The differences between MX and Enduro bikes might be minimal, but they make all the difference when riding out in the open countryside, whether in competition, or simply having a blast with friends on any Sunday. With such a large choice of models, it can be hard to decide which one is best for you so let this list help you.

KTM 300 EXC TPi

What KTM doesn’t know about building brilliant MX and enduro bikes isn’t worth knowing. For decades now, the Austrian firm has been building off-road motorcycles that have consistently not only been the choice of experts but that have also consistently filled podiums in any country you care to mention.

One technology KTM has perfected is fuel injection for its two-stroke engines, a huge advance that has transformed the reliability and fuel economy of two-strokes.

What it has also done is make bikes such as the KTM 300 EXC TPI much more rideable: two-strokes produce lots and lots of power but harnessing it can often be the job for an expert. The fuel injection on the 300 EXC smooths out power delivery without hurting power output: it’s still very fast but with less of a light-switch delivery.

Elsewhere, the KTM 300 EXC TPI is all class: WP suspension, brilliant packaging, a 2.3-gallon gas tank and build quality and looks that almost make you not want to get it dirty.

Not for the faint-hearted!

Husqvarna TE300i

So, here’s the thing. Husqvarna is now owned by the Pierer Group, which also owns KTM and GasGas. With that being the case, you would expect the Husqvarna 300cc two-stroke enduro bike to be a badge-engineered KTM 300 EXC, wouldn’t you?

Well, it’s not quite that simple. Yes, it shares all its major components with the KTM - engine, chassis, suspension, wheels - but somehow Husqvarna has managed to give the TE300i its own personality and feel.

It is a little heavier than the KTM, at 234 pounds (the KTM tips the scales at 228 pounds) but this weight isn’t the handicap you might think. For enduro, you actually want a bit more weight for better traction and cornering and braking performance.

It might be largely the same as the KTM 300 EXC TPI but, somehow, having the Husqvarna name on the tank makes it that little bit more exclusive and it certainly loses none of the ability.

Honda CRF450RL

If absolute reliability and durability is your number one priority, then you could do a lot worse than looking at the Honda CRF450RL.

In a way, you could say that the Honda is over-engineered, weighing in at a slightly porky 291 pounds but that weight simply means that it will soak up a lot of punishment and come out intact.

The engine is a four-stroke, single-cylinder unit of 449.7cc. putting out nearly 53 horsepower. Being a four-stroke, the power curve is linear and much easier to control than a peaky two-stroke. The crankshaft is deliberately heavy to add inertia and enhance low-RPM torque. It’s perfect for plugging through muddy conditions or negotiating technical sections.

The gearbox has six speeds, with the sixth gear being almost an overdrive gear for road use or high-speed off-road stretches.

Honda has been making off-road bikes for even longer than KTM and it shows in the packaging and handling dynamics. Experts might go faster on a KTM or Husqvarna, but the Honda, even though it is large and powerful, will reward the less-skilled rider by just being so forgiving.

Comes fitted with a head- and tail light, indicators, and a license plate hanger, making it fully road legal.

Yamaha WR450F

One of the great enduro bikes. The WR450F (‘WR’ for ‘wide ratio’, as in the gearbox) might have displacement and its four-stroke engine in common with the Honda but it is a completely different beast.

For 2022, Yamaha has shaved some weight off the WR, making it weigh in at 262 pounds, bringing it closer to the best two-strokes but even so, still adding 34 pounds to the KTM 300 EXC TPI. Chassis and suspension have been tweaked to improve the handling, while the engine has received internal changes to help with reliability and longevity.

Like the Honda, it comes with head and tail lights but indicators and license

plate hangers are not included. One of the best enduro bikes, with a long history of development behind it.

KTM 350 EXC-F

If you have to buy orange but you want a four-stroke, then this is the model for you. Unlike the other four-strokes in this list, the KTM pares weight right down to 237 pounds, although power is ‘only’ 35 horsepower, against around 50 horsepower for the Yamaha and Honda.

It doesn’t matter: this is one of the best enduro bikes available today: all of KTM’s knowledge has been put into this, making it one of the most successful enduro bikes in competition.

The best thing about the 350 EXC-F is that it might pack a 350cc four-stroke motor but it has the chassis dynamics, handling, braking, and cornering of a 250cc.

