Ready to ramp off some dunes? Or perhaps cruise down the highway and then suddenly decide to veer off onto a nearby dirt road? These adventurous ideas both have one thing in common… a dirt bike. But what makes a good dirt bike? And how can you make sure you buy the very best dirtbike for you?

Fear not as we dive into the wild world of dirt biking! Keep reading to learn how to pick a dirt bike that best fits your needs.

What to Look For in a Dirtbike

Picking the best dirt bike can seem like a tricky business. There are so many factors that might influence your decision when choosing your next ride. Dirt bike enthusiasts often find the dozens of dirt bike models on the plethora of sites out there overwhelming.

Sometimes they purchase what they think is the best dirtbike for them, only to realize it is not street legal or worse… it is too big or too small.

Where It Will Be Used

When choosing the best dirt bike, you need to know where you’ll ride most often. Are you going to be offroading or just driving to and from work most days?

Certain dirt bikes are designed with particular purposes for the needs of their riders. Some are more equipped to handle beaten paths and rugged offroading. Others are designed to be street legal and handle only mild off-road adventures.

Typically, you’ll find that manufacturers make motocross and trail bikes for rougher off-roading. They boast larger, more all-terrain tires and two-stroke engines to better control tight turns and rugged terrain. They are also thinner and lighter in most cases, which increases the rider’s agility and control.

Street-legal models are usually dual-sport designs. They come with everything you need to get registered for driving on paved roads and the highway. They typically have a four-stroke engine so they can reach the higher speeds required for highway driving. On top of that, they’re often heavier and a little larger, which increases control at high speed and allows for the attachment of storage modules.

Engine

This can be a significant factor when choosing the best dirtbike for you. There are two types of engines commonly used in dirtbikes: two-strokes and four-stroke machines. Both are durable, powerful engines, but they differ in very particular areas.

Two-stroke engines are typically noisier and emit more exhaust from the bike. They have increased acceleration compared to a four-stroke and are lighter and easier to clean. On top of that, two-stroke engines are typically cheaper.

Four-stroke engines are heavier but more powerful engines that allow for faster speeds. This results in them being more expensive, and their maintenance is not as easy to keep on top of as a two-stroke engine.

Size

Knowing your size and the size of your dirt bike is vital to ensuring you do not experience uncomfortable riding conditions. This factor is relatively easy to figure out since you just need to check the specifications of the dirt bike to make sure you’re not too small or too big for the bike. You don’t want to be a full-grown adult trying to climb mounds on a youth dirtbike!

Height/Weight

Like the dirt bike’s size, you want to make sure its height and weight accommodate you. Dirt bikes come in different heights, so make sure you can easily set your foot on the ground when stopping to sit on and get off the bike.

Getting a dirt bike that is too high will result in you falling off. Conversely, a bike that is too short will make for a very uncomfortable ride!

Weight is a significant factor as well. You should not need to pick up the dirt bike to move it around in any circumstance. The weight simply needs to be enough for you to be able to turn and ride without losing control of the dirt bike.

Tires

You can be swap out the tires on your dirt bike as needed for different terrain and uses. But, you may as well buy a dirtbike that comes with tires suited to what you want to use them for right away.

Often dirt bikes come with tires equipped for off-roading and trail riding or a hybrid type of tire used for both the streets and light trail riding. Usually, you can tell which tires you are getting simply by looking at them, but the dealer will also sometimes refer to their intended purpose in the product description. This could be something like “Kawasaki Off-Roading Dirt bike Beginner” or “Street-legal Hybrid Dirt bike.”

If you are unsure, just ask the dealer about the purpose and design of the tires you are considering buying.

Wheel Diameter

Dirt bikes with a larger wheel diameter offer more comfort for riders who are into serious off-roading. This can also allow the rider more control.

Typically, the dual-sports models have a smaller wheel diameter as they are designed to be driven on the highway. Motocross and trail riding bikes usually boast a much larger wheel diameter.

Rider Capacity

Most riders do not plan on having a passenger with them, but that does not mean you will not want to at some point. Most dirt bikes can accommodate another passenger. However, you should check the descriptions of the bikes to make sure. Just because a seat looks long, that does not always mean it can seat another person safely.

Often the product description for a dual-sport dirtbike will state whether or not it has space for another passenger or if you can add a modification. This is not a huge factor to consider, but still, one that you might overlook.

Street Legality

Street legality matters if you want to drive your dirt bike on paved roads. It is possible to have your dirt bike street legal, and some dealers sell dirt bikes with everything needed to do so.

Many of these dirt bikes will have four-stroke engines to accommodate the need for faster top speeds. Wheel diameters are also smaller, and these dirt bikes are much heavier overall.

If you want to drive to and from work on paved roads on your new dirt bike, your best choice would be to purchase a pre-modified bike. However, if you are all about customizing your new ride, there are places to buy modifications to add your own flair.

Some of the Best Dirt Bikes Out There

As you’ve probably discovered in your hunt for the best ride, you can buy a dirtbike almost anywhere. You’ve likely also come across the same brands again and again, like Honda or Kawasaki. Others may be new to you, like Beta or Husqvarna.

The world of dirt biking is vast and sometimes mystifying, so we’ve listed a few great bikes to give you a jump-start.

TC 85 17/14 by Husqvarna

This is a motocross-designed dirt bike for experienced riders. It is as quick as it is agile with a well-designed chassis. It is equipped with a two-stroke engine and all-terrain tires to deliver excellent performance in various off-roading conditions.

The KLR650 by Kawasaki

This dual-sport-designed dirt bike is street legal while also being able to engage in off-roading. This machine features a single-cylinder engine, tires capable of reaching high speeds on the street, and excellent control off-road.

The CRF125F by Honda

This trail riding dirt bike is fantastic for beginners. It features a four-stroke engine for greater power with larger wheels for better comfort and control. The seat also allows for two inches of adjustment to accommodate taller riders.

The RMX450Z by Suzuki

This is an off-road style dirt bike that is great for experienced riders. It has a four-stroke engine. This powerful bike is weighty, allowing for better control at high speeds. This dirtbike also features great all-terrain tires to take your off-roading experience to the next level.

The 125RR by Beta

This motocross model dirt bike displays a powerful two-stroke engine for safe acceleration on those hard turns. Its large all-terrain tires provide excellent traction in almost any conditions a daring rider would find themselves in.

The XT250 by Yamaha

This dirt bike is another of the dual-sport-designed dirt bikes that is street legal and ready to hit the trail or the highway. This is a sleek dirt bike with a four-stroke engine and dual-sport tires for on and off-road adventuring.

Westshore Marine & Leisure has some top-of-the-line dirt bikes for sale in our inventory right now. Be sure to check them out!

Which Is the Best Dirtbike for Me?

Only you can make the call on the best dirt bike for you. We have gone over quite a few of the factors that you should consider when making your decision, but in the end, only you know which one will suit your specific needs.

If you want to trail ride and do not need to drive your bike down the highway, then perhaps a motocross or trail dirt bike is best for you. On the other hand, if you do not have the means to lug your dirt bike around, maybe a street-legal dual sports bike will suit you best.

Keen to learn even more about the thrilling sport of dirt biking? Check out our blog to continue your dirt-biking adventure!