Advice: What is a dirt bike?

The term ‘dirt bike’ might seem pretty straightforward to most, but it is also a little misleading, because it carries multiple (and often overlapping) definitions.

It is easy for the media, haters, and outsiders to lump all dirt bikes into the same category, but they actually come in many different types, shapes and sizes, with each serving very different purposes.

According to the latest FCAI sales figures, there are a lot of new dirt bike riders out there. If you’re new to the dirt world, or you’re thinking about taking the leap, you might be wondering what type of dirt bike best suits you. Luckily, we’ve got you covered.

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These track-focused machines are light and high-performance. They often have snappy high-revving engines, firm suspension for big jumps, and minimal bodywork. They can’t be registered for the road, so you’ll rarely find one with headlight, taillight and side-stand – all these things just add unwanted weight. Motocross bikes also usually have close-ratio gearboxes and little exhaust silencing.

When the term ‘dirt bike’ gets used by haters in a negative fashion, there is a good chance they are referring to motocross bikes. The reason is that they are often fast, loud, and cheap – perfect for your unfriendly neighbourhood hoon. Of course, these hoons make up only a small percentage of riders, with most people using motocross bikes for their intended purpose – closed-course competition.

Examples: Honda CRF450R, KTM 450 SX-F, Yamaha YZ250F, Kawasaki KX250, Suzuki RM-Z450
Related: 2021 Kawasaki KX250 Review

The untrained eye might not be able to tell the difference between an enduro bike and a motocross bike, but it’s actually pretty easy. The biggest tell (generally speaking) is a headlight. Enduro bikes are often used in public settings, which means they must be registered and have a headlight, taillight and side-stand, as well as capability for mirrors and indicators (though most remove these last two).

Enduro riding doesn’t require the same aggression that motocross does, so enduro bikes are usually quieter and have smoother power and wide-ratio gearboxes. They also tend to have more protection and bigger fuel tanks (for long-distance riding). But don’t be fooled – these are still high performance race bikes designed for competition in wide variety of terrain, including forests, mountains and deserts.

Examples: KTM 350 EXC-F, Beta 300RR, Yamaha WR450F, Husqvarna TE 300
Related: 2021 GasGas EC Range Launch Review, 2021 Yamaha WR450F Review

Many people confuse enduro bikes with trail bikes – even rusted-on motorcyclists. And the truth is that the lines can sometimes be blurred. The big difference is that trail bikes are not built for racing like enduro bikes are. That means that they are generally a lot more user-friendly, and place far-less emphasis on weight-saving. Some trail bikes are very similar to enduro bikes, while others resemble basic adventure bikes. There are no hard and fast rules on what constitutes a trail bike, other than they are built for leisurely off-road riding in a variety of different terrain.

Examples: Kawasaki KLX300R, Suzuki DR-Z400E, Honda CRF250F
Related: 2019 Suzuki DR-Z400E review

The disciplines of trials and enduro are closely linked. In fact, they were once pretty much the same thing and used the same type of bike. Today, trials has splintered off into a very different and very niche discipline of its own. The basic concept of modern trials is to navigate tricky obstacles without touching the ground – it is more about finesse and skill that sheer speed. As a result, the bikes are very specialised. For starters, they don’t have seats. Trials bikes are light, and usually powered by small two-stroke engines that focus on torque and traction, rather than pure horsepower. Trials bikes are often used by enduro riders as a method of cross training, thanks to the high level of throttle control and balance needed.

Examples: GasGas TXT Racing 300, Beta Evo 300, Sherco 250 ST Racing

Originally, adventure bikes (or dual sport bikes) were simply road bikes that had some off-road ability – gravel roads and the occasional tricky 4WD track were about the limits for most adventure bikes. But things are changing, with manufacturers duking it out to make the most dirt-capable dual sport machines possible.

Adventure bikes come in all shapes and sizes. At one end, you have big 1200cc+ motherships that are packed with the latest gadgets, while at the other end, you have bare-bones 650cc machines that are essentially big trail bikes. In the middle, the lines are blurred, with middleweight machines that are borderline enduro bikes (KTM 890 Adventure R – I’m looking at you). The common theme for all of these machines, is that you can transfer from road to dirt (and vice-versa) with ease, ride in comfort, and pack some luggage on board. Also, unlike the other categories on this list, adventure bikes are usually powered by two or more cylinders (though there are exceptions).

Examples: BMW R 1250 GS Adventure, KTM 890 Advenutre R, Yamaha Tenere 700, Suzuki DR650, Kawasaki KLR650, Triumph Tiger 900, Ducati Multistrada V4
Related: 2021 BMW R 1250 GS 40 Years of GS Launch Review, FIRST THOUGHTS: 2021 KTM 890 Adventure R

While two-stroke road bikes are largely a thing of the past, two-stroke dirt bikes are still quite common. Manufacturers like KTM, Husqvarna, GasGas, Beta, Sherco and Yamaha produce modern two-stroke dirt bikes that still sell in high volumes. It is fair to say that four-stroke engines are more prevalent, but two-stroke motors are common in hard enduro and trials, as well as amateur motocross. Each engine type has its pros and cons, and some people are life-long devotees to one or the other. If you’re a new rider and can’t decide, we suggest a four-stroke.