125 vs. 250 Dirt Bike | Which is Best for You?

In the world of dirt bikes, there are different sized bikes available in both a 2-stroke and a 4-stroke. Choosing which dirt bike is best for you can get a lot more difficult when you have 2-stroke and 4-stroke dirt bikes in the same engine sizes. Debating which of these two types of dirt bikes is better is nearly impossible because it all depends on what type of bike is right for your riding style, experience, maintenance costs, and budget. Here is a breakdown of the differences between a 2-stroke and 4-stroke dirt bike to let you decide on which bike is best for you.
 

2-Stroke Dirt Bikes:

Dirt Bike Riding Style:

When choosing between a 2-stroke and a 4-stroke dirt bike, you must take riding style into consideration. If you enjoy riding wood trails, backcountry roads, or racing against other 2-stroke riders, then a 2-stroke dirt bike will be your best choice. Experienced riders enjoy having a 2-stroke bike because it is more fun, lightweight, aggressive, and it offers more of a challenge than other bikes. A rider with a 2-stroke has to know the fundamentals of dirt bike riding so you will definitely become a better rider because of it.

 

Maintenance:

The maintenance cost of a dirt bike can definitely be an obstacle when choosing the right bike for you. One of the reasons 2-stroke dirt bikes have a huge fan base is because they are pretty easy to maintain. You can ride a 2-stroke to its limit and the repair cost will still be significantly less than the maintenance for a 4-stroke dirt bike because the parts for it are more inexpensive. Since the 2-stroke dirt bike is easier to repair, it is also a great bike to learn the fundamentals of fixing, maintaining, and upgrading a bike.
 

Budget:

If you are choosing a dirt bike based on price, then a 2-stroke dirt bike will automatically win. A 2-stroke dirt bike is not only more economical in price, but also much cheaper to maintain than a 4-stroke dirt bike. Having a 2-stroke may require more maintenance jobs along the way compared to a 4-stroke bike, but the cost of its parts is ultimately cheaper and you will be paying a lot less along the way. Once you learn the basic fundamentals of maintaining your bike, you will be able to do the repairs/maintenance yourself, thus saving you a lot of money  

 

Recommendations:

Many big brands manufacturer 2-stroke dirt bikes. If you are looking to purchase your next 2-stroke dirt bike, here are our recommendations for some of the best 2-stroke dirt bike models on the market!

• Yamaha YZ125
• Husqvarna®  CR125
• Honda®  CR250R
• Yamaha YZ250
• KTM 250SX
• Suzuki RM250

 

4-Stroke Dirt Bikes:

Dirt Bike Riding Style:

If your riding style is mostly racing, long desert rides or just long rides then we recommend purchasing a 4-stroke dirt bike. A 4-stroke dirt bike is much smoother and easier to ride than a 2-stroke bike.  Since the power band requires more shifting, the 2-stroke bike is more aggressive to handle as far as powerbands go. If you are a beginner rider, you will find the 4-stroke 250 a lot easier to handle than any other bike. A 2-stroke has so much power that a beginner might have a hard time controlling the bike. A 4-stroke will be the perfect beginner bike for any rider.
 

Maintenance:

Unless you are a skilled motorcycle mechanic, any maintenance on a 4-stroke dirt bike typically requires you to take the bike to a services shop and have it repaired by a skilled and mechanic. A 4-stroke bike has more parts, valve cams, cam, chains, and complex components that only a skilled maintenance person would know what to do to fix it. Having to take your bike to a shop and have it professionally serviced can cost a lot of money depending on what service your bike needs. Usually, 4-stroke bikes need less maintenance than a 2-stroke, but the cost of the parts and service to do it will be a lot higher for a 4-stroke
 

Budget:

Overall, a 4-stroke dirt bike is a lot more expensive than a 2-stroke bike because the bike is more complex. 4-Stoke dirt bike parts are also more expensive so you will be paying more money to not only get the parts needed to service it, but you will have to pay mechanic fees too. Since the 4-stroke dirt bike is more complicated, if the bike were to break down on the track, your riding for that day is over because there is no easy fix without taking it to a mechanic
 

Recommendations:

Although 4-stroke dirt bikes are more expensive than 2-stroke dirt bikes, 4-stroke dirt bikes are perfect for the rider who enjoys racing. Here are our recommendations for the best 4-stroke dirt bikes on the market today.

• Suzuki RM-Z 250
• Kawasaki KX250
• Honda®  CRF250
• Husqvarna®  FC250
• KTM 250SXF
• Yamaha YZ250F

 

Conclusion:

Choosing between a 2-stroke and a 4-stroke ultimately comes down to your riding style and level of comfort. If you are concerned about the budget, then a 2-stroke will be your best option because the overall cost of the bike and maintenance is a lot cheaper than a 4-stroke. If money is no object and you are looking for a new dirt bike experience, then a 4-stroke will be the bike for you. Check out our dirt bike inventory and purchase your new ride today!

RELATED BLOGS:

 - Master These Skills Before Taking Your Dirt Bike To The Track

 - Common Beginner Dirt Bike Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

 - Before You Buy a Dirt Bike

 

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