There are a variety of factors you must contemplate before your first dirt bike purchase. Because the manufacturers make so many different models this can become confusing and difficult. It is necessary to study all the different models of bikes in your price range so you can buy the one best suited to your riding style and skill level.
Are you going racing or just trail riding with family or friends?
Most factories have dirt bikes designed for different purposes. If your not planning on racing you must decide if your going to just casually trail ride or will you be going out on the occasional weekend warrior track day.
We will use Honda as an example. They have a herd of dirt bikes on their Crf farm. Lets take a closer look.
The Crf "R" Class
The Crf "R" series is a pure performance based racing line designed strictly for competition but often the most popular among serious recreational riders as well.
The Crf150r is just a smaller version of its two bigger brothers making it an extremely superior weapon in the hands of a skilled underage racer or under sized adult. Honda pioneered this 4 stroke kids class racing machine back in 2007 to replace the 2 stroke Cr85 and it has dominated the class ever since. This model is usually available in an "expert" version which features bigger wheels for the taller kids not quite big enough for a Crf250r but to small for the standard Crf150r.
The Crf250r and Crf450r feature powerful engines, light frames, and a steering damper to help carve up those corners. These machines have been winning races and titles since they were introduced and raced by guys like Kevin Windham and Ricky Carmichael.
The Crf "X" Class
The Crf "X" series comes in two models, the Crf 250x and the Crf 450x . The "X" models are what the factory races on the Baja Circuits and also a top choice for enduro racing and woods riding. Cut from the same cloth as the "R" models the "X" bikes are very similar and only have slight differences in tuning and setup. One difference on the "X" model is an 18? rear wheel vs a 19? on the "R" models. The "X" series also have a headlight, kickstand, and electric start!
The Crf "F" Class
Honda has always known that motorcycling for some families is a religion. The Crf "F" class are ideal for any family or group that just wants to get out and ride the trails or take on your camping trips and explore some new places. These are available in many sizes starting from the Crf50 and Crf70 both of which are a 3 speed semi automatic meaning there's no clutch making it simple for a child. The Crf50 which is very small can even be fitted with aftermarket training wheels for the first time riders and also has a throttle restriction that you can set to govern how far the throttle can be turned so your child can't ride faster then you want him to. The Crf70 is basically the same as the Crf50 just a size up for when they grow a little and has no throttle restriction or training wheels option.
The Crf80, Crf100, Crf150f, and Crf230 make up the rest of the "F" class and are all great choices for kids or adults. These bikes are all reliable and easy to ride with nice soft suspension and motors that are strong and reliable but not overpowering and scary fast. All of these bikes have standard transmissions and the Crf150f and Crf230 even have electric start!
Check your local track or riding spot and talk to some of the riders and ask them what bikes they prefer and why. This will give you a basic idea of what you'll want to get to suit your needs and intended use of your new machine.
Your size and skill level should be the most important factor in your decision followed by intended use.
Buying New vs. Buying Used
Do you know whats better for you? If you have never ridden you may want to buy used first because it is a much larger investment to buy a brand new dirt bike only to come to the conclusion that its not your thing and you don't want it after a couple of rides. Just like a car your brand new bike is worth far less than you paid the minute you load it up in the parking lot to take it home. That means if you don't like riding your going to lose lots of money or at least some.
If you choose to buy used, you can normally just flip it back around to someone else for about the same as you paid for it should you find out that roosting dirt on two wheels is not your thing. Also remember that used bikes are like used cars and sometimes you can't always see what your really getting. It helps if you know someone that rides or is familiar with dirt bikes and motorcycles to take a look at used ones with you if your not the mechanical type.
Lets face it, nothing beats a shiny brand spanking new dirt bike. Some people like to buy used and then spend money to make it new with their choice of parts. This is great if you like working on them and can spare the extra cash. It's also rewarding to see the life you can bring back from a tired old dog.
Either way buying new or used, the bike you buy will someday need to be rebuilt so just remember if you can't do it yourself then take it to the dealer or a trained motorcycle mechanic. It doesn't matter how well you keep your bike maintained, all dirt bikes will inevitably break down from normal wear and tear or crashing and abuse. Bring spare parts with you when you ride. Spark plugs, levers, and tubes are probably the most common cause of someones riding day ending prematurely.
If your going to buy used then you need to seem knowledgeable and ask some specific questions.
Did you get it brand new?
Has it been raced at all?
Where did you do most of your riding?
What type of maintenance have you done?
These are just a small example of what to ask when shopping but in my own experience with used bikes i personally look for the most stock bike i can find that is hopefully a one owner and still original and not rebuilt. Are you asking yourself why? Well first of all I'm a certified technician so i don't pay for labor and that's a big part of it. Another reason is, i find bikes kept mostly stock are usually one or two owner machines that were better cared for and not raced every weekend. Most bikes i find loaded with aftermarket parts and stroker cranks or big bore kits have been blown up at least once and are usually just problems waiting to happen. Now don't get me wrong, you can find some super clean bikes with thousands of dollars of work put into them that are very tight and well worth the money but as a whole i believe the closer to stock they are, the more reliable they are, which equals more fun and less work.
Once you decide which bike is right for you don't forget to go get your riding gear. If your not going to wear the proper riding gear you are most likely going to get hurt and regret it later if your still breathing. Helmet, goggles, and gloves are just the beginning. Every off road rider should also wear riding boots, shin and elbow pads, along with a roost protector which protects your upper body from other riders flying debris and usually incorporates shoulder padding as well. It's also not a bad idea to wear a kidney belt and neck brace which are two things a lot of riders go without.
