So you’re thinking about making the jump from dirt to street? Thinking you’d rather buy a street legal dirt bike than build one? Welcome to the wild side my friend.
It doesn’t matter what your riding background is, or even if you’ve ridden anything before at all. Even if you’ve ridden a horse, you’ve probably got the moxie to handle a street legal dirt bike. Probably…
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Are You Ready for a Street Legal Dirt Bike?
Are you a Nun of Anarchy or a dirt biking legend just waiting to happen? Time to find out.
The big question is, does all the dirt-slinging awesomeness of dirt bikes work on the street? Of course it does! But before you’re riding wheelies and hopping medians, you need to find a bike that suits your needs and fits your ethos, your personality – who you are and the way you live your life. Your bike should fit that to a T!
Of course, it’s super easy to make any old dirt bike street legal, and that’s exactly what we do at Dirt Legal. You can build a bike that outperforms most of the factory street legal dirt bikes on this countdown for way less money, and then get a title and license plate for around $300. Sound good?
CLICK TO GET LEGAL
If you prefer to buy a turn-key street legal dirt bike there are plenty of options to choose from. That brings us to an age-old question: is it better to have more power or less power? What are the pros and cons to each? Are small bikes for noobs? Time to find out.
Small Bikes
If you’re the type of person to grab life by the balls and hang on for the ride, you’re going to want to start on a small bike. I know that probably goes against your whole macho man Randy Savage thing, but bear with me. A small bike will keep you from getting hurt early on, and the longer you live the longer you can ride. Trust me… I did the math.
Small-displacement dirt bikes don’t have a lot of power. That means you can make mistakes without paying the price – within reason.
They’re light, nimble, and efficient": most small dirt bikes weigh under 300 lbs and get over 70 MPG. They’re simple and reliable, so they can take a beating and keep coming back for more. And when you drop one – which you will – parts are cheap and easy to come by.
Riding a small dirt bike will teach you to conserve momentum instead of relying on power to get you through. Jump and stunt to your heart’s content, ride ‘em hard and put ‘em away wet, small dirt bikes won’t mind a bit. Many people have ridden one of these for years without getting bored of it, and you could too.
These are the small factory street legal dirt bikes you should consider:
Honda CRF230L
280lb wet, 14hp (yeah, 14)
The Honda CRF230L follows the same recipe as the Yamaha XT250, Suzuki DR200S, and Kawasaki KLX250. These are air-cooled single-cylinder classics that haven’t changed in decades because they don’t have to. Choosing between them basically involves picking your favorite color, and you’ll find a dozen of each at any dirt bike event in the world.
You really can’t go wrong with one of these unless it’s been thrashed to hell and back.
Yamaha WR250R
256lb wet, 28hp
This one is far more modern than those Hondas and Kawis. Released in 2008, the Yamaha WR250R is a race-spec dirt bike with a 6-speed transmission, fuel injection, liquid cooling, titanium valves, fully adjustable inverted forks, and a fully adjustable rear shock.
In plain English, that’s like comparing a new Mustang to an old Civic. Of course, that makes it more expensive too. This is the small factory street legal dirt bike most people dream of having: find them being envied on YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, and Tinder.
Big Bikes
After you’ve learned the basic principles of riding on a small factory street legal dirt bike, or if this isn’t your first rodeo, you might be tempted to move up. These are the bikes most people settle on if they want a formidable street legal dirt bike that’s great in the dirt and wild in the streets.
But the power here is different. If you’re used to a Japanese crotch rocket with 120 hp, you’ll be surprised how fast 50 hp feels on a street legal dirt bike. Chalk that up to weight and torque: a little of one and lots of the other.
Choosing one of these big bikes is a tougher decision, but if your primary use is street riding – and you’re a patient person – you should be fine to start on one as long as you take your time.
Suzuki DRZ400S
319lb wet, 39hp
To most, this is the quintessential factory street legal dirt bike. Choose from one of a thousand exhausts, and find one of a million videos or forums to walk you through troubleshooting and repairs. The DRZ is tried and true, liquid-cooled, and very capable on any terrain.
But like its smaller compatriots, the DRZ is also going on 20 years old. That makes it a perfect used bike, but in the world of new factory street legal dirt bikes, all the new blood is European.
KTM 450 EXC
247lb wet, 51hp
One of the fastest and most iconic supermotos in the world, the KTM 450 is a savage speed demon that’s well-balanced on the road and on the trails. A modern chassis, suspension, and brakes are complemented by a huge world of aftermarket parts, and as for the signature KTM orange – you either love it or hate it.
Aprilia SXV 450
275 lbs wet, 60 hp
In typical Italian fashion, this Aprilia is nothing like the rest. A hearty v-twin engine plays the sound of its people and delivers menacing torque, giving supercars and sportbikes alike a run for their money. If 60 hp isn’t enough for you, the 550 model adds an extra 10 hp, making this one of the most powerful factory street legal dirt bikes on either side of the pond.
Needless to say, this is not a bike for the faint of heart or the light of funds – and neither is our winner.
