How to Buy Your First Dirt Bike

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: September 6, 2019 References

Buying your first dirt bike can seem like a daunting task. There are so many different types of dirt bikes out there and it can be difficult to choose the right one for you. Don't stress, you can get your first bike for a good price by finding out the best bike for you, where to find that type of bike, and how to negotiate a good price.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Picking the Right Dirt Bike for You

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Buy a used dirt bike if you want to save money. There's nothing wrong with buying a used dirt bike for your first dirt bike. Used bikes are much cheaper than new bikes and can be bought for between $500 and $2000. It's better to buy a used dirt bike starting out because you might decide to give up the sport soon after starting. You don't want a brand new dirt bike that you spent a lot of money on collecting dust in your garage.^{[1]
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- Remember that if a used bike breaks, you have very little chance of a refund if you bought it on eBay or Craigslist.
- Spending less can often cost more in the future. If you find 2 of the exact same bike at 2 different prices online and the cheaper one is more beaten up, you should consider buying the more expensive bike. You could spend much more money fixing up the cheaper, battered, bike compared to the more expensive bike in good condition.
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Purchase a new dirt bike if you want something that will last a long time. New bikes will generally have a much longer lifespan than used bikes. If you're only getting started with riding dirt bikes, you might want a new dirt bike so it lasts you a few years. If a new bike breaks, you can bring it back to the store and they can fix it or replace it.^{[2]
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- New dirt bikes can cost anywhere from $2000 upwards depending on the quality of bike you're looking for. The best bikes on the market cost between $7000 and $8000. Most bikes in the $2000 to $3000 range will be perfect for all types of riders and you shouldn't pay much more than that for your first bike.
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Look for play dirt bikes since they're designed for beginners. Dirt bikes come in a variety of types and sizes. Since you're only starting out, a play bike will be ideal as your first dirt bike. Don't be offended by the word "play" here. If you've never owned or rode a dirt bike before, it's a bad idea to start out with one of the fastest bikes on the market. Play bikes are designed for beginners.^{[3]
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- Play bikes are high on durability and low on maintenance, which means they are perfect for beginners. You'll be able to focus on learning how to ride and control the bike.
- If you have some experience riding dirt bikes and don't want to buy a play dirt bike, you can buy another type of bike. Trail bikes are the most common type of dirt bike. These bikes are designed for riding on rough terrain. Motocross bikes are built for speed, endurance dirt bikes are made to travel long distances, and street bikes can be driven on roads or on rough terrain.^{[4]
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Take your height into account when choosing a dirt bike. Height is an important aspect when choosing your dirt bike. If you're too big for the bike, you'll be cramped when riding it and more likely to have an accident. If you're too small, you won't have as much control, and you will be more likely to have an accident.^{[5]
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- Generally, the dirt bike seat should be half your height. If you're 6 feet (1.8 m), the seat should be 3 feet (0.91 m) tall.
- When you sit on the bike, you should only be able to touch the floor with your toes and the balls of your feet. You should not be able to plant your heel. If you sit on a bike and can only touch the floor with your toes and the balls of your feet, the bike is the right size.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Shopping for a Dirt Bike

