It's a wonder they lived to tell the tale. Look at all that safety equipment they wore! Thanks to Doug Klassen, Jesper and Helmet Hair Blog for the post.

The evolution of off road motorcycles, more commonly known as dirt bikes, is a long and complicated history. Most of the first motorcycles made were basically bicycles with an internal combustion engine strapped on somehow. These bikes were constructed just as paved "roads" were beginning to appear, so from the beginning, all motorcycles were built to ride off road as well as on. Therefore, even the first motorcycles could be referred to as "dirt bikes".

Dirt bikes (and street bikes) have been around since the very early 1900's, however at the time they were simply considered to be regular motorcycles. And while history has not credited any person or company with the invention of the Dirt Bike, Triumph Motorcycles nevertheless built a motorcycle designed specifically for riding on dirt in 1914, although this model is not actually credited with being the first dirt bike.

Dirt bikes were really created more as an evolution of a motorcycle into the machines we know today as dirt bikes. And while in the west we note that Honda produced the first motorcycle specifically designed for off road use in 1972, dirt bikes had been produced for years in Europe for motocross.

The first motocross races were raced through wooded trails or racing to the top of a mountainous road and were a race against time, the terrain and the elements, more than each other. But as time passed, races were eventually moved to a shorter runway, closed in for the ease or spectating.

These days dirt bikes and dirt bike competitions are some of the most popular motor sports in the world. Thankfully, dirt bikes have continued to evolve and dirt bikes come in a variety of sizes for various classes and ages and with continual improvements in suspension, engine reliability, and safety.

Each weekend, millions of people around the world enjoy the thrill of riding a dirt bike. This sport has captivated young and old riders alike.

Now I'm not advocating putting your bike in the drink, but it doesn't suddenly become trash when you do. So what should you do if you didn't see that pond or creek soon enough?

Well first, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure . . . make sure your engine is sealed well, and no water gets in your air box. If you don't know how to do this, find a good mechanic. And second, make sure the water doesn't come up over the exhaust tip.

But of course we were talking about the stream, creek or pond we didn't see, so making sure the exhaust tip stays out of the water might be a little hard. If the bike stall’s or gets water logged get it to dry land, remove the spark plug and dry it, turn the engine over a few times to clear any water, replace the plug and off you go again.

But always keep an eye on the oil. If you start getting a white goo on the oil filler cap, this means it is contaminated with water. You will need to drain the oil and flush out the system.

So which is harder, riding a street bike or a dirt bike? Is it that much different riding one or the other? Well the short answer is not too much just more idiots to look out for . . . but there are those who would question whether I was talking about the idiots on the dirt bikes or the idiots on the street.

The long answer is the difference in traction and power. Basically it’s the weight and power of the street bikes vs. a dirt bike's light weight and maneuverability - it can go anywhere. Street bikes are powerful and harder to control. If you're use to one or the other you'll notice it mostly as you lean.

Just remember, every type of bike has it’s own ‘uniqueness’ but they’re all basically the same. There will be a learning curve. Flatter tires on pavement grip a LOT better then dirt tires do off-road. On a dirt bike, you almost have to learn to kick your tail end out and ‘drift’ a bit, but with a road bike this is the very last thing you want to do - it would almost certainly spell disaster for both your body and your bike.

Every motorcycle and type of riding has it's quirks. The big differences on the road are your lean angles and judging braking distances and corner speeds. Take it slow in the beginning when you are changing from street to dirt bike or vice versa. After that, everything else is elementary.

So what's the big difference? Why do street legal motorcycles have multi-cylinders and dirt bikes have only one? Is it just to control vibration? If it's simply to spread out the power stroke around the crank, why isn't that good for dirt bikes too?

The answer to this question is two fold. First it's about weight. A dirt bike needs to be able to maneuver. Being light weight is essential. But with a bike you drive through traffic and on the open road you need that extra weight for stability and to cut through wind.

And single cylinder engines have an insane amount of low end torque, and this perfect for off-roading. However multi-cyclinder engines have slightly less low end, but more high end torque - great for driving in traffic. Driving on dirt means no traction . . . If you had the weight of a street bike engine on a dirt bike you would be a crash test dummy.

If transporting your bike to and from the trails is an issue, you may need to find a dirt bike trailer if you don't have a truck or if you are need to transport more bikes than your truck will carry.  Most trucks can hold 3 small to medium size dirt bikes in the bed with very little difficulty.  But when you start trying to jam a few more in there or if the bikes are bigger bikes, space is at a premium.