Husqvarna FE 501
265 lbs wet, 58 hp
The Husqvarna 501 is the undisputed posterchild of dreamy supermotos.
And that means it’s expensive AF… $10,000 expensive. That’s 5 used DRZs, 10 of those smaller dirt bikes, or one used BMW S1000RR – that’s about the most advanced sportbike in the world. So what makes this rebadged KTM EXC500 worth that much?
For starters, just look at it! It’s ultra-modern and ultra-fast, and it’s styled in a suave yet brutal fashion. It’s built of the finest advanced lightweight alloys and the most mathematically precise calculations. The product is a bike with the speed, quality, and feel of a Ferrari on pavement and dirt.
Yeah, it’s that good.
Of course, you have to maintain it like a Ferrari and parts are expensive. But in the world of street legal dirt bikes, the Husky 501 makes all the other bikes look like child’s play.
Which factory street legal dirt bike would you ride?
There are plenty of bikes we didn’t mention here – did we miss one that deserves to be recognized? Let us know in the comments!
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About the Author
Justin Dake once caused a traffic jam on the Oakland Bay Bridge. His most recent motorcycle sent a rod though the radiator while he was riding it. He expects his good luck to continue. Find his work at jstn.dk.
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FAQs
What is the fastest street legal dirt bike? ›
- 2022 Yamaha WR250F. Top Speed: 85mph. ...
- 2022 Zero FX. Top Speed: 85 mph. ...
- 2022 Honda CFR450RL. Top Speed: 87 mph. ...
- 2022 Kawasaki KX450X. Top Speed: 89 mph. ...
- 2022 Kawasaki KLR 650. Top Speed: 95 mph. ...
- 2022 Husqvarna FE501S. Top Speed: 100 mph. ...
- 2022 Beta 500 RR-S. ...
- 2022 KTM 450 SX-F.
- Yamaha TW200 (31.1”)
- Honda Trail 125 (31.5”)
- Yamaha XT250 (31.9”)
- Kawasaki KLX 230 S ( 32.7”)
- Suzuki DR200S (33.3”)
They must pass inspection, which means a dirt bike must be retrofitted with tires, turn and brake signals, headlights with high and low beams, mirrors and other equipment the state requires for street bikes.
Does Honda make a street legal dirt bike? ›Yes, Honda has been making street legal dirt bikes for many years, but their lineup of models has changed quite a few times. A Honda “CRF” is the name it gives to their 4-stroke dirt bikes, which means that a CRF may or may not be road legal – that's why I'll show you which ones are legal.
Can you make a 2 stroke dirt bike street legal? ›Making a Two-Stroke Dirt Bike Street Legal
If you think you're up for the challenge, all you need is a two-stroke dirt bike and a few hours' time. For starters your bike will need a headlight, tail light, blinkers, horn, license plate light, and anything else required by your state's laws.
The CRF450RL is equipped with a catalytic converter and is fully street legal in all 50 states—and off-road capable just about anywhere on the planet. That means you can ride it wherever it's legal to operate a motor vehicle—in state and national parks, on the road, on public lands.
What's the fastest 125 bike? ›...
The fastest 125cc motorbikes
- Suzuki GSX-R125. ...
- Yamaha YZF-R125. ...
- Honda CB125R. ...
- KTM 125 Duke. ...
- Kawasaki Ninja 125. ...
- Aprilia RS 125. ...
- Yamaha MT-125.
| Child Age | Child Height | Engine Size In CC |
|---|---|---|
| 3 – 7-years | 2ft 7-inches To 3ft 7-inches | 50cc |
| 7 – 12-years | 3ft 7-inches To 4ft 7-inches | 50cc – 110cc |
| 12 – 14-years | 5ft To 5ft 2-inches | 125cc |
| 14 – 16-years | 5ft 2-inches To 5ft 8-inches | 125cc – 250cc |
1. KTM 450 SX-F (198 km/h – 123 mph) – 449cc. The KTM 450 SX-F is best known for propelling Ryan Dungey to Motocross championship. Its powerful 449cc engine is only 237 pounds, but it can power top speeds of 123 mph.
What is the fastest 250 2-stroke dirt bike? ›- Yamaha WR250F. The Yamaha WR250F allows you to switch between racing and standard modes to reach the top speed of 85mph. ...
- Kawasaki KX250. ...
- Honda CRF250R. ...
- Husqvarna TC 250. ...
- KMT 250 SX-F.
What is the most popular dirt bike brand? ›
Honda and Yamaha have long been near the top of all dirt bike brands because they make good performance bikes that are reliable. KTM, however, has been the number 1 of all dirt bike brands that makes the most improvements to all of their dirt bike models.
What are dirt bikes with street tires called? ›A dirt bike featuring street tires is commonly called a sportsman setup and is closer to being a supermoto bike.
What is the lightest 250 dirt bike? ›What's the lightest 250F dirt bike? The Honda CRF250R is the lightest 250F dirt bike, coming in at 229 pounds wet. Wet weight, also known as curb weight, is the number that you want to look at because that includes all of the fluids (oil, coolant, gas, etc.)
