As an Amazon Affiliate DirtBikePlanet.com earns from qualifying purchases.
All dust bike riders, whether or not you’re a seasoned vet, or a model new rider, have felt that itch. You should purchase a mud bike, and it is advisable to do it NOW. Now that you just’ve recognized the supply of the “itch”, there are some questions it is advisable to reply earlier than you’ll be able to realistically and safely purchase a mud bike with out breaking your funds or your sanity.
What bills are you going to have as part of the “buy bundle”? The place do you begin? The place do I even discover a dust bike that matches inside my funds, and whereas I’m occupied with it, what’s my funds?
Determining the solutions to these questions and establishing these ideas, whereas being nice for purchasing a brand new (or used) dust bike, are additionally extremely helpful for any form of buy the place you’re planning on spending a major sum of money, or shopping for one thing mechanical which will want some “proofing”, to be sure you are literally going to be getting what you’re paying for.
What to Purchase
Manufacturers
Figuring out your manufacturers is a good way to get nearer to an assurance that the acquisition you might be about to make is a semi-reliable one. Completely different bikes and types have completely different “specialties” and reputations for reliability, and understanding what these are can prevent from shopping for a used low-cost knockoff that’s going to burn out the second you attempt to climb a hill with it.
Whereas the manufacturers I’m going to checklist most definitely aren’t the one manufacturers accessible, they’re well-known high quality manufacturers that ought to serve you effectively so long as you do your half when looking for a brand new bike.
| Model Identify | Description |
| KTM | Numerous customization choices, lightest of their class. |
| Husqvarna | Owned by KTM, very related. |
| Yamaha | Made the primary dust bike in 1968, dependable and skilled. |
| Kawasaki | Dependable and low-cost, don’t make many new 2 stroke bikes. |
| Honda | Sturdy, dependable engines, shifted focus to 4 stroke engines. |
- KTM – KTM has constructed a reputation for itself for good causes.
With a seat that’s simple to take away and a VERY broad number of bikes to select from, it’s extraordinarily simple to discover a bike that matches YOU, should you’re prepared to spend the time trying.
KTM bikes are very persistently the lightest bikes of their class and had been the primary bikes to have very simply detachable air filters and seats. - Husqvarna. This model of bikes is definitely owned by KTM, and they’re completely different from each other, however they’ve sufficient similarities that I felt like they need to be positioned proper subsequent to KTM.
- Yamaha has been producing bikes for a VERY very long time, and so they most definitely know what they’re doing. With a VERY long-standing fame in relation to bikes and dust bikes, they’re a protected wager. Because the makers of the world’s first true “off-road motorbike” in 1968, they’ve years upon years of expertise and craftsmanship that goes into every of their merchandise.
- Kawasaki has constructed itself up because the model with probably the most dependable low-cost bikes, whereas not compromising in relation to high quality. A draw back to Kawasaki bikes? In case you are in search of a more moderen mannequin, it’s possible you’ll not have the ability to discover a two stroke Kawasaki that you just like. They minimize down on their two stroke manufacturing to focus extra on 4 strokes.
Nonetheless be sure you examine them out, as their bikes are extra probably going to be in your two thousand greenback funds that you just’re making an attempt to maintain, however bear in mind that should you’re in search of a more moderen two stroke, it’s possible you’ll not have the ability to discover one from this producer. - Honda. In the case of small engines, Honda is the model with the fame you’re in search of. Whereas their bikes will not be probably the most modern on the market, they’re dependable, and so they have a historical past of snatching up dust bike racing titles to again them up. Honda is one other producer that has shifted it focuses extra in the direction of 4 stroke engines, so if that’s what you’re in search of, Honda could have produced simply the bike for you!
When all of it boils all the way down to a remaining, strong reply, you might be actually simply not going to discover a good, strong bike for 5 hundred {dollars} or much less, except
1. You’re shopping for from a member of the family or pal who’s going to provide you an absolute steal of a deal, or
2. You’re shopping for a kids’s dust bike, presumably electrical, by which case you continue to have a very good probability of getting a good bike for 5 hundred {dollars} or much less.
Grownup Bikes
Let’s simply get this out of the best way, should you assume you’re going to be discovering a very good, NEW dust bike for an grownup within the ballpark of 5 hundred {dollars} or much less, you need to in all probability sit again, reevaluate, notice it isn’t going to occur, and determine to maintain saving till you’ll be able to afford to get a greater dust bike, which, sadly, goes to price you greater than 5 hundred {dollars}.
