9 Facts About Dirt Bikes You Should Know Before You Buy One

In 2011, there were 8.4 million motorcycles registered in the United States. 

One popular motorcycle is the dirt bike. 

A dirt bike is a special kind of bike that put all others to shame unless you plan on long-distance highway touring. Learn dirt bike facts before buying one here.

1. The Engines Are Smaller

There are two types of dirt bike engines. One is a two-stroke, and one is a four-stroke. If you have a four-stroke engine, your bike is going to eat up a lot of oil. 

However, if you have a two-stroke engine, you will be using up more engine and oil at the same time. 

What engine you should get depends on what you are trying to get out of the bike and what you intend to use it for. 

2. They First Came From the U.K.

Did you know that dirt bikes originated in the United Kingdom? The races also started there, with trial events dating back to 1909. Actual races started happening in the 1920s. 

The trends started hitting the United States in the 1950s and 1960s. The BSA was one of the most popular dirt bikes out there. 

3. A Chainsaw is More Powerful Than a Dirt Bike

One of the dirt bike facts that you may not have known is that the chainsaw sitting in your garage is probably more powerful than the engine in your dirt bike.

Dirt bikes aren't really built for speed, so before you decide you want to upgrade your engine, you should know that it may not go as fast as you think it will. 

The engine doesn't make you go very fast because the bike was designed for going off-road, and just needs more of a push to get over rough bumps. 

On the good side, these motos don't require much maintenance. They are also easy to figure out and are really reliable. 

4. Dirt Biking Can Be Relatively Safe

Most people don't think motorcycles are very safe, but dirt bikes are actually relatively safe. 

If you were thinking about getting one of your children a dirt bike, they will actually be safe on it. They may end up falling off a few times and getting a few scrapes and bruises, but overall it's safer especially when they are off the main road. 

5. Easy to Get Used To

Unlike some other motorcycles, dirt bikes are actually really easy to get used to. You can also do more tricks on a dirt bike than a motorcycle.

If you want to start doing maintenance and customizations on your dirt bike, it's also a lot easier to figure out than a motorcycle. If you need more parts or anything, the parts are also a lot cheaper.

There is also no worry of connecting or disconnecting the wrong wires, which makes it a great beginner vehicle to practice on if you're into vehicle mechanics.

6. They're Somewhat Illegal

You may not have known that dirt bikes are also technically illegal to drive on the main road. Have you ever seen a dirt bike zipping past you on the highway?

Probably not, because that's not what they're designed for. They don't have headlights, brake lights, rearview mirrors, or turn signals which means that they aren't safe to drive on the road. 

These bikes normally don't meet emission standards either because they emit so much exhaust from the bike. 

You also can't get a license to ride a dirt bike, so you can't legally drive it on the road. However, you may need to check and see if you need a permit to own or drive it off-road. 

7. Riding Them is Great for Your Health

Exercise is great for your health, and believe it or not riding a dirt bike can feel like a great work out.

Motorcross helps stimulate your brain as you have to think about the terrain you are riding on and make split-second decisions.

It will also help improve your posture because you need to sit up straight and pay attention to how you are riding. 

In addition to all of that, it will also help improve your cardiovascular health, burn calories, and even improve your strength. 

8. They Have Unique Designs

No two dirt bikes look alike, each one is designed to fit people's different needs. 

You can get a dirt bike with interesting patterns and designs on it. You can also get one that is more lightweight than other ones with only a little bit of bodywork.

You can also get a long-travel suspension or high ground clearance instead. There are so many different ways that you can customize your bike. You should start thinking about what you want out of your bike and what you will be using it for before you buy one.

Make sure that you do your research so that you won't end up wasting your money. 

9. They Are a Type of Motorcycles

While you can't ride a dirt bike on the highway, these bikes are technically still classified as a motorcycle. However, it's an off-road motorcycle.

But what makes it different?

A dirt bike is normally more lightweight and rugged than a motorcycle because it's designed to handle rough terrain and other tricks.

A dirt bike comes equipped with special tires and a stiff suspension to let you ride over the roughest terrain you can imagine. You will be able to hop over logs or make rough turns with this bike more than you would with a motorcycle.

Learn More Dirt Bike Facts

You should make sure that you learn more dirt bike facts before you decide to buy one.

You can view dirt bikes for sale in our huge inventory!

The more research you do on your future dirt bike, the happier you will be with your purchase.

If you have any questions about which type of bike to buy, feel free to contact us!