For thrill-seekers who crave the adrenaline of off-road trails but need the practicality of street legality, the current crop of 350 to 500 cc dual-sport motorcycles is a dream come true. These machines, often bred from cross-country racers, offer the best of both worlds, eliminating the need for trailers and ramps. While they might not be designed for plush highway touring, if you’re seeking a ride that channels your inner Ricky Carmichael while still being legal for the ride home, the 2024 Street Legal Dirt Bikes from brands like Honda, KTM, Husqvarna, Beta, and Christini deserve your attention.
Best street-legal dirt bikes for 2024
Image: A dynamic group shot of five 2024 street legal dirt bikes from Honda, KTM, Husqvarna, Beta, and Christini, showcasing the diversity and rugged appeal of these dual-sport motorcycles.
Honda CRF450RL: The Street-Legal Triple Threat
Best street-legal dirt bikes for 2024
Image: Close-up profile of the 2024 Honda CRF450RL street legal dirt bike, highlighting its aggressive stance and off-road ready features.
The Honda CRF450RL, largely based on the formidable CRF450X cross-country racer, is Honda’s answer to riders demanding a street-legal machine with serious off-road DNA. Unchanged for 2024, the CRF450RL continues Honda’s tradition of reliable and robust engineering.
Prior to the 450RL’s arrival in 2019, Honda’s street-legal lineup had a noticeable gap between the 250L and the XR650. Riders yearned for a more aggressive, mid-range option. Instead of simply beefing up the 250L, Honda delivered a true 450 cc class competitor, incorporating the best elements from both the 450X and the motocross-focused 450R.
2021 Honda CRF450RL
Image: Action shot of a rider skillfully maneuvering a 2021 Honda CRF450RL street legal dirt bike on a dirt trail, showcasing its off-road capabilities and agile handling.
While tuned to be slightly more forgiving than its pure off-road counterparts, the 450RL stands as a strong contender against its European rivals. The 450 cc Unicam engine delivers a respectable 41.7 horsepower even with emissions equipment intact. Its adjustable Showa suspension provides approximately 12 inches of travel at both the front and rear. Furthermore, with a price tag of $10,099, it presents a compelling value proposition compared to the competition.
2021 Honda CRF450RL
Image: Detailed view of the 2021 Honda CRF450RL’s front suspension and wheel, emphasizing the Showa forks and off-road oriented tire.
Choosing a Honda often means opting for renowned build quality, reasonable maintenance costs, and access to an extensive dealer network. These are just some of the reasons why the author themselves owns a 450L. [Honda]
KTM 450 EXC-F Six Days: Ready to Race, Street Legal
2024 KTM 450 EXC-F Six Days
Image: Angled studio shot of the 2024 KTM 450 EXC-F Six Days street legal dirt bike, highlighting its special edition graphics and premium components.
Any off-road motorcycle that’s been made street legal involves some degree of compromise. However, if your riding leans heavily towards the extreme end of the spectrum, KTM offers the 450 EXC-F. Opting for the special ISDE-inspired Six Days edition elevates this machine to another level, delivering a bike that KTM confidently declares is “100% ready to race.”
2024 KTM 450 EXC-F Six Days
Image: Close up view of the 2024 KTM 450 EXC-F Six Days engine and frame, showcasing the orange chromoly frame and high-performance components.
KTM’s entire EXC range has undergone significant updates for 2024, and the 450 EXC-F Six Days boasts an impressive 95% new components. It starts with a distinctive orange chromoly frame, coupled with new 48 mm WP XACT forks and XPLOR PDS rear suspension. The 449.9 cc engine is a powerhouse, producing a staggering 57 peak horsepower while weighing only 64 pounds. Equipped with a new clutchless Quickshifter, the Six Days four-stroke models allow for wide-open-throttle shifting without using the clutch.
2024 KTM 450 EXC-F Six Days
Image: Rider in action on the 2024 KTM 450 EXC-F Six Days street legal dirt bike, demonstrating its race-ready performance in an off-road environment.
Inspired by the grueling International Six Days Enduro event, the 450 EXC-F Six Days is packed with upgrades designed for the most demanding riding conditions. These include a special gripper seat, Metzler Six Days extreme tires, a dedicated map-select switch, high-strength GIANT wheels, a composite skid plate, and numerous signature orange off-road components.
Choosing between the 450 and 500 EXC-F Six Days models boils down to personal preference. Both bikes share a similar weight, with the 500 offering an additional 7 horsepower. While the 500 remains untested, the 450 has proven to be exceptionally potent and well-balanced in off-road scenarios. However, this top-tier performance comes at a price, with the Six Days 450 retailing for $13,949. [KTM]
Husqvarna FE 501s: Premium Power and Performance
2024 Husqvarna FE 501s
Image: Studio side view of the 2024 Husqvarna FE 501s street legal dirt bike, showcasing its sleek white and blue Husqvarna styling.