For those who’re decided to strive your hardest to discover a dust bike you can buy for 5 hundred {dollars} or much less, listed here are, nonetheless, a number of web sites you’ll be able to take a look at the place you’ll be able to take a look at used dust bikes, and type them by their listed worth. For instance, this web site, Cycle Dealer, lets you take a look at bikes sorted by their worth. It additionally lists info like whether or not or not you may make month-to-month funds, and different extraordinarily helpful solutions to questions you’ll have.
For some unknowable, inexplicable motive, numerous web sites that promote autos, like boats, vehicles, and also you guessed it, dust bikes(!), don’t really checklist the costs of the product on the market, as a substitute leaving a telephone quantity so that you can name so as so that you can inquire in regards to the product. In my introverted thoughts’s opinion is without doubt one of the worst attainable issues you may do if you’re really making an attempt to promote one thing.
Here’s a checklist of examples of the form of grownup bikes you can get for $500.
| Bike | Worth | The place We Discovered It |
| 1. 2000 Baja | $500 | Kijiji.ca |
| 2. 1979 HONDA XLS 250 | $500 | Kijiji.ca |
| 3. KTM 50 SX Senior | $500 | Kijiji.ca |
| 4. 1980 KAWASAKI KE 100 | $500 | CycleTrader.com |
| 5. 78 YAHAMA Two Stroke 90cc | $500 | Craigslist.org |
Although there are bikes on the market for this worth, let’s speak in regards to the high quality you’ll be buying.
These dust bikes could or not be accessible by the point that you just see them, as a result of somebody may snatch one up. However, the 1979 Honda XLS is 40 years outdated and has no image, suggesting it’s not in the perfect situation.
The Kawasaki has not been run for a yr, however is listed on having had work finished. The physique has scratches and is in tough form.
To say the least, these bikes are fairly outdated, run into the bottom, and/or have issues operating. A few of the different fashions on the market on the market are going mission bikes that require numerous work. For those who purchase a motorbike for $500 or much less, you might be signing your self up for A LOT.
Child’s Bikes
That is the place you may very well have some luck looking for a brand new bike in your 5 hundred greenback vary. Discovering a good kids’s bike is as simple as a fast search on Amazon, or a pair calls to your native motorbike or dust bike sellers.
| Bike | Worth | The place We Discovered It |
| 1. 2019 Yuluan 50cc | $399 | CycleTrader.com |
| 2. SSR SX50A 50cc | $439 | CycleTrader.com |
| 3. 2019 SSR MOTORSPORTS SX50-A | $495 | CycleTrader.com |
| 4. Razor MX350 Filth Rocket Electrical Motocross | See Worth on Amazon | Amazon.com |
| 5. XtremepowerUS 49CC 2-Stroke Filth Bike | See Worth on Amazon | Amazon.com |
Know Your Finances
With a title like “Finest Filth Bikes Below $500”, you’re in all probability questioning why I might hassle together with one thing like this within the article. Sadly, you could have extra bills to think about than simply the preliminary buy worth of the bike, and it is advisable to determine the place that cash is coming from.
For instance, you’ll have to take the bike to a mechanic to have it checked out first, BEFORE you purchase it, particularly if you’re shopping for used. You’re going to wish cash to buy elements and make repairs it’s in all probability going to wish as a result of should you’re shopping for a mud bike for lower than $500, there are going to be some issues mistaken with it.
You will want cash for registration, licensing, and another authorized charges and purchases that exist in your particular space, which, by the best way, is your accountability to know, since they’ll change from county to county, state to state, and so forth.
The Bike
That is greater than probably the place you imagined that two 5 hundred {dollars} going if you had been first planning on making this thrilling buy. Because the buy of the bike itself is definitely the primary focus of the acquisition, it’s fully comprehensible why you may need thought of this to be the one a part of the acquisition you wanted to consider if you had been saving. However no matter whether or not you’re shopping for new, or shopping for a used bike, there are these a number of different bills you’re going to be making if you buy a brand new (or new to you) dust bike.
