The weight of a vehicle can be expressed in several ways. When it comes to off-road motorcycles or motorcycles, consider three different methods to represent weight: dry weight, wet weight, and gross vehicle weight, also known as GVWR. The original, straight, half-streamlined, punchy but inexpensive Tracer 700 was already an excellent all-rounder, which was perhaps inevitable given its MT-07 roadster roots. But its upgrade to the GT specification in 2018, with accessory luggage and more, turned it into a truly believable and lightweight entry-level tourer. Now, for 2020, it has been further improved with a sharp new look, a Euro5-compliant engine and better weather protection, while the GT variant, which was previously only an accessory version, now receives a high-end touring disc (which, like the basic version, is also easily adjustable), A comfort touring seat and coordinated-coloured panniers with a capacity of 40 litres – all for less than £8,000. Touring bikes do not become more accessible, more affordable or, with a very reasonable 196kg, manageable. Even the new Chinese-built CFMoto 650GT, also new for 2020, while still a valid and attractive mid-weight tourer, cannot compete with the very thin proportions of the plotter. In fact, this bike offers tons of great bike performance. It has a seat height of 34 inches, although it weighs only 170 pounds wet, making it one of the lightest off-road motorcycles. While it`s a great learning tool for the family, we prefer to keep one to ourselves. At $4,599, kids would have to mow a lot of lawns anyway to buy this bike. When it comes to suspension, you`re dealing with a 37mm inverted fork and a Pro-Link rear linkage.

Front and rear settings provide optimal shock absorption for a smoother ride. The high-strength steel frame remains lightweight, but also works with the large diameter tubes to provide superior rotational performance and flawless straight-line workmanship. Kawasaki added the KLX230 Dual Sport to its lineup in 2019 and is a great beginner`s bike for both track and road riding. It has an electric start, fuel injection and a fairly low seat height. By far, the best way to get the lightest off-road motorcycle on the market is to buy it already manufactured. But even if you go on a cheap bike for your adventures, you can still follow the steps outlined above to reduce weight and maximize performance. The sky is the limit. Despite its age, the YZ125 is still relevant today. It features modern components such as Nisin brakes, Pro Taper grease bars, Dunlop Geomax MX52 tires, Excel rims and shaft discs to keep it contemporary. Not only does this bike deserve to be on the list of lightest off-road bikes, weighing just 208 wet pounds, but it should also be honored as a staple of racing history. If you want to find ways to reduce the weight of an off-road motorcycle, we have some tips to get you started.

In addition to choosing one of the lightest off-road motorcycles, you can also try these steps. We finish our list of lightest off-road bikes with another relatively obscure model, at least in some circles: the 215-pound Beta 200 RR 2-Stroke. This bike looks pretty cool out of the minds of people who don`t even pay attention to most bikes, and it`s all electric. That alone makes him a pioneer, to say the least. If that`s not enough to catch your attention, it weighs just 313 pounds and weighs 31.8 inches, making it one of the lightest options available. You`ll pay a little more for the fact that everything is electric, but it looks like it should be worth it in the end. You can have this model for $10,995. It may not be the latest design, but the inclusion of Yamaha`s single-cylinder XT660R indicates that there is a clear correlation between weight and number of cylinders. In fact, none of the bikes on our list have more than two cylinders – triple and quadruple bikes all weigh more when unrealistic « dry » weights are ignored. While the XT660R is an `adventure` bike – and its light weight means it`s easier to use off-road than most machines carrying this day – the similar but supermoto XT660X narrowly missed making the list at 186kg. However, it`s worth noting that Yamaha`s « wet » weights include fuel, and a 15-litre tank means both XTs would be 11kg lighter with a single splash.

The biggest adjustment to the weight of the bike is the rider. Carrying an extra 20 pounds will affect your ability to run. The veteran you`re competing against, who doesn`t drink extra beer or eat bags of chips, will do better every day of the week, no matter how much you practice. This is because his bike becomes lighter because his body is lighter, which allows him to ride faster. If you`re new to off-road biking or just riding a motorcycle in general, it`s important to choose the right first off-road motorcycle. Choosing a bike that is too big or too fast is one of the fastest ways to have an accident, because as a new rider, you can`t handle the bike properly. No Husky FE 350? It`s ~245 lbs and I just sat on a 2023 with my 32 inch inner seam, my feet were flat on the floor and the bike is over 100 lbs lighter than my 2019 WR250R. The downside, the maintenance schedule is brutal.