The 500 cc class thumpers from KTM and Husqvarna represent the pinnacle of street-legal, dirt-focused motorcycles before stepping into heavier, less agile machines. The choice between these two brands often hinges on personal preference, particularly concerning rear suspension setups. While a subtle distinction, many riders prefer linkage-type suspension.
Husqvarna FE 501s
Image: Detail shot of the Husqvarna FE 501s rear suspension and exhaust, emphasizing the linkage system and premium components.
The Husqvarna FE 501s mirrors many of the updates found in KTM’s 2024 EXC range, including a new chromium molybdenum steel frame, a new subframe, a die-cast aluminum swingarm, and WP XACT suspension at both ends with 11.8 inches of travel. Its lightweight and compact 510.9 cc engine unleashes over 60 horsepower, a significant jump that’s immediately noticeable in the saddle compared to a 40 hp bike.
Husqvarna FE 501s
Image: Action image of a rider jumping the Husqvarna FE 501s street legal dirt bike, highlighting its long travel suspension and off-road agility.
Offering raw power, high-end suspension, and a competitive dry weight of 258 pounds, the FE 501s stands as one of the most uncompromising street-legal dirt bikes available. This premium package commands a price of $13,049. [Husqvarna]
Beta 390 RR-S: Balanced Performance from Italy
Beta 390 RR-S
Image: Three-quarter view of the Beta 390 RR-S street legal dirt bike, showcasing its Italian design and off-road focused features.
Raw horsepower isn’t everything, especially when navigating challenging terrain. In demanding conditions, a well-balanced machine can be invaluable. Italian manufacturer Beta specializes in enduro competition, and their street-legal dual-sport lineup offers four distinct engine sizes ranging from 350 to 500 cc.
Beta 390 RR-S gauge
Image: Close-up of the Beta 390 RR-S digital instrument gauge, highlighting its minimalist design and essential rider information.
The street-legal RR-S range shares numerous components across the models, including new ZF Sachs forks, progressive linkage rear suspension, titanium intake valves, and integrated traction control. Closely related to the previous year’s RR race-edition models, the RR-S bikes are delivered in a near-race-ready state, gaining only about 4 pounds from their DOT-required equipment.
Beta 390 RR-S engine
Image: Detailed view of the Beta 390 RR-S engine, showcasing its compact design and performance-oriented components.
The 390 RR-S is one of Beta’s most popular models, a bike that confidently breaks from convention. While official power figures are not published, the 390 RR-S is estimated to produce around 40 horsepower and weighs a mere 241 pounds (wet, without fuel). Despite the similar specifications across the RR-S range, Beta’s larger 430 and 500 RR-S models offer more power without a significant weight increase. However, for many riders, outright power isn’t the primary goal.
Beta operates on a “Build Your Own Beta” (BYOB) basis, and pricing for their street-legal dual-sports hasn’t been officially announced yet. However, the 390 RR-S is expected to be priced around $11,599. [Beta Motorcycles]
Christini AWD 450DS: Unleashing All-Wheel Drive on the Dirt
Christini AWD 450DS
Image: Full profile shot of the Christini AWD 450DS street legal dirt bike, emphasizing its unique all-wheel drive system and rugged design.
Every list benefits from a wildcard, and even among this group of high-performance machines, the Christini 450DS stands apart with its unparalleled feature: all-wheel drive. Concealed within the frame and fork of this street-legal dirt bike is a revolutionary all-wheel-drive system that delivers game-changing off-road performance without compromising street manners or suspension travel.
While all-wheel drive might seem like a novel concept for motorcycles, Christini has been refining its AWD motorcycle technology since 2002, reaching new levels of seamless integration and effectiveness. Essentially, power is transferred from the drive sprocket via a chain to a gearbox within the frame. From there, a driveshaft runs to the head tube, housing opposing bevel gears. Finally, gears and chains in the lower triple clamp power two telescoping driveshafts along the fork tubes, reaching the front hub.
Christini AWD 450DS
Image: Close-up view of the Christini AWD 450DS front wheel and suspension, highlighting the components of the unique all-wheel drive system.
Despite its complexity, the AWD system is remarkably discreet, often going unnoticed by untrained eyes. Major publications have consistently praised the quality and performance of Christini’s AWD components. The system undeniably transforms the off-road riding experience, offering enhanced traction and control in challenging conditions, although a full exploration of its benefits is beyond the scope here.
Christini’s motorcycles are constantly improving, and the AWD 450DS is a capable machine even without its signature front-wheel drive. The 450 cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine produces a competitive 42 horsepower, and the adjustable Fast Ace front suspension offers a generous 12 inches of travel. The AWD technology comes at a premium, with the bike priced at $16,500 and weighing 288 pounds dry, comparable to the curb weight of some competitors. However, it’s crucial to remember that this is a 450 cc all-wheel-drive dirt bike that is fully street legal – a remarkable achievement in motorcycle engineering. [Christini]