You should have determined beforehand whether or not or not that cash goes to be coming out of your present two thousand greenback funds, or if that allotment is particularly for the acquisition of the bike, and the opposite bills will probably be coming from some other place. For those who don’t make that distinction now, it’s possible you’ll be hurting afterward when issues don’t go as deliberate, and also you notice you’re quick some money.
Due to this, you’ll have to have determined earlier than you make the acquisition if the cash to care for these different bills goes to be coming from the aforementioned 5 hundred greenback funds, or if that cash is JUST for the acquisition of the bike, and the cash for every part else is coming from…. effectively, some other place.
As obnoxious as that sounds, it is advisable to make that distinction now, and determine that out earlier than you do anything. For those who don’t, it’s possible you’ll find yourself both spending greater than you could have, or shopping for a motorbike that wants repairs so as to operate. However, sadly, you’ll be able to’t afford them, so it finally ends up sitting, simply propped up subsequent to your storage, an costly monument to your incompetence and lack of foresight.
Getting The Bike Checked
SPECIFICALLY and particularly if you’re shopping for your dust bike used, you actually, actually ought to have it checked out. Take it to an expert or licensed mechanic, or perhaps a educated member of the family or pal, however definitely by somebody with a talent set and a present working data of dust bikes that may be trusted. For those who belief your self sufficient, I suppose you may do that by yourself.
Shopping for a used dust bike is usually both an incredible expertise or a horrible one, relying on whether or not or not you undergo with this step.
As unlucky as it’s, there are individuals on the market who’re going to attempt to make the most of you and your attainable lack of awareness by promoting you an inferior or broken product that isn’t definitely worth the worth they’re making an attempt to get you to pay. This isn’t the one motive you need to have it checked out, nonetheless.
Not everybody goes to be out to get you, in reality, many individuals promoting a used dust bike could be making an attempt to make room of their storage and are prepared to take a good worth. However you don’t know the way lengthy the bike could have been sitting in a secluded nook, or in opposition to the aspect of somebody’s shed, and there could also be issues with the bike that the proprietor simply isn’t conscious of, no matter good or dangerous intentions.
After getting an opportunity to look over the bike your self and also you determine you’d like to maneuver ahead, get permission from the proprietor to take the bike to that mechanic that you just’ve picked and know you’ll be able to belief. Or, in the event that they don’t need you taking the bike, ask them to carry it to your mechanic. In the event that they nonetheless refuse, thank them for his or her time, and stroll away. Not wanting you to get their product checked out isn’t a very good signal, and so they’re in all probability hiding one thing (Trace: If the $500 dust bike appears to be like too good to be true, it in all probability is).
Relying in your relationship with the mechanic, the value of this “checkup” will fluctuate, however it’s most definitely an expense that ought to be made, so you could have a greater thought of what situation the bike is in BEFORE you purchase it.
Repairs
For those who’re shopping for a brand new, kids’s dust bike, this part clearly gained’t apply. However should you’re shopping for ANY form of used dust bike for wherever close to the realm of 5 hundred {dollars}, you REALLY ought to get it checked out BEFORE you purchase it.
Like I discussed earlier than except you’re getting a loopy deal from somebody and belief, there are just a few the explanation why anybody could be promoting a mud bike for round 5 hundred {dollars}, and so they all in all probability have one thing to do with the situation of the bike.
The simplest approach to keep away from getting ripped off is to get the bike in query checked by a mechanic you belief earlier than you buy it. Don’t fear about offending the proprietor by asking if you will get the bike checked out. In the event that they’re sincere, they gained’t be anxious about it.
Know Your Mechanics
One of many completely KEY elements of this course of is to have a mechanic and belief. YOU additionally have to know a bit of bit about dust bike mechanics, so as to save your self money and time.
Your Mechanic
I actually can’t describe to you, or emphasize sufficient, how necessary it’s to have a mechanic that you’ve got a very good relationship with. This could possibly be a enterprise or a member of the family or pal who is aware of what they’re doing.
This individual or enterprise must have a historical past of high quality repairs, dependable repairmen, and an sincere fame or sincere private historical past between the 2 of you.
Why?
You should know that the report you’re going to be given is sincere and correct, with out the fear that you just’re being lied to or taken benefit of. This is the reason it’s necessary to take the bike you’re into YOUR mechanic, as a substitute of the mechanic that the proprietor of the bike goes to.
