Best Dual-Sport Bike: KTM 525 EXC

Dual-sporting is back in a big way, but KTM never bought into the “dual-sport-is-dead” philosophy. For 2007, it rewarded consumers with two great off-road-based machines: 450 and 525cc versions of the 50-state-legal EXC. The bigger-brother 525 steals the limelight as a dual-purpose bike. The additional power afforded by the larger motor makes those transfer sections between the dusty parts more relaxed and gives the rider freedom to scoot through traffic at will. Point the EXC down a tight single-track or across a set of desert whoops and it tackles the terrain with the same tenacity as the company’s off-road racing machines. Dual-sporting is back and bikes like the EXC make it better than ever.