Many full-time RVers have more than one mode of transportation. Some have a rig or a truck and a pull-behind.

Some have a motorhome and pull their car behind them. Many choose motorcycles, scooters or even golf carts as their second ride.

There are many options available to choose from. However, it seems the optimal choice right now is a dual-sport motorcycle.

What is a dual-sport motorcycle? It is a street-legal motorcycle with a dual purpose.

They are made for the dirt, but can be driven on the highway. These motorcycles have been around for years but are making a comeback in the RV world.

There are many reasons for their comeback. They are lightweight, and this can play a huge role in our choice of a second ride for an RVer.

We want something that is easy to load, easy to pull and yet sporty enough for adventure. To me, this is one of the top reasons to own a dual-sport motorcycle. If I am at a campground and I need some basic supplies from a nearby store, I can easily jump on my bike and make a quick supply run.

If I am looking for some adventure, I can jump on my ride and hit the dirt trails. A dual-sport motorcycle gives you freedom; freedom with adventure.

This is not your typical motorcycle, as you can be traveling down a sandy beach and the next moment cruising down the highway. When choosing this ride, you don’t have to think, “Will I be riding to the store to buy bread? Will I be riding unpaved dirt trails? Will I be riding to Sturgis, South Dakota or Quartzsite, Arizona?”

It doesn’t matter, because if you own one of these bikes, you can do it all. A dual-sport motorcycle’s responsiveness, braking and cornering are top-notch and having a high-performance engine brings in high reviews from its riders.

Did I mention it is street legal in all fifty states? This bike is stable at all speeds. They are ergonomically designed to soak up bumps. They are geared for long distance travel.

Whether you’re going to purchase an older bike like the Yamaha x250 that came out in the 1980s or buy a new release like Honda’s 2019 CRF450L, keep safety in mind.

If you’re new to riding, it would be wise to get some training. My advice is use clutch control and brake control, use your weight if you start to fall off camber, and do not jump off your bike.

Let your bike do the turning. Suspensions on dual-sport bikes are built different than dirt bikes, so you might want to steer clear of jumps until you’re comfortable. While the bike is capable of jumps, you could blow a shock until you have mastered the art of jumping with a dual-sport motorcycle. Finally, review all your state laws.

Recently, I talked to Shane Norton, an avid rider and thrill seeker. Shane has rode and worked on all kinds of bikes, from dual-sport motorcyclea to his 2012 Harley.

His dual-sport motorcycles are a 2000 Kawasaki LX300 and a Yamaha TW200. Comparing the two, he felt the Kawasaki was better suited for the highway, whereas the Yamaha was better for offroading.

He has no complaints and loves both bikes. When it comes to brakes there is no vibration. In regard to control on curves, Shane said, “The Yamaha rips on trails and has a lot of bottom end and not so much top end.”

The dual-sport motorcycle easily gets up to 65 mph, but has a slight drag after that. They are known to hit 85-90 mph on the highway. When it comes to a beginner bike, a Yamaha TW200 is an excellent choice.

Another advantage to owning a dual-sport motorcycle is you can see so much more than if you were in a car. Your eyes pick up on so much more of your surroundings.

I had one last question for Shane and that was, “What is it that makes you want to ride? What can you tell someone who isn’t experienced? Why would they want to ride a dual-sport motorcycle?”

Shane said, “It is the vibration in your hands through the handle bars that is exhilarating. Anyone who gets on a bike needs to experience going wide open at least once. It is a butt-numbing, hand vibrating, bug eating exhilaration.”

RVing itself is an adventure, and adding a dual-sport motorcycle into the mix just heightens the experience. Ride on my friends; live life while there’s life to be lived.