It additionally goes with out saying that that is the primary of many areas the place you’re going to be placing cash in relation to the acquisition of the dust bike, that isn’t the direct buy of the bike itself. It is a nice instance of the significance of mapping out your spending, making a funds for this buy, and determining if the cash for these different expenditures goes to return out of your authentic 5 hundred {dollars}, or if it’s coming from some other place.
YOU
That’s proper, YOU! You should have some fundamental mechanical data so as to save your self cash. Why, you ask? For those who take EVERY bike you’re fascinated with to a mechanic, you’re going to be spending some huge cash on mechanic visits, cash that you just wouldn’t have to be spending should you had some newbie data that you may use to “proof” the bike, and examine some basic items to verify it matches some necessary standards earlier than you are taking it to a mechanic.
Make sense? You’re basically checking some floor issues to be sure you aren’t losing cash getting the bike checked by somebody it’s important to pay. For those who can rule the bike out your self, you gained’t must pay to get it dominated out. If it passes your check, you’ll be able to take it to your trusted mechanic for the extra in-depth “checkup”.
Visible Inspection
This isn’t a mechanical examine, however it’s simply as necessary!
When you get to the proprietor’s home or storage the place they’re promoting the bike, have a look round.
Now please don’t misunderstand me or misread what I’m saying, I’m undoubtedly not telling you to snoop round and trespass, don’t try this. Simply have a look round when you’re strolling to the individual’s entrance door or to their storage the place their bike is.
Whereas it most definitely isn’t a assure, typically you will get a basic thought of how an individual handled their bike primarily based on the situation of issues like their automobile, their yard, and their storage.
Is their storage clear, or at the very least organized? Is their yard pretty effectively taken care of? For those who can see their automobile, does it appear to be they take respectable care of it?
Once more, this isn’t a foolproof system, but when somebody is nice at caring for some issues, likelihood is they’re going to be respectable at caring for different issues.
Mechanical Inspection
That is the inspection that YOU are going to be giving the bike earlier than you both decline the supply or determine to take it to your mechanic.
Let’s go over a few of the issues you need to examine!
Fast disclaimer, these are issues that I personally assume are necessary to examine. They’ll provide you with a good suggestion as to the state of the integrity of the essential construction, body, and some clues as to the “well being” of the engine, however if in case you have different issues that you just need to examine, or know methods to proof, by ALL means, examine them. The extra knowledgeable you might be about your buy, the higher!
Begin the Bike
Before everything, examine to see if the bike begins. If there’s no gasoline within the tank, don’t really feel dangerous asking the proprietor to place some in so you’ll be able to confirm that the bike begins if he says it does. If the bike doesn’t begin, and that’s one thing you need in a 5 hundred greenback buy, instantly that this in all probability isn’t the bike for you.
Body Welds
This, in my thoughts, is without doubt one of the most necessary issues you’ll be able to examine on a used bike, ESPECIALLY if it’s underneath 5 hundred {dollars}, or wherever close to it.
Get permission from the proprietor, then go as much as the bike and begin giving it a really up-close inspection, particularly checking the welding on the body.
Welding will typically solely ever be cracked or in any other case ruined if the bike has gone underneath some excessive bodily trauma or duress, like a nasty crash, presumably getting run over by a automobile.
If the body welding is cracked ANYWHERE, I might extremely recommend thanking the proprietor for his or her time and leaving with out the bike. Cracks within the body point out that the essential structural integrity of the bike has been compromised, and I might by no means purchase a motorbike that I knew could collapse at any given second, ESPECIALLY if it’s a motorbike that youngsters could be using. By no means purchase a automobile you’ll be able to’t belief.
Might you purchase it for elements? Completely. However I wouldn’t belief the body of that bike so far as I might throw it.
The Wheels
Wheels are costly. If it’s important to substitute the wheels, that’s going to be a good chunk out of your 5 hundred {dollars}.
Once more, assuming you could have permission from the proprietor of the bike, take a pleasant, shut and private take a look at the wheels. You will get a good suggestion of the form of form the bike is in by trying on the situation of the wheels. The very first thing you need to do is give the wheels a very good handbook spin, trying to see in the event that they wobble, and have a clean rotation.
Be certain that to spin each the entrance and the again wheels. You’re going to be trying to see if the frames of the wheels are bent and if the wheels themselves are free. You’ll have the ability to see in the event that they’re free in the event that they wobble round if you spin them.
