5 Best Trail Riding Dirt Bikes
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Your exploration of the world of dirt bikes is incomplete without looking into the best models for trail riding. Although not initially designed for off-road adventuring, there’s no reason why dirt bikes can’t explore the trails with just as much success as a commuter bike, 50cc scooter, or beginner motorcycle. With this guide, we’ve rounded up the top dirt bikes for trail riding that are perfect for your next outdoor adventure.
Let’s quickly do a run-down of the five best dirt bikes for trail riding:
- Honda CRF250X
- Coleman CT200U Trail Bike
- Honda CRF150F
- Yamaha TTR-230
- KTM 250 XCF-W
1. Honda CRF250X
If you’re an intermediate rider, perhaps the most abundant crop of riders across the globe, choosing the Honda CRF 250X as your trail Dirt Bike will be the best decision. At least you’re at a level where you want to go out and add a little more experience and motivate yourself to ride.
This model is powered by a single-cylinder, 4-stroke, 249cc-sized, liquid-cooled, OHV engine with both an electric starter and kick starter. This engine capacity makes the CRF 250X model a perfect match for trail riding.
As an off-road style motorcycle and carryover from 2017, the Honda CRF 250 comes with an MSRP of $7,599 with the engine paired off with a 5-speed transmission and a total capacity of 1.9 gallons.
Another feature you’ll fall in love with this dirt bike is the wide aluminum wheels on which it rides. At the front is the Dunlop MX52F 80/100 R21, while the rear features MX52 100/ R18, all from the famous manufacturer Dunlop.
Moreover, the adventurous Honda CRF 250X also comes with an inverted fork at the front suspension with the rear suspension featuring a Twin Sided Swing Arm. Plus, the front and rear disc brakes give you confidence that while wheeling down the hills, there are brakes to produce absolute stopping power.
Pros
- Wide and sturdy aluminum wheels
- Fuel efficient
- Brakes for stopping power
- Perfect trail riding dirt bike
Con
- No extra seat for a passenger
2. Coleman CT200U Trail Bike
How do you feel riding a dirt bike on a small mower engine hung on a structural frame? Worried? Yes, maybe for beginner riders. Veterans won’t feel the same way, I suppose. But if the framed motocross bike is for trail riding, you may want to reconsider taking it out.
But here I am to present the Coleman CT200U Trail Bike, a model for all motocross bikes slapped on a structural frame. This guy assures you confidence and stability even when going down the slope despite being a simple lawn mower engine dirt bike.
Featuring a maximum speed of 24 miles per hour, the Coleman CT200U comes at a very cheap price tag. That’s even a lot of standard features if you find the icing on the cake. You can adjust the vehicle to your taste to get speeds up to 34 mph. All you have to do is to remove the bike’s governor. That can be telling on the bike’s lifespan because you’ll have to run at 6178 RPMs.
Meanwhile, the engine is powered by a pull start and may prove difficult to start sometimes. This makes it an unreliable and challenging option, especially if you want to trail long distances.
Pros
- Adjustable speed
- Suitable for camping bike
- Very affordable
- Simple frame
Cons
- Pull start
- The clutch dies out easily
3. Honda CRF150F
The Honda CRF15 behaves like its counterpart here, and just like the top quality and standard for which Honda is known, there can be no better option for a trail-riding dirt bike than this.
This comes in two versions, the regular CRF 150 and the 150F with the CRF 150 is an excellent dirt bike pick for racing, whereas the 150F, due to its roomy feature, makes it the ideal dirt bike for family use.
Powered by an electric starter, this great model is not equipped with a kickstarter. Plus, the weight of the Honda CRF 150 stands at 233 pounds, making it one of the heavyweight dirt bikes for trail riding.
The seat height of the bike is 33 inches, so both short and tall riders, kids, and adults can conveniently ride it.
Pros
- Comfortable
- Great for a family ride
- Electric starter
Cons
- Small for casual riding
- Heavyweight
4. Yamaha TT-R230
If your choice of dirt bike for trail riding is an all-around beginner ride bike, go nowhere because the Yamaha TTR-230 is here to satisfy your desire all day, all night.
This fantastic dirt bike is an incredibly perfect bike that makes beginner riders increase their love for the sport. Amazingly durable, this guy will be on the trail for as long as you want, making it one of the best trail dirt bikes with a long span.
Interestingly, the TTR-230 delivers higher power when compared to what new dirt bikes normally should render. With this fantastic bike, you won’t hit 5th gear, especially when you choose to get aggressive. It hands this power even when you are on rocky, steep hills or bumpy roads.
Taking this off-road bike around in the woods or cruising leisurely around it is excellent. You could also take the TTR-230 to the motocross track and still fly 20 feet into the air.
The seat height of this electric start bike is lower than for beginner riders despite being designed for this class of passengers. They won’t feel the comfort newcomers should think about in their choice of bike. You have no worries about starting the machine during cold weather conditions.
Pros
- Great for beginner riders
- Cruise well on trail terrain
- Perfect for all season
- Electric start
Cons
- Less comfortable seat height
5. KTM 250 XCF-W
It’s hard to talk about automotive manufacturers without mentioning KTM. They are a great brand in almost every type of bike, dirt bikes, ATVs, UTVs, scooters, mopeds, commuter bikes for trail riding, or trail riding dirt bikes.
The TKM 250 CXF-W is the kind of bike you’ll need if you’re making an inexorable advance in trail riding. It doesn’t compromise its power or delivery.
It features unmatched power, thanks to the bike’s size and designed purpose. I won’t argue if this is pushed forward as one of the best trail bikes on the market.
This bike is also known for its reliable performance, and it presents itself with an incredibly built engine that is slapped onto a race-bred chassis. There’s a blend of performance with ultra-power and torque of the engine to form a lightweight and agile chassis.
Overall, you won’t regret having this guy in your garage.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Agile chassis
- Perfect for trail riding.
Cons
- None for now
Frequently Asked Questions
Are 2-strokes or 4-strokes better for trail riding?
Regarding trail riding, it’s better to engage your 4-stroke engine dirt bike than its 2-stroke counterpart. After all, the trail rider wants vast comfort while covering the long distance on his bike. This is especially valid for beginner riders who must ride on a more fuel-efficient dirt bike. And 4-stroke motorcycles do precisely what you want in trail riding, including comfort, fuel efficiency, and capacity to weather the storm while on tough trail terrain.
What is the difference between a dirt bike and a trail bike?
As mentioned earlier, a dirt bike, or motocross bike, isn’t meant for trail riding. They’re typically made as lightweight bikes, much lighter than trail bikes.
Again, being bikes that are often not street legal, they aren’t often fit for those long trail runs. However, a trail bike has a softer suspension and more torque but less max power.
Conclusion
When it comes to dirt bikes, there’s no shortage of options. From beginner models to those designed for more experienced riders, these powerful machines are a great way to experience the exhilarating rush of off-roading. With this guide, we’ve highlighted five of the best trail-riding dirt bikes that offer power and performance without compromising quality. Whether you’re an avid rider or just starting, any of these trail-ready rides will make your next outdoor adventure even more unforgettable!
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