Types of Motorcycles: What is a Dirt Bike?

Dirt Bikes

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What is an off-road motorcycle, anyway?

If you find yourself staring out the car window at the landscape and daydreaming about the adrenaline of tackling the hills and dirt patches, and pulling some sweet dirt bike tricks, then you need to get yourself a dirt bike or other off-road vehicle today. They are a bottomless supply of adrenaline, and near heart attacks, all packed into a tiny, lightweight frame. What’s not to love about small motorcycles?

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Is a dirt bike a motorcycle?

Dirt bikes are a type of non-street-legal motorcycle that lack road-safe equipment, like most off-road specific vehicles. They lack the headlights, brake lights, and mirrors that a dual-sport would have but on the upside, you don't have to get a special license for them because of this. They are equipped with small engines, small gas tanks, and stiff suspension to help you soar over jumps and move through a trail with little impact on the spine or bones. They even come in a tiny 50cc size for the younger riders to learn.

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Different Types of Dirt Bikes

There are 8 different types of dirt bikes and while they share the same general idea, they all have different specialties when it comes to what kind of riding you are about to do.

Motocross

Motocross dirtbikes are considered high performance due to their bigger engine size and modification to the frame because of the jumps and corners, which can be hard on other types of dirt bikes. A motocross engine can vary from 125cc to 450cc.

Trail

Trail dirtbikes are the most common type. They have a large gas tank than motocross and are designed for a medium to longer riding distance. A trail dirt bike engine can vary from 125cc to 350cc.

Enduro

Enduro bikes are similar to both motocross and trail bikes because they are made for distance, speed, and tough terrain. Enduro bikes are made to tackle the elements such as water, rocks, and wooded areas. Enduro bikes have more technology for upgraded performance to handle tough tasks such as climbing over hills or fallen trees. The engine size for a single-cylinder 2-stroke between 125cc and 360cc, or 4-stroke between 195cc and 650cc. Larger engine size doesn't always mean better performance when it comes to an enduro bike.

Dual Sport

Dual sport dirt bikes are the best of both worlds if you are looking for a street-legal bike to take out, but also want to maybe go off-roading and get some adventure time in during your trip. They have all the components of a motorcycle, including headlights, a larger gas tank, and larger engine size.

Trails

Not to be confused with a trail bike. A trail bike is used to test a rider's ability and skill. There's no seat to it, the bike has a small gas tank, and the frame is light for maneuverability. Many enduro riders have used trails bikes to train.

Supermoto

Supermoto bikes are unique because they have all the components of regular dirt, but they have slick street ties. supermoto bikes are used for racing on a track made of dirt and/or tar and it is mostly flat.

Hill Climb Dirt

Hill climb bikes look unlike any of the other bikes named. It has an extended swing arm so that you don't flip over when going up hills. The back tire usually has very large knobs for finding traction, and the frame is also light to easily move around.

Flat Track

Flat track bikes are made to go fast and not slip on the dirt track and they look like a cross between a motocross bike and a supermoto bike. Flat track bikes are usually outfitted with performance-enhancing parts for maximum racing capabilities.

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Common Dirt Bike Questions

• Where to ride a dirt bike? Depending on what state you live in, there are special tracks and areas for dirt bike riding, usually with jumps and obstacles to help build riding skills (and give some thrills.) Again, you have to check your state laws, but usually, you can rip around property that is not private or residential. We suggest a simple search online to find the best place to ride and check it out alone or with a few friends.
  
  
• What is motocross? Motocross is an outdoor sport where riders race their dirtbikes over tough terrain on a 1 to 3-mile track, which has jumps and other obstacles. The indoor version of motocross is called supercross. Both of these sports require training and skill because of the constantly changing track conditions.
  
  
• What are the types of dirt bike riders? Just like with motorcycle riders, there isn't one type of person that enjoys riding dirt bikes. A lot of motorcycle riders started out on dirt bikes as children on smaller bikes with smaller ccs. Dirt biker riders can range from casual riders to professional, motocross racers. The reason is clear why...dirt bikes are FUN!
  

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