Keep in mind, if you have a long bed truck you might be able to fit another bike in - but the issue of what size bike would come to bear there as well.  No matter how many bikes you need to transport, you will need at least one other person to help you load and two would be even better.

If you find you are in need of a good dirt bike trailer, we have some great buys.

The popularity of dirt bikes is off the chart and growing every year. And why not, what's not to love. It's a sport for the adventurer. But buying your first dirt bike may seem like a daunting task with so many models and brands available. How do you find the right brand or model for you and get a great deal in the process?

Just like buying other vehicles or other types of equipment and merchandise, getting a little information up front is a good idea. Here are some simple guidelines that would help any buyer choose the best dirt bike for their needs.

1. For your first bike you want a bike large enough to carry you, but not too large you'll get carried away. You'll want to be able to reach the ground flat footed while astride any bike you are considering. But you don't want to be too large for your bike either. Find the biggest bike you feel comfortable on. The KTM probably has the largest seat height, followed by the Yamaha. But you really need to sit on a few and get a feel for what is comfortable to you.
2. A four-stroke engine will be easier to learn on. (Two stroke engines are harder to learn on because they have a snappy instant thrust of power while a four stroke engine is more tame and gradually builds up.) And generally, four stroke engines are lower maintenance and are easier to maintain.
3. Dirt bikes are naturally leaner and lighter in weight than conventional motorcycles; think lightweight and maneuverable. Any bike over 230 lbs dry or 275 lbs wet is too heavy for any beginner. A heavy bike will zap your strength quickly.
4. But while dirt bikes have smaller engines, they must be at the same time powerful. Finding the right size engine can be tricky. If you are truly new to the sport and don't yet know the type riding you will be doing a trail bike is your best bet. Of the four stroke engines a good 'general rule of thumb' is to get an engine that's no higher than your weight. i.e. If you weigh 125 lbs, don't get an engine that's over 125cc.
5. The best dirt bikes are those designed and manufactured by well known and reliable brands. Yes, there are cheaper brands and types, but you know the old saying - you get what you pay for. Usually those lesser known brands are cheaper because they have skimped on quality and safety or have compromised by using substandard materials in order to get that attractive price tag. As with most things you either pay now or you pay later when you have to replace the bike sooner. The big five are Honda, KTM, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha; if you stick with those you'll do fine.
6. For beginners, second hand dirt bikes are best - not to mention cheaper. As with any vehicle you purchase, you lose about a quarter to a third of a new vehicles purchase price when you take it off the show room floor. And let's face it, you are going to scratch and damage your bike - it's the nature of the sport; especially when you're first learning. So determine the right bike for you and look for a good used one.
7. Then last but definitely not least, remember, you WILL crash - so safety gear is not just an option but a necessity to ride. Helmet, goggles, boots, gloves, knee and elbow pads are an absolute MUST. They don't have to be expensive, either. And don't forget to get a kidney belt! Then hit the dirt!

If you do not find the specific 250 CC Dirt Bike you are looking for, try modifying your search.

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Yamaha 250 1972 DT2MX 250cc Yamaha vintage dirt bike

$315.00

1d 19h 16m

Suzuki RM Z rm z 250 2007 Suzuki RM Z 250 dirtbike MTX 4 stroke

$1,075.00

1d 18h 39m

Other Makes 2001 TM Racing dirt bike 250 FAST FAST SSCARTS

$.99

6d 19h 18m

Suzuki RM 1982 Suzuki RM 250 Post Vintage Dirt Bike CLEAN

$1,550.00

2h 34m

Yamaha YZ Yamaha Motorcycle Yamaha YZ 250 Dirt Bike

$1,799.99

4h 45m

Yamaha YZ YZ 2003 Yamaha YZ 250 YZ250 Motocross Dirt Bike Nice Cond

$2,100.00

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Honda XL 250 R 1987 Honda XL 250R Enduro Dirt Bike

$1,600.00

3d 15h 11m

Yamaha YZ 250 No Reserve Yamaha 250cc 2 stroke dirt bike

$1,600.00

4d 21h 56m

Yamaha YZF YZF Yamaha YZF 250 dirt bike 07 very nice 50 hours on it

$2,500.00

7d 18h 34m

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