The current adventure bike trend has captured the imagination of budding explorers the world over. But while ADVs are great for travel, the few that are beginner-friendly won’t appeal to everyone. A dual-sport will help you hone your off-road skills better. If and when you drop it, both your heart – and wallet – will stay intact. So starting out on a smaller, more approachable dual-sport, then upgrading to a bigger ADV later on, makes a degree of sense. Only, there is one beginner-friendly dual-sport bike that is so versatile, it might make that planned upgrade seem pointless.To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Suzuki. Whereas, the opinions are our own. The Suzuki DR-Z4S Makes Constant Upgrading Feel Pointless MSRP: $8,999 SuzukiThe biggest issue with the new DR-Z4S is the price. This is a lot of money for a dual-sport, and in reality, there are a couple of middleweight adventure bikes that you can get for the same price. None are particularly off-road oriented, and the learning curve on those bikes will be pretty steep. That said, there are also a few equally good dual-sports that are a lot cheaper.KTM via Rudi Schedl In terms of performance and features, the KTM 390 Enduro R is right in line with the DR-Z. A recent price hike for the KTM means the price difference is not quite as extreme as it was last year, but it remains cheaper. The two main differences here are the fact that the KTM is running on a street bike platform, so it is a bit heavier, and it is also a bike built on a budget, whereas the Suzuki is clearly built to last.Honda While it is not the most powerful, the ever-reliable Honda CRF300L Rally has become the default choice in this space. It works great for travel, but most riders will eventually want to upgrade. If you prefer something a little different, the Beta Alp 4.0 is a great alternative choice. It offers Italian charm and a punchy little single that has just as much power as the Suzuki. You will need to accept that Beta is a small manufacturer and simply can’t offer the same after-sales support as any of the bigger brands. The DR-Z4S Strikes An Ideal Balance Between Performance And Approachability Power: 38 Horsepower SuzukiA recent update has finally brought the DR-Z into the 21st century. For the very first time, this platform gets fuel injection, as well as a ride-by-wire throttle. It is fair to say that the DR-Z went from one of the most outdated dual-sport bikes on the market to one of the most advanced in one fell swoop. The power figure never went up, though, but there is a good reason for that. Ample Power, Both On And Off-Road SuzukiAround 40 horsepower really is enough power for a dual-sport bike. It is enough power to get up to highway speed, and more than enough power to handle even the fastest trails. Anything more than 40 horsepower would have made it less accessible and is generally regarded as superfluous for off-road use. Unless you plan on entering a hard enduro race, in which case you might be shopping in the wrong aisle.This is a practical, reliable motorcycle with street bike service intervals. It also needs to pass global emissions tests, and adding more power would have just pushed the price up even higher. The only miss is the 5-speed transmission, which is fine for trail riding, but a sixth gear would have been preferable for highway riding. The DR-Z4S Is A Feature-Rich Dual-Sport SuzukiAll the new features added to the DR-Z4S make it that much more accessible. Its ride-by-wire throttle enables ride modes, and it also has traction control and ABS. The ABS is not all that sophisticated, but you can switch it off in the rough stuff. While its price might be steep compared to its Japanese compatriots, it is these additional features that make all the difference, especially for new riders still learning the ropes. KTM might offer a similar level of specification, but you ultimately get what you pay for with the 390 Enduro R. An Uprated Suspension Makes All The Difference In The Dirt SuzukiTraditionally, the DR-Z has always leaned a little more into the off-road side of its dual-sport nature. If anything, the latest bike leans even further in that direction thanks to its fully adjustable KYB suspension. Its steel perimeter frame is also a new design, and all this results in an impressive ground clearance of almost 12 inches. The downside to this is that the seat height is pretty tall at just over 36 inches, and new riders who are under 6 feet tall might struggle. The additional tech also adds some weight, but it is still light enough to be extremely competent off-road.SuzukiThe latest DR-Z has so much going for it, and its versatility is undeniable. It is the kind of bike that you really can learn on – as long as you are tall, or determined enough – and keep forever. It is the ideal trail bike for people without a pickup, and it works as a commuter throughout the week.While it might not be the best bike for the highway, if that is what you want, then there are several better lightweight adventure-touring bikes on the market. Some of which are even cheaper than the Suzuki, but none of those bikes are particularly effective off-road. Ultimately, this is a very expensive dual-sport, but if you know what you want and don't like the idea of upgrading all the time, it might well be worth the price of admission. Chassis, Suspension, And Weight Specifications