Dirt bikes are a special type of motorcycle that’s capable of handling off-road terrain, rather than being relegated solely to paved roads. You can ride a dirt bike through mud, over turf and on dirt paths easily, and they’re also great for racing. Due to the wide variance in models and what they offer, though, it’s important to put some careful thought into what it is you need from a dirt bike when you start to look for one.

Crossroad Powersports in Upper Darby is your Pennsylvania dirt bike dealership. Read on to learn more about what you should take into consideration when shopping for the perfect dirt bike.

Think About How You’ll Use It

First, consider how you wish to ride your dirt bike. Beginning riders will want to focus on a bike with less power so that they can stay in control, and they may also want a more lightweight frame that isn’t too hard to handle. Experienced riders will want more power to correspond with their higher skill level and more weight on the frame that adds to the bike’s stability. Comfort is another consideration, since riders who will be on their dirt bikes for hours at a time will suffer if their bike doesn’t offer padded seating and an ergonomic riding posture.

Those who wish to race dirt bikes will have to think about models with high speeds and more aerodynamically designed frames so they can pull ahead of other riders. Agility is also important to the racer, as it will help them to take tighter turns. Finally, if you want to ride your bike on paved roads, then you’ll need to look into dual-sport models that can handle pavement and rugged terrain while offering the features necessary to make the bike street-legal.

Consider Where You Want to Ride

Your next priority when shopping for a dirt bike is to consider where you’d like to ride it. Many dirt bikes are specifically designed to handle hard-packed dirt paths. Looser material like mud or sand will require a more specialized model or else different tires that are capable of handling that type of terrain. You can look for bikes that are suited to mud or sand riding from the get-go or you can investigate aftermarket accessory options instead.

Figure Out Your Ideal Engine Type

Dirt bikes come with either two-stroke or four-stroke engines, and each has its own advantages. Two-stroke engines are considered to be easier to handle and are lighter in weight, while four-stroke engines offer more power, better stability and more weight. The power level of your engine should match up with your experience level as a rider so that you don’t feel overwhelmed or held back by your engine.

Plan Out Your Budget

Finally, when shopping for the perfect dirt bike, you’ll want to make sure that you can afford it! Analyze your financial situation and determine just how much you can afford to spend on your bike. Don’t forget to factor in additional costs, like insurance, maintenance, upkeep and aftermarket accessories. You can look at models online to see what prices you can expect for a new or a used model so that you have a realistic budget in mind. Remember that if you plan to sell your bike in a year or two, you may not want to invest as much money into it up-front if you won’t be able to recoup that investment later on.

Looking for dirt bikes for sale in Pennsylvania? Check out our website to see our fine selection of new and used dirt bikes for sale at our location in Upper Darby, PA. Crossroad Powersports proudly serves the cities of Wilmington, DE, and Philadelphia, PA.