| One of the most common questions I hear when | | | | rider, Honda has a great line of small-bore four-stroke |
| people start getting interested in dirt bikes is, "What dirt | | | | trail bikes. They have a CRF100F, 150F, 230F(which is |
| bike should I buy?" This is a very good question, but | | | | rumored to be discontinued soon), and then there is the |
| the answer can vary greatly. The decision doesn't | | | | liquid-cooled CRF250F enduro with lights that is similar |
| necessarily depend on your age, although you don't | | | | to a motocross bike. KTM has 125, 200, 250, and |
| really want to stick a 6 year old on a big 450cc | | | | 300cc two-stroke trail bikes that are all great and have |
| motocross bike. These are the main deciding factors | | | | excellent power. If you want to be a better rider and |
| on which bike you should buy. | | | | have a little more fun then a two-stroke would be a |
| Two or Four stroke? | | | | great choice, but if you want a full-size four-stroke trail |
| The first question that I would ask is, "Do you want a | | | | bike then a 250cc would be a good bike too, because |
| two or four stroke?" It is important to some people | | | | they have plenty of power and are able to be street |
| because they might have grown up on one or the | | | | legal. |
| other and only want that specific stroke. | | | | Dual-sport |
| Age | | | | Like I mentioned before the 250cc and the 450cc are |
| Now like I said before, age does not matter as much, | | | | capable of being street legal(You can also get a |
| but it does matter a little bit more if you are a kid. | | | | two-stroke legal for the street, but it might be a little |
| Riders from 3-5 will probably want to start out on a | | | | more difficult). They are both great bikes, but a novice |
| 50cc. All of the name brand companies make a 50cc | | | | rider should start out on the smaller bike. Every |
| bike. Riders older than 15 will usually start riding full-size | | | | name-brand company has a 250cc liquid-cooled |
| bikes. | | | | four-stroke bike and are all comparable. Suzuki has a |
| Riding Purposes | | | | DRZ400 which is more street-oriented with a few |
| The next big question would be, "What kind of riding | | | | more options than the other bikes. Honda has the |
| are you going to do?" Will it be motocross, trail-riding, | | | | XR250R, 400R, and 650R/L that can be street legal, |
| desert, dual-sport, or a little of everything? This is the | | | | but are also great off-road. I wouldn't suggest getting |
| fork in the road where you pick the type of dirt bike | | | | the big 400, 450, or 650cc bikes if you are new to |
| you want to ride. | | | | riding because they have a lot of power and torque. |
| Motocross | | | | Desert |
| If you are going to be riding motocross most of the | | | | Desert riding may not be common to most riders, but |
| time, then you have several options. For big bikes you | | | | out in Phoenix, California, and other desert areas, riders |
| can choose a 125cc two-stroke, 250cc two or | | | | go out and ride there all of the time. The bigger the |
| four-stroke, or a 450cc four-stroke. If you are a | | | | engine, the easier it will be to get through the sand. The |
| beginner in motocross then the smaller bike is always | | | | Honda XR650 is a very good bike if you are a better |
| going to be better, and if you want to learn the basic | | | | rider and like to go on trips to the desert because of all |
| techniques and good riding skills then I suggest a 125cc | | | | the torque it has. The smallest bike that you would |
| two-stroke motocross bike. These are the best | | | | want out there is a 125cc two-stroke, otherwise the |
| training bikes because they teach you how to ride a | | | | sand will just eat you up. |
| bike faster, smoother, and they require more skill to | | | | Choosing the right dirt bike can be tough. There are |
| ride fast. Intermediates will usually choose 250cc bikes, | | | | many bikes to choose from, so make sure you pick |
| and expert riders will often choose the 450cc | | | | the right bike. But that doesn't mean that you can only |
| four-stroke, but that's not always the case. | | | | buy one. Another way to find out what bike you want |
| Trail Riding | | | | is to try out some friends bikes and see if you like it or |
| There are many bikes that are great for trail riding. All | | | | not, and the more bikes that you try the better you will |
| of the name brand companies have four-stroke trail | | | | know what you want. If you find out what you like |
| bikes that are usually 250cc and 450cc. Kawasaki, | | | | before you buy one then you are on track to getting a |
| KTM, and other European companies have two-stroke | | | | bike that fits your needs. Thanks for viewing, and |
| trail bikes that range from 125cc to 300cc+. If you | | | | remember to check back soon for my new post titled, |
| aren't going to be doing night riding and are a beginning | | | | "How To Buy a Dirt Bike." Thanks! |