Best Beginner Dirt Bikes For Adults and How to Choose One

Just got a klx 125 for free. I’m a heavier guy but I don’t plan to race. Just trail riding

Less is more. For a truly inexperienced off-road rider power is the enemy. Very hard to sell this on folks who "love the sound of a 2T" and watch Supercross. But until one learns the foundational concepts of off-road riding more power simply increases the difficulty of learning said concepts. I started off-road riding at 47 years of age (now 53). Over those 6 years I have worked (played) very hard at these foundational concepts. I started on an XR650L, discovered I loved single-track, moved to a CRF250X, discovered I loved racing, bought a brand new KTM 300XC (50-55hp). I nearly won my first C class championship when I was 49 but instead wrecked my knee and had surgery! I had not fully internalized the foundational concepts of motocross and botched a pretty simple jump. The explosive power of the 300XC didn't ease my failed technique, it exaggerated it. But I recovered, practiced the foundational concepts of motocross (I am a woods racer) until I could easily handle the jump that got me. Even now after 1 regional championship (USSE) and 1 national championship (NEPG) I can handle a 450 but choose to race something smaller.
Put an pro racer on a 150F and he/she will outrun a beginner riding ANYTHING. The bike really only matters when the RIDER is equal to the task. Until then its like having a dragon as a pet. Whatever you choose to ride, put your pride in a box when purchasing.

Got a 2024 KTM xc-f 250. Great bike. My last one was a little crf50 way back 15 years ago. The power is incredible, and definitely took some time to perfect getting into 1st smoothly. So happy to be riding again - great video!

I only have $600 what am I supposed to by with that

46 y/o here and never ridden a bike before. Looking to get into trail/light enduro riding. I'm 6ft 185 been riding MTB/downhill for my whole life. Excited to try something new, what would be a good bike to start and grow on? I'm a little nervous to get something too powerful and get in over my head. Thanks for any suggestions.

My first dirt biking experience was with my neighbor when I was 13. He was 17 and idolized him. He rode his 125 and put me on his 450. He left me behind on the trails after a short time and I tried to keep up. I rode over something that caused me to flip over the handlebars, the bike landed on top of me, and something on the bike punctured through my ankle. I walked back to his truck, blood pooling in my shoe, and waited. He got back and was pissed that I left his bike on the trail. I waited for him to collect his dirt bike, load up and then we drove back home. My parents then brought me to the hospital. He never forgave me for bending that bikes frame. That day still haunts me thinking about riding a dirt bike again. Maybe one day

I’m even more confused and unsure after watching the video lol

I've never rode a gas gas ( thinking about getting 2 stroke) Do those bikes have a lower seat height??? In the videos i watch , they seem lower....

What do u think about aprilia rx125?

I am 33 years old. 200 pounds. Tall, normal legs and thighs, but my upper body. Shoulders are wide and i am a bulky muscular man. Is a 250cc okay for me or will i look like a baby,, i do not want to kill myself. I ride vtx1300cc i have been riding motorcycle for years. But dirtbikes are differant so i do not want to break my first toy.. please help. I do not want to overspend either. If i can get a used one id like to pay less then 6k,, green is my color. And just riding my 2 acres and trails around the mountains we have. But also want to jump, making small ramps for me and my son.

What about Kayo dirt bike? I need your feed back please!

So Sir- Outstanding commentary. About me. 57 years old. Big Guy. 270 Pounds. Rode some as a Kid back in the day. Nothing to spectacular. Moving to Nevada from California soon. Many trails available. I want to get a decent Older Guys Bike. Who's basically going to be a beginner again. I really have my eyes on the Kawasaki KLX 230 or KLX 300. Good choice for a Fat, Bald Old Guy to get back in the swing of things. Thanks for your time and consideration!!!!!

