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Dirt Bike Size Chart and Guide based on Weight, Age & Height

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dirt bike sizes

Well, with different tricks and techniques, dirt riding requires a different bike—the dirt bike. 

Rocketing through the dirt is the charm of many adventure-striving riders. Such riders love to whip through the dirt and bumpy surfaces without any boundation while sticking to the comfortability and proper handling over the bike. 

The dirt bikes are designed to keep the essentials of dirt riding. With the capability to meet the riding and rider needs, the dirt bike entails all the specs required to stand on rough terrains. 

Whether you are looking to buy a dirt bike for your kid or yourself, you need to be very conscious; a single mistake can cost you a fortune. 

With ample options available in the market, it becomes challenging for the riders to choose the best one. And due to a lack of ideal guidance, the riders land opting for a dirt bike that may not suffice their riding needs. 

The dirt bikes are quite expensive, so you cant choose any random and regret later. To simply the research process while buying a dirt bike, the article focuses on every aspect that will help you select the best per your requirements. 

Going through the article will help you know everything essential before putting a lot of money into buying a dirt bike. And with appropriate knowledge, you will be assured to invest the amount mindfully and opt for a bike that suits your needs.

What size of dirt bike will suit my height?

One among several factors to consider while opting for a dirt bike is the height. The rider needs to consider the bike’s height to have a comfortable and safe ride quality. 

The foremost thing is the balance and control over the bike when riding the bike on rough terrain on the unpaved routes where the bike and rider will have to overcome lots of bumps, sharp corners, steep curves, and dirt. Having a too short or heightened bike could hinder enjoying the adventure sport. 

Different people have different body builds, so it is hard to determine a particular bike size for a specific height. Some have longer legs, and others have shorter legs and taller upper bodies. So, it is best to visit the dealership and sit on the bike to determine which is better for your height. 

When you sit on the bike, your feet should touch the ground, but only the balls of your feet; ensure the heels do not touch the ground. Choosing the bike this way will help you get a bike that will be easy to maneuver on rough terrain. 

Choosing the bike this way can seem uncomfortable to the entry-level riders, and they would prefer the bike on which their foot rests flat on the ground, but this can lead to a cramped position and increase the chances of a foot injury.

Size chart for dirt bike

Choosing a dirt bike fitting perfectly to your size is crucial. Every brand manufactures bikes with sizes matching the capabilities of the bike. So, you need to look out for different brands and bikes to find the best fit.

Here is the table incorporating some of the best bikes with their seat height and engine capacity, which will help you approximate the bike that will suit your height. With the help of the below chart, you can get a clearer picture and shortlist your options.

Dirt bikeSeat height
(inches)
Seat height
(in mm)
Engine
(cc)
KTM 450 SX-F37.72958450
Honda CRF450R38965.2450
Suzuki RM-Z45037.8960450
Kawasaki KLX30035.2894300
KTM 50XS26.7678.1849
Kawasaki KLX-110L28.5723.90110
KTM 65SX29.5375065
Suzuki RM-8533.5850.9084.7
Yamaha TTR-50E21.9556.2649
Honda CRF-110F26.3668109
COBRA CS 653076265
KTM 300 XCW TPI32.7830300
Husqvarna TC 85 19/1634.4587685
Honda XR-10030.5774.7100
Suzuki RM-8533.5850.9084.7
Yamaha TTR-25035.8909.32250

Dirt bike size chart (cc) vs height chart

As every person possesses a unique body build, some have long legs, while others have contrasting features. However, below is the chart to eliminate confusion and provide a better idea of the height of the bike, suiting the height of the rider.

So, the chart will help you narrow down your search and have an approximate idea of which bike will suit your riding needs. The chart includes age, the height of the rider, seat height, and capacity of the dirt bike. So, you can have a clear idea of the bike you can ride safely and comfortably over rough terrain.

Rider’s ageRider’s height (cm)Dirt bike seat height (inches)Dirtbike capacity(cc)
3-6 years90-110 cm23-2450cc
5-8 years120 cm23-2550cc
8-9 years133cm24-26110cc
9-10 years140cm24-26110cc
10-12 years143-145 cm26-31110/125cc
12+ years157cm31-35125
12+ years162cm33-36125/140cc
12+ years167cm34-37140cc
12+ years172cm34-38150cc
12+ years178cm35-39250cc
12+ years182cm37.5 +450cc

Small size dirt bike for kids

Choosing an appropriate size of dirt bike for kids is daunting. For the kids who have just entered dirt biking sport, the bike’s choice needs to be made carefully. Any wrong selection can cost the safety of the kids. The bike should be comfortable enough for a kid to handle safely and provide pleasure while riding. 