How fast do dirt bikes go? ›The average speed a dirt bike can achieve is between 50 and 60 miles per hour. These numbers will ultimately depend on a combination of factors including the type of engine, horsepower and the terrain being ridden. Although dirt bikes aren't designed primarily for speed, they are fast and fun to ride!
Can a 13 year old ride a dirt bike? ›Can a 13 year old ride a dirt bike? Absolutely. No license is required (In the U.S. or other big countries that I know of) to ride an off road dirt bike. I started when I was 7, so 13 is definitely not too early of an age to begin riding (or too late!).
Are dirt bikes safe? ›Dirt Bikes Are Statistically Safer Than ATVs
In fact, four-wheeler crash victims have at times been found to be 50% more likely to die than someone involved in a dirt bike crash. The sad thing is, many people riding dirt bikes trade up for an ATV because they think it's safer, but it's not.
250cc bikes can get as fast as 55- 70mph while their big brother at 450cc can reach up to 87mph.
How fast can a 250cc dirt bike go? ›If you are a pro at dirt bike riding and you want to experience real power while riding, then get a 250cc dirt bike. 250cc dirt bike delivers powerful acceleration with high performance. Depending on the type of engine, a 250cc dirt bike comes at a maximum speed of between 55 to 70 mph (90-113 km/h).
Can you make a 2 stroke dirt bike street legal? ›Making a Two-Stroke Dirt Bike Street Legal
If you think you're up for the challenge, all you need is a two-stroke dirt bike and a few hours' time. For starters your bike will need a headlight, tail light, blinkers, horn, license plate light, and anything else required by your state's laws.
Most of the research we've done shows that 250cc motorcycles top out, on average, around 80-85 mph, although faster street racers like the Kawasaki Ninja 250 can achieve top speeds upwards of 100 mph. The reasons for this variance in top speed are due to several factors like torque, horsepower, and engine design.
How fast is 125cc? ›
The short answer is that the top speed of a 125cc, on average, is somewhere between 65mph and 80mph.
How fast does a 1000cc dirt bike go? ›1,000cc motorcycles can have a top speed ranging from 100 to 226 mph, but the average top speed for these motorcycles is around 140 mph.
How fast is 500cc in mph? ›As we've shown through our list, the average top speed of 500cc motorcycles is 90-100 mph.
What's the fastest 2-stroke dirt bike? ›What is the fastest 2-stroke dirt bike? Whether it has a Maico 700 or 620 engine, the ATK Intimidator has held the title for the fastest dirt bike for a few years. The 700 engine intimidator has a 685cc 2-stroke engine that produces 78hp. This bike can easily exceed over 110mph on dirt.
Which is faster 250 4 stroke or 125 2 stroke? ›A modern 250 4 stroke will be faster than a 125 2 stroke 9 times out of 10. It has almost twice the low-end torque, making it easier to ride, and the peak horsepower is close to the same.
What's better 2 stroke or 4 stroke dirt bike? ›While a 2-stroke will never offer the torque of a 4-stroke, they come close enough for most weekend riders. Not only that, but they're lighter and tend to be easier to handle, which makes them great for beginners. In addition, 2-stroke bikes require less maintenance than most 4-strokes, saving you time and money.
Is KTM E xc road legal? ›Skids ahoy. Being road legal and available to 17-year-olds with A1 licences, it was only prudent to see how the E-XC played on the highways of Cheshire.
How fast is 400 cc? ›What Is the Average Top Speed of 400cc Motorcycles? The top speeds of 400cc class motorcycles range from 75 mph to 116 mph, although there are outliers in the category that go a bit slower or a bit faster.
How fast can a 450 dirt bike go? ›Reaching a maximum speed of 110mph, the Beta 450RS is high on the list of the fastest motocross bikes. The Beta 450RS takes just over 5 seconds to gain 60mph is street-legal in America's 50 states.
How fast is a 2 stroke? ›While max speed will vary slightly based on the type of engine, a 250cc dirt bike will come in between 70-78 miles per hour. 250cc 2-strokes will be faster than 240cc 4-strokes, but only by 5-10 miles per hour.
Can a 13 year old ride a dirt bike? ›
Can a 13 year old ride a dirt bike? Absolutely. No license is required (In the U.S. or other big countries that I know of) to ride an off road dirt bike. I started when I was 7, so 13 is definitely not too early of an age to begin riding (or too late!).
How fast will a 80cc engine go? ›HIGH PERFORMANCE: Unlike most standard bicycle engine kits, the BBR Tuning 66/80cc comes standard with high quality components designed to last. This engine puts out 5-6 HP (horse power) and has a top speed of 25-35MPH (miles per hour) stock.
How fast is 300cc in mph? ›Most 300cc motorcycles are going to top out at speeds around 100 mph, although there are some sportbike and R models (racing models) that breeze past 100 mph with a twist of the throttle. We'd wager a top speed range of 85-112 mph for 300cc motorcycles.