Dirtbikes are some of the best machines to learn on, but only if you pick the right one. Here’s what to consider.
HIGH-QUALITY SUSPENSION These bikes are meant to handle rough terrain, and often need a foot (30 cm) of suspension travel in order to do it right.
RUGGED CONSTRUCTION Meant to ride through mud, sand, dust, dirt, gravel, and many other punishing conditions, dirtbikes need to be sturdy.
SIMPLE DESIGN You don't need turn signals, flashy lights, or aero-dynamic panels; you just need a strong, simple machine that will roar across the dirt.
TOUGH TIRES Built for pure off-roading, dirtbikes need tires that are going to claw into the terrain for traction.
VERSATILE Dirtbikes are available in a wide range of engine and chassis sizes, from 50cc bikes for kids to 500cc machines for adults. When in doubt, you can't go wrong with a smaller bike for newbies.
GREAT STARTER BIKES The lower price, light weight, simple construction, and the fact that you don't have to contend with traffic make dirtbikes great for beginners.
EASY TO HANDLE While recreational dirtbikes don't have the high-performance components found on motocross machines, that's actually better (and cheaper!)for most casual riders. Their broader powerbands also make them more forgiving than racing bikes that require serious precision.
HIGH MAINTENANCE Dirtbikes have a simple construction that makes them ideal for the DIY mechanic, but the beating they tend to take also means that mechanic will be doing more wrenching than the average street rider.
Dirtbikes are some of the best machines to learn on, but only if you pick the right one. Here’s what to consider.
HIGH-QUALITY SUSPENSION These bikes are meant to handle rough terrain, and often need a foot (30 cm) of suspension travel in order to do it right.
RUGGED CONSTRUCTION Meant to ride through mud, sand, dust, dirt, gravel, and many other punishing conditions, dirtbikes need to be sturdy.
SIMPLE DESIGN You don't need turn signals, flashy lights, or aero-dynamic panels; you just need a strong, simple machine that will roar across the dirt.
TOUGH TIRES Built for pure off-roading, dirtbikes need tires that are going to claw into the terrain for traction.
VERSATILE Dirtbikes are available in a wide range of engine and chassis sizes, from 50cc bikes for kids to 500cc machines for adults. When in doubt, you can't go wrong with a smaller bike for newbies.
GREAT STARTER BIKES The lower price, light weight, simple construction, and the fact that you don't have to contend with traffic make dirtbikes great for beginners.
EASY TO HANDLE While recreational dirtbikes don't have the high-performance components found on motocross machines, that's actually better (and cheaper!)for most casual riders. Their broader powerbands also make them more forgiving than racing bikes that require serious precision.
HIGH MAINTENANCE Dirtbikes have a simple construction that makes them ideal for the DIY mechanic, but the beating they tend to take also means that mechanic will be doing more wrenching than the average street rider.