The Evolution of the Dirt Bike

The evolution of off-road motorcycles, commonly called dirt bikes, is a long and complicated story. The first motorcycles were actually nothing more than modified bicycles with attached gasoline engines. These powered bicycles were amazing inventions in their day. Unreliable, but amazing methods of transportation, these motorcycles began captivating people across the globe. Since paved streets were not quite the norm at the time, motorcycles generally could be considered dirt bikes right from the start. No single person or company has been credited with the invention of the dirt bike. Off-road motorcycling is really an evolution of many years, with better tires, better suspension and seats, stronger frames, and better control features being credited to many individuals who were essentially modifying their own bikes for better off-road use. Triumph motorcycles did however design a motorcycle specifically built for dirt riding in 1914, although this model is not actually credited with being the first dirt bike.

Pocket Dirt Bikes - Riding Safe

What makes a pocket dirt bike different from a pocket bike or from a dirt bike? A pocket bike or mini bike is a miniature motorcycle that uses a 2-stroke engine that usually creates a louder and higher frequency noise than a typical four-stroke engine. Two-stroke engines sound as if they operate twice than the speed of four-stroke engines. Mini bikes are rarely street-legal because they release fuel and thick black smoke and also because of the mini bike's small size. A dirt bike on the other hand is a typically described as an off-road motorcycle. It is a motorcycle designed as vehicle to be ridden across the country or on dirt roads. A pocket dirt bike therefore is a small motorcycle that is most likely used when traveling in dirt roads.

A pocket dirt bike is the coolest thing to have nowadays. Especially for young travelers who just want to see beautiful spots nearby. They are convenient, cool and small enough to suit everybody. But even though these pocket dirt bikes are small, you still have to take into account safety tips to make sure that you enjoy your ride in a healthy state. Even if you've been riding motorcycles your entire life, you should still take into account normal precautions that will ensure that you reach your destination safely. Anyone riding pocket dirt bikes or fast pocket bikes or any other type of motorcycles for that matter should wear a helmet and protective gear. Knee pads, elbow pads and eye gear should also be worn to ensure lesser injuries and protection in case of emergencies and accidents.

Dirt Bike Safety

Whether you are a veteran rider or a beginner, it is imperative that you take extreme safety precautions while riding high-speed motorcycles like dirt bikes since accident risks are higher with these powerful machines.

The most important thing to remember before riding a dirt bike is to get formal training and instructions. It is said that 90%-95% of motorcycle riders involved in accidents did not go through formal training. So to make your dirt bike riding experience safer, get yourself a formal training from a professional or a training school.

Protective gears like helmets, gloves, boots and jackets not only guard you from injuries sustained from crashes, they also provide comfort and shield you from conditions such as poor weather, the sun and other elements that may come in your way while riding. It is also advisable to wear bright-colored clothing so that other riders will see you better to avoid crashes.

Before mounting your dirt bike, always conduct a careful inspection of the parts like the wheels, bearings, brakes etc to make sure that they are in good condition. Repair or replace any faulty components because mechanical failure can also be one of the potential safety threats to dirt bike riding.

Popular Dirt Bikes

The most popular Dirt Bikes are those manufactured by Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, and KTM. Some of these products can be very expensive since their demand is very high with professionals and amateurs alike.

When Kawasaki started mass-production of perimeter frame Dirt Bikes in 1990, the two-stroke, single-cylinder 249cc engine KAWASAKI KX250, along with KX125 became the first ones to be manufactured. A new KX250 can cost you around 6,000 dollars while you can get a used KAWASAKI KX250 for 1500 to 3000 dollars. A KX125 costs slightly lower.

The 449cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke Honda CRF450R is rated highly by owners due to its versatility, speed and power. This motorcycle costs around 6,000 to 7,000 dollars. However, not all Honda Dirt Bikes are as expensive. The HONDA CR 250 Motocross Dirt Bike, for example, costs only around 2000 to 4000 dollars.

Suzuki has been manufacturing a series of Dirt Bikes called DR-Z and a recent addition to this family is the Suzuki DR-Z125, available in two versions - DR-Z125 and DR-Z125L. These 124cc, 4-stroke, single-cylinder models feature the traditional, five-speed transmission and the 2004 models cost 3,000 dollars.

Razor Mx350 Electric Dirt Bike Review

If you get your children into sports now that is fun and exciting they will be more likely to stay off the streets as they get older. Getting them involved in sports will assist in keeping them off drugs and away from criminal activity. Motocross is a great sport for your child to start with. It can be fun and exciting and a great way for your youngster to take out any aggression. The hardest part about getting your child interested in Motocross is getting them comfortable on the motocross bike. The Razor MX350 electric dirt bike is a great bike to start with. It's a great speed for a bike. It's really quick, yet not fast enough to become dangerous. Although recommended for those who are 12 and older, it's so durable and compact that it would be a great bike for ages that are younger too.

The Razor MX 350 Dirt Rocket found in stores is one of the best mini electric dirt bikes you can find. This mini bike offers a very durable frame, but can carry up to 150 pounds. To keep the transfer power best, the bike has 10 inch knobby tires. With a chain driven motor, it gives the ride a quieter feel yet doesn't take away from its power. This also is great so that the bike can go about 14 miles per hour for ten miles without losing its charge. The riser handlebars that this bike sports are great for comfort. The bike is a great beginner bike without having to spend a lot of money on the first gas powered dirt bike. The disadvantage is that it takes eight hours to get a full charge and with a heavier child may run a lot slower. For the price of this bike it's an excellent choice!

Used Dirt Bikes

Buying new Dirt Bikes can be expensive. A new 4500cc Dirt Bike, for instance, can cost you as much as $8000. So if you still want to enjoy the excitement of riding an off-road motorcycle without spending too much, the best option is to go for a Used Dirt Bike.

Find out the model you need before making any decision. Remember that each model has different engine-power, design and built. Browse through old editions of Dirt Bike magazines or the Internet and find out the features that you're looking for, and any maintenance and reliability issues associated with a particular model.

Once you've decided what Dirt Bike model you want to buy, know that private Dirt Bike sellers offer much cheaper bargains than established dealers if you're planning to buy one on a tight budget. Look out for their Ads on the classified pages of your local paper or magazines.

Do not be fooled by the overall appearance because the seller would have obviously refurbished the paintwork and other minor parts. This doesn't necessarily mean that the Bike is in good condition. Inspect closely and ask a couple of questions regarding maintenance, number of previous owners, year of manufacture etc. You would not want to buy a Dirt Bike that has been overused or abused, even if it's darn cheap.

Kids' Dirt Bikes

A Kid's Dirt Bike or Mini Dirt Bike has all the working parts and features of a normal Dirt Bike. It only weighs less, is much smaller and has a lot less power (about 49cc on average). Most kids Dirt Bikes are built with a two-stroke engine, so they are also designed to hold only half a gallon of gas on average.

Since there are no age requirements to ride these bikes, and with hundreds of models to choose from, the popularity of these little but considerably powerful machines is still growing. Thousands of Kids Dirt Bikes are sold every year around the world, with the number increasing each year.

Kid's Dirt Bikes don't always come cheap just because they are smaller in size. For example, the Pitster Pro 125cc can cost you around 2,095 dollars. However, Kid's Dirt bikes with less engine power, normally less than 90cc, are quite affordable with price ranging from 200 to 600 dollars only.

Even though there are no age requirements to ride Kid's Dirt Bikes, make sure that the child is old enough to be able to handle the machine physically. Also remember to give proper training and guidance before your kid starts operating the Bike on his/her own.