I've always thought of dual-sport motorcycles as the Swiss Army knives of the two-wheeled world. They sit right in that sweet spot between street and dirt, letting riders commute during the week and disappear down a forest trail on the weekend. Long before adventure bikes became a marketing buzzword, dual sports were already doing the job.
The bikes that come to my mind when I think of OG dual-sports are the likes of the old Honda XRs, Yamaha DTs, and Suzuki DRs. These bikes pretty much defined what “go anywhere” really meant. They weren’t fast. They weren’t fancy. But they were rugged, simple, and dependable. That formula built a loyal following that still exists today.
But the world of dual-sport motorcycles is actually much bigger than you might think. Apart from the classics I mentioned above, there exists a weird and wonderful world of extremely niche dual-sport motorcycles. Bikes you won't necessarily see out on the trails, but rather, putting in hours at the farm. I'm talking bikes like the Yamaha TW200 and yes, the Kawasaki Stockman, a weird off-road motorcycle that wishes it was a farm-built ATV in another life.
The Stockman is sold mainly in Australia and New Zealand, built specifically for rural riders who actually use their bikes as tools. Kawasaki Australia developed it for farmers, ranchers, and anyone who needs a machine that works as hard as they do. It’s a reminder that motorcycles still have a place beyond recreation and Instagram.
One look at the Stockman is enough to raise some eyebrows, as it's pretty darn unique. In fact, it's one of those bikes whose styling is determined entirely by its intended function. Up front is the rack mounted right over the handlebars which sort of looks like was built in your uncle's backyard. It's strange if you’re used to sport bikes, naked bikes, or even regular dual-sport machines. But once you get it, you really get it. This tiny steel rack lets you strap tools, gloves, gear, or a water bottle right in front of you. It’s pure function over form, and it perfectly sums up what the Stockman is all about.
Underneath that utilitarian vibe is a 233cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine with fuel injection. Power is modest at around 18.7 horsepower, but that’s not the point. What matters is torque delivery and reliability. You get about 14.6 pound-feet of torque, which makes it easy to crawl over uneven terrain or cruise around property without constantly shifting. Surprisingly, it’s paired to a six-speed manual gearbox, keeping things simple and rider-controlled.
Suspension is basic but purposeful. Up front is a conventional telescopic fork, while the rear uses a monoshock setup. Wheel sizes are classic dual sport: 21 inches in front and 18 inches at the back. That combo makes it easier to roll over rocks and ruts while keeping tire options plentiful. Braking is handled by disc brakes front and rear, which is a big step up from the drum brakes older farm bikes used to run.
The Stockman weighs around 302 pounds wet, which is heavy by dual-sport standards, but still easy to pick up if you tip over. Seat height is manageable, so shorter riders won’t feel intimidated. Fuel capacity is about 7.5 liters, more than enough for a day of work or trail riding.
Kawasaki even throws in lever guards, a rear rack, and a clutch lock system. That clutch lock lets you hold the bike in gear without squeezing the lever, which is surprisingly handy when you need both hands free for a second. Again, these are features you won’t find on flashy showroom bikes, but they make a ton of sense in the real world.
In Australia, the Stockman retails for $7,999 AUD, which works out to roughly $5,300 USD at current exchange rates. It’s a niche machine for sure, but honestly, it’d be awesome to see Kawasaki offer this bike in other parts of the world. There’s clearly a market for simple, hard-working dual sports, and the Stockman feels like it could win over riders far beyond an Aussie farmland.
