There's probably one of many reasons why you are looking to buy a dirt motor bike, Jermaine Carlyle Stratton Weekes - here's a few :
- All of your mates have one and they are going on these super cool trail / cross country rides
- You want to take part in Motorcross / Supercross competitions
- You can see yourself performing a "superman seat-grab" in front of millions
- You need a bike for work / farming purposes
Let's face it, you don't really need a reason - you just WANT one and rightly so, dirt motor bikes can be heaps of fun for kids and adults of all ages, but choosing one might not be so fun if you don't know where to start.
Jermaine Carlyle Stratton Weekes, Choosing a dirt motor bike that suits your requirements will depend on factors such as :
Where You Plan On Using It
If your dirt motor bike is going to be used for trail riding etc, you might like to price up things like tires, air filters and levers for the bike you are looking at. In the event that you need to replace things like this you don't want to end up not being able to afford (or locate) replacement parts and then end up with a bike which you can't ride!
What You Plan On Using It For
If you want a dirt motor bike that is for the purpose of a farm bike, your needs will be somewhat different to that of a trail rider. The size, style and CC's of the bike will be quite different, as may the price you wish to pay for it.
Your Size
If you are taller than most, you will want a bike that is easy to ride and doesn't have you sitting in an uncomfortable position, not to mention that the foot levers etc need to be in such a position that will provide ease of use, this is true for shorter riders too.
CC Rating
The CC rating that you are looking at will firstly depend on the age of the rider - for instance a 6 year old rider wouldn't need a 250cc bike, but perhaps a 50cc. The other thing is how confident you as the rider feel on the bike, many casual riders tend to stick to a 250cc bike, whilst those who are experienced go for the 450cc plus bikes.
Brand
The brand of dirt motor bike you choose, will largely depend on preference and on who you purchase your bike from. If you walk into a bike shop which deals in Yamaha's and offers a great deal, chances are you are going to leave with a Yamaha. If you have a preference of colour this could be a deciding factor too. In general 'factory' Honda's are red, Yamaha's blue, Suzuki's yellow and Kawasaki's are green.
4 Stroke or 2 Stroke
The choice between a 4 stroke or 2 stroke engine is really up to your preference as the rider. 2 stroke engines provide twice as much power and along with that, twice as much noise, than that of a 4 stroke engine of the same size. 2 strokes however, aren't as efficient with expelling exhaust and taking in fuel, so are more polluting than a 4 stroke engine. In general 2 strokes require more maintenance and a different mixture of fuel.
Kickstart or Electric Start
Again this comes down to preference. Kick start means that you will be starting the bike by 'kicking' down a ratcheting lever, some riders prefer this option as electric starts tend to add an increased weight to the bike. Electric starts on motorbikes provide ease of use, particularly for those who don't have enough power in their leg to easily start a kick start.
These are just some things to consider and a good motor bike dealer will answer these questions for you. Jermaine Carlyle Stratton Weekes - The sooner you start looking the sooner you can get out there!