Top-spec WP X-PLOR suspension is fully adjustable and, as you would expect, the rest of the bike has been extensively developed making it arguably the best KTM enduro bike of the lot.

Zero FX

While the road motorcycle world is busy preparing for electric power, it was inevitable that the off-road world would have to start considering volts over octane rating.

On paper, an electric drivetrain is all wrong for an off-road bike: overly heavy and with range and re-charge time being issues not easily overcome in the middle of nowhere.

Having said that, the Zero FX with a 7.2kWh motor does have a 91-mile range which might be enough for most amateur riders, if not serious racers. There is a 3.2kWh version also, which will have a better range.

Weight is 289 pounds, which brings it into line with 450cc petrol-engined enduro models but the big thing here is the lack of clutch and a monstrous 78 foot-pounds of torque: twist the throttle and hang on for dear life!

Another bonus is the lack of noise: you really could ride this on the open ground behind your house and not bother anyone all day.

Is it as accomplished off-road as the Honda or Yamaha in this list? Probably not. The suspension is nowhere near as good as that fitted to Yamaha, Honda, or KTM but that’s not to say that it shouldn’t be a lot of fun.

But, if we take an enduro bike as one that can be ridden off- or on-road, then the Zero FX makes a convincing argument for itself as both an urban and city runabout and an occasional enduro bike.

KTM Freeride EX-C

Finishing off with another electric model, this time there can be no doubt about its off-road credentials.

The KTM Freeride EX-C is a bit of an all-rounder, being just as capable on the MX track as it is on the wild country trail. The motor is roughly equivalent to a 125cc petrol engine and produces 24 horsepower.

The battery will give around two hours of cross-country riding or 45 minutes of MX and can be charged to 100-percent in 110 minutes, or 80-percent in 75 minutes. The motor is water cooled to ensure perfect operation in any conditions.

WP XPLOR suspension proves the Freeride’s off-road credentials and the model breaks with tradition by mounting both front and rear brake levers on the handlebars.

Simple to ride and unsurprisingly brilliant off-road.

What exactly is an Enduro Bike?

It’s easy to be confused over the difference between MX and enduro bikes. Both are off-road motorcycles, yes, but there are subtle differences, not all of them visual.

An enduro race generally takes place from point-to-point, cross-country, as opposed to the closed track of an MX race. To that end, an enduro bike can have a larger gas tank as the distances can be longer and front and rear lights/indicators to make them road legal. They might also have more protection in terms of sump bash plates and hand guards (bark bashers).

Not so obvious are engines that have been tuned for reliability and durability, as opposed to outright performance. MX bikes tend to have sharp power and torque curves, which are great for an MX track but not great for plugging through mud and over obstacles on an enduro course. An enduro bike might have quieter exhaust mufflers to make them street legal and will almost certainly have gearboxes with wide-ratio gears.

In terms of engine displacement, enduro bikes match MX bikes in that there is a wide variety of engine sizes, generally from 125cc up to 450cc, two- and four-stroke.

There is a huge choice of enduro bikes, with many manufacturers having several models in their catalogs, so how do you choose? Well, to start you off, you can read through our list of what we consider to be the best enduro bikes right now, in 2022. Of course, that’s not to say that they are the perfect bikes for your needs, but at least it will get you started.

FAQ

Q: What does Enduro mean in motorcycles?

An enduro motorcycle is designed with durability and reliability over outright performance, as with an MX bike. They are heavier to withstand rougher treatment and have longer gearing more suited to riding long distances off-road.

Q: Are Enduro motorcycles street-legal?

Many enduro bikes have lights and indicators fitted, along with quieter exhaust mufflers to make. them road legal.

Q: What is the best motorbike for Enduro?

KTM makes some of the best enduro bikes, but Yamaha and Honda have a ton of experience also. Which is best depends a lot on where you are riding and whether you are competing or riding for fun.

Q: What is the difference between a dirt bike and an enduro bike?

A dirt bike will be lighter and with a much sharper power delivery, designed to catapult the bike out of turns. An enduro bike tends to be heavier and more durable, as well as has a larger fuel tank for greater range. An enduro bike will also often have lights and indicators to make them road legal.