I’m 14 and am getting a yz426 so I guess I’m going to be alright

I have very little knowledge and experience riding a motorcycle/dirt bike and am mostly looking to get one to get around on logging roads, up logging slashes and to access remote hiking trails so I can save truck from getting beat up. I am about 5'7 155 lbs. Would a 4 stroke 250 be the right choice for me?

I dont know if you'll see this, but im 17 130lbs, and im 5'8 and im a beginner I only have like 3k to spend, so I'll be getting a used bike. What do you think would be a good bike? Im also just gonna ride it around my farm

Which is good to climb mountain

Really debating price wise a 300L with suspension mods to learn. But the other half of me is still thinking 250FX. 😂 maybe even a 150 XCW I’m 200+ lbs with gear so I need to make sure I have enough bike but not 450 levels lmao

I've been riding my kids 110F and 125F - enough power there for a beginner. 250 should a be a shit load for a beginner. 6'2" 205 pounds

What do u think of the KTM free ride 250f.
Do u think it’s a good beginner bike for enduro

Thanks for the reply.

I was thinking about getting the CRF250F and upgrading the suspension for clearance and control, but that would cost a good bit of money. Would it be smarter just to get a CRF250R since it already has the better suspension? This is for trail riding in the desert. (6'3" - 210) Thanks!

Greetings earthlings 🖖
I stand 6foot’2inches’ and weigh about 275 pounds. And what would you say would be a fit bike for me to ride from South America to Los Angeles?
This thought crossed my mind today and plan on going forward with it. Although I never ridden a dirt bike and would be seeking some sort of class to give me the fundamentals that will help me out.
Thank you for your help

I’m 13 so obviously not an adult but I was looking into upgrading from a 85cc to 125cc as it’s too small (I’m 5’8)
I don’t do motocross or enduro or any type of racing but I love riding on extreme off road tracks on and around the farm, lots of hills and my favourite type of riding, mud running!

Anyways I wanted to know if you had any recommendations, the bike needs to be durable and be able to take a beaten (probably gonna fall off a lot lol) would like it too have a liquid cooled engine and preferably electric start but isn’t a must.

Power isn’t really an issue, doesn’t need a lot since I’m not racing but enough to get over hills with ease. Also I won’t really be doing any single tracks.

How do I get started?!

If I’m just looking for something to ride in fields and In Forrest with us that considers trail or cross country

How about yz250fx ? Fairly tamed bike ?

Hey anyone can answer this but I am a 12 year old kid who’s height is around 155cm and really wants a sum what cheap to mid prise dirt bike for trails?

Is a 125cc pitbike a good trail bike?

my first dirt bike was a old kx500 half power still fucked me up. start small that shits was spooky as shit!

Hi. Im on wr250r. 6.2 ; 290 ; 47 years old; hills and trails ;looking for upgrade. What do you recomand?

Thanks for your video!!! Good info to have. My husband and I normally ride quads but we have SO MANY. We ride for pleasure so nothing competitive. But my quad recently took a dump and I’m interested in getting a dirt bike but I’ve NEVER rode one. My son has a KLX 110 and he’s also a beginner coming from a quad. I want to try something different but not sure what to get. We’re from SoCal and normally ride on dry lake beds or out in Pismo. For a beginner, would you say the Honda CFR250 or similar is “a lot” of bike for a beginner beginner? Any recommendations you can give?

Hey guys, I live in Colorado and I’m looking for a bike that I can take when I go camping to ride some casual trails but also can get me to work down the road just 5 miles. Is there any street legal options out there?

Any opinions on the Honda 2025 CRF125F?

Watching this knowing my first bike was a kx450f🤦🏻‍♂️😂😂😂

Im 56 6’0” 175lbs, rode a yz80 when i was a kid. Looking to get back to riding, no plans for moto but would like a bike that has some 2-stroke bite but also feel safe and comfortable? What do you suggest?

Nice video. Some well intentioned constructive feedback would be to practice on your verbal delivery. There are some areas where it's very easy to insinuate something other than what it is you are actually conveying.

