If you are new to dirt biking or you have kids that are really interested in getting on a bike but you don’t know where to start, we are here to bring some light into the dark.
Dirt Bikes are FUN! Going riding is a great activity that can bring a lot of satisfaction to your life. It is also not a cheap hobby. Especially the you are getting started you are looking at the expense of buying a bike, all the safety gear and equipment and on top of that you have no idea on where or how to ride your new motorcycle.
The Honda CRF 250 F is a great motorcycle for adult beginner riders.
What is the right dirt bike for me?
The answer to this question depends on a couple of different factors. First you need to look at your budget and how much you want to spend and then decide if you want to focus more on track riding or got out trail riding and/ or enjoy some weekends in the desert. If you are completely new to the sport and don’t know where to start we always recommend to start with a trail bike. There are dedicated trail bikes available from most manufacturers. The most accessible once here in the US are the Honda CRF F range, the KAWASAKI KLX range or the Yamaha TTR range of bikes. These start with the little 50 cc kids bikes and go all the way up to 250 cc sometimes even a 300 cc bike.
The performance on this bikes is limited. They are not the most powerful dirt bike around and the suspension is not really set up form big jumps BUT they are the perfect dirt bike for beginners. You won’t have to worry about the motorcycle being too powerful to the point where it gets you in trouble and the seat height on these trail bikes is a little bit lower which helps you gain confidence by being able to get both of your feet on the ground easily.
The other big benefit is that they are very simple motorcycles and are therefor very easy to maintain. You can get these bikes brand new between $1500 and $5000 depending on the size of bike you choose or you can find them at a good 20 to 30% discount used. Between the reliability and the fact that they usually don’t see big upgrades from the manufacturers for 10 plus years, trail bikes hold their value pretty well and you are able to ride the bike and learn how to ride properly and then sell it at a great price which makes it the perfect entry point into the sport.
The KAWASAKI KLX 110 is a great beginner bike for kids age 8 to 12. You have the option to choose between a semi automatic version and a clutch version which allows young riders to learn how to use a clutch and shift gears with ease.
What about safety gear?
As I mentioned earlier, after the bike getting all of the proper riding gear will be your second biggest expense. Make sure you invest in some good gear. As a beginner you don’t need the top of the line equipment but having a proper gear set up will keep you safe and build confidence in the case that you do have a crash. A full set of riding gear consists of a helmet, goggles, boots, gloves, jersey and pants, knee guards and a chest protector. If you are not sure where to shop for all of your new gear feel free to sign up to our Newsletter to receive great discounts on everything you need.
If you are buying a dirt bike for your kid make sure you purchase a motorcycle that fits them NOW. One major mistake people make is buying a bike that is too big and powerful with the mindset that their rider will “grow” into the bike. Chances are they will not enjoy riding the dirt bike and lose interest in the sport quickly.
Where do I go to ride my dirt bike?
You have your new bike and you have all of the gear, now you need to find a place to go and ride. Trail bikes are not street legal so you have to go and find a Motocross track or OHV area. A simple google search will show you the closest riding area and the times that they are open. Now when you get there you might look at the other riders jumping and doing wheelies and feel a little bit intimidated. Remember that will be you in a year or two as long as you follow the right steps. Find a nice open area with enough space and ideally no other riders around and just start riding around in circles nice and slow. Get a feel for your dirt bike, the brakes, the weight transfer and first and foremost what it is like to ride off road. Congratulations! You are now a dirt bike rider! Now all you need to do is keep practicing and working on your skill set. The best way for you to get started is by investing in a riding course with a professional instructor. A lot of them start at $150 and with in a couple of hours you will learn all the important fundamentals needed to ride your dirt bike and have fun. It is always a lot harder to get rid of bad habits later on so the sooner you can get a professional to guide you in the right direction the better. A good instructor will also be able to help you set your bike up properly and make sure it is good to go.
Now if you are not sure if you are ready to make the investment of buying a dirt bike and all the safety gear with out knowing if you even enjoy riding, we have the perfect solution for you. Our Day in the Dirt provides you with a rental dirt bike, all the safety gear and a professional instructor for the day. This way you can give dirt biking a try and at the same time enjoy the guidance of a professional instructor. During that session we will be able to advice you on what dirt bike might be a good fit and which ones to avoid before you go out and make the purchase.