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Yamaha is in my top 2 for favorite dirt bikes and I’ve been riding them for around 20 years now. They’re affordable and super reliable and in this post, I’ll be sharing the best Yamaha dirt bikes for every age group.
I first got my start riding dirt bikes on a little PW50 back when I was 5 or 6 years old and when I turned 12 I got a brand new TTR 125 (which I still have to this day and use it all the time).
The model of bike will all depend on what you’ll be using it for, how tall you actually are, and how much experience you have riding dirt bikes (if you’ve never been on one we don’t want you starting on a big 350 or something like that).
The reason I like Yamaha bikes is that they’re generally the lowest-priced bikes on the market, have a great resell value, and things barely go wrong on them (just like a Honda as well). They may not be the most advanced bike out there but if you’ll be using them on the trail they’ll do everything you’ll need them to do.
Yamaha Dirt Bike For 5-7 Year Olds
Trail & Track Riding: If you’re looking to get a dirt bike for your kid who is under 7 years old I’d recommend the Yamaha TTR 50. This would be a great bike to learn on and it doesn’t really matter what you’ll be using it for. It’s a great trail riding bike (which most people would be using it for) and it can also help your kid learn how to drive on the track.
I remember when I was 5-8 years old cruising around on a little 50cc bike and I had a blast. It’s the perfect bike to learn on and one of the best things about a Yamaha bike is that you can probably sell it for close to what you paid a couple of years later.
Yamaha Dirt Bikes For 8-10 Year Olds
Trail Riding: If you’re looking to get a trail riding bike for your kid who’s between 8 and 10 I’d recommend the Yamaha TTR 110. It’s a pretty big jump up if you’re coming from a 50cc bike because your kid will have to learn how to use a clutch and it’ll be much harder to control the weight of the bike and also the power. From the time I was 8 till 11, I rode a Honda 100 and it was a great size for me (but I do prefer Yamaha).
Track Riding: If you’re looking to get a racing bike for your kid I’d recommend the Yamaha YZ65. This is a 2 stroke dirt bike that’ll have a lot more power than your old 50cc bike. I’m not a 2 stroke guy because I don’t race but this seems to be the popular choice among the track folk. If your kid has never been on a bike before this may be a bit too much bike to learn on and you might be better off learning on a 110cc bike.
Yamaha Dirt Bikes For 11-13 Year Olds
Trail Riding: If you’re looking for a good trail riding bike for your kid I’d recommend the Yamaha TTR 125. This is the bike I got when I was 12 years old and I still have it to this day. It was the perfect size for me then but I still ride it when I’m hunting because it’s easy to control through the bush, it’s quiet, and nothing ever goes wrong with it. I got the bigger wheel version of it and that’s what I’d recommend.
Track Riding: If your kid will be riding the bike on the track I’d recommend you check out the Yamaha YZ85. This is a 2 stroke bike and is designed for the younger teenager. It does have a lot of power and will be best for someone who already has experience riding bikes. If your kid has never been on a bike before this would probably be too much and you might be better off getting a TTR 125 until they learn how to ride (you can generally sell them for close to what you paid).
Yamaha Dirt Bikes For 14+ Year Olds
Trail Riding: If your kid is 14 years or older and is looking for a great trail riding bike I’d recommend the TTR 230. This is an all-around solid bike that can be used for the next 20+ years. It’s the perfect size for taller 14-year-olds and will have plenty of power for someone who’s just strolling through the bush. I’ve never had one myself (I used my TTR 125 for a number of years and got a Husqvarna later on) but many of my buddies still ride their 230 bikes and some of my dad’s friends use them as well.
Track Riding: If your kid will be racing on the track and has some experience riding bikes I’d recommend the Yamaha YZ250F. I do prefer 4 stroke bikes over 2 strokes because there is a lot less maintenance and they’re a lot more comfortable to ride in my opinion. I don’t race though so this is just my personal preference. There is also a YZ250 2 stroke version but that could be a bit too much for a 14-year-old.
Let me know your thoughts and any questions you have. Like this article? Feel free to give it a share!
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