If the frames of the wheels are bent, you’re in all probability going to have to switch them, which is one other expense you’ll have to think about, and it’s not an affordable one.
If the wheels are free, that’s a very good indicator of the form of care that the unique proprietor gave to it. In the event that they didn’t hassle tightening issues up earlier than you bought there, they in all probability didn’t care about numerous different issues in relation to the upkeep of the precise bike. Verify the hubs as effectively. If the hubs are cracked, the bike has in all probability been in a crash, or has sustained some extreme put on.
The Spokes
Verify to verify every wheel has all its spokes. If the wheels are lacking spokes, you’re going to have to switch the tires, which, as I discussed earlier than, just isn’t an affordable buy, and virtually all the time over $100.
When you’ve verified that the spokes are there, see if they’re bent, and seize and wiggle them. Bent and lose tire spokes are different nice indicators of some form of bike trauma, and lack of standard upkeep being carried out on the bike, which can provide you an thought of what sort of form the engine and mechanical points of the bike are in.
Just remember to don’t let your self really feel dangerous having such “small” issues be deal-breakers in relation to the acquisition of the bike. Even when the 5 hundred {dollars} you’re spending does embody the value of any repairs you’re going to be making to a run-down bike as soon as you buy it, that’s nonetheless some huge cash to be spending, and that’s not the form of cash you need to drop as a result of “you are feeling dangerous”, or “you’re anxious about hurting somebody’s emotions”.
Air Filter
One other good inform of whether or not or not common upkeep has been carried out on the bike (sure, there are lots, and you need to know all of them), is the air filter. ALWAYS examine the air filter. If the airbox and air filter are soiled, that tells you many issues. Particularly, the proprietor didn’t hassle to scrub up the bike earlier than he tried to promote it, which says lots about how effectively he in all probability cared for the bike beforehand.
Verify the Oil
Most bikes will both have a dipstick or a transparent space the place you’ll be able to simply see the oil ranges with out eradicating something. Naked minimal, it ought to be on the marking for the least quantity of oil allowable. Verify to see how darkish the oil is. If the oil is simply too darkish, even when the degrees are good, there’s a very good probability the bike has been sitting for some time, and the oil has simply been sitting, which is one more signal of poor upkeep.
Now, that is a kind of issues that can work in some circumstances, and never in others. For instance, two stroke vs 4 stroke bikes. If the bike is a two stroke, the oil will get blended in with the gasoline, by which case there gained’t be oil ranges to examine.
Nonetheless, if the bike has a 4 stroke engine, that is one thing you need to most definitely examine. If the bike has been not too long ago and even semi-recently used, the oil ranges ought to be a very good indicator of the form of care the proprietor provides to grease checks and refills. If the oil is low, there’s an opportunity that this could possibly be an everyday prevalence, by which case there are engine elements which will want changing, one other restore you’re going to must pay for (although this can clearly fluctuate primarily based on how lengthy the bike has been sitting with out getting used).
Chain
Make SURE you examine the chain, and the sprockets when you’re at it. Search for rust, free hyperlinks, and pins, something that signifies lower than optimum high quality, or the chance of a brand new chain within the very close to future.
Once more, should you’re solely eager to spend round 5 hundred {dollars} on the bike, you’re not going to need to have to switch a complete lot, and it’s typically pretty simple to see if there was any injury or dangerous put on to the chain.
Why NOT to Purchase a Bike
Look, let’s be sincere, there are a variety of causes you shouldn’t purchase a $500 bike. Like I’ve talked about earlier than, you CAN discover kids’s bikes for underneath 5 hundred {dollars} and be protected. However should you’re in search of an grownup’s bike, you’re REALLY going to have to be cautious. Whereas it’s attainable so that you can discover an grownup’s dust bike for 5 hundred {dollars} or much less, it’s not possible that it will likely be a very good buy.
Along with that, if speaking about all the opposite locations you had been going to must be placing your cash was hectic, or made you notice that you just weren’t going to have sufficient, don’t really feel dangerous laying aside your buy. It’s a lot smarter to be financially secure and safe than it’s to make an impulse buy and lose cash.
No matter what you determine, be sure you are accountable along with your cash, and do every part in a financially sustainable method.
Be sure to’re shopping for a mud bike, not a cash pit, and also you’ll be simply wonderful.