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Shop online if you want a used dirt bike. The best place to find a cheap, used dirt bike is online. Visit online marketplaces and search for the model and type of dirt bike you want. You can also take a look at past auctions to see what the going price is for the type of bike you want.^{[6]
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- Sites like eBay and Craigslist are generally the best place to buy dirt bikes online. CycleTrader is another good website as they specialize in used dirt bikes.
- If you buy from eBay, the dirt bike will more than likely be shipped to you by the seller. If you buy on a site like Craigslist, if you live near the seller you can arrange a meeting. If not, the seller will probably have to ship it.
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Shop in-store if you're looking for a new dirt bike. If you're buying a brand new dirt bike, you want to buy from a dealership or legitimate seller. If your bike breaks, you can't ask someone on Craigslist for a refund. Dealerships will provide you with receipts or warranties, so if something does go wrong, you can sort it out at the store.^{[7]
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Compare prices and shop around for bikes before you make a purchase. Once you've identified the type and model of dirt bike you want, make sure to look around on different websites and in stores before you buy. There's no worse feeling than buying your dirt bike and then finding a much cheaper price for the same bike later.^{[8]
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- It can be cheaper to buy a dirt bike from a local store than buying online. If the bike you buy online is on the other side of the United States, it could cost you a lot more money to get the bike delivered.
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Sit on a dirt bike to test out its size if you're shopping in person. You can do all the research you want but nothing will tell you more about how much a bike suits you than when you sit on it. In an instant you can tell if the bike is too tall or too small, if the handlebars are the right distance, and whether or not you like the overall feel of the bike.^{[9]
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- Dealerships will usually have no problem with you sitting on the bike.
- If you're buying the bike used and the owner says you can't sit on the bike, take that as a warning sign that there's something the seller is hiding about the bike.
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Make a list of questions to ask about the dirt bike in advance. If you're buying at a dealership, the salesperson there should be an expert on the bikes in store and should be able to provide answers to all the questions you have. A used bike seller is more than likely not an expert and they will only be able to answer some of your questions about their dirt bike. Good questions to ask are:^{[10]
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- "How durable is the bike?" This will tell you how well the bike stands up to force and pressure.
- "How long is the warranty for the bike?" A dealership will provide you with a warranty but don't expect one from a seller from eBay or Craigslist.
- "How many CCs is the dirt bike?" Cubic centimeters (CC) tells you how big the engine is.
- "How often does the bike need to be serviced?" All vehicles should be given a look over at a garage from time to time. If the bike needs to be serviced more than once a year, it's probably going to be high maintenance for the rest of the time too.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Negotiating the Price of a Used Bike

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Research the dirt bike you want so you're more informed when you negotiate. You should try and find out as much as you can about different types of dirt bike, how much they tend to cost, and the wider motor sport world. Sellers love misinformed buyers. They will often charge more than they would if they were selling to a knowledgeable buyer.^{[11]
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- You will also be able to ask better questions about the bike, which can help you negotiate a lower price.
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Contact the seller. If using an online marketplace, for safety reasons, only talk to the seller through the website. Most marketplace sites show the positive feedback rating of each seller. This tells you how easy they are to deal with and if they usually sell their products as described.
- If you need to phone the seller or contact them via another method, make sure you follow their instructions for contacting them. Some sellers will only want you to contact them at a certain time of day.
3
Be calm and relaxed when discussing the bike. Don't seem overly eager or desperate to buy the dirt bike. If you're buying your dirt bike through eBay, you won't have much room to haggle over the price. If using another method of purchase such as Craigslist or a store, you can try to negotiate.^{[12]
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- You can never be too calm about a deal. The more calm and confident you are the better results you will have. However, don't be cocky, it will turn your seller off and tell them you know nothing about what you are talking about.
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Discuss some issues you have with the dirt bike. You need to be careful with this step as you don't want the seller to think you're being too picky for the sake of it. Point out any flaws with the bike such as damage to the paint or worn disk pads. This will make it easier to negotiate a lower price.^{[13]
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- If some parts of the bike are in bad condition, mention it. If the headlight doesn't work, bring it up.
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Make a lower offer than what you're willing to pay for the bike to start. It's always a good idea in negotiations to start out with a low offer. Don't make an offer that's offensively low, but make an offer you don't think the seller will accept. The seller will try and get the most money they can for their bike but you should drive a hard bargain. Slowly move up from your initial offer but always stay on the lower end of the scale.^{[14]
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- If you act like you don't care if you get this bike or not, you will have better chances at coming away with a good deal.
- Don't be afraid to walk away if the seller isn't being fair with the price.
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Pay the seller once the price is agreed. It's always possible that you and the seller won't be able to agree on the price, but once your price is fair, the seller should accept. If you've met the seller in person, pay in cash or check. If you've talked over the phone with the seller, you can mail them a check or transfer money to their bank account.^{[15]
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- You now own your first dirt bike.

Community Q&A

Question

Where do we get the dirt bike from?

Community Answer

An internet search is the best place to start. You could look at eBay or craigslist, or do a search for "dirtbikes in my area".

Warnings

If meeting the seller in person, meet them in a busy place during the day. Never meet the seller at their own house or another isolated location.

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