle segment choice, dual-sport motorcycles are designed to have lively engine performance, making them capable in off-road conditions. With multiple affordable options such as the Xpulse 200 4V available in India, a dual-sport offers both real-world practicality and a fun-to-ride proposition to Indian enthusiasts.5. The One Bike Garage Solution:
Based on the above-mentioned real-world application of a dual sport's key characteristics, such a bike could also be the one and only two-wheeler that enthusiasts can keep long term. This is because of their easy-to-maintain nature, touring-friendly performance and everyday usability.Currently, there are several dual-sport motorcycle options available in the affordable segment with prices ranging between Rs 1.40 lakh to Rs 3.67 lakh ex-showroom, making these lifestyle bikes accessible to a wide set of buyers. Keep reading Times Now Auto for more instant updates on all two-wheeler trends.