For kids above five years, a 50cc, 80cc, or even 100cc can suit, but it is essential to consider the kid’s height, age, and weight. Here are some bikes to consider when looking to buy a dirt bike for a kid: 

  • Yamaha PW50
  • Honda CRF50F
  • Yamaha TT-R50E
  • KTM 50 SX mini
  • KTM 50SX
  • KTM SX-E 5
  • Honda CRF110F

Medium size dirt bike for teens & small adults

Choosing an appropriate dirt bike for teens is quite trickier because there are varying differences in the body build of teens. Some have upper-body taller and lower body shorter and vice-versa. 

However, with few estimations, a teen or small adults could prefer the bike sizes of 125/150cc. The bikes under the 125/150cc segment typically have mild power, are lightweight, are easy to maneuver, and are medium-sized. So, such bikes go suitable for teens and smaller adults.

A 5.2″ (157cm) teen or smaller adult can prefer a dirt bike having a seat height of 31 to 35″ (162cm). And for 5.4″, the seat height should lie anywhere between 33 to 36″.

Some of the best medium-sized dirt bikes for teens and smaller kids include:

  • KTM 150 SX
  • Yamaha YZ125
  • Honda CRF230F
  • Suzuki DR Z-125
  • Kawasaki KLX110
  • Kawasaki KLX140R
  • Honda CRF 125F

Full-size dirt bike for adults and taller heights

Like kids or teens, the body built of adults also varies. The taller riders have plenty of options to choose from. However, it is required that the taller choose the best suiting their height. 

If the adult is 6 feet (182 cm) and 200lbs (90 kg) or more, they need to prefer a higher capacity bike. Bikes in the 450cc segment are good to go. But choosing the bike’s capacity also depends on the rider’s experience level, weight, the motto of riding, and the surface on which the riding is to be done. So, if the rider just wants to enjoy the ride or is new to dirt, riding a 250cc bike is preferred. 

A 5.10″ height adult can choose a bike of seat height 35-39″ seat height, and anyone of 6ft or more can prefer to have a bike of 37.5″ or higher seat height.

Some of the best full-size dirt bikes for taller adults are:

  • Honda CRF 450X
  • Honda CRF450R
  • KTM 450 SX-F
  • Suzuki RM-Z450
  • KTM 250SXF
  • Husqvarna FC 250

Setting the height of dirt bike

As mentioned above, the height bike plays a crucial role in comfort and safety while riding. But it is also true that the dirt bike companies cannot make bikes that suit every individual needs. However, the rider can adjust the height as per the rider’s need. With a few simple adjustments to the seat, suspension, or handlebars, the rider can adjust the bike’s height in accordance with his/her height.

Tips to lower the dirt bike height

The bike’s height can be easily altered with adjustments in the bike’s seat height. So, to lower the bike’s height, lowering the bike’s seat can benefit the rider. Here are some simple ways to reduce the bike’s height:

  • Removing some foam from the seat is the simplest way to reduce the bike’s height. Cutting some extra foam from the seat pad will not add discomfort to your riding. 
  • Replace the seat foam with some softer foam, so when you are on the seat, the foam will compress, giving you the required height adjustments.
  • Making holes in the seat can also aid in reducing the height, as the seat will shrink whenever you sit.
  • Setting the sag on the bike’s rear suspension can also reduce the bike’s height. So, adjusting the spring at the rear suspension could help you find the appropriate height. But this method can lead to compromise in the steering performance.

Tips for raising the dirt bike height

If you are taller and the dirt bike’s height cannot meet your riding needs, you can add a few more inches to have a better riding experience. Here are some tips for raising the bike’s height:

  • Getting taller seat foam can help you raise your height by spending a few dollars. It will let you increase the height of your bike by 2 inches without compromising on steering dynamics.
  • Adding a bit of the sag setting on the bike’s rear suspension can aid in raising the bike’s height. But this method can affect the bike’s steering performance.
  • Using taller handlebars also helps in the bike’s height raise. This method does not increase the seat height but provides more space to scoot forward on the seat to have a comfortable ride. This method can affect your handling of the bike.

How to choose a dirt bike?

When choosing a dirt bike, a rider needs to consider several things. Sometimes the new rider lands on opting for a lighter in weight and less powerful bike, which is excellent for learning tips and techniques of dirt ride. However, they need more after gaining confidence, so it becomes stiffer to invest such a handsome amount again buying a new bike in just a few months. 

