Make the Right Choice

Dirt biking in one of the most popular outdoor sports for a number of reasons - there is no age limit, no gender or size restrictions, and no experience necessary to start. Whether you are just starting out, or have ridden since you were a kid, dirt biking is fun and challenging for riders of all ages and experience levels. In order to fully enjoy this awesome outdoor sport, it's important to know how to choose the right dirt bike for you. The first question to ask yourself is what kind of riding you want to do.

There are two main types of riding - mountain riding and dirt track or motocross riding. Which type of riding you plan on doing is going to affect what type of used dirt bikes you should be looking at. For example, when my wife and I bought dirt bikes for our first anniversary, we specifically looked for the dirt bike features that are ideal for mountain riding.

For mountain riding, you'll want to look for a four stroke dirt bike. A four stroke is designed to have more low end torque power, which is ideal for climbing steep passes and going over rough terrain. The size of engine you choose is going to depend on your experience. A 200cc motor is going to be ideal for a beginner, as it is easier to handle; this is the size we bought my wife, since she was just starting out. A 600cc engine is best for someone who has lots of experience and can handle the power, which is the size I got.

If you prefer to do motocross or dirt track riding, then a two stroke dirt bike is going to be right for you. Two strokes have power-bands, which makes their power faster and snappier to respond when you hit the throttle. In addition, two stroke engines have twice as much power as four stroke engines, which make them ideal for racing and trick riding. Two strokes are available in the same size motors as a four stroke; however, the same size engine in a two stroke is going to have twice as much power as one in a four stroke. Once you have decided what type of riding you'll be doing, and know how to choose the right dirt bike for that type of riding, there are a few other things to consider.

The first thing to consider is price. For example, a 200cc four stroke is going to be cheaper than a 400cc four stroke, and much cheaper than any size two stroke. Consider what type of riding you will mainly be doing, and your experience level, and don't buy a bike that is beyond those things. You'll also need to decide what options you want, such as headlights, brake lights, and turning signals. These things are important if you are going to be doing night riding, or if you will be getting your bike licensed for street riding.

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KTM SX 250 SX F Brand New 2011 KTM 250SX F Lowest Price Around Save $    US $5,200.00

KTM SX 250f 2007 KTM 250 sxf    US $2,500.00

KTM SX SX85 2009 KTM SX 85 2 STROKE MOTOCROSS DIRT BIKE NO RESERVE    US $1,175.00

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Beyond that, brand can be chosen based on preference. While most brands offer the same size and styles of bikes, one brand may sit higher than another, for example. When we bought our dirt bikes, we went with Honda for my wife, because it sat six inches lower than the same size four stroke that KTM offered. Knowing how to choose the right dirt bike is as easy as sticking to these things. Once you have the right one, you'll quickly find out (or be reminded of) how much fun dirt biking really is.

A Honda CRF450R - A Powerful 4 Stroke

If you're looking at buying a dirt bike, there is one key thing that is important for you to know. When it comes to off road bikes, there are two different options as far as engine types: four stroke or two stroke dirt bikes. In order to get the best ride for your needs, it's important to understand the differences between these two types, and the benefits of each. The engine type you choose is going to depend on this understanding, combined with what type of riding you plan on doing.

A four stroke dirt bike engine is designed to have low end torque power. What this means is that its power is slower; when you hit the throttle, the bike isn't going to jump out from under you. Four strokes come in different engine sizes, typically 200cc engines up to 600cc engines. The smaller the engine size, the less power it has. Four strokes are awesome engines for people who do a lot of riding off the track.

Two stroke dirt bikes have more high end torque, are more powerful than four stroke bikes, and their power is quicker to respond when you hit the throttle. Because two stokes have more power ane are snappier to respond, they are perfect for motocross and trick riding. Two strokes come with the same size engines as the four strokes; however, a 200cc two stroke is going to be twice as powerful as a 200cc four stroke.

The difference between a two stroke and a four stroke can be compared to the difference between a diesel pickup truck and a sports car. Both are powerful in their own way, for their individual uses. The sports car is more powerful, and that power can be accessed faster, while the power of the diesel engine is more suited for heavy duty uses. Whether you choose a four stroke or two stroke is going to depend on how you want to use it. Four strokes are best for off roading, while two strokes are best for track riding.

Another difference between these two styles of dirt bike is the gasoline they run on. A four stroke bike runs on regular gasoline, while a two stroke dirt bike runs on a blend of gasoline and two cycle motor oil. Premium grade gasoline should be run in both engines to optimize performance. No matter what style you need, four stroke or two stroke, it's important to choose the right size engine for your experience level. If you are just starting out, a smaller engine is a good choice for you. But if you have been riding for a while, a larger engine might be better for your experience.

Also, don't forget to consider your body type. When we picked out a dirt bike for my wife, who is five foot and 105 pounds, we chose a 200cc dirt bike, because that size engine is just right for a woman of her size. Whereas when my brother, who is pushing 300 pounds, bought a bike, he chose the biggest engine he could get.

Knowing the difference between these two styles of dirt bike is important, and can quickly get you on your way to buying the dirt bike of your dreams.

Most dirt bike manufactures have models around both engine types.

One of Honda's most popular bikes is the Honda CRF series, the larger cc sizes are all 4 stroke bikes.

Most engines under200 are 2 stroke, there are some crazy 2 stroke dirt bikes out there, like the KTM SX250.