Even for us native language speaking English persons, it is a very complex language.

One example is when you were at the end communicating the differences between KTM, Beta, Gas Gas...

It felt like you knew you were towards the end of the video and were rushing to get it done, when of course that would not make any sense realistically, as you are simply recording a video in your own domain without any constraints.

You say GAS GAS is the cheaper version of the KTM Family, while the Husqvarna is the premium line of it. And then you quickly say, without any pauses, that KTM is the race race version and the Gas Gas is the more affordable version"... It's not clear with how fast you say it what the KTM actually is within the family lineup. Probably ask a peer to watch it and give you straight feedback.

Beginners probably aren't going to internalize what you're trying to teach at that point. If Husqvarna is the premium model, why would that not be the race version? The word you said the fastest out of the whole video were quickly followed by what I just mentioned then KTM is...

Personally, I speak very quickly myself. People who don't know me or may just be a little bit slower Will sometimes not be able to keep up with what I'm saying. It's much more effective and polite to slow down. I speak to both of us on that point.

Lastly, unless the corporate owner of all the brands made a strategic decision to change how the brands are pronounced, you are mispronouncing beta and Husqvarna. For anybody that isn't a beginner, it immediately lowers your perceived level of subject matter expertise. That's just human nature, no way around that but to pronounce correctly.

Otherwise, great job. Sincerely. I wouldn't take several minutes to leave a comment otherwise. Keep it going, bud.

Laid a 450 down in a motel parking lot. Never had been a bike in my life. Immediately released the clutch whiskey throttle dragged me about 40 yards luckily didnt die

So I’m wanting something I can do trail riding and get my feet wet into some amateur enduro races what would you recommend? I’m 5’7 for connect

So I’m wanting something I can do trail riding and get my feet wet into some amateur enduro races what would you recommend? I’m 5’7 for context

I’m 15 should i get a yz125cc?

fyi i am 280lb sadly now. i got a 150 2 stroke and it rides perfect. so any fat adults looking to just ride a 150 is fine. i actually rode my friends 250 4 stroke first and i turned it off it was too much for a beginner. walked it 20ft back to him.

I found this video because my Beta 390RRS is too powerful for me to learn obstacles, pivot turns, and other hard enduro on. Even on the lower map I find the throttle too sensitive to learn to wheelie and pivot on. Thanks for the free advice! I think I'll look towards the KTM150 XCW to learn these skills on and hopefully be able to transfer those skills to my 390. I love my 390, but I'm really trying to focus on skills. I'd love to try out a Beta X trainer too.

I have ridden mx, hare scrambles, and gncc/woods races for over 25yrs.. I have owned and raced approx 15 different bikes of all makes, displacement, along with 2 stroke & 4 stroke, obviously as I started racing in 1992.. When I got back into racing vet/40+, I found I was struggling with too much power & weight.. Rode a friends CR125 built with good custom suspension, OMG, I fell in love again with lightweight bike that loves my style of riding.. After that ride in 2019, I found a barely used 2015 ktm 200.. and used xcw parts to turn it into the 200xcw that I always wished I could buy.. Its fucking amazing, perfect for my 215lb 6ft 1" ass to rip for hours in the woods.. I hate to admit that I prob have over $10k in the bike even after buying it used for $4800.. I'm keeping this one forever, no matter what.

Dirt bikes (back in the day) were affordable. Now.... darn.

Motorcycles have gotten so expensive.

Im 5'9 130lb I ride a Crf 150f but really want better suspension and more power. Whats a good step up? I mainly ride trails and hillclimbs but i also hit alot of jumps and sometimes ride the rode and keep it on the pipe a bit and just rip through open sections. Im skinny so cant really man handle a bike and dint really want alot of maintenance. So lost need help

I bought a 450f thinking I could handle this monster. Woke up and for sell on the market 😂

Comment below if you have any questions!