Hope this helps make buying a dirt bike easier. Good luck and have a blast!
Are you going racing or just trail riding with family or friends?
Most factories have dirt bikes designed for different purposes. If your not planning on racing you must decide if your going to just casually trail ride or will you be going out on the occasional weekend warrior track day.
We will use Honda as an example. They have a herd of dirt bikes on their Crf farm. Lets take a closer look.
The Crf "R" Class
The Crf "R" series is a pure performance based racing line designed strictly for competition but often the most popular among serious recreational riders as well.
The Crf150r is just a smaller version of its two bigger brothers making it an extremely superior weapon in the hands of a skilled underage racer or under sized adult. Honda pioneered this 4 stroke kids class racing machine back in 2007 to replace the 2 stroke Cr85 and it has dominated the class ever since. This model is usually available in an "expert" version which features bigger wheels for the taller kids not quite big enough for a Crf250r but to small for the standard Crf150r.
The Crf250r and Crf450r feature powerful engines, light frames, and a steering damper to help carve up those corners. These machines have been winning races and titles since they were introduced and raced by guys like Kevin Windham and Ricky Carmichael.
The Crf "X" Class
The Crf "X" series comes in two models, the Crf 250x and the Crf 450x . The "X" models are what the factory races on the Baja Circuits and also a top choice for enduro racing and woods riding. Cut from the same cloth as the "R" models the "X" bikes are very similar and only have slight differences in tuning and setup. One difference on the "X" model is an 18? rear wheel vs a 19? on the "R" models. The "X" series also have a headlight, kickstand, and electric start!
The Crf "F" Class
Honda has always known that motorcycling for some families is a religion. The Crf "F" class are ideal for any family or group that just wants to get out and ride the trails or take on your camping trips and explore some new places. These are available in many sizes starting from the Crf50 and Crf70 both of which are a 3 speed semi automatic meaning there's no clutch making it simple for a child. The Crf50 which is very small can even be fitted with aftermarket training wheels for the first time riders and also has a throttle restriction that you can set to govern how far the throttle can be turned so your child can't ride faster then you want him to. The Crf70 is basically the same as the Crf50 just a size up for when they grow a little and has no throttle restriction or training wheels option.
The Crf80, Crf100, Crf150f, and Crf230 make up the rest of the "F" class and are all great choices for kids or adults. These bikes are all reliable and easy to ride with nice soft suspension and motors that are strong and reliable but not overpowering and scary fast. All of these bikes have standard transmissions and the Crf150f and Crf230 even have electric start!
Check your local track or riding spot and talk to some of the riders and ask them what bikes they prefer and why. This will give you a basic idea of what you'll want to get to suit your needs and intended use of your new machine.
Your size and skill level should be the most important factor in your decision followed by intended use.
Buying New vs. Buying Used
Do you know whats better for you? If you have never ridden you may want to buy used first because it is a much larger investment to buy a brand new dirt bike only to come to the conclusion that its not your thing and you don't want it after a couple of rides. Just like a car your brand new bike is worth far less than you paid the minute you load it up in the parking lot to take it home. That means if you don't like riding your going to lose lots of money or at least some.
If you choose to buy used, you can normally just flip it back around to someone else for about the same as you paid for it should you find out that roosting dirt on two wheels is not your thing. Also remember that used bikes are like used cars and sometimes you can't always see what your really getting. It helps if you know someone that rides or is familiar with dirt bikes and motorcycles to take a look at used ones with you if your not the mechanical type.
Lets face it, nothing beats a shiny brand spanking new dirt bike. Some people like to buy used and then spend money to make it new with their choice of parts. This is great if you like working on them and can spare the extra cash. It's also rewarding to see the life you can bring back from a tired old dog.
Either way buying new or used, the bike you buy will someday need to be rebuilt so just remember if you can't do it yourself then take it to the dealer or a trained motorcycle mechanic. It doesn't matter how well you keep your bike maintained, all dirt bikes will inevitably break down from normal wear and tear or crashing and abuse. Bring spare parts with you when you ride. Spark plugs, levers, and tubes are probably the most common cause of someones riding day ending prematurely.
If your going to buy used then you need to seem knowledgeable and ask some specific questions.
Did you get it brand new?
Has it been raced at all?
Where did you do most of your riding?
What type of maintenance have you done?
These are just a small example of what to ask when shopping but in my own experience with used bikes i personally look for the most stock bike i can find that is hopefully a one owner and still original and not rebuilt. Are you asking yourself why? Well first of all I'm a certified technician so i don't pay for labor and that's a big part of it. Another reason is, i find bikes kept mostly stock are usually one or two owner machines that were better cared for and not raced every weekend. Most bikes i find loaded with aftermarket parts and stroker cranks or big bore kits have been blown up at least once and are usually just problems waiting to happen. Now don't get me wrong, you can find some super clean bikes with thousands of dollars of work put into them that are very tight and well worth the money but as a whole i believe the closer to stock they are, the more reliable they are, which equals more fun and less work.
Once you decide which bike is right for you don't forget to go get your riding gear. If your not going to wear the proper riding gear you are most likely going to get hurt and regret it later if your still breathing. Helmet, goggles, and gloves are just the beginning. Every off road rider should also wear riding boots, shin and elbow pads, along with a roost protector which protects your upper body from other riders flying debris and usually incorporates shoulder padding as well. It's also not a bad idea to wear a kidney belt and neck brace which are two things a lot of riders go without.
Hope this helps make buying a dirt bike easier. Good luck and have a blast!
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