So, to reduce your burden, here is a list of some points that you should consider before buying a dirt bike.

Choosing the type of dirt bike you need

Before choosing the best dirt bike for yourself, you need to consider knowing the types of dirt bikes, and this will help you understand which is best for you.

  1. Motocross bike: 

The presence of the most powerful engine and excellent suspension makes these motocross bikes (MX bikes) often referred to as the top-class dirt bike. These bikes are specially designed for on-closure competition tracks with dirt obstacles like bumps and jumps.

  1. Trail bike:

Many riders prefer trail bikes. These bikes are good for covering medium to long-distance rough terrain. The bikes provide better ride quality with smoother power output, low seat height, and softer suspension. 

The trail bikes are cheaper and good for beginners who don’t need the latest tech and features.

  1. Enduro bike:

Enduro bikes are preferred for racing on enduros and scramble-type events. Though the enduro bikes are a bit costlier but entail ample technology that motocross bikes have. In simple words, it can be said that the enduro bikes are a blend of motocross bikes and trail bikes.

  1. Dual-sport bike:

As the name implies, dual means double, so dual-sport bikes are good to go on rough trails and street legal. The dual-sport tires let the rider ride the bike on the rugged trails and the roads.

There are knobby tires on the bike, but they are less aggressive than those specially designed for dirt riding.

  1. Trial dirt bike:

The trial bikes are different from those mentioned in the list. These bikes are specially used for rides to test the riders’ technical ability and skill, not speed. 

The rider, while riding, pays attention to clutch and throttle to tackle obstacles (impossible on a regular dirt bike). Sp, these bikes are specially for obstacle climbing only. The trial bikes have a different set-up form other dirt bike. 

  1. Supermoto bike:

The supermoto bikes, originating from an off-road bike, the bike is modified and designed to make them street legal. The full street wheels of the bike make it street-legal to ride.

The supermoto bikes, when compared to the street bikes, are lightweight and agile and are suitable for tracks having dirt and tar.

  1. Hill climb dirt bike:

These bikes are designed to meet hill riding conditions, thus making hill riding easier. As good to go on hills, such bikes are perfect for hill climb competitions where the setup contains steep hills with negligible to no run-up.

The hill climb bikes entail more power than the typical dirt bike, so they are dangerous for average riders to handle.

  1. Flat track dirt bike:

This type of dirt bike is meant for flat surfaces—offering high speed and maximum grip. The lowered suspension and the flat-track tires enable the rider to offer a hassle-free ride around an oval track.

Choosing the right size

Now comes choosing the right size, which is very crucial. It’s essential to consider your age, height, and weight before considering any dirt bike. Opting for any random bike can lead to choosing the wrong bike, which may not be comfortable to ride and maybe unsafe. 

It is always advisable to visit the dealer shop and sit on the bike; if your toe and feet balls touch the ground, you are good to go. But if your footrest is flat on the surface, it is not a good sign. It means the bike is short for you, which will exert pressure on the suspension, thus hindering the ride quality. 

The same goes with the weight. If you are tall and heavily built, you will need a better suspension for better handling on rough surfaces.

Choosing between 2-stroke and 4-stroke

Strokes also play a significant role in choosing the dirt bike. The two-stroke bikes can deliver more torque and engine capacity than four-strokes, and the two-strokes are lighter than the same-sized four-stroke bike.

A 2-stroke bike has a steep but narrow torque curve, and 4-stroke has a more linear torque curve. So, many beginners prefer a 4-stroke bike as it is easier to learn and does not involve much clutch slipping to get into the powerband.

The four-stroke bikes offer more engine braking, making them better for very steep downhills.

FAQs

1. What size dirt bike should a five-year-old ride?

For kids, it’s best to start with a 50cc dirt bike.

2. What age is a PW50 for?

Yamaha PW50 is suitable for kids as young as 34 years.

3. What should be the age of the child to ride a 250?

To ride a 250cc bike, the child should be 16 years old or above.

4. Can adults ride a 125cc dirt bike?

A 125cc dirt bike is usually preferred for teenagers, but a lightweight adult can also ride.

5. Is 125 dirt bikes too small?

No, a 125cc dirt bike is not too small. But it is generally preferred for taller teens or lightweight and short adults.

6. Can a 13-year-old ride a 250cc dirt bike?

It depends on the size of the kid. However, a 125cc dirt bike is preferred for a 13-year-old kid.

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