Whenever one goes shopping a dirt bike or just wants to get to know more about the off-road performance, one question will easily take centre stage in the discussion and that is how fast are dirt bikes. Speed is important because there are various reasons as per your level of experience. Novices are safety and control oriented and experienced riders are adrenaline and results oriented. Knowing the top speed of the dirt bike of different models will enable you to make the right choice on which type of machine to ride according to your level of ability and objectives of riding.
The speed of dirt bikes are determined by several factors, some of which include engine displacement and weight of the bike as well as the type of terrain and experience of the rider. A 50cc youth bike is in no way similar to a 250cc performance machine in terms of its behavior. We shall dissect the speed characteristics of the various dirt bikes and how this influences their performance on the trails.
Normal Dirt Bike Top Speeds by Engine Size
Speed of the dirt bikes changes quite drastically depending on the engine size. This is what you are likely to get with the most popular types of engines:
50cc Dirt Bikes
Games: Introduced to young buyers between the ages of 5-10, these are entry-level bikes that have just the right amount of power to teach the beginner how to control the throttle and the simplest of riding skills. Other models such as the Crossfire CF50 are made with weight, height and handling in such a way that it cater to smaller riders who are just beginning to explore the world of dirt biking.
70cc–110cc Dirt Bikes
These bikes are ideal to the older kids who are shifting to more powerful bikes, they travel at a speed of 35-50 miles per hour. The Apollo RFN Thunder 70cc and Thunder 110cc have a good performance with semi-automatic transmission and this makes them to be the best choice among the young riders who are yet to master their skills in operating a higher speed and power.
125cc Dirt Bikes
This is a popular sports category with speeds ranging between 50-65mph depending on the type of bike and conditions. Bikes such as the Apollo RFN Thunder 125cc Semi Automatic and the RXF Open 125cc have great performance among the bigger beginners and intermediate riders. The DHZ OUTLAW125E has a LIFAN 4-stroke engine that delivers power evenly and is ideal to the rider who has already mastered the advanced techniques.
140cc–150cc Dirt Bikes
These bikes fill the between the novice and professional riding category, having a maximum speed of 55-70 mph. The Apollo Thunder 140cc Enduro and Freeride 140cc featuring 19″ front and 16″ rear are designed to suit the rider who has moved out of the smaller bikes. The MW 150cc Big Wheel dirt bikes are high-powered and rough designs that are able to overcome rough and difficult surfaces still in control.
250cc Dirt Bikes
The machines of serious trail riders and racers, the 250cc machines are capable of reaching him/her over 70-85 mph under optimal conditions. The GMX X Series X-250 and Crossfire CFR250 are the fastest dirt bikes which can be used by the experienced riders who want maximum performance. The MW 250cc models offer air-cooled high performance engines that are designed to take over the motocross tracks and enduro courses.
Influencing Factors of the Speed of Dirt Bikes
Raw engine displacement is just the half the tale of speed. There are several variables that influence real-world actual dirt bike top speed:
Engine Type and Configuration
Four stroke engines such as in the DHZ OUTLAW series offer a smoother more predictable power delivery that is better at providing low end torque and is relatively easier to operate by the less experienced riders. The performance of one brand can differ greatly compared to the performance of the other, with one engine being optimized to be more torque-oriented and the other being more at the top end.
Weight and Build Quality of Bikes
Bikes with lower weights require less time to accelerate and move around, but bikes with higher weight tend to be more stable when at top speed. The MW series bikes have a light weight frame which allows the bike to be maneuvered easily whereas the models such as the Apollo Thunder series have even weight distribution enabling the bike to have the best control over different terrain.
Transmission Type
Semi-automatic transmissions such as those in the Apollo Thunder models enable riders to concentrate on speed and control without controlling a clutch. The fully manual transmission offers greater control of power to the rider with high performance demands.
Terrain Conditions
Hard-packed dirt is smooth, and therefore enables a bike to get maximum speed, whereas mud, sand, rocks and steep hills greatly decrease the speed. A bike that could do 80 mph on a flat road may not make 35 mph when going up a rocky hill or through deep sand.
Rider Skill Level
Experienced riders are able to wring the most out of any bike with better throttle management, body location and choice of lines. Having a professional riding a 125cc motorbike, they will be able to ride faster and harder than a beginner on a 250cc motorbike.
Tire Choice and Suspension
All-terrain tires have great grips in varying surfaces that directly influence the acceleration and top speed. Suspension systems such as those found in the high-performance models of Crossfire are of the quality type that absorbs bumps to allow bumps to be smoother resulting in a better ride at higher speeds.
Dirt Bike Speed Comparison: Models of the Best Performance
In the comparison of the top dirt bikes in the market, there are always some models that provide an impressive performance:
The GMX X Series X-250 is the latest attention grabber in the performance dirt bike, the combination of power and the state of the art design. The Crossfire CFR250 replaced legendary models and provides serious riders with the current generation technology. The two bikes are the best in their category and can attain a speed of 75-85 mph under specific conditions.
To those riders who want high performance in smaller packages, the RXF Open 125cc does not disillusion them with its speed that is extraordinary to its displacement. The Apollo thunder 250cc lightning series boasts of the independently developed off road technology that puts to the test the limits within the 250cc category.
Categories Electric choices are bringing in the speed gap quickly. The DHZ 5000E Electric Dirt Bike is able to deliver its stunning performance powered by a powerful motor, and the 2025 Surron Light Bee X merges the dirt bike with the precision of a mountain bike. The 2200W 60 V brushless powered DHZ 2200E overpowers terrain at almost the same speed as the traditional gas powered 125cc machines.
Speed in Various Levels of Riders
Novices ought to focus on 50cc-125cc models of bikes. Both Crossfire CF50 and Apollo Thunder 70cc offer sufficient velocity to master the basics without any harmful circumstances. Learning to control the clutch, transitioning, and cornering at moderate speed gives confidence and muscle memory that one needs to move further.
Novice riders may move to the 125cc-150cc motorcycles which provides a sweet spot of speed to a dirt bike. Bikes such as the MW 150cc and the DHZ OUTLAW125E are quick enough to put your own test and to deal with diverse terrain and yet be easy enough to handle when things get difficult.
High-level and highly skilled riders require the functionality of 250cc bikes. Crossfire CFR250 and GMX X-250 are bikes that demand the fine art, good physical condition, and decisiveness in order to ride safely on their maximum speed. These machines compensate experience with adrenaline entertainment.
Electric bike factors: To those riders who require power without sound and/or smoke, electric bikes such as the DHZ 2200E and the DHZ 5000E will provide impressive acceleration and controlled speed delivery. They are especially good in younger riders who are learning to ride as parents are usually able to use power to control the speed to a desired level.
Conclusion
Knowing the speed of dirt bikes will assist you know what machine to purchase based on your skills and style of riding. Although the quickest dirt bikes have been found to go faster than 85 mph, speed does not necessarily make the best match to any rider. Couple the capabilities of the bike to your level of skills, terrain you intend to ride in and safety awareness. Riding a 125cc bike that you can easily manage gives you more pleasure compared to a 250cc motorcycle that scares you.
You will automatically upgrade to faster, more powerful machines as you continue to train up on them. The fact that it is a process of progression between the first 50cc bike to riding the trails on a 250cc racer is one of the things that makes dirt biking so rewarding. Concentrate on developing the correct method, what your bike is capable of and ride at your level and slowly challenge yourself.
Ready to hit the trails? Discover the best Dirt Bikes for Sale at Go Easy the Online Store, with good quality models of such companies as Apollo, Crossfire, GMX, MW, and DHZ at affordable prices to both novices and advanced bikers.