The Best Automatic Dirtbikes & Dual Sport Motorcycles

Why We Picked It:

Yes indeed, we count the teeny tiny 2023 Honda Trail 125 ABS as a dirt bike, although it realistically belongs more in the dual-sport or even adventure sport categories. The only reason it’s here is because, well, it’s designed to be an off-road minimoto, that can ride to the trail, tackle the trail, and then ride home on.

Powered by a 125cc four-stroke single, it puts out nearly 10 HP and will not set any land speed records. It is geared with a 4-speed centrifugal clutch automatic, which almost makes it into an off-road scooter! What it will do, though, is allow you to have the fun of a street minimoto, adapted and applied for off-road adventures. And isn’t that what getting off-road is all about? Having fun and adventuring. You’ll never know what you’ll find at the end of the trail!

Why We Picked It:

Zero has been one of the biggest proponents of electric motorcycles since their inception in 2006 as Electricross. The current 2022 FX dirt bike, probably the most “dirt” oriented of their dual-sports, is inspired by the DS and DSR bikes that came before. Those two bikes laid the groundwork for a tough off-road frame, sealing the battery and motor against dust and weather, and getting better and better at longer rides without increasing the weight of the bike overly much.

As such, the current 2023 Zero FX comes in at a respectable 289 lbs with the only build option having the ZF7.2 high endurance battery power pack kit installed. It uses a clutchless direct drive from the brushless motor and can reach 85 MPH. The ZF7.2 system gives the bike the equivalent of 46 HP, and 78 lb-ft of torque from 0 RPM. The power pack should also last between 65 to 90 miles, depending on usage, and can charge back to full as slowly as 10 hours (overnight) or, with Zero accessory chargers, as fast as 2 hours.

Why We Picked It:

The 2023 KTM FreeRide E-XC is the second electric bike by the respected Austrian company. The first, the kid-oriented FreeRide SX-E 5, proved that an electric bike would work off-road. The E-XC is what came out of that, a powerful, rally-style dirt bike that is meant more for fast and furious riding over trail riding or lazily riding around the farm.

Powered by a brushless motor that puts out about 24 HP, with a 3.9 kWh power pack backing it up, it will ride hard and fast for 2 hours along a trail, or can last a round of motocross-e or supercross-e before needing a charge. Like the Zero FX, it uses a clutchless direct-drive transmission. Unlike other electric dirt bikes, though, where you need to purchase an accessory charger to speed up charging, the FreeRide EX-C comes with a charger that can be plugged into a 240V socket and charge the bike in under 2 hours to 100%

Why We Picked It:

The Electric Motion Escape R is potentially the hardest-core dirt bike on this list, built from the frame up to be both a pit bike and a trials bike with a decent seat. It is extremely lightweight at 188 lbs, and can reach speeds of 44 MPH on rough terrain. Above all, it is road legal (at least in France, where it is made) as a 125cc equivalent dual-sport.

What makes it the most hardcore bike here is that it comes fully competition-ready out of the factory. Morad Trial rims front and back, Michelin X11 competition tires standard, Tech Racing aluminum front and rear suspension, a 2.62 kWh battery powering a 50.4V DC brushless permanent magnet motor. That motor works nominally at 6 kW (8 HP), but if you demand peak power, it shoots up to nearly 20 HP.

All of that power, as this is a list about automatic transmission dirt bikes as is, goes through a hydraulically controlled diaphragm clutch that allows for limited-slip, the only bike on this list to do so. This means you can demand peak power for a jump in trials, then hit the rear brake and the clutch will let the power slip off instead of fighting the wheel.

Why We Picked It:

The Honda Africa Twin has always had a loyal following among Adventure riders, and in 2020 Honda upgraded the bike with a new 1084cc engine, as well as the optional DCT automatic transmission. The engine churns out 105hp which may seem like quite a lot for the beginner rider, this is where the DCT offers a compelling option.

Honda has taken advantage of the upgraded IMU and a plentiful suite of rider aids, to communicate with the DCT unit. The bike understands if it is in a downhill roll and will hold the lower gears, aiding rider control. The same is found during lean angles, the IMU works with the DCT shifting to keep the bike in a stable configuration. Is it going to perform as well as an experienced rider slipping the clutch? No, but for those still honing their skills, the automatic clutch opens up new riding possibilities when the rider focus can stay fully on their surroundings.

Of all the bikes on the list, the Africa Twin with the DCT is the truest form of what many imagine when hearing about an off-road bike with an automatic gearbox.